A Swift Kick In The Ass: Personal Growth & Resilience Podcast

John W. Curren
  • 1.0 (1)
  • Self-Improvement

A Swift Kick in the Ass (ASKITA) is a mindset and resilience podcast for people rebuilding their lives after overwhelm, burnout, or major life transitions. Hosted by John Curren, ASKITA blends philosophy, emotional intelligence, and real‑world storytelling to help you reset your attitude, reclaim your strength, and move forward with clarity. Each episode offers practical tools for personal growth, emotional resilience, and mental reset — including guided reflections, mindset shifts, and the 7‑Day Attitude Adjustment framework. Whether you're feeling stuck, starting over, or seeking a fresh perspective, ASKITA gives you the space to breathe, reflect, and rise again. Topics include: mindset reset, emotional resilience, personal growth, overcoming burnout, rebuilding confidence, life transitions, healing after setbacks, self‑reflection, and intentional living. New episodes every month. Shorts posted daily on YouTube. The show was started in 2014 being hosted by lifelong friends John W. Curren and Tom Stewart. Tom died of brain cancer on 9/16/2020. John continues the quest to disrupt conventional thinking and find true freedom through living life on his terms. Please like and subcribe to get traction on a life on your terms.

  1. Sep 25

    The Hidden Identity Patterns Sabotaging Relationships

    John W. Curren talks with identity and relationship strategist Riana Malia about why high-achieving people often struggle in love despite success in other areas of life. Riana explains how unconscious patterns, emotional wiring, and old identity stories shape recurring relational outcomes — and how her Clear to Create framework helps people clear old narratives, dissolve destructive cycles, and claim a new identity aligned with extraordinary love. They discuss the danger of focusing on what's not wanted, the power of meditation and intentional thought replacement, and how values, non-negotiables, and desires guide better choices. Riana shares her 72-hour mindset rewiring exercise, the Extraordinary Love Index (ELI) diagnostic, and her Clarity Codex process. John reflects on personal experiences with past relationship struggles, meditation breakthroughs, and meeting his future spouse after releasing old beliefs. Riana shares her Clear to Create methodology — a process for clearing old stories, dissolving destructive cycles, and claiming a new identity that supports extraordinary love, confidence, and aligned relationships. Together, John and Riana explore: Why high performers repeat the same relationship patterns How the unconscious mind clings to old stories, fears, and expectations The danger of focusing on what you don't want Meditation, awareness, and intentional thought replacement Values, non-negotiables, and desires as decision-making tools How identity shapes romantic, personal, and professional outcomes The "Clear to Create" framework for building a new relational identity Riana also shares her 72-hour mindset rewiring exercise, including the "Away vs. Toward" lists and the rubber-band pattern interrupt that helps break negative loops in real time. John opens up about past relationship struggles, meditation breakthroughs, and how letting go of old beliefs made space for meeting his future spouse. If you're a high achiever who feels stuck in love, or you're ready to rewrite your relational identity, this episode will hit home. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Intro 01:12 – Why high achievers struggle in love 05:40 – Identity, unconscious patterns & emotional wiring 11:10 – The danger of focusing on what you don't want 16:55 – Meditation & interrupting negative loops 22:30 – Riana's "Clear to Create" framework 29:45 – Values, non-negotiables & desires 36:20 – The 72-hour mindset exercise 42:10 – John's personal story on letting go 48:55 – Extraordinary Love Index (ELI) 52:40 – Clarity Codex & North Star 56:10 – Closing thoughts & future collaboration

  2. Sep 25 ·  Bonus

    You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

    Introducing Give Yourself a Year to Try 12 New Things and Embrace Change from The Oprah Podcast. Follow the show: The Oprah Podcast BUY THE BOOK! 'Give Me a Year' by Shonda Scott https://amzn.to/4xGhu7i When is the last time you tried something new? Entrepreneur and author Shonda Scott, whose book Give Me a Year: 12 New Things to Embrace Change and Live Your Best Life chronicles how she stepped outside her comfort zone, embraced change and challenged herself to try something new every month for a full year. Shonda shares how those experiences helped her find joy, overcome fear and keep moving forward even when life took some unexpected turns. Then, Oprah meets writer Jason McBride whose viral article “How to Create a Life You Love: No Magical Thinking Required” struck a chord with its message that building a fulfilling life isn’t about having the perfect job, relationship or circumstances it’s about taking responsibility for the life you’re creating. They talk about what it really means to stop living by someone else’s blueprint, learn from things that don't go as planned and create a life we actually love. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Welcome Shonda Scott, author of ‘Give Me a Year’ 00:03:20 - Why she wrote the book 00:08:00 - Write it down and vision birds 00:09:48 - Overcoming fears 00:11:20 - Pull up a seat to the table 00:12:40 - Imposter syndrome 00:16:30 - How to show up for ourselves 00:22:00 - Put yourself at the top of your list 00:24:30 - Shonda’s top 3 things 00:27:44 - Small changes to create big ones 00:29:00 - Welcome Jason McBride 00:32:00 - The three things you can control in your life 00:34:30 - Failure is part of the process Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social: https://www.instagram.com/oprahpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/oprahpodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/oprah/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/oprahwinfrey/ Listen to the full podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0tEVrfNp92a7lbjDe6GMLI https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oprah-podcast/id1782960381 DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

