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

John W. Curren
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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. 5d ago

    The Tech Every Gym, Dojo & Studio Needs to Grow — Conversation with Jonathon Klem

    Jonathon Klem joins host John Curren on A Swift Kick in the Ass to break down the real challenges gym owners, martial arts instructors, and studio operators face when running membership‑based businesses. From billing headaches and CRM chaos to waivers, automations, and member retention, Jon explains how better technology can eliminate admin overload and help owners focus on teaching, coaching, and building community. John and Jon also dive into martial arts as a vehicle for resilience, discipline, family connection, and personal reinvention. If you run a gym, dojo, or studio — or you're passionate about personal growth — this episode delivers practical insights and mindset shifts to help you grow with less friction. Learn more at managememberships.com.   00:00 – Opening & Introductions John welcomes Jonathon Klem and sets the stage for a conversation about gym tech, martial arts, and resilience. 01:42 – Why Gym Owners Struggle with Admin Work Jon explains the hidden operational challenges behind gyms, dojos, and studios. 05:10 – The Problem with Billing, Waivers & CRM Chaos How fragmented systems create friction and hurt member experience. 09:33 – What ManageMemberships.com Actually Solves Jon breaks down recurring payments, waivers, CRM, automations, and access control. 14:20 – Automation as a Retention Engine Why automated reminders and follow‑ups reduce churn and increase engagement. 18:55 – The Fear of Switching Systems Vendor lock‑in, payment processing anxiety, and migration myths. 23:40 – Data as a Business Superpower John highlights how reviewing data exposes inefficiencies and lost opportunities. 28:12 – Martial Arts as Personal Transformation Stories about discipline, confidence, and training with family. 33:45 – Building Resilience in Business & Life How technology and martial arts both help navigate constant change. 38:50 – Family, Purpose & Reinvention Jon and John connect martial arts to fatherhood, health, and identity. 43:17 – Practical Advice for Gym & Studio Owners Simple steps to reduce admin friction and improve member experience. 47:05 – How to Get Started with ManageMemberships Jon shares contact info and the easiest way for owners to explore the platform. 49:30 – Closing Thoughts & Episode Wrap‑Up John previews upcoming ASKITA content and distribution across YouTube, Libsyn, and socia

  2. 5d ago ·  Bonus

    You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

    Introducing The Gold Standard for Hosting Any Event with Brilliant Style Guru Colin Cowie from The Oprah Podcast. Follow the show: The Oprah Podcast BUY THE BOOK! The Gold Standard by Colin Cowie https://amzn.to/4hSLdEd Event planner extraordinaire Colin Cowie is here to discuss his book "The Gold Standard: Giving Customers What They Didn’t Know They Wanted." Oprah and Colin have a fun going down memory lane to discuss the countless parties they’ve thrown together including one of their all-time favorites, Oprah Winfrey’s Legends Ball. They look back on the year-long planning of the historic event that honored the lives of the Black women who paved the way for Oprah’s life and millions of others. They also reminisce about what it was like throwing parties for Oprah’s friends like Sidney Poitier, Quincy Jones and Gayle King. Gayle joins the conversation to talk about her 50th and 70th birthday parties planned by Colin Cowie. Oprah and Colin Cowie both believe when having any type of celebration “love is in the details” which is why his book The Gold Standard is perfect for anyone looking for advice or tips on hosting a party your guests will never forget. 00:00:00 - Welcome Colin Cowie, author of “The Gold Standard” 00:03:15 - Love is in the details 00:04:50 - How do you want people to feel 00:07:30 - The most extravagant thing Oprah has ever done 00:12:20 - Oprah’s never thrown a party for herself 00:13:28 - Gayle King joins 00:14:30 - Post party depression 00:17:20 - Planning the Legend’s who paved the way party 00:19:50 - Gayle’s surprise 70th 00:24:40 - Advice for hosting your own event 00:29:45 - What Oprah’s learned from Colin 00:31:00 - What a well-lived life looks like 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/ 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. 5d ago

    Pain Isn't Normal: Movement, Aging & Independence with Eileen Kopsaftis

    John W. Curren and movement expert Eileen Kopsaftis challenge the belief that pain and decline are inevitable parts of aging. They explore why pain often comes from somewhere other than the place that hurts, how the body compensates in hidden ways, and how strength, mobility, and nutrition protect long‑term independence. A practical, empowering conversation for anyone who wants to stay strong and functional as they age.

  4. Oct 23

    "Set It and Forget It" Is Costing You Your Retirement

    Your retirement plan was probably built on 10% annual returns. Vanguard now projects roughly 3.5–5.5% for the decade ahead. John Curren talks with financial planner John Grace, president of Investor's Advantage in Thousand Oaks, about what quietly breaks when the old math stops working — and the defensive, loss-limiting playbook that replaces "set it and forget it." You'll hear: • Why Grace plans around acceptable losses first — and how moving to cash kept his clients' 2008 losses under 20% while the market fell about 40% • The silent squeeze of withdrawals, RMDs, taxes, inflation, and longer lifespans on a plan built for 10% • Why Yale's endowment holds only about 3% in US stocks, and what real diversification means inside a 401(k) Connect with John Grace: https://whybepoor.com Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aswiftkickintheassshow Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-swift-kick-in-the-ass-personal-growth-resilience-podcast/id928326346 A Swift Kick in the Ass is a personal growth podcast built on one idea: the beliefs you inherited are keeping you stuck — and it's time to disrupt them. Host John Curren has raw, honest conversations with people who rebuilt after setbacks and built lives on their own terms. No guru talk. No toxic positivity. Subscribe — and get your ass moving.

  5. Oct 19

    How to Get Scholarships, Choose the Right Major & Avoid College Debt | Shellee Howard

    What if your teenager could go to college — and you didn't have to go broke doing it? College planning expert and founder of College Ready, Shellee Howard, joins John on the ASKITA Podcast to break down exactly how families can take control of the college planning process before it's too late. Named Global Educational Consultant of the Year by the FLUXX Awards, Shellee has helped thousands of students earn millions in scholarships, gain acceptance to top universities, and graduate with significantly less debt than they thought possible. She's been featured on FOX, CBS, NBC, U.S. News & World Report, and MarketWatch. In this conversation, John and Shellee dig into: •  Why starting your college plan early changes literally everything •  How to navigate FAFSA, the Student Aid Index, and financial aid award letters •  Where to find scholarships — and how to actually win them •  Choosing a major that aligns with your teen's strengths AND long-term career goals •  The long-term strategy most families completely overlook •  How to avoid the most common (and most costly) college planning mistakes Whether your teen is in 7th grade or staring down senior year, this episode will challenge you to think bigger — and plan smarter. Connect with Shellee: CollegeReady.com  |  Podcast: Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready?  Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts Don't miss an episode — hit SUBSCRIBE and ring that bell so you never miss a swift kick when you need it most.

  6. 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

  7. 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.

  8. 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

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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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