The Neuro's Journey

If you could give someone you love a 15% better functioning brain, would you do it?That is the question Steve started with when he thought about what to give his son for turning 18. Not a watch, not a car. A better functioning brain, and the 40 years of focus, sleep, and calm that could come with it.Then he asked the harder question. Could he do it for himself first?This week Steve walks you through what happened when he stopped guessing about his own brain and actually looked at it. He got a qEEG scan. He watched the red and the blue on the report, the areas running too hot and too quiet, and over a seven month period he set out to change them. Meditation, hypnotherapy, one psychedelic therapy session, and 40 neurofeedback sessions later, he did four scans, and by the end everywhere that was red and blue was gone. His brain had come back into a normal range.0:00 The 15% Question0:51 Welcome, And What This Is Really About1:17 Why I Wanted To Give My Son A Better Brain2:21 The Organ Nobody Ever Looks At3:39 What A qEEG Scan Actually Is4:37 Your Brainwaves, From Delta To High Beta6:23 What The Colors On My Scan Meant7:06 The Scan Knew Me Before I Said A Word8:19 From Broken Man To Man With An Injury9:03 Your Brain Can Change: Neuroplasticity9:57 Seven Months, Four Scans, Red And Blue Gone10:44 What I Actually Did, Including 40 Neurofeedback Sessions12:55 Three Ways To Look At Your Brain: Scan, Genetics, Chemistry14:25 The 15% Principle15:41 The Sleep Math That Changes Everything16:31 Why I Make This PodcastWhat you will hear:Why seeing the scan changed how Steve saw himself, from a broken man to a man with an injury, the way a torn ACL is something you image and fixWhat a qEEG scan actually is, and what the colors on the report meanWhat 40 neurofeedback sessions feel like from the inside, and why surf videos were involvedThe 15% principle, and why chasing one big fix kept Steve quitting things that were quietly workingThe sleep math that turns six hours into seven, three minutes at a timeYour brain runs everything you do, and most people have never once looked at it. This is one man's experience with what happens when you do. It is not medical advice. Watch the full episode to hear what Steve found, and what he decided to give his son.Follow us everywhereHost: Steve SapournPodcast Host & Trauma EducatorLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeurosJourneyJoin The Neuro's Journey Newsletter - https://theneurosjourney.com/

Can trauma continue shaping your thoughts, emotions, and relationships long after the event itself has passed?In this episode of The Neuro's Journey, Steve Sapourn sits down with Dr. Will Van Derveer, board-certified psychiatrist, New York Times bestselling author, and pioneer in integrative psychiatry and psychedelic-assisted therapy.Together, they explore why trauma is often the hidden driver behind anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction, and emotional patterns that conventional treatment can overlook. They also discuss the science behind psychedelic-assisted therapy, nervous system healing, childhood adversity, resilience, and what true recovery actually looks like.If you're navigating your own healing journey, supporting someone you care about, or simply curious about the future of mental health, this conversation offers practical insights grounded in neuroscience, psychology, and decades of clinical experience.👤 GuestDr. Will Van DerveerBoard-Certified PsychiatristNew York Times Bestselling AuthorCo-Founder, Integrative Psychiatry InstituteConnect with Dr. WillLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-van-derveer-md/Website:https://psychiatrycenters.com/team-members/will-van-derveer-md/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/will.vanderveer.md/🎙 Follow The Neuro's JourneyInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/👤 HostSteve SapournPodcast Host & Trauma EducatorJoin the Neuros Journey Newsletter: https://theneurosjourney.com/

Have you ever made a small mistake and felt every negative belief you've ever had suddenly take over?In this solo episode of The Neuro's Journey, Steve Sapourn shares a deeply personal story about a moment that could have sent him into a familiar pattern of shutdown, self-judgment, and emotional collapse.Instead, for the first time, he interrupted the spiral in real time.Steve explores the nervous system, emotional resilience, anxiety, collapse patterns, self-compassion, and the practical tools that helped him regain perspective and reconnect with himself.He also shares the six practices that helped him break the cycle, including breathwork, meditation, loving-kindness, movement, sauna, and cold exposure.This episode is for anyone who struggles with overthinking, emotional spirals, anxiety, self-criticism, or feeling trapped by old patterns.Topics discussed:• Understanding emotional collapse• Why negative spirals happen• The nervous system and awareness• Wisdom, science, heart, and courage• Alternate nostril breathing• Meditation and loving-kindness• Exercise and emotional regulation• Sauna and cold plunge benefits• Expanding your window of tolerance• Building long-term resilience• Masculinity and personal responsibility🎙 The Neuro's Journey👉 Follow us everywhereInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/👤 HostSteve SapournPodcast Host & Trauma Educator#NervousSystem#EmotionalResilience#MentalHealth#Anxiety#SelfCompassion#Meditation#Breathwork#PersonalGrowth#Masculinity#TheNeurosJourney

What if ADHD isn't just about attention?In this episode of The Neuro's Journey, Steve sits down with ADHD Performance Coach Ian Mai to explore the deeper connection between ADHD, dopamine, burnout, emotional regulation, addiction, focus, and mental performance.Ian shares his personal journey from high-achieving engineer, tech sales leader, and competitive bodybuilder to helping others understand how dopamine dysregulation impacts focus, motivation, emotional resilience, and overall wellbeing.Together, they discuss why so many high performers struggle with burnout, how dopamine drives our behavior, practical ways to improve focus naturally, the role of exercise and cold exposure, emotional regulation techniques, meditation, ADHD medication, and how unresolved emotional pain often fuels the search for constant stimulation.If you've ever struggled with focus, motivation, burnout, overwhelm, procrastination, or emotional regulation, this conversation offers practical insights and actionable strategies.CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction01:10 Ian's Story: Success, Addiction & Burnout04:38 What ADHD Really Is09:07 Why Breathing Matters12:46 Reverse Engineering ADHD17:15 ADHD Mindset & Healing21:15 ADHD, Trauma & Dopamine24:32 How To Increase Dopamine Naturally31:12 Dopamine Fasting & Stimulation33:05 Burnout, Depression & ADHD36:19 Meditation & Focus Training41:36 How ADHD Medication Works45:53 Ian's ADHD Coaching ProgramGuest: Ian MaiWebsite: https://ianmaicoaching.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-mai-coaching/Host: Steve SapournPodcast Host & Trauma EducatorLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/Subscribe for more conversations on trauma healing, nervous system regulation, emotional resilience, purpose, and human performance.

What happens when childhood trauma shapes the course of an entire life?In this powerful conversation, Steve Sapourn sits down with Laurie Dhue, former CNN, NBC, and Fox News anchor, recovery advocate, and one of the most recognized voices in addiction recovery and trauma awareness.For the first time publicly, Laurie shares a deeply personal story about a traumatic experience she endured as a child and how it influenced her relationships, addiction, self-worth, and healing journey.Together, Steve and Laurie explore the lasting impact of childhood trauma, the connection between adverse experiences and addiction, why shame keeps people suffering in silence, and how recovery becomes possible when we finally tell the truth about our lives.They discuss alcoholism, substance abuse, emotional resilience, recovery, family dynamics, purpose, healing, personal transformation, and the courage required to look inward.Laurie also shares insights from nearly two decades of recovery, her work helping families heal, and why true success has little to do with money, status, or achievement.This conversation is for anyone navigating trauma, addiction, recovery, family struggles, or the journey back to themselves.Chapters:00:00 Intro: Laurie Dhue's Story01:07 From CNN, NBC & Fox News To Recovery03:15 Why Sharing Your Story Removes Shame05:00 Health, Wellness & Finding Purpose07:15 The Search For Meaning After Success10:10 Why Success Doesn't Heal Inner Pain12:24 Purpose, Wealth & Family Legacy16:19 Money, Happiness & Courageous Self-Reflection18:01 Addiction, Trauma & Family History22:03 Healing The Nervous System & Recovery25:04 Toxic Masculinity, Power & TV News29:13 The Cost Of Speaking Up32:34 Childhood Trauma & Adult Behavior35:14 Why Men Must Take Responsibility For Healing38:10 Shame, Vulnerability & Emotional Courage42:25 How Healing Improved My Relationships44:03 Why Vulnerability Is Attractive47:00 Men's Groups & Emotional Growth51:30 Recovery, Self-Worth & Transformation56:15 What Healthy Masculinity Looks Like01:01:20 Breaking Generational Trauma01:06:15 The Courage To Change01:10:00 Final Thoughts On Healing & Purpose👤 HostSteve Sapourn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/👤 GuestLaurie DhueLinkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-dhue-705a7326/

