Come Back To Earth | Music & Mental Health

This season began in grief. My father died on New Year's Day. A few weeks later I sat down with the first guest of Season 3 and asked him what music had taught him about being human. I listened the way you listen when the question is also yours. That's how every conversation this season went. Thirteen guests. Thirteen different answers. And underneath all of them — the same essential truth. Nobody came to music because it was easy. They came because something was hard. And music was the language they reached for when the other languages failed. This is the Season 3 finale. A solo reflection on what thirteen conversations taught me about music, grief, and the man who loved music more than almost anything else. Thank you for being here all season. Season 4 is coming. --- From the Studio This episode is part of Come Back To Earth, produced by Story House. We believe story is a tool for meaning-making, not just performance. Leave a voice message or reflection The Letterbox I read every letter. If something in…

Neither Could Dylan blends rock, punk, and folk into something entirely his own. In this Season 3 finale, Jamie shares how a pandemic hobby became a full creative practice, and how self-production and learning new instruments helped him break through the limits he'd put on his own sound. Jamie dives deep into the creative process, revealing how he overcame limitations and explored new musical territories. You’ll discover: - The unexpected inspiration that sparked his solo project during lockdown. - How writing lyrics first allows him to shape his music around the emotions he wants to convey. - Insights into the importance of pushing creative boundaries and not limiting oneself to a single genre. - The joy of creating music that reflects personal growth and experimentation. Learn why embracing challenges can lead to incredible breakthroughs, both musically and personally. It’s not just about creating music; it’s about building a world of sound that resonates with your true self. Go backstage HERE Theme music…

“Breathe” was written during one of the most difficult seasons of Grace Palmer's life, when her mother was in intensive care and the weight of uncertainty felt unbearable. After briefly escaping the heaviness on holiday, she returned home and crashed, sitting on her floor with a guitar and writing a five-minute song that would later become an anchor for others navigating anxiety and depression. Years later, after her mother passed away just days before Christmas, Grace wrote “By His Side,” a song about grief, faith, and the unbearable weight of loss and the hope that love doesn’t disappear. From using her inheritance to finally record her music at 39, to rejecting industry narratives about age and relevance, Grace shares a story of rebuilding choosing to create something meaningful out of what broke her. This is a conversation about collapse, courage, and the quiet decision to build anyway. Go backstage HERE Theme music by: Lincoln Parish From the Studio This episode is part of Come Back To Earth, produced…

In this episode of Come Back to Earth, I reflect on the grounding power of having something small you can control — a dial, a cable, a circuit — when the rest of life feels unpredictable. I then sit down with music technology veteran and journalist Robin Vincent to talk about modular synthesis, hardware culture, and why building electronic music by hand keeps people curious, engaged, and sane. This conversation explores tactile creativity, community, and the difference between scrolling presets and crafting sound from scratch. It also asks a bigger question: In an era of instant generation, what do we lose — and what do we gain — when we stop building things ourselves? This is an episode about process, presence, and the quiet joy of plugging cables into possibility. Go backstage HERE Theme music by: Lincoln Parish From the Studio This episode is part of Come Back To Earth, produced by Story House. We believe story is a tool for meaning-making, not just performance. Leave a voice message or reflection The…

Elle Indigo has been finding words for things most people leave unnamed. She started in poetry, the private kind, written for no one in particular. Then the words started needing music underneath them. And somewhere in that transition she discovered something about the difference between writing to process and writing to connect. This conversation goes into that space. The vulnerability of making something personal and then handing it to a room full of strangers. The way metaphor can say the thing you couldn't say directly. What it costs to stand on a stage with a song that came from somewhere real and trust that the audience will meet you there. Elle doesn't have it all figured out. That's what makes this worth listening to. --- From the Studio This episode is part of Come Back To Earth, produced by Story House. We believe story is a tool for meaning-making, not just performance. Leave a voice message or reflection The Letterbox I read every letter. If something in this episode landed for you, or raised…

Some stories don’t change. We do. In this episode, J.D. sits down with Brittney Jenkins to discuss her song 'Bend to Break' from her album 'Faultlines'. Brittney explores themes of identity, distance, generational trauma, and the power of reframing the past after growing up in a conservative North Carolina community and building a life in the UK. This conversation covers music as a tool for healing, the artist's creative process, and the strength required to bend instead of break. Key topics include: - Generational trauma and identity - Music and mental health - The creative process of songwriting - Healing through storytelling Go backstage HERE Theme music by: Lincoln Parish --- From the Studio This episode is part of Come Back To Earth, produced by Story House. We believe story is a tool for meaning-making, not just performance. Leave a voice message or reflection The Letterbox I read every letter. If something in this episode landed for you, or raised something you're still sitting with, I'd love to hear…

