This episode should be positioned as a must‑hear guide for anyone over 50 who wants to protect their independence, dignity, and family from the emotional and financial strain of long‑term care. The hook is not insurance — it’s freedom, quality of life, and proactive planning.

John and Raymond Lavine break down the real costs of long‑term care, why planning early matters, and how to protect your independence, dignity, and family as you age. Raymond shares lessons from his mother’s 103‑year life and decades of caregiving, explaining how long‑term care insurance works and why it’s about freedom — not fear.

Musician and multi‑instrumentalist Ezra Vancil joins John Curren on A Swift Kick in the Ass for a raw, honest conversation about music, identity, boundaries, addiction, family, and the courage to pursue dreams even when life gets complicated.

Ezra shares his journey from being signed at 19, to losing himself in the chaos of the industry, to rebuilding a grounded life with his daughter on a 9‑acre property. Together, John and Ezra explore:

• How to protect your authentic self in a world that demands performance
• The “suit” musicians wear to survive the spotlight
• Stage fright as excitement, not fear
• Addiction, recovery, and the power of intentional decisions
• Parenting creative kids without projecting your fears
• Why dreams keep calling us back — and what to do about it
• Setting boundaries with toxic people
• The evolution of the music industry from the 90s to now

If you’re someone rebuilding your life, rediscovering your creativity, or trying to live more intentionally, this episode will hit home.

👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes on resilience, reinvention, and living life on your own terms.

00:00 – Opening & Ezra’s introduction 02:15 – Ezra’s early music journey & getting signed at 19 06:40 – Writing as emotional expression 10:22 – Stage fright, excitement & the “suit” 14:55 – Teaching boundaries to his daughter 19:30 – Authenticity vs. personas in music 23:10 – Addiction, recovery & rebuilding life 28:45 – Parenting creative kids 33:20 – Music that shapes memory 37:05 – Industry changes across generations 41:50 – John’s 1990s South Florida stories 47:30 – Turning pain into purpose 52:10 – Dreams, islands & creative flow 57:40 – Pursuing goals while honoring family 1:02:15 – Intentional decisions & emotional responsibility 1:06:00 – Collaboration, community & closing thoughts

Gettin’ Asinine About Resilience is where real people talk real resilience — the messy, funny, painful, transformative parts of rebuilding your life after getting knocked flat. Hosted by John Curren, creator of A Swift Kick in the Ass, this series keeps it conversational, unscripted, and minimally edited so the truth stays intact.

Each episode dives into the lived experience behind resilience: • the adversity • the breaking point • the rebuild • the lessons that stick • the humor that keeps us going

If you’re navigating change, reinvention, or a personal reset, this show gives you stories that hit home and perspectives that help you move forward.

Listen to the full ASKITA podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-swift-kick-in-the-ass-personal-growth-resilience-podcast/id928326346 

John sits down with Andy Ellwood, founder of Stretch, the AI-powered grocery savings platform helping families compare prices across stores and save over $1,000 per year. Andy shares his entrepreneurial journey, his “make room for many” philosophy, and how AI is reshaping food security and community-driven commerce.

Key Topics:

• AI-powered grocery savings

• Food affordability & food security

• Entrepreneurship & early influences

• Community-driven technology

• The future of AI in everyday life

Guest Links: Stretch: https://stretchgroceries.com Andy Ellwood: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyellwood/

www.aswiftkickintheass.com

https://youtu.be/OuNQnWgYWX4

In this episode of A Swift Kick in the Ass, John Curren interviews Army combat veteran Scott Lackey about resilience, fear, purpose, and the power of micro‑level change. Scott shares stories from his military service during the Persian Gulf War, his rebellious path to joining the Army, and the life lessons that shaped his upcoming book.

Topics include:

• Resilience in everyday life

• Overcoming fear through small, consistent actions

• Marriage, communication, and emotional growth

• Ironman training and personal discipline

• Why internal change must come before external transformation

• The importance of unconditional love and simple human connection

Scott’s book launches between May 1–15, and John will share the link when it goes live.

