Refuse to Subscribe

Kira is back and a lot has happened since we last hit record together. Unknowingly pregnant at our last recording, Kira walks us through a year that included prenatal depression (not the same as postpartum- we get into it), finding the therapist who got her through it, a new baby boy named Charlie, a new house, and somehow, still finding time to read.

We also talk about the frustrating reality of therapy licensing laws in this country, why American healthcare reaches for a prescription before anything else, and what it actually feels like when the hardest chapter of your life ends the moment your son is born.

Then we get into books- what we've both been reading, what we haven't finished, and the first pick for Season 2 of the book club: The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali. You have five weeks. We'll see you back here for the discussion.

If you want to be on the podcast or bring something to Kira and me, reach out. The door is genuinely open.

JonnyThyne.com

Instagram:

@kiraleclair

@jonnythyne

@refusetosubscribe

In this episode I explore what it means to "create your own reality" through my own lived experience. It is not a way to deny hardship or bypass responsibility, but it is a practice of choosing who you become in the middle of uncertainty, fear, and change.

Sometimes the life you want or deciding who you want to become doesn't happen after the fear disappears. Sometimes it happens the moment you make your move anyway.

https://jonnythyne.com

https://linktr.ee/Jonnythyne

https://www.lightsourcecenter.org/21day/

Jen is back! And this time we get into the specifics. If you heard her on season one, you know she's the real deal. If this is your first time meeting her, buckle up.

In this conversation we go deep on what it actually means to create your own life. Not the Instagram version of manifestation...the real thing. The kind where you realize that everything happening to you is actually happening for you.

Jen and I share specific moments where we've literally made things happen- from a parking spot that was never supposed to be open, to getting unstuck from a broken elevator at one in the morning.

We also talk about what it means to be human while doing this work, because spirituality isn't about becoming a "monk on a mountaintop". It's about learning to live your actual life from a place of love instead of fear.

If any of this makes you pause or brings up a question — send it in. I'd love to have the conversation, privately or on the podcast.

Follow: @thelightsourcecenter

https://www.lightsourcecenter.org/21day/

jonnythyne.com

Before there was a podcast and the Jonny you all know today- there was just a kid who didn't want to share his toys, liked being by himself, danced on picnic tables in a polka dotted dress, and quietly refused to be anything other than himself. My Mom was there for all of it- introducing her... introducing me! Enjoy.

The podcast has a new name...and it’s not just a rebrand. Refuse to Subscribe is what this show has always been trying to say. It’s for the people who think too deeply to accept the default life, who follow something their soul is calling them toward instead of the script society handed them. If you’re listening, you probably already know what that feels like.

In this first episode back, Jonny reintroduces himself, breaks down why The People Who Make Us evolved into something bigger, and catches you up on everything that’s happened since- a first date in Yosemite, moving in with his boyfriend Andrew, a grandfather’s passing, and a decision to walk away from social media and a smart phone. Same person. Different angle.

This season is going to be something. Buckle up.

📩 Got feedback, a story to share, or want to come on the show? Reach out: [email protected]

🔗 Follow along on Substack and everywhere else: https://linktr.ee/Jonnythyne

In this solo episode, Jonny Thyne — host of The People Who Make Us — opens up about the journey behind the mic over the past seven months. From launching the podcast in the midst of wildfires, job loss, and uncertainty… to pushing through chaos, finding moments of connection, and finally stepping back to reflect, this is a candid update on what it’s taken to get here.

Jonny shares the story behind his unexpected break during the Pride series, the spontaneous trip to Paris that helped him reconnect with his purpose, and what you can expect from the podcast moving forward.

Whether you’re a longtime listener or just dropping in, this episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and realign — in podcasting and in life.

Mentioned:
— Pride series continuation featuring Jackie Beat
— Pageboy Book Club finale & upcoming pick
— Break announcement + return in September

💌 Keep in touch on Instagram @jonnythyne and share what’s been resonating with you.
🎧 And as always — thank you for listening to The People Who Make Us.

