Je’Von Ikner joins the show to share a raw, grounded conversation about addiction, honesty, and the slow work of becoming a rooted man. As the founder of The Rooted Man, Je’Von helps men reclaim their strength, clarity, and purpose through embodied coaching that weaves together nervous system awareness, somatic practice, and values-based living. His work is designed for men who are tired of numbing out, performing, and pretending—and who are ready instead to cultivate depth, connection, and integrity from the inside out.

Episode Overview:

In this conversation, Josh and Je’Von explore Je’Von’s multi-year journey with kratom—how it began as a “harmless” solution for back pain and slowly evolved into a hidden daily addiction intertwined with alcohol, shame, and disconnection from his wife, son, and the things that once made him feel alive. They unpack what it actually took for him to get free: drawing a hard line in the sand around his son’s birthday, building an online support network, creating and sticking to a tapering plan, and enduring a long season of withdrawal and emotional recalibration.

From there, the conversation widens into how addiction suppresses connection, desire, and creativity, and how removing a numbing agent can slowly restore capacity for intimacy, joy, and aliveness. Je’Von shares the agricultural framework behind The Rooted Man—“clearing the land,” “tilling the soil,” “planting seeds,” “watering the crops,” and “harvesting”—as a practical roadmap for men who realize they’ve been “painting the leaves” instead of tending the roots of their lives. The two also challenge the ways men use “plant medicine” and spiritual language to bypass hard inner work, masking avoidance as growth and depth.

What You’ll Learn:

• How a “natural plant” like kratom can quietly slide from pain relief into full-blown dependence, secrecy, and self-betrayal
• The physical and emotional realities of kratom withdrawal, including the long tail of mood swings, anxiety, and nervous system recalibration
• Why community and honest accountability are often the missing ingredients in getting free from addictive patterns
• How addiction numbs not just pain but also connection, creativity, desire, and the simple things that make you feel most alive
• The role of honesty with yourself and your partner, and how shame, partial truths, and fear of confrontation keep cycles of addiction in place
• A practical, step-by-step framework from The Rooted Man: clearing the land, tilling the soil, planting seeds, watering the crops, and harvesting your gifts
• The subtle ways men “paint the leaves” with plant medicine, psychedelics, and spiritual language instead of doing the slow work of tending their inner soil
• How to begin replacing numbing behaviors with life-giving practices, brotherhood, and aligned action so you can live as a more rooted, present man

Host: Josh Cearbaugh

Website: https://joshcearbaugh.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jcearbaugh/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcearbaugh/

Podcast: https://www.multifacetedmasculinity.com/

Online Course: https://www.jumpstartyourlife.com

Guest: JeVon Ikner

Website: https://therootedman.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jevon_ikner

Introduction:

In this episode, I open up about why I stepped away from the podcast for the past six months and share a candid look at what has been happening in my life. The discussion covers personal growth, mental and emotional challenges, and how these experiences impacted my marriage, health, and passion for this show. I reflect on codependency, navigating personal setbacks, and the importance of reclaiming actions and habits that support my best self. This episode is both a return to the microphone and an invitation for listeners to consider where they might be holding back in their own lives or relationships.

Key Takeaways:

• Honest discussion about what led to a six-month podcast break, including recent life transitions and internal struggles.
• Insights on codependency and how it can subtly influence actions and relationships.
• Personal reflections on marriage, self-worth, and the reality of evolving roles after big life changes.
• The importance of small daily habits like morning walks, and their impact on well-being.
• Why reclaiming personal interests and routines—such as podcasting—is crucial for growth and connection.
• Encouragement for listeners to examine where they might be “playing small” and the value of making incremental positive changes.
• An open invitation for listeners and potential guests to connect and join future conversations about the multifaceted reality of masculinity.

Host: Josh Cearbaugh

Website: https://joshcearbaugh.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jcearbaugh/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcearbaugh/

Podcast: https://www.multifacetedmasculinity.com/

Online Course: https://www.jumpstartyourlife.com

Josh Trent has spent over two decades in pursuit of truth in wellness, driven by a deep curiosity that took root in childhood. Raised in a broken home, he turned to sports for solace, unknowingly laying the foundation for a lifelong journey toward personal well-being.

Through plant medicine, breathwork, and deep self-exploration, he has turned struggles into wisdom, guiding others toward greater health, presence, and emotional intelligence. With over 700 podcast interviews featuring the world’s top wellness experts, Josh openly shares his journey, inspiring others to embody wellness and wisdom in their own lives.

Josh Trent has spent over two decades pursuing truth in wellness, driven by a deep curiosity that took root in childhood. Raised in a broken home, he turned to sports for solace, unknowingly laying the foundation for a lifelong journey toward personal well-being.g into one’s purpose. With raw honesty, he shares experiences with self-doubt, past addictions, and the practices that have helped him cultivate resilience and wisdom.

This episode is packed with deep insights, personal stories, and a fresh perspective on what it means to live with authenticity and emotional intelligence.

Key Takeaways:

1. Overcoming Self-Doubt & Imposter Syndrome

• The only way through self-doubt is action—confidence is built by doing the work.

• True commitment comes when there’s no turning back.

2. Vulnerability vs. Transparency in Leadership

• Transparency is sharing struggles; vulnerability is allowing others into the pain.

• Leadership requires both, but boundaries are essential.

• The best leaders illuminate the path for others rather than just directing the light.

3. The Role of Plant Medicine in Healing

• Psychedelics (psilocybin, ayahuasca) can be powerful tools—but only with spiritual maturity.

• Misuse can be dangerous; preparation through meditation and breathwork is key.

4. Breaking Free from Limiting Patterns

• Removing toxic influences, healing childhood wounds, and deepening spiritual connection is crucial for growth.

• Personal transformation isn’t just intellectual—it requires emotional and spiritual healing.

5. The Power of Words & Identity Shifting

• Words shape reality; self-talk determines perception.

• Instead of resisting negative thoughts, engaging with them (e.g., Internal Family Systems Therapy) leads to healing.

• True power comes from peace, not force—wholeness makes us unshakable.

6. Three Things Men Must Focus On for Growth

• Emotional Epigenetics: Healing inherited trauma rather than being controlled by it.

• Clarity on Purpose: Knowing who you are and what you stand for.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of masculinity, healing, and personal evolution.

Host: Josh Cearbaugh

Website: https://joshcearbaugh.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jcearbaugh/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcearbaugh/

Podcast: https://www.multifacetedmasculinity.com/

Online Course: https://www.jumpstartyourlife.com

Guest: Josh Trent

Podcast: https://wellnessforce.com/podcast-episodes/