The Suffering Podcast

Kevin Donaldson
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Adversity is the common thread throughout the lives of all living human beings. This human condition can either make us or break us. Nothing great comes easy and it's the overcoming of adversity that makes us who we are. Living by the ethos Suffering is THE way to sustainable success and the path to greatness. Always remember Mike Failace.

  1. Episode 279: The Suffering of Prison With Shawn Johnson

    6D AGO

    Episode 279: The Suffering of Prison With Shawn Johnson

    Shawn Robert Johnson grew up in Asbury Park, New Jersey, where much of his childhood was shaped by poverty, instability, and his parents’ struggles with drug addiction. Basketball became his escape, but when his family could no longer afford the costs of playing, Shawn was pulled into the streets—eventually becoming involved in drug dealing and gang life. In 2006, a violent altercation led to two incidents where Shawn says he acted in self-defense. He was arrested in Pittsburgh, extradited to New Jersey, and after losing at trial was sentenced to 60 years in prison. While incarcerated at New Jersey State Prison in Trenton, Shawn transformed his life. He deepened his faith, focused on rehabilitation, and wrote books on youth mentorship, financial literacy, motivation, spirituality, and men’s mental health, while also sharing motivational messages on social media. After years of denied appeals, Shawn’s case was reviewed under New Jersey’s clemency initiative. Represented by Joseph Krakora, 41 years were commuted from his sentence, recognizing both his rehabilitation and evidence supporting his self-defense claim. On December 4, 2025, Shawn was released—granted a second chance at life. Today he uses his story to mentor, motivate, and help others avoid the path he once walked. Follow Shawn: TikTok & Instagram: @shawjohn1222 YouTube Find The Suffering Podcast The Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram Apple Podcast Spotify Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 10m
  2. Episode 278: The Suffering of Gambling with Michael Zhang

    APR 12

    Episode 278: The Suffering of Gambling with Michael Zhang

    Dr. Michael Zhang is a psychologist and founder of Incumental, a digital platform supporting individuals working to overcome gambling addiction in an era of constant access and widespread normalization. Over years working as a psychologist with individuals and families affected by gambling, he witnessed mounting financial strain, fractured relationships, private battles with shame, and the tension of living a double life. Modern gambling, now embedded in phones, sports media, and everyday life, has only intensified the struggle. Michael recognized that recovery is shaped by what happens between sessions. It unfolds in ordinary, often unseen moments when difficult choices must be made, especially when access is immediate and the urge is only a tap away. Grounded in years of clinical practice, he created Incumental to provide structured, real-time guidance that complements therapy and peer recovery. Michael emphasizes personal responsibility, psychological flexibility, and the steady rebuilding of self-trust, shaped through repeated decisions that move a person closer to who they intend to become. Find The Suffering Podcast The Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram Apple Podcast Spotify Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 4m
  3. Episode 277: The Suffering of Debate with Austin Broughton

    APR 5

    Episode 277: The Suffering of Debate with Austin Broughton

    Austin Julio Broughton discovered his gift for public speaking at just eight years old, when he was selected to memorize and deliver a portion of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. What began as a childhood imitation quickly became a lifelong calling. From that first performance to the present day, he has continued delivering Dr. King’s words, developing a voice rooted in conviction, cadence, and moral clarity. Over the years, Austin has spoken at significant venues and alongside prominent leaders. He has addressed audiences at the Georgia National Cemetery alongside Governor Nathan Deal, worked for U.S. Congressman Phil Gingrey, and shared stages with figures such as Andrew Young and John Lewis. He has spoken multiple times at The King Center and alongside members of Dr. King’s family, building a reputation for principled rhetoric grounded in history, faith, and civic responsibility. Today, Austin is widely known for his appearances on Jubilee’s Surrounded and Roundtable series, where he has debated high-profile public figures including Amanda Seales and Cenk Uygur. His work centers on speaking truth to power within politics and public discourse. Identifying as a Christian populist, he challenges both Republican and Democratic establishments alike, arguing that truth—though often inconvenient—is more necessary than the preservation of any political party. Find Austin Broughton Instagram Find The Suffering Podcast The Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram Apple Podcast Spotify Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 11m
  4. Episode 276: The Suffering of A Father's Death with Travis Miragliotta

