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

John W. Curren
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  • 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. 1d ago

    Healing Your Nervous System: Burnout, Trauma & Authentic Manhood | Mitch Webb

    🧠 What if the key to healing burnout, trauma, and emotional exhaustion isn't in your head — it's in your body? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Mitch Webb — holistic health coach, nervous system guide, and host of Rooted Conversations — for an honest conversation about what it really takes to heal. We go deep on survival mode, circadian rhythms, the mind-body connection, and what authentic masculinity looks like when you strip away the performance. Whether you're a burned-out entrepreneur, navigating trauma, or just feel disconnected from yourself — this episode meets you where you are. 🔑 What We Cover: • The nervous system's role in burnout & trauma recovery • Breaking free from survival mode patterns • Circadian rhythms & nature connection for healing • Emotional resilience without toxic positivity • Authentic masculinity & the entrepreneurship hustle trap • The mind-body connection you've been ignoring 🎯 FREE Resources from Mitch Webb: 👉 Take Mitch's FREE Nervous System Quiz → [INSERT LINK] 📅 Book Your FREE 30-Minute Consultation with Mitch → [INSERT LINK] 🎙️ Listen to Rooted Conversations: [INSERT PODCAST LINK] 📲 Follow Mitch on Instagram: @KMitchWebb ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction [ADD YOUR TIMESTAMPS HERE] 🔔 If this episode helped you, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and leave a comment below — it helps more people find this conversation. #NervousSystemHealing #TraumaRecovery #BurnoutRecovery #AuthenticMasculinity #MindBodyConnection #MitchWebb #HolisticHealth #MensHealth #Entrepreneurship

  2. Jul 8

    Leadership Without Yes Men: Jay Paterno on Values, Pressure, and Reinvention

    A Swift Kick in the Ass host John Curren sits down with Jay Paterno — author, former Penn State coach, and son of legendary coach Joe Paterno — for a powerful conversation on leadership, mental health, and rebuilding your life after public adversity. Jay breaks down why great leadership starts with personal values, consistency, and the courage to admit mistakes. He warns that leaders who surround themselves with yes‑men become disconnected from reality — "like puzzle pieces that never fit together." They explore the mental health pressures facing coaches and leaders in an always‑on, social‑media‑driven world, drawing on themes from Jay's novel Blitz. Jay also shares how being sidelined from coaching due to a high‑profile news story he wasn't involved in forced him to reinvent himself. A push from his literary agent — "just get on with it" — led him to write a best‑selling book about his father and launch a new career in writing and broadcasting. Topics include: Leadership without ego The danger of yes‑men Mental health in high‑pressure roles Reinvention after public adversity Writing, storytelling, and legacy Jay's upcoming leadership book

  3. Jul 8

    Stop Acting Like an Employee: Build a Real Business with AI

    In this episode of A Swift Kick in the Ass, John Curren sits down with Luke Gilbert — founder of Two Degrees North and creator of SmartAgent AI — for a raw, practical conversation about real estate, AI, and what it really takes to build a business instead of a job. Luke breaks down why most agents fail: not because they lack leads, but because they ignore the ones they already have. Existing leads convert 5–7x better than cold prospects, yet most agents never follow up. His AI‑powered CRM, SmartAgent, solves that by automatically nurturing databases and turning forgotten contacts into real opportunities. But this conversation goes way beyond real estate. John and Luke dig into: Why AI is a consumer‑grade leverage tool, not a threat How to use AI as a thought partner, not a task robot The mindset shift from operator → owner Why your limiting stories about time, family, or job security are holding you back How scalable systems create freedom Why "The AI‑Driven Leader" is the book every entrepreneur should read If you're ready to stop playing small, stop hiding behind excuses, and start building something that actually scales — this episode is your wake‑up call. "What's the limiting story you've been telling yourself — and what would your life look like without it? Drop it in the comments."

  4. Jun 22

    The Psychology of Change: NLP Strategies for Real World Resilience the ASKITA Way

    Welcome to A Swift Kick in the Ass, where real conversations meet real tools for living life on your own terms. In this episode, John sits down with Dr. Josh Davis, NLP expert, psychology professor, and best‑selling author, to explore how Neuro‑Linguistic Programming helps us reshape our thoughts, emotions, and relationships. They dive into: NLP for better parenting and communication How mental models shape conflict Reframing problems to create fast change Positive intentions behind negative behaviors Emotional state management Letting go of attachments and outdated identities Fatherhood, expectations, and the "provider" mindset Josh also shares insights from his books The Difference That Makes the Difference and Two Awesome Hours, and discusses his coaching work with dads and executives. If you're a parent, a leader, or someone who wants to understand your mind better — this episode delivers. 📘 Learn more about Dr. Josh Davis: https://joshdavisphd.com 🎙 Listen to more ASKITA episodes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-swift-kick-in-the-ass-personal-growth-resilience-podcast/id928326346 In this video, psychology expert Dr. Josh Davis delves into the intricacies of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and its impact on personal development. As a two-time bestselling author and former Ivy League professor, Dr. Davis shares insights on how to develop effective communication skills? Dr. Davis explains that NLP is a powerful tool for understanding the psychology of communication. By examining how language and behavior patterns shape our experiences, we can learn effective strategies for emotional regulation. This approach is particularly beneficial for parents striving to connect with their children. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Davis provides a mental models example to illustrate how NLP can transform our interactions. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing and adjusting 🎬 Video Chapters 0:00:00 Introduction to NLP 0:05:44 Meet Dr. Josh Davis 0:11:28 NLP and Parenting 0:17:12 Provider Syndrome in Dads 0:22:56 Overcoming Negative Self-Talk 0:28:40 Balancing Identity and Flexibility 0:34:24 NLP for Personal Change 0:40:08 Isolation in Fatherhood 0:45:52 Expectations and Disappointments 0:51:36 Origins of NLP 0:57:20 NLP in Psychotherapy 1:03:04 Simplifying NLP for Everyone 1:08:48 Signal from the Noise 1:14:32 Visualizing Change 1:20:16 Final Thoughts on NLP Conclusion In conclusion, learning how to develop effective communication skills? is crucial for personal and professional success.#CommunicationSkills #EffectiveCommunication #MentalModels #EmotionalRegulation #PsychologyOfCommunication #CommunicationTips #PersonalDevelopment #SoftSkills #SelfImprovement #CommunicationHacks #EmotionalIntelligence #ActiveListening #ConflictResolution #BetterCommunication #LifeSkills

