JeVon Ikner- Overcoming A Crippling Kratom Addiction

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 [https://joshcearbaugh.com/]

Instagram:   / jcearbaugh  

Linkedin:   / joshcearbaugh  

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

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

Guest: JeVon Ikner

Website: https://therootedman.com/

Instagram:   / jevon_ikner  

00:00:00 Introduction and Focus on Kratom Addiction
00:00:42 Personal Challenges and Role Models
00:01:26 Sharing Stories for Hope and Motivation
00:02:31 Introducing the Inspiring Guest and Masculinity Exploration
00:03:41 Friendship Origin and Deep Topic Openness
00:04:35 Kratom Addiction Story: From Pain Relief to Struggle
00:05:18 Understanding Kratom's Addictive Nature
00:06:05 Dependency and Life Impact
00:09:08 Quitting Journey: Promises and Support Groups
00:11:25 Withdrawal and Community Support
00:12:55 Social Connections and Emotional Well-being
00:14:03 Relationship Strains and Realizations
00:17:48 Reclaiming Life and Energy Management
00:20:00 Marital Dynamics and Communication
00:23:01 Community Support and Honesty in Addiction
00:27:02 Misuse Justifications and Self-reflection
00:31:29 Personal Transformation and Plant Medicine
00:35:54 Structured Approach to Personal Growth
00:41:58 Overcoming Addiction: Personal Experiences
00:44:40 Tools for Responsiveness and Regulation
00:49:39 Embracing Stillness for Clarity
00:52:29 Balancing Action and Rest
00:54:58 Daily Habits for Inner Connection
00:59:18 Modern Distractions and Personal Goals
01:00:19 Reflecting on Habit Costs and Behavior Shifts
01:01:32 Finding Clarity and Purpose
01:04:29 Conclusion and Guest Connection