Riffin' About Life with Brian R. King, MSW

Brian R. King, MSW
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Mental Health
  • Semimonthly

Riffin About Life is a raw and real podcast hosted by Brian R. King, MSW — speaker, author, and neurodivergent dad of three. In each episode, Brian shares honest, unscripted conversations with thought leaders, educators, creators, and fellow humans navigating life with all its complexity. Whether they’re talking parenting, neurodivergence, communication, resilience, or just what it means to be human — no topic is off-limits. This show is about real stories, real connection, and the small, everyday moments that shape us. Perfect for parents, caregivers, and anyone who’s ever felt like they do

  1. 2d ago

    The Cost of Survival Mode with Adriene Caldwell

    What happens when the behaviors that once helped you survive begin hurting you- and the people around you? In this deeply honest conversation, Brian sits down with author Adriene Caldwell to talk about the parts of trauma recovery that are often cleaned up for public consumption. Adriene doesn’t position herself only as the person who was hurt. She also confronts the choices she made, the people she hurt, and the difficult work of taking responsibility without denying what happened to her. Together, Brian and ithe and Adriene explore survival mode, shame, forgiveness, attachment, and what it means to reclaim your voice after spending years believing you were unwanted. In this episode, they discuss: The hidden cost of living in survival mode Why radical honesty requires more than telling the story of what happened to you Taking responsibility without dismissing your own trauma Whether forgiveness is necessary for healing Learning to accept love when you’ve never felt safe Why healing isn’t a single breakthrough or a perfectly finished story What it takes to stop letting your damage define you Adriene’s story is raw, complicated, and ultimately filled with hope—not because everything magically became easy, but because she continued making choices that moved her toward a different life. Connect with Adriene: Read Unbroken: Life Outside the Lines, available on Amazon. Find Unbroken Caldwell on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or visit her website by searching for Unbroken Caldwell. Adriene invites listeners to contact her through the website and says she personally responds. Content note: This episode includes discussions of childhood abuse, foster-care abuse, addiction, eating disorders, self-harm, and suicide. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health crisis in the United States, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

  2. Oct 29

    When Chronic Illness Changes the Life You Planned with Dr. Jeffery Bone

    Living with chronic illness can change far more than your body. It can disrupt your plans, challenge your identity, and leave you grieving a life you thought you would have. In this episode, Brian talks with Dr. Jeffrey Bone, a longtime clinician whose perspective changed dramatically after his own experience with black mold exposure, repeated misdiagnoses, chronic pain, and immune illness. Together, they have an honest conversation about what happens when the professionals don’t have answers, the future no longer looks the way you expected, and “getting back to normal” may not be possible. They explore: The emotional impact of being dismissed or misunderstood by medical professionals Why self-compassion can be especially difficult—and necessary—when your body changes The grief that accompanies chronic illness How curiosity can help you discover possibilities within a life you didn’t plan What it means to advocate for yourself without expecting one doctor to have every answer Why asking for help can be an act of agency rather than weakness How to create meaning without denying the pain or pretending everything is fine Can your life still expand when your body creates new limitations? Dr. Bone offers a perspective rooted in both professional experience and the realities of living with chronic illness himself. Connect with Dr. Jeffrey Bone: Website: https://drbone.liveInstagram and Threads: @pod.tothebone

  3. Oct 22

    Why Understanding Your Trauma Isn’t the Same as Healing It with Ben Oofana

    Why do we keep repeating patterns we already understand? In this episode, Brian sits down with Ben Oofana, whose lifelong search for healing has taken him far beyond conventional approaches. Ben shares how childhood adversity led him to study psychology, train with a traditional Native American doctor, practice internal martial arts, and explore meditative and healing traditions around the world. Together, Brian and Ben discuss the difference between intellectually understanding our pain and fully processing the experiences and emotions we continue to carry. Ben explains why he believes unresolved experiences consume our internal resources, affect our ability to remain present, and keep us repeating familiar emotional patterns. They also explore: How Ben’s difficult childhood inspired his search for a different way of living What he learned through Native American healing traditions, vision quests, and internal martial arts Why insight alone may not be enough to change deeply rooted patterns How avoiding, suppressing, or distracting ourselves from difficult emotions can keep us stuck The relationship between emotional healing, the body, and resilience How constant digital stimulation can interfere with our ability to process our own experiences Why healing may require the courage to remain present with uncomfortable emotions How exposure to other cultures and ways of living can expand our understanding of ourselves and the world Connect with Ben: Website: https://benufana.comMeditation resources: https://teachmetomeditate.com You can also find Ben Oofana on Instagram and YouTube. The experiences and perspectives shared in this episode are those of the guest and are intended for educational purposes. This conversation is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health treatment.

