In this episode, Jeff Johnston shares his personal journey of loss, addiction, and resilience. He opens up about the tragic loss of his son, Seth, to addiction and the impact it had on his family.

Jeff also discusses his own battle with alcoholism and how he found the strength to overcome it. He highlights the advocacy and resilience of his sons, Ian and Roman, and the positive ways they have channelled their grief.

Jeff emphasizes the power of reframing and the importance of empowering young people. Overall, his story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the ability to find hope in the face of adversity. The conversation explores the themes of autonomy, guilt, grief, meditation, emotional expression, suicidal thoughts, purpose, coping mechanisms, self-love, letting go, expectations, preparation, negative visualization, helping kids dream, gratitude, and happiness vs. peace. In this conversation, Jeff Johnston discusses the impact of addiction on families and offers advice for parents dealing with teenage substance abuse. He emphasizes the importance of starting conversations with children at a young age and being honest and authentic as parents.

Jeff also shares his personal experience with psychedelic-assisted therapy and the potential benefits of alternative approaches to mental health. The conversation touches on spirituality, self-improvement, and the power of plant medicine. Jeff recommends books such as 'Man's Search for Meaning' by Viktor Frankl for personal growth. He also introduces his initiatives, the Don't Start Initiative and Choices Network, aimed at prevention and support for mental wellness.

Takeaways

• Loss and addiction can be transformative experiences that lead to personal growth and resilience.
• Reframing challenges and setbacks can help shift perspective and empower individuals to find strength and purpose.
• Advocacy and service can be powerful coping mechanisms and sources of healing in the face of grief and trauma.
• Empowering young people and providing them with support and resources is crucial in addressing addiction and mental health issues. The illusion of autonomy and control can lead to destructive choices.
• Guilt and self-blame are common emotions when dealing with addiction and loss, but it's important to let go of them.
• Meditation can help in processing grief and managing difficult emotions.
• Emotional expression, including crying and showing love, should be normalized for men.
• Choosing growth and finding purpose can help in overcoming suffering.
• Negative visualization can bring gratitude and perspective to life.
• Helping kids dream and nurturing their creativity is crucial for their well-being.
• Gratitude and being present in the moment can bring peace and joy. Parents should start conversations with their children about substance abuse at a young age and be honest and authentic in their discussions.
• Taking care of oneself and being a good influence on one's own life is crucial in parenting and helping children navigate substance abuse.
• Alternative approaches to mental health, such as psychedelic-assisted therapy and plant medicine, can offer potential benefits and should be explored with an open mind.
• Spirituality and self-improvement play a significant role in personal growth and overcoming challenges.

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Website

http://www.LivingUndeterred.com

LinkedIn URL

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-a-johnston

Facebook URL

https://www.facebook.com/LivingUndeterred

Twitter URL

https://twitter.com/undeterreddad

YouTube URL

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmGZTTnszWNlkG0sIGcp-YQ

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/livingundeterred

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Empower The Youth event. 8th December 2023

https://www.youtube.com/live/BVfHrNFLZ9Y?feature=shared