What happens when the life you've spent years building suddenly falls apart?In this episode, Steve Sapourn and Kyle explore why so many successful men feel empty after achieving everything they wanted, the hidden costs of hustle culture, what burnout actually does to the nervous system, and how fear became Kyle's teacher instead of his enemy.They discuss the difference between ego-driven confidence and genuine self-trust, why external achievement often fails to create fulfillment, and how many high performers unknowingly build their identities around proving their worth.The conversation also explores vulnerability, emotional intelligence, masculinity, leadership, nervous system regulation, community, authentic confidence, healing, and the role of gratitude, playfulness, and purpose in long-term transformation.Kyle shares insights from his personal journey through collapse, recovery, and reinvention, along with lessons from his work helping founders, entrepreneurs, executives, and high performers reconnect with themselves and lead from a place of alignment rather than survival.Kyle is the #1 bestselling author of Total Self-Trust, founder of Rapid Harmony, host of the Rapid Harmony Podcast, and a Psychology Today columnist writing on burnout, self-trust, and human flourishing.If you're a founder, executive, entrepreneur, leader, or someone navigating healing and personal transformation, this episode offers a powerful perspective on living with greater alignment, authenticity, resilience, and purpose.Chapters:02:25 Why Community Matters More Than Ever05:15 Living In Uncertain Times07:41 The Dog Attack That Changed His Life08:48 Building Success To Prove Worth12:02 Panic Attacks Behind Peak Performance14:05 Losing His House Business And Identity15:19 The ICU Experience That Changed Everything17:19 Gratitude As A Path To Healing18:18 Why Success Never Felt Like Enough18:44 Kids Laugh 400 Times Adults Laugh 419:17 Panic Attacks At 3 AM20:12 Studying Comedy To Reclaim Joy21:58 Redefining Wealth Success And Purpose24:02 What Total Self Trust Really Means25:47 Confidence Versus Self Trust28:38 The Empower Framework Explained33:04 Burnout Nervous System And Recovery35:09 Purpose Contribution And Meaning37:17 Cacao Creativity And Heart Led Living38:49 Vulnerability Without Self Trust42:32 Vulnerability Courage And Authenticity43:05 Stop Living In The Past44:07 Can You Ever Eliminate Fear45:36 How To Change Your Relationship With Fear47:02 Childhood Trauma Love And Acceptance48:26 What Men In Their 30s And 50s Struggle With51:10 The Problem With Being Too Serious53:14 Advice For Young Men Today54:13 AI Emotional Intelligence And Human Connection01:01:03 One Habit That Can Change Everything01:02:32 Winning The Day Before It Starts01:03:23 The Groundhog Day PhilosophySteve SapournPodcast Host & Trauma EducatorLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/Kyle Emanuel Brown#1 Bestselling Author of Total Self-TrustFounder of Rapid Harmony & FIT365 ShakesHost of the Rapid Harmony PodcastLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyleemanuelbrown/

This one is different .. Today Steve Sapourn switches seats. His brother from ten years of men's group, Bill Giebler, accomplished musician, award-winning memoirist, and journalist, takes the host chair and asks the questions Steve has never fully answered in public. What created this man? What was he running from? And what finally made him stop?This is Steve's story. Act one, act two, and the act three that is just beginning.In this episodeThe childhood that shaped everything: a violent home, witnessing a mass murder at six years old, and years of sexual abuse by a neighborhood predatorWhy Steve became an entrepreneur, ran a hedge fund, managed hundreds of millions of dollars, and still felt emptier by the dayThe moment at a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert with 0.4 grams of mushrooms that became the turning point of his entire lifeWhat the voice said that night and why he finally decided to listenTen years of men's group and why brotherhood was the beginning of the shiftThe difference between being a bad man and being a man who adapted to surviveWhat sobriety, ayahuasca, and stillness have given him that decades of achievement never couldWhat Steve believes masculinity actually means and why we are at a turning point in historyAbout Bill GieblerBill Giebler is a musician with a degree from the Berklee College of Music, an award-winning memoirist, novelist, and journalist who interviews people for a living. He has been a member of the same men's group as Steve for ten years and knows Steve's story from the inside out. His memoir Playing That Spiritual Music is available now.Connect with Steve and The Neuros JourneyJoin the Neuros Journey Newsletter: https://theneurosjourney.com/Follow Steve on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeurosJourneyFollow Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/Follow Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/the neuros journey, steve sapourn, bill giebler, three acts of a mans life, trauma to transformation, childhood trauma, sexual abuse recovery, addiction and recovery, men and sobriety, men in midlife, masculine identity, redefining masculinity, inner work for men, mens groups, brotherhood, hero's journey, ayahuasca healing, psychedelic therapy, nervous system regulation, regulated fatherhood, men and purpose, healing your lineage, vulnerability and courage, from survival to presence, men who lead, midlife reinvention, why mindset work isn't enough, science backed healing, trauma informed

What if the thing keeping you from the relationship you actually want was not a communication problem but a nervous system problem? And what if there was a tool that could get you there in one afternoon instead of two years? In this episode, Steve Sapourn sits down with Jonathan Robinson, therapist, two-time New York Times bestselling author, and one of the most experienced MDMA-assisted therapy practitioners in the world, for an honest, personal, and deeply practical conversation about healing, intimacy, and what it actually takes for a man to open up.In this episodeWhy Jonathan says one MDMA session can produce more progress than two years of traditional couples counselingThe yellow light technique: a one and a half second tool that stops couples from going down the hurt spiralWhy MDMA works over Zoom and why the data actually shows it works betterWhat men specifically need to learn about empathy, vulnerability, and intimacy, and what women need to learn to support that processThe two channel framework: how to balance handling the world with finding genuine inner peaceHow to find a safe, trustworthy guide if you want to explore this medicineWhat is contraindicated and who should not do this under any circumstancesAbout Jonathan RobinsonJonathan Robinson is a psychotherapist, author of more than a dozen books including two New York Times bestsellers, and one of the world's most experienced MDMA-assisted therapy practitioners with over 700 sessions across 40 years. He has appeared on Oprah multiple times and his methods have been praised as some of the best she has ever encountered. He hosts the podcast Awareness Explorers, has trained over 500 clinicians worldwide, and leads both individual and couples MDMA sessions over Zoom. His books Ecstasy as Medicine and Ecstasy for Couples are available now.Connect with Jonathan RobinsonWebsite: https://www.xtcasmedicine.comTraining: https://www.MDMAtraining.netFree Meditations: https://www.awarenessexplorers.comPodcast: Awareness ExplorersConnect with Steve and The Neuros JourneyJoin the Neuros Journey Newsletter: https://theneurosjourney.com/ Follow Steve on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeurosJourney Follow Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/ Follow Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/the neuros journey, steve sapourn, jonathan robinson, MDMA therapy, ecstasy for couples, ecstasy as medicine, MDMA couples therapy, psychedelic therapy, MDMA healing, trauma healing, nervous system regulation, men and intimacy, men and vulnerability, men in midlife, masculine identity, couples healing, relationship repair, inner work for men, plant medicine, psychedelic integration, awareness explorers, regulated living, from survival to presence, men and purpose, midlife reinvention, healing trauma naturally

What do you do when the man in the mirror is a stranger? Dr. Baruch Halevi, known as Dr. B, knows that question from the inside. His father took his life. His grandmother before that. And possibly her father before her. Instead of becoming the next chapter in that story, he made a choice. In this episode, Steve Sapourn sits down with Dr. B, former rabbi, logotherapy practitioner, men's group leader, and author of "The Guy in the Glass," for one of the most honest conversations about men, meaning, suicide, and what it actually takes to heal a lineage.IN THIS EPISODE:How a multigenerational pattern of suicide became the work he chose to endWhat logotherapy is, and how Viktor Frankl's philosophy born in the Holocaust applies to every man alive todayThe difference between vulnerability and weakness, and why confusing the two is keeping men stuckWhy men's groups are not optional but essential, and what happens when a man finally experiences love from other menThe loneliness epidemic killing men quietly, and what community actually looks like as the antidoteWhy the guy in the glass is the only verdict that mattersRESOURCES MENTIONED:The Guy in the Glass by Dr. Baruch HaleviSpark Seekers by Dr. Baruch Halevi Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor FranklThe Choice and The Gift by Edith Eger"The Guy in the Glass" poem by Dale Wimbrow (1934)ABOUT DR. BARUCH HALEVI:Dr. Baruch Halevi (Dr. B) is a former rabbi of 20 years turned logotherapy practitioner, men's coach, and author. He runs men's groups, works one on one with men navigating meaning, purpose, and identity, and hosts the podcast The 13 Minutes, named after the statistic that every 13 minutes a man in America takes his own life. His book "The Guy in the Glass" is available now on Amazon. He believes the antidote to the loneliness epidemic is community, and that every man has the capacity to heal his lineage.Connect with Dr. Baruch HaleviWebsite: https://bhalevi.com/Podcast: The 13 MinutesConnect with Steve and The Neuros JourneyJoin the Neuros Journey Newsletter: https://theneurosjourney.comFollow Steve on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeurosJourneyFollow Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/Follow Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/the neuros journey, steve sapourn, dr b Halevi, the guy in the glass, logotherapy, viktor frankl, man's search for meaning, men and suicide, suicide prevention, men's mental health, men's groups, masculine identity, vulnerability and courage, healing lineage, men in midlife, purpose driven life, meaning therapy, loneliness epidemic, men and community, brotherhood, regulated fatherhood, trauma healing, inner work for men, from survival to presence, men and purpose, midlife reinvention, why mindset work isn't enough, men who lead

You have been trying your whole life. To be more patient. More present. To keep the lid on. And if it is still not working, if you are still blowing up when you do not want to, or the wins never quite land the way you thought they would, this episode is for you. In this solo episode, Steve Sapourn breaks down the one thing most men never consider: it is not a willpower problem. It is a nervous system problem. And once you understand the system that is running everything, everything changes.In this episodeWhy trying harder is the trap and what to do insteadThe window of tolerance: what it is, why yours is probably too narrow, and how to widen itWhat Stanford research says about suppression and why keeping the lid on is making things worseWhy 85% of relationship problems start with the man, and why that is actually good newsHow one regulated father changed the biochemistry of his five month old baby just by being presentThe cyclic sigh: a five minute Stanford proven breathing technique that outperformed meditation in calming the nervous systemConnect with Steve and The Neuros JourneyJoin the Neuros Journey Newsletter: https://theneurosjourney.com/ Follow Steve on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeurosJourney Follow Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/ Follow Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/the neuros journey, steve sapourn, window of tolerance, nervous system regulation, cyclic sigh, breathwork for men, men and emotions, regulated fatherhood, men in midlife, masculine identity, neuroplasticity, somatic healing, trauma informed, emotional regulation for men, men and mental health, fatherhood and healing, parenting from presence, psychological safety, men and relationships, suppression and stress, dan siegel, stanford breathing study, inner work for men, regulated living, from survival to presence, science backed healing, why mindset work isn't enough, men and purpose, midlife reinvention

