In this episode, we welcome Licensed Master Social Worker Nina Lugo, a passionate social worker making a difference in the lives of students, parents, and educators. Nina opens up about the realities of social work, shedding light on the often-overlooked emotional toll that comes with helping others navigate life's challenges.

We explore how social work extends beyond just students—supporting parents and coworkers is just as important. Nina shares how she approaches tough conversations, from guiding parents through difficult truths about their children to breaking the stigma around mental illness and helping kids develop healthy coping mechanisms.

We also dive into the state of the education system, the lack of essential life skills being taught in schools, and the pressing need for more mental health resources and role models for young men. Nina emphasizes how anxiety and fear are normal emotions that shouldn’t be demonized and how reframing conversations around mental health can help dismantle outdated stereotypes—especially regarding men and emotional expression.

Throughout this conversation, Nina offers incredible insight into self-care as a social worker, the struggles of keeping work stress from creeping into personal life, and the importance of being in this field for the outcome, not the income.

This is a raw, honest discussion about mental health, resilience, and the people working behind the scenes to create lasting change.

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

https://app.grouped.com/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Join Whoop with our promotional code and get your first month free!

https://join.whoop.com/us/en/Whothoughtwedbeherepod/

Sign up for online therapy with our referral link.
Get 20% off your first month with our podcast's link:

https://www.online-therapy.com/create_account.php?ref=199376&click_id=1025bb329a3007391208e272f114bc&utm_source=3088_Who%20Thought%20Wed%20Be%20Here%20Podcast&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=2&offer_ref=offer1&&cookie_test=1

Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

This episode is a big one. An important one. Our most personal one yet.

We told you we were gonna cry today—and for good reason. Steve is having a baby, and we dive deep into the whirlwind of emotions that come with it. Excitement, nerves, and the realization that life is about to change forever. We talk about giving up vices when major life shifts happen, the risks and rewards of big decisions, and the responsibility of breaking family patterns when bringing a new life into the world.

Plus, a little debate on what the baby is gonna call Uncle JP, and why Knocked Up just became required viewing.

This one’s real, raw, and straight from the heart. Tune in. 💙

0:30 I told you we were gonna cry today

2:00 Steve is having a baby

5:40 Excitement and nerves go hand in hand in these moments

12:00 Giving up your vices when life changing events come along

17:00 Risks always have rewards in these situations

18:50 Live Podcast from the Delivery room?

22:00 How are you excited to prepare for this baby on the way?

25:30 Breaking the patterns of yourself and your family when bringing a new life into the world

30:00 Wondering what the baby is gonna call Uncle JP

40:00 Now we gotta watch “Knocked Up” before the baby comes

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

https://app.grouped.com/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Join Whoop with our promotional code and get your first month free!

https://join.whoop.com/us/en/Whothoughtwedbeherepod/

Sign up for online therapy with our referral link.
Get 20% off your first month with our podcast's link:

https://www.online-therapy.com/create_account.php?ref=199376&click_id=1025bb329a3007391208e272f114bc&utm_source=3088_Who%20Thought%20Wed%20Be%20Here%20Podcast&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=2&offer_ref=offer1&&cookie_test=1

Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

In this episode, we dive into the environments that fuel our best work, the luxury of staying ahead, and the mindset shifts that help us keep going. We reflect on learning to trust ourselves, overcoming perfectionism (“Perfectionism is better spelled paralysis” – Winston Churchill), and embracing where we are while recognizing how far we've come. From Kobe Bryant’s lessons in discipline to the importance of taking risks in life, career, and money, this conversation is all about persistence, self-belief, and the power of consistency. Plus, we ask: what if we were 52 weeks ahead on the podcast? Tune in for an inspiring, thought-provoking episode!

1:00 What environment do you do your best work in?

4:30 the luxury of being ahead on the podcast

6:00 How’s your heart? & learning to trust yourself

10:00 the power that comes from not giving up

14:00 “Perfectionism is better spelled paralysis” -Winston Churchill

16:30 this podcast is just two guys doing a Rick Rubin impression

19:00 The excitement of having things to look forward to

20:15 Embrace where you’re and recognize how far you’ve come

22:00 The power of seeing our consistency pay off

26:44 Learning a lesson from Kobe Bryant and the 2008 USA basketball team

28:55 Life is all about taking risks, in money, in your career, in your personal life

31:00 what would it be like to be 52 weeks ahead on the podcast

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

https://app.grouped.com/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Join Whoop with our promotional code and get your first month free!