Chapters

00:00 – Intro 01:12 – Why Scott Joined the Army 05:40 – Deployment to Kuwait 10:22 – Structure, Freedom & Life Decisions 15:55 – Ironman Training & Personal Discipline 21:10 – What Resilience Really Means 27:45 – Marriage, Communication & Emotional Growth 33:30 – Micro‑Level Change: Saying Hello 38:50 – “The Gifts Are in the Pain” 44:10 – Scott’s Book Launch 48:00 – Closing Thoughts

After losing his mother just seven months ago, Jermaine Ee turned grief into purpose by building HeirLight, a modern estate‑planning app designed to help families navigate wills, directives, and end‑of‑life clarity without fear or confusion. In this powerful conversation, John and Jermaine explore how loss can sharpen our sense of meaning, reshape our priorities, and inspire us to live more intentionally.

Jermaine shares the deeply personal story behind AirLight, his experience running his mother’s shipping container business, and the cultural and generational barriers that keep families from planning ahead. The conversation dives into legacy, money habits, meditation, travel, and the emotional work of becoming the person you want to be remembered as.

In this episode we discuss:

• How grief can become a catalyst for clarity and purpose
• Why estate planning is really about living, not dying
• Breaking generational money patterns and “autopilot saving”
• Writing your own eulogy as a compass for intentional living
• Meditation, presence, and staying grounded while building a company
• Travel, relationships, and choosing a life you don’t want to escape
• The tension between ambition, caregiving, and contentment
• What it means to live fully for the people who can’t anymore

If you’re navigating loss, rethinking your priorities, or trying to build a life aligned with your values, this episode will stay with you.

 The ful video veriuso is available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GKSnGLefEY

🎧 HeirLight App (Estate Planning Made Human)

Website: https://heiight.com
50% OFF for ASKITA listeners

In this episode of A Swift Kick in the Ass, John Curren sits down with internationally recognized energy medicine expert Dr. Alison J. Kay to explore consciousness, healing, and the global awakening unfolding between 2012 and 2032.

They dive into:

• How subconscious beliefs form in childhood
• Why meditation becomes most powerful between minutes 20–30
• The shift from Newtonian to quantum thinking
• How to clear limiting patterns and expand awareness
• The emotional and physical “purging” many people are experiencing
• John’s personal journey through grief, martial arts, meditation, and purpose

This is a grounded, practical, and inspiring conversation for anyone seeking clarity, healing, or a deeper understanding of what’s happening in the world right now.

In this powerful conversation, host John Curren sits down with Hollis Pirkey, an anger‑management expert and creator of AngerChanneling.com, to explore how anger really works — and how to transform it from a destructive force into a tool for clarity, healing, and personal growth.

Hollis breaks down why anger is rarely the “first” emotion. Instead, it’s a secondary signal — a red flag pointing to deeper issues like fear, shame, childhood trauma, or unmet needs. Through personal stories, client case studies, and practical tools, Hollis shows how anyone can learn to recognize their emotional triggers, interrupt automatic reactions, and build healthier patterns.

Together, John and Hollis dive into:

• why anger is often a mask for deeper emotions
• how men and women experience and express anger differently
• the role of childhood trauma in adult emotional reactions
• how to interrupt automatic negative thoughts
• strategies for managing anger while driving
• how therapy helps uncover the real root of emotional patterns
• navigating relationship anxiety and early warning signs
• supporting partners who struggle with trauma or emotional abuse
• transforming anger into focus, motivation, and personal power

Hollis also shares a compelling case study of a client whose anger nearly cost him his marriage — and how uncovering childhood wounds helped him rebuild trust and connection.

Whether you struggle with anger yourself, love someone who does, or simply want to understand your emotions more deeply, this episode offers grounded, practical insight you can use immediately.

Learn more about Hollis and his coaching at AngerChanneling.com.

In this episode of A Swift Kick in The Ass, John Curren talks with Dr. Zynul Kahn, a Sports and Exercise Medicine physician who made an unexpected pivot—from medicine to helping experienced professionals turn their life’s work into impactful YouTube content.

Dr. Z specializes in guiding experts over 50 who want to share their knowledge, build community, and create income using video—without chasing trends or relying on gimmicks.

Together, John and Dr. Z explore:

• Why YouTube has become a powerful discovery engine for experts
• The key differences between YouTube and podcasting for audience growth
• How AI can support content creation without replacing authenticity
• Why long‑form content is making a comeback on smart TVs
• How creators can build a lasting legacy by sharing what they know

This conversation goes beyond algorithms and analytics—it’s about purpose, relevance, and turning experience into impact in the second half of life.

