Supernaut

Supernaut
  • 5.0 (2)
  • RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY

Supernaut is a podcast about spirituality, sobriety, suicide, and the full spectrum of being human. Hosted by Beth Kelling, the show opens space for honest conversations about healing, identity, and the parts of life we often keep quiet. As the show has grown, mental health has become a defining theme. Many guests have shared deeply personal experiences with anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and loss. In response, Supernaut is dedicating more space to conversations around suicide—approaching the topic with care, honesty, and compassion. The goal is not to sensationalize pain, but to reduce stigma, encourage vulnerability, and remind people that struggling does not mean failing—and that help, connection, and light are possible. Whether you’re sober-curious, spiritually inclined, or simply looking for real conversations that make you feel less alone, you’re welcome here. If you or someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available in the U.S. by calling or texting 988. If you’re outside the U.S., visit findahelpline.com.

  1. 5D AGO

    Surviving Abuse, Addiction, And Loss Became A Life Of Healing - Bethany

    A love song, a whiteboard, and a brother’s smile—that’s how Bethany learned to stay. From a childhood shaped by a violent, absent father and the shame of his arrest, to teenage depression and two suicide attempts, her story doesn’t flinch. Instead, it follows the gritty path of healing: inpatient care that planted a spark, medication that turned explosions into choices, and therapy that taught her brain a kinder way to file pain. We go deep on the day-to-day tools that hold her life together. Bethany shares a gratitude ritual that spills from her office into her community, mindful walks that count smiles and reset the nervous system, and the simple power of presence when the mind wants to time-travel. When the conversation turns to her brother Lee—his humor, his big heart, the slide into opioids, and the winter night he didn’t come back—she offers a hard-won masterclass in grief work. EMDR therapy helped transform an unseeable trauma into a memory she can love: Lee turning to smile. It didn’t erase the loss; it rewired the story. Bethany’s healing expanded outward. Nursing became a calling, not just a job—servant leadership, flexible schedules for LPNs chasing RNs, and hands-on care that respects both patients and staff. Coaching varsity softball turned into character training for young women: resilience, accountability, and the freedom to fail forward. Faith, once fractured, returned as something felt—a daily conversation with God, a family practice of trust over control, and the courage to ask direct, lifesaving questions: Are you suicidal? Do you have a plan? Come for the raw honesty about abuse, addiction, suicide, and trauma. Stay for the practical mental health tools—EMDR, medication, mindfulness, gratitude—and a lived blueprint for turning survival into shelter for others. If someone you love is hurting, or if that someone is you, this conversation is a hand to hold. Listen, subscribe, and share with a friend who needs hope today. Then tell us: which practice will you try this week? 0:00 Meet Bethany: Caregiver And Coach 1:41 Love Story And A Song That Heals 4:28 Chaotic Childhood And A Father’s Abuse 8:15 Arrest, Shame, And Growing Up Fast 12:28 Depression, Defiance, And First Attempt 16:50 Hospital, Inpatient Care, And New Tools 19:59 Medication, Therapy, And Mindset Shifts 23:12 Daily Gratitude And Mindful Presence 26:30 Gardens, Farming Roots, And Family Ties 29:12 Lee’s Light: Humor, Love, And Addiction 33:05 The Night Everything Broke 37:10 Grief, Rumors, And EMDR Healing 41:01 Working With First Responders And Closure 44:03 Faith Lost, Faith Felt, Faith Lived 48:12 Nursing As Ministry And Servant Leadership 52:53 Coaching Girls To Lead Their Lives 56:30 Assume The Best And Choose Hope