In this deeply personal solo episode, Jonny Thyne turns the mic inward to share his coming out story—raw, unfiltered, and decades in the making. From childhood innocence to internal battles, from self-harm to self-acceptance, Jonny walks us through the moments that shaped his identity and nearly broke him.

This episode is a love letter to queer people—those still in the closet, those out but still healing, and those who never had the safety to speak their truth. It’s also a heartfelt invitation to allies, especially straight and cisgender listeners, to understand just how much bravery it takes simply to exist.

If you’ve ever struggled to feel safe in your own skin… this one’s for you.

Content warning: This episode includes discussion of self-harm and suicide.
Resources mentioned:
The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988

Book Club Series – with special guest @kiraleclair

In this book club episode, I’m joined by my cousin Kira to unpack Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning—a book that somehow manages to be both devastating and deeply hopeful.

We explore how Frankl’s experience as a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist shaped his belief that even in the most inhumane conditions, we can still choose our response. From logotherapy and suffering to the importance of imagination, identity, and love—we dive into how his message still resonates in today’s world.

We also share some personal reflections and stories as we ask:

• What helps us stay human in hard times?

• Where do we find meaning when life feels empty?

• And… can a sunset really keep someone going?

📚 Don’t worry if you haven’t read it yet—we start spoiler-free and give a clear heads-up before diving deep.

💬 We'd love to hear your thoughts:
DM me @jonnythyne or Kira @kiraleclair to join the convo.

🌈 And stay tuned—next week kicks off something very special for Pride Month that I can’t wait to share with you.

—

Next Month’s Book: Pageboy by Elliot Page – read along with us for our next book club episode!

In this episode of the People Who Make Us Podcast, host Jonny Thyne welcomes Jen, a long-time friend and meditation teacher from the non-profit Light Source Center. They delve into the true essence of meditation, spirituality, and self-discovery.

Jen shares her journey of finding her spiritual teacher and how working with energy and light can transform one's life. They discuss practical ways to start meditating amidst chaos, the importance of self-awareness, combating fear with love, and creating your reality through energy.

Both Jonny and Jen highlight the power of choice in overcoming life's challenges and the potential for profound personal growth.

https://www.lightsourcecenter.org

00:00 Introduction and Provocative Question

00:36 Meet Jen: Meditation Teacher and Friend

02:36 The Story of How We Met0

4:39 Jen's Spiritual Journey

09:44 Discovering the Light Source Center

12:50 Personal Growth and Meditation

23:34 Incorporating Meditation into Daily Life

24:44 Understanding Energy and Light

27:29 Redefining Meditation

30:20 Starting with Meditation: Time and Commitment

30:55 Meditation's Purpose: Self-Love and Compassion

31:53 Love vs. Fear: The Core Emotions

34:06 Creating Your Own Reality

36:16 Rewriting Negative Self-Talk

42:46 Understanding Vibration and Energy

47:43 The Power of Choice and Light

54:46 Conclusion: Rewrite Your Story

In this episode of the People Who Make Us Podcast, host Jonny Thyne engages in a direct conversation with listeners about how to overcome feeling stuck in life. He shares personal insights and practical steps to change daily routines, evaluate media consumption, and cultivate gratitude to create a life filled with intention and presence.

Jonny also stresses the importance of recognizing and managing fear, proposing actionable techniques to rewire the brain and develop a more fulfilling, love-oriented perspective.

Listeners are encouraged to start with small changes and gradually build up to more significant, life-altering practices.

00:00 Welcome to the People Who Make Us Podcast

00:20 Identifying Life's Turning Points

01:32 Small Changes for Big Impact

05:06 Reevaluating Media Consumption

06:58 Mindful Habits and Intentional Living

11:05 Facing and Overcoming Fear

17:05 The Power of Gratitude

22:22 Wrapping Up and Next Steps