I Have A What?! Surviving A Brain Tumor

Johnathan "TeflonJohn" Smith

Join me as I share my deeply personal journey of being diagnosed with a brain tumor; a moment filled with confusion, fear, and uncertainty. I navigate the emotional rollercoaster of surgery and the fight for survival, revealing the highs and lows along the way. This podcast is for anyone interested in health and inspiring stories of resilience. Each episode features heartfelt storytelling, interviews, and discussions with fellow survivors and experts. Tune in for open conversations that acknowledge the stress of such a diagnosis while offering hope. New episodes are released twice a month. 🎧 Support the Show If you enjoy my content and want to help me keep creating inspiring stories and conversations, you can support my work here: https://buymeacoffee.com/Teflonjohn Every coffee helps fuel new episodes, better equipment, and meaningful content for the community. Thank you for your support! ☕️

  1. May 23

    Brain Surgery, Faith, and Fear: When My Mom’s Faith Challenged Me | Season 2 | Episode 5

    There’s a difference between having faith… and having your faith challenged when fear is loud. In this episode, I take you inside one of the most emotional parts of my brain tumor journey: the tension between my fear and my mom’s faith. As my brain surgery date got closer, I was still trying to process what was happening. I was scared. I was uncertain. I was wearing a mask, trying to act like I was okay, while internally I was struggling with the reality of what was coming. But my mom saw things differently. Her faith was strong. Her belief in what God could do was on another level. She would say things like, “You never know, you might go down there for surgery and they can’t even find the tumor because God removed it.” And honestly… that bothered me. Not because I didn’t believe in God, but because I was scared to believe that deeply. I was afraid of getting my hopes up. I was afraid of believing for a miracle, then being devastated if I still had to face surgery. This episode is about that real tension. Faith vs fear. A mother believing for the impossible… and a son trying to survive the reality in front of him. I talk about why her faith challenged me, why it made me uncomfortable, and how looking back, I realize that pressure was exactly what I needed. At the time, it felt like we were bumping heads. But in hindsight, she was pushing me to face the fear I was trying so hard to hide. If you’ve ever struggled between believing God and being honest about your fear… if you’ve ever had someone close to you speak faith when you were still trying to process reality… this episode is for you. 🎯 What You’ll Take From This Episode: What it feels like when faith and fear collide during a health crisis How a parent’s faith can challenge you when you’re scared Why fear can expose areas where your faith is still growing The emotional weight of trying to look strong while struggling inside How God can use uncomfortable conversations to build something deeper in you 📣 Support the Podcast If this episode connects with you, consider supporting the mission: 👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/teflonjohn 🔗 Stay Connected 🌐 https://www.teflonjohn.com/ Make sure you follow the podcast, share it with someone who needs it, and stay tapped in for what’s next. 🔜 Next Episode Next episode, my mom joins me. For the first time, you’ll hear this journey from her side, what she saw, what she felt, and how she carried her own faith while watching her son prepare for brain surgery.

    23 min
  2. Apr 22

    Life Doesn’t Stop: Pushing Through Pain Before Brain Surgery | Season 2 | Episode 4

    🧠 Season 2, Episode 4 Description Life doesn’t pause just because you’re going through something. In this episode, I take you deeper into a part of my journey that most people never see, the space between knowing something life-changing is coming and still having to show up every day like everything is normal. While preparing for brain surgery, my body was already sending signals. Daily headaches. Constant nausea. Moments where I felt off, but still had to function. Still had to work. Still had to lead. Still had to be present for the people around me. Because the reality is, life keeps moving. Deadlines don’t wait. Responsibilities don’t disappear. And most people don’t know what you’re carrying internally. So you learn how to operate while dealing with something heavy behind the scenes. This episode is about that tension. The pressure of pushing forward when your body and mind are under stress. The discipline it takes to keep going when you don’t feel like it. And the mindset shift that helped me realize that what I was going through wasn’t just something to survive, it was something that was preparing me. Because sometimes the season you’re in right now… is training you for what’s ahead. If you’ve ever had to show up in life while quietly dealing with pain, uncertainty, or fear, this episode will speak directly to you. 📣 Support the Podcast If this episode connects with you, consider supporting the mission: 👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/teflonjohn 🔗 Stay Connected 🌐 https://www.teflonjohn.com/ Follow the podcast, share it with someone who needs it, and stay tapped in for what’s next.

