Primary Purpose with Pej

How Michael Dean Built a Legacy Across Music, Media & Entrepreneurship

Before podcasts, before social media, and before artists had direct access to fans online, Michael Dean was already building communities, creating content, and documenting music history. On this episode of Primary Purpose with Pej, Michael shares his remarkable journey from Seattle's underground hip-hop scene in the late 1980s to touring with influential independent artists, becoming an entrepreneur, author, musician, and one of the earliest voices in the online Prince community. This conversation goes far beyond music. Michael opens up about purpose, artistic independence, staying true to your vision, and the importance of building something meaningful over time. From personal interactions with Prince during the early days of the internet to lessons learned through decades of creativity and reinvention, this episode is packed with insights for artists, entrepreneurs, and anyone searching for their own path. If you've ever wondered what it takes to create a lasting legacy while remaining authentic to yourself, this conversation is for you. #Prince #MichaelDean #PrimaryPurposeWithPej #Pej #MusicIndustry #HipHopHistory #IndependentArtist #Entrepreneurship #CreativeJourney #ArtistLife #MusicPodcast #PrinceFans #Storytelling #PurposeDriven #MusicBusiness #LegacyBuilding #CreativeEntrepreneur #SeattleHipHop #MusicHistory #PersonalGrowth #Inspiration #PodcastInterview #IndependentMusic #ContentCreator #ArtistDevelopment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Relapse & Survival: The Truth About Addiction Recovery with Sam Kamkar

For years, Sam's life was trapped in a cycle that seemed impossible to break. Addiction, fentanyl, Xanax, jail, treatment centers, relapse, and self-destruction became his reality. Every path he was on pointed toward becoming another tragic statistic, and many people had already written his ending for him. In this powerful episode of Primary Purpose with Pej, Sam shares the unfiltered truth about addiction, recovery culture, body brokering, manipulation within the treatment industry, and the difficult process of rebuilding a life after years of chaos. This conversation goes beyond sobriety and explores what it really takes to break free from toxic environments, reclaim your identity, and create a future when all hope seems lost. If you or someone you love has struggled with addiction, this episode offers a raw, honest look at both the darkness of addiction and the possibility of recovery. #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #RecoveryJourney #FentanylCrisis #MentalHealth #PrimaryPurposeWithPej #RecoveryPodcast #SobrietyPodcast #AddictionAwareness #InspirationStories #Healing #RecoveryCommunity #PodcastClips #LifeAfterAddiction #HopeAndRecovery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

“I Should Be Dead”, Benjamin Lerner on Addiction, Relapse & Redemption

Today on Primary Purpose with Pej, we sit down with Benjamin Lerner, rapper, composer, recovery advocate, and the great-grandson of legendary songwriter Irving Berlin. Behind the music, talent, and family legacy was a devastating battle with fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine that nearly cost Benjamin his life.Now sober since 2016, Benjamin has turned his pain into purpose. Through a unique blend of classical piano and hip-hop, he’s built an audience of hundreds of millions by speaking openly about addiction, relapse, shame, recovery, and redemption. This conversation dives deep into generational pressure, self-destruction, creativity, sobriety, and what it really takes to face the truth and rebuild a life from the ground up.If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, this episode is proof that recovery is possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

She Beat a 13-Year Addiction — Now She’s Exposing What Recovery Really Looks Like | Mandi West

This week on Primary Purpose with Pej, Pej sits down with Mandi West — a Certified Drug & Alcohol Counselor, Certified Recovery Specialist, and Certified Gambling Counselor with over 10 years in sustained recovery after a 13-year battle with substance use disorder. Mandi shares her powerful journey from addiction to recovery, the realities of rebuilding a life after chaos, and how her lived experience now fuels her work helping others heal. Together, they dive into the truth about addiction treatment, stigma, gambling addiction, recovery communities, social media advocacy, and the systemic challenges people face when seeking help. With both clinical expertise and firsthand experience, Mandi brings an honest, compassionate, and deeply informed perspective to one of the most important conversations happening today. If you or someone you love has struggled with addiction, this episode is a reminder that recovery is possible — and that purpose can be found on the other side of pain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

17 Felonies, 9 Years in Prison… Then She Changed Everything | Ginny Burton on Redemption

What happens when someone society gave up on refuses to give up on themselves? This week on Primary Purpose with Pej, Pej sits down with Ginny Burton — speaker, reform advocate, and living proof that redemption is real. After 30 years in addiction, 17 felony convictions, and nearly a decade spent in prison, Ginny lost everything: her freedom, family, identity, and hope. But her story didn’t end there. Now over 13 years sober, Ginny has transformed her life into a mission — going from incarcerated woman to scholar, policy advisor, and founder of the OUT Impact Coalition. Today, she’s helping reshape recovery, reentry, and criminal justice reform from the inside out. In this powerful conversation, Pej and Ginny discuss: Addiction and survival Prison and systemic failure Motherhood, shame, and forgiveness Recovery and rebuilding identity Turning pain into purpose Why no one is beyond redemption This is a story of transformation, resilience, and what can happen when someone is finally given a second chance. Subscribe to Primary Purpose with Pej for more conversations on recovery, transformation, and purpose-driven living. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]