What happens to a man when his career collapses in public, at the height of his rise, in the middle of a political firestorm he did not create? Eric Letsinger knows that story from the inside. Fired as COO of Baltimore City Public Schools in 2006 after an internal investigation, he spent nearly two decades never speaking about it publicly. Until now. In this episode, Steve Sapourn sits down with the founder of Quantified Ventures, the man who invented the Environmental Impact Bond and mobilized over $310 million in outcomes-based capital, to talk about what none of his conference talks or op-eds ever have: the inner life behind the impressive resume.In this episodeThe public firing that ended an entire leadership team and what Eric has never said about it until nowEight years of quiet rebuilding between Baltimore and founding Quantified Ventures, and what shifted internally during that timeHow a man's identity survives, and transforms, when his title is suddenly goneWhat neuroleadership actually looks like in practice, and how Eric leads differently now than he did at 35The intentional act of stepping down as CEO after a decade, and what it means when a man's worth is no longer tied to his roleWhy outcomes matter more than intentions, in business and in a man's inner lifeWhat it means to be a grounded, present man when the world is watching and when it is notAbout Eric LetsingerEric Letsinger is the founder of Quantified Ventures, a certified B Corporation that pioneered the Environmental Impact Bond, a first-of-its-kind financial instrument now replicated across the country. Over a decade as CEO, Eric mobilized more than $310 million in capital for climate, health, and social impact through landmark projects with DC Water, Goldman Sachs, The Rockefeller Foundation, Morgan Stanley, and the U.S. EPA. He is faculty at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and sits on the board of Recovery Cafe DC. His career spans homeless services, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Baltimore City government, IBM, and one of the most quietly remarkable reinventions in the social impact world.Connect with Eric LetsingerFollow Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericletsinger/ Learn more about Quantified Ventures: https://www.quantifiedventures.com/Connect with Steve and The Neuros JourneyJoin the Neuros Journey Newsletter: https://theneurosjourney.com/ Follow Steve on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeurosJourney Follow Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/ Follow Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/the neuros journey, steve sapourn, eric letsinger, quantified ventures, environmental impact bond, neuroleadership, masculinity archetypes, identity transformation, men and failure, public failure and recovery, professional reinvention, men in midlife, masculine identity, leadership and inner work, outcomes based capital, social impact, men and shame, rebuilding after failure, grounded presence, regulated leadership, men and ego, identity beyond title, servant leadership, B corporation, men and purpose, midlife reinvention, from survival to presence, recovery to responsibility, trauma informed leadership, men and nervous system

You've checked all the boxes: career, income, the house, the family. So why does a quiet voice keep showing up at 2 a.m. asking: is this really all there is? In this episode, Steve Sapourn reframes midlife not as a crisis, but as a crossroads, a pivotal moment that research shows isn't a malfunction. It's the next transition trying to happen.In this episodeWhy "midlife crisis" is the wrong word and what to call it insteadThe prison made of your own achievements, and how to start seeing it clearlyWhat decades of research says about men who chose the second road at midlifeWhy midlife in 2026 is a launching pad, not a slow declineA 15-minute writing exercise, two roads, to help you figure out which direction is yoursConnect with Steve and The Neuros JourneyJoin the Neuros Journey Newsletter: https://theneurosjourney.com/ Follow Steve on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeurosJourney Follow Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/ Follow Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/the neuros journey, steve sapourn, men in midlife, midlife crossroads, midlife purpose, quiet desperation, men and identity, masculine identity, inner work for men, self-worth vs net worth, men and mental health, midlife meaning, life purpose, second act, personal growth for men, emotional intelligence men, nervous system regulation, trauma healing, regulated fatherhood, fatherhood and healing, parenting from presence, science backed healing, why mindset work isn't enough, recovery to responsibility, regulated living, from survival to presence

What if your nervous system isn’t just biological… but spiritual?In this episode of The Neuro’s Journey, Steve sits down with Jake, spiritual teacher and founder of Ascension University, to explore how breath, emotion, and the body reconnect us to our true self. Together, they unpack the deeper purpose behind emotional pain, the role of shame in disconnection, and why feeling everything might be the path back to love.If you’ve ever felt: “I have everything I thought I wanted, but something still feels off” “I avoid certain emotions because I’m afraid of what’s there” “I know I need to slow down, but I don’t know how”This conversation offers a new lens on healing, spirituality, and what it means to truly come home to yourself.In this episode, we explore:Why the nervous system is your “spiritual operating system”How suppressed emotions like shame block connection and fulfillmentThe role of breathwork in healing trauma and restoring presenceJake’s journey from athlete to spiritual guideThe moment success stopped feeling like enoughHow childhood experiences shape your emotional patternsWhy feeling “lower” emotions can actually elevate your stateIntuition as a body-based experience, not a mental onePractical ways to start a daily breathwork practiceThe concept of Christ consciousness beyond religionMasculinity, grounded presence, and emotional safety in relationshipsHow doing your own work impacts your family and environmentKey takeaway:Your emotions are not obstacles. They are the gateway. When you allow yourself to fully feel, you reconnect to who you’ve always been.Resources & Mentions:Ascension UniversityAscension Immersion Retreat (Boulder, Colorado)Breathwork practices and somatic healingConnect with Jake:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jake_whan/Ascension University: https://www.skool.com/ascensionuniversity/aboutConnect with Steve and The Neuro’s Journey:Join the Neuro’s Journey Newsletter: https://theneurosjourney.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeurosJourneyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs it.

What if the parts of you that feel out of control… aren’t personality flaws, but brain adaptations? In this solo episode of The Neuro’s Journey, Steve breaks down the real reason behind:Sudden anger and emotional shutdownFeeling stuck in patterns you “can’t change”Addiction, anxiety, and hypervigilanceThe gap between who you are and who you want to beIf you’ve ever felt:  “I know better… but I still react like this”, “I’ve made progress, but I keep hitting the same ceiling” or “Something in me just feels off”This episode will change how you see yourself.Resources mentioned:Dr. Bruce Perry — use-dependent brain developmentDr. Daniel Amen — brain imaging and psychiatryJack Kornfield — meditation and mindfulnessConnect with Steve and The Neuro’s Journey Join the Neuro’s Journey Newsletter: https://theneurosjourney.com/ Follow Steve on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeurosJourney Follow Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/ Follow Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/

This week’s episode of The Neuro’s Journey is for the driven men who have achieved career success but find themselves hitting a ceiling in their personal relationships. Steve sits down with global relationship coach, author, and founder of The Relationship School, Jayson Gaddis, for a direct, challenging, yet deeply compassionate conversation about what it actually means to be an empowered human. Jayson pulls back the curtain on his own history of driven over-achievement born from a wound of "not being enough," reframing relational struggle not as a personal failure, but as an opportunity for profound purpose.If you’ve been relying on old armor and avoidance tactics only to feel lonely in a room full of people you love, this conversation will reframe your definition of strength. Jayson and Steve break down the mechanics of the nervous system under stress, why being good at "the repair" is more important than being perfect, and how conflict acts as weight training for a resilient relationship. This episode is a masterclass for men ready to dismantle their "strategic selves," drop the Score-Keeping, and build a partnership that feels like a true home.Connect with Steve and The Neuro’s Journey Join the Neuro’s Journey Newsletter: https://theneurosjourney.com/ Follow Steve on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeurosJourney Follow Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/ Follow Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/Connect with Jayson Gaddis Jayson Gaddis is a global relationship teacher, author of Getting to Zero, and founder of The Relationship School, having trained coaches and helped over 100,000 people master human connection. Website: https://relationshipschool.com/Jayson’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaysongaddis/the neuros journey, steve sapourn, jayson gaddis, getting to zero, relationship school, somatic healing, emotional regulation, masculine presence, grounded leadership, men's mental health, relational safety, trauma informed, repair and reconnect, conflict resolution, conscious partnership, men's work, authentic relating, vulnerability as strength, fatherhood journey, personal sovereignty, somatic experiencing

This week’s episode of The Neuro’s Journey is for the high-achievers who have built a life that looks perfect on paper, yet feel a persistent, quiet emptiness within. Steve sits down with Ana Kulygin, founder of In Me Wellness, for a deep exploration into the psychosomatic roots of chronic health issues and the courage required to lead from the inside out. Ana shares her remarkable story of healing a lifelong chronic illness overnight by addressing childhood trauma, illustrating why traditional success often masks a deep misalignment of the soul.If you are a leader tired of the "inherited strength" that leads to burnout and isolation, this conversation offers a radical new perspective on power. Ana and Steve discuss the concept of the "Ego as Software," the integration of masculine and feminine energies within the self, and the profound indigenous concept of "marrying the evolution" of your partner. This episode is a roadmap for shifting from a life of willpower and masks to one of authentic clarity, self-love, and sustainable impact.Connect with Steve and The Neuro’s Journey Join the Neuro’s Journey Newsletter: https://theneurosjourney.com/ Follow Steve on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeurosJourney Follow Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/ Follow Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/Connect with Ana Kulygin Ana Kulygin is the founder of InMe Wellness, a premier provider of integrated psychedelic retreats that bridge ancient wisdom with cutting-edge science. Website: https://www.inmewellness.com/ Ana’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anastasiya_venus/The neuros journey, steve sapourn, ana kulygin, psychosomatic healing, psychedelic integration, ayahuasca miracles, ego death, high performance wellness, conscious leadership, chronic illness recovery, trauma informed, sovereign power, self love for leaders, indigenous wisdom, plant medicine science, nervous system regulation, post traumatic growth, intentional living, authentic power, world economic forum, in me wellness

