Jared Weeks is the co-founder of the band Saving Abel. He shares his story of trauma, addiction, and recovery and how unconditional love and forgiveness helped him grow.

On this episode, Jared talks to Matt about:

• His experiences growing up in a small southern town and the trauma he faced including being molested as a child
• Being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and the role it played in his life
• His first experiences with alcohol and pills, and how he hit rock bottom
• The importance of taking responsibility for his actions and making the decision to change
• Finding support and unconditional love from his wife, and learning to forgive and love himself
• The joy and motivation he found from becoming a parent and experiencing unconditional love from his children
• Believing in yourself and the power of faith

And More

About Jared Weeks

Mississippi's Jared Weeks is powerful, rock-oriented singer who first came to the public's attention as the lead singer of the post-grunge outfit Saving Abel. A native of Corinth, Mississippi, Weeks co-founded Saving Abel with guitarist Jason Null in 2004. After ten years and three albums with the band, Weeks announced in 2013 that he had parted ways with Saving Abel to pursue a solo career. Also around this time, he briefly stepped in to sing for Oklahoma's Hinder on several tour dates while Hinder vocalist Austin Winkler completed rehab. Weeks released his debut solo album “Brand New Me.”

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Marko Babineau is a legendary record executive turned successful real estate agent. He shares his successes and rock bottoms and how becoming sober changed his life

On this episode, Marko talks to Matt about:

• Growing up in Dorchester, MA, and winning 2 world championships marching with the Boston Crusaders marching band
• Becoming a local marketer and the out-of-the-box promotions he did with Arista Records
• The wild night with BJ Thomas that he thought would get him fired
• Touring in a van with The Police and breaking them to the US
• Spending 3 weeks in his office calling people until he got 100 radio stations to play Joe Jackson
• How he joined Geffen and
• Hitting rock bottom and the turning point that lead to seeking help and becoming sober
• How mentors and role models provided guidance and inspiration on his journey to sobriety.
• The sense of gratitude, joy, and appreciation he got by living a sober life.
• His transition to a career in real estate and the changing landscape of the music business.

And More

About Marko Babineau

Marko Babineau spent 28 years in the recording industry. He was general manager of Geffen Records DCG music label and has worked with legends such as Clive Davis, Herb Alpert, and David Geffen while promoting superstar acts including Sting, Elton John, Cher, Don Henley, Aerosmith, and Nirvana.

Babineau now channels his promotional talent into representing and marketing residential homes and condominiums, providing a high level of personalized service, earning accolades as a top producer, and helping others realize their real estate dreams.

A member of the Beverly Hills Greater Los Angeles Association of Realtors® (BHGLAAR), Marko is a resident of Burbank's Rancho District and an avid equestrian. In his spare time, he plays drums with "The Contenders," a Pretenders tribute band.

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The Holidays can be a difficult time, especially for addicts. Matt Pinfields reminds us that you never have to go through your struggles alone and it's always ok to seek help. Everyone deserves a chance to live the best life they can.

Happy Holidays and thank you for listening this year!

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Linda Perry is a singer, songwriter, and producer known for her work with the band 4 Non Blondes and her successful career as a songwriter for other artists. She shares how she overcame addiction and continues to work on herself.

On this episode, Linda talks to Matt about:

• How she was influenced by a variety of musical genres and artists, including Karen Carpenter, Tracy Thorn, and The Who
• Moving to San Francisco to immerse herself in the music scene
• Her experience working with Roger Daltrey and performing at Carnegie Hall with The Who
• The challenges she faced in the music industry
• Transitioning from being a member of 4 Non Blondes to becoming a successful songwriter for other artists
• The importance of making life changes and being fully committed to overcoming addiction

And More

This episode is sponsored by The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers – one of the oldest residential drug and alcohol rehab programs. ARC is a non-profit and was hit hard financially as a result of COVID. For more information, and to donate or sign up for their quarterly newsletter, visit thechanceto.org.

About Linda Perry

Linda Perry is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. She was the lead singer and primary songwriter of 4 Non Blondes, and has since founded two record labels and composed and produced songs for other artists, which include: "Beautiful" by Christina Aguilera; "What You Waiting For?" by Gwen Stefani; and "Get the Party Started" by Pink. Perry has also contributed to albums by Adele, Alicia Keys, and Courtney Love, as well as signing and distributing James Blunt in the United States. Perry was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015.

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Rikki Zazula is the daughter of metal pioneers Marsha and Jon Zazula (known as Jonny Z), founders of Megaforce Records. She tells how she was surrounded by drugs and Rock n Roll from a young age and how that exposure led to drug addiction and other mental health issues which took decades to mitigate. She shares how she ultimately found hope and learned to love herself in recovery.

