In this episode of Who Thought We’d Be Here?, we take a thoughtful look at the podcast’s 2025 — the areas where the show grew, the conversations that resonated most, and what we learned about consistency, depth, and community.

We talk openly about where the podcast performed well and where we know we can do better. From episode frequency and content cadence to expanding the types of conversations we’re having, this episode breaks down how we’re intentionally improving the show in the year ahead.

Looking toward 2026, we share our vision for growth: more episodes, more content, stronger storytelling, and a brighter, more focused future for the podcast. This is about building momentum, staying aligned with our values, and continuing to create conversations that actually matter.

If you’ve been listening, supporting, or just found the show, this episode offers a clear look at where Who Thought We’d Be Here? is headed next.

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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

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

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In this deeply personal and motivating conversation, marathon runner Ryan Carney opens up about the experiences that shaped him — from getting cut from his childhood soccer team, to losing his father at just ten years old, to discovering running as a lifeline, a discipline, and eventually a mission.

Ryan shares how running became the place where he could confront grief, build identity, and learn who he truly was. He explains why he believes running is the only sport where everyday people can truly measure themselves against the best in the world, and why “never finding your ceiling” is what keeps him pushing harder.

The episode dives into fatherhood, resiliency, and mental health as Ryan reveals the real stories behind his self-belief: the shame of hiding his father’s death as a kid, the lessons his mother taught him about holding pain, and how running became both therapy and purpose. He talks about burnout, discipline, and the myth that fitness can fix everything — emphasizing that running alone doesn’t solve mental health struggles.

By the end, Ryan reflects on what it means to show up for your kids, how self-belief borders on healthy delusion, and why ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things by simply — and consistently — taking the next step.

It’s raw, emotional, inspiring, and a powerful look at what running, fatherhood, and healing truly teach us.

You can find Ryan on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/ryjcarney/

As well as the Hudson Valley Track Club: https://www.instagram.com/hudsonvalleytrackclub/

Support the show

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

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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

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

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In this powerful episode of Who Thought We’d Be Here?, Brian Galligan is back again to talk about what it really means to rebuild yourself from the ground up. From battling insecurity and addiction to launching the Ikonical podcast and Top Dog Coverage, Brian opens up about the mindset shifts that helped him transform his pain into power.

We talk about what happens when you stop chasing “Plan B” and finally make your dream your “Plan A.” From quitting drinking to finding clarity in purpose, Brian shares how staying curious, disciplined, and passionate helped him turn his creative vision into a reality.

The conversation dives deep into:
🔥 The power of reinvention and personal growth
🏈 How football and scouting became his purpose
💬 Why authentic storytelling and integrity matter in podcasting and media
💡 How to keep learning and evolving at any age
🧠 What it takes to stay disciplined after overcoming addiction
❤️ Why vulnerability and connection are the keys to creativity
🎯 How to balance ambition with presence and gratitude

Brian also breaks down the “Who, What, Where, When, Why” method he uses to ask better questions — a masterclass in interviewing and human connection that every podcaster or creator can learn from.

This episode isn’t just about football or podcasting — it’s about how to show up for yourself when no one else does. It’s about turning setbacks into stepping stones and staying true to your values even when it’s not the popular route.

If you’re chasing a dream, reinventing yourself, or trying to find meaning in the chaos — this episode will light you up.

Check out Brian's NFL scouting coverage and podcast here:
https://topdawgcoverage.com/podcast
https://www.instagram.com/topdawgcoverage

And the Ikonical brand here:
https://ikonicalwear.com/
https://www.instagram.com/ikonicalwear

00:00 – Welcome Back
03:00 – The Story Behind Ikonical
08:15 – Turning Passion Into a Career
11:45 – Escaping Negativity & Comfort Zones
16:00 – Discovering Purpose Through Football
22:00 – Integrity Over Clickbait
28:45 – Hot Takes & Sports Media Debates
34:30 – Accountability and Respect in the Industry
39:00 – The Power of Mentorship
44:00 – Staying a Lifelong Learner
50:00 – Childhood Struggles & Feeling Underestimated
58:30 – Quitting Drinking & Rebuilding Focus
1:03:00 – Vulnerability and Storytelling in Podcasting
1:10:30 – The Art of Asking Better Questions
1:18:00 – Authenticity and Friendship
1:25:00 – Learning to Be Present & Read the Room
1:31:00 – What’s Next for Iconical and Top Dog Coverage
1:38:00 – Behind the Scenes of College Scouting
1:46:00 – The Passion and Energy of Game Day
1:53:00 – Final Reflections on Growth and Purpose

Support the show

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

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Sign up for online therapy with our referral link.
Get 20% off your first month with our podcast's link:

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

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

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

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

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

In this episode, the guys take a breath and reflect on two big turning points in their lives — Steve running his first marathon, and JP stepping into a new relationship. What starts as a casual catch-up unfolds into a deeper conversation about showing up for yourself, embracing discomfort, and learning how to open your heart again.