    1h 27m

  2. MAR 8

    Songs, Soul, And A Small-Town Stage - Luke

    A two-string ukulele, an eight-track buzzing with Johnny Cash, and a kid who couldn’t stop pretending the ottoman was a stage—that’s where Luke's story starts. Years later, he’s a bar and restaurant owner with a nine-song record called Based on a True Story, and a life that proves craft and community can share the same roof. We sit down to map the journey from garage bands and school pop groups to the late mentor who said, lock the door and learn to sing while you play. The advice stuck, and so did the instinct to write from life: divorce, new love, and those charged nights that blur into a lyric before they become a memory. Luke walks us through his writing process—why chords often arrive first, how a line can land whole in six minutes, and why a melody can carry more honesty than a conversation. We trade notes on Dylan, Neil Young, and Lennon’s Imagine, using them as North Stars for songs that do more than entertain; they mark us. Then the scene shifts to 125 Tavern, the space Luke and Maria built with high ceilings, sandstone walls, and a tight menu where quality wins. Thousands of flatbreads later, the place has a vibe people seek out, the kind where a stranger becomes a regular before the second slice. We also talk about the toll and the payoff: long hours, fast turns, and the quiet gratification of serving well. Luke keeps his beliefs simple—live your life, let others live theirs, be kind—and reflects on how community sees him: vibrant, devoted, relentless, expressive, a little untamed. He admits writing a song is still the hardest job he knows, which might be why the urge to get back on stage keeps tapping him on the shoulder. If you’ve ever wondered how art, work, and home can fit together without losing their edges, this conversation offers a candid, grounded blueprint. If this story hit a chord, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—what lyric or meal brought you back to yourself? 0:00 Meet Luke 0:24 Bob Dylan And Early Sparks 2:04 Ukulele To Garage Band Beginnings 3:22 Finding Voice And Stage Nerves 5:55 Why Music Heals And Transports 5:55 Original Album And Honest Lyrics 7:21 Writing Process And Creativity 9:46 Songs We Wish We Wrote 10:39 Performing, Persona, And Connection 12:41 Opening 125 Tavern 14:44 Vibe, Menu, And Daily Rush 16:47 Naming, Numbers, And New Beginnings 18:24 Exhaustion, Rewards, And Routine 19:33 Getting Back On Stage 21:04 Dream Guests And Manifesting 21:42 Belief, Nonjudgment, And Purpose 22:30 How People See Luke 24:08 Food, Legacy, And Self Control 26:19 Closing Reflections

    26 min

  3. MAR 2

    Sacred Surrender: A Mother’s Fight for Her Daughter’s Life- Angie Peterson

    Some stories change the room the moment they begin. Angie Peterson joins us to share the fiercest kind of love: a mother’s decision to let her daughter fight, even when experts said there was no chance. From a song written by a NICU nurse to the sterile quiet of an ultrasound room, we travel through a surprise pregnancy, a heterotaxy diagnosis, and the pressure to decide quickly. Angie chooses a second opinion and a different path. What follows is a birth marked by a small hand against hers, a cry that reset the odds, and five months measured in surgeries, fevers, and the long commute between a hospital room and a home with a baby waiting. We talk about the parts most people never see: the language that hurts, the silence that isolates, and the strength it takes to speak up for your child when you’re drowning in acronyms. Angie explains how therapy gave her tools to scale the waves of grief, why “it’s okay to not be okay” became a lifeline, and how community at Faith Lodge offered a kind of understanding no one else could. She shares the moment a white butterfly began to show up at her door, the way faith deepened rather than cracked, and how advocacy turned pain into purpose. If you’ve ever wondered what to say to a grieving parent, you’ll learn what helps, what doesn’t, and why saying the child’s name matters. This episode holds space for impossible choices, resilient hope, and the truth that grief doesn’t shrink; we grow around it. You’ll hear how Angie found her voice, set boundaries without apology, and still chose tenderness. You’ll leave with practical insight into supporting bereaved families, a clearer picture of heterotaxy and complex congenital heart disease, and a renewed respect for the everyday courage lived in NICU halls. If this conversation moves you, share it with someone who needs company in the dark, subscribe for more human-first stories, and leave a review to help others find us.

