Food on the Mind: Awakened Genius w/ Jeb Stuart Johnston

Why does discipline feel harder than it used to?Why does motivation feel inconsistent?Why do so many people feel scattered, overwhelmed, and quietly ashamed for not being able to “pull it together”?In this episode, Jeb Stuart Johnston explores a deeper explanation most self-help and wellness conversations completely miss: we’re living in a post-modern world with tools designed for a modern one.This is Part One of a two-part exploration into the post-modern self — the psychological, philosophical, and nervous-system realities of living in a world without a single story, a single identity, or a shared definition of meaning.This episode isn’t about fixing anything yet.It’s about naming the terrain.By understanding the cultural conditions shaping your inner world, you can stop blaming yourself for struggles that actually make perfect sense.In This Episode, We ExploreWhy many people feel fragmented, dysregulated, and overwhelmed — even when they’re “doing everything right”How post-modern life dismantled the idea of a single, stable identityWhy your nervous system already knows the world has changed, even if your beliefs haven’t caught upThe difference between modern and post-modern ways of understanding truth, identity, and meaningWhy inconsistency is not failure — it’s a response to complexityHow artists, thinkers, and lived experience often sense cultural shifts long before psychology and self-help name themWhy post-modernism is powerful at diagnosis but incomplete as a way of livingThe hidden cost of trying to navigate a plural, unstable world with outdated internal rulesKey ThemesFragmentation vs. failureComplexity vs. chaosAwareness vs. leadershipIdentity as a system, not a singular selfNervous system responses to cultural instabilityWho This Episode Is ForThis episode is for you if:You feel like the old rules for success, discipline, or self-improvement no longer workYou struggle with motivation, consistency, or direction and blame yourself for itYou feel pulled in multiple directions and don’t know which version of yourself to listen toYou sense that something bigger than “bad habits” is shaping your inner lifeYou want language for what you’re experiencing — not another plan to fail atImportant NoteThis is Part One of a two-part conversation.This episode focuses on understanding the problem clearly — the cultural, psychological, and philosophical conditions shaping the modern self.Part Two explores what comes next:how to build a center,how to lead a self made of many selves,and how to live with integrity inside complexity.

The Panopticon of Self-Help: Seeing the System Without Losing YourselfStop being a project and start being a person. This week, we expose the dark side of the self-help world, arguing that modern productivity apps, health trackers, and optimization culture are a "Digital Panopticon"—a system of self-surveillance that traps you in a fear-based performance loop.Is your pursuit of growth truly liberation or is it just maintenance? Drawing on The Matrix and philosopher Michel Foucault, host Jeb Stuart Johnston breaks down the illusion of "Awareness Without Embodiment" (the Cypher paradox) and reveals the quiet, revolutionary power of Radical Acceptance.Learn how to reclaim your autonomy, move from fear-based perfection to Value-Based Growth, and find real freedom within the system. This is your red pill moment: wake up without burning out, and begin the Quiet Rebellion of living from intention instead of imitation.Chapters00:00:00 Introduction to the Matrix MetaphorJeb Stuart Johnston introduces the concept of the Matrix as a metaphor for modern life, exploring how systems intended for safety can become constraints that limit personal freedom and growth.00:03:00 Personal Reflections on ProductivityJeb shares personal experiences, reflecting on how productivity and performance can be mistaken for purpose, and how self-development can sometimes turn into self-surveillance.00:06:00 The Digital PanopticonThe discussion shifts to the digital age, where the Panopticon metaphor is applied to modern technology, illustrating how digital tools can train us to optimize ourselves, often at the cost of personal freedom.00:09:00 Radical Acceptance and Self-LeadershipJeb delves into the importance of radical acceptance and self-leadership, emphasizing how these concepts can lead to true freedom and personal growth, beyond the constraints of societal expectations.00:12:00 Jiu-Jitsu and Real PowerThe final chapter explores the lessons of Jiu-Jitsu, highlighting how the practice teaches power through presence and humility, offering a path to real strength and self-awareness.00:15:00 The Illusion of ControlJeb discusses the illusion of control in self-development, where the pursuit of growth can become a form of self-imposed surveillance, and how awareness can lead to liberation.00:18:00 Embracing Radical AcceptanceThe conversation turns to embracing radical acceptance as a means to navigate the complexities of modern life, allowing for personal growth without the need for constant validation.00:21:00 The Role of Technology in Self-PerceptionJeb examines how technology influences self-perception and the importance of using digital tools consciously to enhance rather than hinder personal freedom.00:24:00 Conclusion and Call to ActionThe episode concludes with a call to action, encouraging listeners to practice self-leadership and radical acceptance in their own lives, fostering a sense of freedom and authenticity.self help, self improvement, productivity culture, optimization trap, digital panopticon, radical acceptance, mental health, personal growth, self surveillance, The Matrix metaphor, Neo or Cypher, Michel Foucault, Panopticon theory, awareness without embodiment, illusion of control, Quiet Rebellion, Value Based Growth, Awakened Genius, Food on the Mind podcast, Jeb Stuart Johnston, Jiu Jitsu lessons, stop being a project, functional awareness, how to stop optimizing your life, dark side of self-help, wake up without burning out, how to practice radical acceptance, escaping the performance loop, self-improvement vs self-surveillance