Steve shares the highs and lows of race day: the nerves at the start line, the mental walls at mile 20, and the quiet pride that comes from finishing something that once felt impossible. Meanwhile, JP talks about the vulnerability and excitement of being in a new romantic relationship, learning to let go of old patterns, and what it means to build something real while still figuring yourself out.

Together, they explore how discipline, patience, and presence are universal — whether you’re chasing a finish line or opening up to someone new. It’s an honest, grounded reminder that growth doesn’t always look the way you expect, but it’s always worth it when you keep showing up.

Support the show

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

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

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Sign up for online therapy with our referral link.
Get 20% off your first month with our podcast's link:

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

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

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

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

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

In this solo episode of Who Thought We’d Be Here?, JP and Steve step back from interviews to share an honest check-in on their own self-improvement journeys. The conversation centers on the practices and mindsets they’re working on right now — slowing down to stay present, letting go of expectations that create unnecessary pressure, and rebuilding mindfulness routines that keep them grounded through both challenges and successes.

They also explore the role of gratitude in everyday life, reflecting on how easy it is to overlook the good when caught up in old habits or future worries. Along the way, they open up about fears shaped by childhood, the tendency to wait for “the other shoe to drop,” and how past narratives can quietly shape present choices.

The dialogue eventually turns toward faith and spirituality, with both hosts discussing how leaning into deeper meaning — even when it feels uncertain — has started to provide a new sense of purpose. By the end, JP and Steve remind listeners that self-improvement isn’t about perfection or quick fixes, but about practicing presence, gratitude, and trust in ways that make life richer and more intentional.

Support the show

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

https://app.grouped.com/whothoughtwedbeherepod

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

https://join.whoop.com/us/en/Whothoughtwedbeherepod/

Sign up for online therapy with our referral link.
Get 20% off your first month with our podcast's link:

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

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

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

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Vinny Colandrea aka "The Reverb Yogi" joins JP & Steve to explain how he uses sound and vibration to guide people out of mental loops and back into present awareness. He defines his work as intentionally redirecting attention so people can “open the space to heal themselves” rather than being stuck in repetitive narrative talk therapy.

He traces the arc of his practice from childhood music, through listening to teachers like Alan Watts and Eckhart Tolle, to a turning point when a gong bath produced a deep experience that pushed him from hobbyist to practitioner. He describes buying bowls and gongs, slowly building gear, and being invited to play at yoga classes before committing more fully to the work.

Vinny talks about keeping a firefighting career while developing sound work — he frames both as service, and describes bringing gongs into the firehouse to normalize different expressions of masculinity and presence. He emphasizes blending identities rather than forcing a split between “work” and “life.”

The episode covers both experiential and practical terrain: what a sound session feels like, how people often arrive skeptical and leave surprised and expanded, how sound helps people step out of story and into “timeless inner awareness,” and why physical vibration can feel viscerally different from recorded sound. Vinny explains instrument choice and notes that many of his gongs sit in the low bass range producing a bodily vibration you don't often feel in everyday life.

He also shares practical daily practices and technologies that support presence: Shambhavi Mahamudra (a 21-minute Sadhguru practice he does), using driving or running as opportunities for awareness, and simple prompts to pull attention into the present. Vinny describes entrainment (the grandfather-clock metaphor) — how a room’s dominant energy pulls less-stable energies into sync — and how holding calm leadership in a room changes outcomes.

Vinny addresses plant medicine and psychedelics with nuance: he’s seen powerful, useful experiences (ayahuasca, psilocybin, cacao), stresses intention and setting, and shares a specific ayahuasca retreat where diet and careful preparation allowed medicine to convey precise insights. He frames plants as tools that can expand pathways to presence when used responsibly, not as escapes.

You can find Vinny on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/reverb_yogi/

View his upcoming events here: https://bio.site/reverbyogi

And his website here: https://www.reverbyogi.com/

Support the show

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

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

https://join.whoop.com/us/en/Whothoughtwedbeherepod/

Sign up for online therapy with our referral link.
Get 20% off your first month with our podcast's link:

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

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

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

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

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

In this episode of Who Thought We’d Be Here?, JP and Steve take a step back from guests and topics to reflect on each other’s expertise — the qualities, habits, and skills that have shaped their friendship, creative work, and this podcast.

