In this episode, we sit down with Katie Parent, a licensed therapist and holistic healer, to explore what healing really means—beyond talk therapy and into the body, the nervous system, and lived experience.

Katie shares how she combines traditional mental health practices with somatic tools, nervous system regulation, and energy work like Reiki to support people through trauma, burnout, and the messy process of becoming more whole. We discuss the difference between survival mode and true self-awareness, how trauma often lives in the body long after the mind thinks it’s healed, and why so many people are stuck in patterns that aren't their fault—but are their responsibility to shift.

She also opens up about her own healing path, including childhood trauma, divorce, and what it means to show up as a therapist who’s still doing the work. We dive into addiction as an expression of unmet needs, the impact of little-t trauma, and why healing doesn't happen in isolation—it happens in connection.

If you've ever felt burned out, numb, overly responsible, or like you're doing all the "right" things and still not feeling better, this one’s for you

00:00:00 – Meet Katie: therapist, healer, space holder
00:01:00 – Therapy, energy work & bridging science with spirituality
00:05:00 – Trauma in the body vs. talk therapy
00:10:00 – The nervous system, survival mode & burnout
00:17:00 – Chronic stress, digestion & trauma in the organs
00:22:00 – Childhood patterns, anxiety & confidence
00:30:00 – Relationships, parenting, and healing through connection
00:38:00 – Katie’s personal trauma & therapist identity
00:44:00 – Shame, addiction, self-talk & emotional reparenting
00:53:00 – Root-cause healing & readiness for change
01:00:00 – Reiki, emotional pain & asking for help
01:10:00 – Daily practices: hydration, cold showers, nervous system care
01:15:00 – Where to find Katie + what’s coming next

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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

In this raw and inspiring episode, we sit down with Allen Wong — filmmaker, distance runner, and former addict — to explore how endurance sports and creativity helped him rebuild his identity from the ground up.

Allen opens up about his chaotic past: growing up in a traditional Asian household, falling into addiction during his years of heavy partying, and losing his sense of self. But after COVID forced him into isolation, something shifted. He started running. Then filming. Then healing.

From shooting marathon footage with a GoPro to building a tight-knit community of runners and recovering friends, Allen shares how storytelling and suffering on the road gave him a new reason to live. We talk about imposter syndrome, the loneliness of social media, the power of faith in yourself, and what it means to put something out into the world even when you think no one’s watching.

If you’ve ever felt lost, like you’ve burned bridges or missed your moment — this one’s for you.

00:00–Intro: Meet Allen Wong
01:00–How Allen met the hosts through filming and running
05:00–Allen’s 24-hour race shoot and the “Walking Dead” lean
07:00–The story of addiction begins: fake IDs, rebellion, and burnout
11:00–COVID isolation and why it was the wake-up call Allen needed
13:00–From 210 lbs to his first run: how running changed everything
15:00–First half marathon and falling in love with the process
17:00–Discovering YouTube running creators & picking up a GoPro
19:00–Getting into trail running & documenting the journey
21:00–Growing up poor, bullied, and learning resilience
23:00–How addiction gave him a superpower when redirected
25:00–Rebuilding his relationship with his parents
28:00–Getting into filmmaking, thanks to friends and YouTube
30:00–First time filming a real athlete and making it work
32:00–Creating content that inspired friends to run too
34:00–The impact of storytelling and impostor syndrome
35:00–Running the NYC Marathon in memory of a lost friend
37:00–Being humbled by the marathon and coming back stronger
39:00–Documenting his story with UPS and seeing it on the big screen
41:00–Why he films “regular people” instead of elite runners
49:00–What running really gives you — and why it’s more than fitness
51:00–Faith, flow states, and doing the hard thing on purpose
53:00–Running as spiritual practice and life mirror
56:00–The importance of delayed gratification
1:00:00–Why the marathon humbles you (and why that's a gift)
1:02:00–Creating from vulnerability: "You’re never fully ready, just hit publish"
1:04:00–Allen on imposter syndrome and doing it anyway
1:08:30–The power of showing up for others & building creative community
1:10:30–From self-doubt to impact: when someone says your work changed their life
1:17:00–Post-creative anxiety and releasing attachment to the outcome
1:19:00–Why hard conversations are worth it, even when they’re awkward
1:21:00–Allen’s advice for anyone stuck or scared: “Fuck it, let’s ball”
1:23:00–Allen’s personal “council” of inspiration
1:25:00–Where to find Allen online