    1h 6m

  4. FEB 23

    Second Chances, and Self-Respect - Brianne McClellan

    Ever wonder what it looks like to stop drifting and start choosing? Brianne joins us for a raw, energizing conversation about designing a life around joy, clarity, and self-trust—after nine addresses in Texas, a strategic escape from an abusive relationship, and a bold career pivot into suicide prevention. We dig into the practical side of change: how audiobooks and a relentless reading habit feed curiosity, why a calmer relationship with alcohol starts with knowing your body’s early signals, and how skepticism toward organized religion can coexist with genuine spiritual wonder. Brianne shares the red flags she ignored, the logistics of leaving safely, and the healing that followed—right down to the boundaries she now guards, including the possibility of never cohabiting again. Her story reframes “independence” not as isolation, but as a commitment to the life she refuses to outsource. On work, she walks us from test-driven classrooms to a role that blends education and mental health impact, naming what burnout feels like and the tools that helped—medication, better-fitting therapy, and honest self-inquiry. We talk pruning friendships without guilt, the post-COVID social reset, and saying no to keep your yes meaningful. And then there’s the play: a Kansas cattle drive, the Pacific Coast Highway, and travel as a video game where each new place unlocks a level in your inner world. If you’re rethinking boundaries, learning to trust your gut, or plotting your next brave move, this episode is your green light. Hit follow, share this with a friend who needs courage today, and leave a review with the one boundary you’re committing to next. 0:00 Setting The Stage & A Song 0:26 Chasing Joy, Peace, And Adventure 2:55 Texas Years And Many Moves 3:21 Books, Audiobooks, And Favorites 6:10 A Calmer Relationship With Alcohol 8:21 Faith, Skepticism, And Soul Contracts 12:14 From Teaching To Suicide Prevention 15:04 Anxiety, Panic, And Finding Therapy 18:56 Naming Abuse And Planning An Exit 23:44 Healing, Boundaries, And Red Flags 27:18 Pruning Friendships And COVID Effects 30:06 Identity, Small Towns, And Self 32:30 Rethinking Marriage, Kids, And Meaning 35:02 Big Travel Plans And A Cattle Drive 38:07 How Friends See Brianne 41:20 Nash The Bar Dog And Animal Love 44:10 Nature Club Origins And Early Media 46:08 Advice To The Next Generation 48:18 Doomscrolling, Limits, And Habits 51:22 Closing Reflections

    52 min

  5. FEB 16

    Survived A War, Crossed An Ocean, And Chose Joy - Johnny

    A regiment marched past a third-grade window and changed everything. That image—nerves buzzing with music and boots—became the first chapter in Johnny Akkerman’s extraordinary journey from wartime Holland to small‑town Minnesota, where work, mentorship, and community would give shape to a long and generous life. We sit with Johnny as he recalls food scraped from gardens, nights split by bomber engines, and the odd tenderness of liberation: Canadian trucks, flares in the sky, and a slice of bread so white it felt like a miracle. At 23 he boards a Dutch ocean liner, lands in New York, and rattles west on a stop‑and‑go train crowded with strangers and kindness. Minnesota greets him with relatives, a modest house, and a factory where a patient foreman teaches welding, blueprints, and the confidence to lead. That lesson in trust becomes Johnny’s signature: encourage others until they can do it on their own. The road turns into a career installing dairy equipment across 47 states, then Spain’s Granada and the hills beyond Rio. Eventually, he trades airports for roots—marriage, kids, and decades in plant maintenance—while pouring energy into the town’s shared heartbeat: JCs, Lions, Vasaloppet. He helps build what neighbors need—an ice arena, a swimming pool, and the iconic orange Dala horse—painting its intricate design from scaffolds and later guiding its restoration like a rolling art studio under open sky. Between service and steel, there’s play: learning golf at 47, cheering every shot, and yes, stepping into a swamp up to his neck before finishing the round an hour later. Johnny talks health and longevity with disarming clarity—genes matter, movement helps, and joy is fuel. On faith, he’s secular but grateful; for him, right and wrong come from family and the daily practice of showing up. Come for war memories and immigration grit; stay for a masterclass in purpose without pretense. If you love stories about resilience, mentorship, civic pride, and the art of making a place better than you found it, this one will stick. Listen, share with a friend, and leave a review telling us which moment hit you hardest. 0:00 Meet Johnny: Roots And Music 1:08 Kindness, Work Ethic, And Leadership 4:56 Golf, Friendship, And Joy In Play 8:18 The Regiment On The Street: War Arrives 12:38 Hunger, Rations, And Night Bombers 17:45 Liberation And The Whitest Bread 21:36 Crossing The Atlantic To America 25:26 First Jobs, A Mentor, And Skills 30:08 Adventures Installing Dairy Plants 34:21 Family, Settling Down, And Community