    MAR 29

    Episode 276: The Suffering of A Father's Death with Travis Miragliotta

    Send us Fan Mail On November 28th, 2006, my father took his own life in front of me by a self-inflicted knife wound. I was 15. He was a passionate outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish, and trap since he was a little kid growing up in East Rutherford. In 2017, my father’s youngest brother, John Miragliotta, attended a suicide prevention walk wearing a name tag that read “Team Buffalo.” He told me about it on my birthday that year while we were sitting by his pool and said he wanted to do something meaningful in my dad’s memory. Together we decided to create an outdoor brand — Team Buffalo Outdoors — to carry my father’s passion forward and share it with the outdoor community. When I lost my father, all the outdoor fun and the connection with his family and friends seemed to disappear. At first, I saw TBO as a way to find my way back and reconnect with those relationships. What I didn’t expect was how many incredible people we would meet and how many new memories we would create through this community — memories that would never have existed if we hadn’t started. Through this journey, I’ve learned that getting through suffering requires releasing that energy in a positive direction, through the things you’re most passionate about. Our extended family embodies that same resilience. Our cousin Peter Miragliotta and his wife Jackie endured the devastating murder-suicide of their daughter, Michelle Sabia, in a domestic violence incident in 2016. Afterward, they adopted her three children, and Peter now serves on the board of the Center of Hope and Safety, dedicating his life to education and prevention so other families don’t have to experience that kind of loss. Appearing on the Suffering Podcast on what would have been my father’s 67th birthday is a meaningful full-circle moment. Team Buffalo Outdoors stands as a living tribute to him and to the belief that suffering, while it leaves a permanent imprint, does not have to be the end of the story. By sharing openly, building community, and honoring those we’ve lost through action, our family continues to find purpose on the other side of pain. Our story is about transformation — choosing connection, meaning, and hope where there was once only grief, and making memories one outdoor adventure at a time. Youtube: https://YouTube.com/c/teambuffalooutdoors  Website: www.teambuffalooutdoors.com Shop: https://team-buffalo-outdoors.square.site Instagram: @teambuffalooutdoors Facebook: Team Buffalo Outdoors Center of Hope and Safety: https://www.hopeandsafetynj.org Find The Suffering Podcast The Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram Apple Podcast Spotify Support the show The Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram TikTok YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 3m
  5. Episode 275: The Suffering of Awakenings with Danny Cohen

    MAR 22

    Episode 275: The Suffering of Awakenings with Danny Cohen

    Send us Fan Mail Dan Cohen is a storyteller, podcaster, speaker, and entrepreneur who found unexpected meaning in his father’s journey with dementia. His writing began with the story of his dad’s awakening from his dementia, and the message dad sent that he still appreciated and wanted to live life, an experience that reshaped his perceptions of family, memory, and resilience. In these pages, Cohen draws on a lifetime of lessons from his father’s humor, toughness, and compassion, sharing family stories of love, inspiration, and hope. In 2026, following a successful business career, Cohen launched the Awakenings in Real Life podcast in January 2026, a vehicle for others to share their own awakening stories. The series—and this book—stand as testaments to the idea that awakenings can change the way we live and love. Find Danny Website Find The Suffering Podcast The Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram Apple Podcast Spotify YouTube Support the show The Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram TikTok YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 9m
  6. Episode 274: The Suffering of School Funding with Jeanne Howe and Bill Koch