Grief doesn’t always arrive as tears. Sometimes it arrives as instinct, the sudden, sharp reflex to call someone who isn’t there anymore. I’m sitting down with Canadian folk-pop songwriter Joe McLeod to talk about his single, “ARROWS” the first release from his upcoming album TORN. Written over years of reflection following the loss of his father at age 22, “ARROWS” explores the weight of becoming the protector. From writing in solitude on an acoustic guitar to intimate house shows in Switzerland, this conversation explores loss not as a one-time event, but as a lifelong reshaping. In This Episode: Navigating the loss of a parent in early adulthood. Understanding grief as an evolving process, not a destination. The journey of writing alone versus the energy of the studio. Creating a shared, present-moment refuge for the audience. Go backstage HERE Theme music by: Lincoln Parish --- From the Studio This episode is part of Come Back To Earth, produced by Story House. We believe story is a tool for…

Some songs are written during the day. Others are built in the quiet hours, when no one is watching, when exhaustion meets inspiration, and when something inside refuses to let you sleep. I’m joined by Danish pop artist Emilie Thorsby to talk about her single, “Late Night”—a vibrant celebration of hardworking musicians in an era increasingly shaped by AI and automation. From global radio play (including a surreal first spin in Uganda) to studio sessions fueled by disco beats and live saxophone, Emilie shares why she believes in breath over perfection and live performance over simulation. This is a conversation about the craft of songwriting, the ethics of AI in the music industry, and the simple truth that some things can’t be generated, they can only be lived. Go backstage HERE Theme music by: Lincoln Parish --- From the Studio This episode is part of Come Back To Earth, produced by Story House. We believe story is a tool for meaning-making, not just performance. Leave a voice message or reflection The…

Some songs are written to be heard. Others are written to be seen. I’m joined by singer-songwriter Lavender Fire to discuss her debut album, From Shadows to Light. Her work is a four-year journey of reclaiming parts of herself and stepping fully into her identity. Built primarily around piano and voice, the album traces a profound arc from self-realization to radical self-acceptance. Connect with Lavender Fire HERE Go backstage HERE Theme music by: Lincoln Parish --- From the Studio This episode is part of Come Back To Earth, produced by Story House. We believe story is a tool for meaning-making, not just performance. Leave a voice message or reflection The Letterbox I read every letter. If something in this episode landed for you, or raised something you're still sitting with, I'd love to hear it. Story House 370 Mallard Loop Dr. Clayton, NC 27527 Find the House Long-form writing and studio notes: https://story-house.beehiiv.com/ Support this work: http://storyhousestudio.org/community Presence over…

Growth isn’t always about finding a voice; often, it’s about the decision to stop softening the one you already have. Today, we sit with Germany-based artist Alex Loeb to explore the shift from genre-controlled narratives to the raw clarity of direct expression. Connect with Alex Loeb HERE Go backstage HERE Theme music by: Lincoln Parish

What happens when the song you’re singing no longer fits the person you’ve become? Growth isn’t always a loud breakthrough; sometimes it is the quiet act of stepping out of the center to see the entire picture. Today, we sit with returning guest Charlie Void to explore the messy, honest alchemy of reinvention. We follow the thread from being dropped by a label to finding a new rhythm with Golden Factory Records in Florence. This is a meditation on the shift from being a "pop artist" to becoming a producer, and the autonomy found in a 15-track album that finally feels like home. Whether you are navigating a career transition or seeking artistic autonomy, this conversation is an invitation to trust your own timeline. The Thread of This Conversation: The "Threshold" of leaving the center to find your perspective Shaping EDM and Pop sensibilities into an honest body of work The Mental Health of the independent artist: Moving beyond marketability What it means to create music that simply "needs to exist"…

In this episode of Come Back to Earth, J.D. reflects on how a familiar melody can suddenly sound different when something within us shifts. He sits down with artist and producer Anthony Church to explore his creative evolution from a background beat-maker to a front-facing artist releasing instrumental music. In This Episode: Finding your voice through the discipline of daily practice. Shifting from producer to artist: The journey of creative autonomy. Melody-first composition and creating an emotional atmosphere. Creativity as resilience and nervous system regulation. Why certain songs meet us differently as we move through different seasons of life. Connect with Anthony Church and his music HERE Go backstage HERE Theme music by: Lincoln Parish --- If this episode sparked a memory, a question about the craft, or a story you’d rather speak than type, come sit at our table. You can leave a voice note for the studio or explore our resources for creators at: https://www.speakpipe.com/StoryHouse

What if music wasn't an escape, but a way to stay present? We explore the joy of making music and how songs build a music community when we need it most. Not every song is written to last forever. Some are written simply because they feel good in the moment—because they sound like a crowded room when you’re alone, or because they make the silence feel a little less heavy. In this episode, J.D. reflects on the first time music felt like true company: not as a performance to be judged or an escape to another world, but as a grounding presence. We are joined by New Jersey-based singer-songwriter Eric Harrison to discuss his latest album, Bittersweet. Eric shares the story behind his anthem “Sal’s Place,” a tribute to the sweaty basements and wobbly decks where the joy of music is found in its purest form. Together, they explore the rare honesty that comes from creating art simply because you love it, and how a shared melody can foster a deep sense of music community. This conversation is an invitation to value…

