The Neuro's Journey

Steve Sapourn
  • 5.0 (6)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

The Neuro's Journey is about the raw courage it takes to face ourselves, our wounds, our patterns, our truth, and transform into who we're meant to be. Host Steve Sapourn, a former hedge fund manager and crack addict who survived a childhood marked by sexual abuse, gun violence, and domestic violence, rebuilt his life through neuroscience-based healing and psychedelic-assisted therapy. Now he brings you raw, real conversations about trauma, recovery, and transformation. Through his own story and insights from leading experts, Steve explores how our past shapes us and how we can actively reshape our future. Each episode offers practical wisdom for understanding your emotions, calming your nervous system, and reconnecting with your purpose.  This isn't about quick fixes or empty promises, it's about real change, grounded in both science and lived experience. Rewire your brain. Rewrite your story.

  1. 6D AGO

    19. Emotional Mastery for Men and Leaders, Bridging Science and Spirituality with Dr. Jay Dubois

    This week’s episode of The Neuro’s Journey is for the men who feel like traditional talk therapy is too static, those who are looking for a path that combines deep science with spiritual action. Steve sits down with anthropologist, professor, and spiritual innovator Dr. Jay Dubois, for a raw conversation on overcoming the "closed door" of childhood trauma, the tragic loss of his brother, and his journey toward becoming a bridge between the physical and the metaphysical. If you’ve been "toughing it out" only to find your nervous system stuck in a loop of reactivity, this conversation will reframe your struggle. Jay and Steve discuss why men need mission-driven healing, the power of viewing trauma as a "brain injury" rather than a character flaw, and how to use curiosity, courage, and action to reclaim your personal sovereignty. Connect with Steve and The Neuro’s Journey  Join the Neuro’s Journey Newsletter: https://theneurosjourney.com/ Follow Steve on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeurosJourney  Follow Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/  Follow Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/ Connect with Jay Dubois, PhD  Dr. Jay Dubois is a professor of human relations, an anthropologist, and the Executive Director of the Compassionate Transformation Community.  Website: https://jayduboisphd.com/  Dr. Jay’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.j.dubois/

    1h 21m

  2. MAR 11

    18. From Heroin Addiction to Fitness Empire & Psychedelic Healing ft. Rachel Pastor

    This week’s episode of The Neuro’s Journey is for those of you in a "death or change" moment—feeling stuck in a loop of survival, even if you’ve traded destructive habits for healthier ones. Steve sits down with entrepreneur Rachel Pastor for a powerful conversation on her journey from being a homeless heroin addict at 15 to building a fitness empire, only to realize she was still leading from a place of fear and force. If you’ve been doing talk therapy or "healthy" numbing only to experience the same narrative, this conversation will open your eyes to other solutions such as neuro-linguistic programming and microdosing to shed outdated identities, set radical boundaries, and begin living with true personal sovereignty. Connect with Steve and The Neuro’s JourneyFollow Steve on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeurosJourneyFollow Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/Follow Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/ Connect with Rachel PastorRachel Pastor is the founder of Golden Rule Mushrooms, a company dedicated to making psychedelic healing accessible and welcoming.Website: https://goldenrulemushrooms.com/Rachel’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachel.pastor/

    1h 15m

  3. MAR 4

    17. Hollywood Success to Psychedelic Healing in Midlife ft. Anne Philippi of The New Health Club

    This week’s episode of The Neuro’s Journey is for those of you in midlife who feel a persistent void despite your accolades. Steve sits down with journalist-turned-advocate Anne Philippi for a raw conversation on radical self-reinvention after decades of interviewing global icons for Vanity Fair and GQ. If you’ve been doing talk therapy only to experience the same narrative, this conversation will open your eyes to other solutions such as guided psychedelic work and nervous system tools to shed outdated identities, set radical boundaries, and begin living with true personal sovereignty. Connect with Steve and The Neuro’s Journey:• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeurosJourney• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/ Connect with Anne Philippi:Anne Philippi is the founder of The New Health Club, a platform and podcast exploring psychedelics, mental health, and human potential.• Website: https://www.thenewhealthinstitute.org/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anne_philippi/

