Living Undeterred

<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p>

<p>In this Living Undeterred roundtable powered by <strong>Brightn</strong>, 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.</p><p>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.</p><p>The conversation dives into:</p><ul><li>Why attention—not other apps or people—is the real battle we’re fighting</li><li>The difference between motivation and discipline, and why small wins matter</li><li>How journaling, boundaries, and consistency can quietly transform daily life</li><li>The role AI can play as a supportive tool for mental wellness—not a replacement for human connection</li><li>Why peace and presence matter just as much as goals and achievement</li></ul><p>This 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.</p><p>🎧 Listen, reflect, and join the conversation on living undeterred.</p>

<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>In this episode, we explore:</p><ul><li>Hillary’s journey through addiction, sobriety, and women’s mental health recovery</li><li>The unique challenges women face in addiction—and why those stories have long gone unheard</li><li>Greg’s story of loss, resilience, and breaking generational cycles of trauma and suicide</li><li>What “conscious capital” really means—and how leadership can be rooted in impact, not ego</li><li>Why recovery looks different for everyone, but connection is always the common thread</li><li>The idea of living amends and choosing a legacy that stops the pain from being passed down</li><li>How community, accountability, and self-respect become anchors in long-term healing</li></ul><p>This 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.</p><p>🎧 Subscribe to Brightn for more conversations centered on healing, growth, and creating a better future—together.</p>

<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>In this episode, we explore:</p><ul><li>Ian’s journey as a young entrepreneur and the story behind Tribute Kicks</li><li>How grief shaped identity—and why it didn’t get the final word</li><li>The power of choosing a different road when life breaks you open</li><li>Turning loss into legacy through giving back and mental health advocacy</li><li>Why living undeterred isn’t about strength—it’s about intention</li><li>Father–son healing, shared memories, and honoring loved ones through how we live</li><li>Finding light, purpose, and even joy after devastation</li></ul><p>This 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.</p><p>🎧 Subscribe to Brightn for more conversations centered on healing, resilience, and human flourishing.</p>

<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p>