Living Undeterred

Jeff Johnston
  • 5.0 (9)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Living Undeterred Podcast is an exploration into the world of mental wellness. After losing his son to fentanyl poisoning and his wife to alcoholism, host Jeff Johnston started on a journey to help save lives. Each week he is joined by a new guest to discuss mental health, addiction, and recovery. Jeff's hope is that open & honest conversations around these topics will help end the stigma, provide new ideas and build a community working toward the goal of a better future.

  1. MAR 3

    Ryan Hampton on Recovery, Advocacy, and Taking the Fight to Big Pharma

    In this episode of Living Undeterred, host Jeff Johnston sits down with Ryan Hampton, a nationally recognized recovery advocate, author, and founder of Mobilize Recovery, for an honest and wide-ranging conversation on addiction, mental health, and systemic change. Ryan shares his personal journey of long-term recovery and how lived experience has fueled his work confronting the opioid crisis head-on—from organizing families affected by addiction to taking on Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family from inside the historic bankruptcy case. He opens up about what he learned while helping negotiate one of the most consequential settlements in public health history, why true justice often gets lost in the process, and how victims’ voices are too often sidelined. The conversation also explores Ryan’s current run for the Nevada State Assembly, the urgent mental health crisis facing states across the country, and why building a “care economy” is essential for both public health and long-term economic stability. Along the way, Ryan and Jeff reflect on personal accountability, prevention, recovery pathways, and what it really takes to live undeterred in the face of criticism, burnout, and political pressure. This episode is a powerful reminder that advocacy isn’t abstract—it’s personal. And lasting change only happens when people with lived experience step into the arena.

    41 min

  2. FEB 10

    You’re Not Broken: Reclaiming Mental Health in an Age of Noise

    In this Living Undeterred roundtable powered by Brightn, Jeff Johnston is joined by members of the Brightn team for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about mental health, attention, and what it actually means to live well in a constantly connected world. Rather than chasing diagnoses or quick fixes, the group explores how modern life—social media, comparison, burnout, and endless distractions—has reshaped the way we experience stress, motivation, and self-worth. From personal stories of struggle and growth to practical insights around boundaries, consistency, and self-awareness, this episode challenges the idea that we’re “broken” and need to be fixed. The conversation dives into: Why attention—not other apps or people—is the real battle we’re fightingThe difference between motivation and discipline, and why small wins matterHow journaling, boundaries, and consistency can quietly transform daily lifeThe role AI can play as a supportive tool for mental wellness—not a replacement for human connectionWhy peace and presence matter just as much as goals and achievementThis episode is a reminder that mental health isn’t a destination—it’s a daily practice. You don’t need to overhaul your life. You just need to start where you are. 🎧 Listen, reflect, and join the conversation on living undeterred.

    1h 21m

  3. FEB 3

    Breaking the Cycle: Recovery, Conscious Leadership, and Choosing a Different Legacy

    In this powerful episode of Brightn, we sit down with Hillary Phelps and Greg for a deeply honest conversation about recovery, mental health, conscious leadership, and the generational impact of the choices we make. Through raw storytelling and lived experience, this episode explores what it truly means to break cycles—of addiction, silence, shame, and inherited trauma—and how healing becomes possible through vulnerability, community, and purpose-driven action. In this episode, we explore: Hillary’s journey through addiction, sobriety, and women’s mental health recoveryThe unique challenges women face in addiction—and why those stories have long gone unheardGreg’s story of loss, resilience, and breaking generational cycles of trauma and suicideWhat “conscious capital” really means—and how leadership can be rooted in impact, not egoWhy recovery looks different for everyone, but connection is always the common threadThe idea of living amends and choosing a legacy that stops the pain from being passed downHow community, accountability, and self-respect become anchors in long-term healingThis episode is a reminder that healing isn’t about perfection—it’s about choosing, again and again, to live differently. Whether you’re navigating recovery yourself, supporting someone you love, or seeking a deeper understanding of mental health and human flourishing, this conversation offers hope, perspective, and light. 🎧 Subscribe to Brightn for more conversations centered on healing, growth, and creating a better future—together.

    30 min

  4. JAN 13

    Living Undeterred: Grief, Purpose, and a Son Who Chose a Different Road

    In this deeply personal episode of Brightn, Jeff Johnston sits down with his son Ian for an open, unscripted conversation about grief, resilience, and what it truly means to live undeterred after unimaginable loss. Together, they reflect on the moments that shaped their family forever—the loss of a brother, the weight of generational grief, and the crossroads that follow trauma. This episode isn’t about pretending pain disappears. It’s about choosing purpose anyway, and finding meaning through action, entrepreneurship, community, and connection. In this episode, we explore: Ian’s journey as a young entrepreneur and the story behind Tribute KicksHow grief shaped identity—and why it didn’t get the final wordThe power of choosing a different road when life breaks you openTurning loss into legacy through giving back and mental health advocacyWhy living undeterred isn’t about strength—it’s about intentionFather–son healing, shared memories, and honoring loved ones through how we liveFinding light, purpose, and even joy after devastationThis conversation is raw, honest, and hopeful—a reminder that even in life’s darkest moments, we still get to decide who we become. Whether you’re navigating grief, rebuilding after loss, or searching for meaning beyond survival, this episode offers a powerful example of what it looks like to move forward without forgetting. 🎧 Subscribe to Brightn for more conversations centered on healing, resilience, and human flourishing.