    21 min
  3. Apr 17

    Brain Surgery Countdown: Living With Fear, Faith, and Uncertainty | Season 2 | Episode 3

    🧠 Season 2, Episode 3 Description Brain Surgery Countdown: Living With Fear, Faith, and Uncertainty | Season 2 | Episode 3 There’s a difference between making a decision… and living with it. In this episode, I take you inside what it really feels like after the date is set, when you’re no longer avoiding it… but you still have to wake up every day and live your life. Nothing around me stopped. I was still going to work, still showing up, still laughing, still being myself. On the outside, everything looked normal. But internally… it was different. Because now, I wasn’t just living life… …I was living with a countdown. I talk about what it felt like to carry that weight every day. The back and forth between feeling normal one moment, and then being hit with the reality of what was coming the next. There were days I could forget.And there were days it wouldn’t leave my mind at all. And that tension… that’s where the real battle started. Faith vs fear. Because it’s one thing to say you trust God… It’s another thing to trust Him when you’re facing something you can’t control, something you can’t run from, and something you don’t know the outcome of. 👉 That’s when the real question shows up:How do you keep living… when you know what’s coming? If you’ve ever lived in uncertainty, carried something heavy in silence, or tried to stay strong while battling your own thoughts… this episode is for you. This is what it looks like to live with a countdown. 🎯 What You’ll Take From This Episode: What it feels like to live with a life changing countdownThe mental and emotional weight of knowing what’s aheadHow normal life and heavy reality can exist at the same timeWhat happens when faith is tested in real time 📣 Support the Podcast If this episode connects with you, consider supporting the mission: 👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/teflonjohn 🔗 Stay Connected 🌐 https://www.teflonjohn.com/ Make sure you follow the podcast, share it with someone who needs it, and stay tapped in for what’s next. 🔜 Next EpisodeAt some point… I couldn’t keep it to myself anymore. Because the closer the date got… the harder it became to act like everything was okay. 🔥

    21 min
  4. Apr 15

    Choosing My Brain Surgery Date: The Moment It Became Real | Season 2 | Episode 2

    🧠 Season 2, Episode 2 Description Choosing My Brain Surgery Date: The Moment It Became Real How do you choose the day… that your life might change forever? In this episode of I Have a What? Surviving a Brain Tumor, I take you inside one of the hardest decisions I faced during my journey, choosing the date for brain surgery. This wasn’t just about scheduling a procedure. It was about coming to terms with reality. For weeks, I avoided it. Not because I didn’t understand what needed to happen… but because I knew once that date was set, everything would feel real. The uncertainty. The fear. The weight of what could happen next. In this episode, I open up about: The internal battle between faith and fearWhy I delayed making the decisionThe pressure of protecting my family while struggling internallyWhat it feels like to live with a countdown you can’t escapeAnd how I started facing something I could no longer avoid This is one of the most honest chapters of my journey so far. If you’ve ever had to make a decision you weren’t ready for… If you’ve ever tried to stay strong while dealing with something heavy… If you’ve ever faced the unknown… This episode is for you. ❤️ A Personal Note Each episode in this series is dedicated to my late grandfather, who taught me that faith isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s trusting God even when you don’t know what’s coming next. 📣 Support & Stay Connected If this episode speaks to you: Follow the podcast so you don’t miss what’s next Share it with someone who needs encouragement Leave a rating to help this message reach more people You can also support the journey here: 👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/teflonjohn And stay connected with everything I’m building: 👉 https://www.teflonjohn.com/ 🔜 What’s Next The closer that date got… the harder it became to ignore. brain tumor, meningioma, brain surgery, tumor journey, faith vs fear, health podcast, cancer support, personal story, survival journey, mental resilience, overcoming fear