This week’s episode of The Neuro’s Journey is for the leaders and fathers who know exactly who they want to be, yet find themselves hijacked by self-sabotaging patterns when the pressure is on. Steve sits down with somatic therapist and embodiment teacher Kaira Mayestra for a profound conversation on moving past "performed strength" into the practical reality of grounded power. Kaira shares her own journey through preverbal abandonment trauma and physical collapse, illustrating why traditional talk therapy often fails to reach the survival agreements stored deep within the body.If you’ve been "thinking your way" through healing only to hit the same walls of reactivity, this conversation will reframe your approach to growth. Kaira and Steve discuss the evolution of the masculine and feminine archetypes, the "spicy" reality of adult responsibility in partnership, and how to use somatic tools to navigate intensity without losing your center. This episode provides a roadmap for those ready to stop merely surviving their history and start orienting toward a life of genuine thriving and relational safety.Connect with Steve and The Neuro’s Journey Join the Neuro’s Journey Newsletter: https://theneurosjourney.com/ Follow Steve on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeurosJourney Follow Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/ Follow Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/Connect with Kaira Mayestra Kaira Mayestra is a somatic therapist, recording artist, and the creator of SCM Mastery, specializing in nervous system resolution for high-capacity leaders and couples. Website: https://www.divinefemagency.com/Kaira’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kairamayestra/the neuros journey, steve sapourn, kaira mayestra, nervous system regulation, trauma healing, somatic healing, emotional regulation, masculine presence, grounded leadership, men's mental health, relational safety, trauma informed, healing after trauma, nervous system healing, recovery to responsibility, regulated living, from survival to presence, post healing transformation, integration not motivation, embodied change, healing is the beginning

This week’s episode of The Neuro’s Journey is for those who recognize that true courage isn't a mental choice, but a biological initiation. Steve sits down with naturopathic doctor and former doula, Dr. Jenny Cundari, for a raw conversation on the "primal thresholds" that define the human experience, from the unfreezing effects of ayahuasca to the daily neurological regulation required for grounded leadership and parenting.If you’ve been "toughing it out" through physical or emotional fatigue only to find your nervous system stuck in survival mode, this conversation will reframe your struggle. Jenny and Steve discuss why biological challenges require neurological courage rather than just "mindset," the importance of a practitioner sharing from the "scar rather than the wound," and why reaching for community connection is the mechanical necessity needed to move from isolation to personal sovereignty.Connect with Steve and The Neuro’s Journey Join the Neuro’s Journey Newsletter: https://theneurosjourney.com/ Follow Steve on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeurosJourney Follow Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/ Follow Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/Connect with Dr. Jenny Cundari Dr. Jenny Cundari is a Naturopathic Doctor and somatic therapist who helps individuals navigate the intersection of physical health and neurological regulation. Website: https://www.drjennycundari.com/ Dr. Jenny’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjennycundari/

This week’s episode of The Neuro’s Journey is for the men who feel like traditional talk therapy is too static, those who are looking for a path that combines deep science with spiritual action. Steve sits down with anthropologist, professor, and spiritual innovator Dr. Jay Dubois, for a raw conversation on overcoming the "closed door" of childhood trauma, the tragic loss of his brother, and his journey toward becoming a bridge between the physical and the metaphysical.If you’ve been "toughing it out" only to find your nervous system stuck in a loop of reactivity, this conversation will reframe your struggle. Jay and Steve discuss why men need mission-driven healing, the power of viewing trauma as a "brain injury" rather than a character flaw, and how to use curiosity, courage, and action to reclaim your personal sovereignty.Connect with Steve and The Neuro’s Journey Join the Neuro’s Journey Newsletter: https://theneurosjourney.com/Follow Steve on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeurosJourney Follow Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/ Follow Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/Connect with Jay Dubois, PhD Dr. Jay Dubois is a professor of human relations, an anthropologist, and the Executive Director of the Compassionate Transformation Community. Website: https://jayduboisphd.com/ Dr. Jay’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.j.dubois/

This week’s episode of The Neuro’s Journey is for those of you in a "death or change" moment—feeling stuck in a loop of survival, even if you’ve traded destructive habits for healthier ones. Steve sits down with entrepreneur Rachel Pastor for a powerful conversation on her journey from being a homeless heroin addict at 15 to building a fitness empire, only to realize she was still leading from a place of fear and force.If you’ve been doing talk therapy or "healthy" numbing only to experience the same narrative, this conversation will open your eyes to other solutions such as neuro-linguistic programming and microdosing to shed outdated identities, set radical boundaries, and begin living with true personal sovereignty.Connect with Steve and The Neuro’s JourneyFollow Steve on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeurosJourneyFollow Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/Follow Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/Connect with Rachel PastorRachel Pastor is the founder of Golden Rule Mushrooms, a company dedicated to making psychedelic healing accessible and welcoming.Website: https://goldenrulemushrooms.com/Rachel’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachel.pastor/

This week’s episode of The Neuro’s Journey is for those of you in midlife who feel a persistent void despite your accolades. Steve sits down with journalist-turned-advocate Anne Philippi for a raw conversation on radical self-reinvention after decades of interviewing global icons for Vanity Fair and GQ.If you’ve been doing talk therapy only to experience the same narrative, this conversation will open your eyes to other solutions such as guided psychedelic work and nervous system tools to shed outdated identities, set radical boundaries, and begin living with true personal sovereignty.Connect with Steve and The Neuro’s Journey:• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeurosJourney• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/Connect with Anne Philippi:Anne Philippi is the founder of The New Health Club, a platform and podcast exploring psychedelics, mental health, and human potential.• Website: https://www.thenewhealthinstitute.org/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anne_philippi/

What if the thing you call “your personality” is mostly just old programming… running unattended? In this conversation, Dr. Joaquin Espinosa, a global leader in Down syndrome research and a longtime brother in Steve’s men’s group, breaks down how microtraumas and conditioning shape behavior, ambition, money anxiety, and relationships… even when you don’t have a single “capital T” trauma to point to.They talk about the hidden cost of achievement, why high performers hit a wall in their 30s and 40s, and what actually changes when men sit in a circle with a fire and tell the truth. Joaquin offers a grounded scientist’s explanation of why practices like emotional mastery, belief work, purpose, and gratitude aren’t “soft” … they’re brain chemistry, rewiring, and attention training.Steve shares his own shift from living in constant nervous system override (addiction, emotional shutdown, hypervigilance) to experiencing a cleaner, steadier internal fuel source—purpose that isn’t fear-powered. They also explore psychedelic research, integration windows, intuition as “information your system already has,” and why nature isn’t a luxury, it’s medicine. This is a conversation about healing without hype.Key Topics DiscussedThe difference between “big T trauma” and the conditioning that quietly runs your lifeWhy high achievers often crashVulnerability as a trust-builder (and why emotional armor backfires)Intuition as nonverbal data processing (brain + body intelligence)The things destroying your dopamine levels3 easy reset techniques any man can do today.Connect with Steve and The Neuro’s JourneyFollow Steve on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeurosJourneyFollow Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/Follow Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/Connect with Dr. Joaquin Espinosahttps://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/pharmacology/faculty/primary-faculty/joaquin-espinosa-phdhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/joaquin-espinosa-322452113/the neuros journey, steve sapourn, nervous system regulation, trauma healing, trauma recovery, regulation creates choice, somatic healing, relational safety, trauma informed, emotional regulation, healing after trauma, nervous system healing, Dr. Joaquin Espinosa, nervous system healing, microtrauma, trauma conditioning, men’s work, men’s group healing, emotional mastery, Byron Katie beliefs, purpose and gratitude practice, addiction and trauma, brain chemistry and behavior, neuroplasticity, psychedelic therapy, psilocybin clinical trials, MDMA therapy, intuition science, vagus nerve, circadian rhythm health, blue light sleep, nature as medicine, community healing, trauma recovery podcast, healing and leadership

Have you been curious about feeling your emotions safely? This conversation is an invitation to transform how you meet yourself and others. Join Steve and Reuvain Bacal, a coach and men’s group leader from Boulder, CO for a conversation about regulating yourself so you can be in control of your emotions and building relationships rooted in honesty instead of armor. What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways)How to begin feeling your emotionsWhy suffering exists and how to end itWhat creates peace even in difficult circumstances.The two things required to safely process emotionsWhen to know if you should join a men’s groupThe key to building trust, respect, and authentic connection.The key indicator of a healthy partnership.Connect with Steve and The Neuro’s JourneyFollow Steve on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeurosJourneyFollow Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sapourn-642215118/Follow Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/Connect with Reuvain Bacal:Follow Reuvain on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reuvain.bacal/Check out Reuvain’s Website: https://www.reuvainbacal.com/the neuros journey, steve sapourn, nervous system regulation, trauma healing, trauma recovery, regulation creates choice, somatic healing, relational safety, trauma informed, emotional regulation, healing after trauma, nervous system healing, healthy masculinity, modern masculinity, regulated masculinity, masculine presence, men’s mental health, emotional intelligence for men, men and trauma, healing for men, safe masculinity, masculinity and relationships, masculinity and leadership, masculine emotional regulation