In this season premiere of Come Back to Earth, host J.D. Murgolo reflects on the early Saturday mornings of his youth, music drifting down a hallway, a house quietly breathing, and the inheritance we don’t recognize until it’s already part of us. J.D. sits down with Michael Gilas to explore the songwriting inspiration that moves beyond the spotlight and into the lived experience of the listener. In This Episode: The Living Inheritance: How the music of our childhood shapes our internal landscape. Beyond the Spotlight: Finding the quiet honesty in Michael Gilas’s creative journey. Music as Legacy: Why some songs have the power to outlive their creators. Presence in Sound: An unscripted music conversation about the art of listening. Connect with Michael Gilas and his music HERE Go backstage HERE Theme music by: Lincoln Parish --- If this episode sparked a memory, a question about the craft, or a story you’d rather speak than type, come sit at our table. You can leave a voice note for the studio or explore our…

A new season is arriving. Come Back to Earth returns this March with a new season of conversations at the intersection of music, memory, and mental health. Season 3 sits with artists as they reflect on the songs that steadied them, the moments that broke them open, and the music that helped them find their way back to themselves. These are quiet, honest conversations about creativity as survival and sound as something that holds us when words fall short. Produced by Not Today Media. New episodes begin this March.

In our Season 2 finale, we sit with D.K. Lyons, a singer-songwriter whose artistic journey has been shaped by personal tragedy, unwavering advocacy, and a fierce commitment to using music as a tool for both healing and social change. Born in Massachusetts, D.K. began writing songs as a way to process profound loss, discovering that music could hold what ordinary language couldn't carry. But his artistry has evolved far beyond personal expression into something that actively engages with the world's injustices and possibilities. His upcoming EP Darling Kiss Louder represents an ambitious fusion of influences — drawing inspiration from classical literature while critiquing contemporary digital culture, centering women's voices while tackling systemic issues, creating art that's both deeply personal and broadly political. This conversation explores how tragedy can become a catalyst for advocacy, how artistry and activism intersect, and what it means to create with both vulnerability and purpose. It's a fitting…

In this episode, we sit with Jody Cooper, a D.I.Y. artist and full-time father whose music emerges from the intersection of creative necessity and lived experience. Jody's story isn't about chasing musical success in traditional terms — it's about using songwriting as a tool for processing mental health struggles, pandemic reflections, and the complex realities of modern parenthood. The conversation explores how the pandemic served as a catalyst for deeper reflection on mental health, creativity, and resilience. We discuss the particular challenges of being an independent artist while managing family responsibilities, and how music can serve as both personal therapy and a bridge to others navigating similar experiences. Jody's approach to creativity is refreshingly honest — he creates not from a place of having answers, but from a need to explore questions. His music reflects the raw, unpolished reality of someone working through life's complexities in real time, without pretense or easy solutions. What We…

In this episode, we sit with James Snelling, a neurodivergent singer-songwriter whose journey into music began not in youth but in midlife, after losing his job and facing the kind of life upheaval that forces you to reconsider everything you thought you knew about yourself. James's story challenges conventional narratives about when and how artistic careers begin. His path to sharing his music publicly came through loss and transformation, proving that creativity doesn't follow standard timelines and that some of the most authentic art emerges from life's disruptions rather than its certainties. We explore how neurodivergence shapes his songwriting, the unique perspective that comes from feeling like an outsider, and the courage required to share vulnerable art when the world has already signaled that you don't quite fit its expectations. What We Talk About: Finding music as a voice for neurodivergent experience and feeling different Beginning an artistic practice in midlife after career upheaval Writing…

In this episode, we sit with Perfect Cadence, a band whose music serves as a lighthouse for anyone navigating the complex terrain of mental health, isolation, and the ongoing work of healing. Their approach to songwriting isn't about offering easy answers or quick fixes — it's about creating space for difficult emotions and transforming them into something that can be shared, understood, and held. We explore how their song "Shine" became a lifeline for listeners struggling with depression and isolation, the responsibility that comes with creating art that addresses mental health, and the power of music to bridge the gap between individual experience and collective understanding. This conversation touches on themes that feel especially relevant in our current moment: how we support each other through difficult seasons, the importance of speaking openly about mental health struggles, and the way that honest art can become a form of connection and healing. What We Talk About: The genesis of "Shine" and its…

