We were lucky to catch up with Edwin Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Edwin , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
The story behind my mission is to encourage society to think more optimistically when it comes to relationships. I have been involved in a few relationships and have discovered that many people have not healed from past relationships. The story behind my mission is based on my personal experiences. I want to help people understand that our actions and the individuals we choose to be with in a relationship boil down to the choices we make. These choices often stem from our life experiences and the people we have encountered. To make better choices, we need to examine our mental health and the energy we are putting out. Additionally, we need to delve deeper into our subconscious minds.
My mission is to provide people with transformational tools and a different perspective on life when it comes to selecting partners. Also, I aim to promote a culture of honesty and integrity within relationships. We must be very intentional about the individuals we attract into our lives.
Edwin , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am Edwin Johnson, the CEO and founder of Chords Academy and Arts, a nonprofit organization located in the city of San Bernardino. While establishing this organization, I also ventured into writing books. Through this process, I developed a fondness for sharing my experiences and stories to educate, empower, and uplift people. My entry into the book writing industry was somewhat accidental. Recognizing the need to express my thoughts and ideas, I initially engaged in music, which led to the creation of my organization. However, my journey led me to writing books.
The genesis of my writing began with my first book, which I intended to be a personal gift to my children. I wanted to demonstrate to them that with determination, they could overcome any challenges they encountered in life. During the editing phase, individuals who read the manuscript encouraged me to publish the book due to its impactful content. Following their advice, I published the book with the aim of helping others.
The subject of my second book, titled “Breaking the Guy Code: Diary of a Narcissist,” is what I’m currently discussing. This book offers readers a genuine depiction and perspective of my own transformation from a narcissist. I believe that inherent in everyone are narcissistic tendencies, to varying degrees. My personal experiences shed light on this aspect, as I underwent a significant change from being an extreme narcissist. Through various relationships with women, I discovered important insights about both myself and my partners.
In this book, I share my experiences in dating diverse women with various backgrounds. My goal for readers is to provide insight into questions like “Why do men cheat?” and “Why are men sometimes deceitful?” Additionally, I highlight the qualities that one should look for in a man when considering a partner. In today’s dating landscape, unsuccessful relationships and high divorce rates are prevalent. I aim to guide people in understanding themselves better and making informed choices about the individuals they welcome into their lives.
The book covers a range of scenarios, such as navigating relationships with stepfathers, pursuing one’s life purpose, and shaping mindsets. Ultimately, “Breaking the Guy Code” delves into these subjects, offering readers a comprehensive perspective on the complexities of modern relationships.
One of the aspects I’m most proud of regarding this book is the unique perspective it offers. As someone who was once engaged in cheating, I’ve undertaken a profound journey of self-exploration. This journey has allowed me to delve into my own psyche, understanding the intricacies of my thoughts and the external factors that influenced my past actions of infidelity. The transformation from that phase to my current state is something I hold dear.
What brings me immense pride is the opportunity to not only share this personal growth but also to guide others through their healing processes. This book serves as a tool for helping individuals comprehend the deep-seated damage caused by infidelity and its broader implications. By sharing my experiences and the insights I’ve gained, I aspire to facilitate healing in others, fostering a path towards understanding, redemption, and healthier relationships.
In this book, I delve into various methods through which men engage in cheating and the tactics they employ to conceal their infidelity. I also explore the underlying reasons behind why men cheat. Additionally, I address specific categories of cheaters, including figures like Derrick Jackson. This discussion holds significant importance due to the prevalent tendency of many relationship books to focus solely on surface-level topics. In contrast, my book delves into the depths, revealing hidden truths.
The content of my book holds particular value for women. It centers around principles of integrity and truth, and it offers readers a candid perspective on the complexities of infidelity and relationships. While many resources gloss over these intricate issues, my book is committed to shedding light on these often unspoken secrets.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
During my upbringing, I was consistently taught certain beliefs. One prevailing notion was that having multiple women in one’s life equated to being more masculine and esteemed among men. There was a common notion that the more women one was involved with, the higher their status and desirability. Additionally, I received advice from friends and family members that warned against placing too much trust in women and cautioned that they were prone to deception. These teachings were deeply embedded in my cultural surroundings. Witnessing friends and family members engage in relationships with multiple women while maintaining a lack of transparency reinforced these ideas. The relationships were characterized by deceit rather than openness.
Absorbing these messages from a young age, around 12 or 13 years old, I began adopting these behaviors. Even in my early adolescence, I engaged in relationships with various women from diverse backgrounds. This pattern persisted into my adulthood. However, as I matured, I witnessed the profound pain and trauma these actions inflicted. I observed how this lifestyle contributed to the dissolution of families and the division of individuals. My participation in this behavior only resulted in harming others and ultimately led me back to similar situations, forcing me to start over repeatedly.
Recognizing the detrimental consequences of my actions, I came to understand that I needed to unlearn the cultural teachings that had shaped my mindset. This process involved shedding the influences I had absorbed from media portrayals of Black neighborhoods and challenging the perceptions that society had ingrained in me. I realized that the lessons society had impressed upon me were flawed and damaging. My journey involved dismantling these erroneous beliefs and striving to develop a healthier perspective on relationships.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Before I embarked on my journey of mental growth and self-discovery, I used to share negative posts on Facebook about relationships and women. My perspective was quite pessimistic. However, as I delved into self-exploration and started understanding myself better, I initiated a podcast. Through this podcast, I invited both men and women to discuss relationship topics. Unfortunately, these discussions often devolved into arguments, highlighting the disparity in our viewpoints. It became evident that personal emotions and past experiences heavily influenced these conversations. Consequently, finding common ground seemed elusive due to lingering trauma.
Recognizing this pattern prompted me to engage in deep introspection. I began consuming more books and podcasts, immersing myself in diverse perspectives. By combining various viewpoints, I forged a positive and balanced perspective, drawing from both genders’ experiences.
Contrary to the expectations of many who knew my past endeavors, my upcoming book takes a different approach. Rather than focusing on negativity or bashing women, the book aims to foster healing. It offers guidance on the qualities women should seek in a partner, incorporates affirmations, and provides a workbook for readers to manifest the life they desire. The book equips readers with tools to identify a healthy man and recognize the traits of such a partner.
The evolution from my previous podcast to the present, consistent approach has contributed to building a dedicated audience. While my past content set the foundation, the transformation in my perspective and content is something I believe my audience will appreciate. The book’s emphasis on growth, healing, and empowerment aligns with the positive direction I’ve taken, resonating with the people who follow my journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: chordsacademy.org
- Instagram: chords_king
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edwin.sanbernardino
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwin-johnson-29b57672/
- Twitter: chordsE
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/cPPAkW-FT-I?feature=shared
- Amazon Book: Breaking The Guy Code: “Diary of a Narcissist” https://a.co/d/bEUP6JP