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

In this episode, we sit down with Jess Kravit, founder of Exalted Alchemy, to dive deep into the world of herbalism, natural wellness, entrepreneurship, and energetic healing. Jess breaks down what it really means to be a clinical herbalist in a modern world that’s both disconnected from nature and hungry for authenticity.

From her journey with food-as-medicine and flower essences to the intentional, vibe-rich creation of her skincare, tinctures, and candles, Jess shares how she’s built a business that feels like an extension of self — and how she's learned to separate her identity from her brand. The conversation covers everything from garlic’s antiviral powers to the FDA's impact on herbalists, flower essence therapy, and the real energy behind making something by hand.

00:00 – Intro & Meet Jess
00:01:11 – The Reality of Running a Product-Based Business
00:03:39 – Community & Entrepreneurial Friendships
00:04:58 – Herbalism Origins: From Vegetarianism to Clinical Study
00:07:03 – Toxic Skincare & Ingredient Awareness
00:08:25 – Food Disconnection & the Pharma Parallel
00:10:02 – Taste as Medicine: Why Capsules Aren’t Enough
00:11:34 – Exalted Alchemy Product Overview
00:13:03 – Skincare, Naming Products & Childhood Dreams
00:16:05 – Developing Ritual Products & Specialty Collaborations
00:17:36 – Top Go-To Herbs: Nettles, Elderberry & Garlic
00:20:01 – Garlic Suppositories & Alternative Treatments
00:21:27 – The Legal Limits of Herbalists
00:24:01 – Herbalism Is Ancestral Memory
00:25:21 – Customer Education & Skepticism
00:28:18 – Product Matching for Mental Health
00:31:11 – Flower Essences vs. Herbal Remedies
00:34:10 – Saint John’s Wort & Nerve Support
00:35:38 – Infusing Brand with Personality — and Separating from It
00:38:25 – Vibes, Intention & Energy in Products
00:41:15 – Making Tinctures, Face Oils & Energetic Skincare
00:44:16 – Flower Essences: How They’re Made
00:47:09 – Mental Health & Emotional Healing with Flower Essences
00:54:04 – From Survival to Thriving with Plants
00:58:11 – Live Demo: Grounding Spray Experience
01:00:16 – Candle Rituals & Gemini Moon Energy

#Herbalism, #HerbalMedicine, #NaturalHealing, #HolisticHealth, #PlantMedicine, #EnergeticHealing, #FlowerEssenceTherapy, #FoodAsMedicine, #AlternativeMedicine, #EnergyHealing, #VibrationalHealing, #HealingJourney, #SpiritualWellness, #ConsciousLiving, #RitualsMatter, #HealingVibes, #MentalHealthAwareness, #GroundingPractices, #RestIsProductive, #MindBodySoul, #BurnoutRecovery, #ConsciousBusiness, #SpiritualEntrepreneur, #WellnessBrand, #AuthenticBranding, #CreativeEntrepreneur, #FounderStory, #PodcastInterview, #WellnessPodcast, #HealingPodcast, #YouTubePodcast, #WomenInWellness, #HealingConversations, #HolisticLiving

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

In Episode 064, we sit down with Nick Spencer, martial artist, business owner, and founder of Snake Hill Jiu-Jitsu, for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about healing, identity, and building something real. From military police service to managing PTSD, Nick shares how Jiu-Jitsu became not just a discipline, but a path to personal evolution.

