Steven Aigner and John Pugh

Who Thought We'd Be Here?

Health EN ↓ 91 episodes

"Who Thought We'd Be Here" is a podcast about changing your mind, redefining the stigma around mental health, and living a vulnerable and productive lifestyle. Both seeking answers from the Universe as they turned 30, co-hosts and longtime pals Steven Aigner and John Pugh found themselves improving in ways their younger and much more wild selves could have never seen coming.  They began conquering and healing their past selves with unfamiliar mindfulness tools like meditation, yoga, breath-work, journaling, reading transformative books, and experimenting with mind expanding remedies.  Ignited...

Author

Steven Aigner and John Pugh

Category

Health

Latest episode

Feb 23, 2026

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Episodes

Reshaping Society's Definition of Masculinity for the Modern Man 23.02.2026

In this episode, we explore the evolving conversation around masculinity and the role men are trying to navigate in today’s culture. Rather than approaching the topic from extremes, this discussion looks at the tension many men feel between traditional expectations and modern societal shifts—and how that tension can create confusion around identity, purpose, responsibility, and emotional expressio...

Think and Grow Better: A Simple Guide to Reaching Your Goals 17.02.2026

This week’s conversation is inspired by the principles in Think and Grow Rich , but instead of reviewing the book, we explore what those ideas look like when applied to real life. We talk about the difference between wanting something and committing to it, how clarity of purpose changes the way you make decisions, and why belief isn’t just motivational language—it’s something built through repetit...

Why Self-Doubt Shows Up When You’re Actually Growing 09.02.2026

Self-doubt is something almost everyone experiences — but very few people know how to talk about honestly. In this episode of Who Thought We’d Be Here? , we explore what self-doubt actually is, where it comes from, and how it shows up when you’re trying to grow, change, or move into a new chapter of life. Rather than framing self-doubt as something to eliminate or “fix,” this conversation looks at...

Renew, Reset, Release: A New Approach to Having the Best Year of Your Life 02.02.2026

This episode of "Who Thought We'd Be Here?" introduces the Renew, Reset, Release framework, a three-pillar system designed to help you move beyond traditional New Year's resolutions and create lasting, meaningful change. The episode critiques the "hustle culture" approach to new beginnings, arguing that adding more goals to an already overwhelmed life is a recipe for...

Who Thought We’d Be Here? A 2025 Reflection + Our 2026 Vision 26.01.2026

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...

From Childhood Grief to Running Marathons: How I Became the Man I Always Needed When I Was a Kid | EP079 24.11.2025

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 w...

Brian Galligan Returns: Following Your Passion & Choosing Integrity over Clickbait | EP078 27.10.2025

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” a...

Steve’s First Marathon & JP’s New Chapter: Learning to Let Go of Expectations & Step into Growth | EP077 20.10.2025

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 sta...

Gratitude, Growth & Faith: The Self Improvement Episode | EP076 22.09.2025

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 thro...

Bring Peace to Your Mind & Harmony to Your Body with the Healing Power of Sound Therapy | EP075 15.09.2025

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 childhoo...

The Expertise Episode: What Are You Great At That You Don't See Within Yourself? | EP074 08.09.2025

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 in...

Reprogram Your Subconscious for Success & Transform Your Brain with Hypnotist & Mindset Coach Anthony Serino | EP073 01.09.2025

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 tric...

The Healing Power of Nutrition on Your Mind, Body & Business w/ Chakra Bowls Founder Lauren Hoheusle | EP072 25.08.2025

In this episode of WTWBH, Steve and JP sit down with Lauren Hoheusle, the owner of Chakra Bowls Cafe, to discuss the intersection of nutrition, mental health, and entrepreneurship. Lauren shares her personal journey, explaining how a tragic loss in 2014 led her to dive deeper into understanding the impact of nutrition on the brain, emotions, and overall well-being. Lauren emphasizes the interconne...

Michael Chernow - An INSPIRING Story of Conquering Addiction & Lessons from 20+ Years of Sobriety | EP071 11.08.2025

Michael Chernow — restaurateur, entrepreneur, endurance athlete, and founder of Kreatures of Habit — joins us for a brutally honest conversation about addiction, recovery, discipline, and building a life worth living. From running some of New York City’s most iconic restaurants to hitting rock bottom with drugs and alcohol, Michael’s journey is a masterclass in transformation. He shares the moment...

Balancing Comedy with Anxiety and Doing Stand-Up in the Sauna with Comedian David Stickle | EP070 03.08.2025

In this episode of Who Thought We’d Be Here?, stand-up comedian David Stickle gets honest about the messy, uncomfortable, and hilarious process of becoming a comic. He opens up about how terrifying his early sets were, what it’s like to bomb in front of a crowd, and why anxiety still shows up before every performance — no matter how many times he’s done it. David shares how stand-up helped him mov...

