Back On The Grind

*** If you need to support a friend, loved one, or yourself...You can call, text, or chat with a 988 Lifeline counselor for help during difficult moments anytime, day or night. Just dial 988 it's free & confidential.***If you or someone you care about needs support, SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals & families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.  1-800-662-HELP (4357)In this conversation, Early Brunner of Recovery Demystified joins Pepe Bandit in responding to listener's questions about addiction & recovery. They discuss the importance of creating supportive resources for individuals struggling with substance use & emphasize the need for personalized recovery approaches. Expect to hear about the challenges of maintaining friendships during recovery, & the complexities of family dynamics when addiction is involved. Learn about the challenges of relapse, & the journey towards helping others in recovery. The conversation also delves into the critical issues of mental health, suicide, & the necessity of seeking help. Early & Pepe emphasize the need for open discussions about these topics to reduce stigma & promote healing.The song at the end is titled "Dent" and performed by Mr. Michael Motorcycle.Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goodspatreon.com/BackontheGrindConnect with Recovery Demystified:recoverydemystified.com/instagram.com/recoverydemystified/

Pat almost refused to do this.Before we even hit record, he told me he had a strong feeling this interview shouldn’t happen. We gave it a shot anyway.What came out isn’t a story that is pretty & clean. It’s what it actually looks like when someone is trying to figure out their life after actively screwing parts of it up.We talk about growing up feeling isolated & out of place.Writing music while dealing with depression & not wanting to be alive.Hitchhiking with no phone, no stability, no real plan.Stealing from people who trusted you & having to sit with that.Getting sober & realizing that doesn’t fix the damage, it just means you have to face it.There’s a moment in here when we’re talking about that betrayal, & you can feel it. Not simply as a story but, as something that actually happened between two people trying to sort out the messiness.Over all it’s a conversation with two friends trying to be honest about who they were & who they’re trying to become now.If you’ve ever looked at your own life and thought, “I’ve made a mess of this”…this conversation is going to feel familiar & hopeful.Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goodspatreon.com/BackontheGrindConnect with Friends In Real Lifeinstagram.com/friendsinreallifemusic/friendsinreallife.bandcamp.com/music

Pepe talks to Early Brunner who shares their journey through the punk community & train hopping to exploring themes of addiction/recovery, & the quest for freedom. They discuss their experiences with the challenges of navigating friendships amidst substance use, the realities of migrant farm work & they explore ideas around internal work.Early's story is a testament to resilience & the search for identity within the punk community while navigating trauma. Expect to learn about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), the importance of emotional awareness & processing & the idea of post-traumatic growth fostering resilience & strength. In closing, Early reflects on their life living alone in a cabin, highlighting the peace & self-discovery that comes from solitude & intentional living.Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goodspatreon.com/BackontheGrindConnect with Early/Recovery Demystified:instagram.com/recoverydemystified/recoverydemystified.com/

Pepe talks with Chris Casey—an innovative voice blending alternative rap with grungy rock music.Chris takes us on a musical journey from basement shows of local hardcore, screamo, and punk bands in the Savannah Georgia DIY scene and how it influenced his approach to creating authentic music of his own. He dives into the challenges of blending genres, and his lyrical themes of death, and existential reflection. Chris explains how he uses his songs to serve as a form of connection, especially for queer & trans communities or anyone facing mental health challenges or societal expectations.His openness about the emotional weight behind tracks like Filth and Boys and Girls demonstrates the power of honest storytelling in building trust and resonance.If you like genre mashups, DIY resilience, or raw lyrical storytelling—this episode is for you.Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goodspatreon.com/BackontheGrindConnect with Chris Casey:instagram.com/chriiiscasey/chriscasey.bandcamp.com/

Pepe reaches out to his buddy Mike Wilson to have a regular, friend to friend discussion as if they were't on a podcast (except they are). Expect to hear about anxiety around starting new projects, uncomfortable feelings with promoting oneself, making lots and little money, Mike's stop motion videos, the text that Mike sent that made Pepe realize we all get carried away with the thoughts in our head, avoiding the online space and being okay despite the current state of the real world.Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goodspatreon.com/BackontheGrindConnect with Mike Wilson:instagram.com/p/DRYccUJjBKr/mikewilson.bandcamp.com/music

Pepe embarks on an exploration with Endless Mike And The Beagle Club as they walk through their latest album, The Forest Is The Trees.Unlock the intimate thoughts behind a band that defies conventions—where 18-piece tours become a collective art form. Dive into the chaos and beauty of managing a constantly evolving lineup that sometimes hits 25 members, turning complexity into cohesion, every decision is rooted in a desire for authenticity, community, and artistic freedom. We break down elements of each song on their lates album.This is for you if you’re a fan of punk, folk, experimental indie, or anyone who believes that true art isn't commercialized but rooted in shared meaning and anti-capitalist spirit. EM&TBC is a band that’s been nourishing the DIY scene for over 20 years—proof that the best art grows from collaboration, and a fierce love for song.Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goodspatreon.com/BackontheGrindConnect with Endless Mike And The Beagle Clubinstagram.com/emandthebcendlessmikeandthebeagleclub.bandcamp.com/music