The conversation begins with life updates: how new routines, fatherhood, and studio life have influenced their focus and energy. From there, the hosts shift into a deeper dialogue about what they’ve noticed in one another over the years. Patience, for instance, comes up as a strength that shows itself not only in relationships and sobriety, but also in how they’ve navigated rescheduling, setbacks, and long-term goals. Service is another recurring theme, with the lessons of working in restaurants — empathy, small acts of impact, attention to detail — carrying over into podcasting and everyday life.

They also highlight the behind-the-scenes craft that doesn’t always get noticed: editing, production, and the willingness to improve through trial and error. That leads naturally into a discussion about curiosity — how asking better questions unlocks deeper conversations, solutions, and perspectives. Finally, they talk about consistency as a defining quality: not glamorous, but the key driver behind the growth of their podcast, careers, and personal lives.

By naming these strengths in each other, JP and Steve reveal the foundation of their creative partnership. It’s a conversation about recognition, gratitude, and growth — and a reminder that sometimes the people closest to us can see our best qualities more clearly than we can ourselves.

0:00 – Intro
5:00 – Parenthood, Routines & Focus
10:00 – Studio Life & Learning the Craft
15:00 – Why Structure Matters: New Segments
20:00 – Patience, Service & Life Lessons
25:00 – Technical Growth & Editing Wins
30:00 – Curiosity, Conversations & Questions
35:00 – Consistency, Streaks & Long-Game Thinking
40:00 – Future Ideas & Wrap-Up

Support the show

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

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

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

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

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In this episode, we sit down with Anthony Serino, hypnotist and mindset coach, for a powerful deep dive into how the subconscious mind shapes every aspect of our lives. Anthony opens up about his own struggles with anxiety, identity, and self-sabotage, and how discovering hypnosis gave him the tools to rewire his thinking and change his life.

He breaks down what hypnosis really is — not stage tricks or mind control — but a practical way to quiet the noise, access the subconscious, and rewrite the patterns that drive our habits, fears, and beliefs. Anthony shares how he uses hypnosis with clients to break cycles of procrastination, imposter syndrome, and even addiction, showing that transformation doesn’t come from willpower alone but from shifting the underlying stories we believe about ourselves.

Throughout the conversation, Anthony emphasizes the importance of presence and self-awareness, explaining how slowing down allows us to recognize the unconscious scripts that keep us stuck. We also talk about how hypnosis can help entrepreneurs, creatives, and everyday people stop “getting in their own way” and instead build confidence, clarity, and momentum in their personal and professional lives.

By the end of the episode, Anthony leaves us with practical advice for anyone ready to change: start small, stay consistent, and recognize that your subconscious mind isn’t your enemy — it’s the key to unlocking your potential.

You can find Anthony on Social Media Here -
https://www.instagram.com/theanthonyserino/
https://www.tiktok.com/@anthonyserino
https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@anthonyserino⁩

His website - https://www.anthonyserino.com/
And the MindMod App - https://mindmod.com/

0:00 Intro & Background
01:20 Anthony’s Mental Health Struggles & Turning Point
04:10 Discovering Hypnosis & Personal Transformation
07:30 Childhood Bullying, Trauma & Identity Struggles
12:00 Suicide & Existential Crisis
15:40 Depression, Anxiety & Coping with Emotional Eating
20:10 Hitting Rock Bottom & Finding Hope
23:45 First Hypnosis Experience & Skepticism
27:00 Major Life Changes: Weight Loss, Business Growth, G-Wagon
29:15 How Hypnosis Works Neurologically
34:20 Subconscious Programming & Everyday Hypnosis
37:50 Starting to Practice Hypnosis & Helping Others
42:10 Selling Business & Going Full-Time in Coaching
44:00 Action + Mindset: Practical Manifestation Explained
48:20 Overcoming Fear of Taking Action
52:00 Faith, Christianity & Manifestation Alignment
55:00 Identity, Shame & Renewing the Mind
58:00 Building Resilience, Facing Criticism & Subconscious Triggers
59:50 MindMod App, Hypnosis Resources & Closing Thoughts

Support the show

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

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

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Sign up for online therapy with our referral link.
Get 20% off your first month with our podcast's link:

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

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

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

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

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