We explore how plant medicine and psychedelics, like ayahuasca, reshaped his understanding of ego and trauma, and how community, communication, and showing up authentically have become the backbone of his business and relationships. This episode dives into the realities of co-owning a studio with his brother, confronting trauma from working in a morgue during the height of COVID, and finding strength through vulnerability.

Whether you're into martial arts, mental health, or just trying to live more intentionally, this episode will leave you reflecting on what it means to be truly yourself.

Check out Nick and Snake Hill Jiu-jitsu here -

https://snakehilljiujitsu.com/

https://www.instagram.com/snakehill_jiujitsu/

0:30 our guest this week, Nick Spencer, Martial Arts Instructor & Founder of Snake Hill Jiu-Jitsu

4:00 Building a safe community and culture within a Jiu-Jitsu Studio

8:30 finding your mental edge in a healthy physical outlet

12:00 Biggest lessons from teaching Jiu-Jitsu and owning your own business

18:00 Co-owning a studio and business with your older brother

20:00 Nick’s military police officer experience with PTSD and neck injuries

23:00 confronting trauma from the covid summer working for the morgue in NYC

27:00 plant medicine, ayahuasca and PTSD

32:00 the effects of powerful psychedelics on your ego

40:00 how friendships and we view our friends evolve over time

46:45 developing your own identity through yourself instead of perception

49:00 just be who you are and being yourself in your relationship via communication

54:00 books that have helped us on our journey

1:02:00 Nick’s favorite podcasts

1:06:00 the importance of community and family when building a business

1:11:00 finding religion and attending Catholic/Christian school

1:25:00 showing up authentically in your relationships and your business

1:30:00 Nick asks us what our next big move is

1:38:00 Nick’s council of decision makers

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

In this powerful and unfiltered episode, the hosts sit down with Bryce Eckwall, founder of Q29 Productions, for a deep conversation about the intersection of creativity, entrepreneurship, healing, and self-worth.

The episode opens with a behind-the-scenes look at how real conversations are sparked—before the mics even turn on. The trio discusses the balance between structure and spontaneity in podcasting and how authenticity builds trust and connection. Bryce shares how podcasting became a gateway to deeper relationships and business opportunities, even calling it "the new business card" for entrepreneurs.

What follows is a raw and inspiring story of transformation. Bryce recounts how a chance encounter with Daymond John of Shark Tank led to one of the most pivotal moments in his creative career. But the story goes far beyond that—it’s about the grind, the waiting, the follow-ups, and the quiet self-belief it takes to break through.

The conversation deepens into themes of sobriety, addiction, and how the obsessive nature that once fueled destructive habits can be redirected into creative success. All three participants open up about their journeys with substance use, routine, anxiety, and overthinking—highlighting the mental toll that high-performance creative work can take.

They explore the line between ego and intention in content creation. Is sharing your story self-promotion or service? How do creators navigate the blurred boundary between personal healing and public storytelling? Bryce speaks candidly about building his personal brand, facing criticism, and realizing that showing up consistently—and imperfectly—is often more valuable than going viral.

As the conversation unfolds, topics range from:

• Mindset, routines, and mental health
• The power of storytelling in branding
• Authenticity vs. clickbait in social media
• Fear of failure in both business and personal relationships
• How content creation becomes therapy

The episode culminates in a powerful exchange on self-worth, vulnerability, and the pressure to be seen. The hosts also share personal reflections—on fatherhood, imposter syndrome, growth, and how podcasting has become a meaningful act of service in their own lives.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a creator, or someone navigating your own transformation, this episode is a reminder that behind every success is a story of struggle—and that your story is worth telling.

Big thanks to Bryce ( https://www.instagram.com/brycewallll/ ) for both hosting us and joining us on this episode. Be sure to check out Bryce and the team at Q29 productions at their website:

https://www.q29productions.com/

and their instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/q29video

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

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Join Whoop with our promotional code and get your first month free!