In this episode, we sit with Mars Hendrik, a musician and coach whose journey from Costa Rica to international stages is really a story about learning to climb — not just toward success, but toward the fullest expression of who you're meant to be. Mars grew up immersed in a rich blend of musical influences, from Santana's guitar mastery to Sublime's laid-back rebellion, and these early sounds became the foundation for a career that spans over a decade of inspiring audiences across continents. But what makes Mars's story unique isn't just his musical evolution — it's his understanding that true performance is about more than entertainment. It's about transformation. We explore how Mars has learned to be both artist and guide, helping others find their own voices while continuing to develop his own. His approach to music and coaching reveals someone who understands that potential isn't just waiting to be discovered — it's waiting to be claimed, one courageous step at a time. What We Talk About: Growing up in…

In this episode, we sit with Lepani, an artist whose journey through the music industry reads like a map of what it costs to lose yourself — and what it takes to find your way back. Lepani's story begins in the bedroom studio, creating the kind of honest, experimental music that emerges when no one is watching and nothing is at stake except the pure joy of making something beautiful. But as his career progressed and industry pressures mounted, that creative freedom began to erode. What started as artistic guidance slowly became artistic control, until the music he was making felt more like performance than expression. The toll was real: mental health struggles, creative burnout, and the particular kind of loss that happens when the thing you love most becomes the source of your pain. But this isn't just a story about what the industry can take from artists — it's about what happens when an artist decides to take it back. Now independent and based in the UK, Lepani is rebuilding his relationship with music on…

Some love stories begin with fireworks. This one began with a railroad conductor, a circus artist, and a song. When Michael and Kayo met online, they were each carrying a lifetime of stories—some beautiful, some heavy, and all still echoing in how they showed up in love. Instead of running from their pasts, they did something brave: they wrote through them. Together, they left the familiar behind and started over in Dixon, New Mexico, where the landscape is wide and the healing feels just a little more possible. Through songwriting, they began to name their traumas, rebuild trust, and give voice to the versions of themselves they were still learning how to love. This episode is a window into that process—honest, unfiltered, and full of hope. Whether you’re partnered or on your own path, Michael and Kayo’s story reminds us that healing doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be true. 🔗 Follow Box Canyon Barbies: Website Theme music by: Lincoln Parish Leave a comment on the episode HERE Subscribe to the…

What happens after you’ve already grown up… but your heart still has some catching up to do? Composer and songwriter Adam Schumaker calls this next chapter “the second growing up”—a quiet reckoning with love, loss, and the slow understanding that we never stop becoming who we are. From his roots in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to the haunting beauty of his new album Love, Death, Sleep, Money, Adam has learned to turn personal transformation into poetry. In this conversation, we talk about the sacred mess of middle life, the role music plays in navigating grief and joy, and why songwriting isn’t about finding the answers—it’s about holding space for the questions. If you’ve ever stood at a threshold and asked, Now what?, this episode is for you. 🔗 Follow Adam: Instagram Theme music by: Lincoln Parish Leave a comment on the episode HERE Subscribe to the show: Not Today Media Get full access to Come Back To Earth at comebacktoearth.substack.com/subscribe

There’s a kind of silence that follows grief — a space where music can both vanish and return in unexpected ways. This week on Come Back To Earth, Aaron Weafer shares his deeply personal journey: growing up around music, stepping into the spotlight late, and then stepping away from it all as mental health struggles and loss took their toll. But where some might have given up, Aaron found a fragile, honest way back through songwriting. His new songs process divorce, the death of a close friend, and years of sadness that had long gone unspoken. Before our conversation, I reflect on “Skinny Love” by Bon Iver — a song that holds the delicate balance between pain and hope. It’s the perfect soundtrack to Aaron’s story of rediscovery and healing. In this episode, you’ll hear about: * The complicated dance between success, identity, and mental health * How grief can silence us, and how music can bring us back * The courage it takes to write your pain into something beautiful * And the slow, winding path of…

When the world shut down, Mike Messer opened a door — or rather, a live stream. This week on Come Back To Earth, Mike shares how during the uncertainty of the pandemic, he created Adoraborealis, a recording project and a digital sanctuary where “cooped up concerts” became a source of light and community. With a catchphrase that felt like a warm hug — “I see you and I love you” — Mike spoke his own fears out loud and invited an online audience into a space of forgiveness, hope, and belonging. Before our conversation, I reflect on “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles — a classic tune that feels like a sunrise after a long night. It’s the perfect anthem for Mike’s story of light returning in the darkest times. In this episode, you’ll hear about: * How live-streamed music became a lifeline in isolation * The power of small moments of connection during global uncertainty * Why forgiveness and encouragement are central to Mike’s art * Building community in a digital world * And the hope that music can bring, even…

