Living Undeterred

About Living Undeterred

The Living Undeterred Podcast is an exploration into the world of mental wellness. After losing his son to fentanyl poisoning and his wife to alcoholism, host Jeff Johnston started on a journey to help save lives. Each week he is joined by a new guest to discuss mental health, addiction, and recovery. Jeff's hope is that open & honest conversations around these topics will help end the stigma, provide new ideas and build a community working toward the goal of a better future.

Publisher

Jeff Johnston

Category

education · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

7 Jan 2021

Latest episode

21 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

150 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Jul 2026

   Robert Banghart | Recovery, Homelessness & Finding Purpose in the Las Vegas Tunnels

   In this episode of Living Undeterred, Jeff Johnston sits down with Robert Banghart, a recovery advocate, Vice President of Community and Governmental Affairs for Shine A Light Foundation, Director of Community Engagement for Crossroads of Southern Nevada, and Board President for Narcan at Night. Robert shares his powerful journey from addiction, homelessness, and living in the Las Vegas tunnel system to long-term recovery and a life dedicated to helping others find a way out. Together, Jeff and Robert discuss the realities of substance use disorder, harm reduction, shame, grace, grief, faith, and why community is often the bridge between crisis and long-term stability. This conversation is a raw and hopeful look at what it means to meet people where they are, stay connected, and believe that no one is too far gone to be reached. Topics include: Robert Banghart’s recovery story Homelessness and addiction in Las Vegas Life inside the Las Vegas tunnel system Shine A Light Foundation’s outreach work Harm reduction and Narcan awareness Grief, purpose, and service The importance of community in recovery Learn more about Living Undeterred and join the conversation around mental health, addiction, grief, recovery, and hope.

2. 

   2 Jun 2026

   From Courtrooms to Crisis: Mark Astor on Fixing a Broken Mental Health System

   In this episode of Living Undeterred, Jeff Johnston sits down with attorney and mental health advocate Mark Astor for a powerful conversation on the intersection of law, addiction, and the realities of today’s mental health system. Mark shares his journey from a high-volume courtroom prosecutor to building a law firm dedicated to helping families navigate behavioral health crises. Through personal setbacks, professional reinvention, and firsthand experience, he’s become a leading voice in advocating for better solutions—not just more systems. Together, Jeff and Mark unpack the deeper issues driving today’s mental health epidemic, including the failures of reactive care, the lack of accessible treatment, and the urgent need to shift focus upstream—before crisis hits. In this episode, they discuss: The reality of the criminal justice system vs. mental health care Why “more treatment” isn’t the answer—but better treatment is How families can take action when a loved one can’t help themselves The impact of social media, prescription culture, and early exposure on youth Why prevention and early intervention (ages 14–18) may be the key to long-term change Mark’s personal journey through failure, rebuilding, and finding purpose in helping others This conversation is a raw, honest look at what’s broken—and what’s possible—when we stop reacting and start addressing the root causes. If you or someone you love is struggling, this episode offers both perspective and hope—and a reminder that no one has to face it alone. 🎧 Subscribe to Living Undeterred for more conversations focused on mental health, resilience, and real solutions that make a difference.

3. 

   19 May 2026

   When Life Changes the Game | Wes Bruns’ Story of Loss, Survival & Purpose

   In this episode of Living Undeterred, host Jeff Johnston sits down with Wes Bruns for one of the most powerful and emotional conversations yet—an unforgettable story of survival, loss, and what it truly means to keep going when everything changes. Wes shares the unimaginable tragedy that altered his life forever—a carbon monoxide poisoning incident that took multiple members of his family and left him fighting for his own life. What follows is not just a story of survival, but a journey through grief, resilience, and the long road of rebuilding identity, purpose, and faith in the aftermath of loss. From his roots in Iowa basketball to decades of coaching and mentoring young athletes, Wes opens up about the moments that shaped him—losing his father at a young age, the accident that nearly took everything, and the mindset that carried him through recovery. He reflects on the power of physical and mental strength, the role of community, and how storytelling has become a mission through his upcoming book When Life Changes the Game. This episode goes deeper than tragedy—it’s about perspective. It’s about choosing growth over bitterness, action over sympathy, and purpose over pain. Jeff and Wes explore what it means to honor those we’ve lost by how we live, how we lead, and how we show up for others. If you’ve ever faced loss, questioned your purpose, or needed a reminder of what resilience really looks like—this conversation will stay with you. Listen now and share this episode with someone who needs it.

Who has been a guest on Living Undeterred

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Dr Nate Harold
• Dr Cynthia Knight
• Bailey Farren
• Jas Rawlinson
• Dr Robb Kelly

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

9 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Contact Living Undeterred

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.