  5. Jun 17

    The Psychedelic Renaissance: Zappy Zapolin on Healing, Consciousness & Resilience ASKITA

    n this powerful conversation, John Curren sits down with psychedelic advocate, filmmaker, and director of The Reality of Truth, Zappy Zapolin, to explore the intersection of spirituality, mental health, and the rapidly growing field of psychedelic‑assisted therapy. Zappy breaks down the science and history behind plant medicines such as psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca, ibogaine, and ketamine, explaining how these substances are helping people heal from depression, addiction, PTSD, grief, and trauma. John shares his own experiences with meditation, nature‑based awakening, and the pursuit of inner peace through Stoic and Epicurean philosophy. Together, they discuss: The connection between spirituality, religion, and psychedelics Microdosing, neuroplasticity, and breaking negative thought loops Ketamine's effectiveness for treatment‑resistant depression Psychedelic therapy for veterans and the VA's fast‑tracking efforts Ibogaine's unique ability to "reset" the brain and interrupt addiction The rise of psychedelic guides and the need for over 1 million trained facilitators The importance of set and setting and proper integration The future of psychedelic medicine and the end of prohibition This episode offers a grounded, insightful look at the psychedelic renaissance and what it means for personal resilience, emotional healing, and human potential. Connect with Zappy Zapolin: Courses, films, and psychedelic concierge training available at his official channels. Subscribe to A Swift Kick in the Ass for weekly conversations on resilience, mindset, and living intentionally.

  6. Jun 12

    STOP MAKING YOURSELF SUFFER — Thomas Thatcher Breaks the Story You're Addicted To

    Author Thomas Thatcher joins John Curren to dismantle the biggest myth in personal development: that suffering comes from what happens to us. Thomas explains how suffering is created by the stories we attach to pain, why people cling to those stories for the payoff, and how he nearly lost his life to one of his own. This episode is a direct, no‑nonsense guide to separating fact from fiction, reclaiming your power, and choosing a future based on commitment instead of complaint.

  7. May 23 ·  Video

    Thayne Martin: The Equation of Life, Gratitude & Healing Trauma

    Trauma recovery, neuroscience, and gratitude converge in one of the most remarkable conversations on A Swift Kick in the Ass. Guest Thayne Martin — founder of itspureLove.com — is a childhood sexual abuse survivor who spent decades in silence before a near-death experience unlocked a completely new path forward. Thayne was diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), Bipolar 1, severe ADHD, and complex PTSD. After multiple suicide attempts and years of severe over-medication, a late-thirties crisis brought everything to the surface. Then a near-death drowning experience became a spiritual awakening — and the beginning of everything. In this episode, Thayne introduces "The Equation of Life and Abundant Happiness" — a behavioral change and emotional healing framework built on mathematical principles. Addition (what to bring in), subtraction (what to release), multiplication (energy alignment and support), and division (sharing your abundance). At the center of it all: gratitude as the equal sign — the neurological bridge that quiets the amygdala, activates the prefrontal cortex, and begins rewriting fear-based neural circuits formed by childhood experiences. His gratitude protocol and 101 experiential neuroscience exercises are currently under study at universities. Concepts like Glimmer Surfing, Dare to Be Second, and the hamburger communication framework give listeners immediately applicable tools for personal growth, mental wellness, and mindfulness. If you are on a healing journey, interested in the science of the mind, or simply looking for a practical framework for a more meaningful life — this episode is essential listening. Visit itspureLove.com.

  8. May 16 ·  Video

    Long‑Term Care Planning: Protecting Your Future Self with Raymond Lavine ASKITA

    This episode should be positioned as a must‑hear guide for anyone over 50 who wants to protect their independence, dignity, and family from the emotional and financial strain of long‑term care. The hook is not insurance — it's freedom, quality of life, and proactive planning.   John and Raymond Lavine break down the real costs of long‑term care, why planning early matters, and how to protect your independence, dignity, and family as you age. Raymond shares lessons from his mother's 103‑year life and decades of caregiving, explaining how long‑term care insurance works and why it's about freedom — not fear.

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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.

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