    59 min

  6. FEB 9

    Struggles, Silver Linings & Conquering Imposter Syndrome

    What happens when the storm never really passes? Matt joins us for a candid, grounded conversation about living with Crohn’s disease, navigating sleep-starved years, and making the tough calls that trade comfort for health. We start with a song about mortality that turns into a lesson on gratitude, then walk through small-town mischief, parenting in a screen-first world, and what it means to let kids learn by bumping into life. The health journey is raw and practical: ER runs, a major surgery, meds that stop working, and the looming choice of an ostomy balanced against the promise of finally sleeping through the night. Food rules change by the day, fiber becomes a hazard, and hydration turns strategic—right down to DIY electrolytes. Matt also explains why he stopped drinking without a dramatic bottom, how that disrupted the Midwest rhythm of “everything includes beer,” and why friendships that last are about presence, not pints. Imposter syndrome gets a frank takedown. A single sentence—“If you didn’t belong here, you wouldn’t be here”—reframes self-doubt, but the daily work is mindset: growth over certainty, feedback over ego, and listening as a leadership skill. We touch AI and information overload, choosing focus instead of doomscrolling, and why “touch grass” isn’t a joke but a reset. Through it all, usefulness becomes a compass: be steady for your people, set real boundaries, and keep community close—at work, at home, and on the golf course where joy still gets a front-row seat. If this talk gives you one sentence you needed, share it with a friend. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: where are you choosing growth over certainty this week? 0:00 Music, Mortality, And Gratitude 2:30 Childhood Bonds And Pushing Limits 5:15 Parenting, Tech, And Letting Kids Learn 8:20 Belonging, Best Friends, And Marriage 13:20 Golf, Joy, And Mental Space 16:02 Crohn’s: Diagnosis And Hard Years 27:35 Food, Flares, Sleep, And Control 31:30 Sobriety, Midwest Culture, And Hydration 36:40 Imposter Syndrome And Growth Mindset 43:20 Feedback, Ego, And Not Taking It Personally 47:40 AI, Overload, And Choosing Focus 53:10 Tolerance, Tribes, And Touching Grass 58:20 Future Fears, Empty Nest, And Usefulness 1:04:10 Boundaries, Being There, And Saying I Love You 1:08:40 Work, Community, And Everyday Stories 1:12:20 Reflections, Affirmations, And Closing

    1h 47m

  7. FEB 2

    Saving Lives Starts With Saying Something – a New Chapter for Supernaut

    The numbers hit us first: construction workers die by suicide at alarming rates, and the mix of long hours, layoffs, injuries, pain meds, and identity loss is brutal. A grant could have accelerated our response, and we swung big. We didn’t win it. Instead of quitting, we chose something bolder—rebuilding our show around candid mental health stories from the people who live them, especially in blue-collar communities. We talk through the pivot with honesty and care. Veda shares her own season of suicidal ideation: the isolation after graduation, a Minnesota winter that wouldn’t end, and a cold walk by a frozen river she chose not to enter. There’s no tidy lesson, only evidence that hope often looks like a small decision held for one more minute. We trace how anxiety hides in plain sight, why seasonal depression sneaks up, and how simple tools—routine, movement, sunlight, and real connection—start to turn the tide. We keep experts close, but we center lived experience and protect every guest with ethical editing and consent. Action matters too. We joined a regional coalition and helped distribute free gun locks because reducing access to lethal means saves lives. We’re launching a GoFundMe to cover production costs so we can keep creating a safe space with high-quality audio, thoughtful edits, and zero pressure on guests. Along the way, we explore the thread that ties our themes together—spirituality, sobriety, suicide, and self. From the Ho’oponopono mantra to practical coping strategies, we offer paths that are human, not hyped. If someone comes to mind while you listen, send them this episode. That share might be the lifeline. If this mission resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs to hear a real story today. Your support keeps the mics on and the stigma off. 0:00 New Direction For Supernaut 1:39 The Grant Journey And Stakes 3:09 Why Mental Health In Construction 8:06 Real Voices Over Jargon 10:49 Veda’s Story: Suicidal Ideation 17:26 Loneliness, SAD, And Coping 23:58 What Stopped The Attempt 31:13 Talking Openly And Editing Ethically 36:50 Origins Of The Podcast And “S” Theme 44:26 Language, Platforms, And Not Glorifying 51:05 Community, Funding, And GoFundMe 58:08 Coalition Work And Gun Locks