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Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

This week we sit down with Steve Strong of the Dungeons in the Attic podcast for a deeply honest conversation about personal transformation. Steve opens up about his experiences with trauma, mental health, and the emotional weight he carried from childhood into adulthood. We explore how stubbornness shaped him, how tabletop role-playing games became a space for healing and connection, and the unexpected lessons found in the restaurant industry and fantasy storytelling alike. It’s a raw, reflective, and ultimately hopeful conversation about becoming the person you needed when you were younger.

0:00 our guest this week is Steve Strong, part of the “Dungeons in the Attic” podcast

3:30 Steves thoughts on the current state of mental health

5:50 Steve’s love for Kid Cudi

10:00 the value of asking yourself and others important questions

12:00 the power of connecting with people through the service industry

17:00 Atlas from Greek mythology and carrying the burdens of others on your shoulders

19:30 “The person I am now is all the things that I was never given as a child”

23:00 the traumatic and isolating events in Steve’s life that forced him to fix himself or kill himself

27:00 lessons in humility and stubbornness

32:00 a transforming compliment from his stepfather

35:00 You can always work a little bit day by day on yourself

36:30 “my thing now is trying to elevate people, not bury them”

43:45 Steve’s origin in the restaurant industry

48:00 getting addicted to being around other people and avoiding loneliness

51:00 Breaking down Dungeons and Dragons and other story based tabletop RPGs

54:00 escaping reality through these games

57:00 describing the cinematic world of “Dungeons in the Attic”

1:06:00 these games are about the journey, not a winner or loser

01:12:00 prioritizing story over rules in a rules-like game

1:19:00 Steve’s council

1:27:00 Be sure to check out

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

This week, we're joined by actor, improv teacher, and creative soul Connor Bond for a deep, hilarious, and honest conversation about what it really means to navigate life, creativity, and identity. We talk about Connor’s journey through different seasons of growth, from teaching improv to kids to finding purpose beyond traditional career paths. He shares the emotional balancing act of doing work that matters—learning to embrace both the anxiety and the excitement that come with it.

We explore how skills from improv and acting can cross over into everyday life, including the importance of connection, vulnerability, and staying rooted in the present. Connor shares his personal philosophies on the relationship between narrative, game theory, and character building, and how letting go of ego has reshaped his approach to both his craft and his personal growth.

Along the way, we dive into everything from existential philosophy to childhood wonder, discussing authors like Wittgenstein and Kierkegaard, the surprising lessons you learn from babies, and the idea that "everything is a coincidence—and that's okay." Connor also reflects on learning to accept life’s ups and downs without labeling every experience as good or bad, and why finding joy in imperfection might be the real secret to it all.

The episode wraps with a fun, improv-inspired challenge, a hilarious reflection on Connor’s early exposure to Eraserhead, and a heartfelt discussion about the struggle—and beauty—of living authentically in a chaotic world.

Find Connor online here: https://www.connorbondactor.com/

https://www.instagram.com/bond_connorbond/

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

This episode is a vulnerable look into the tug-of-war between ambition and self-acceptance. Steve and JP explore the quiet, often overwhelming internal dialogue that comes with trying to grow—physically, mentally, emotionally—while constantly questioning if you're doing enough. From the guilt of taking a day off, to spiraling thoughts about falling behind, to the fear of actually becoming the best version of yourself, this conversation unpacks the complex relationship we have with discipline, identity, and self-worth.

They dig into the concept of imposter syndrome, not just as a label, but as a real emotional experience that colors everything from creative work to personal wellness. There's also an honest discussion about breaking free from the need to control outcomes, and instead learning to live in the gray area—where progress isn’t always visible, but presence is everything.

For anyone who’s ever wrestled with the voice that says you’re not doing enough, or questioned your place in the life you’re building—this one’s for you. It’s a raw reminder that seeking the answers is part of the work.

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!