There’s a certain kind of quiet that lives in grief — especially when you’re young. Especially when you’re already feeling like the outsider. Especially when no one’s listening. This week on Come Back To Earth, I talk with singer-songwriter Alexia Avila, who started writing music as a teenager — not for fame or attention, but for survival. After losing her father, navigating bullying, and dealing with mental health struggles that left her feeling misunderstood and alone, she turned to songwriting not just as expression… but as reclamation. Her first finished song, “My Way,” became an anthem. A declaration. A musical letter to herself that said: “You’re allowed to be here. You’re allowed to speak.” Before our conversation, I reflect on “Lose You to Love Me” by Selena Gomez — a song about stepping back into your own light after the world tries to dim it. It’s not about triumph. It’s about truth. And Alexia’s story holds that same softness and strength. In this episode, we explore: * How music gave her a voice…

In this Deep Dive bonus episode, we take a deep breath and step into Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car, a song that quietly reshaped what a story song could be. With themes of generational struggle, caretaking, dashed dreams, and the difference between freedom and just motion, this track hits harder the older you get. It’s not just a song about getting away, it’s about what happens when you don’t. In this episode: * A narrative storytelling piece inspired by the emotional world of Fast Car * A reflective, thematic deep dive into the song’s lyrics * A meditation on hope, survival, and learning to name what’s not working Listen if you’ve ever: * Wanted more than what you were handed * Worked hard and still felt like it wasn’t enough * Loved someone who didn’t change * Dreamed of a new life in a quiet, tired way Theme music by: Lincoln Parish Subscribe to the show: Not Today Media Leave a comment on the episode Get full access to Come Back To Earth at comebacktoearth.substack.com/subscribe

There’s something quietly defiant about starting over in your late 30s. Picking up the sticks, joining a band, going on tour — when you thought maybe those days were behind you. But sometimes, reinvention is exactly what saves us. This week, I talk with drummer and podcast host John Huff, who started pursuing music seriously at 40. What followed was a wild ride — performing, recording, even touring — but also a heavy reckoning with ego, identity, and what it means to belong in a space you once watched from the sidelines. Before we dive into John’s story, I reflect on “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World — a song I once thought was for teenagers, but now feels like an anthem for anyone still becoming. This episode explores: * The complicated psychology of late bloomers * Why ego flares when you try something bold and vulnerable * What no one tells you about the “tour comedown” and the emotional crash after success * How spirituality and self-awareness helped John reframe his career * And why the middle might…

We talk a lot about music as healing. But we don’t always talk about how long it can take to even begin that healing. Or how fear can sit in the body like a bruise for years — until something shifts. Until you decide you’re ready to tell the truth. Kat Button was supposed to release her first single 17 years ago. But fear is its own kind of delay — one that doesn’t always look like resistance. Sometimes it looks like silence. Like waiting for the world to feel safer than it is. Like believing your story is too much to share. Now, she’s not only released two back-to-back singles about her mental health journey, but she’s on the verge of putting out her debut album, Refocus, a sonic journal of OCD, anxiety, ADHD, low self-worth, therapy, burnout, and hope. Before our conversation, I reflect on “Liability” by Lorde — that devastating, gentle hymn for anyone who’s ever been told they’re “too much,” and believed it. I’ve felt that shame in my chest. Kat has too. And yet, here we are — making something beautiful…

We don’t always notice the way sound holds us — until we need it.Until the noise in our heads gets too loud.Until the silence becomes too much.Until we hear something that softens the edges and invites us back home to ourselves. This week on Come Back To Earth, I’m joined by Ralph Tashjian, whose work sits at the intersection of mental health, vibrational healing, and the transformative power of music. Ralph’s approach to sound is less about what we hear — and more about what we feel. Before we drop into Ralph’s story, I reflect on one of the songs that’s helped me reclaim my own stillness: “Weightless” by Marconi Union. It’s a reminder that music can be more than art — it can be medicine. And this episode? It’s one long exhale. We talk about: * How sound impacts the nervous system and emotional regulation * The difference between noise and healing sound * Creating rituals of calm in a chaotic world * How we each have a “home frequency” that music can bring us back to This one’s gentle and grounding — like…

What if the stillness we crave isn’t peace, but shutdown? In this episode, we explore the quiet spaces we mistake for healing and the music that finally speaks the truth we’ve been holding in. Inspired by the haunting swell of Disturbed’s cover of “The Sound of Silence,” this story opens with a moment of misrecognition: assuming silence meant safety, when in reality, it was where all the unsaid things were hiding. I’m joined by Jamie Lammers, a genre-blurring artist who makes synth-forward music that doesn’t just sound good it feels honest. Their work is part electronic atmosphere, part emotional confession. It’s the kind of music that invites you to stop pretending and finally feel something. We talk about: * The difference between emotional stillness and emotional numbness * How music helps us tell the truth when words won’t cooperate * The quiet power of making space for hard feelings * Learning to recognize what we’ve buried and gently bringing it back to the surface If you’ve ever held your breath…