    You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

  3. Sep 22

    Heal Your Nervous System & Rebuild Your Life After Burnout with Faith Ashenden

    Neurohacking coach and founder of That Healing Feeling, Faith Ashenden, joins ASKITA host John Curren to break down why your nervous system — not your willpower — holds the key to healing burnout, chronic illness, and anxiety. Faith reversed her own diagnoses of Graves' disease, IBS, and POTS, and has since helped over 30,000 people worldwide do the same. In this episode: the science of nervous system regulation, the power of subconscious reprogramming, and the practical neurohacking tools you can start using today. What if your burnout, chronic pain, or relentless anxiety isn't a character flaw — but a nervous system stuck in survival mode? Faith Ashenden is the founder and CEO of That Healing Feeling, a neurohacking coach, and a trauma-informed practitioner who reversed her own diagnoses of Graves' disease, IBS, and POTS. She has since helped over 30,000 people worldwide heal chronic symptoms through nervous system regulation and subconscious reprogramming. In this episode of A Swift Kick in the Ass (ASKITA), host John Curren sits down with Faith to unpack the science and soul behind healing — and why most people stay stuck because they're treating symptoms instead of the source. In this conversation, you'll discover: • The real reason burnout lingers long after you've "rested" • How your subconscious keeps you in a loop of pain and stress • What nervous system regulation actually looks and feels like day-to-day • The neurohacking tools Faith uses with her 30,000+ students • Why identity change — not just mindset shifts — is the key to lasting recovery • Faith's raw personal story of healing multiple diagnoses and building a global healing community This episode is for anyone who has tried everything and still feels like their body is working against them. It's time to stop pushing and start listening. ───────────────────────── CONNECT WITH FAITH ───────────────────────── Website: https://thathealingfeeling.com Instagram & TikTok: @thathealingfeeling Free Healing Resources: https://thathealingfeeling.com ───────────────────────── ABOUT ASKITA ───────────────────────── A Swift Kick in the Ass (ASKITA) is a mindset and resilience podcast for people rebuilding their lives after overwhelm, burnout, or major life transitions. Hosted by John Curren.

  4. Sep 16

    Decoding the Body's Messages with Dr. John Demartini

    In this episode, John welcomes Dr. John Demartini, human behaviour specialist, polymath, philosopher, and creator of the Demartini Method. Joining the show from his ship near Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Dr. Demartini breaks down one of the most powerful ideas in integrative health: your symptoms are feedback — not flaws. Across five decades of research, Dr. Demartini has mapped the emotional and psychological drivers behind nearly 1,000 health conditions, revealing how perception, stress, and the autonomic nervous system shape our physical experience. You'll hear: Why symptoms often reflect imbalanced perceptions How emotions are physiological expressions of polarized viewpoints The role of intuition and neurotransmitters in attraction and caution How reframing perceptions can dissolve resentment, infatuation, and chronic emotional charge A powerful case study showing how missing information can create lifelong emotional pain — and how reclaiming it restores clarity and love Why values drive behaviour, resistance, and transformation How focusing on your highest values opens the door to opportunity, growth, and healing Dr. Demartini also shares insights from his signature seminar, Decoding the Body's Messages, and explains how individuals and health professionals are using his framework to better understand chronic illness, unexplained symptoms, and long‑standing health challenges. Learn more at drdemartini.com Dr John Demartini, Demartini Method, human behaviour, chronic symptoms, emotional healing, mind body connection, autonomic nervous system, perception, stress, healing, personal growth, psychology, neuroscience, physiology, integrative health, A Swift Kick in the Ass