This conversation is a blueprint for understanding how trauma lives in the body and how to finally change it. Dr. Naomi Rusk, a clinical neuropsychologist and trauma psychotherapist with 35 years of experience, breaks down the science of why behavior change feels impossible when your nervous system is stuck in survival mode.The core message is liberating: trauma is a brain injury, not a moral failure. Your struggles with stillness, sleep, and self-sabotage aren't character flaws—they're predictable responses from a nervous system that learned danger early. The path forward isn't willpower. It's rewiring: subtraction over addition, curiosity over force, and small daily inputs that slowly overwhelm the old programming.What You'll Learn (Key Takeaways)Trauma is a brain injury, not a character flaw. When you see your brain on a QEEG scan, healing becomes a map—not a moral mountain to climb.Stillness feels dangerous for a reason. If your childhood taught you that quiet meant threat, your body will resist rest. That's not weakness—it's wiring.The "addict's body" is a nervous system state. That constant need to change your state isn't about substances—it's about a system that never learned safety.Sleep begins in the morning. How you rest at night is a mirror for how regulated you were during the day. Night problems require daytime solutions.Subtraction beats addition. Healing isn't about adding more practices. It's about removing what blocks the real you from emerging.Choice is the medicine for trauma. When you didn't have choice as a child, reclaiming agency through conscious breath, movement, and awareness becomes the antidote.Leadership Soundbites (Pull Quotes)"The fire alarms are off. That's what healing actually felt like.""Trauma is a brain injury, not a moral failure. Once I saw my brain on a scan, it became fixable.""I heard a voice—and it wasn't mine. It said, 'You're a bad person and no one should ever love you.' That program had been running my entire life.""Stillness is an extremely uncomfortable experience if you have cues of danger inside.""If I'm gonna heal, I have to forgive my father. I need to give him what he couldn't give me.""Choice is the medicine for trauma. Because we didn't have a lot of choice."Conversation Highlights (Chapters / Beats)The switch that changed everything: After 10 years of work, Steve's nervous system finally calmed—and a whole new way of being opened up.Why stillness feels threatening: Dr. Rusk explains how trauma makes rest feel dangerous, and why meditation can backfire for people with anxiety.The "addict's body" explained: Understanding substance use as nervous system regulation, not moral weakness.Sleep as the last hurrah: Why sleep problems are often daytime regulation problems, and practical strategies that actually work.The voice that wasn't his: Steve discovers the underlying program ("you're bad, no one should love you") that had been running his entire life.Forgiving the unforgivable: Why forgiving his sexual abuser was easier than forgiving his father—and what that revealed about generational trauma.Trauma as brain injury: How seeing a QEEG scan shifted Steve's relationship with his own healing from shame to science.Breathwork as agency: Dr. Rusk teaches coherence breathing—the simplest way to reclaim choice over your nervous system.The real you underneath: Healing as subtraction, not addition. Removing the programming to reveal what was always there.Who This Episode Is ForMen who've done "all the work" but still feel like something's off underneathAnyone who struggles with stillness, sleep, or an inability to just bePeople who've used substances, distraction, or achievement to regulate their nervous system Leaders and entrepreneurs who've built from fear and want to build from purpose insteadAnyone ready to stop seeing their struggles as character flaws and start seeing them as fixable wiring

This conversation is a lived exploration of how trauma shapes the nervous system and how healing actually happens over time. Steve sits down with nervous system coach and breathwork facilitator Kristin Weitzel for an unfiltered conversation about vulnerability, survival, addiction, grief and what it really takes to change your life.They met at the Heartland Gathering and connected instantly through honesty and openness. That moment of shared vulnerability became the foundation for a conversation that moves far beyond theory. This episode explores nervous system regulation, orienting, neurofeedback, breathwork, cold exposure, men’s work, psychedelic medicine and integration. But beneath all of it is a simple and powerful truth. Nothing about you is broken. Your nervous system learns to survive and it can learn something new.What You Will Learn & Key Takeaways:Vulnerability shifts rooms and acts as a filter for safe connectionTrauma responses are adaptations, not personal failuresThe goal is not constant calm, but the ability to come back downOrienting is a simple, discreet tool to signal safety anywhereShame often lives in the nervous system, not the mindAddiction is a survival strategy rooted in dysregulationSomatic practices can reach places talk therapy alone cannotCold exposure and breathwork build real life resilienceNeurofeedback offers visible data that helps remove shamePsychedelic medicine opens a door, but integration is where change happensForgiveness can free the body even when harm was realGenerational trauma can end with youNothing about you is broken. Your system adapted to protect youLeadership Soundbites & Pull Quotes:“Vulnerability shifts rooms and shows you who is safe.”“The goal is not calm. The goal is regulation and the ability to come back.”“I lived my life like the world was dangerous. Then I realized everything that happened was for me.”“I had an addict’s body long after I stopped using substances.”“Forgiveness was easier for my abuser than for my father.”“Nothing about us is broken. Our nervous systems learned to survive.”Conversation Highlights & Chapters and Beats:How instant vulnerability created trust at the Heartland GatheringWhy leading with honesty filters safe communityThe abandoned interview at Psychedelic Science and nervous system triggersDisappointment, heartbreak, and abandonment as somatic experiencesThe psychedelic moment that changed Steve’s life at a concertChildhood trauma, sexual abuse, violence, and nervous system wiringAddiction and success as parallel survival strategiesNeurofeedback and seeing trauma on a brain scanShame, airports, and everyday dysregulationOrienting as a powerful regulation toolCold exposure and breathwork as resilience trainingParasympathetic rebound and emotional regulationMen’s work, being seen, and breaking generational cyclesForgiveness, grief, and reclaiming life forceIdentity, worth, and unlearning the belief of being brokenAdvice to younger selves and reclaiming curiosity and wonderWho This Episode Is For:Anyone who feels like they have done the work but still feel dysregulatedPeople who struggle with shame, triggers, or emotional overwhelmThose navigating addiction recovery or an addict’s bodyIndividuals curious about nervous system healing beyond talk therapyMen learning how to be seen and vulnerableAnyone ready to stop seeing themselves as broken

This conversation is a masterclass in empowered leadership.. not as a title, but as a way of operating. JOJO ABOT breaks down what it means to be an “oracle” and a “portal” in practical terms: someone who helps create an environment where clarity and transformation become possible, without controlling anyone’s path.The core message is simple: stop outsourcing your power to perfect conditions, altered states, or external validation. Leadership is the sober, daily practice of listening deeper than the noise, moving with fear present, releasing identities that keep you stuck, and choosing co-creation over victimhood.What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways)Leadership isn’t identity—it’s action. “God is a verb” = your life changes when you collaborate with what you’re being called to do, not when you wait to feel ready.Courage is movement with fear present. Not “no fear” just decision and follow-through anyway.Forgiveness is an unbinding tool. It releases the “I’m the victim” identity and returns agency, energy, and focus.Discernment is a leadership skill. Intuition invites; fear commands. Learn the difference and you stop self-sabotaging.You’re not stuck—you’re at a threshold. “Stuck” is often germination: transformation happening under the surface.Community is strategic. Real power isn’t rugged individualism, t’s interdependence, discernment, and receiving support without manipulation.Leadership Soundbites (Pull Quotes)“Leadership requires you to act on the invitation, before the conditions are perfect.”“Courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s moving anyway.”“Forgiveness is how you stop letting your past define your operating system.”Conversation Highlights (Chapters / Beats)The launch as leadership initiation: visibility triggers the body; the work is staying present anyway.Oracle + portal redefined: not mystical branding, creating space for clarity, perspective, and self-leadership.Owning your gifts without becoming a guru: accountability, humility, and integrity.Plant medicine vs sober power: insight is easy, embodiment is the real leadership path.Courage and forgiveness as core leadership virtues: conditions don’t need to be perfect; identity can evolve.Audacity as a decision: “meet the invitation with a yes.”Life as your guru: difficulty is often resistance + perspective, not reality.Capacity building: nervous system regulation, breath, and the ability to hold discomfort.Interdependence > independence: receiving support is part of maturity and leadership.Leaders, founders, and creators who feel stuck, frozen, or overwhelmedPeople who are spiritually inclined but want practical power, not performanceAnyone learning to move from insight → embodiment → actionAnyone rebuilding trust with themselves after fear, trauma, or a major life transitionWho This Episode Is ForOracle + portal redefined: not mystical branding, creating space for clarity, perspective, and self-leadership.Owning your gifts without becoming a guru: accountability, humility, and integrity.Plant medicine vs sober power: insight is easy, embodiment is the real leadership path.Courage and forgiveness as core leadership virtues: conditions don’t need to be perfect; identity can evolve.Audacity as a decision: “meet the invitation with a yes.”Life as your guru: difficulty is often resistance + perspective, not reality.Capacity building: nervous system regulation, breath, and the ability to hold discomfort.Interdependence > independence: receiving support is part of maturity and leadership.Who This Episode Is ForLeaders, founders, and creators who feel stuck, frozen, or overwhelmedPeople who are spiritually inclined but want practical power, not performanceAnyone learning to move from insight → embodiment → actionAnyone rebuilding trust with themselves after fear, trauma, or a major life transition

