Rock of Nations with Dave Kinchen & Shane McEachern · Rock of Nations with Dave Kinc

#Buckcherry’s #JoshTodd On Mental Health Care

·11 min·1 clip

Josh Todd shares how his father's suicide at age 10 shaped his lifelong abandonment issues.

This episode features Josh Todd, frontman of the rock band Buckcherry, in conversation with hosts Dave Kinchen and Shane McEachern. Todd discusses his personal journey with mental health, addiction, and the psychological demands of a rock musician's life. The hosts guide a discussion that connects Todd's music to his philosophies on wellness and survival. Todd explains his song "Set It Free" is about isolating from daily information overload to maintain his identity. He describes the touring lifestyle's downside as living from a bag, isolated from conventional friends and family. Todd reveals he has been sober from drugs and alcohol for over 30 years, actively participating in Alcoholics Anonymous. He attributes his mental health management to AA's steps, daily meditation, and consistent exercise. The conversation turns to suicide after the hosts mention recently losing a friend to it. Todd shares that his father died by suicide when he was ten years old. He expresses a complex view, suggesting people who complete suicide often do not talk about it beforehand. Todd states the aftermath causes "wreckage that goes on for years and decades" for loved ones. He reveals that after getting sober, he personally experienced intense suicidal thoughts, which felt tangible due to his father's history. An AA member advised him to pray daily to have those thoughts removed, which he did despite not being part of organized religion. Todd describes alcoholism as a disease "between your ears," where drinking is merely a symptom. He notes the mental challenge intensifies the longer he stays sober, requiring constant spiritual practice. Reflecting on performing, Todd says he must emotionally revisit the experiences behind songs like "Lit Up" and "Crazy Bitch" to deliver an authentic show. He mentally prepares by asking, "if this is the last one," how he should perform to leave nothing behind. The tone is raw, confessional, and supportive, blending a casual interview with profound personal testimony. The style is conversational and introspective, focusing on lived experience rather than clinical advice. This episode would deeply resonate with fans of Buckcherry, those interested in addiction recovery, or anyone navigating grief and mental health challenges. Listeners seeking only light entertainment or band history without personal depth might find the content heavier than expected.

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