    MAR 15

    Episode 274: The Suffering of School Funding with Jeanne Howe and Bill Koch

    Send us Fan Mail This episode features two long-time Jefferson Township leaders whose careers reflect a shared commitment to student growth, community, and leadership. Jeanne Howe brings more than 31 years of experience in education, beginning as a science teacher and rising through roles including Assistant Principal, Middle School Principal, Assistant Superintendent, and now Superintendent. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences from Rutgers University and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from New Jersey City University. Throughout her career, Jeanne has focused on building environments where students can thrive academically, socially, and personally, while supporting educators and staff who serve the Jefferson Township community every day. Joining her is Bill Koch, the Athletic Director at Jefferson Township High School since 2018. Bill spent a decade teaching Physical Education and Health at Jefferson Township Middle School before moving into athletic administration, including a year as Athletic Director in Montville Township. He earned his undergraduate degree from Springfield College and a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Education from Centenary University. A lifelong coach, Bill has led cross country, wrestling, and boys lacrosse programs and remains active in youth sports. Beyond school, he is a husband to his wife Nicole and a proud father of three—Olivia, William, and Amelia. Together, Jeanne and Bill offer a unique perspective on education, leadership, athletics, and the impact schools have on the lives of students and families. Find The Suffering Podcast The Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram Apple Podcast Spotify YouTube Support the show The Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram TikTok YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    59 min
  7. Episode 273: The Suffering of The 10 Commandments of Friendship with Bobby Crudele

    MAR 8

    Episode 273: The Suffering of The 10 Commandments of Friendship with Bobby Crudele

    Send us Fan Mail Friendship isn’t built in comfort—it’s forged in pressure, tested in silence, and proven when things get ugly. In this episode of The Suffering Podcast, Kevin Donaldson sits down with Bobby Crudele to break down The 10 Commandments of Friendship—not the Hallmark version, but the real, unspoken rules learned through betrayal, loyalty, growth, and hard-earned respect. This conversation cuts deep into: What true loyalty actually looks like when life falls apartThe difference between proximity friends and battle-tested friendsWhen to fight for a friendship—and when to let it goWhy honesty can cost you people, and why that cost is worth payingHow suffering reveals who’s really standing next to youThese commandments weren’t written in peace. They were carved out of conflict, mistakes, silence, and survival. Kevin and Bobby speak candidly about the friendships that saved them, the ones that failed them, and the ones that demanded uncomfortable truth instead of easy validation. If you’ve ever questioned who’s really in your corner… If you’ve ever outgrown people you once needed… If you’ve ever been the friend who stayed when it would’ve been easier to walk away… This episode is for you. 🎙️ Listen. Reflect. Share with someone who’s earned their place in your life. 💬 Comment with the commandment that hit you hardest. 🔔 Subscribe to The Suffering Podcast for raw conversations about pain, loyalty, growth, and the human cost of becoming who you’re meant to be. Find Bobby Crudele Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bobbycrudele/ Find The Suffering Podcast The Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram Apple Podcast Spotify YouTube Support the show The Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram TikTok YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 12m
  8. Episode 272: The Suffering of The Resilient Warrior with Mike Morgan

    MAR 1

    Episode 272: The Suffering of The Resilient Warrior with Mike Morgan

    Send us Fan Mail Mike Morgan is a 30 yr medically retired police officer veteran who worked for both the Atlanta & Suffolk County, NY PD's. Approximately 1 yr after retirement, Mike was watching a Shawn Ryan podcast episode featuring guest Eddie Penney, a former Navy SEAL when he realized that the feelings (Anger, rage, depression general unhappiness) he had been experiencing post retirement were some sort of PTSD that he had suffered during the course of his career.  Mike knew he needed help but was unsure of what modality to utilize, but eventually settled on psychedelics.  After journeying with Ayahuasca in early March 2024, he transformed his life during the course of a weekend. He realized that his life's purpose was to go forth and help other first responder's/military veterans heal their PTSD and trauma issues.  He started a podcast, The Resilient Warrior Nation to do just that, and has just completed a book, The Resilient Warrior, which is also heavily focused on childhood trauma that he believes, originally propelled him into policing as a career.  Website: The Resilient Warrior Nation Find The Suffering Podcast The Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram Apple Podcast Spotify YouTube Support the show The Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram TikTok YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 6m
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5
out of 5
79 Ratings

About

Adversity is the common thread throughout the lives of all living human beings. This human condition can either make us or break us. Nothing great comes easy and it's the overcoming of adversity that makes us who we are. Living by the ethos Suffering is THE way to sustainable success and the path to greatness. Always remember Mike Failace.

Information

  • Creator
    Kevin Donaldson
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    279
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Suffering Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Suffering Podcast

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