Podcast Summary: Takin' A Walk - Music History with Buzz Knight

Episode: "Rick Allen: Def Leppard's Thunder God on Triumph, Tragedy, and the Healing Power of Music"
Release Date: December 8, 2025
Host: Buzz Knight
Guests: Rick Allen (Def Leppard drummer) with Lauren Monroe (musician, healer, and wife)
Supporting Organization: Musicians on Call; The Raven Drum Foundation

Episode Overview

This episode of Takin' A Walk offers an intimate, inspiring conversation with Rick Allen, legendary drummer of Def Leppard, and his wife Lauren Monroe. The central theme focuses on the healing power of music — both for artists and listeners — and how music enables connection, transformation, and support, especially in times of trauma or need. The discussion highlights the couple's charitable efforts with the Raven Drum Foundation, their personal journeys with healing, and reflections on how music saved Rick’s life after intense tragedy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Healing Power of Music

• Music as Connection & Transformation (02:40–07:12)

  • Rick and Lauren reflect on how music can bring hope, encouragement, and create a sense of belonging, particularly through organizations like Musicians on Call.
  • Lauren: “Music is definitely a doorway to be able to change from being outward to being inward, to being isolated, to being connected...music is definitely a doorway to healing in all aspects, I think.” [06:37]

• Music as a Time Machine & Meditation (07:12–09:08)

  • Rick describes music’s ability to transport people to moments in time and into a meditative state when playing.
  • Rick: “Music is a time machine. It can take you to a moment in time, maybe your coming-of-age moment or whatever.” [07:22]
  • Rick on drumming: “...it's almost like an open eyed meditation. I'm able to go to a place where I'm completely in the moment.” [08:35]

• Vibration, Intention, and Live Performance (09:08–11:20)

  • Both guests agree music’s healing stems from audible vibrations and the energy performers bring.
  • Lauren: “Live music specifically is extremely powerful because everybody's there in this quantum field of energy...if you play one note, people can tell you whether that makes them feel happy or sad...” [09:47]
  • Lauren mentions integrating ancient Solfeggio frequencies and binaural beats in her healing work.

Influences & Inspirations

• Lauren’s Musical Influences (11:42–12:25)

  • Tom Petty, Linda Ronstadt, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison shaped her appreciation of music’s visceral power.
  • Lauren: “Linda Ronstadt, her vocal performances always really resonated with me, as well as Janis Joplin, who was this really raw, guttural...performer.”

• Rick’s Musical Influences (12:25–13:35)

  • Classic artists like Hendrix, John Lennon, Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, and a variety of instrumental styles.
  • Rick: “The soundtrack to my life is still ongoing...I still hear new things and I’m still touched.” [13:11]

Music & Energy Healing

• Lauren’s Healing Practice (14:33–15:29)
  • A blend of energy medicine, clairvoyance, and music, especially harmonies, for transformation and grounding.

The Power of Live Collaboration

• On Performing Together (15:29–16:46)

  • Rick shares profound gratitude for collaborating with Lauren and describes the unpredictable, emotional power of their joint performances.
  • Rick: “There’s this energy exchange that goes on between all of us...something inexplicable happens, and I’m just really thankful that I’ve been given this gift and I’m able to experience that, particularly with the woman that I love.” [16:18]

• Audience Connection and Shared Healing (16:46–18:38)

  • Lauren emphasizes the importance of strangers coming together, experiencing collective healing, and the unique sense of “family” created at their shows.
  • Lauren: “We’re creating people who understand the idea of healing together, which is very foreign to American people...” [17:33]

• Rick on Audience Connection

  • Rick: “I get moments during the show where I get to observe people, and I can sense when somebody’s just having a really deep moment.” [18:38]

The Raven Drum Foundation: Mission & Impact

• Origins and Impact (19:54–21:51)

  • The foundation formed from their desire to use their combined gifts—music, healing, and lived experience with trauma—to help others, especially veterans and first responders.
  • Lauren: “When we put the intention of awareness, of meditation, of inward thinking, about teaching people how to breathe...and use the rhythm and breathing...they were able to take away with them something that helped them in their lives.” [20:28]

• Shift to Veterans & First Responders (21:51–23:01)

  • Rick’s powerful visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center inspired the couple to focus their efforts on the military community.
  • Rick: “Going to Walter Reed was really an eye opener...the level of suffering was off the chart...we have to focus more on our veterans.” [21:56]

• Key Team Member: Lori Baker (23:01–23:25)

  • Lauren credits Lori Baker, the foundation’s director, as essential to their outreach and event success.

Reflections on a World Without Music

• (23:25–24:10)

  • Lauren states a world without music would be one of deep disconnection and diminished self-expression.
  • Lauren: “I love the title of this podcast, because music has, does saved my life. And I know many, many people feel that way. I can't imagine a world without music.” [23:46]

• Rick’s Personal Testimony

  • After his accident (losing his arm in 1984), music became an even more powerful vehicle for his healing and self-organization.
  • Rick: “After I had my accident, I realized music was a very powerful vehicle for just carrying healing and intention...Music definitely brought that into focus and I'm just really grateful for that. I can't imagine where I'd be...” [24:10]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Music’s Power:

  • “Music is a time machine. It can take you to a moment in time...”
    — Rick Allen [07:22]

  • “Live music specifically is extremely powerful because everybody's there in this quantum field of energy.”
    — Lauren Monroe [09:47]

  • “There's this energy exchange that goes on between all of us...something inexplicable happens.”
    — Rick Allen [16:18]

• On Healing and Connection:

  • “We’re creating people who understand the idea of healing together, which is very foreign to American people.”
    — Lauren Monroe [17:33]

  • “One of the reasons I do it is to be able to connect with somebody in that way.”
    — Rick Allen [19:05]

• On Charity Mission:

  • “We have to focus more on our veterans. They really need it. This is a critical time.”
    — Rick Allen [22:34]

• On Music Saving Lives:

  • "Music has, does saved my life. It has saved my life."
    — Lauren Monroe [23:46]
  • "After I had my accident, I realized that music was a very powerful vehicle for just carrying healing and intention..."
    — Rick Allen [24:10]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• The Healing Power of Music: [02:40–09:08]
• Musical Influences: [11:20–13:35]
• Lauren’s Energy Healing Work: [14:33–15:29]
• Performing and Audience Connection: [15:29–18:38]
• Raven Drum Foundation Origins & Focus: [19:54–23:01]
• Reflections on a World Without Music: [23:25–24:10]

Episode Takeaways

• Music, beyond entertainment, holds immense power for personal and collective healing.
• Rick and Lauren’s experiences — from overcoming personal tragedy to working with traumatized communities — underscore music’s ability to foster connection, transformation, and hope.
• Efforts like those by the Raven Drum Foundation use music and intentional energy work to serve veterans and first responders, showing music’s potential to heal unseen wounds.
• Both guests testify authentically that “music saved me,” urging listeners to appreciate and support the healing work music can do in the world.