In this episode, Steve sits down with artist Nerissa Balland, who also happens to be his niece, for one of the most honest and tender conversations you'll hear on this podcast.Nerissa opens up about her path from being a kid who loved to create, to working in the corporate art world, to receiving a cancer diagnosis while pregnant that changed everything. She talks about how for years, survival and achievement drove her choices and how illness forced her to slow down and finally ask deeper questions about who she was and what mattered.It's a conversation about courage, presence, and the messy, beautiful work of turning suffering into meaning and it leaves you with this: you don't need to be fixed to be whole. Broken crayons still color.She explains:⬛ Creativity often begins as survival and becomes healing when intention changes.⬛ Cancer and illness can radically disrupt identity and open new psychological and spiritual pathways.⬛ The stories we tell ourselves are not always true and can be rewritten.⬛ Intuition is quiet and must be cultivated through stillness and self trust.⬛ Healing starts with the relationship you have with yourself.⬛ Art can regulate the nervous system and support transformation without diagnosis.⬛ Spirituality does not require certainty, only curiosity and engagement.⬛ Trauma responses are adaptations, not character flaws.⬛ You do not need to be fixed to be whole.⬛ Broken crayons still color.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Nerissa's Journey01:31 The Power of Art in Healing07:17 Navigating Life Changes and Identity15:01 The Cancer Diagnosis: A Turning Point23:49 Spirituality and Personal Growth30:21 Listening to Intuition and Self-Discovery44:19 The Role of Spirituality in Healing56:33 Understanding Relationships and Self-Expectations57:30 The Journey of Self-Discovery01:00:39 Navigating Relationships and Healing01:03:00 The Importance of Silence and Self-Reflection01:05:06 Transforming Trauma into Art01:09:07 The Ongoing Nature of Healing01:12:42 Finding Balance in Life and Art01:15:32 The Power of Personal Stories in Art01:18:14 Creating Art as a Healing ProcessAbout SteveSteve is a longtime entrepreneur and former finance professional who built significant external success while carrying the hidden impact of severe childhood trauma and addiction. Through years of deep healing work including somatic therapies, psychedelic assisted processes, and brain based interventions, he experienced a profound internal shift that reoriented his life toward service, storytelling, and mental health.Through The Neuro’s Journey, Steve shares his ongoing process and amplifies voices exploring honest, evidence informed, and heart led transformation.Follow Steve:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theneurosjourneyAbout NerissaNerissa Balland is a visual artist, therapeutic arts practitioner, and two-time cancer survivor whose mixed-media works range from intimate to large-scale. As a visual storyteller, she draws on spiritual symbols, patterns, and natural elements to explore universal themes of self-love, acceptance, and protection. Nerissa holds an MFA in Painting from Pratt Institute, a BA in Studio Art from the University of Maryland, and studied Digital Design at the University of Copenhagen. Follow Nerissa:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nerissaballandartWebsite: https://www.nerissaballand.com

In this episode of The Neuro’s Journey, Steve sits down with Lia for a deeply honest conversation about what happens after Ibogaine. Four months after her treatment, Lia shares what healing has actually looked like in her day to day life. Less fear. Less over functioning. More calm, clarity, and grounded presence as her nervous system settles into a new baseline.This episode is proudly supported by One And Done, an integration center dedicated to helping veterans after ibogaine treatment. Learn more and donate at oneanddone.org.Lia brings both personal and professional perspective to this conversation. As a licensed therapist and trained psychedelic therapist, she understands trauma and healing deeply. But here, she speaks from lived experience as someone who survived severe childhood trauma, lost a sister to heroin, and spent years living in survival mode. Together, she and Steve explore how her mind, body, relationships, and work have changed, and how brain scans helped validate shifts she could feel but had never been able to measure.She explains:⬛ Ibogaine shifted her baseline into calm, clarity, and grounded presence.⬛ Trauma shaped her into an over functioner who stayed safe by being useful and depleted.⬛ Healing meant pulling her energy back to herself and learning that self focus can be an act of service.⬛ Brain scans validated her experience and helped guide integration and care.⬛ Neurogenesis can feel slow and disorienting and requires real support.⬛ Somatic awareness returned, making body signals clearer and harder to ignore.Chapters:00:00 Four months after Ibogaine01:10 Internal calm and energetic alignment03:21 Over functioning and depletion07:20 Brain scans and validation10:42 Neurogenesis and rewiring14:33 Listening to the body19:55 Space between stimulus and response33:28 Attachment patterns shifting47:17 Intimacy and relational healing01:07:07 Supporting Justin through allyship01:10:06 Building IHPI and healthcare access01:24:54 Treating trauma, not symptoms01:42:00 Hope for families01:51:29 Closing reflectionsConnection links:⬛ Ibogaine Healthcare Policy Institute Launch Video⬛ NeuroGrove brain scans with Trista Miles and Dr. Ryan Phillips⬛ One and Done Integration Model⬛ Americans for Ibogaine initiativeSpecial thanks to our sponsor One And Done, building a dedicated integration center to support veterans in their post-ibogaine healing process, donate at oneanddone.orgAbout Steve:Steve is an entrepreneur and storyteller who spent years achieving external success while carrying unresolved trauma and addiction. Through deep healing work and nervous system regulation, he rebuilt his life from the inside out. The Neuro’s Journey is his platform to explore healing, leadership, and human transformation with honesty and depth.Follow SteveInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theneurosjourneyAbout Lia:Lia is a trauma informed practitioner and healer who brings deep emotional awareness and embodiment to her work. This episode marks the first time she shares her personal healing journey publicly, offering a rare and intimate look at what healing can look like inside love and partnership.Follow LiaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liamix

In this episode of The Neuro’s Journey, Steve sits down with Tony Glace, founder of One And Done, for a conversation about veteran suicide, trauma, and what happens when someone stops talking about change and starts building it. Support One And Done: Website: https://oneanddone.orgTony shares the moment that changed his life and redirected his purpose toward saving veterans. He explains why 22 veterans dying by suicide every day is not just a statistic, but a moral emergency. After experiencing his own profound healing through plant medicine, Tony committed millions of his own dollars to create One And Done, an integration center designed to help veterans truly come home after ibogaine treatment.This conversation explores why medicine alone is not enough, how integration determines long term healing, and what it looks like to honor veterans not with words, but with action. It is a powerful reminder that healing does not end with the experience. It begins with community, support, and a life rebuilt with purpose.He explains:⬛ 22 veterans die by suicide every single day and the crisis is accelerating.⬛ Ibogaine can reset the brain, but integration determines whether healing lasts.⬛ Veterans are medical refugees forced to leave the United States to heal.⬛ Addiction and PTSD are not moral failures, but nervous system injuries.⬛ Healing must include the family, not just the individual.⬛ Ego death opens the door to living from the heart rather than survival.⬛ Trauma can be transformed into service when met with honesty and action.⬛ Real change happens when people build solutions instead of waiting for permission.Chapters:00:00 The reality of veteran suicide02:15 Why Tony could not look away05:10 Discovering ibogaine and its impact08:40 Why integration matters more than the medicine12:30 One And Done and the vision for veteran healing17:45 Treating veterans like they should have been welcomed home22:10 Couples integration and supporting families27:20 Ego death and speaking from the heart31:50 Turning personal pain into purpose36:15 Legislative battles to bring plant medicine forward41:30 The future of ibogaine and veteran care45:55 A call to action for healing our heroesAbout SteveSteve is a longtime entrepreneur and former finance professional who built significant external success while carrying the hidden impact of severe childhood trauma and addiction. Through years of deep healing work, including somatic therapies, psychedelic assisted processes, and brain based interventions, he experienced a profound internal shift that reoriented his life toward service, storytelling, and mental health.Through The Neuro’s Journey, Steve shares his ongoing process and amplifies the voices of others walking the path of honest, evidence informed, and heart led transformation.Follow Steve:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theneurosjourneyAbout Tony GlaceTony Glace is the founder of One And Done, an integration center being built to support veterans after ibogaine treatment. A former business owner turned philanthropist and advocate, Tony has invested millions of his own dollars to combat veteran suicide and create spaces where healing, dignity, and family reintegration are prioritized.After experiencing his own transformation through plant medicine, Tony dedicated his life to ensuring veterans receive the support they were denied when they came home.Support One And Done:Website: https://oneanddone.org

The masks we wear to survive can become prisons. And the same patterns that drove us to achieve can quietly disconnect us from love, joy, and the people we care about most.In this live episode recorded in Boulder, Colorado, Steve is joined by Lia Mix and Omani Carson for a raw conversation about trauma, leadership, vulnerability, and what happens when we finally take off the armor. Emceed by Samantha Warren.Together, they explore how childhood survival patterns show up in high achievers, why avoiding pain blocks connection, and how psychedelics, when integrated with intention and community, can help us move from survival mode into presence and purpose.This is an invitation to stop waiting. You're already on your hero's journey. And healing doesn't happen alone.In this episode: ⬛ Why vulnerability is courage, not weakness⬛ The link between childhood trauma and perfectionism ⬛ How avoiding pain blocks love and connection ⬛ What happens when leaders succeed but feel empty ⬛ Nervous system regulation as a foundation for leadership ⬛ Psychedelics as a tool for healing, not a shortcut ⬛ Why community is medicineChapters:00:00 Live introduction01:25 Vulnerability and the armor we wear02:45 Childhood trauma and survival patterns05:01 When avoiding pain blocks love06:57 Introducing Omani and shared journeys09:32 From fear to love and abundance13:24 Trauma, nervous system, and healing15:25 Psychedelics and liberation from trauma18:21 Vulnerability and intimacy23:11 Lia’s journey into honesty27:07 The danger of masks33:08 Community as medicine37:21 Psychedelics and societal healing49:46 An evolutionary shift53:13 Leading from the heart01:02:28 A wish for humanity01:06:49 Closing reflectionsAbout Steve:Steve is an entrepreneur and storyteller who spent decades achieving external success while privately navigating the impact of childhood trauma. Through therapy, nervous system work and psychedelic healing, he rebuilt his life from the inside out. The Neuro’s Journey is his mission to explore courage, healing and the human experience with honesty and depth.Follow Steve:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@theneurosjourneyAbout Lia:Lia is Founder and CEO of DELPHI, a healthcare innovation leader and trauma-informed guide who brings deep emotional awareness and grounded wisdom to her work. Follow Lia:LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/liamix/About Omani Carson:Omani is the founder of the Carson Group and the leader of OMIA, a conscious community devoted to healing, connection, and harmony with nature. His work bridges leadership, trauma healing, and collective transformation.Follow Omani:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/omanirosecarson/Website https://www.carsongroup.com/About Samantha Warren:Samantha Warren is a public speaker, podcast host and teaches impact driven coaches, podcasters and entrepreneurs how to confidently share their story, spread their message, get on stages, make more money and make a name for themselves.Follow Samantha:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesamanthawarrenTikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@voiceandvisibilityResources MentionedCalifornia Institute for Integral Studies (CIIS) - Psychedelic therapy training programConscious Capitalism movement (John Mackey and Raj Sisodia)Heartland Gathering - Omani and Jeannie's community healing event in NebraskaThe Hero's Journey framework