  4. Oct 15

    What If Violence Isn’t as Random as We Think? with Robert Mahoney

    When violence happens, it is often described as sudden, senseless, and impossible to predict. But what if the warning signs were there all along, scattered across different people, systems, and moments that no one connected? In this conversation, Brian speaks with violence-prevention and emergency-management expert Robert Mahoney about what can happen when communities stop focusing only on responding to attacks and begin paying closer attention to the human behavior that comes before them. Robert challenges the idea that safer schools, workplaces, and communities can be created through security technology alone. While cameras, barriers, emergency plans, and response training have a role, they may not address the crises, isolation, trauma, and unmet needs developing beneath the surface. Together, Brian and Robert explore why concerning behavior is frequently viewed without enough context, how people can fall through the gaps between schools, mental-health services, law enforcement, families, and community organizations, and why debating someone with facts may fail to reach the deeper emotional needs driving their behavior. They also discuss a more compassionate alternative to traditional threat-assessment models: building care teams that bring people together before a situation reaches a crisis point. What might change if a struggling person were noticed before their behavior became threatening? What could happen if communities treated concerning changes as opportunities for support rather than waiting until someone crossed a dangerous threshold? This conversation offers a thought-provoking look at prevention, connection, responsibility, and what it truly means to look out for one another. Learn more from Robert Mahoney and TVTP Solutions through the company’s educational resources and training on targeted violence and terrorism prevention. Website: tvtpsolutions.com

  5. Oct 8

    Your Child Doesn't Need a Perfect Parent. They Need a Safe One. with Dr. David Marcus

    Parenting a neurodivergent child can feel like you're constantly putting out fires. When meltdowns, shutdowns, emotional overwhelm, or explosive reactions become part of everyday life, it's easy to wonder if you're doing something wrong. In this returning conversation, Brian sits down with psychologist Dr. David Marcus to explore a different approach, one that shifts the focus from controlling behavior to creating emotional safety. Together, they discuss why many traditional parenting strategies fall short for neurodivergent children, what it really means to become a soothing presence, and why children often need understanding before they can respond to guidance. They also explore how parents can support their own nervous systems, navigate burnout, and build the kind of trust that helps children feel safe enough to communicate what is really going on beneath the surface. Whether you're raising a child with ADHD, autism, sensory differences, or simply trying to better understand a child whose reactions often seem bigger than the moment, this conversation offers practical insights that can change the way you think about connection, communication, and resilience. If you've ever found yourself thinking, "I've tried everything, and nothing seems to work," this episode may help you see your child and yourself through a different lens. Connect with Dr. David Marcus Website:https://parentrx.org Email:dsmarcusphd@parentrx.org Additional Resources Tender Talks: Guiding Children Through Divorce Amid Conflict with Dr. David S. Marcus, PhDhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tender-talks-guiding-children-through-divorce-amid/id1261400624?i=1000661185316 Tender Talks on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNC4lnZu6Mw Guiding Your Young Children Through Divorce: Essential Strategieshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bChJmpwKbc Fun vs. Responsible Parenting: The Hidden Dangers of Raising Indulged Childrenhttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/fun-vs-responsible-parenting-the-hidden-dangers/id1387822229?i=1000665987118

  6. Oct 1

    What If One Small Decision Changed the Direction of Your Life? with Dr. Arnon Krongrad

