Guest Name: John Borden

https://www.getpsychedfitness.com/

Summary

In this powerful episode of Poddin’ My Noggin, C.K. Simms sits down with author and transformation coach John Borden to unpack the deeply personal journey behind his memoir Your Mindset Is Your Reality. John opens up about addiction, bullying, emotional repression, and the quiet collapse behind outward success. He shares how psychedelics—used intentionally and responsibly—became a tool for healing, emotional integration, and lasting change. This conversation explores masculinity, mental health, trauma, accountability, and the profound truth that inner mindset shapes lived reality. A raw, honest, and hopeful dialogue for anyone navigating recovery, self-discovery, or personal transformation.

Takeaways

• Addiction often hides behind success, productivity, and social acceptance.

• Emotional repression—especially in men—can quietly fuel anxiety, depression, and self-destruction.

• Mindset is not motivational fluff; it actively shapes behavior, perception, and outcomes.

• Psychedelics, when used intentionally, can serve as tools for emotional processing and healing.

• True transformation requires accountability, not blame-shifting.

• Trauma does not disappear when ignored—it compounds.

• Healing begins when suppressed emotions are finally allowed to surface.

• Recovery is nonlinear and deeply personal.

• Strength includes vulnerability, emotional literacy, and self-awareness.

• You cannot outrun yourself—but you can rebuild yourself.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to John Borden and His Memoir

02:26 The Journey of Addiction and Recovery

08:39 Writing Style and Reader Engagement

12:25 The Disconnect Between Appearance and Reality

14:19 Experiences of Bullying and Its Impact

18:26 College Life and Escalating Addictions

22:17 Consequences of Addiction and Job Loss

29:19 Transformation Through Psychedelics

32:38 Exploring Psychedelics: A Personal Journey

39:42 Emotional Unraveling and Healing Through Psychedelics

51:09 Defining Identity and Personal Growth

01:01:12 Future Aspirations and Goals

Keywords

#addictionrecovery #authenticity #bookinterview #healingjourney #mentalhealth #memoir #mindfulness #mindset #mensmentalhealth #personaldevelopment #podcastinterview #podcastlife #podmatch #psychedelictherapy #psilocybin #recoveryjourney #selfawareness #selfgrowth #selfhealing #sobriety #spiritualgrowth #storytelling #transformation #traumahealing #vulnerability #wellnessjourney #wholeness #yourmindsetisyourreality #innerwork #emotionalhealing

Want to be a guest on Poddin' My Noggin? Send C.K. Simms a message on PodMatch at https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1715119227867423c07672fbc

Guest Name: Nicholas Ruchlewicz

https://linktr.ee/giftofperspective

Summary

In this powerful episode of Poddin’ My Noggin, traumatic brain injury survivor and mental health advocate Nicholas Ruchlewicz shares his life-altering story of survival, recovery, and purpose. After a devastating motorcycle accident left him with a severe brain injury, Nicholas relearned how to see, think, move, and live. Through vulnerability, tabletop gaming, music, and community service, he transformed trauma into connection—now supporting others facing invisible injuries, mental health struggles, and isolation. This conversation explores resilience, identity after trauma, the importance of showing kindness to others, and the profound healing power of belonging.

Takeaways

• Traumatic brain injuries are often invisible, yet profoundly life-altering.

• Recovery is not linear—healing requires patience, compassion, and redefinition of “better.”

• Executive function loss can be more frightening than physical injury.

• Music can have measurable physiological and emotional healing effects after trauma.

• Community is a critical lifeline in recovery and mental health survival.

• Tabletop games provide structure, creativity, and social reconnection for healing minds.

• Trauma survivors often carry unseen pain—kindness should never be optional.

• Identity can be rebuilt after loss, even when the old self feels unreachable.

• Peer support from lived experience creates safety professionals sometimes cannot.