In this episode, Steve sits down with Talia and Tom, the co-founders of Beond, in Cancun, Mexico for a deeply personal conversation about healing, purpose and building a space where people can truly feel safe enough to change.Together, they share how intergenerational trauma, addiction and early survival strategies shaped their lives and how ibogaine became a catalyst not just for recovery, but for reclaiming meaning, joy and connection. Talia reflects on her own journey through addiction and healing while Tom shares his path from childhood abuse and academic survival into service and leadership rooted in compassion.This conversation explores what happens when healing is treated as a journey rather than a fix. It reveals why safety, preparation and community matter just as much as the medicine itself, and how vulnerability creates the conditions for real transformation. At its core, this episode reminds listeners that you do not need to be broken to deserve healing and that thriving is possible at every stage of life.They explain:⬛ Intergenerational trauma lives in the nervous system and shapes anxiety, identity and behavior.⬛ Addiction often begins as a solution to unmanaged internal pain.⬛ Ibogaine is not the work itself, but a catalyst that accelerates healing when paired with support and integration.⬛ Feeling safe is the foundation for releasing long held trauma.⬛ Vulnerability builds connection and reduces loneliness.⬛ Healing does not require a breakdown, only honesty and willingness.⬛ Neuroplasticity creates a critical period where lasting change is possible.⬛ Joy, curiosity, and purpose are essential components of long term wellbeing.Chapters:00:00 Introduction and intention behind the conversation02:45 Supporting a partner through a healing journey06:30 Intergenerational trauma and early anxiety10:12 Addiction as a survival strategy15:40 Discovering ibogaine and its impact on purpose20:55 Skepticism, spirituality, and different paths to healing27:30 Building a relationship rooted in openness and respect33:10 Creating Beond as a safe and integrated healing space41:25 Safety, medicine, and responsibility48:40 The critical period and neuroplasticity55:10 Healing versus thriving01:02:45 Vulnerability, community, and belonging01:10:30 Receiving love and breaking old patterns01:18:20 Closing reflections on purpose and serviceAbout SteveSteve is a longtime entrepreneur and former finance professional who built significant external success while carrying the hidden impact of severe childhood trauma and addiction. Through years of deep healing work, including somatic therapies, psychedelic assisted processes, and brain based interventions, he experienced a profound internal shift that reoriented his life toward service, storytelling, and mental health.Follow Steve:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theneurosjourneyAbout TaliaTalia is a co-founder of Beond and a longtime advocate for trauma informed healing and recovery. Her personal journey through addiction, intergenerational trauma and plant medicine shaped Beond’s philosophy around safety, integration, and whole person healing.About TomTom is a co-founder of Beond and a healthcare entrepreneur with a background in recovery, academics and spiritual practice. His work focuses on building environments that combine medical rigor, psychological safety and human compassion to support lasting change.Website: https://www.beondibogaine.com

In this deeply personal episode, Steve opens up about his decades long battle with addiction and shares groundbreaking research on Ibogaine, a treatment showing an 88% reduction in PTSD symptoms after just one dose.Steve traces the path from childhood trauma to compulsive comfort seeking and ultimately, to healing. As he records, his fiancée Lia's brother Justin, missing for months and struggling with methamphetamine addiction, has just made contact. The urgency is real, and the treatment they're hoping will save his life is illegal in the United States.He explains:⬛ Addiction is compulsive comfort seeking—a nervous system that never felt safe looking for relief.⬛ 92% of people struggling with addiction have significant childhood trauma.⬛ Dysregulation comes first, addiction comes after—substances are the best tool an overwhelmed nervous system can find.⬛ Ibogaine resets dopamine receptors in one treatment, eliminating the 6-18 month "gray fog" of traditional recovery.⬛ Stanford research shows 88% reduction in PTSD, 87% in depression, 81% in anxiety after one Ibogaine treatment.⬛ Ibogaine triggers 2,000-3,000% increases in BDNF, the protein that helps neurons grow and repair.⬛ Ibogaine keeps the brain in an open, changeable state longer than any other psychedelic, up to four weeks or three months.⬛ Ibogaine opens a window of neuroplasticity, but lasting change requires integration, therapy, and ongoing work.⬛ Most compulsive comfort seeking looks "normal"—scrolling at 2am, binge shopping, needing alcohol to be social.⬛ Corporations engineer products to hijack dopamine systems just like drugs do.⬛ Ibogaine was made illegal in 1970 without evaluation, despite having no recreational value.⬛ American veterans are medical refugees, including decorated Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell.⬛ Texas committed $50 million to Ibogaine research with bipartisan support led by Rick Perry.⬛ Just one person who shows care can be the difference between life and death.Chapters:00:05 - Reframing addiction as compulsive comfort seeking02:26 - First blackout at age five04:46 - From childhood trauma to hedge fund success and crack cocaine07:10 - Steve's father's WWII trauma and untreated PTSD09:35 - The addict's body: Daily pressure building11:50 - Dysregulation comes first14:08 - Why people relapse: 6-18 months of gray fog16:31 - Helen Sapourn: Breaking three ribs to attend her son's wedding17:29 - Losing his mother at 2719:10 - The friend's first line and 40 rehabs later21:17 - Lia's brother Justin reaches out23:05 - We're all compulsively comfort seeking25:33 - What Ibogaine actually i28:00 - The Stanford study: 88% PTSD reduction30:27 - Witnessing transformation in veterans32:44 - One and Done integration center34:51 - Why is Ibogaine illegal?37:16 - Rick Perry and Marcus Luttrell unite39:20 - Veterans as medical refugees41:49 - You are not broken, you are not weak43:40 - Breaking the cycleAbout Steve:Steve Sapourn is a longtime entrepreneur and storyteller who spent decades achieving external success while battling childhood trauma and addiction. Through somatic therapy, psychedelic work, and nervous system rewiring, he rebuilt his life from the inside out. The Neuro's Journey is his mission to explore healing, courage, and the human experience with depth and honesty.Follow Steve:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theneurosjourneyResources:Americans for Ibogaine - americansforibogaine.org - 404-368-9923One and Done (Texas) - Integration center for veteransBeond Clinic (Cancun, Mexico) - https://beondibogaine.com/

In this episode of The Neuro’s Journey, Steve sits down with his partner, Lia, for an intimate and vulnerable conversation about trauma, safety, love and healing while in relationship. Together, they explore how past experiences shape present reactions, how fear can take over even in moments of deep connection, and what it means to grow alongside someone while still carrying old wounds.Lia shares a powerful story about how a small interaction triggered a deep survival response right before Steve proposed. She describes the fear of abandonment that surfaced, the belief that one argument could leave her unsafe, and how her nervous system still prepares for danger even inside a loving partnership. Their conversation offers a rare look into trauma activation, relational healing, ibogaine preparation, and the courage it takes to build trust in real time.She explains: ⬛ Trauma can distort threat perception, making small triggers feel like catastrophic danger. ⬛ Hypervigilance and fear responses often come from old experiences, not present reality. ⬛ Feeling safe enough to speak needs in the moment is a major step in nervous system healing. ⬛ Ibogaine preparation for her is centered on grounding, stability, and a desire to feel truly safe. ⬛ Shame creates self-protection patterns that hide parts of the self from love, connection, and joy. ⬛ Being with someone who is open and unguarded can become a powerful teaching in releasing shame. ⬛ Healing in partnership requires curiosity, communication, and the willingness to see each other clearly. ⬛ Growth is not linear, and even spiritually advanced teachers see life as a path of learning until their final breath. ⬛ Sharing personal stories publicly requires courage and deep inner work. ⬛ Healing expands when we are witnessed with compassion, especially by the people closest to us.Chapters: 01:18:09 Living with trauma while in a loving relationship 01:18:46 The trigger that surfaced before the proposal 01:19:26 Fear, abandonment, and old survival patterns 01:20:25 How the body prepares for danger even when none is present 01:21:27 Safety as a core intention for her ibogaine journey 01:21:52 Longing for wholeness and connection to all parts of self 01:22:01 Navigating shame and openness in partnership 01:22:42 Learning from each other’s differences 01:22:59 Growth as a lifelong path 01:23:00 Seeing life as a game for learning 01:24:39 Meditation, lineage, and the desire to grow until the last breath 01:25:23 Preparing for ibogaine and the adventure ahead 01:25:55 The vulnerability of speaking publicly for the first time 01:26:40 A new understanding of what Steve carries by sharing his story 01:27:36 Closing reflections on courage, vulnerability, and partnershipAbout Steve:Steve is a longtime entrepreneur and storyteller who spent decades achieving external success while quietly battling the internal effects of childhood trauma and addiction. Through somatic therapy, psychedelic work, and nervous system rewiring, he rebuilt his life from the inside out. The Neuro’s Journey is his mission to explore healing, courage, and the human experience with depth and honesty.Follow Steve:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theneurosjourneyAbout LiaLia is a practitioner, healer, and trauma-informed guide who brings deep emotional awareness and grounded wisdom to her work. Her personal healing journey, combined with her commitment to truth and embodiment, offers a powerful lens on relational growth, safety, and transformation. This episode marks her first time

