Faith, Fire, and the Fight to Heal | Steve Smith’s Story

Co-founder Steve Smith shares his personal journey, one marked by childhood abandonment, physical and emotional abuse, and a long, silent battle with undiagnosed PTSD. What emerges from this candid conversation is a story of survival, transformation, spiritual clarity, and the hard-won wisdom of a man who’s chosen to break cycles rather than continue them. Through it all, Steve’s commitment to growth, faith, and fatherhood stands as a powerful example of how a man can rewrite his legacy.

Jeff and Steve unpack how pain can turn into pressure that explodes in anger, burnout, and broken relationships, but also how that same pain, when named and addressed, can become a catalyst for connection, healing, and purpose. Whether through faith, therapy, or even psychedelics, Steve walks listeners through the key moments that pulled him out of survival mode and into a life of intention. 

Chapters
[Start] The Boy on the Plane: Steve recounts being sent alone to live with his father at age five.
20:06 The Challenges of Adult Life: Steve explores how unresolved pain from the past can resurface in moments of stress and struggle.
36:34 Staying Grounded: Steve dives into the daily rituals, solo adventures, and intentional solitude that help reset the nervous system and create lasting clarity.
59:40 A Purpose That Resonates: Steve finds his mission in helping others speak and unpacks what makes Bonded Brotherhood more than a project—it’s personal.

Links and Resources

• The Shawn Ryan Show: https://open.spotify.com/show/5eodRZd3qR9VT1ip1wI7xQ?si=6d3b5e0ef9144884