We recently had the chance to connect with Jonas Rogers and have shared our conversation below.
Jonas , it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I’m walking a path, but it’s not mine.
I have an idea of where I’m trying to go, but I veer off from time to time — get lost for a little, then find my way back. Sometimes quickly, sometimes not. The path I’m walking belongs to life. And it’s constantly changing.
I know, I know… whoever’s reading this is probably thinking, “Oh God, this guy sucks.” But I genuinely live with the belief that I’m on life’s terms. If I always ended up where I thought I should be, my life wouldn’t be what it is today.
Maybe I’ll get to where I think I’m going. Or maybe life will take me in a completely different direction. Either way, I look forward to the journey.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’ve got déjà vu. Last time I did an interview with y’all, I spilled everything. So let’s streamline it.
My name’s Jonas Rogers. I grew up in Northern California, where the cards were stacked against me early on. Abuse, meth, cops, alcohol — it was chaos. I’m the child of an addict, and I hated it… until I became the very thing I swore I wouldn’t. And I’m so fortunate I did.
I say fortunate because this year I celebrated four years sober. I finished ad school, built my portfolio, and now I’m surrounded by people I love. I wouldn’t be here without everything I went through. (I have a zine I made on my site that gives a better glimpse of my journey.)
So who am I? Just a dude who was dealt a rough hand, got strung out on fentanyl, and nearly gave up. But I didn’t. And now, all I want is to be a good man and help others. If I do that, everything else falls into place.
I love anything creative: art, music, skating, writing — all of it.
Is this a good time to mention I went to school for copywriting? It feels like a good time. I kinda need a job..
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I’d love to talk about myself more, but this is a great question.
Bonds are broken, or never formed when people can’t communicate. Humans live in their own bubbles. Someone does something you don’t like? It’s far easier to say screw them than to sit down and have an honest conversation. Voice your likes and dislikes.
I get it, it’s not easy to own your part. To set aside the ego and put yourself in someone else’s shoes. To try and understand them rather than judge.
But communication fosters growth. Without it, we’re doomed to live in resentment — of people, places, and things. We rob ourselves of relationships, all because we never tried to understand another person’s point of view.
On the flip, bonds are built through vulnerability and effort. Through taking the uncomfortable step to talk, listen, and actually care what the other person’s going through. Walking through fear and getting to know a stranger.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Gratitude and Adversity
I find gratitude in the smallest things. Even when life gets hard, I search for the good. I remind myself how fortunate I am. Things could always be worse. Suffering isn’t easy, but every obstacle overcome is an opportunity to grow. And prove to myself I’m capable of making it through anything as long as I put one foot in front of the other.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
The human story goes back way further than we’re told. I love going down the conspiracy rabbit hole, not in a tinfoil hat kind of way, but in a “what if?” kind of way. Or actually, maybe in a tinfoil hat kind of way. Let’s get weird.
But, the idea of a previous advanced civilization that got wiped out – resetting us back to primitive life? That doesn’t seem so far-fetched to me.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I couldn’t tell you if I’ll have a legacy. I don’t know if I’ll be remembered at all. But when I leave this world, I just want to go knowing I was a good person, that I helped others – that I lived a life rooted in love. People can misunderstand me if they want. They have that right. What matters is that I stayed true to who I am.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j0nasrogers/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonas-rogers-a8ab51274
- Website: https://www.rogersjonas.com
Image Credits
Alec Killion.