In this solo episode, Steve opens the door to a story he has carried for decades. What begins with a humorous memory from childhood quickly turns into a profound exploration of vulnerability, trauma and the armor we learn to build long before we understand what it costs us. With honesty and grace, he speaks about surviving sexual abuse, growing up with a stutter that made speaking feel like danger and the shame he inherited from a father who could not show love in the way he needed. This conversation is raw, human, and generous. It is an invitation to remember the parts of ourselves we hid to survive and to begin choosing courage in the moments that matter.He explains:⬛ Childhood experiences often register as life threatening in the nervous system, even when the danger is emotional not physical.⬛ Armor begins as protection but becomes a prison that keeps us from the love and connection we want most.⬛ Shame tells us we are bad rather than we did something bad, and it often forms when a child cannot understand why they do not feel loved.⬛ Vulnerability feels like danger because the brain learned early that truth equals threat. Your body is not broken. It is protecting you.⬛ Sharing trauma in safe spaces helps the brain convert frozen fragments into integrated memory.⬛ Regulating the nervous system is essential because you cannot think your way out of activation.⬛ Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is choosing truth while fear is present.⬛ Small and honest statements are powerful first steps in taking off the armor.⬛ Real vulnerability is not spectacle. It is authenticity without the guarantee of how it will be received.⬛ The things we want most love, belonging, joy, creativity, meaningful connection only exist when we allow ourselves to be seen.Chapters00:00 The Streaking Analogy: Understanding Vulnerability02:37 Childhood Trauma and Its Impact on Vulnerability05:52 The Armor We Build: Protecting Ourselves08:31 The Role of Vulnerability in Connection11:33 The Science of Vulnerability and Courage14:15 Shame and Its Roots in Childhood17:22 Forgiveness and Reframing Our Stories20:03 The Importance of Vulnerability in Relationships23:13 Overcoming Societal Expectations of Masculinity25:47 The Neuroscience of Vulnerability28:51 Healing Through Storytelling31:29 Practical Steps to Embrace Vulnerability34:23 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Authenticity37:13 The Call to Courage: Letting Go of ArmorAbout Steve:Steve is a longtime entrepreneur and former finance professional who achieved significant external success while quietly battling the internal impact of severe childhood trauma and addiction. After years of intensive healing work through somatic therapy, psychedelic-assisted processes, and brain-based interventions, he experienced a profound internal shift that reoriented his life toward service, storytelling, and mental health advocacy.Follow Steve:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theneurosjourney

In this episode of The Neuro’s Journey, Steve sits down with Dr. Ryan Phillips to explore the profound experiences that shaped his life, his purpose and his work healing men in a system that was never built for them.A physician specializing in men’s mental health, trauma, and nervous system healing, Dr. Phillips shares the deeply personal story of losing his father to suicide and violence, and how that tragedy became the catalyst for a lifetime of service.He explains:⬛ The mental health system is built around a feminine model of healing, which often leaves men feeling unseen, unsafe, or unsupported.⬛ Many men base their self-worth on achievement because early trauma creates a void that success can never fill.⬛ Connection is the foundation of mental health, yet modern culture isolates men more than any generation before.⬛ His years living in the remote Himalayas taught him that health is a system, not a single state, and that community is essential for human thriving.⬛ Psychedelic medicine, including psilocybin and ketamine, can catalyze deep change when combined with true therapeutic support and integration.⬛ Healing begins when a person decides they are worthy of help, worthy of relief, and worthy of their own presence and care.Chapters:00:00 Why mental health feels feminine to men02:49 The mismatch between men and today’s therapeutic model05:24 Why high achievers often carry the deepest trauma07:51 Self-worth, achievement, and the masculine wound10:12 Loneliness, isolation, and the collapse of male connection13:12 Life in the Himalayas and what true health feels like15:40 Community, purpose, and the rewiring of identity18:30 Returning to the United States and seeing a culture in crisis21:12 The self-made man myth and its psychological cost23:54 Navigating trauma, masculinity, and identity26:47 Breaking generational trauma and redefining fatherhood54:49 Psychedelic healing and the limits of the medical model57:01 Why integration matters more than the journey itself59:36 Neurofeedback and the physiology of healing01:04:55 Strength, vulnerability, and redefining healthy masculinity01:11:09 Adventure as a healing modality01:19:00 The role of challenge in building a resilient nervous system01:27:40 Healing generational patterns through presence01:32:47 You matter simply because you existAbout SteveSteve is a longtime entrepreneur and former finance professional who achieved significant external success while quietly battling the internal impact of severe childhood trauma and addiction. After years of intensive healing work through somatic therapy, psychedelic-assisted processes, and brain-based interventions, he experienced a profound internal shift that reoriented his life toward service, storytelling, and mental health advocacy.Follow Steve:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theneurosjourneyAbout Dr. Ryan PhillipsDr. Ryan Phillips is a physician specializing in men’s mental health, trauma healing, psychedelic-assisted therapy, neurofeedback, and nervous system regulation. As the co-founder of Neurogrove Clinic in Colorado and one of the first licensed psilocybin facilitators in the state, Dr. Phillips brings together neuroscience, psychedelics, community, and a deeply human approach to healing that supports people in becoming their healthiest, most grounded, and most authentic selves.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NeuroGroveWebsite: https://neurogrove.com/

In this episode of The Neuro’s Journey, Steve sits down with Omani Carson to explore the powerful transformation that shaped his life and mission. Once living the outward dream as the founder of a multi-billion dollar company, Omani opens up about the trauma, fear and emptiness that fueled his drive. He shares how therapy, psychedelic medicine and deep inner work shifted him from a survival-based identity to a life grounded in purpose and love.Together, Steve and Omani trace the roots of childhood trauma, high achievement, addiction, and the pursuit of worth to reveal what true healing can look like. Recorded at the Carson Healing Ranch, this conversation captures the rebirth of a man who completely rewired his operating system. It shows how trauma can be healed, identity can evolve and a more conscious life can begin at any age. It also invites listeners to consider how support, honesty, and spiritual connection can transform pain into purpose.He explains:⬛ Childhood trauma created an internal system based on fear and scarcity, and awareness is the first step toward change.⬛ Guided therapy and psychedelic experiences opened him to love, connection, and a deeper consciousness.⬛ Releasing control and ego helped Carson Group grow with leaders aligned in purpose rather than profit.⬛ Moving from mistrust to trust strengthened relationships and expanded his impact.⬛ Healing is not a single moment but a lifelong practice supported by integration, intention, and community.⬛ His mission now is to harmonize humanity and nature through OMIA, creating sanctuaries for healing and connection.⬛ Transforming personal wounds supports healing on a collective level.About SteveSteve is a longtime entrepreneur and former finance professional who built significant external success while battling the hidden impact of severe childhood trauma and addiction. After years of intensive healing work  including somatic therapies, psychedelic-assisted processes, and brain-based interventions he experienced a profound internal shift that reoriented his life toward service, storytelling and mental health.Through The Neuro’s Journey, Steve shares his own ongoing process and amplifies the voices of others on the path of honest, evidence-informed and heart-led transformation.Follow Steve: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theneurosjourneyAbout Omani:Formerly known as Ron Carson, Omani is the founder of the Carson Group, one of the largest independent wealth management firms in the United States. After decades of outward success and inner emptiness, his journey through deep therapy, plant medicine, and spiritual awakening transformed his life and mission. Today, he leads OMIA, a conscious community devoted to harmonizing humanity with nature and hosts transformational gatherings at the Carson Healing Ranch.Follow Omani:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omanirosecarson/Website: https://www.carsongroup.com/

In this first episode of The Neuro’s Journey, Steve shares the real story behind the podcast. Guided by Samantha Warren, he talks openly about childhood trauma, addiction, and the years he spent hiding his pain behind achievement. He explains what pushed him to finally change and how his healing began. Steve describes the turning point that shifted his entire path and why he chose to rebuild his life in his fifties. This conversation introduces the heart of the series. It shows that trauma can be healed, identity can evolve, and transformation is possible at any age. It also reminds listeners that honesty, support, and curiosity can lead to a completely different life.He explains:⬛ Trauma is an injury that can be healed, not a permanent identity.⬛ Speaking the truth begins to release long-held pain.⬛ Addiction often starts as a way to cope with overwhelming internal stress.⬛ Deep healing and transformation can happen later in life with the right support.⬛ Regulating the nervous system creates more presence, connection, and emotional freedom.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to The Neuro's Journey02:43 Steve's Transformation and Healing Journey05:37 The Impact of Trauma on Identity08:19 The Power of Storytelling in Healing11:23 Childhood Environment and Early Trauma13:58 Defining Traumatic Moments16:39 Coping Mechanisms and Escaping Reality19:38 Turning Point: A New Perspective on Life22:45 Embracing Change and Finding Purpose29:09 The Call to Listen29:53 Removing the Armor32:11 Frameworks for Healing34:56 Embodiment and Connection37:27 The Shift from Ego to Heart41:13 Transforming Relationships45:44 Healing Lineages50:10 The Ongoing Journey54:47 Vision for the FutureAbout SteveSteve is a longtime entrepreneur and former finance professional who built significant external success while battling the hidden impact of severe childhood trauma and addiction. After years of intensive healing work  including somatic therapies, psychedelic-assisted processes, and brain-based interventions he experienced a profound internal shift that reoriented his life toward service, storytelling and mental health.Through The Neuro’s Journey, Steve shares his own ongoing process and amplifies the voices of others on the path of honest, evidence-informed and heart-led transformation.Follow Steve: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurosjourney/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theneurosjourneyAbout SamanthaSamantha Warren is a Public Speaker, Podcast Host and teaches impact driven coaches, podcasters and entrepreneurs how to confidently share their story, spread their message, get on stages, make more money and make a name for themselves. Follow Samantha:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesamanthawarrenTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@voiceandvisibility