S2E12: Grief, Purpose, and a Son Who Chose a Different Road With Ian Johnston

Grief changes a family. But it doesn’t have to define what comes next.

In this episode of Living Undeterred, Jeff Johnston sits down with his son, Ian Johnston, for a raw, unscripted father–son conversation about loss, identity, and the “different road” you can choose when life breaks you open. They reflect on the moments that shaped their family forever, what it means to keep going without pretending you’re okay, and how purpose is built through the small, everyday decisions that follow trauma.

Ian also shares his journey as a young entrepreneur and the story behind Tribute Kicks, a business rooted in legacy, community, and giving back. Together, Jeff and Ian unpack what it looks like to honor loved ones through how you live, how you show up, and what you choose to carry forward.

Key Takeaways

• Grief doesn’t disappear. Healing isn’t forgetting, it’s learning how to carry loss without letting it take over your identity.
• After trauma, you still get a choice. Jeff and Ian reflect on the “different road” you can choose when life breaks you open: isolation and shutdown, or purpose and connection.
• Purpose is built through action. Meaning often comes after the hard moments, through what you create, who you serve, and how you show up day-to-day.
• Legacy can be lived, not just remembered. Honoring someone isn’t only about looking back. It’s about letting their impact shape how you live forward.
• Entrepreneurship can be a healing container. Ian shares how building Tribute Kicks became a way to grow, stay grounded, and give back.
• Father–son healing takes intention. Their relationship deepens through shared memories, honest conversation, and making space for grief without avoiding it.
• Connection matters more than perfect words. Being present, checking in, and staying close does more than trying to “fix” someone’s pain.
• Joy can come back. Not as a replacement for grief, but alongside it, through meaningful work, hobbies, community, and gratitude.

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Listen to the full episode here:

Q&A: Jeff Johnston with Ian Johnston

Q: Ian, what’s it like being a young entrepreneur right now?

Ian: It’s fun and exciting, but it’s also challenging. The market shifts fast, and you have to adjust. Around the holidays, it gets intense, especially being in a busy mall. Black Friday is huge for foot traffic and sales.

Q: How did Tribute Kicks start?

Ian: I started selling shoes years ago, back in high school, and got pulled in by sneaker culture. Later, I reached out to Zach, another local seller, and we decided to build a store together and make it real.

Q: What’s been hard about running the business lately?

Ian: The market’s down compared to where it was. Shoes that used to sell for one price are now selling for less. You can’t fight it, you just have to adapt and keep learning.

Q: What sells best right now?

Ian: Jordan retros are steady movers because you can’t always find them sitting in stores. Yeezys still sell too, even with the controversy, because they’re hard to find in-person.

Q: Why does the word “Tribute” matter so much for your store?

Ian: “Tribute” is personal. The store donates a percentage of profits each month to causes tied to mental health and substance use support. It’s connected to our family’s story, and it’s important that giving back stays part of the business.

Q: Jeff, can you share the moment where everything changed for your family?

Jeff: Jeff reflects on getting the call that Seth had died, and having to make a split-second decision about what to tell Ian in that moment. He explains how that day became the start of what he calls the “two roads” idea: one path is getting pulled under by the pain, and the other is choosing to turn that pain into purpose and advocacy.

Q: Ian, what do you remember about finding out your brother died?

Ian: Ian shares how he could tell something was wrong during a golf tournament day because Jeff’s behavior was different. When he finally got home, the family sat together, and that’s when everything shifted. He also reflects on his relationship with Seth and how the years since have shaped who he is.

Q: What helps you stay connected as father and son today?

Jeff: Golf used to be their main bonding space. Now, sports cards and shared hobbies have become a healthy way to connect, have fun, and create new memories while still honoring the past.

Q: Jeff, what’s a core lesson you want people to take into the new year?

Jeff: Life can change in one phone call. Jeff talks about gratitude, being present, and how easy it is to live in yesterday and tomorrow instead of the moment you’re actually in. He also shares a perspective that’s raw but grounding: even hard moments are proof you’re still here.

Q: Ian, if you had a word for 2026, what would it be?

Ian: “Happiness.” Ian talks about finding happiness in what you love, like the store, golf, and even hobbies tied to memory and connection, like collecting cards.

Conclusion

Grief doesn’t give you a clean ending. It leaves you with memories, unanswered questions, and a life you still have to live.

In this conversation, Jeff and Ian show what it looks like to keep going without pretending it didn’t hurt. They reflect on the moments that changed their family forever, and the choice that follows loss: to get pulled under by it, or to build something meaningful in spite of it.

Living undeterred isn’t about being tough. It’s about being intentional, staying connected, and choosing a life that honors the people you miss through how you live today.

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