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.

Together, they explore:

• Growing up with the shadow—and strength—of an NFL legacy
• The culture of Iowa football and leading by example
• How injuries taught him patience, perspective, and purpose
• The role of support systems: from teammates to teachers to family
• The power of mental conditioning and becoming a teammate to yourself
• Navigating identity beyond the game and life after football

Whether you're an athlete, a coach, or someone navigating your own challenges, Luke’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership starts with how we talk to ourselves—and how we lift others up in the process.

🎧 Subscribe and share if this conversation inspires you.

#MentalWellness #AthleteMindset #LukeLachey #BrightnPodcast #Leadership #SelfTalk #IowaFootball #NextPlayMentality

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 helping other families navigate the aftermath of loss, Mike’s work has become a lifeline for many across Iowa and beyond.

Key Themes Explored:

The signs of suicidal ideation and the power of asking direct, difficult questions

How trauma impacts entire families—and how early intervention can prevent generational loss

The unique mental health challenges facing youth athletes and why licensed counselors are needed in schools and sports

Why peer-to-peer programs and technology must evolve to meet people where they are

The importance of support after the first 90 days of loss—when the casseroles stop and the silence begins

Stories of transformation: how one conversation at Garrett’s visitation saved another life

Project SAFE’s work, from “Strike Out the Stigma” to funding therapy access and grief groups

Mike’s story is one of strength, service, and faith—a reminder that even in the darkest moments, we can become beacons of light for others. Whether you’re a parent, coach, advocate, or simply someone who wants to do more, this conversation will leave you both heartbroken and inspired.

🎧 Together, we’re saving lives—one life at a time.

#LivingUndeterred #ProjectSAFE #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthMatters #JeffJohnston #MikeFarr #YouthMentalHealth #StrikeOutTheStigma #GriefSupport #MentalWellness #HopeAfterLoss #PeerSupport #FaithDrivenHealing

In this episode of Living Undeterred, Jeff Johnston sits down with Ben Trotter—a Gen Z voice with a passion for mental health and personal development—for a raw, wide-ranging conversation about what it means to pursue mental wellness in a digital age.

Ben shares his journey from studying finance at the University of Iowa to becoming a key voice on the Brightn Thriver Council, advocating for practical mental health solutions designed for his generation. Together, Jeff and Ben explore the powerful intersection of discipline, technology, and mindset—examining both the promise and the peril of growing up online.

Key Themes Discussed:

Why Gen Z needs intentional digital tools—not just access to information

The paradox of motivation vs. discipline in building mental strength

Cold plunging and other physical habits as metaphors for mental resilience

The dangers of dopamine-driven social media use and algorithmic rabbit holes

How AI can both enable and erode mental clarity

Daily wins, non-negotiables, and gratitude as anchors in personal growth

What it means to live your mission—one season at a time

Ben also opens up about his faith, journaling practices, and book recommendations that shaped his mindset—including Atomic Habits, How to Win Friends & Influence People, and The Magic of Thinking Big.

This conversation isn’t just for Gen Z—it’s for anyone who’s ready to stop chasing happiness and start building sustainable, meaningful wellness.

🎧 Listen in for a grounded, honest look at what it means to live undeterred in a distracted world.

#LivingUndeterred #GenZMentalHealth #Brightn #MindsetMatters #ColdPlunge #MentalWellness #JeffJohnston #BenTrotter #FaithAndDiscipline #DigitalMentalHealth #AtomicHabits #PersonalGrowth

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 mental health, Dr. Lopez brings a grounded perspective on today’s challenges, highlighting both the progress made and the pressing needs that remain. His work explores how psychological science can inform practical strategies for supporting young people inside and outside the classroom.

Core Topics Covered:

The current state of youth mental health and how early we need to intervene

The challenge of reaching “kids who don’t talk”—and why behavior is communication

The ripple effect of suicide and why survivor support is crucial

The role of schools as access points for care—and the need for scalable solutions

Faith, family, and community as stabilizing forces amid emotional chaos

The importance of checking in, not checking out—how to show up consistently

Why mental health must be a daily conversation, not a reactive one

Dr. Lopez shares actionable insights for parents, educators, and anyone working with youth—urging a collaborative, persistent approach to destigmatizing and addressing mental health. His passion is clear: better systems, deeper compassion, and more trained professionals at the table.

🎧 This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to move from awareness to action.

#LivingUndeterred #YouthMentalHealth #DrRichardLopez #MentalHealthAwareness #SchoolBasedSupport #JeffJohnston #MentalWellness #SuicidePrevention #BehaviorIsCommunication #FaithAndHealing #EarlyIntervention #LivingUndeterredPodcast

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 impact both on and off the court.

🔑 In This Episode, You'll Hear:

• The emotional story behind Patrick’s passing and its lasting impact
• How Kenyon is redefining masculinity through vulnerability and service
• The origins of the Murray Foundation and its mental health mission
• What it means to “show up” for your kids in an increasingly distracted world
• The intersection of athletics, mental health, and generational healing
• How small actions and consistent presence create real legacy
• A powerful message for parents navigating grief, growth, and second chances

💡 “Legacy isn’t what you leave behind. It’s what you live every day.” – Kenyon Murray

🎧 Whether you're a parent, coach, or simply someone who cares about mental wellness, this conversation will remind you of the power of presence—and the strength found in shared struggle.

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 values—whether it’s God, humanity, or simply hope.

🔑 This Episode Explores:

• The difference between faith, hope, and evidence—and why it matters
• Jeff’s personal journey from atheism to agnosticism after unimaginable loss
• Why morality doesn't require religion—and why love, not labels, should define us
• How Stoicism and Marcus Aurelius shaped Jeff’s worldview
• The concept of “being the path” rather than staying on a path
• What it means to build a life of purpose, no matter your belief system
• A universal call to kindness, service, and daily acts of good

💡 “You don’t need a religion to love your neighbor. You just need a reason.”

🎧 Whether you're devout, doubting, or somewhere in between, this episode will meet you where you are—and invite you to live with more intention, more love, and more courage.

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 their shared experiences with addiction and loss have fueled a mission to rethink mental wellness from the inside out.

🔑 In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• How Dr. Harold’s mother’s opioid addiction shaped his purpose in life
• Why the pharmacy industry is broken—and what MedOne is doing to fix it
• The dangerous misalignment between profit and patient care in prescription benefits
• How faith, service, and transparency can guide organizational leadership
• Why holistic mental wellness must include financial literacy and purpose
• The future of AI as a tool for connection, not just information
• Why “pivoting” is sometimes the most courageous thing a person can do

💡 “If you’re unhappy, don’t settle—pivot. Change the game.” – Dr. Nate Harold

🎧 Tune in to discover how pharmacy reform and personal healing can converge to spark real, systemic change—for our communities, and for ourselves.

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 story behind the app’s name, the lessons learned from decades in wealth management, and the bold vision to reframe mental health as proactive mental wellness planning.

🔑 In This Episode, Jeff Explores:

• Why “purpose becomes passion when it gets personal”
• How small daily choices can radically change your health trajectory
• The overlooked role of financial insecurity in mental health struggles
• What Gen Z’s crisis of meaning teaches us about modern life
• How Brightn uses human asset classes—health, wealth, and purpose—to reduce suffering and promote flourishing
• The power of service, gratitude, and giving without expectation
• Why the future of mental wellness must go beyond labels and pills

💡 “Suffering will be my opportunity.” —Viktor Frankl

🎧 Subscribe and stay tuned for Part 3: a candid, soul-stirring segment on faith—the unseen force that holds it all together.