    59 min

  8. JAN 26

    Suffering in Silence - Adam Kerr

    What if the voice that says “stop” is just the first hill, not the finish line? Adam Kerr joins us to trace a path from blackout drinking and teenage suicidal ideation to winter ultras, last-person-standing backyard races, and a meditation practice that opened into awakening. The story isn’t about medals. It’s about levers: the moment you cut ties with wet places, the morning you run before the day runs you, the lap where accepting pain hurts less than fighting it, and the breath that brings you back to now. We dig into the nuts and bolts that make the mindset real: hiring a coach to fix imbalances, learning to fuel on time so your race doesn’t end early, and using volunteers, crew, and community as non-negotiable support. Adam breaks down the Arrowhead 135 in subzero temps, the strategy of 4.167-mile hourly loops for 42 straight hours, and the strange clarity that comes after a night of hallucinations when sunrise resets the nervous system. He also shares how sobriety began not with spectacle but with a quiet morning where a new lever appeared—then the hard years of rebuilding hobbies, navigating bars, and choosing better tools. Underneath the miles runs a deeper current: Transcendental Meditation, breathwork, and stoicism as daily practices to shorten the distance back to calm. Adam describes moments of awakening and nonduality in clear language—no mystic gatekeeping, just the recognition that presence was always here. We talk leadership on job sites, moving from command to service, and why ultras are a masterclass in community: you don’t pass someone struggling; you help them reach daylight. If you’re curious about endurance training, sobriety, mental health, or spiritual practice, this conversation offers grounded tactics and a hopeful map. Listen, share with someone who needs a lever, and if it resonates, subscribe and leave a review to help others find the show. What sunrise are you working toward? 0:00 Opening, Guest Intro, Shared Song 2:07 From Non‑Athlete To Endurance Mindset 10:15 Quitting Nicotine And Discovering Running 18:04 Coaching, Injury Prevention, And Fueling 31:23 Backyard Ultra: Last Person Standing 39:20 Why Push Limits And What It Reveals 46:35 Sobriety: Rock Bottom To First Steps 55:40 Advice For The Newly Sober 58:54 Parenting, Alcohol, And Honest Talk 1:02:20 Depression, Therapy, And Tools 1:15:06 Stoicism, Breathwork, And Presence 1:18:45 Leadership, Work, And Service

    1h 53m
See All (46)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Supernaut is a podcast about spirituality, sobriety, suicide, and the full spectrum of being human. Hosted by Beth Kelling, the show opens space for honest conversations about healing, identity, and the parts of life we often keep quiet. As the show has grown, mental health has become a defining theme. Many guests have shared deeply personal experiences with anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and loss. In response, Supernaut is dedicating more space to conversations around suicide—approaching the topic with care, honesty, and compassion. The goal is not to sensationalize pain, but to reduce stigma, encourage vulnerability, and remind people that struggling does not mean failing—and that help, connection, and light are possible. Whether you’re sober-curious, spiritually inclined, or simply looking for real conversations that make you feel less alone, you’re welcome here. If you or someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available in the U.S. by calling or texting 988. If you’re outside the U.S., visit findahelpline.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Supernaut
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Supernaut
  • Show Website
    Supernaut