On this episode, Rikki talks to Matt about:

• How her parents started Megaforce Records soon after she was born and signed rising artists such as Metallica and Anthrax
• Being surrounded by metal music as a child and having artists stay in her home in New Jersey
• The drug addictions both her parents struggled with and how drugs were always a part of their family
• Getting bullied after moving to a new community and how lacking a sense of belonging caused her to act out
• Finally feeling seen discovering artists like Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, Alanis Morissette, and others
• Why money, sex, drug use, and overeating failed as coping mechanisms for many years
• Going into recovery and gradually feeling self-love for the first time
• Finally finding the tools to thrive through recovery programs and P3 workshops
• Struggling with the loss of both her parents, but finding the strength to carry on and remain sober

And More

This episode is sponsored by The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers – one of the oldest residential drug and alcohol rehab programs. ARC is a non-profit and was hit hard financially as a result of COVID. For more information, and to donate or sign up for their quarterly newsletter, visit thechanceto.org.

About Rikki Zazula

Rikki Zazula is the daughter of metal pioneers Marsha and Jon Zazula (known as Jonny Z), founders of Megaforce Records. She grew up in East Brunswick, New Jersey where her Parents’ Rock N Roll Heaven record store was located and currently lives in Orlando, Florida.

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Dean Karr is a prolific photographer, director, and artist. He shares how he developed and utilized his unique artistic style and the ways his life has improved after getting sober.

On this episode, Dean talks to Matt about:

• Being fascinated with music and photography from an early age and sneaking camera equipment into concerts as a teen
• Getting expelled from catholic school for designing a crass flier
• How working in a cemetery, attending catholic school, and listening to dark metal shaped him artistically
• Moving to LA to photograph bands like Rage Against the Machine, Pantera, and Tool
• Creating Marilyn Manson’s iconic Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) video which generated buzz on MTV and was a breakthrough for both of their careers
• His regrettable experiences while using cocaine and heavy drinking including snorting lines in the disgusting CBGB bathroom
• Being a functioning alcoholic and never getting drunk on set but going hard as soon as it ended
• How alcoholism affects your appearance and how much better he looks and feels being sober
• Practicing patience in sobriety and how he feels more clearheaded and no longer needs to be the center of attention.

And More!

Check out Dean’s latest music video with the band Ministry

This episode is sponsored by The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers – one of the oldest residential drug and alcohol rehab programs. ARC is a non-profit and was hit hard financially as a result of COVID. For more information, and to donate or sign up for their quarterly newsletter, visit thechanceto.org.

About Dean Karr 

When speaking of Director/Photographer Dean Karr, the one thing that people seem to agree about is that he is a true original. His prolific creative work has brought him to the forefront of his craft, with visuals that reveal a highly tuned sense of style, fashion, art, and narrative storytelling. A native of Seattle, Washington, Karr received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Washington State University. Moving to Los Angeles he attended the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. He went on to capture in photographs the reality of the extraordinary characters that he encountered in the depths of Los Angeles. His painterly technique was highly original, the images shockingly beautiful - an important new visual artist burst upon the scene.

While honing his photographic skills, he grew fascinated by the possibilities of moving images. The promise of his early work led to Karr being asked to direct Marilyn Manson’s "Sweet Dreams." The resulting piece drew immediate and broad commercial attention and served to propel both Manson and Karr into the forefront of the visual rock world. He was immediately in demand to work with other top artists. Since then he has done broadcast commercial spot work for multiple major clients that combines the immediacy of current life-styles with bold imagery and strong product recognition. He continues to receive international recognition for his photography and his music videos which have been seen by millions.

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Slim Jim Phantom is the legendary drummer for the Stray Cats known for leading the rockabilly revival, pioneering his stand-up drumming style, and being one of the coolest drummers in rock-n-roll. He shares how the Stray Cats made it big, how he decided to go sober, and how he lives the rockabilly lifestyle.

On this episode, Jim talks to Matt about:

• Growing up on Long Island and spending his time practicing music with his friends
• How discovering rockabilly music changed his life and influenced his style and sound
• Forming the Stray Cats and moving to London with hardly any money and no place to stay
• Gaining buzz by hanging around popular London pubs and earning the attention of big names like Motörhead, The Clash, The Sex Pistols, The Pretenders, The Damned, and The Rolling Stones
• Recording an album and discovering it was a hit back in the US
• Quitting drinking after deciding partying and getting drunk for several nights in a row was a hard way to live
• Going to meetings all over the world and supporting other peoples’ recovery journeys
• His close friendships with rockers like Lemmy Kilmister and Earl Slick and how real friendships don’t rely on substance use
• Climbing Mount Everest for Hope Love Strength Foundation and his other charitable work
• The drummers that inspired him and the welcoming community among drummers

And More!

