Living Undeterred

Living Undeterred

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.

Episodes

September 30, 2025 45 mins

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 men...

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In this deeply moving episode of Living Undeterred, Jeff Johnston welcomes Mike Farr—founder of Project SAFE and a courageous advocate for suicide prevention—for a vulnerable, purpose-driven conversation about loss, hope, and action.

After losing his son Garrett to suicide in 2017, Mike transformed unimaginable grief into a mission to save lives. From launching community conversations and building local mental health resources to he...

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In this episode of the Brightn Podcast, host Jeff Johnston sits down with standout Iowa tight end and future NFL player Luke Lachey for a candid conversation about resilience, identity, and mental wellness both on and off the field. From carrying the legacy of an NFL father to overcoming a season-ending injury, Luke shares how adversity has shaped his perspective and how positive self-talk has become one of his greatest tools.

Toget...

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In this heartfelt episode of Living Undeterred, Jeff Johnston is joined by Kenyon Murray—former Iowa Hawkeye, mental health advocate, and founder of the Murray Foundation—for a vulnerable and empowering conversation about turning pain into purpose.

From losing his son Patrick to suicide, to mentoring the next generation of student-athletes, Kenyon opens up about how faith, family, and community fuel his mission to make a lasting imp...

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In the powerful conclusion to his three-part solo series, Living Undeterred host Jeff Johnston dives headfirst into one of life’s most debated themes: faith. But this isn't a sermon—it’s a soul-searching exploration of doubt, belief, and what it means to be a good person in a complex, polarized world.

Through raw reflections on grief, philosophy, and the search for meaning, Jeff challenges listeners to rethink what anchors their val...

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In this eye-opening episode of Living Undeterred, Jeff Johnston sits down with Dr. Nate Harold, Chief Pharmacy Officer at MedOne, for a vulnerable and visionary conversation about family, faith, and the broken state of pharmaceutical care. What starts as a discussion about PBMs and prescription access quickly unfolds into a story of personal trauma, moral courage, and system-wide reform.

Together, Jeff and Dr. Harold explore how the...

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In this deeply personal solo episode, host Jeff Johnston unpacks the foundational pillars that shape both the Brightn app and his personal philosophy on mental wellness: health, wealth, and purpose. Following the emotional groundwork of “The Road to Resilience,” this second segment explores how lived experience, loss, and legacy led to a reimagined approach to flourishing—rooted not in treatment, but in empowerment.

Jeff shares the ...

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In this powerful episode of The Living Undeterred Podcast, host Jeff Johnston sits down with Dr. Cynthia Knight, founder of Iowa Choice Charter School, for a deeply personal and eye-opening conversation about education, equity, and second chances. After years in special education and with a daughter who struggled in traditional schools, Dr. Knight saw firsthand how many students fall through the cracks of the public school system. ...

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In this powerful solo episode, Living Undeterred host Jeff Johnston opens up like never before in part one of a new three-part series exploring the core pillars of his journey. Titled The Road to Resilience, this raw and deeply personal episode traces Jeff’s path through devastating tragedy, including the loss of his son to fentanyl poisoning, his wife to alcoholism, and his own near-suicide.

With unwavering honesty and vulnerabilit...

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October 6, 2023 85 mins
On this week's episode, Jeff speaks with is the co-founder and CEO of Perimeter, Bailey Farren. Perimeter is a mapping platform designed to help first responders share information with each other and public during natural disasters.Bailey was recently listed on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in Enterprise Technology, and has received recognition from the New York Times Good Tech Awards, the Westly Foundation, and the UCLA Pritzker Environment...
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On this week's episode, Jeff speaks with Jas Rawlinson. Jas is an award-winning book coach, resilience speaker, and best-selling author who empowers female changemakers to transform their stories into books that create global impact. Combining her lived experience as a domestic/sexual violence survivor, with a BA degree in creative writing and psychology, Jas is highly renowned for her ability to transform people's lives from hopel...
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September 22, 2023 61 mins
Dr. Robb Kelly is a renowned Addiction Expert. Born and raised in Manchester, UK, who is eccentric, no holds bar, successful, and places his patients first kind of man. Robb is Meadows Trained in Trauma and holds a double Ph.D. It is necessary for the family to work along with the patient- we uncover the family chaos and dynamics to better resolve addiction. Robb has overcome homelessness, alcohol dependency, trauma, PTSD, and MDD ...
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September 15, 2023 55 mins

On this week's episode, Jeff speaks with Advocacy Director of The Hidden Opponent, Andy Saul. Andy is a former football student-athlete from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. He earned his degree in Health Promotion and Wellness, where his passion for mental health started to grow. As Advocacy Director, Andy oversees the Campus Captains program. Andy dreams of working with first responders to improve their health in ever...

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September 8, 2023 48 mins
On this week's episode, Jeff does his first solo podcast since the 2021 Non-Alcoholic Beer Review. This time he sits down, no script, and talks about the things going on in his mind. He talks about:
  • Navigating Through Grief
  • Mental Wellness For Teens & Young Adults
  • Battling Addiction
  • Finding Purpose
Jeff's Book: https://www.thisonesforyoubook.com/The Living Undeterred Project: https://www.livingundeterred.org/Brigthn App: ht...
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On this week's episode, Jeff speaks with Francesca Reicherter. Francesca is the Founder and President of Inspiring My Generation, a 501(c)3 on a mission of suicide prevention through awareness, conversation, education, and support. She holds an MS in Information Systems and Operations Management from the University of Florida and is a current MA in Psychology student at Pepperdine University where she was recognized in a Student Sp...
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August 25, 2023 42 mins
Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling call or text 988. On this week's episode, Jeff speaks with Founder of Good Deed Revolution and The Promise2Live, Brandy Vega. While Brandy is a very accomplished entrepreneur, her heart also lies with humanitarian work. She created her own nonprofit organization called Good Deed Revolution in 2015 and has hel...
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August 18, 2023 54 mins
On this week's episode, Jeff speaks with Ken Stearns.Ken Stearns is a writer, lyricist, photographer, and podcast creator. He’s a well-traveled, seasoned, mid-western kid, who is beginning his third act in life for himself, and in that for others too. 14 months ago he traded in his suit for a van, a mic, some questions and started his own traveling podcast called The Jar.14 months into this journey, and The Jar giving him so much m...
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August 11, 2023 48 mins
On this week's episode, Jeff speaks with founder & CEO of The Hyer Calling Foundation, Inc. Kevin formed Hyer Calling as part of his own higher calling: to break the stereotypes of addiction that reinforce the stigma which perpetuates it. In doing so, Kevin draws on his background in employment law and HR management to offer the recovery community a second chance at a career. A graduate of Penn State’s Schreyer Honors College, ...
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August 4, 2023 64 mins
On this week's episode, Jeff speaks with founder of Meta Wellness Terrance Williams. Meta Wellness provides affordable Virtual Reality platforms for mental health professionals to conduct telehealth sessions, group sessions, and training in the metaverse.More Information: https://www.metawellness.space/Follow Terrance:https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/homeInstagram: @terrancewilliamsvr
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On this week's episode, Jeff speaks with Founder of Wired For Addiction®, Dr. Evelyn Higgins. Dr. Higgins is a recognized international expert in the science of addiction recovery. As a Certified Addictionologist, Diplomate of the American Board of Disability Analysts specializing in pain management, and Diplomate of the American College of Addictionology and Compulsive Disorders, Dr. Higgins has had the honor of advising the U.S....
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