Grief, Purpose, and a Son Who Chose a Different Road

A father and son reflect on loss, resilience, and building a life with intention

In this week’s Living Undeterred podcast, Jeff sits down with his son Ian for a raw, unscripted conversation about grief, healing, and what it means to keep going after unimaginable loss.

After losing Seth and Prudence, their family stood at a crossroads. This episode isn’t about pretending the pain goes away. It’s about choosing a different road anyway, and finding purpose through connection, entrepreneurship, and the way you show up for the people you still have.

In this episode, Jeff and Ian talk about the pillars of living undeterred in real life:

  • Grief - Not something you “move on” from, but something you learn to carry with love.

  • Purpose - Built through action, small choices, and creating something meaningful after loss.

  • Connection - Because healing happens faster when you stop doing it alone.

“Tribute means we donate a percentage of our profits each month to mental health and substance use organizations, mostly here in Iowa. We do it because of our story. I lost my mom, and I lost my brother. It’s deeply personal.”

-Ian Johnston

This episode isn’t just a conversation. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest moments, you still get to decide who you become.

🎙️ Father–son episode of Living Undeterred.
🎧 Stream it now:

Let’s Brightn lives, together.
#LivingUndeterred #Brightn #MentalWellness

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