How to Heal Beyond Sobriety & Embrace your Journey with Accountability (Back on the Deck) | EP069 14.07.2025

In this stripped-back solo episode, your favorite co-hosts return to one of their original recording spots — but they’re not the same people they were when they started. It’s a full-circle moment, and what follows is an open, emotional conversation about growth, fatherhood, sobriety, and self-work. They reflect on the idea that quitting drinking didn’t solve everything. “I thought quitting drinkin...

The MOST Masculine Thing You Can Do: OPEN Up Your Heart & STOP Hiding From Yourself w/ Federico Fridman | EP068 07.07.2025

In this powerful and heart-centered episode, we sit down with Federico Fridman, co-founder of Cacao Lab, to explore how plants, fatherhood, and men’s work transformed his relationship with himself and the world around him. Federico shares how ceremonial cacao went from a personal healing practice to a thriving business built with his sister and rooted in ancestral connection. He opens up about wha...

How to Shift Your Life from Survival Mode to Self Love w/ Trauma Informed Therapist & Reiki Healer Katie Parent | EP067 30.06.2025

In this episode, we sit down with Katie Parent , a licensed therapist and holistic healer, to explore what healing really means—beyond talk therapy and into the body, the nervous system, and lived experience. Katie shares how she combines traditional mental health practices with somatic tools, nervous system regulation , and energy work like Reiki to support people through trauma, burnout, and the...

From Rock Bottom to Running Marathons: How Running & Filmmaking Transformed My Life w/ Allen Wong | EP066 23.06.2025

In this raw and inspiring episode, we sit down with Allen Wong — filmmaker, distance runner, and former addict — to explore how endurance sports and creativity helped him rebuild his identity from the ground up. Allen opens up about his chaotic past: growing up in a traditional Asian household, falling into addiction during his years of heavy partying, and losing his sense of self. But after COVID...

How to Heal Your Trauma, Elevate Your Energy & Vibrate Higher w/ Herbalist Jess Kravit | EP065 16.06.2025

In this episode, we sit down with Jess Kravit, founder of Exalted Alchemy, to dive deep into the world of herbalism, natural wellness, entrepreneurship, and energetic healing. Jess breaks down what it really means to be a clinical herbalist in a modern world that’s both disconnected from nature and hungry for authenticity. From her journey with food-as-medicine and flower essences to the intention...

Nick Spencer - How Jui-Jitsu Saved My Life and Plant Medicine Killed my Ego | EP064 25.05.2025

In Episode 064, we sit down with Nick Spencer , martial artist, business owner, and founder of Snake Hill Jiu-Jitsu , for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about healing, identity, and building something real. From military police service to managing PTSD, Nick shares how Jiu-Jitsu became not just a discipline, but a path to personal evolution. We explore how plant medicine and psychedelics, li...

Bryce Eckwall - How to Conquer Your Overthinking & Build a 6 Figure Creative Business | EP063 20.05.2025

In this powerful and unfiltered episode, the hosts sit down with Bryce Eckwall , founder of Q29 Productions , for a deep conversation about the intersection of creativity, entrepreneurship, healing, and self-worth. The episode opens with a behind-the-scenes look at how real conversations are sparked—before the mics even turn on. The trio discusses the balance between structure and spontaneity in p...

"Steve Strong: Rebuilding from Rock Bottom & Healing Reality Through Tabletop RPGs" | EP062 12.05.2025

This week we sit down with Steve Strong of the Dungeons in the Attic podcast for a deeply honest conversation about personal transformation. Steve opens up about his experiences with trauma, mental health, and the emotional weight he carried from childhood into adulthood. We explore how stubbornness shaped him, how tabletop role-playing games became a space for healing and connection, and the unex...

"Connor Bond: Acting, Improv, Existentialism & Laughing Through the Pain" | EP061 28.04.2025

This week, we're joined by actor, improv teacher, and creative soul Connor Bond for a deep, hilarious, and honest conversation about what it really means to navigate life, creativity, and identity. We talk about Connor’s journey through different seasons of growth, from teaching improv to kids to finding purpose beyond traditional career paths. He shares the emotional balancing act of doing w...

"Overthinking Everything: Fitness, Fulfillment & Feeling Like a Fraud" | EP060 21.04.2025

This episode is a vulnerable look into the tug-of-war between ambition and self-acceptance. Steve and JP explore the quiet, often overwhelming internal dialogue that comes with trying to grow—physically, mentally, emotionally—while constantly questioning if you're doing enough . From the guilt of taking a day off, to spiraling thoughts about falling behind, to the fear of actually becoming th...

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