Musicians Making a Difference launches new podcast Rhyme & Reason

Musicians Making a Difference, the Australian grassroots organisation which has used the power of music to change young lives primarily through bootcamps, is additionally spreading the message through a podcast.

Launched this morning, the 16-episode Rhyme & Reason “was created to give a platform for artists and people within the industry to share stories about struggles, strength, and how music has helped shape them.” MMAD co-founder Dominic Brook explains.

Brook who has been open about how hip hop saved him from a number of childhood adversities, points out, “Music is a powerful tool to connect people from all walks and can inspire aha! moments that empower change.

“This podcast has the potential to spark realisation and personal growth for listeners, too.”

Guests include Bliss N Eso, Casey Donovan, E^ST, record producer and The Grove studios owner Scott Horscroft and US photographer Chris Cuffaro.

Host, Will Small says: “Everyone has that song. The one that helped you get out of bed when nothing else could. The one that inspired you to pursue your dreams.

“On Rhyme & Reason, I explore their life stories and the songs and music that helped them through.”

The first four episodes of Rhyme & Reason dropped this morning.

Singer-songwriter Dustin Tebbutt who’s amassed 200 million Spotify streams, talks about his battle with depression.

Musicians might seem indestructible, he says, but “We are people and we’ve come from somewhere.

“We can still have insecurities and doubts and addictions and bits of our life that we’re embarrassed about and don’t want to talk about.”

An injury finished Melbourne hip hop performer Pez’s dream of being a US college basketballer.

Rapping and music gave him an outlet, especially with the hit The Festival Song.

“Suddenly you’re in this different circle. I think I lost myself in there,” he admits.

Being diagnosed with Graves disease, an autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid and which made him anxious and created a phobia about playing live, hardly helped matters.

Pez’s advice is to stay true to yourself, “actually really listening to what you want and what you feel – your heart, your soul – beautiful things will come from that.”

Another guest, Mirrah, who started out as a beat dancer and developed into a hip hop performer who recorded with L-FRESH THE LION, also works as a social worker and is a

MMAD ambassador.

Supported by Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, Rhyme & Reason has weekly episode releases until the end of 2018.

Listen to Rhyme & Reason by MMAD on iTunes, Spotify, Google or your preferred podcast app.