https://join.whoop.com/us/en/Whothoughtwedbeherepod/

Sign up for online therapy with our referral link.
Get 20% off your first month with our podcast's link:

https://www.online-therapy.com/create_account.php?ref=199376&click_id=1025bb329a3007391208e272f114bc&utm_source=3088_Who%20Thought%20Wed%20Be%20Here%20Podcast&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=2&offer_ref=offer1&&cookie_test=1

Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

In part two of our conversation with Rayvin Rey, we explore powerful insights on overcoming scarcity mindsets and embracing patience in personal growth. Rayvin shares her thoughts on finding alignment outside of relationships, balancing happiness with financial success, and breaking free from childhood beliefs about money. We discuss how physical activity can help manage stress, the importance of authentic self-expression, and the value of building a supportive community. Rayvin opens up about self-love, giving yourself the care you often seek from others, and nurturing meaningful relationships through attention, space, and listening. She also shares lessons from “The Alchemist” and her take on staying true to yourself, all while reflecting on the deeper meaning of love and how being your own soulmate is the foundation for everything. This episode is packed with wisdom, inspiration, and heartfelt moments you won’t want to miss!

Support Rayvin on her website:
https://rayvinrey.com/

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

Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@rayvinrey24

And support her podcast "The Self Love Sanctuary" here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5TxW0FumW1ZkNFdsItSGwZ
or here
Timestamps:

• 00:45 Changing the view around your 9 to 5 job and fulfilling your passions
• 3:30 Getting in alignment with yourself outside of a relationship
• 4:30 What’s more important? Happy relationships or making money?
• 6:00 Focusing on lack and losing the “must be nice” mentality
• 8:00 Fighting back against the money and scarcity beliefs that you grew up around
• 13:00 The struggle of striving to make something you love doing profitable
• 14:00 Regulating your attention span in a world of quick gratification
• 16:15 Patience with yourself and how it applies to personal growth
• 19:45 Using physical activity to handle mental stress
• 25:00 Sharing authentically while trying to improve, learn, and grow a community
• 27:30 "You don’t want 50 million fans. You want 5,000 people who care."
• 29:20 Lessons from Russ, Mike, and "The Alchemist" on being true to yourself
• 35:50 Conquering hard things is in the little things
• 40:00 Shameless plug for Whoop
• 45:30 Nighttime wind-down routine with stream-of-consciousness journaling
• 48:00 Giving yourself the love you desire so badly from others in relationships
• 51:30 The expression of love by listening to your partner’s podcast (if they have one)
• 55:30 True love is giving your partner the space they need
• 59:00 Conquering the shame of hurting someone the way you were hurt
• 1:02:00 The power of showing your partner attention
• 1:10:00 Should we call this episode “How to Find Your Soulmate?”
• 1:14:00 Your soulmate is yourself
• 1:15:00 Rayvin’s council

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

https://app.grouped.com/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Join Whoop with our promotional code and get your first month free!

https://join.whoop.com/us/en/Whothoughtwedbeherepod/

Sign up for online therapy with our referral link.
Get 20% off your first month with our podcast's link:

https://www.online-therapy.com/create_account.php?ref=199376&click_id=1025bb329a3007391208e272f114bc&utm_source=3088_Who%20Thought%20Wed%20Be%20Here%20Podcast&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=2&offer_ref=offer1&&cookie_test=1

Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

"Rayvin Rey on Overcoming Shame, Cultivating Self-Love, & Finding Your Authenticity" EP050 (Pt. 1)

In this episode, we sit down with our longtime friend and inspiring guest, Rayvin Rey, to explore the transformative power of unlearning, self-love, and personal growth. Rayvin shares her journey of shifting her baseline from negativity to positivity, using daily meditation practices like mirror meditations, and breaking free from the shackles of perfectionism.

We dive into the importance of self-awareness in relationships—when to stop trying to change others and how character defines what we value most. Rayvin also opens up about rebuilding tough family relationships, handling shame, and navigating the ever-changing nature of life.

From tackling negative self-talk to finding authenticity and inspiring others to do the same, this episode is packed with heartfelt wisdom, practical advice, and powerful reflections. Whether you’re struggling with perfectionism, relationships, or self-doubt, Rayvin’s perspective will resonate deeply and inspire you to embrace yourself fully.

Tune in to hear about self-compassion, navigating shame’s impact on our view of money, and so much more! Don’t miss this uplifting and thought-provoking conversation.

