Minds Aloud

I sat down with James Neeson author of the recently releasedbook “Mental Health for Metal heads: Rock your way to wellbeing”  We spoke about what motivated him to write thebook, his own mental health journey and the positive impact that music has hadon his life. A book that encourages you to create your own “Battle Jacket” ofmental health coping techniques but approached through the lens of Metal...

I spoke with Stu Mills the Founder of the Noisy Brain asupportive online community that allows its members to turn their own mentalhealth & recovery stories into new original pieces of music with the helpof a network of artists. Stu shares some of his own mental health story and explainshow the Noisy Brain project came to be. Curious then after listening to thisone go and check out the Noisy B...

I sat down with the Punk Poet Jackson Davies to discuss mental wellbeing, how his poetry & creative outletbenefit his mental health, the role of the arts in addressing injustices in society and so much more! An incredibly fun listen and no punches pulled!

I spoke with Fal from the punk band the Indestructibles. Wediscussed their recent success, the pressures faced by DIY bands/musicians, howsongwriting has helped Fal through some dark places with his own mental healthand much more. We also bonded a bit over our shared love of the punk rock sceneand ethos! Another fun episode so check it out!

A Los Angeles based Pop Punk musician, mental health speaker and advocate Zack spoke to me about his journey from the corporate world into the musical one, how his music has helped his recovery and how he hopes it can encourage others to talk about their own mental health.

I sat down with Brian Mitchell an Ambassador for the Sophie Lancaster Foundation. We pulled no punches in this one! With discussion ranging from how the Foundation came to be after a tragic murder, the work they do, the power of music to create communities and why in 2026 we can't afford to be complacent about hate crimes and discrimination.

I spoke to singer and songwriter Kat Button about how her own mental health journey has shaped her song writing. We also talk about the importance of getting kids talking about mental health, the perils musicians face in navigating social media and much more. Check it out!

Blending Ska, Reggae, Hip Hop and social commentary into wonderfully joyful music Rocky Leon is an immensely talented musician and human. We spoke about his love for his craft, battles against algorithm's, the power of music for keeping hold of positivity and his outlook on life. A fascinating discussion and an artist you should check out!

With a long career spent working as a producer & songwriter Joshua Landry or Lø Spirit sat down to talk with me about how he balances his long term physical & mental health issues with a rising career as one of Alt-Rocks newest faces , how his health conditions have shaped his song writing and much more as he prepares for the launch of his debut album

I sat down with Cherry & Callum from Defences a UK band in the rise! We spoke about how they aim to connect people and create community through their music, how themes of growth & mental health run through some of their songs and so much more.

I welcomed Mike Yates from Skaraman back to the pod for this one! Felt like catching up with an old friend! We spoke about creating a supportive local music scene, coping with enforced time away from creating music and more. & the impact that can have on our wellbeing and more!

Alana Hil is a Soul singer with a unique personal and musical journey. In this episode Alana & Rob cover a wide range of topics from her journey so far and how her mental health experiences shape her music to the pressures of social media & what can be done to support the mental wellbeing of musical artists. Alana is down to earth, honest and a fascinating person to talk to.

In this bonus episode I caught up with Mike Hartley to talk about Icebreaker festival including some of the history behind the festival, some of his fondest memories from running Icebreaker for 12 years and more. This episode also contains a mini review of this years festival from myself.

To mark two years of the podcast I recorded three special episodes This first one with returning guests. In this first one I welcomed back Millie Manders & Baz from massive wagons. No punches pulled here with a wide ranging conversation from musical artists facing censorship to the pressures on women in the music scene and more. Check this one out!

The second of the three special episodes to mark two years of the pod! This time we brought back Kate from heavy metal Therapy, Jeordie from tonic Music & Rich Lansley. Again wide ranging discussion. We spoke about the importance of looking after our artists mental wellbeing, the benefits of creativity for our wellbeing and the power of peer support plus more!

In the last of the three specials to mark two years of Minds Aloud we brought back Liam from The Big Movement Project and Phil from the Southern Ska Collective. We spoke about men's mental health, the benefits of movement and performing for our wellbeing and more. Enjoy this last and the other two specials before it before we kick off more episodes for 2026!

In this episode we change things up to talk about student mental health as I am joined by Faith and Hari from the University of Portsmouth's Rock Society. We Talk the importance of finding your tribe, the mental health challenges students face, the acceptance of the alternative music communities and more!

Join me as I talk to Kimberly & Tom from Rogue Awakening. A fun conversation where we cover the on stage persona's, the mental health benefits of writing & performing, the pressures of growing a band and more!

We have our first returning guest to the show as Andy Bawden who came on the pod last year with Call of Sirens returns. We talk about looking after your wellbeing through changes to band line-up's & projects coming to an end, the importance of supporting local venues and Andy share's some of his own personal mental health story.

With over 25 years of experience within the music industry in various roles and as the host of the Music Business Buddy Podcast Jonny is a fascinating person to talk to. We chat about how the music industry has changed and what Jonny feels are some of the mental health pressures faced by musician's today.

I sat down with Mae & George who collectively are known as Wrex. This one covers a wide range of topics from their history as a band, how mental health themes are found throughout their lyrical content and the benefits that music and performing has brought them both. Really fun episode with two super talented, incredibly honest and down to earth people. Check it out!

In this episode I sat down with Mike Yates from the ska group Skaraman. Conversation ranged from how performing benefits Mike's mental wellbeing, advice for aspiring grassroots musicians, the importance of supporting small music venues and losing shoes at a Goldfinger gig! Check it out!

In this episode Baz from Massive Wagons took the time about the work the band has done with Andy's Man Club & Metal for Good, reaching fans who may be struggling throught heir songs and more! Baz was incredibly down to earth, insightful and fun to chat to. Make sure you check it out!

I sat down with Liam Gifford who works with Zoie Logic to talk about the Big Movement, Men's mental health and the power of movement for our wellbeing. As usual for a Minds Aloud episode plenty of laughs and real & unfiltered talk about mental wellbeing. Check it out!

Frank Turner took some time out whilst on tour to sit down and chat about supporting the mental health of touring musician's, how his own mental health journey has influenced his song writing and more! Frank was incredibly open and honest and it made for a really interesting conversation. Some slight sound issues as Frank was joining backstage from a gig venue.