    19 min
  5. Apr 10

    The Day I Could No Longer Run From Brain Surgery | Season 2 | Episode #1

    🧠 Season 2, Episode 1 Description After being told I needed brain surgery, everything shifted. In this episode, I take you beyond the moment of diagnosis and into the quiet, often overlooked aftermath, the days where life continues moving forward, but mentally and emotionally, everything feels different. I was no longer just living with a brain tumor under a “watch and wait” plan. Now, I was living with the reality that I would have to choose a date… a day where everything would change. I share what it felt like to walk through everyday life while carrying that weight in silence. Going to work, staying active, podcasting, and doing the things I loved, all while a constant thought ran in the background: What happens after surgery? Will I be the same? This episode dives into the internal battle that began during this time. The tension between fear and faith. The moments where I tried to stay strong on the outside for my wife and my mom, while internally wrestling with uncertainty, doubt, and the unknown. I also open up about going down the rabbit hole, searching for answers, watching stories of both hope and hardship, which only made the emotional conflict even deeper. More than anything, this episode is about that turning point, when something that once felt like a possibility becomes real. When you can no longer avoid it. When you have to start asking yourself deeper questions about strength, purpose, and belief. This is the beginning of a new chapter in my journey, not just physically, but mentally and spiritually. If this episode resonates with you, make sure to follow the podcast so you don’t miss what’s next. Share it with someone who may need encouragement, and leave a review to help this message reach others who are going through their own battles. If you’d like to support the podcast and help me continue sharing this journey, you can do so here: 👉 After being told I needed brain surgery, everything shifted. In this episode, I take you beyond the moment of diagnosis and into the quiet, often overlooked aftermath, the days where life continues moving forward, but mentally and emotionally, everything feels different. I was no longer just living with a brain tumor under a “watch and wait” plan. Now, I was living with the reality that I would have to choose a date… a day where everything would change. I share what it felt like to walk through everyday life while carrying that weight in silence. Going to work, staying active, podcasting, and doing the things I loved, all while a constant thought ran in the background: What happens after surgery? Will I be the same? This episode dives into the internal battle that began during this time. The tension between fear and faith. The moments where I tried to stay strong on the outside for my wife and my mom, while internally wrestling with uncertainty, doubt, and the unknown. I also open up about going down the rabbit hole, searching for answers, watching stories of both hope and hardship, which only made the emotional conflict even deeper. More than anything, this episode is about that turning point, when something that once felt like a possibility becomes real. When you can no longer avoid it. When you have to start asking yourself deeper questions about strength, purpose, and belief. This is the beginning of a new chapter in my journey, not just physically, but mentally and spiritually. If this episode resonates with you, make sure to follow the podcast so you don’t miss what’s next. Share it with someone who may need encouragement, and leave a review to help this message reach others who are going through their own battles. If you’d like to support the podcast and help me continue sharing this journey, you can do so here:👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/teflonjohn For more content, updates, and resources, visit:👉 https://www.teflonjohn.com/

    20 min
  6. Jan 2

    When the Doctor’s Tone Changed: My Brain Tumor MRI and the Moment Everything Shifted | Episode #10

    🧠 Episode 10 Description In this deeply personal season finale of I Have A What?! Surviving a Brain Tumor, Johnathan “TeflonJohn” Smith opens up about the appointment he never expected to change his journey. What began as a routine MRI and follow up visit slowly turned into a moment that shifted everything. For over a year, Johnathan had settled into a rhythm of appointments, scans, and quiet monitoring. The symptoms that once felt frightening had become familiar. Fatigue, nausea, pressure, and mental fog were no longer alarming, they were part of daily life. He convinced himself this was simply the new normal. But during this visit, the routine finally broke. This episode walks listeners through the subtle emotional and physical shifts that led up to that appointment, the calm conversations on the drive there, the sense of comfort in repetition, and the unexpected moment when the doctor’s tone changed. Suddenly, watch and wait was no longer the plan. Surgery entered the conversation. And Johnathan found himself sitting in a room where the future felt heavier than it had just moments before. Johnathan shares what it felt like to absorb that news in real time, how he tried to remain steady for his wife, and how the ride home became a quiet space of processing, reflection, and faith. He also opens up about calling his mother, hearing the pause in her voice, and watching both his wife and his mom step into powerful roles of emotional and spiritual support. This episode is not just about medical news. It is about what happens internally when life shifts without warning. It explores the emotional weight of uncertainty, the tension between staying strong and being honest, and the importance of allowing yourself to be supported when you are used to carrying everything alone. Johnathan also reflects on a lesson from his grandfather, a reminder that strength is not just about enduring hardship. It is about knowing when to stop, listen, and trust God in moments when you cannot control the outcome. If you have ever walked into a situation thinking everything was fine only to discover that something had changed, if you are supporting someone through illness, or if you are navigating your own diagnosis, this episode will resonate deeply. It is honest, reflective, and rooted in the shared human experience of facing the unknown with faith and community. 💭 In this episode, Johnathan shares:• What it felt like when a routine brain tumor MRI became something more• The emotional shift when the doctor’s tone changed• How he processed the news with his wife and family• The quiet ride home and the internal weight of uncertainty• The role of faith during moments of loss of control• A powerful lesson from his grandfather about real strength• How this moment leads into Season 2 and the road to surgery ☕ Support the podcast:Follow the show for more real stories of faith, resilience, and survival. If you want to support this mission of encouragement, storytelling, and awareness, you can visit BuyMeACoffee.com/TeflonJohn. Your support helps spread hope to others walking through hard seasons. #IHaveAWhatPodcast #SurvivingABrainTumor #BrainTumorJourney #TeflonJohn #FaithAndHealing #FamilySupport #HealingJourney #BrainTumorSurvivor #ResilienceAndRecovery #PodcastStorytelling If this episode connects with you, leave a comment on Spotify or share it with someone who might need to hear it. Every message helps build a community of support and understanding.

