A Swift Kick In The Ass: Personal Growth & Resilience Podcast

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.

AI, Grocery Prices & Community: Andy Ellwood's Mission to Help Families Save ASKITA AE189

John sits down with Andy Ellwood, founder of Stretch, the AI-powered grocery savings platform helping families compare prices across stores and save over $1,000 per year. Andy shares his entrepreneurial journey, his "make room for many" philosophy, and how AI is reshaping food security and community-driven commerce. Key Topics: * AI-powered grocery savings * Food affordability & food security * Entrepreneurship & early influences * Community-driven technology * The future of AI in everyday life Guest Links: Stretch: https://stretchgroceries.com [https://stretchgroceries.com/?utm_source=copilot.com] Andy Ellwood: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyellwood/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyellwood/] www.aswiftkickintheass.com [https://www.aswiftkickintheass.com] https://youtu.be/OuNQnWgYWX4 [https://youtu.be/OuNQnWgYWX4]

Army Veteran Scott Lackey on Real Resilience, Micro‑Level Change & Finding Purpose ASKITA Audio E188

In this episode of A Swift Kick in the Ass, John Curren interviews Army combat veteran Scott Lackey about resilience, fear, purpose, and the power of micro‑level change. Scott shares stories from his military service during the Persian Gulf War, his rebellious path to joining the Army, and the life lessons that shaped his upcoming book. Topics include: * Resilience in everyday life * Overcoming fear through small, consistent actions * Marriage, communication, and emotional growth * Ironman training and personal discipline * Why internal change must come before external transformation * The importance of unconditional love and simple human connection Scott's book launches between May 1–15, and John will share the link when it goes live. Chapters 00:00 – Intro 01:12 – Why Scott Joined the Army 05:40 – Deployment to Kuwait 10:22 – Structure, Freedom & Life Decisions 15:55 – Ironman Training & Personal Discipline 21:10 – What Resilience Really Means 27:45 – Marriage, Communication & Emotional Growth 33:30 – Micro‑Level Change: Saying Hello 38:50 – "The Gifts Are in the Pain" 44:10 – Scott's Book Launch 48:00 – Closing Thoughts

Turning Grief Into Clarity: Jermaine Ee on Legacy, Estate Planning & Living Fully ASKITA 187 audio only

After losing his mother just seven months ago, Jermaine Ee turned grief into purpose by building HeirLight, a modern estate‑planning app designed to help families navigate wills, directives, and end‑of‑life clarity without fear or confusion. In this powerful conversation, John and Jermaine explore how loss can sharpen our sense of meaning, reshape our priorities, and inspire us to live more intentionally. Jermaine shares the deeply personal story behind AirLight, his experience running his mother's shipping container business, and the cultural and generational barriers that keep families from planning ahead. The conversation dives into legacy, money habits, meditation, travel, and the emotional work of becoming the person you want to be remembered as. In this episode we discuss: * How grief can become a catalyst for clarity and purpose * Why estate planning is really about living, not dying * Breaking generational money patterns and "autopilot saving" * Writing your own eulogy as a compass for intentional living * Meditation, presence, and staying grounded while building a company * Travel, relationships, and choosing a life you don't want to escape * The tension between ambition, caregiving, and contentment * What it means to live fully for the people who can't anymore If you're navigating loss, rethinking your priorities, or trying to build a life aligned with your values, this episode will stay with you. The ful video veriuso is available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GKSnGLefEY 🎧 HeirLight App (Estate Planning Made Human) Website: https://heiight.com [https://airlight.com/] 50% OFF for ASKITA listeners