Dr. Z also shares a 7‑step YouTube Client Attraction Framework, offering listeners a clear path from content to connection.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make your expertise matter in a noisy digital world, this episode will give you clarity—and a kick in the ass to get started.

Retirement isn’t the end — it’s your Encore Act.
In this episode, John and Marcia explore what it really means to transition into retirement with purpose, clarity, and financial confidence. Marcia, the Social Security Maven, breaks down practical strategies for navigating Social Security, planning your next chapter, and using tools like 401K loans to fund major life moves.

John shares his bold plan to purchase a historic island off the Chesapeake Bay and turn it into a retreat that blends legacy, entrepreneurship, and family collaboration. Together, they discuss how retirement can become a launchpad for creativity, lifelong learning, and meaningful reinvention.

🔑 What You’ll Learn

• Why retirement is a new chapter, not a shutdown
• How to use a 401K loan strategically (including at age 59.5)
• The truth about Social Security’s 2032 challenge
• How to set retirement goals using Marcia’s Plan ABC
• Debt payoff strategies that build long‑term freedom
• Why lifelong learning and tech skills matter more than ever
• How John plans to buy and restore a historic Chesapeake Bay island
• The power of legacy, purpose, and family partnership

🧭 Episode Highlights

• Retirement as an “Encore Act”
• Community resources that support active retirement
• Entrepreneurship after corporate life
• Managing debt and building safety nets
• The emotional side of transitions and reinvention

In this episode of A Swift Kick in the Ass, John Curren sits down with Tim Street—widely known as “The For Sale by Owner Guy”—for a straight‑shooting conversation about real estate, personal integrity, and taking control of your biggest financial decisions.

Tim shares his journey from the Marine Corps to tech sales to becoming a top‑earning real estate agent… and why he ultimately walked away from high commissions to help homeowners sell their properties on their own terms. Together, John and Tim break down the real differences between selling with an agent and going the For Sale by Owner route, cutting through the hype to reveal what actually works.

You’ll learn:

• How to price your home with confidence
• Why emotional detachment is a powerful advantage
• What agents do well—and what homeowners can absolutely do themselves
• How preparation and education can save you thousands
• Why integrity matters more than commission checks

This conversation is packed with clarity, strategy, and the kind of honesty that defines the ASKITA brand. If you’re thinking about selling your home—or you just appreciate stories of people choosing purpose over profit—this episode delivers a real‑world perspective you won’t hear anywhere else.

In this episode of A Swift Kick in the Ass, John Curren sits down with Lori Atwood, CFP® and founder of Fearless Finance, for a candid and practical conversation about financial planning, debt management, and building long‑term financial resilience.

For the full video version go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6CcJd_o5aA

Whether you’re facing financial stress, trying to pay down debt, or simply want a clearer roadmap for your future, this episode gives you the tools and mindset to take control.

John and Lori break down the real challenges people face with money—from college expenses to unexpected emergencies—and explain why most financial problems are fixable when you stop avoiding them. Lori shares her expert guidance on creating emergency savings, building a 4–6 month financial cushion, and understanding how personality and relationship dynamics influence spending habits.

John opens up about his own debt‑free journey, the struggles he faced while raising two young children, and how aligning his financial decisions with his life goals ultimately strengthened his family. Together, they explore the connection between happiness, contentment, and financial behavior, offering listeners a powerful blend of emotional insight and practical strategy.

Lori also outlines a simple, actionable roadmap for financial resilience, including:

• Starting with a $1,000 emergency fund
• Building toward 4–6 months of expenses
• Creating rainy‑day reserves
• Tracking spending to reduce financial anxiety
• Using high‑yield savings or brokerage accounts for reserves

The episode wraps with John sharing his long‑term vision—including his dream of purchasing and developing an island property in Virginia as an Airbnb—and Lori offering a special $50 discount on Fearless Finance services for podcast listeners.

Key Topics Covered

• How to face financial fears and stop avoiding money
• Building emergency savings and long‑term financial resilience
• Paying off debt while managing family responsibilities
• The psychology of spending and emotional triggers
• Money dynamics in relationships and communication strategies
• Practical steps to reduce financial stress
• Aligning money decisions with happiness and life goals

About Our Guest

Lori Atwood, CFP®
Founder of Fearless Finance
Specializing in fee‑only, hourly financial planning that empowers individuals and families to take control of their financial lives.