The He's Just Podcasts

Aaron Johnson is a public speaker, facilitator, and touch activist who practices closeness as a way to break down barriers between people. His Ted Talk Chronically Under Touched- “Why I waited 12 months to get a hug, speaks to the power of touch and how it correlates with our Mental Health, history, and identity. Aaron is the co-founder of both Holistic Resistance and Grief to Action, He takes the time to hold the stories of Black people around homophobia, transphobia, internalized racism, and those that are Chronically UnderTouched. Today we discuss Aarons’ short film "Dark and Tender" which follows ten Black men on a transformative retreat with the Chronically UnderTouched (CUT) Project outside Seattle, Washington. The men seek to reclaim platonic intimacy and tenderness through close encounters with nature and depictions of gentle Black masculinity, restoring the vital aspect of touch by replacing violence and rough play with care, connection, and intimacy. Can I Live

John Lee Hooker Jr., the son of blues legend John Lee Hooker, grew up immersed in music but struggled with drug addiction and crime for decades, leading to multiple stints in prison, including Soledad, Santa Rita and San Quentin. Despite surviving shootings and stabbings, he eventually turned his life around, becoming a successful blues artist. His first album, Blues with a Vengeance, was released in 2004, nominated for a Grammy Award, and won the W. C. Handy Award for Debut Artist. His third album, All Odds Against Me, released in 2008, also received a Grammy nomination. In 2019, he fully embraced his faith, becoming an ordained minister who now preaches and performs gospel music in churches and prisons across the U.S. and Germany. Today we talk to John Lee about his new book “From The Shadows of the Blues: My Story Of Music, Addiction, and Redemption. His story is one of resilience, saving, being saved and the transformative power of faith and music. This is Full Circle.

The David Crespi case is a tragic story of mental illness, family devastation, and a system that failed to prevent a crisis. On January 20, 2006, Crespi, a Charlotte bank executive, called 911 and confessed to fatally stabbing his 5-year-old twin daughters, Samantha and Tessera.

Award-winning writer Edward L. Jones III joins us to discuss his first book, “Medication, Mental Illness, and Murder: What Really Killed the Crespi Twins” (Rowman & Littlefield, March 2025). Through a compassionate lens, Ed examines the Crespi family’s painful journey, the role of psychiatric medication, and the broader failures in mental health care. Was this murder, or a preventable tragedy?

This conversation goes beyond true crime; it’s a call to understand mental illness, challenge stigma, and push for a system that better supports those in crisis. This is Forever 5.

Season 8, Episode 2 of The He's Just Podcast is a deeply personal and eye-opening solo project, diving into the inescapable truths that life throws our way. In this episode, I share my own experience of exposure to and survival from a narcissist, offering raw insights into the emotional toll and lasting impact of such encounters. Through a mix of storytelling and practical advice, I break down how to recognize red flags, set firm boundaries, and embark on a path toward healing. No one walks away from these situations unchanged, but with the right strategies and techniques, survival turns into growth. Tune in to hear hard-earned lessons, coping mechanisms, and the resilience it takes to reclaim your peace. I AM WORTHY.

Season 8 He’s Just Premiere, we are joined by Dr. Alyson J. McGregor, a leading expert in sex and gender differences in medicine. Alyson is a Professor of Emergency Medicine and Associate Dean at the University of South Carolina School, Greenville. Dr. McGregor has dedicated her career to addressing how male-centric medical research impacts women’s health. McGregor has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, co-founded the Division of Sex and Gender in Emergency Medicine at Brown University, and is an international advocate for women’s health equity. Her TEDx talk, Why Medicine Often Has Dangerous Side Effects for Women, has two million views, and her award-winning book Sex Matters has been recognized as a game-changer in the field. Now, she is back with her latest book, Why Women Aren’t Winning at Health (But Can), which dives even deeper into the systemic issues women face in medicine and what we can do about it. Sex Matters, All Rise Women Power is Session.

Season 7 Finale, Jordan Grumet physician, author and podcast host with expertise in both medicine and personal finance. Doc G’ passion for financial independence led to the launch of the Earn & Invest Podcast in 2018 which won the Plutus Award for Best New Personal Finance Podcast 2019 while receiving additional nominations in 2020 and 2021. As an author his debut book “Taking Stock: A Hospice Doctor’s Advice on Financial Independence, Building Wealth, and Living a Regret-Free Life" was published in 2022. Today we talk about his new book “The Purpose Code” where he speaks to and explores the intersectionality of wealth, and living a meaningful life. Doc G shows us how to unlock the purpose code to guide our paths towards Happiness, Health, and Longevity.

Eric Drooker, is a visionary artist whose work bridges street art, fine art, and graphic novels. Eric’s creations have earned a place in renowned institutions like the Whitney Museum, MoMA, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Library of Congress.Eric’s groundbreaking Flood!: A Novel in Pictures won the American Book Award, and his follow-up, Blood Song, is being adapted into a major motion picture. Now, after eight years in the making, he’s back with Naked City: A Graphic Novel, a masterful work that tells the story of three bohemians—a painter, a street dancer, and an aspiring musician who are struggling to create and survive in NYC. .Eric shares his vision of painting New York City vertically, capturing the towering energy and complexity of the cityscape in a way that few can. This is Eric Drooker, The Native New Yorker.

As a society, we strive for equitable outcomes and inclusive models to create structures that support everyone. Karen Catlin, an acclaimed author and speaker, has written four influential books, including her most recent work, Better Allies: Everyday Actions to Create Inclusive, Engaging Workplaces. Join us for an insightful conversation with Karen as she shares her knowledge and experiences, offering practical strategies to help us build diverse and inclusive environments. Her weekly 5 Ally Actions newsletter, reaching over 40,000 subscribers, equips individuals and organizations with actionable tools to foster belonging and drive meaningful change. Through her writing, speaking, and coaching, Karen inspires sustainable change and empowers us to level the playing field. Let’s come together to explore how we can create lasting impact and a more equitable future once and for ALL.

Burnout- Is the driving force behind emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. It affects everything from our productivity to our relationships and even leading to substance abuse, job loss, and worse.Finding our balance and maintaining positive energy isn’t easy, especially for high-achieving professionals. Meet Dr Jessi Gold Chief Wellness Officer for the University of Tennessee System, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and author of the national bestseller How Do You Feel? One Doctor’s Search for Humanity in Medicine. Dr. Gold is on a mission to explore the truths we often avoid. Jessi helps us embrace imperfection, seeking balance, and finding outlets that allow us to live as the best versions of ourselves. March 2020 meet Jessi Gold “The Perfectionist.”

Dr. Rebecca Winthrop is a senior fellow and Director of the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution. With a focus on global education, she works to equip young people with the skills they need to thrive in work, life, and civic engagement. Co-author of The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better, she explores innovative strategies to improve education, particularly for marginalized youth using her four learning modes. Winthrop advises governments and organizations worldwide and lectures at Georgetown University, driving efforts to make education more inclusive and impactful. In this powerful conversation Rebecca reminds us that connected teens create unstoppable change.