Some songs don't just get stuck in your head—they set up camp in your chest. In this episode, we're joined by South African pop artist Charlie Void, whose high-gloss sound and emotionally raw lyrics are redefining what queer pop can be. From the dancefloor to the depths of emotional survival, Charlie shares how music became both an escape and a mirror—how it held them through moments of heartbreak, identity struggle, and creative rebirth. We talk about: * The pressure to perform happiness (and what happens when you stop) * How music like Sia’s “Chandelier” helped shape Charlie’s emotional honesty * Turning personal chaos into connection—and catchy choruses * The relationship between queerness, visibility, and vulnerability in pop * The liberation of making music that’s as glittery as it is gutting Whether you’ve danced through your own breakdown or found healing in a song you couldn't stop repeating, this one’s for you. Charlie doesn’t just make bangers—they make you feel. Loudly. And unapologetically.…

In this bonus episode, we explore the haunting beauty of Radiohead’s Videotape—the closing track of their groundbreaking album In Rainbows. Together, we unravel the song’s meditation on mortality, memory, regret, and the delicate way we say goodbye when words fail us. Through a lyric-by-lyric deep dive and a reflective storytelling piece, we invite you to sit with the quiet moments that shape our legacies and the fragile truths we leave behind. What you’ll hear: * The emotional and spiritual layers behind Videotape’s lyrics * How minimalism in sound mirrors memory and loss * A short, original storytelling piece inspired by the song’s themes * Reflections on grief, healing, and the human need to be remembered Could you say hello on Instagram? Theme music by: Lincoln Parish Comment on the episode HERE We also make Dads Cry Too and What's Your Story? Get full access to Come Back To Earth at comebacktoearth.substack.com/subscribe (00:00) - Intro (02:29) - Videotape Deep Dive (06:18) - Closing Thoughts

You know that moment when a song hits so close to home it feels like it’s reading your journal? This episode is about that moment. The one where music doesn’t just entertain you, it names you. In this deeply honest conversation, I’m joined by Cherish Danae, whose work has helped so many of us feel less alone in our anxiety, grief, healing, and self-discovery. We talk about: * The first song that made us feel seen—and why it cracked something open * The emotional cost (and payoff) of making music that tells the truth * How certain sounds, lyrics, or moments can hold what therapy sometimes can’t * Why music isn’t always about fixing anything—it’s about witnessing Connect with Cherish Danae HERE Could you say hello on Instagram? Theme music by: Lincoln Parish Comment on the episode HERE We also make Dads Cry Too and What's Your Story? Get full access to Come Back To Earth at comebacktoearth.substack.com/subscribe

Nick Potvin has spent years exploring the intersection of sound and the nervous system. His work taps into how music can regulate, express, and even co-regulate when our minds are spiraling. In this conversation, we dive into the science, the soul, and the stories behind music and mental health, what it means to create through dysregulation, how memory lives in melody, and why some songs just hit when nothing else does. Connect with Nick Potvin HERE Could you say hello on Instagram? Support the show through our Sponsors HERE Theme music by: Lincoln Parish Comment on the episode HERE We also make Dads Cry Too and What's Your Story? Get full access to Come Back To Earth at comebacktoearth.substack.com/subscribe

You’ve stumbled upon one of our deep dive episodes where each month we take a closer look at a song that has had an impact on mental health either for the artist themselves, or as a listener. This month we’re sitting with Curtains—a track off Ed Sheeran’s Subtract album that doesn’t just speak to sadness, but to something even more honest: the slow, confusing, uneven process of healing. Could you say hello on Instagram? Support the show through our Sponsors HERE Donate to the Fragile Moments Community to support our work. Learn more and sign up here.Theme music by: Lincoln Parish Comment on the episode HERE We also make Dads Cry Too and What's Your Story? Get full access to Come Back To Earth at comebacktoearth.substack.com/subscribe

Our guest this week, Randy Ojeda, gets it. As a music lawyer he’s made a career out of turning feeling into sound. Whether it's through lyrics, melody, or the vulnerability of live performance, Randy helps artists tap into something real, something that makes the rest of us feel a little less alone. Connect with Randy Ojeda HERE Could you say hello on Instagram? Support the show through our Sponsors HERE Theme music by: Lincoln Parish Comment on the episode HERE We also make Dads Cry Too and What's Your Story? Get full access to Come Back To Earth at comebacktoearth.substack.com/subscribe

In this conversation, we talk about the songs that saved us, the ones that wrecked us (in the best way), and the role music plays in healing, identity, and being fully, messily human. Listen to Court Lee HERE Could you say hello on Instagram? Support the the show through our Sponsors HERE Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts: nottodaymedia.com/earth Theme music by: Lincoln Parish Sign up for the Storyteller Society to join a supportive community of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make Dads Cry Too and What's Your Story? Episode transcripts are posted on our website. Get full access to Come Back To Earth at comebacktoearth.substack.com/subscribe

