Empathy For The Devil

We are kicking off Empathy For The Devil Season 2 with perhaps our most requested artist - Amy Winehouse. A once-in-a-generation talent, Amy burst onto the scene in the mid-2000’s with an inimitable soulful voice and deeply emotive lyrics. She shone brightly then flamed out right in front of our eyes, receiving an appalling lack of empathy as she became consumed by her addictions.  Her story is a tragic tale of a would-be jazz club singer who found herself thrust into the machine industry, coming of age under the weight of fame and in the unforgiving public eye.  Matt Thomas - Creative Lead and Co-Founder of Attune - guides us through the first episode of the season, and examines the harsh criticism and cruel mockery (often laced with thinly veiled misogyny) which Amy endured right when she needed help the most. Taking a kind and compassionate approach, he unpacks the modern tragedy of a unique talent taken far too soon, remembering just how fortunate we were to hear that extraordinary voice. This week’s ‘One For The Road’ is the podcast ‘A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs’ [https://500songs.com/], written and presented by Andrew Hickey. It’s a brilliantly researched, eye-opening look at the history of rock from the swing era to the end of the millennium. Find it on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/7KGhTDsEpOgBAT24WfpTkk?si=d09497c8c81c4b5f] or wherever you get your podcasts. Content Warnings: substance use, addiction, alcoholism, alcohol poisoning, depression, eating disorders, bulimia. IMPORTANT: Alcohol withdrawal happens once an individual is physically dependent/chemically addicted and can be fatal and should only be attempted with medical guidance/assistance. The most serious form of withdrawal is called delirium tremens, or DTs. People with severe withdrawal symptoms or DTs should always have a drink if they need it while professional help is sought. If in doubt, call 999. If you or someone you know has been affected by the themes in this episode, there are some useful organisations on Attune’s website that can be of help: www.we-are-attune.com/podcast [http://www.we-are-attune.com/podcast]  Attune, as a dedicated provider of mental health and well-being services, is committed to delivering holistic support and resources. With its team of skilled professionals, Attune excels in recognising and responding to the intricate needs of people and teams in talent-based industries. You can learn more about Attune through our website: https://www.we-are-attune.com/ [https://www.we-are-attune.com/] Follow Attune on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/we_are_attune/# [https://www.instagram.com/we_are_attune/#] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@weareattune [https://www.youtube.com/@weareattune]  and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-attune/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-attune/]  Empathy For The Devil is produced by Message Heard Listen to more Message Heard shows through our website: https://messageheard.com/ [https://messageheard.com/]Follow Message Heard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/messageheard/mycompany/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/messageheard/mycompany/] and Twitter: https://x.com/messageheard?lang=en-GB [https://x.com/messageheard?lang=en-GB]  This is a Message Heard Production. Producer and Editor - Emma Werner Senior Producer - Harry Stott Executive Producer - Sandra Ferrari Videographer - Ethan Judd Audio and Mix Engineer - Lizzie Andrews Production Coordinator - Kirsty McLean Filmed at ID Studios __________________ Empathy For The Devil Season 2 is brought to you in partnership with London Records.  Check out their podcast ‘Hit That Perfect Beat - The London Records Story’, a deep dive into the legendary label behind some of the most iconic hits of the last 50 years, featuring illuminating interviews with artists such as Bananarama, Allsaints and many more.

Empathy For The Devil is back for a new season, bringing you the stories of six iconic musicians who left us too soon and faced unforgiving judgement, blame and even derision both during their career and long after their passing. As three music industry veterans turned mental health professionals, Sam, Matt and Chula unpack these tragic tales with empathy and understanding, drawing on their unique professional and lived experiences. While this podcast may be about artists who have been and gone, their challenges remain all too current, still affecting individuals in the industry today. So join our three hosts once again as we delve into the turbulent lives of Amy Winehouse, Sid Vicious and many more, as they discuss not only what happened, but why it happened - and how things might have been different with more considered support, empathy and care. Attune, as a dedicated provider of mental health and well-being services, is committed to delivering holistic support and resources. With its team of skilled professionals, Attune excels in recognising and responding to the intricate needs of people and teams in talent-based industries. You can learn more about Attune through our website: https://www.we-are-attune.com/ [https://www.we-are-attune.com/] Follow Attune on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/we_are_attune/#]: https://www.instagram.com/we_are_attune/# [https://www.instagram.com/we_are_attune/#] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ @weareattune [https://www.youtube.com/@weareattune]  and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-attune/]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-attune/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-attune/]  Empathy For The Devil is produced by Message Heard. Listen to more Message Heard shows through our website: https://messageheard.com/ [https://messageheard.com/] Follow Message Heard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/messageheard/mycompany/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/messageheard/mycompany/] Twitter: https://x.com/messageheard?lang=en-GB [https://x.com/messageheard?lang=en-GB]  ____________ Empathy For The Devil Season 2 is brought to you in partnership with London Records.  Check out their podcast ‘Hit That Perfect Beat - The London Records Story’, a deep dive into the legendary label behind some of the most iconic hits of the last 50 years, featuring illuminating interviews with artists such as Bananarama, Allsaints and many more.