    27 min
  7. 12/09/2025

    When My Brain Tumor Symptoms Returned and Would Not Stay Quiet Anymore | Episode #9

    🧠 Episode Description In this deeply personal episode of I Have A What?! Surviving a Brain Tumor, Johnathan “TeflonJohn” Smith opens up about the moment his brain tumor symptoms began returning in ways he could no longer push through. After weeks of quiet warnings, subtle pains, pressure, fatigue, and moments where the world seemed to shift around him, something changed. The symptoms did not stay quiet anymore, and his body started telling the truth he had been trying not to face. Up until now, Johnathan had been operating in two realities. There was the version he showed the world, the strong one who kept working, creating, motivating, and pushing forward no matter how he felt. Then there was the private version, the man wrestling with returning brain tumor symptoms and convincing himself it was just part of his new normal. Episode 9 steps into the tension between those two identities and the moment he could no longer hide what was happening inside. This episode explores the emotional weight of recognizing the signs before any doctor confirms them. The frustration of trying to explain away pain. The fear of what returning symptoms might mean. The exhaustion that settles in when your body forces you to slow down. And the spiritual tug of war that happens when faith is strong but your physical strength is fading. For the first time, Johnathan speaks openly about how these worsening brain tumor symptoms affected his work, his routine, his relationships, and his confidence. He shares the interruptions, the sharp pains, the pressure behind his eye, the late nights of discomfort, and the moments when he could not pretend anymore. His honesty pulls listeners into the internal battle between fear and faith, courage and concern, hope and reality. Johnathan also returns to a powerful lesson from his grandfather. Growing up, he watched his grandfather push through challenges with quiet strength, but he also witnessed the wisdom of knowing when something needed real attention. That lesson resurfaced during this chapter of his journey, reminding him that strength is not just about enduring pain. It is about knowing when to stop, listen, and take action before the situation grows worse. If you have ever ignored the signs because you hoped they would fade, if you have ever pushed yourself past your limits while hiding your struggle, or if you understand the fear that rises when symptoms return after a diagnosis, this episode will resonate deeply. It is honest, vulnerable, and a part of the brain tumor journey many survivors rarely talk about. 💭 In this episode, Johnathan shares: ​ What it felt like when his brain tumor symptoms began returning• The physical signs that grew harder to ignore• Why he tried to push through the pain and pretend everything was normal• How worsening symptoms affected his work and daily life• The emotional toll of balancing fear, faith, and frustration• The moment his body stopped negotiating• A powerful lesson from his grandfather about real strength• How this chapter leads directly to the shocking news in Episode 10 ☕ Support the podcast:📱 Follow the show for more real stories of faith, resilience, and survival. If you want to support this mission of encouragement, storytelling, and awareness, you can visit BuyMeACoffee.com/TeflonJohn. Your support helps spread hope to others walking through hard seasons. #IHaveAWhatPodcast #SurvivingABrainTumor #BrainTumorJourney #TeflonJohn #InvisibleSymptoms #EmotionalHealth #FaithOverFear #HealingJourney #BrainTumorSurvivor #ResilienceAndRecovery #PodcastStorytelling If this episode connects with you, leave a comment on Spotify or share it with someone who may be carrying more than they show. Every message helps build a community of support and understanding.

