Episode 28: There's Coffee in the Fridge - A Story of Staying, Healing, and Finding Joy Again with Jim Rinere
In this heart-opening episode, I sit down Jim "JR" Rinere, an entrepreneur, c-suite executive, professional speaker, and author of There’s Coffee in the Fridge, to explore the courage it takes to stay, heal, and to find joy again. It's an honest and powerful conversation about the pervasiveness and impact of mental health on our boys, young men, and adult men in the U.S. JR shares his journey through childhood trauma, depression, and a suicide attempt—and how small, sacred moments like a simple message from his wife became lifelines of love and hope.
Together, we explore:
The pressures men face to suppress emotion—and what it costs them
How trauma can show up decades later, disguised as success or numbness
Why self-forgiveness and emotional honesty are revolutionary acts
The life-changing power of mindfulness and meaningful connection
The metaphor behind “There’s coffee in the fridge”
JR’s message is clear: Healing is possible. Joy is possible. And love—especially for yourself—is always within reach.
Whether you’re walking through your own hard season or holding space for someone else, this is a story that reminds us: it’s okay to not be okay, and it’s more than okay to ask for help.
⚠️ Content Warning: This episode includes references to depression, sexual abuse, and suicide. These moments are shared with care and compassion, but may be difficult for some listeners. Please take care of yourself as you listen. If you or someone you love is struggling, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the free and confidential Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24/7.
About Jim Rinere
Jim “JR” Rinere is an entrepreneur, a c-suite executive, professional speaker, a High School Lacrosse coach, and the author James Francis. His book, “There’s Coffee in the Fridge, One Man’s Journey Through Anxiety & Depression” has been an Amazon best seller in multiple genre categories.
Through the course of his three-decade career, he has worked closely with private equity and venture capital investors, he has run sales teams for large publicly traded companies, he has been a c-suite executive for start-ups in the healthcare and well-being space, and he also owned and operated a vintage Good Humor Ice Cream Truck.
Jim tells his story from breaking down to breaking through and the positive results of bringing his experiences into the Boardroom to help other business leaders become more successful at leading their teams. Jim describes himself as the common man and openly discusses topics that some think are taboo and he does this with some humor and some very serious face to face reckoning with past trauma to achieve long lasting happiness and joy
He is a 30+ year resident of Madison, Ct and is a father, husband, and has been practicing mindfulness for over 15 years.
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Buy the book, "There's Coffee in the Fridge"