July 22, 2025

Behind the Music: A Survivor’s Story of Healing and Hope, with Rob Tonkin

56 minutes

“The pain of carrying the weight of this secret for so long was more damaging than the reveal.” – Rob Tonkin

At age 14, Rob Tonkin entered the world of radio and climbed his way to the top of the entertainment marketing industry, producing iconic events like the Honda Civic Tour. But behind the success was a lifetime of buried trauma, self-sabotage, and a quest for healing. In this revealing conversation, Rob discusses his bold new memoir Asshole: A Memoir, and how writing helped him unearth his truth, make peace with his past, and live more authentically.

Key Takeaways:

Early Start, Big Stage: Rob began in radio at 14 and eventually led the marketing powerhouse behind the Honda Civic Tour.

Power of the Pen: What began as therapeutic journaling evolved into a deeply cathartic and revealing memoir.

A Memoir of Many Meanings: The title Asshole is more than attention-grabbing—it’s a metaphor for generational trauma, industry toxicity, and self-reflection.

Breaking the Silence: Rob bravely discusses being a male survivor of childhood sexual abuse and the long-term impact of secrecy.

Healing Through Honesty: Taking accountability, sharing his truth, and letting go of anger proved to be the most liberating acts of his life.

Behind the Velvet Curtain: Rob debunks the glamour of backstage life, revealing a world of burnout, trauma, and false personas.

Why He Wrote the Book: If it helps even one person put down their metaphorical “trash bag” of trauma, it’s worth it.

Buy Asshole: A Memoir - Wild Stories of Trauma, Truths, and Transformation

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3TBIVh2

Connect with Rob

Website: https://www.robtonkin.com/

X: https://x.com/robtonkin_

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@robtonkin_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fb.rob.tonkin

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@robtonkin_

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robtonkin_

Connect with Mike

Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory

Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/

If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

#UncorkingAStory #RobTonkin #AssholeMemoir #HealingJourney #TraumaRecovery #EntertainmentIndustry #MaleSurvivors #Memoir #Authenticity #PodcastInterview

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By Michael Carlon

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