    18 min
  8. 11/24/2025

    The Moment Someone Noticed: A Coworker Saw the Brain Tumor Symptoms I Tried to Hide | Episode #8

    🧠 Episode Description In this deeply personal episode of I Have A What?! Surviving a Brain Tumor, Johnathan “TeflonJohn” Smith shares the moment when the mask he had been wearing finally slipped, not at home and not with family, but at work. After weeks of pushing through dizziness, pressure, fatigue, and moments of zoning out, someone finally noticed. A trusted coworker saw what others missed, the truth that his symptoms were breaking through the image of strength he tried so hard to maintain. Up until this moment, Johnathan had been living two versions of himself. There was the version everyone saw at work, the leader, the motivator, the dependable presence. Then there was the version he carried in private, the man silently fighting a brain tumor diagnosis while trying to convince himself that he could handle it alone. Episode 8 steps into the tension between those two identities and the moment they collided. This episode explores the emotional shock of being seen when you are trying your hardest not to be. The fear of exposure. The vulnerability of having someone notice the pain you worked so hard to hide. And the strange mix of relief and discomfort that happens when someone caring steps in and says, “Are you sure you are okay?” For the first time, Johnathan talks openly about how a coworker’s concern became the turning point that forced him to face reality. Her questions, her observations, and her genuine worry helped him accept that the situation was more serious than he was allowing himself to believe. Johnathan also reflects on a powerful lesson from his grandfather. Growing up, his grandfather took him to youth sports practices and taught him the meaning of never quitting, even when things felt tough or uncomfortable. That lesson resurfaced in this chapter of his journey, reminding him that perseverance does not always mean hiding the pain. Sometimes it means knowing when to trust someone enough to let them in. If you have ever tried to hide your struggle, if you have ever kept going until someone else noticed the weight you were carrying, or if you understand the fear of letting someone see the real you in a vulnerable moment, this episode will resonate deeply. It is honest, it is human, and it is part of the story many survivors never talk about. 💭 In this episode, Johnathan shares:• What it felt like when his symptoms began showing at work• The moment a coworker noticed something was wrong• Why he tried to hide the truth for so long• The inner battle between strength and vulnerability• How being seen unexpectedly forced him to face reality• The emotional shift that came from trusting someone with the truth• A powerful childhood lesson from his grandfather about perseverance• How this moment sets the stage for the worsening symptoms 💬 If this episode connects with you, leave a comment on Spotify or share it with someone who may be carrying more than they show. Every message helps build a community of support and understanding. ☕ Support the podcast:If you want to support this mission of encouragement, storytelling, and awareness, you can visit BuyMeACoffee.com/TeflonJohn. Every contribution helps spread hope to others walking through hard seasons. 📱 Follow the show for more real stories of faith, resilience, and survival. #IHaveAWhatPodcast #SurvivingABrainTumor #BrainTumorJourney #TeflonJohn #InvisibleSymptoms #EmotionalHealth #FaithOverFear #HealingJourney #BrainTumorSurvivor #ResilienceAndRecovery #PodcastStorytelling

    20 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Join me as I share my deeply personal journey of being diagnosed with a brain tumor; a moment filled with confusion, fear, and uncertainty. I navigate the emotional rollercoaster of surgery and the fight for survival, revealing the highs and lows along the way. This podcast is for anyone interested in health and inspiring stories of resilience. Each episode features heartfelt storytelling, interviews, and discussions with fellow survivors and experts. Tune in for open conversations that acknowledge the stress of such a diagnosis while offering hope. New episodes are released twice a month. 🎧 Support the Show If you enjoy my content and want to help me keep creating inspiring stories and conversations, you can support my work here: https://buymeacoffee.com/Teflonjohn Every coffee helps fuel new episodes, better equipment, and meaningful content for the community. Thank you for your support! ☕️

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