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

Guest Name: Alan Lazaros

https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/

Instagram: alazaros88

YouTube: NextLevelUniversity

Summary

In this powerful and deeply human episode, C.K. sits down with Next Level University co-founder Alan Lazaros for a transformative conversation about resilience, potential, and the courage to redesign your life from the ground up. From losing his father at age two, to the collapse of his family at 14, to surviving a devastating car accident at 26 that forced him to confront mortality, Alan opens up about the pivotal events that shaped him into the leader he is today.

Together, C.K. and Alan explore childhood trauma, the cost of unhealed pain, ambition, masculinity, ego, burnout, self-leadership, and the triad of humility, courage, and vulnerability. Alan shares the moment he realized he wasn’t living his potential, how he rebuilt his life through discipline and self-awareness, and why fulfillment—not status—is the true measure of success.

This is a conversation about transformation at its rawest level: how to face yourself, how to stop hiding your gifts, and how to design a meaningful, purpose-driven life. Whether you’re healing, growing, or trying to level up, this episode will challenge, uplift, and inspire.

Takeaways

• Childhood trauma shapes identity but does not define your destiny.

• Losing three families by 14 fueled Alan’s drive for stability and belonging.

• The car accident at 26 became his existential wake-up call and catalyst for radical change.

• Humility, courage, and vulnerability form the “Triad of Transformation.”

• Gifted individuals have a responsibility to use their abilities for good.

• Unhealed pain leads to ego-driven living, while healing leads to purpose-driven leadership.

• Transformation starts with truth, often uncomfortable but necessary for growth.

• Belonging vs. significance: people either dial down to fit in or dial up to feel important.

• You can reverse-engineer a magnificent life by aligning daily habits with your long-term vision.

• Next Level University’s mission is to help people reach their potential through daily, actionable self-improvement.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:43 The Importance of Transformation

03:42 Childhood and Early Life Challenges

08:59 Pivotal Life Events and Their Impact

16:36 The Car Accident and a New Beginning

23:43 Realizations and Responsibilities of Gifted Individuals

26:45 Redefining Education and Life Design

29:04 Understanding Apathy, Ignorance, and Fatigue

31:14 The Journey of Alan and Kevin

34:41 Transforming Pain into Purpose

38:35 The Triad of Transformation

41:46 Living Authentically in a Social World

44:43 The Importance of Humility, Courage, and Vulnerability

49:53 The Struggle for Belonging and Significance

51:03 Next Level University: A Path to Growth

Keywords

#alanlazaros #courage #healingjourney #humility #inspirationdaily #lifedesign #mentalhealthmatters #mindsetcoach #nextleveluniversity #personaldevelopment #podcastconversation #podcastinterview #podcastlife #podmatch #potential #purpose #resilience #selfawareness #selfbelief #selfconfidence #selfgrowth #selfimprovement #selfleadership #successmindset #transformationjourney #traumahealing #wellbeing #wellnessjourney #youareenough #yourpotential

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