Podcast Summary

Podcast: takin' a walk – Music History on Foot
Host: Lynne Hoffman (Music Saved Me segment, presented by iHeartPodcasts, hosted by Buzz Knight)
Guest: Brent Smith, lead singer of Shinedown
Episode: Classic Music Saved Me with Brent Smith from the band Shinedown
Date: September 7, 2025

Episode Overview

This heartfelt episode welcomes Brent Smith, the powerful vocalist and founder of Shinedown, to discuss the healing power of music—not only in his own life but for his fans and the broader community. Smith candidly shares his personal battles with substance abuse, the grounding influence of his friends, family, and Shinedown’s multi-generational audience, and the deep connection he forges with fellow artists such as Jelly Roll. Listeners are treated to an unfiltered conversation about mental health, authenticity, and the responsibility musicians carry to uplift others.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Life-Saving Power of Music

• Music as Therapy
  Brent shares that songwriting was never about fame for him, but about having something important to express. He considers music to be "cheaper than therapy," always there for him throughout every stage of life.
  • "I started writing songs because I had something to say...being a musician...it was cheaper than therapy." (05:02)
• Songs & Their Messages
  He emphasizes that for true healing, it's the songs (and their lyrics) that matter most, acting as a guiding light in confusing or dark moments.
  • "A song would always come on and it would, it would open the door...shine a light on what was going on in my life at that point in time." (05:56)
• Music as Medicine
  Smith describes seeing music play a part in medical recovery, citing his bandmate Zach Myers’ work with St. Jude's and charities like AFSP, and how music can rebuild confidence and mental health.
  • "Music has this very unique way of getting into the psyche and into the mind and building your focus back and building your confidence back." (07:45)

Relationship with Fans and Community

• Respectful, Evolving Fanbase
  Brent describes the wide-ranging ages in Shinedown's audience (from 8 to 80!), attributing the band’s growth and creative freedom to the support and open-mindedness of their fans.
  • "In Shinedown, we only have one boss. It just happens to be everybody in the audience." (10:54)
• Mutual Success
  He stresses that the band's success mirrors their fans’ journeys, with people joining at all points—some from “day one,” others just catching on. Playing to empty rooms was crucial to their evolution, and they now feel blessed to perform for massive crowds.
  • "We played in front of five people...but we've also played in front of 500,000 people." (12:49)

Transparency, Mental Health, and Personal Struggles (14:13–20:42)

• Radical Openness Brent credits his grandmother’s advice (“find something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”) and insists that his transparency is intentional; it comes with the calling he chose. He reflects on the importance of being a work in progress and advocates for compassion regarding mental health.
  • "I asked for this...I'm in a band that's been talking about mental health for...two decades." (14:39)
• Battling Addiction & How Friends Help He recounts how his friend Teresa gave him life-changing advice during addiction—urging him to recognize his greatest 'danger' and effectiveness is when he’s sober and focused.
  • "You are the most dangerous when you are clear-headed and focused and sober...it's time to get your head out of your ass and get back in the game." (18:37)
• Paying It Forward Brent reflects on the importance of using his experiences and platform to help others, always focusing on the next positive step.

Collaborations & Community in Music (21:07–28:57)

• Jelly Roll: Authentic Friendship & Mutual Support Brent warmly recounts his relationship with Jelly Roll, their authentic bond, and mutual journey through struggles. He details inviting Jelly Roll onstage (“Simple Man”) and later bringing him on a major tour.
  • "There is not a more deserving human being...Jelly Roll is necessary, that guy." (21:19)
  • "I could see something definitely in the future [collaboration], 1,000%." (26:13)
• Other Uplifting Artists He highlights the joy of touring with friends like Papa Roach and Spiritbox, celebrating cross-genre connections and the creative freedom such tours bring.
  • "Papa Roach is...extremely necessary...nothing but love and light and intensity." (28:08)
  • "We don’t want to be put in a box…welcome the diversity in that with different types of...musicianship." (28:38)

Advice, Mental Health Advocacy, and Hope (29:13–32:08)

• Practical Mental Health Wisdom Brent urges listeners not to be afraid or ashamed to seek help for mental health struggles. He advocates for attentive, compassionate intervention—whether it’s with friends, family, or even strangers.
  • "There’s nothing wrong with you...do not feel ashamed or embarrassed to ask for help." (29:36)
  • "The worst thing you can do is be quiet and not say something..." (30:49)
  • "You could potentially save someone's life." (31:46)
• Universal Humanity Lynne caps it with a reminder that these struggles are “all a symptom of being human,” and encourages listeners to find solace in music, specifically referencing Shinedown’s song “Symptom of Being Human.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Brent Smith on his audience:
  "We only have one boss. It just happens to be everybody in the audience." (10:54)
• On addiction and healing:
  "You are the most dangerous when you are clear-headed and focused and sober." (18:37)
• On the power of asking for help:
  "There’s nothing wrong with you...do not feel ashamed or embarrassed to ask for help." (29:36)
• On talking to struggling friends or strangers:
  "Going up to that person and saying, hey, I don’t know you, but are you okay?...you could potentially save someone's life." (31:25)
• Lynne Hoffman's closing affirmation:
  "Don’t worry, it’s all a symptom of being human." (32:08)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:34 Introduction to Brent and the importance of fan respect
• 05:02 Brent on music saving his life
• 07:00 Music's healing power in medical settings (St. Jude’s, AFSP)
• 09:57 The evolution and relationship with Shinedown’s fanbase
• 14:39 Brent’s openness and battles with substance abuse
• 18:37 Brent’s friend Teresa’s life-changing advice
• 21:07 Relationship and tour stories with Jelly Roll
• 26:01 Possibility of future collaborations
• 28:08 Papa Roach, Spiritbox, and the importance of celebrating diversity in music
• 29:13 Advice for those struggling with mental health
• 32:08 “Symptom of Being Human” and closing words

Tone

The conversation is honest, warm, and deeply empathetic. Brent Smith is candid and never self-aggrandizing, openly sharing vulnerability and triumph. Lynne Hoffman’s supportive, affirming tone makes the discussion feel like a conversation among friends, emphasizing hope and the unifying, healing force of music.

Conclusion

This episode delivers a message of resilience, hope, and the powerful role music plays in healing and personal evolution. Brent Smith offers listeners a blend of hard-won wisdom, practical advice, and inspiration—reminding us that everyone struggles, but nobody has to walk that road alone.

For additional support, resources mentioned include musiciansoncall.org and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (afsp.org).