Stop Acting Like an Employee: Build a Real Business with AI

Leadership Without Yes Men: Jay Paterno on Values, Pressure, and Reinvention

A Swift Kick in the Ass host John Curren sits down with Jay Paterno — author, former Penn State coach, and son of legendary coach Joe Paterno — for a powerful conversation on leadership, mental health, and rebuilding your life after public adversity. Jay breaks down why great leadership starts with personal values, consistency, and the courage to admit mistakes. He warns that leaders who surround themselves with yes‑men become disconnected from reality — "like puzzle pieces that never fit together." They explore the mental health pressures facing coaches and leaders in an always‑on, social‑media‑driven world, drawing on themes from Jay's novel Blitz. Jay also shares how being sidelined from coaching due to a high‑profile news story he wasn't involved in forced him to reinvent himself. A push from his literary agent — "just get on with it" — led him to write a best‑selling book about his father and launch a new career in writing and broadcasting. Topics include: * Leadership without ego * The danger of yes‑men * Mental health in high‑pressure roles * Reinvention after public adversity * Writing, storytelling, and legacy * Jay's upcoming leadership book

Stop Acting Like an Employee: Build a Real Business with AI

In this episode of A Swift Kick in the Ass, John Curren sits down with Luke Gilbert — founder of Two Degrees North and creator of SmartAgent AI — for a raw, practical conversation about real estate, AI, and what it really takes to build a business instead of a job. Luke breaks down why most agents fail: not because they lack leads, but because they ignore the ones they already have. Existing leads convert 5–7x better than cold prospects, yet most agents never follow up. His AI‑powered CRM, SmartAgent, solves that by automatically nurturing databases and turning forgotten contacts into real opportunities. But this conversation goes way beyond real estate. John and Luke dig into: * Why AI is a consumer‑grade leverage tool, not a threat * How to use AI as a thought partner, not a task robot * The mindset shift from operator → owner * Why your limiting stories about time, family, or job security are holding you back * How scalable systems create freedom * Why "The AI‑Driven Leader" is the book every entrepreneur should read If you're ready to stop playing small, stop hiding behind excuses, and start building something that actually scales — this episode is your wake‑up call. "What's the limiting story you've been telling yourself — and what would your life look like without it? Drop it in the comments."

The Psychology of Change: NLP Strategies for Real World Resilience the ASKITA Way

Welcome to A Swift Kick in the Ass, where real conversations meet real tools for living life on your own terms. In this episode, John sits down with Dr. Josh Davis, NLP expert, psychology professor, and best‑selling author, to explore how Neuro‑Linguistic Programming helps us reshape our thoughts, emotions, and relationships. They dive into: * NLP for better parenting and communication * How mental models shape conflict * Reframing problems to create fast change * Positive intentions behind negative behaviors * Emotional state management * Letting go of attachments and outdated identities * Fatherhood, expectations, and the "provider" mindset Josh also shares insights from his books The Difference That Makes the Difference and Two Awesome Hours, and discusses his coaching work with dads and executives. If you're a parent, a leader, or someone who wants to understand your mind better — this episode delivers. 📘 Learn more about Dr. Josh Davis: https://joshdavisphd.com [https://joshdavisphd.com/?utm_source=copilot.com] 🎙 Listen to more ASKITA episodes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-swift-kick-in-the-ass-personal-growth-resilience-podcast/id928326346 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-swift-kick-in-the-ass-personal-growth-resilience-podcast/id928326346] In this video, psychology expert Dr. Josh Davis delves into the intricacies of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and its impact on personal development. As a two-time bestselling author and former Ivy League professor, Dr. Davis shares insights on how to develop effective communication skills? Dr. Davis explains that NLP is a powerful tool for understanding the psychology of communication. By examining how language and behavior patterns shape our experiences, we can learn effective strategies for emotional regulation. This approach is particularly beneficial for parents striving to connect with their children. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Davis provides a mental models example to illustrate how NLP can transform our interactions. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing and adjusting 🎬 Video Chapters 0:00:00 Introduction to NLP 0:05:44 Meet Dr. Josh Davis 0:11:28 NLP and Parenting 0:17:12 Provider Syndrome in Dads 0:22:56 Overcoming Negative Self-Talk 0:28:40 Balancing Identity and Flexibility 0:34:24 NLP for Personal Change 0:40:08 Isolation in Fatherhood 0:45:52 Expectations and Disappointments 0:51:36 Origins of NLP 0:57:20 NLP in Psychotherapy 1:03:04 Simplifying NLP for Everyone 1:08:48 Signal from the Noise 1:14:32 Visualizing Change 1:20:16 Final Thoughts on NLP Conclusion In conclusion, learning how to develop effective communication skills? is crucial for personal and professional success.#CommunicationSkills #EffectiveCommunication #MentalModels #EmotionalRegulation #PsychologyOfCommunication #CommunicationTips #PersonalDevelopment #SoftSkills #SelfImprovement #CommunicationHacks #EmotionalIntelligence #ActiveListening #ConflictResolution #BetterCommunication #LifeSkills

The Psychedelic Renaissance: Zappy Zapolin on Healing, Consciousness & Resilience ASKITA

n this powerful conversation, John Curren sits down with psychedelic advocate, filmmaker, and director of The Reality of Truth, Zappy Zapolin, to explore the intersection of spirituality, mental health, and the rapidly growing field of psychedelic‑assisted therapy. Zappy breaks down the science and history behind plant medicines such as psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca, ibogaine, and ketamine, explaining how these substances are helping people heal from depression, addiction, PTSD, grief, and trauma. John shares his own experiences with meditation, nature‑based awakening, and the pursuit of inner peace through Stoic and Epicurean philosophy. Together, they discuss: * The connection between spirituality, religion, and psychedelics * Microdosing, neuroplasticity, and breaking negative thought loops * Ketamine's effectiveness for treatment‑resistant depression * Psychedelic therapy for veterans and the VA's fast‑tracking efforts * Ibogaine's unique ability to "reset" the brain and interrupt addiction * The rise of psychedelic guides and the need for over 1 million trained facilitators * The importance of set and setting and proper integration * The future of psychedelic medicine and the end of prohibition This episode offers a grounded, insightful look at the psychedelic renaissance and what it means for personal resilience, emotional healing, and human potential. Connect with Zappy Zapolin: Courses, films, and psychedelic concierge training available at his official channels. Subscribe to A Swift Kick in the Ass for weekly conversations on resilience, mindset, and living intentionally.

STOP MAKING YOURSELF SUFFER — Thomas Thatcher Breaks the Story You're Addicted To

Author Thomas Thatcher joins John Curren to dismantle the biggest myth in personal development: that suffering comes from what happens to us. Thomas explains how suffering is created by the stories we attach to pain, why people cling to those stories for the payoff, and how he nearly lost his life to one of his own. This episode is a direct, no‑nonsense guide to separating fact from fiction, reclaiming your power, and choosing a future based on commitment instead of complaint.