You’ve stumbled upon one of our deep dive episodes where each month we take a closer look at a song that has had an impact on mental health either for the artist themselves, or as a listener. This month we’re taking a look at Justin Beibers, Lonely. A deeply emotional and autobiographical song. Could you say hello on Instagram? Sign up for our occasional newsletter Come Back To Earth Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts: nottodaymedia.com/earth Theme music by: Lincoln Parish Sign up for the Storyteller Society to join a supportive community of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make Dads Cry Too and What's Your Story? Check out our online shop. Episode transcripts are posted on our website. ______________ Show Sponsor: * BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/fragilemoments for 10% off your first month of online therapy. * WHOOP: join.whoop.com/storyteller for a FREE WHOOP 4.0 and one month FREE. * HUEL: for $20 off your first order of complete nutrition from HUEL CLICK HERE *…

While details about his personal journey remain under wraps, J. Reapers music speaks volumes. Each verse offers a glimpse into his world, reflecting the challenges he's faced and the lessons he's learned. It's this genuine approach that sets him apart in an industry often dominated by superficial themes. Listen to J. Reaper HERE Could you say hello on Instagram? Leave a comment about the episode on Substack HERE Theme music by: Lincoln Parish Sign up for the Fragile Moments Community to support our work and join a supportive group of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make Dads Cry Too and What's Your Story? Episode transcripts are posted on our website. ______________ Show Sponsor: * BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/fragilemoments for 10% off your first month of online therapy. * WHOOP: join.whoop.com/storyteller for a FREE WHOOP 4.0 and one month FREE. * HUEL: for $20 off your first order of complete nutrition from HUEL CLICK HERE * JOT: to save up to $40 on your first JOT coffee…

Welcome to the first Deep Dive episode! This month we’re taking a look at Mac Millers, Come Back To Earth. A personal favorite of mine as it’s the reason for the title of the podcast so I’m excited to say the least. Could you say hello on Instagram? Sign up for our occasional newsletter Come Back To Earth Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts: nottodaymedia.com/earth Theme music by: Lincoln Parish Sign up for the Storyteller Society to join a supportive community of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make Dads Cry Too and What's Your Story? Check out our online shop. Episode transcripts are posted on our website. ______________ Show Sponsor: * BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/fragilemoments for 10% off your first month of online therapy. * WHOOP: join.whoop.com/storyteller for a FREE WHOOP 4.0 and one month FREE. * HUEL: for $20 off your first order of complete nutrition from HUEL CLICK HERE * JOT: to save up to $40 on your first JOT coffee order CLICK HERE Get full access…

Danny Peck is a multifaceted artist whose journey through the realms of music and technology has spanned nearly three decades. His passion for blending sound and technology showcases his versatility and commitment to pushing creative boundaries. Listen to Danny Peck HERE Could you say hello on Instagram? Sign up for our occasional newsletter Come Back To Earth Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts: nottodaymedia.com/earth Theme music by: Lincoln Parish Sign up for the Storyteller Society to join a supportive community of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make Dads Cry Too and What's Your Story? Check out our online shop. Episode transcripts are posted on our website. ______________ Show Sponsor: * BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/fragilemoments for 10% off your first month of online therapy. * WHOOP: join.whoop.com/storyteller for a FREE WHOOP 4.0 and one month FREE. * HUEL: for $20 off your first order of complete nutrition from HUEL CLICK HERE * JOT: to save up to $40 on…

Mike Lee is an emerging artist raised in Albany, Oregon, whose music blends elements of hip-hop, alternative rock, and emo rap, creating a distinct sound that resonates with listeners seeking raw emotion and introspective storytelling. While still growing his fanbase, he has crafted a unique sonic identity that blends moody atmospheres, melodic hooks, and hard-hitting beats. Listen to Mike Lee HERE Could you say hello on Instagram? Sign up for our occasional newsletter Come Back To Earth Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts: nottodaymedia.com/earth Theme music by: Lincoln Parish Sign up for the Storyteller Society to join a supportive community of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make Dads Cry Too and What's Your Story? Check out our online shop. Episode transcripts are posted on our website. ______________ Show Sponsor: * BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/fragilemoments for 10% off your first month of online therapy. * WHOOP: join.whoop.com/storyteller for a FREE WHOOP…

As her music career progresses, Sara Bug's voice grows stronger and more confident, reflecting a deepening sense of self-acceptance and a growing connection to her roots. Listen to Sara Bug HERE Could you say hello on Instagram? Sign up for our occasional newsletter Come Back To Earth Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts: nottodaymedia.com/earth Theme music by: Lincoln Parish Sign up for the Storyteller Society to join a supportive community of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make Dads Cry Too and What's Your Story? Check out our online shop. Episode transcripts are posted on our website. ______________ Show Sponsor: * BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/fragilemoments for 10% off your first month of online therapy. * WHOOP: join.whoop.com/storyteller for a FREE WHOOP 4.0 and one month FREE. * HUEL: for $20 off your first order of complete nutrition from HUEL CLICK HERE * JOT: to save up to $40 on your first JOT coffee order CLICK HERE Get full access to Come Back To Earth…