Keywordstransformation, success, Sisyphus, personal growth, inner conflict, progress, resilience, self-acceptance, journey, meaningSummaryIn this conversation, Jeb Stuart Johnston explores the myth of success and the pursuit of fulfillment through the lens of personal experience and philosophical insights. He discusses the common belief that achieving goals will lead to happiness, only to reveal the emptiness that often follows. By examining the story of Sisyphus, he highlights the futility of endless striving and contrasts it with the importance of embracing the journey itself. Johnston emphasizes the need for a shift in perspective from seeking external validation to finding meaning in the process of growth and self-acceptance. He advocates for redefining progress as the small, often unnoticed choices that shape our character rather than the pursuit of lofty goals. Ultimately, the conversation encourages listeners to carry their burdens with dignity and to focus on who they are becoming rather than where they are going.TakeawaysWe often believe that achieving our goals will lead to fulfillment.The myth of success can leave us feeling empty and betrayed.Sisyphus represents the futility of endless striving without meaning.Transformation is about the journey, not just the destination.Rebellion against despair is not enough; we need to integrate our experiences.Life is more like a spiral staircase than a linear climb.Every setback is an opportunity for growth and learning.Progress should be measured by our presence and alignment with values.The real mountain is the inner conflict we face.Carrying our burdens with dignity is what truly matters.Chapters00:00 The Myth of Arrival04:56 The Story of Sisyphus09:58 Rebellion vs. Rhythm15:11 The Spiral Staircase of Progress25:35 The Inner Conflict31:39 Redefining Progress40:27 Carrying Your Boulder with Dignity

Keywordsfitness, nutrition, self-compassion, body image, perfectionism, coaching, mental health, holistic approach, community, personal growthSummaryIn this conversation, Jeb Stuart Johnston and Dr. Maryam discuss the intersection of fitness, nutrition, and mental health, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion and community in coaching. They explore the challenges faced by fitness professionals regarding body image and perfectionism, and how these issues can impact their clients. The discussion highlights the need for a holistic approach to fitness that prioritizes connection and understanding over strict adherence to traditional fitness narratives.TakeawaysCoaching is about connection, not just expertise.Self-compassion can buffer against disordered eating.Perfectionism in fitness can lead to negative outcomes.Community support enhances the fitness experience.Research should inform practice, but not dictate it.Self-criticism can drive performance but may hinder well-being.Creative expression is vital for personal growth.The hero's journey in fitness often overlooks community.Allowing clients to fail is part of the coaching process.Self-compassion is essential for high performers. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Holistic Fitness Perspectives02:16 Maryam's Background and Coaching Philosophy05:11 The Intersection of Research and Real-World Coaching07:34 Exploring Body Image and Perfectionism in Fitness Professionals10:21 The Role of Self-Compassion in Fitness and Nutrition12:51 Challenging the Tough Love Mentality15:24 Contrasting Self-Compassion Models18:18 The Importance of Community in Fitness21:01 The Psychological Impact of Perfectionism23:30 Navigating Personal Struggles in the Fitness Industry26:08 The Need for Self-Compassion in High Performers28:47 The Journey of Personal Growth and Coaching31:41 Creative Expression and Its Role in Wellness34:10 The Balance Between Self-Criticism and Self-Compassion36:52 The Hero's Journey in Fitness39:45 Conclusion and Future DirectionsFind Marayam on IG @marayamymarashi

Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey has become the dominant myth of our time—from Hollywood blockbusters to recovery programs, from self-help seminars to social media transformations. It promises that your struggles have meaning, that your pain has purpose, and that you're destined for something greater.But what if this powerful framework is quietly feeding something darker?In this episode of Food on the Mind: Awakened Genius, Jeb Stuart Johnston dives deep into the shadow side of Campbell's monomyth, exploring how the very story that's meant to unite us under shared human experience can actually breed narcissism, self-righteousness, and dangerous division. Johnston examines the "protagonist delusion"—how casting yourself as the hero automatically reduces everyone else to supporting characters in your movie. He unpacks the uncomfortable truth that every villain in history has also seen themselves as the protagonist of their own heroic story.But this isn't just criticism. Johnston also explores Campbell's original intent, defends his insights against misinterpretation, and most importantly, discovers how to reclaim this archetypal pattern in healthier ways. Instead of hero, what if you approached your journey as a pilgrim? Instead of projecting villains onto others, what if you did the shadow work within yourself? Instead of personal glory, what if transformation was always about service to your community?Whether you're working on your relationship with food, navigating recovery, or simply trying to make sense of your struggles, this episode will challenge you to question the stories you tell yourself about your life—and offer a more grounded, empathetic way forward.Because maybe the most heroic thing you can do is stop trying to be the hero at all.Topics covered:The psychological appeal of heroic narrativesHow protagonist thinking kills empathyWhy villains always see themselves as heroesCampbell's original vision vs. modern distortionsShadow work as the real journeyMoving from personal triumph to communal healingPractical exercises for reframing your storyChapters00:00 Introduction to the Hero's Journey00:49 Understanding the Hero's Journey Framework04:42 Personal Reflections on Transformation06:35 The Dark Side of the Hero's Journey08:29 Cultural Implications of Heroic Thinking10:24 The Protagonist Delusion12:24 Villains and the Hero's Narrative14:53 The Dangers of Self-Righteousness15:58 Binary Thinking and Its Consequences19:00 The Hero's Journey in Recovery21:25 Campbell's Intentions and Misinterpretations24:09 The Importance of Community in the Hero's Journey27:28 The True Nature of Transformation29:32 Reframing the Hero's Journey33:10 Practical Applications of the Hero's Journey35:29 From Hero to Pilgrim37:12 Shadow Integration39:23 Community Contribution41:54 Living the Hero's Journey Practically44:10 Reflection and Self-Examination50:44 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsKeywordsHero's Journey, Joseph Campbell, Transformation, Personal Growth, Psychology, Community, Recovery, Narcissism, Shadow Work, Pilgrim Consciousness