A single song can change the way you see yourself. Matt joins us to trace how a 90s anthem cracked open years of numbing, pushed him into detox, and ultimately set him on a path toward sober structure, honest self-talk, and a new kind of purpose. This isn’t a glossy redemption arc; it’s a grounded look at relapse, the shock of bloodwork, and the quiet rituals—movement, meditation, reading, nature—that rebuild a life one day at a time.We dig into what it means to drink to not feel, and how divorce, shame, and old wounds can turn into fuel for avoidance. Matt walks us through the moment he realized he had to take it seriously, plus the role music and silence both play as medicine. Service becomes a turning point: working at a treatment center, learning to accept help as well as give it, and building boundaries that let him care for others without abandoning himself. He shares the mirror ritual that reshaped his inner voice and the “three good things” practice he uses with clients to interrupt self-criticism.We also go straight at life and death. Matt talks about two suicide attempts, the isolating logic that convinced him others would be better off, and the unexpected phone call that kept him here. We unpack the statistics that changed his mind as a father, the myth of perfection, and the strength that comes from being simply good and human. A phoenix tattoo—born from a drawing by someone he supported in treatment—becomes a living symbol: let the old skull burn, rise again, and keep going. If you’re curious about sobriety tools that work, how therapy actually helps, or how music can hold you when words fail, this conversation is a steady hand.If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review to help others find the conversation.0:00 Setting The Table: Music And Meaning2:30 Why “Nutshell” Became A Lifeline5:10 Sobriety Timeline And Relapse Honesty8:30 Hitting Bottom: Detox And Shock12:00 Drinking To Numb Divorce And Loss16:00 Tools, Therapy, And Cravings Reframed19:20 Service Work And Finding Purpose23:00 Rebuilding With Structure And Routine26:00 Non‑Attachment And Identity Beyond Music29:00 Training To Counsel And Give Back31:00 Mental Health And Better Self-Talk34:00 Parenting Through Divorce With Care36:00 Life, Death, And Suicidal Ideation40:00 Being Heard, Supported, And Safe43:00 Divine Interruption And Staying46:00 Regret, Growth, And Imperfection49:00 Religion, Control, And Compassion51:30 Phoenix Signs And A Tattoo Story55:00 Pain, Choice, And Generational Weight58:00 Therapy Fit, Insight, And Agency1:02:00 Reflections, Compliments, And Identity1:05:30 Hopes For Kids And Habits To Quit1:08:00 Closing And Future Topics

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