This episode is sponsored by The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers – one of the oldest residential drug and alcohol rehab programs. ARC is a non-profit and was hit hard financially as a result of COVID. For more information, and to donate or sign up for their quarterly newsletter, visit thechanceto.org.

About Slim Jim Phantom

As the legendary drummer for the Stray Cats, Slim Jim Phantom, alongside bandmates Brian Setzer and Lee Rocker, spearheaded the neo-rockabilly movement of the early 80s. With a love for 50's Rock and Roll, the Stray Cats took inspiration from that bygone era and mixed with their youthful energy and aggression to produce the updated hard-edged rockabilly sound that saw them conquer London, Europe and later the U.S., gaining fans among the likes of Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, and Robert Plant along the way.

In addition to the Stray Cats, Jim has worked with some of the world's top artists. He has played a part in many successful groups – notably Phantom, Rocker and Slick (featuring long time David Bowie guitarist Earl Slick) which produced two popular albums; and Dead Men Walking, an all-star affair which has boasted original members of The Sex Pistols, The Cult and Big Country among the rotating line-up. Jim also enjoyed a stint playing with the rock-n-roll originator, Jerry Lee Lewis, and even performed in a now-mythological band called The Cheap Dates with acting legend Harry Dean Stanton, one of Jim's longtime pals.

Jim has worked on numerous other projects, including his own explosive self-named roots-rock trio, and HeadCat, co-starring Lemmy Kilmister and Danny B. Harvey, and Jim’s musical project The Jack Tars, a band co-founded with old friends, and former Dead Men Walking bandmates Captain Sensible and Mike Peters and SJP's long time true rockabilly pal Chris Cheney of Australia's top rockin' band The Living End. He is also deeply committed to charitable works, too: he climbed both Mount Everest and Mount Kilimanjaro for Love Hope Strength Foundation (an organization co-founded by Mike Peters of The Alarm that benefits cancer research). 

Jim hosts Rockabilly Rave Up on Little Steven's Underground Garage on SiriusXM. He is known as "The Honest Mechanic," where he features new rockabilly acts and the classics. Jim also hosts Slim Jim Phantasy on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio, where he shares his other passion, baseball, and fantasy sports in general.

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Megan Holiday is a radio personality on KROQ Monday-Friday at 2-6pm in Los Angeles. She shares how her career was impacted by her addiction and how sobriety allows her to continue to do what she loves and spread positivity on and off the air.

On this episode, Megan talks to Matt about:

• Growing up around Riverside CA and the shock of witnessing her brother get hit by a drunk driver as a kid
• Her love of music and her journey discovering different styles
• How she got her start in radio and how drug use derailed her career
• Going in and out of rehabs and sober living houses until the death of a friend scared her into getting help
• Getting a second chance in radio at KROQ and being open about her recovery
• The amazing interviews and events she has participated in
• Being of service and starting a new nonprofit, Life of the Party, which helps battle addiction and prevent overdose deaths
• Advocating for mental health and trying to be a positive influence
• The many different ways to be healthy and how everyone must find their own balance

And More!

This episode is sponsored by The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers – one of the oldest residential drug and alcohol rehab programs. ARC is a non-profit and was hit hard financially as a result of COVID. For more information, and to donate or sign up for their quarterly newsletter, visit thechanceto.org.

About Megan Holiday

Megan Holiday has been obsessed with music for as long as she can remember and her record collection varies from Motown and The Beatles to Nirvana and Post Malone. She loved singing lessons and acting in musicals as a kid which later translated to emo hair and sweaty pop punk shows in high school. Megan always had a love affair with listening to radio and it was when she first attended a local radio summer concert in college that she realized she could harness that passion into a career. Just two years later, she made that dream a full-circle reality and began her first on-air gig. From the first moment Megan cracked the microphone she knew that broadcasting was her calling in life. It was the element of getting to connect with people that drew her in the most. After all of these years, her passion and love for radio grows stronger every day.

In addition to her on-air responsibilities, Megan has hosted live concerts and events. She’s also interviewed globally recognized talents including Coldplay, Beck, Jack White, and Panic! at the Disco. She also expanded her skillset into podcasting with her “7 Words” podcast, where she discusses how guests like Emile Hirsch, Margaret Cho, Brandon Jenner, and more manifested their dreams into reality.

With many years of sobriety under her belt, Megan focuses on her recovery as a top priority and is an advocate for addiction and mental health awareness. She also loves spending time with her family and her dog Juno, being involved in community service, horseback riding, and attends as many concerts as humanly possible. Ultimately, Megan believes that if she has made one person smile, whether it’s during their commute or at an event, she has done her job.

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