Steven Bartlett - Macklemore

1) Macklemore discusses his up bringing and how his parents were supportive of his passion for music, even though he struggled with school. He admits to experimenting with drugs and alcohol in high school, which led to a decline in his academic performance. However, he eventually got back on track and completed high school with a high GPA. By the time he was in his early 20s, he believed that rap was a possible career path, but struggled with addiction, which hindered his ability to produce meaningful music. He later discusses his journey to understand addiction, which was prompted by his business partner's battle with alcoholism.

2) Macklemore discusses his early experiences with alcohol and how it quickly turned into a coping mechanism. He admits that he didn't have the tools or information to understand what his friend was going through when he was struggling with addiction. He emphasizes the importance of resources like Al-Anon and therapy for those who have loved ones or friends going through addiction. He also stresses the need for a support system for the addict themselves, including 12-step meetings, therapy, and a community who shares their struggle.

3) Macklemore reflects on the difficulties of helping a friend with addiction and how he learned to be compassionate and understanding towards those struggling with substance abuse. He offers advice to others, emphasizing the importance of letting go of expectations, showing up from a place of love and compassion, and realizing that addiction is an ongoing journey. Macklemore also shares his own experience with addiction and his moment of surrender when he realized he had a problem with oxycontin.

4) Macklemore shares how he lost the feeling of happiness after becoming addicted to drugs and briefly felt like life was not for him. He also talks about a moment where his father asked him if he was happy and he couldn't lie to himself, leading to his decision to go to rehab, which he now considers the best decision of his life. He reflects on the danger of addiction and how close he was to death, knowing many people who have died from it since writing his first addiction-themed song. Macklemore urges attention to the fentanyl epidemic that is killing people worldwide and emphasizes the importance of surrendering and seeking help.

5) Macklemore reflects on the relationship between his struggles and his music. He acknowledges that drugs and alcohol have hindered his ability to be prolific in his work and taken away from his focus and momentum. He mentions the destructive pattern of trading in what he truly wanted for what he wanted in the moment and how that has impacted his success. However, he also notes how his mistakes turned into learning moments that have saved someone's life or created a song. He believes that his music has always been a spiritual practice and allowed him to be a conduit for something greater than himself.

6) Macklemore discusses the importance of using pain to find purpose in his art and life. He believes that true artistry involves repurposing pain to create something meaningful, and that this process is facilitated by practices such as exercise, being of service to others, and having a spiritual practice. When he is present in the studio and removes his ego, he is able to tap into his creativity and create something that truly resonates with people. He also shares that his two most important records are "Same Love" and "Other Side", both of which have become anthems for movements towards equality and sobriety, respectively.

7) Macklemore talks about two of his records - "Other Side" and "Drug Dealer". "Other Side" was the first record he wrote after getting out of treatment and it talks about addiction, which he wanted to share honestly. The record changed the lives of many fans who were in recovery and made them feel heard and seen. Macklemore doesn't feel like it's an emotional weight to hear people's stories about their own emotional path to recovery or healing, but rather a connection.

8) Macklemore discusses the challenges of the entertainment industry, particularly social media platforms. He empathizes with the pressure that younger and older generations may experience to comply with labels and engage in non-stop social media, which can lead to spiritual sickness. When asked what advice he would impart to his 14-year-old self, Macklemore emphasizes the importance of finding a spiritual practice, serving others, and cultivating gratitude. He describes how this practice has taken many forms throughout his life, including meditation, yoga, and 12-step meetings, but it always involves getting outside of himself and showing up for others.

9) Macklemore talks about how he hurt those around him, particularly his parents and his wife, during his struggles with addiction. He speaks of living a double life and lying about his relapses, causing him to gaslight his wife and make her feel crazy. His lowest point was when his wife kicked him out of the house during the beginning of COVID-19, and he feared losing his marriage and his kids. The weight of potentially being the reason his family broke up was overwhelming.

10) Macklemore recounts a difficult moment in his life when his wife took a pregnancy test and he was high on drugs. Despite hoping for a negative result, Macklemore heard his wife crying after discovering she was pregnant. The realization that he needed to get clean in order to be a responsible dad hit him hard as he struggled with the compulsion and obsession for more drugs. He speaks about the inner turmoil he faced knowing he wasn't ready to give up drugs while also wanting to be a present father for his child.

11) Macklemore explains his creative process and how he loves to explore different directions when making music. He emphasizes that he wants to feel fulfilled and authentic when creating his music rather than focusing on momentary happiness. He expresses that he enjoys making all facets of music and being able to create without limitation. Macklemore believes that authenticity can be confusing for people as they try to categorize and make sense of it, but conforming to certain expectations is not the path to fulfillment. Ultimately, he aspires to make music that he loves and believes in, regardless of external factors.

12) Macklemore discusses the difficulty of having deep conversations with his dad due to the generational gap and their different experiences growing up. He expresses his fear that his dad may not desire a deep relationship with him and that there may be a certain level of just communication about emotions that his dad is not accustomed to. Nonetheless, he acknowledges his willingness to have that conversation even if he doesn't have the tools to do it. He also reflects on the idea that without having that conversation, he might regret not making the effort to connect with his dad in ways that he intuitively wanted to.

13) Macklemore reflects on his relationship with his dad and the importance of family. He acknowledges that his dad did the best he could and that he worked hard to provide for him and his family. Macklemore desires a closer relationship with his dad and wishes to have more familial connections. However, he recognizes that having these conversations can be difficult and that it's not just his father's lack of tools but his as well. He hopes to write a letter to his dad to express his feelings and avoid regrets in the future.