"They’re literally allowing their past to define them, not refine them. And refinement is an active process, and you have to be prepared to do the work if you’re gonna grow." - Dr. John A. King
"They’re literally allowing their past to define them, not refine them. And refinement is an active process, and you have to be prepared to do the work if you’re gonna grow." - Dr. John A. King
In this powerful and unflinching conversation, Ken Woodward is in conversation with Dr. John A. King, author, speaker, and PTSD recovery expert, whose life journey moves from profound trauma to purposeful advocacy. A survivor of childhood sexual abuse and trafficking, John transformed personal devastation into a mission to help others move from surviving to thriving through his foundation and mental wellness work.
King reflects on how questions have guided his healing, challenging the tendency to live “from the outside in” and instead pursuing happiness through intentional inner work, and living "inside out." He shares the discipline behind lasting change, emphasizing the incremental progress of 1% shifts that compound over time, and the daily choice to let hardship refine rather than define us.
Together, they explore resilience, identity, and the courage to rewrite one’s story. This episode is a candid reminder that recovery is not instantaneous but forged through persistence, self-honesty, and the relentless decision to keep moving forward.
This Curated Questions episode can be found on all major platforms and at CuratedQuestions.com.
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Episode Notes
00:00 Introduction and Content Warning
02:36 Introducing Dr. John A. King
03:32 John's Journey Through Trauma
04:28 The Power of Questions
07:54 College and Systems Thinking
09:55 Understanding PTSD and Recovery
11:34 The Importance of Asking Questions
15:34 Living from the Inside Out
17:27 The Journey to Happiness
19:23 The Process of Recovery
24:01 Defining vs. Refining
29:34 The Role of a Partner in Healing
30:44 Transition to Writing
32:21 The Writing Process
39:54 Living with SISU
41:38 The Will to Live and Optimism
44:52 Reconnecting with Family in Australia
45:14 The 1% Rule for Life Transformation
45:59 Commitment to Small Changes
48:04 Challenges of Consistency
49:50 Managing Trauma with Discipline
51:39 Acknowledging and Managing Trauma
52:30 Daily Habits for Mental Health
53:34 The Importance of Self-Discipline
54:43 Rewiring Negative Thoughts
57:35 Bodybuilding and Life Lessons
59:02 The 20% Rule for Life Areas
01:00:32 Starting Small with Fitness Goals
01:03:15 The Impact of Childhood Trauma
01:06:35 Reconnecting with Aboriginal Heritage
01:08:39 Indigenous Identity and Challenges
01:20:00 The Importance of Asking Questions
01:22:42 Current Reflections and Future Plans
Resources Mentioned
Dr. John A. King's website
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)
Los Alamos National Laboratories
Till It's Done (pending release) by John King
Stopping Traffic documentary
Stopping Traffic Trailer
Sisu (Finnish)
Taken film
300 film
Rats and Rain (book) by John King
Sisu film
The Phoenix Collective Program
Dr. John A. King on Instagram
Dr. John A. King on LinkedIn