• Turning pain into purpose can help others feel seen, heard, and less alone.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Nicholas Ruchlewicz

00:56 Nicholas's Early Life and Interests

02:35 Transition to Motorcycling and the Accident

05:27 The Accident: A Life-Changing Moment

09:37 The Aftermath: Hospitalization and Recovery

16:26 Rehabilitation: Learning to Live Again

21:34 Reflections on Brain Injury and Recovery

22:38 The Journey of Healing and Rehabilitation

28:53 Understanding Trauma and Its Impact

34:43 Finding Purpose Through Connection

41:45 The Role of Tabletop Games in Healing

Keywords

#braininjury #communityhealing #disabilityawareness #healingjourney #invisibleinjury #lifepurpose #mentalhealth #mentalhealthadvocate #motorcycleaccident #neurorehabilitation #nonlinearhealing #poddinmynoggin #podcastinterview #podmatch #posttraumaticgrowth #ptsdrecovery #resilience #survivorstories #tabletopgaming #tbi #tbiawareness #therapythroughplay #traumarecovery #traumasurvivor #vulnerability #healingthroughmusic #mentalhealthmatters #livedexperience #humanconnection

Want to be a guest on Poddin' My Noggin? Send C.K. Simms a message on PodMatch at https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1715119227867423c07672fbc

Guest Name: Noah May

https://linktr.ee/noahspodcast

Summary

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, C.K. welcomes podcast host Noah May, who opens up about his journey from a challenging adolescence marked by depression, anxiety, bullying, and family hardship to discovering purpose through storytelling and podcasting. Noah shares how his mental health diagnoses shaped his growth, how long-term recovery transformed his outlook, and how his three shows—Lethal Venom, Music Talks, and Southern Reads—emerged from resilience, creativity, and a desire to speak truth. This episode offers compassion, insight, and inspiration for anyone navigating mental health struggles or searching for their voice.

Takeaways

• Noah’s mental health journey began at age 13, following bullying, family strain, and personal upheaval.

• His grandmother’s rapid decline from Alzheimer’s and dementia became a major emotional turning point.

• He was diagnosed with clinical depression and later severe anxiety, presenting through uncommon physical symptoms.

• Long-term COVID intensified his struggles, causing major weight loss and triggering relapse.

• Proper medication and therapy became life-changing, helping him regain stability and rediscover joy.

• Podcasting began as a college project but evolved into a meaningful creative career.

• Lethal Venom explores raw honesty—reflecting his belief that truth can be painful but transformative.

• Southern Reads and Music Talks stem from his passions, blending books, storytelling, and music appreciation.

• His message: keep fighting, even when life feels overwhelming; healing happens in waves.

• Noah’s story highlights the importance of early intervention, showing how recognizing symptoms, seeking help, and advocating for proper care can prevent years of silent suffering and lead to meaningful recovery.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Noah May and His Podcasts

03:45 The Journey of Lethal Venom Podcast

04:51 Struggles with Depression and Anxiety

11:39 Navigating Teenage Challenges and Mental Health

21:19 Education and Career Pathways

23:33 Navigating the Pandemic: A Personal Journey

26:52 The Impact of Long COVID on Mental Health

29:42 Finding the Right Medication: A Turning Point

34:51 Breaking the Stigma: Mental Health and Medication

38:47 The Evolution of a Podcaster: From Hobby to Career

43:37 Embracing Uncertainty: Future Aspirations and Growth

Keywords

#anxietyjourney #anxietysupport #authorinterview #bookpodcast #depressionsurvivor #healingjourney #inspirationdaily #journalismlife #lethalvenom #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthconversation #mentalhealthjourney #mentalhealthmatters #motivationforall #musicpodcast #noahmay #overcomingstruggles #podcastcommunity #podcastconversation #podcasterlife #podcastguest #podcastinterview #podcastlove #podmatch #poddinmynoggin #selfgrowthjourney #southernreads #storytellingmatters #truthandhealing #youthmentalhealth

Want to be a guest on Poddin' My Noggin? Send C.K. Simms a message on PodMatch at https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1715119227867423c07672fbc