Justin Randolph’s music is a heartfelt exploration of the human experience, inviting listeners to reflect, connect, and find solace in his melodies and words. Listen to Justin Randolph HERE Could you say hello on Instagram? Sign up for our occasional newsletter Come Back To Earth Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts: nottodaymedia.com/earth Theme music by: Lincoln Parish Sign up for the Storyteller Society to join a supportive community of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make Dads Cry Too and What's Your Story? Check out our online shop. Episode transcripts are posted on our website. ______________ Show Sponsor: * BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/fragilemoments for 10% off your first month. * WHOOP: join.whoop.com/storyteller for a FREE WHOOP 4.0 and one month FREE. Get full access to Come Back To Earth at comebacktoearth.substack.com/subscribe

Join us for Season Two of Come Back to Earth, starting January 31st. Could you say hello on Instagram? Sign up for our occasional newsletter Come Back To Earth Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts: nottodaymedia.com/earth Theme music by: Lincoln Parish Sign up for the Storyteller Society to join a supportive community of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make Dads Cry Too and What's Your Story? Check out our online shop to grab limited season merchandise Episode transcripts are posted on our website. ______________ Show Sponsor: * BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/fragilemoments for 10% off your first month. * WHOOP: join.whoop.com/storyteller for a FREE WHOOP 4.0 and one month FREE. Get full access to Come Back To Earth at comebacktoearth.substack.com/subscribe

As we wrap up our first season here at Come Back To Earth, I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your incredible support. Could you say hello on Instagram? Sign up for our occasional newsletter Come Back To Earth Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts: nottodaymedia.com/earth Theme music by: Lincoln Parish Sign up for the Storyteller Society to join a supportive community of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make Dads Cry Too and What's Your Story? Check out our online shop. Episode transcripts are posted on our website. ______________ Show Sponsor: * BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/fragilemoments for 10% off your first month. * WHOOP: join.whoop.com/storyteller for a FREE WHOOP 4.0 and one month FREE. Get full access to Come Back To Earth at comebacktoearth.substack.com/subscribe

Following the release of her previous album, Way Back Home, Syms embarked on a journey of self-discovery, facing personal challenges and reconnecting with her authenticity. This led to the creation of new songs that explored universal truths and personal experiences, ultimately shaping the sound and focus of The Darkest Light. Listen to the sounds of Sara Syms HERE Could you say hello on Instagram? Sign up for our occasional newsletter Come Back To Earth Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts: nottodaymedia.com/earth Theme music by: Lincoln Parish Sign up for the Storyteller Society to join a supportive community of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make Dads Cry Too and What's Your Story? Check out our online shop. Episode transcripts are posted on our website. ______________ Show Sponsor: * BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/fragilemoments for 10% off your first month. * WHOOP: join.whoop.com/storyteller for a FREE WHOOP 4.0 and one month FREE. Get full access to Come Back…

Krystal King is a rising country artist from Hickory, NC with a classic sound and heartfelt lyrics. She combines raw vocals with vivid songwriting, capturing a true country sound with a modern twist. Krystal's down-to-earth personality shines through in her music, celebrating the simple life and relatable experiences. Listen to the sounds of Krystal King HERE Could you say hello on Instagram? Sign up for our occasional newsletter Come Back To Earth Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts: nottodaymedia.com/earth Theme music by: Lincoln Parish Sign up for the Storyteller Society to join a supportive community of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. We also make Dads Cry Too and What's Your Story? Check out our online shop. Episode transcripts are posted on our website. ______________ Show Sponsor: * BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/fragilemoments for 10% off your first month. * WHOOP: join.whoop.com/storyteller for a FREE WHOOP 4.0 and one month FREE. Get full access to Come Back To…

Jason Didner is a multi-talented songwriter known for his ability to blend humor and sincerity in his music, much like his musical inspirations. He frequently collaborates with his wife Amy, and their music often reflects their personal experiences and the challenges they face. Listen to the sounds of Jason Didner HERE Could you say hello on Instagram? Sign up for our occasional newsletter Come Back To Earth Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts: nottodaymedia.com/earth Theme music by: Lincoln Parish Sign up for the Storyteller Society to join a supportive community of listeners and more. Learn more and sign up here. Join our Discord We also make Dads Cry Too and What's Your Story? Check out our online shop. Episode transcripts are posted on our website. ______________ Show Sponsor: * BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/fragilemoments for 10% off your first month. * WHOOP: join.whoop.com/storyteller for a FREE WHOOP 4.0 and one month FREE. Get full access to Come Back To Earth at…