    1h 22m

  4. FEB 25

    16. Microtraumas, Money Fear, and Purpose: How to Build Inner Freedom as a Man with Dr. Joaquin Espinosa

    What if the thing you call “your personality” is mostly just old programming… running unattended? In this conversation, Dr. Joaquin Espinosa, a global leader in Down syndrome research and a longtime brother in Steve’s men’s group, breaks down how microtraumas and conditioning shape behavior, ambition, money anxiety, and relationships… even when you don’t have a single “capital T” trauma to point to. They talk about the hidden cost of achievement, why high performers hit a wall in their 30s and 40s, and what actually changes when men sit in a circle with a fire and tell the truth. Joaquin offers a grounded scientist’s explanation of why practices like emotional mastery, belief work, purpose, and gratitude aren’t “soft” … they’re brain chemistry, rewiring, and attention training. Steve shares his own shift from living in constant nervous system override (addiction, emotional shutdown, hypervigilance) to experiencing a cleaner, steadier internal fuel source—purpose that isn’t fear-powered. They also explore psychedelic research, integration windows, intuition as “information your system already has,” and why nature isn’t a luxury, it’s medicine. This is a conversation about healing without hype. Key Topics Discussed The difference between “big T trauma” and the conditioning that quietly runs your life Why high achievers often crash Vulnerability as a trust-builder (and why emotional armor backfires) Intuition as nonverbal data processing (brain + body intelligence) The things destroying your dopamine levels 3 easy reset techniques any man can do today. Connect with Steve and The Neuro’s Journey Follow Steve on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeurosJourney Follow Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/ Follow Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/Connect with Dr. Joaquin Espinosa https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/pharmacology/faculty/primary-faculty/joaquin-espinosa-phd https://www.linkedin.com/in/joaquin-espinosa-322452113/ the neuros journey, steve sapourn, nervous system regulation, trauma healing, trauma recovery, regulation creates choice, somatic healing, relational safety, trauma informed, emotional regulation, healing after trauma, nervous system healing, Dr. Joaquin Espinosa, nervous system healing, microtrauma, trauma conditioning, men’s work, men’s group healing, emotional mastery, Byron Katie beliefs, purpose and gratitude practice, addiction and trauma, brain chemistry and behavior, neuroplasticity, psychedelic therapy, psilocybin clinical trials, MDMA therapy, intuition science, vagus nerve, circadian rhythm health, blue light sleep, nature as medicine, community healing, trauma recovery podcast, healing and leadership

    1h 46m

  5. FEB 18

    15. The Masculine Path to Feeling Your Emotions and Accessing Peace with Reuvain Bacal

    Have you been curious about feeling your emotions safely? This conversation is an invitation to transform how you meet yourself and others. Join Steve and Reuvain Bacal, a coach and men’s group leader from Boulder, CO for a conversation about regulating yourself so you can be in control of your emotions and building relationships rooted in honesty instead of armor. What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways) How to begin feeling your emotionsWhy suffering exists and how to end itWhat creates peace even in difficult circumstances.The two things required to safely process emotionsWhen to know if you should join a men’s groupThe key to building trust, respect, and authentic connection.The key indicator of a healthy partnership.Connect with Steve and The Neuro’s Journey Follow Steve on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeurosJourney Follow Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/ Follow Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/ Connect with Reuvain Bacal: Follow Reuvain on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reuvain.bacal/ Check out Reuvain’s Website: https://www.reuvainbacal.com/ the neuros journey, steve sapourn, nervous system regulation, trauma healing, trauma recovery, regulation creates choice, somatic healing, relational safety, trauma informed, emotional regulation, healing after trauma, nervous system healing, healthy masculinity, modern masculinity, regulated masculinity, masculine presence, men’s mental health, emotional intelligence for men, men and trauma, healing for men, safe masculinity, masculinity and relationships, masculinity and leadership, masculine emotional regulation

