Johnny Crowder’s story is so crazy it doesn’t even seem real.

As a suicide and abuse survivor with severe OCD and experiencing hallucinations, Johnny was no stranger to negative and dark thoughts.

Yet today, here are some of the ways that he’s currently saving lives by sharing his story of overcoming these experiences:

• Lead vocalist of the heavy metal band, Prison that shares empowering lyrics and saves lives. Here are just a small sample of the comments on his videos:
• “Him and the band he’s in is the reason I’m still alive and working on my mental health today”
• “Hearing his music, hearing his words, feeling that support.. hearing the music and the lyrics that hit me and seemed to understand me, has helped me continue to be here and exist today.”
• 2x TEDx speaker with his talks that have over 1M views
• CEO of a company called Cope Notes, which has impacted 38K+ lives through helping people eliminate negative thoughts

Oh, and that’s not to mention a few other small things that he’s overcom(ing)...

Including losing his house to Hurricane Milton in October 2024, and almost dying in a plane crash (seriously).

But story aside, Johnny is one of the most incredible dudes you’ll ever meet.

I got to meet him in person after one of his keynotes and we hung out for several hours that evening… 

He’s one of the most loving, caring, kind guys you’ll meet.

I seriously can’t wait for you to listen to this one…

Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!

Introduction to Beyond Curious and today’s guest, Johnny Crowder

Brandon introduces Johnny Crowder, a TEDx speaker, suicide survivor, touring heavy metal musician, and CEO of CopeNotes, a mental health platform. Johnny’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and using unconventional methods to impact lives. From overcoming severe OCD to saving lives through his music, this episode is packed with inspiration.

Timestamps & Episode Highlights

00:00 – Welcome to Beyond Curious and Johnny Crowder's Story

Brandon sets the stage by sharing his first encounter with Johnny after a keynote speech. He introduces Johnny’s multifaceted journey as a musician, mental health advocate, and survivor.

00:54 – Johnny’s Mental Health Advocacy Through Music

Johnny reflects on the transformative power of his heavy metal lyrics. Fans credit his music for saving their lives, a testament to the emotional connection and purpose behind his work.

02:46 – The Power of Lyrics: Stories from Fans

Johnny shares how his band’s songs inspire resilience. A fan tattooed "Still Alive" after a show, which became the inspiration for a song and an album of the same name.

05:17 – Humor from the Road: An Unexpected Soundcheck Intruder

Johnny recounts a wild story from touring, where a random person off the street walked on stage during a soundcheck and used the band’s microphone in a bizarre way.

09:34 – Life-Saving Music: Emotional Encounters After Shows

Johnny reveals numerous stories of fans who planned to end their lives but changed their minds after his performances, illustrating the profound impact of his music and message.

13:27 – Empathy in the Mosh Pit: A Different Kind of Metal Fan

Johnny discusses how his band’s fan base stands out for their compassion, even in aggressive mosh pits, and the camaraderie they share after concerts.

18:00 – The Importance of Authenticity and Finding Your Niche

Johnny and Brandon explore the power of pursuing passion authentically, with Johnny sharing how staying true to his music helped him make a greater impact than pursuing conventional paths.

22:04 – Johnny’s Childhood and the Early Struggles with OCD

Johnny describes how he concealed his struggles with mental health as a child and how writing cryptic poetry allowed him to express his emotions safely.

27:29 – Overcoming OCD Through Exposure Therapy

Johnny recounts his journey through exposure therapy, from fearing human contact to monumental victories, like sharing a drink with someone—a process of tiny, consistent steps.

31:43 – Facing Nightmares Head-On with Tattoos

Johnny explains how tattooing his recurring nightmares on his arm helped him overcome their hold over him, using exposure therapy principles in a creative, personal way.

45:03 – Gratitude Journaling Through Hardships

Johnny reveals his gratitude journaling practice, listing ten specific daily moments he’s thankful for, even after losing his home in a hurricane.

51:02 – Surviving a Plane Crash and Gaining Perspective

Johnny shares his surreal experience of surviving a near-plane crash and the lessons he learned about life, control, and what truly matters.

55:48 – Turning Trauma into Purpose

Johnny discusses how he’s using his experiences—plane crashes, hurricanes, and personal losses—to create talks that inspire others to overcome their own challenges.

Links & Resources

• CopeNotes Website: Johnny’s mental health platform offering daily supportive text messages.
• TEDx Talk by Johnny Crowder: Insights into his journey and mental health advocacy.
• Music by Prison: Explore Johnny’s band and their albums, including Still Alive.