  5. Sep 9

    Resilience in a Bottle: How Brandon McCraney Built Olde Raleigh Distillery

    Resilience isn't just surviving the hard moments — it's building a life that can handle them. Today's guest knows that better than most. In this episode of A Swift Kick in the Ass, I sit down with Brandon McCraney, Founder and Master Blender at Olde Raleigh Distillery in downtown Zebulon, North Carolina. His journey is a masterclass in grit, reinvention, and extreme ownership. EPISODE SUMMARY Brandon didn't grow up around whiskey. In fact, he grew up Southern Baptist — alcohol wasn't just discouraged, it was forbidden. His great‑great‑grandmother was part of the temperance movement. But life has a way of calling us toward the work we're meant to do, and for Brandon, that calling came wrapped in oak barrels and the art of blending. Before launching Olde Raleigh Distillery, Brandon served in the Air Force, built a corporate career, traveled endlessly as a "road warrior," and hit a breaking point when he realized he was missing his child's early years. That moment sparked a transformation — one that eventually led him to walk away from corporate life and pursue the craft whiskey world full‑time. But the road wasn't smooth. KEY CHALLENGES WE DISCUSS: • 12 rejected small business loans • A four‑year delay from idea to opening • Navigating North Carolina's restrictive alcohol laws • COVID shutting down his planned April 2020 opening • Burning through his 401k to keep the dream alive • Pivoting from distilling to blending due to market shifts • Revitalizing a nearly empty downtown Zebulon • Building a tasting room focused on conversation, not consumption Brandon's story is brutally honest — the kind of honesty you only get from someone who's lived through the spins, the setbacks, and the "praying to the porcelain idol" moments that come from learning the hard way. But it's also a story of craft, community, and the relentless pursuit of doing something the right way. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: • What resilience really means • Why extreme ownership changes everything • How to pivot when your plan collapses • The art and science of whiskey blending • How to build a business that becomes a community anchor • Why authenticity beats scale • How to turn obstacles into opportunities ABOUT OLDE RALEIGH DISTILLERY Olde Raleigh Distillery is a family‑owned craft bourbon and whiskey distillery in downtown Zebulon, NC. Brandon's blending approach is unique — he doesn't replicate batches. Instead, he cherry‑picks the best barrels from across North America, creating one‑of‑a‑kind releases that reflect craftsmanship, curiosity, and artistic freedom. GUEST LINKS Website: https://olderaleighdistillery.com/ Email: brandon@olderaleighdistillery.com Instagram: @olderaleighdistillery Facebook: Olde Raleigh Distillery ASKITA LINKS Website: https://aswiftkickintheass.com SoulWagon: https://soulwagon.co Podcast on Apple: [link] Podcast on Spotify: [link] HASHTAGS #ASKITA #OldeRaleighDistillery #Whiskey #Bourbon #Resilience #Entrepreneurship #ExtremeOwnership #CraftSpirits #ZebulonNC #SoulWagon

  6. Aug 28

    Reinventing Travel: Lisa Pagotto on Resilience & Crooked Compass by Air

    Ever wondered what resilience looks like in real life? Lisa Pagotto sold her house, rebuilt her business after the pandemic wiped out global travel, and launched a private aviation experience that's changing how people explore Australia. Her story is wild — and deeply inspiring. In this episode of A Swift Kick in the Ass, John W. Curren talks with Lisa Pagotto, founder of Crooked Compass and Crooked Compass by Air. Lisa shares her remarkable journey from hitting a career ceiling, selling her house to fund a dream, surviving the pandemic collapse of global travel, navigating personal upheaval, and ultimately discovering a new business model in grounded private aircraft. This is a story of grit, curiosity, and the courage to rebuild when everything falls apart. Learn more at: crookedcompassbyair.com

  7. Aug 21

    Listening to the Frequency Within: Psychic Medium Dallisa Hocking

    Some folks hear the world through their ears. Others hear it through the quiet places inside. This week on ASKITA, John sits down with psychic medium Dallisa Hocking to talk intuition, frequency, and the unseen roads we walk. This episode features Dallisa Hocking, a 5th‑generation psychic medium and educator who helps people develop deep self‑trust through intuitive awareness. She shares her awakening story, real‑world premonitions, mediumship experiences, and practical tools for raising your frequency. 00:00 – Opening 02:15 – Dallisa's 5th‑generation psychic lineage 06:40 – The 2015 awakening at Omega Institute 12:10 – Mediumship, frequency & intuitive mechanics 18:55 – John's story of spiritual presence 25:30 – Kimberly Bergalis & spiritual anger 31:20 – Premonitions: bank robbery, Halloween gunfight, Airbnb break‑in 40:05 – Meditation, Morning Pages & intuitive training 48:50 – Mind‑body healing & emotional patterns 55:30 – Family dynamics as spiritual lessons 01:02:10 – Rumi quote & closing reflections Topics include meditation, Morning Pages, emotional healing, animal spirits, generational patterns, and the spiritual lessons hidden inside difficult relationships.