    49 min

  5. 12/09/2025

    From Trauma to Transformation: Dr. Ahmed Darwish on Purpose & Reclaiming Your Authentic Self

    In this powerful episode of the Brightn Podcast, host Jeff Johnston sits down with Ahmed Darwish, PsyD for a deeply vulnerable and thought-provoking conversation on healing, authenticity, and the future of mental wellness. Drawing from his own journey growing up amid significant trauma, Ahmed Darwish, PsyD shares how empathy and emotional awareness became survival mechanisms—and later, tools for growth and service. Together, they explore the limitations of traditional mental health models, the promise of emerging modalities like psychedelics and bilateral brain stimulation, and how technology—when used responsibly—can democratize healing. The discussion also tackles the growing spiritual crisis, the dangers of comparison culture, and the path toward living in alignment with one’s deepest values. Whether you're navigating personal adversity or leading others through it, this episode offers compassionate guidance, professional insight, and a forward-looking vision of hope.

    49 min

  6. 11/25/2025

    When Resilience Meets Reality: James Oliver on Mental Health, Hustle Culture & Founders in the Fight​ ​​

    In this powerful episode of the Brightn Podcast, James Oliver Jr. — entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and founder of the Kabila Founder Mental Health Fund — gets real about the cost of the grind and the courage it takes to heal. From launching his first startup while his twins were born three months prematurely, to navigating divorce, burnout, and investor rejection, James shares how resilience became both his survival mode and his warning sign. He opens up about functional depression, the toxicity of hustle culture, and why authentic relationships and mental wellness must become part of the founder toolkit — not the afterthought. Today, he’s turning that pain into purpose by creating accessible mental health support for overlooked founders nationwide. Tune in to learn how vulnerability can build stronger leaders, why “not all money is good money,” and how shifting from transactional to human-led connections might just change the future of entrepreneurship.

    50 min

  7. 10/14/2025

    Gen Z Mental Wellness with Ben Trotter

    In this episode of Living Undeterred, Jeff Johnston sits down with Ben Trotter—a Gen Z voice with a passion for mental health and personal development—for a raw, wide-ranging conversation about what it means to pursue mental wellness in a digital age. Ben shares his journey from studying finance at the University of Iowa to becoming a key voice on the Brightn Thriver Council, advocating for practical mental health solutions designed for his generation. Together, Jeff and Ben explore the powerful intersection of discipline, technology, and mindset—examining both the promise and the peril of growing up online. Key Themes Discussed: Why Gen Z needs intentional digital tools—not just access to information The paradox of motivation vs. discipline in building mental strength Cold plunging and other physical habits as metaphors for mental resilience The dangers of dopamine-driven social media use and algorithmic rabbit holes How AI can both enable and erode mental clarity Daily wins, non-negotiables, and gratitude as anchors in personal growth What it means to live your mission—one season at a time Ben also opens up about his faith, journaling practices, and book recommendations that shaped his mindset—including Atomic Habits, How to Win Friends & Influence People, and The Magic of Thinking Big. This conversation isn’t just for Gen Z—it’s for anyone who’s ready to stop chasing happiness and start building sustainable, meaningful wellness. 🎧 Listen in for a grounded, honest look at what it means to live undeterred in a distracted world. #LivingUndeterred #GenZMentalHealth #Brightn #MindsetMatters #ColdPlunge #MentalWellness #JeffJohnston #BenTrotter #FaithAndDiscipline #DigitalMentalHealth #AtomicHabits #PersonalGrowth

    46 min

  8. 09/30/2025

    Navigating Mental Health from the Frontlines with Dr. Richard Lopez

    In this thought-provoking episode of Living Undeterred, Jeff Johnston is joined by Dr. Richard Lopez—an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and director of the Social Neuroscience of Affective Processes (SNAP) Lab—for a conversation that bridges the gap between research and real-world mental health care. With expertise in the science of emotion, digital media use, and youth mental health, Dr. Lopez brings a grounded perspective on today’s challenges, highlighting both the progress made and the pressing needs that remain. His work explores how psychological science can inform practical strategies for supporting young people inside and outside the classroom. Core Topics Covered: The current state of youth mental health and how early we need to intervene The challenge of reaching “kids who don’t talk”—and why behavior is communication The ripple effect of suicide and why survivor support is crucial The role of schools as access points for care—and the need for scalable solutions Faith, family, and community as stabilizing forces amid emotional chaos The importance of checking in, not checking out—how to show up consistently Why mental health must be a daily conversation, not a reactive one Dr. Lopez shares actionable insights for parents, educators, and anyone working with youth—urging a collaborative, persistent approach to destigmatizing and addressing mental health. His passion is clear: better systems, deeper compassion, and more trained professionals at the table. 🎧 This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to move from awareness to action. #LivingUndeterred #YouthMentalHealth #DrRichardLopez #MentalHealthAwareness #SchoolBasedSupport #JeffJohnston #MentalWellness #SuicidePrevention #BehaviorIsCommunication #FaithAndHealing #EarlyIntervention #LivingUndeterredPodcast

    45 min
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5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

The Living Undeterred Podcast is an exploration into the world of mental wellness. After losing his son to fentanyl poisoning and his wife to alcoholism, host Jeff Johnston started on a journey to help save lives. Each week he is joined by a new guest to discuss mental health, addiction, and recovery. Jeff's hope is that open & honest conversations around these topics will help end the stigma, provide new ideas and build a community working toward the goal of a better future.

Information

  • Creator
    Jeff Johnston
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    146
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jeffrey Johnston
  • Show Website
    Living Undeterred