    2h 10m

  6. FEB 11

    14. Why You Feel Broken & The Brain Science That Proves You're Not with Dr. Naomi Rusk

    This conversation is a blueprint for understanding how trauma lives in the body and how to finally change it. Dr. Naomi Rusk, a clinical neuropsychologist and trauma psychotherapist with 35 years of experience, breaks down the science of why behavior change feels impossible when your nervous system is stuck in survival mode.The core message is liberating: trauma is a brain injury, not a moral failure. Your struggles with stillness, sleep, and self-sabotage aren't character flaws—they're predictable responses from a nervous system that learned danger early. The path forward isn't willpower. It's rewiring: subtraction over addition, curiosity over force, and small daily inputs that slowly overwhelm the old programming.What You'll Learn (Key Takeaways) Trauma is a brain injury, not a character flaw. When you see your brain on a QEEG scan, healing becomes a map—not a moral mountain to climb. Stillness feels dangerous for a reason. If your childhood taught you that quiet meant threat, your body will resist rest. That's not weakness—it's wiring. The "addict's body" is a nervous system state. That constant need to change your state isn't about substances—it's about a system that never learned safety. Sleep begins in the morning. How you rest at night is a mirror for how regulated you were during the day. Night problems require daytime solutions. Subtraction beats addition. Healing isn't about adding more practices. It's about removing what blocks the real you from emerging. Choice is the medicine for trauma. When you didn't have choice as a child, reclaiming agency through conscious breath, movement, and awareness becomes the antidote.Leadership Soundbites (Pull Quotes)"The fire alarms are off. That's what healing actually felt like.""Trauma is a brain injury, not a moral failure. Once I saw my brain on a scan, it became fixable.""I heard a voice—and it wasn't mine. It said, 'You're a bad person and no one should ever love you.' That program had been running my entire life.""Stillness is an extremely uncomfortable experience if you have cues of danger inside.""If I'm gonna heal, I have to forgive my father. I need to give him what he couldn't give me.""Choice is the medicine for trauma. Because we didn't have a lot of choice."Conversation Highlights (Chapters / Beats)The switch that changed everything: After 10 years of work, Steve's nervous system finally calmed—and a whole new way of being opened up.Why stillness feels threatening: Dr. Rusk explains how trauma makes rest feel dangerous, and why meditation can backfire for people with anxiety.The "addict's body" explained: Understanding substance use as nervous system regulation, not moral weakness.Sleep as the last hurrah: Why sleep problems are often daytime regulation problems, and practical strategies that actually work.The voice that wasn't his: Steve discovers the underlying program ("you're bad, no one should love you") that had been running his entire life.Forgiving the unforgivable: Why forgiving his sexual abuser was easier than forgiving his father—and what that revealed about generational trauma.Trauma as brain injury: How seeing a QEEG scan shifted Steve's relationship with his own healing from shame to science.Breathwork as agency: Dr. Rusk teaches coherence breathing—the simplest way to reclaim choice over your nervous system.The real you underneath: Healing as subtraction, not addition. Removing the programming to reveal what was always there.Who This Episode Is ForMen who've done "all the work" but still feel like something's off underneathAnyone who struggles with stillness, sleep, or an inability to just bePeople who've used substances, distraction, or achievement to regulate their nervous system Leaders and entrepreneurs who've built from fear and want to build from purpose insteadAnyone ready to stop seeing their struggles as character flaws and start seeing them as fixable wiring

    1h 53m

  7. FEB 4

    13. How Your Nervous System Learned to Survive with Kristin Weitzel

    This conversation is a lived exploration of how trauma shapes the nervous system and how healing actually happens over time. Steve sits down with nervous system coach and breathwork facilitator Kristin Weitzel for an unfiltered conversation about vulnerability, survival, addiction, grief and what it really takes to change your life. They met at the Heartland Gathering and connected instantly through honesty and openness. That moment of shared vulnerability became the foundation for a conversation that moves far beyond theory. This episode explores nervous system regulation, orienting, neurofeedback, breathwork, cold exposure, men’s work, psychedelic medicine and integration. But beneath all of it is a simple and powerful truth. Nothing about you is broken. Your nervous system learns to survive and it can learn something new. What You Will Learn & Key Takeaways: Vulnerability shifts rooms and acts as a filter for safe connection Trauma responses are adaptations, not personal failures The goal is not constant calm, but the ability to come back down Orienting is a simple, discreet tool to signal safety anywhere Shame often lives in the nervous system, not the mind Addiction is a survival strategy rooted in dysregulation Somatic practices can reach places talk therapy alone cannot Cold exposure and breathwork build real life resilience Neurofeedback offers visible data that helps remove shame Psychedelic medicine opens a door, but integration is where change happens Forgiveness can free the body even when harm was real Generational trauma can end with you Nothing about you is broken. Your system adapted to protect you Leadership Soundbites & Pull Quotes: “Vulnerability shifts rooms and shows you who is safe.” “The goal is not calm. The goal is regulation and the ability to come back.” “I lived my life like the world was dangerous. Then I realized everything that happened was for me.” “I had an addict’s body long after I stopped using substances.” “Forgiveness was easier for my abuser than for my father.” “Nothing about us is broken. Our nervous systems learned to survive.” Conversation Highlights & Chapters and Beats: How instant vulnerability created trust at the Heartland Gathering Why leading with honesty filters safe community The abandoned interview at Psychedelic Science and nervous system triggers Disappointment, heartbreak, and abandonment as somatic experiences The psychedelic moment that changed Steve’s life at a concert Childhood trauma, sexual abuse, violence, and nervous system wiring Addiction and success as parallel survival strategies Neurofeedback and seeing trauma on a brain scan Shame, airports, and everyday dysregulation Orienting as a powerful regulation tool Cold exposure and breathwork as resilience training Parasympathetic rebound and emotional regulation Men’s work, being seen, and breaking generational cycles Forgiveness, grief, and reclaiming life force Identity, worth, and unlearning the belief of being broken Advice to younger selves and reclaiming curiosity and wonder Who This Episode Is For: Anyone who feels like they have done the work but still feel dysregulated People who struggle with shame, triggers, or emotional overwhelm Those navigating addiction recovery or an addict’s body Individuals curious about nervous system healing beyond talk therapy Men learning how to be seen and vulnerable Anyone ready to stop seeing themselves as broken

