Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona
Episode: April 15, 2025
Guest: Brandon Lee
Topic: Blank Canvas: Reimagining Corrections Film - In Studio

Introduction

In the April 15, 2025 episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness on 98 KUPD, host John Holmberg welcomes former Channel 3 news anchor Brandon Lee. The episode delves into Brandon's transformative journey from journalism to addiction recovery and his pioneering efforts in prison reform through holistic healing.

Guest Background

John Holmberg introduces Brandon Lee, highlighting his decade-long tenure at Channel 3 where he served as a news anchor. Brandon reflects on his transition from broadcasting to authoring his book and eventually dedicating himself to healing and helping others overcome addiction and trauma.

[01:09] John Holmberg: "Brandon Lee, formerly of Channel 3. That's how you remember."

Impact on Listeners

Brandon shares a profound story about a listener named Dylan, who reached out after being inspired by the show to overcome his addiction.

[02:19] Brandon Lee: "This guy Dylan... he was dope sick... listening to Holmberg's morning show, and that was the last day I ever used."

John remarks on the significance of such testimonials, emphasizing the show's role in providing support to those in need.

[03:02] John Holmberg: "This is remarkable. It's... people like Dylan still listening in. There's people right now who are actually listening in, who are struggling right now..."

Brandon's Personal Journey

Brandon opens up about his own struggles with addiction and mental health, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, he experienced a severe mental and emotional breakdown, leading to a relapse after twelve years of sobriety.

[08:34] Brandon Lee: "In January of 2021, this suicidal ideation just took over... I used meth for the first time in almost 12 years."

He discusses the profound shame and sadness that accompanied his relapse, despite having authored a bestselling book on his recovery journey.

[09:11] Brandon Lee: "The shame I felt, the sadness I felt is a weight of shame and sadness that I never experienced."

Healing Through Therapy and Art

Brandon describes his path to healing, which involved working with a shaman healer and engaging in intensive breathwork sessions. This holistic approach enabled him to confront and heal childhood trauma, ultimately leading him to rediscover joy through art.

[10:32] Brandon Lee: "Healer... deep breath work sessions... I can get high enough on oxygen to bypass my frontal lobe."

Transforming his condo's guest room into an art studio, Brandon found solace and purpose in creating art, which played a crucial role in his recovery.

[11:32] Brandon Lee: "I started to get into artwork... I turned my guest room at my condo into an art studio."

Creation of Art of Our Soul

Embracing his newfound passion, Brandon established Art of Our Soul, a holistic healing studio aimed at helping individuals heal through art, yoga, and other therapeutic modalities. His mission extended beyond personal healing to fostering recovery in others, particularly those reentering society after incarceration.

[11:52] Brandon Lee: "I found my life's purpose... open up the first little art studio. And I just want to help people heal the way artists help me heal."

Reimagining Corrections: Holistic Healing in Prisons

Brandon's commitment to transformative healing led him to collaborate with Director Ryan Thornell, who shares his vision of reimagining the corrections system. Together, they introduced holistic healing studios within high-risk prisons, such as Perryville and Lewis Prison Complex in Buckeye.

[15:03] Brandon Lee: "We need to offer programs to them... holistic modalities that are proven to go back and help this population..."

Impact and Results

The introduction of these holistic programs yielded significant positive outcomes. Data from eight months into the program revealed:

• 90% drop in self-harm incidents at Perryville.
• 27% reduction in disciplinary violations.
• 74% decrease in mental health crises and suicidality.

[18:10] Brandon Lee: "There was a 9-80% drop in self-harm incidents at Perryville. That is huge."

These results highlight the effectiveness of addressing the root causes of criminal behavior, such as childhood trauma, through comprehensive therapeutic interventions.

"Blank Canvas" Documentary

Brandon has also produced a documentary titled "Blank Canvas," which chronicles his efforts to integrate holistic healing within the prison system. The film aims to shed light on the importance of providing second chances and addressing the underlying trauma that leads individuals to incarceration.

[20:52] John Holmberg: "So... Blank canvas. It's called blank canvas and it's about reimagining corrections..."

The documentary emphasizes that rehabilitative measures not only aid in personal healing but also contribute to safer communities and reduced recidivism, presenting a compelling argument for systemic change.

[21:19] Brandon Lee: "People deserve second chances... if we have the ability to help somebody heal from the wounding that they experience as a child, then we have safer communities."

Philosophies on Healing and Second Chances

Brandon passionately advocates for viewing incarcerated individuals through a lens of empathy and understanding rather than mere punishment. He argues that investing in holistic healing is both a compassionate and fiscally responsible approach, potentially saving Arizona taxpayers significant amounts by reducing recidivism.

[22:03] Brandon Lee: "It costs Arizona taxpayers on average $45,000 a year to incarcerate one individual... invest a couple of thousand dollars into Art of Our Soul... that's $450,000 for just one person after ten years."

Overcoming Stigma and Empowering Change

Brandon addresses the stigma associated with addiction and incarceration, emphasizing that healing is possible and that individuals can reclaim their lives with the right support. By hiring former inmates and providing them with a living wage, Art of Our Soul not only fosters recovery but also promotes workforce development and economic stability within the community.

[22:27] Brandon Lee: "I only hire former incarcerated individuals... because I want to be part of workforce development."

Closing Remarks

John Holmberg commends Brandon for his bravery and dedication, acknowledging the immense positive impact of his work. The episode concludes with information about the screening of "Blank Canvas" at the Herberger Theater and its subsequent availability on YouTube, encouraging listeners to support and engage with Brandon's mission.

[35:28] John Holmberg: "And you're doing this, I believe, Thursday... it premieres on YouTube."

Notable Quotes

• Brandon Lee ([05:04]): "It's never too late to heal from the trauma that sent you down the path you're on."

• John Holmberg ([21:50]): "Nothing about jail has scared people from going back."

• Brandon Lee ([27:20]): "If we don't help them rewire their brain and help them heal, we are not making our community safer."

Conclusion

This episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness provides an inspiring look into Brandon Lee's journey from the stressful world of news broadcasting to becoming a catalyst for change in the prison system. Through Art of Our Soul and his documentary "Blank Canvas," Brandon is demonstrating the profound impact of holistic healing on individuals and communities, advocating for a shift from punitive measures to compassionate rehabilitation.

For more information on Brandon Lee's "Blank Canvas" documentary and upcoming screenings, visit YouTube on Thursday at the Herberger Theater or online.