    Most of us spend our lives waiting for the big breakthrough—the moment that changes everything. But what if life doesn't work that way? What if the moment that changes your future starts with something as ordinary as cooking dinner and sending a text to a friend? In this fascinating conversation, Brian sits down with physician, surgeon, and educator Dr. Arnon Krongrad to explore how a simple meal unexpectedly led to a growing global community centered on curiosity, lifelong learning, and helping people think more deeply about their health and the world around them. Together, they discuss the surprising ways our lives can be shaped by seemingly insignificant moments, why curiosity often opens doors that careful planning never could, and how following genuine interest can lead to work you never imagined yourself doing. Dr. Krongrad also shares why he shifted his focus from treating disease to helping people think more intentionally about long-term health, resilience, and the everyday choices that influence how we live. Along the way, the conversation touches on learning through experience, questioning assumptions, finding trustworthy information in a noisy world, and why simple answers are often harder to find than complicated ones. And yes—you'll finally hear the story behind his tongue-in-cheek claim that he "killed disco." If you've ever wondered whether the unexpected detours in your life might actually be pointing you toward something meaningful, this conversation offers a refreshing reminder that purpose isn't always planned. Sometimes it begins with curiosity. Connect with Dr. Arnon Krongrad Website:https://worldofezz.com WhatsApp Community:https://chat.whatsapp.com/EMUL69UUbDDAtgTJYQZp7K LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnonkrongrad/ X:https://x.com/ArnonKrongrad

  7. Sep 24

    Why Did No One See It Sooner? with Tiara Brumberg

    What if you've spent your entire life believing you were the problem… only to discover your brain was simply working differently all along? In this thoughtful and encouraging conversation, Brian sits down with ADHD coach Tiara Brumberg to explore the reality of late ADHD diagnosis, why so many women go unnoticed for years, and what happens when everything you thought you knew about yourself suddenly starts to make sense. Tiara shares the winding path that led her from studying psychology and working with children who struggled in school to discovering that she—and eventually much of her own family—also had ADHD. Together, she and Brian unpack why intelligence often masks executive functioning challenges, how perfectionism and people-pleasing can hide ADHD for decades, and why many adults don't receive answers until long after years of unnecessary stress, burnout, or self-doubt. Rather than focusing on "fixing" ADHD, this conversation explores something far more empowering: learning how your brain works so you can stop fighting yourself and start building systems that actually support you. You'll also hear practical ideas for improving communication, managing working memory, advocating for yourself at work and at home, and using tools—including AI—to reduce mental overload without shame. Whether you've recently been diagnosed, suspect you might have ADHD, or love someone who is neurodivergent, this episode is filled with compassionate insights that can help replace frustration with understanding. Because the goal isn't to become someone else. It's to stop believing that different means broken. Connect with Tiara Brumberg Website:www.tiaratheadhdcoach.com Facebook:The Middle ADHD Coaching Instagram:@the_middle_adhd_coaching LinkedIn:The Middle Coaching and Consulting Email:tiara@themiddlecoaching.net

  8. Sep 17

    What If You Had to Rebuild the Person You Used to Be? with Kneet

    What happens when your voice isn't just silenced—but your sense of who you are begins to disappear? In this deeply personal conversation, Brian sits down with independent artist and advocate Kneet to explore a journey that spans continents, cultures, creativity, and survival. Born and raised in Thailand with Indian Punjabi roots, Kneet shares how growing up between cultures shaped her identity—and how music became her first language of self-expression. But life took an unexpected turn. After moving to the United States to pursue her dreams, she found herself navigating years of abuse, isolation, and the difficult process of reclaiming the parts of herself she felt had been taken away. Rather than allowing those experiences to define her, she chose to transform them into music, advocacy, and a renewed commitment to protecting what matters most. Together, Brian and Kneet discuss what it means to lose your identity, why healing is rarely a straight line, and how choosing joy can become an intentional act of resilience—even when life still feels uncertain. They also explore the role creativity can play in recovery, the importance of staying connected to your values, and why rebuilding your life often begins with small, deliberate choices made one day at a time. If you've ever questioned your own worth, felt like life pulled you far away from the person you used to be, or wondered whether it's possible to start over after unimaginable hardship, this conversation offers both honesty and hope. Because sometimes finding your voice isn't about becoming someone new. It's about remembering who you were before the world convinced you to forget. Connect with Kneet Instagram: @kneetmusic Facebook: @kneetmusic Music: Search for "Kneet" on all major streaming platforms Linktree: https://linktr.ee/kneetmusic

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5
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About

Riffin About Life is a raw and real podcast hosted by Brian R. King, MSW — speaker, author, and neurodivergent dad of three. In each episode, Brian shares honest, unscripted conversations with thought leaders, educators, creators, and fellow humans navigating life with all its complexity. Whether they’re talking parenting, neurodivergence, communication, resilience, or just what it means to be human — no topic is off-limits. This show is about real stories, real connection, and the small, everyday moments that shape us. Perfect for parents, caregivers, and anyone who’s ever felt like they do

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