    1h 45m

  8. JAN 28

    12. The Inner Operating System of a Sober, Spirit Led Leader with JOJO ABOT

    This conversation is a masterclass in empowered leadership.. not as a title, but as a way of operating. JOJO ABOT breaks down what it means to be an “oracle” and a “portal” in practical terms: someone who helps create an environment where clarity and transformation become possible, without controlling anyone’s path. The core message is simple: stop outsourcing your power to perfect conditions, altered states, or external validation. Leadership is the sober, daily practice of listening deeper than the noise, moving with fear present, releasing identities that keep you stuck, and choosing co-creation over victimhood. What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways) Leadership isn’t identity—it’s action. “God is a verb” = your life changes when you collaborate with what you’re being called to do, not when you wait to feel ready.Courage is movement with fear present. Not “no fear” just decision and follow-through anyway.Forgiveness is an unbinding tool. It releases the “I’m the victim” identity and returns agency, energy, and focus.Discernment is a leadership skill. Intuition invites; fear commands. Learn the difference and you stop self-sabotaging.You’re not stuck—you’re at a threshold. “Stuck” is often germination: transformation happening under the surface.Community is strategic. Real power isn’t rugged individualism, t’s interdependence, discernment, and receiving support without manipulation.Leadership Soundbites (Pull Quotes) “Leadership requires you to act on the invitation, before the conditions are perfect.”“Courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s moving anyway.”“Forgiveness is how you stop letting your past define your operating system.”Conversation Highlights (Chapters / Beats) The launch as leadership initiation: visibility triggers the body; the work is staying present anyway.Oracle + portal redefined: not mystical branding, creating space for clarity, perspective, and self-leadership. Owning your gifts without becoming a guru: accountability, humility, and integrity. Plant medicine vs sober power: insight is easy, embodiment is the real leadership path. Courage and forgiveness as core leadership virtues: conditions don’t need to be perfect; identity can evolve. Audacity as a decision: “meet the invitation with a yes.” Life as your guru: difficulty is often resistance + perspective, not reality. Capacity building: nervous system regulation, breath, and the ability to hold discomfort. Interdependence > independence: receiving support is part of maturity and leadership. Leaders, founders, and creators who feel stuck, frozen, or overwhelmed People who are spiritually inclined but want practical power, not performance Anyone learning to move from insight → embodiment → action Anyone rebuilding trust with themselves after fear, trauma, or a major life transition Who This Episode Is For Oracle + portal redefined: not mystical branding, creating space for clarity, perspective, and self-leadership.Owning your gifts without becoming a guru: accountability, humility, and integrity.Plant medicine vs sober power: insight is easy, embodiment is the real leadership path.Courage and forgiveness as core leadership virtues: conditions don’t need to be perfect; identity can evolve.Audacity as a decision: “meet the invitation with a yes.”Life as your guru: difficulty is often resistance + perspective, not reality.Capacity building: nervous system regulation, breath, and the ability to hold discomfort.Interdependence > independence: receiving support is part of maturity and leadership.Who This Episode Is For Leaders, founders, and creators who feel stuck, frozen, or overwhelmedPeople who are spiritually inclined but want practical power, not performanceAnyone learning to move from insight → embodiment → actionAnyone rebuilding trust with themselves after fear, trauma, or a major life transition

    1h 24m
See All (19)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

The Neuro's Journey is about the raw courage it takes to face ourselves, our wounds, our patterns, our truth, and transform into who we're meant to be. Host Steve Sapourn, a former hedge fund manager and crack addict who survived a childhood marked by sexual abuse, gun violence, and domestic violence, rebuilt his life through neuroscience-based healing and psychedelic-assisted therapy. Now he brings you raw, real conversations about trauma, recovery, and transformation. Through his own story and insights from leading experts, Steve explores how our past shapes us and how we can actively reshape our future. Each episode offers practical wisdom for understanding your emotions, calming your nervous system, and reconnecting with your purpose.  This isn't about quick fixes or empty promises, it's about real change, grounded in both science and lived experience. Rewire your brain. Rewrite your story.

Information

  • Creator
    Steve Sapourn
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Steve Sapourn
  • Show Website
    The Neuro's Journey