  8. Aug 20

    Why Most Men Hit a Wall at 40 (And How to Break Through It) | Dr. Stephen Sanders

    What if everything you've been told about your health is wrong? Most men don't realize their testosterone has been declining since their 30s — and by the time 40 arrives, burnout, weight gain, and low drive feel like the new normal. Dr. Stephen Sanders, MD, MPH, founder of Whole Men's Health, lived that reality and chose to fight back. He went from burned out, overweight, and running on empty in his late 30s to a complete physical, hormonal, and mindset transformation — and now he's guiding thousands of men through that same journey. In this episode of A Swift Kick in the Ass, host John W. Curren sits down with Dr. Sanders for a no-filters conversation about what it actually means to be a healthy, whole man today. They break down the science behind testosterone decline, which now begins around age 30 and has dropped by roughly 30% in modern men compared to previous generations. They explore the hidden role of environmental toxins, the neurochemical impact of pornography on dopamine and drive, and the compounding effects of burnout and chronic stress on hormonal health. Dr. Sanders and John get into the specifics: personalized elimination diets, dairy intolerance and inflammation, hitting approximately 1 gram of protein per pound of ideal body weight, and why creatine and peptide supplementation deserve serious consideration. They cover the critical importance of muscle mass — particularly glute strength — for injury prevention and long-term longevity. Dr. Sanders also makes a compelling case for coronary calcium scans and establishing baseline lab work starting in your 20s before problems arise. The conversation closes with something deeper — emotional resilience, mindfulness, and a reimagined definition of masculinity built on purpose rather than performance. This is not just a health conversation. It is a blueprint for becoming a whole man. - KEY TOPICS - - Dr. Sanders' personal burnout and transformation story - Testosterone decline starting at 30 and what drives it in modern men - Environmental toxins and their impact on male hormones - Pornography's neurochemical effect on dopamine and drive - Elimination diets, dairy intolerance, and personalized nutrition - Protein targets, creatine, and peptide supplementation - Muscle mass and glute strength for longevity and injury prevention - Coronary calcium scans and baseline labs in your 20s - Mindfulness, emotional resilience, and breaking male silence - Redefining masculinity with purpose and intention - CONNECT WITH DR. STEPHEN SANDERS - Website: wholemenshealth.com Instagram: @drstephensanders (105.7K followers) YouTube: @drstephensanders TikTok: @drstephensanders LinkedIn: Stephen Sanders, MD, MPH Linktree: linktr.ee/drstephensanders Book a consult: 850-660-8348 Locations: Santa Rosa Beach, FL | Dothan, AL | Birmingham, AL | Nationwide Telehealth (all 50 states) - ABOUT THE PODCAST - A Swift Kick in the Ass, hosted by John W. Curren, is bold conversations on mindset, men's health, resilience, and living life on your own terms. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. - DISCLAIMER - This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.

See All (201)

About

A Swift Kick in the Ass (ASKITA) is a mindset and resilience podcast for people rebuilding their lives after overwhelm, burnout, or major life transitions. Hosted by John Curren, ASKITA blends philosophy, emotional intelligence, and real‑world storytelling to help you reset your attitude, reclaim your strength, and move forward with clarity. Each episode offers practical tools for personal growth, emotional resilience, and mental reset — including guided reflections, mindset shifts, and the 7‑Day Attitude Adjustment framework. Whether you're feeling stuck, starting over, or seeking a fresh perspective, ASKITA gives you the space to breathe, reflect, and rise again. Topics include: mindset reset, emotional resilience, personal growth, overcoming burnout, rebuilding confidence, life transitions, healing after setbacks, self‑reflection, and intentional living. New episodes every month. Shorts posted daily on YouTube. The show was started in 2014 being hosted by lifelong friends John W. Curren and Tom Stewart. Tom died of brain cancer on 9/16/2020. John continues the quest to disrupt conventional thinking and find true freedom through living life on his terms. Please like and subcribe to get traction on a life on your terms.

Information