From Fentanyl Loss to Mental Health App | Jeff Johnston | #15 | Mojo, Motivation & Mental Health

from Mojo, Motivation & Mental Health · host Michael G Orlowski

In this episode, Jeff Johnson shares his transformative journey from devastating personal loss to creating Brightn, an AI-driven mental health app. After losing his son to Fentanyl, wife to Alcoholism and mother, Jeff turned his grief into a mission to prevent similar tragedies. Connect with Jeff Johnston:· BrightnApp — AI-powered mental health app focusing on resilience· Jeff's book: This One's For You — Jeff's journey through addiction and purpose· LinkedIn· Twitter – Brightn App· Instagram – Brightn App Connect with Mike Orlowski· Website· LinkedIn· Facebook· Instagram· TikTok· X Timestamps:00:00 - Introducing Jeff's journey of loss and purpose02:17 - The mental health epidemic and the need for upstream solutions05:09 - Shifting focus from symptoms to prevention 06:41 - Jeff’s personal story of childhood, success, and early signs of struggle08:38 - The impact of misdiagnosis and substance abuse in Seth’s story10:07 - The profound moment of Seth’s release from prison and subsequent overdose13:26 - Jeff’s experience with suicidal thoughts and near self-harm14:44 - Breaking down overwhelming grief into manageable parts16:05 - Communicating grief to children and the importance of honesty18:45 - The metaphor of life choices after tragedy – anger vs. love20:19 - The "fork in the road" moment and Jeff’s commitment to love and hope21:43 - Overcoming alcoholism and the role of deep introspection23:26 - Supporting Prudence through sobriety and her death25:37 - Jeff’s mental health breakdown and the fight for survival26:53 - The power of psychedelics and reframing painful memories33:02 - The journey to creating Brightn as a preventative mental health platform37:44 - The importance of purpose, love, and community in resilience-building42:53 - How Brightn works: journaling, mood tracking, and AI support48:13 - Shifting mental health from labeling to empowerment55:29 - The value of community and connection in healing60:06 - Practical advice for those facing catastrophic loss and grief66:24 - The possibility when we reframe stories and focus on hope70:29 - The message: Prevention, connection, and purpose save lives

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jun 2, 2026

Embed this episode

Attribution link and audio player

Ready to play

From Fentanyl Loss to Mental Health App | Jeff Johnston | #15 | Mojo, Motivation & Mental Health

0:00 1:12:28

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

No similar episodes found.

Similar Podcasts

The Anonymous Eskimo Podcast Ralph Sara The Anonymous Eskimo Podcast is an Indigenous podcast devoted to uplift Indigenous peoples, with a mission to send hope to those struggling with the negative stigma placed upon mental health issues, the disease of alcoholism, and drug addiction. To also bring awareness to the MMIWG2S & MMIP crisis. Through guests sharing their experiences, inspiration, strength, and hope. I want to break the stigma that is associated with indigenous people, mental health and recovery. Host: Ralph Sara Explicit Uploaded and Unfiltered Jermaine Pulliam Welcome to "Uploaded and Unfiltered," where Jermaine Pulliam takes you behind the scenes, exploring the world of creators. Join him as he delves into their journeys, sharing triumphs, failures, and personal transformations. This podcast highlights the often-overlooked importance of personal growth and mental well-being in the digital landscape. Join the raw and unfiltered conversations that peel back the curtain on creators' lives, offering insights and inspiration. Whether you're an aspiring content creator or a seasoned pro, this podcast is your go-to for connecting with like-minded individuals and taking your content creation journey to new heights. Explicit Lightness Kaylah Dillon Welcome to Lightness, a podcast blending spirituality and mental health to inspire and uplift. Hosted by Kaylah Dillon, a licensed counseling intern specializing in trauma, anxiety, and spiritual issues, each episode offers practical tools, spiritual insights, and personal stories. With experience in trauma recovery, mindfulness, Parts and Memory, and Reiki, Kaylah guides you toward balance and self-discovery. Join us weekly to connect with your higher self, nurture your mental well-being, and align with your true purpose. Explicit Reformed Bad Boys Reformed Bad Boys We are Reformed Bad Boys and we are here to share our truth good or bad. We talk about the things we’ve been through and what we have learned. We want to create a community to share skills with dealing with mental health and issues faced when changing your life for the better. Explicit

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Mojo, Motivation & Mental Health?

This episode is 1 hour and 12 minutes long.

When was this Mojo, Motivation & Mental Health episode published?

This episode was published on June 2, 2026.

Can I download this Mojo, Motivation & Mental Health episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.

URL copied to clipboard!