During his short career, Lil Peep quickly became the voice of Gen Z. After pioneering the grunge-laden emo-rap genre that blew up on Soundcloud in the mid 2010s, he was selling out venues from the US to Russia – all without ever having released any music. He wore his emotions not just on his sleeve but on his face, and his powerful lyrics  told the story of a young man struggling with mental health issues and substance addiction which took his life in 2017. In our final episode of the first season of Empathy for the Devil, Matt Thomas returns to tell us the story of a musician working in a different time to our other episodes, but whose story still resonates profoundly with the themes we’ve been discussing. From childhood trauma to anxiety and addiction, to the identity issues of a character who just wanted to be ‘Everybody’s Everything’, Lil Peep’s story rounds off our season in a tragic tale of an artist whose unique style was lost too soon. This week’s ‘One for the Road’ is Barbara Kingsolver’s award winning novel, ‘Demon Copperhead’. A reworking of Dickens’ classic ‘David Copperfield’, this book explores the life of the eponymous protagonist, a young orphan growing up in the US Appalachians during the opioid crisis, and is a profoundly moving story of a left behind America and the effects that prescription drugs have had on the region. You can buy a copy here: https://www.faber.co.uk/product/9780571376483-demon-copperhead/ [https://www.faber.co.uk/product/9780571376483-demon-copperhead/]  Content Warnings: substance use, mental health, childhood trauma, and his death by drug overdose. We also discuss bullying, the experience of homelessness, and the psychological impacts of witnessing 9/11.  IMPORTANT: Alcohol withdrawal happens once an individual is physically     dependent/chemically addicted and can be fatal and should only be attempted with medical guidance/assistance. The most serious form of withdrawal is called delirium tremens, or DTs. People with severe withdrawal symptoms or DTs should always have a drink if they need it while professional help is sought. If in doubt, call 999. If you or someone you know has been affected by the themes in this episode, there are some useful organisations on Attune’s website that can be of help: www.we-are-attune.com/podcast [http://www.we-are-attune.com/podcast]  Attune, as a dedicated provider of mental health and well-being services, is committed to delivering holistic support and resources. With its team of skilled professionals, Attune excels in recognising and responding to the intricate needs of people and teams in talent-based industries. You can learn more about Attune through our website [https://www.we-are-attune.com/]: https://www.we-are-attune.com/ Follow Attune on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/we_are_attune/#]: https://www.instagram.com/we_are_attune/# [https://www.instagram.com/we_are_attune/#] Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@weareattune]: https://www.youtube.com/@weareattune [https://www.youtube.com/@weareattune]  and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-attune/]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-attune/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-attune/]  Empathy For The Devil is produced by Message Heard Listen to more Message Heard shows through our website [https://messageheard.com/]: https://messageheard.com/ [https://messageheard.com/] Follow Message Heard on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/messageheard/mycompany/]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/messageheard/mycompany/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/messageheard/mycompany/] and Twitter [https://x.com/messageheard?lang=en-GB]: https://x.com/messageheard?lang=en-GB [https://x.com/messageheard?lang=en-GB]  This is a Message Heard Production Produced by - Harry Stott Executive Producer - Sandra Ferrari Edited by - Blu Posner and Ethan Judd Production Coordinator - Lizzie Hartree

