How to be seen: small changes that make your unique presence work for you - John Kippen
Episode 519, released 24th September 2025.
In this week’s show Lian is joined by John Kippen. John is an entrepreneur, professional magician, speaker, resilience and empowerment coach and published author.
John was dealt a bad blow in 2002 when he was diagnosed with a large benign brain tumor. Its removal, although successful, left him with permanent facial paralysis which stopped his forward momentum forcing him into hiding for more than 12 years.
Listen or watch on:
Transcript is here: episode519transcript
As John hit bottom, he rediscovered his childhood love for performing magic and storytelling. Now filled with passion and hope, he discovered that his facial paralysis had become his greatest superpower.
This new mindset gave John the strength to live life with joy and become a sought after resilience and empowerment coach who uses the lessons and tricks he learned overcoming his adversity to inspire and assist his clients to get out of their own way and live their best lives.
His two mottos are “Being Different is your Superpower!” and “Feed your Heart with your Art”.
In this episode, Lian and John explore identity, being seen, and the simple choices that change a room. John shares the day a brain tumour changed his face, the eight years he avoided mirrors, the child who asked what adults wouldn’t, and the moment he chose to name the change to his face before anyone else did.
Together, they look at what actually makes the difference: saying the obvious thing first so people relax, letting repetition and craft rebuild confidence, and making the person in front of you the point.
Listen if you have ever dodged photos, worried about what strangers notice, or wondered how to begin again after a big change that impacts you at the level of your identity.
We’d love to know what YOU think about this week’s show. Let’s carry on the conversation… please leave a comment below.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
How naming the visible difference at the start eases tension, answers unasked questions, and opens real connection
Why steady practice, honest story, and self-acceptance can rebuild identity after a big change, without waiting for perfect conditions or permission
What happens when you put the person in front of you first with presence, names, and attention: tension drops, curiosity softens, and trust grows
Resources and stuff spoken about:
There’s a free book but you can only get it by listening to the episode :)
Visit John’s website
Join UNIO, the Academy of the Soul: This is for the old souls in this new world… Discover your kin & unite with your soul’s calling to truly live your myth.
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Thank you!
Lian & Jonathan