Support Rayvin on her website: https://rayvinrey.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rayvin_rey/

And support her podcast "The Self Love Sanctuary" here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5TxW0FumW1ZkNFdsItSGwZ

2:50 – What was it like being friends with Steve and JP many years ago?
8:00 – Who is Rayvin Rey, and what is her path?
11:15 – The power of unlearning as you get older.
12:00 – Transforming your baseline from negative to positive.
16:00 – Cultivating awareness to catch yourself in the moment.
17:30 – Exploring mirror meditations and using meditation daily.
19:00 – Avoiding staleness by switching up your routine.
21:00 – Practicing self-love and accepting yourself for who you really are.
24:00 – Knowing that you are enough as you are.
25:00 – Tapping into your authenticity to inspire others.
30:00 – Recognizing self-awareness in your relationships and knowing when to stop trying to change others.
35:35 – How character shapes what you value in a relationship.
36:40 – Rebuilding tough relationships with your family.
39:00 – Avoiding stonewalling the people closest to you.
41:00 – Embracing change as the only constant in life.
52:00 – Dealing with rumination and practicing self-compassion.
54:30 – Handling negative self-talk with kindness and care.
57:00 – The daunting nature of perfectionism in all areas of life.
57:45 – “If I stop putting stuff out right now, people will only see the beginning.”

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

https://app.grouped.com/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Join Whoop with our promotional code and get your first month free!

https://join.whoop.com/us/en/Whothoughtwedbeherepod/

Sign up for online therapy with our referral link.
Get 20% off your first month with our podcast's link:

https://www.online-therapy.com/create_account.php?ref=199376&click_id=1025bb329a3007391208e272f114bc&utm_source=3088_Who%20Thought%20Wed%20Be%20Here%20Podcast&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=2&offer_ref=offer1&&cookie_test=1

Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

This week, we’re thrilled to bring you a very special episode, recorded live from the dojo with our longtime friend and karate master, Joe Fry! Joe is not only the owner of a thriving karate studio and a 5th degree black belt, but also a dedicated mentor, parent, and entrepreneur. In this episode, he shares his incredible journey of resilience, self-discovery, and teaching life lessons through martial arts.
We dive deep into Joe’s story, starting with his childhood experiences of bullying and how they inspired him to embrace karate as a path to confidence and strength. He shares his philosophy of getting "1% better every day" and how martial arts has shaped his approach to life, parenting, and business. Whether it's battling imposter syndrome or staying accountable, Joe’s insights are powerful and relatable.
The Impact of Teaching on Parenting: How working with students influenced Joe’s approach as a father.
Overcoming Obstacles: The mental and physical discipline needed to own a business and navigate life's challenges.
Building Confidence Through Karate: How martial arts empowers students to develop self-assurance and resilience.
Battling Self-Doubt: Confronting imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and self-doubt while staying accountable.
Physical and Mental Well-Being: Balancing fitness, mindfulness, and rest to avoid burnout and improve mental health.
Finding Meaning in Spirituality and Nature: How staying present and embracing curiosity can lead to personal growth.
Deep Questions About Life: Joe asks us thought-provoking questions like, “Would your 10-year-old self be proud of you?”
Joe’s honest reflections about running a business, navigating fatherhood, and striving for personal growth will leave you inspired to take on your own challenges with confidence and clarity. Plus, he shares advice on how to avoid staleness in your physical activities, why good sleep and nutrition matter, and how spirituality connects us to something bigger.

Visit the Fry's Karate on the web @ https://www.frykarate.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frykarate_/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hvmdk/

1:40 - Live from the dojo with Joe Fry
5:00 - Teaching shaping parenting
7:00 - Partnering with your spouse
9:25 - Childhood bullying
11:00 - Pushing your body young
12:30 - 1% better daily
14:00 - Challenges of owning a business
15:56 - Overcoming obstacles
17:15 - Separating work and family
18:15 - Finding yourself in the

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

https://app.grouped.com/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Join Whoop with our promotional code and get your first month free!

https://join.whoop.com/us/en/Whothoughtwedbeherepod/

Sign up for online therapy with our referral link.
Get 20% off your first month with our podcast's link:

https://www.online-therapy.com/create_account.php?ref=199376&click_id=1025bb329a3007391208e272f114bc&utm_source=3088_Who%20Thought%20Wed%20Be%20Here%20Podcast&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=2&offer_ref=offer1&&cookie_test=1

Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

It’s a New Year, and we’re starting 2025 by looking back at everything we learned in 2024. We talk about how one of us made the life-changing decision to get sober, and how that single choice improved not only our personal lives but the direction and consistency of this podcast. We also reflect on the massive growth we’ve seen since taking the podcast seriously in August—more views, more watch time, and way more subscribers.

As for 2025? We’ve got big goals. We’re saying goodbye to bad habits (yes, we’re giving up the weed), doubling down on self-discipline, and focusing on showing up for ourselves and our audience in bigger, better ways. We dive into how we plan to tackle personal growth, like being more present, overcoming people-pleasing tendencies, and leaning into authenticity—even when it’s uncomfortable.

