Summary

In this deeply personal season finale of Poddin’ My Noggin, C.K. Simms reflects on two transformative years of podcasting, healing, creativity, and connection. Filmed on New Year’s Eve, this episode explores gratitude, anger, grief, faith, global uncertainty, and the courage it takes to remain hopeful in turbulent times. C.K. shares how books, guests, creativity, and vulnerability became a form of currency and announces the rebrand to The C.K. Simms Show, a bold new chapter rooted in authenticity, kindness, and purpose. This episode is a meditation on resilience, manifestation, and choosing compassion while stepping fully into one’s voice.

This episode serves as a powerful manifestation to reach one million listeners worldwide, including musicians, comedians, actors, public figures, and cultural icons such as Brené Brown and Oprah. It also introduces future plans for interactive audience engagement through games, prizes, and exclusive giveaways.

Takeaways

• Vulnerability is not a weakness, it is the gateway to authenticity and meaningful connection.

• Creative work, even when unpaid, still holds real value and impact.

• Gratitude is a grounding force, especially during periods of global and personal uncertainty.

• Anger often masks unresolved grief, helplessness, or unprocessed trauma.

• Choosing kindness requires first being kind to yourself.

• Faith, spirituality and questioning can coexist without contradiction.

• Stories, books, conversations, lived experiences have the power to heal and awaken empathy.

• Growth sometimes requires shedding old identities to step into truer ones.

• Hope is not toxic positivity; it is an act of resistance.

• Rebranding isn’t starting over, it’s arriving more fully as yourself.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and Intentions for the Final Episode

02:35 Reflecting on the Journey of Podcasting

05:18 Gratitude and Acknowledging Influences

07:41 Personal Growth and Overcoming Anger

10:01 Manifesting Future Goals and Aspirations

12:28 Navigating Emotions and World Events

14:44 Celebrating Books and Authors

17:10 Final Thoughts and Looking Ahead

25:47 Celebrating Literary Contributions

27:53 Exploring Thrilling Reads

36:25 A New Chapter: Rebranding the Show

38:59 Manifesting Future Aspirations

44:00 Gratitude and Community Engagement

Keywords

#authenticity #happynewyear #kindness #manifest #podmatch

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: 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

We had some technical issues with the video portion of this episode resulting in it being choppy but it was a wonderful episode nonetheless and we recommend giving it a listen.

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