{"podcast":{"title":"Iowa Tech Podcast","slug":"iowa-tech-podcast-7097920","podcast_index_feed_id":7097920,"rss_url":"https://feeds.libsyn.com/542257/rss","website_url":"https://sites.libsyn.com/542257","image_url":"https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/7/2/a/c/72ac7d9f691d5bf3e55e3c100dce7605/Tech_square.png","author":"Kaylee Williams","episode_count":74,"summary":"Welcome to the Iowa Tech Podcast, your gateway to the vibrant world of technology and innovation right here in Iowa. Each week, we dive into the dynamic landscape of Iowa's tech industry, showcasing the brilliant minds, groundbreaking startups, and transformative ideas that are shaping the future. Join our host, Kaylee Williams, as we sit down with tech entrepreneurs, industry experts, and thought leaders who are driving change and pushing boundaries in fields ranging from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to agtech and clean energy. Whether you're a seasoned professional, a budding innovator, or simply tech-curious, the Iowa Tech Podcast offers insider insights, inspiring stories, and practical advice to keep you at the forefront of the digital revolution. Tune in to explore how Iowa is making waves on the global tech stage and discover how you can be a part of this exciting journey.","last_synced_at":null,"page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/iowa-tech-podcast-7097920"},"episode":{"title":"Triumph Over Tragedy: How a Cedar Rapids Startup is Revolutionizing Mental Wellness","slug":"triumph-over-tragedy-how-a-cedar-rapids-startup-is-revolutionizing-mental-wellness","published_at":"2025-08-26T11:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/iowa-tech-podcast-7097920/triumph-over-tragedy-how-a-cedar-rapids-startup-is-revolutionizing-mental-wellness","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/iowa-tech-podcast-7097920","url":"https://iowapodcast.com/brightn","audio_url":"https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/f8302322-1d6c-46da-acd0-a4cdad4ddaab/Jeffery_Johnson_Final.mp3?dest-id=4673877","summary":"The latest episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, hosted by Micah Walker, features a heartfelt and inspirational conversation with Jeffrey Johnson, the founder of Brightn—a mental wellness startup. The episode delves into Jeffrey's personal journey, which led to the creation of Brightn. It all began with a tragic turn of events when Jeffrey lost his son to an overdose and subsequently, his wife to grief and substance abuse. These painful experiences propelled him to start a nonprofit, Living Undeterred Project, and eventually Brightn, an app aimed at shifting the focus from crisis intervention to mental wellness prevention and planning. Jeffrey emphasizes that while Brighton is not anti-medication, it seeks to explore alternatives before medication becomes the first line of treatment. Brightn aims to revolutionize mental wellness by focusing on the pre-treatment and prevention realm. The app offers a unique approach by using a nine-question Brightn Zone assessment to identify user strengths and deficiencies in health, wealth, and purpose. This information, along with AI-driven personalized content, helps users engage in self-improvement. The episode also highlights Brightn's impressive growth, both in B2B and B2C markets, with partnerships like Med-One and Choice Charter Schools. Jeffrey shares the app's successful engagement strategies, which have resulted in higher retention and lower churn rates compared to industry averages. With strategic partnerships and a focus on prevention, Brightn is poised to make a significant impact in the mental wellness space, all while honoring the legacy of Jeffrey's late son and granddaughter, after whom the app is named. Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/brightn","meta_description":"The latest episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, hosted by Micah Walker, features a heartfelt and inspirational conversation with Jeffrey Johnson, the founder…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2063,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/iowa-tech-podcast-7097920/episodes/triumph-over-tragedy-how-a-cedar-rapids-startup-is-revolutionizing-mental-wellness/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/iowa-tech-podcast-7097920/triumph-over-tragedy-how-a-cedar-rapids-startup-is-revolutionizing-mental-wellness.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}