We also talk about getting deeper spiritually, with one of us committing to explore their relationship with God and purpose by diving into philosophical and religious texts. On the professional side, we’re excited to improve the podcast even more by bringing in new guests, engaging with our listeners, and staying consistent in everything we do.

This episode is full of real talk—about the challenges of staying grounded, learning from failure, and balancing life while chasing your dreams. It’s an honest look at where we’ve been, where we’re headed, and how we plan to make 2025 a year of transformation. Tune in, and let’s take this journey together!

00:10 - Time Jump in Our Podcast Schedule!
01:00 - Yearly Recap: Reflecting on Our Podcast Journey

Personal Growth & Achievements
01:31 - Podcast Growth Since August 2024: Our Numbers!
03:09 - Consistency & Dedication: The Secret to Success
03:40 - How Sobriety Changed Our Personal & Professional Lives
04:44 - Sober Life Reflections: More Than Just a Change in Routine
05:59 - Sobriety Struggles: The Ups and Downs

Challenges & Reflections
10:00 - Action vs. Overthinking: Lessons Learned
11:30 - Embracing Not Knowing Everything
12:22 - Spending Time Alone to Grow & Reflect
14:27 - Focusing on Trust & Intuition
18:15 - Take Action Now: Don’t Wait for the Perfect Moment
20:00 - How Physical Exercise Boosts Mental Health
25:01 - Wishing We’d Focused More on the Podcast Sooner

Goals & Intentions for 2025
31:00 - Asking for Help & Managing Emotions Better
35:00 - Staying Present: The Power of Focus
40:00 - Quitting Bad Habits (Like Weed)

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

https://app.grouped.com/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Join Whoop with our promotional code and get your first month free!

https://join.whoop.com/us/en/Whothoughtwedbeherepod/

Sign up for online therapy with our referral link.
Get 20% off your first month with our podcast's link:

https://www.online-therapy.com/create_account.php?ref=199376&click_id=1025bb329a3007391208e272f114bc&utm_source=3088_Who%20Thought%20Wed%20Be%20Here%20Podcast&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=2&offer_ref=offer1&&cookie_test=1

Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

"Grounding into Gratitude & Dealing with Your Displaced Anger | Episode #048

This week, we’re digging into the big stuff—like how to handle displaced anger, break free from people-pleasing, and challenge outdated stereotypes about masculinity. We explore how mindfulness and gratitude can help you stay grounded, even when life throws you a curveball. Plus, we dive into how noticing your irritability and physically grounding yourself can shift your mindset in powerful ways.

On the practical side, we share tips for eliminating brain fog in the morning, celebrating the growth of others, and learning how to stop caring what people think about your lifestyle choices. And, as always, we sprinkle in some chaos: Steve gets fired up about perseverance, JP confesses his undying love for Kendrick Lamar’s "GNX," and we brainstorm whether advertising on a Macy’s Day Parade float could be the ultimate power move.

Life’s unpredictable, so why not celebrate the wins, rethink what’s possible, and laugh along the way? Tune in for honest reflections, actionable advice, and a few ridiculous ideas that might just inspire you.

00:18 Guests are coming

3:25 Bringing our audience unique and interesting perspectives

9:45 Awareness around how you treat strangers when you aren’t feeling your best

11:40 Dealing w/ Displaced Anger

13:15 Society stereotypes about masculinity

15:45 Disciplined mindfulness

18:00 Running in the Rain

20:15 Being your own support system

22:00 People pleasing

26:30 Rejoicing in the growth of others

29:30 Not caring what people think about your lifestyle choices

31:25 Noticing your irritability

35:15 Nothing is guaranteed in this life

38:30 Physically Grounding yourself in gratitude

43:00 Come back to this video on episode 4,000

46:55 “I want the Whoop AI to be my friend”

47:30 Steve loves the idea of perseverance

48:55 JP is very grateful for Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX”

53:00 Eliminating Brain fog in the morning

58:00 Should we advertise on a Macy’s Day Parade Float??

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

https://app.grouped.com/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Join Whoop with our promotional code and get your first month free!

https://join.whoop.com/us/en/Whothoughtwedbeherepod/

Sign up for online therapy with our referral link.
Get 20% off your first month with our podcast's link:

https://www.online-therapy.com/create_account.php?ref=199376&click_id=1025bb329a3007391208e272f114bc&utm_source=3088_Who%20Thought%20Wed%20Be%20Here%20Podcast&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=2&offer_ref=offer1&&cookie_test=1

Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!