Episode Description: Dive deep into the life of Whitney Houston, exploring the woman behind 'The Voice' through a compassionate, modern mental health lens. From overnight sensation to troubled icon, we uncover the complex journey of a pop legend. Join host Chula Goonewardene and the team as they sensitively explore Whitney Houston's triumphs and tribulations. We examine her story with empathy, offering a fresh perspective on celebrity mental health and addiction. This week’s ‘One for the Road’ is M. Scott Peck ‘The Road Less Travelled’, a best selling book by one of the world’s leading psychiatrists. In it, Peck suggests ways in which facing our difficulties - and suffering through the changes - can enable us to reach a higher level of self-understanding. You can buy a copy here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9781846046391?a_aid=prh [https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9781846046391?a_aid=prh]  Also, check out Whitney’s incredible and iconic rendition of ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ as mentioned in the show here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAYKTMQl7MQ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAYKTMQl7MQ]  Content Warnings: childhood trauma, including child sexual abuse, racism and colourism, homophobia, codependency, domestic violence, and of course her drug addiction, eventual overdose and drowning.  IMPORTANT: Alcohol withdrawal happens once an individual is physically     dependent/chemically addicted and can be fatal and should only be attempted with medical guidance/assistance. The most serious form of withdrawal is called delirium tremens, or DTs. People with severe withdrawal symptoms or DTs should always have a drink if they need it while professional help is sought. If in doubt, call 999. If you or someone you know has been affected by the themes in this episode, there are some useful organisations on Attune’s website that can be of help: www.we-are-attune.com/podcast [http://www.we-are-attune.com/podcast]  Attune, as a dedicated provider of mental health and well-being services, is committed to delivering holistic support and resources. With its team of skilled professionals, Attune excels in recognising and responding to the intricate needs of people and teams in talent-based industries. You can learn more about Attune through our website [https://www.we-are-attune.com/]: https://www.we-are-attune.com/ Follow Attune on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/we_are_attune/#]: https://www.instagram.com/we_are_attune/# [https://www.instagram.com/we_are_attune/#] Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@weareattune]: https://www.youtube.com/@weareattune [https://www.youtube.com/@weareattune]  and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-attune/]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-attune/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-attune/]  Empathy For The Devil is produced by Message Heard Listen to more Message Heard shows through our website [https://messageheard.com/]: https://messageheard.com/ [https://messageheard.com/]Follow Message Heard on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/messageheard/mycompany/]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/messageheard/mycompany/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/messageheard/mycompany/] and Twitter [https://x.com/messageheard?lang=en-GB]: https://x.com/messageheard?lang=en-GB [https://x.com/messageheard?lang=en-GB]  This is a Message Heard ProductionProduced by - Emma Crampton Executive Producer - Sandra Ferrari Edited by - Blu Posner and Ethan Judd Production Coordinator - Lizzie Hartree

Karen Carpenter’s sound was decade-defining – the sound of the 70’s. The beat she created as drummer and lead singer of The Carpenters takes you back to that era in every track. With a voice that Burt Bacharach described as "clean, clear, like a flag flying over the song," Karen was a female icon in a male-dominated music world and quickly soared to the dizzying heights of fame, literally at the top of the world. But the pressures of her success and the complicated family dynamics in her band took their toll, exacerbating the anorexia which would eventually take her life at just 32. This week, Samantha Parker takes the lead again to tell Karen’s story, looking beyond the smiling photos and honey infused sound, to explore an inner life dominated by a desperately misunderstood illness. We’ll discover how Karen found her voice, hear about The Carpenters’ meteoric rise to fame, but also explore the incredible toll that such a rise can have on young musicians, and women in particular. This week’s ‘One for the Road’ is a clip of Karen playing drums and singing ‘Dancing in the Street’. An iconic performance which cemented Karen’s place as one of seventies’ s most incredible drummers and singers, this is one of the best entrance’s to Karen and the Carpenters’ music. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PAy6Ab3CcQ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PAy6Ab3CcQ]) Content Warnings: mental health, eating disorders, her hospitalisation for anorexia, childhood trauma, and themes of emotional neglect. IMPORTANT: Alcohol withdrawal happens once an individual is physically     dependent/chemically addicted and can be fatal and should only be attempted with medical guidance/assistance. The most serious form of withdrawal is called delirium tremens, or DTs. People with severe withdrawal symptoms or DTs should always have a drink if they need it while professional help is sought. If in doubt, call 999. If you or someone you know has been affected by an eating disorder, here are some organisations you or they can speak with to get help:  Beating Eating Disorders: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/ [https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/]  Eating Disorder Hope: https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/treatment-for-eating-disorders/international/united-kingdom/u-k-eating-disorder-organizations-charities [https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/treatment-for-eating-disorders/international/united-kingdom/u-k-eating-disorder-organizations-charities] For other useful organisations which can help with any other themes we touch on, see Attune’s website here: www.we-are-attune.com/podcast [http://www.we-are-attune.com/podcast]  Attune, as a dedicated provider of mental health and well-being services, is committed to delivering holistic support and resources. With its team of skilled professionals, Attune excels in recognising and responding to the intricate needs of people and teams in talent-based industries. You can learn more about Attune through our website [https://www.we-are-attune.com/]: https://www.we-are-attune.com/ Follow Attune on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/we_are_attune/#]: https://www.instagram.com/we_are_attune/# [https://www.instagram.com/we_are_attune/#] Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@weareattune]: https://www.youtube.com/@weareattune [https://www.youtube.com/@weareattune]  and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-attune/]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-attune/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-attune/]  Empathy For The Devil is produced by Message Heard Listen to more Message Heard shows through our website [https://messageheard.com/]: https://messageheard.com/ [https://messageheard.com/]Follow Message Heard on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/messageheard/mycompany/]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/messageheard/mycompany/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/messageheard/mycompany/] and Twitter [https://x.com/messageheard?lang=en-GB]: https://x.com/messageheard?lang=en-GB [https://x.com/messageheard?lang=en-GB]  This is a Message Heard Production Produced by - Emma Crampton Executive Producer - Sandra Ferrari Edited by - Blu Posner and Ethan Judd Production Coordinator - Lizzie Hartree