Sound Matters with Tom Leu

Stewart Michaelson is the founder of Join the Nation Network, and is a sobriety advocate, motivational speaker, and coach. Having spent the better part of a decade in public life, Stewart understands from a political perspective the issue of mental health and the illness. What started out in his youth as a simple nights of drinking with the boys on weekends, led to drinking and driving, a criminal record, abusive behavior and a broken family. Stewart became a full on alcoholic! After a decade of alcohol abuse and abusive behavior, Stewart confronted his alcoholism head on. A recovering alcoholic today, Stewart accepts life on life’s terms, continues to attend AA meetings regularly and has began to help his fellows in their pursuit of a better life based on Responsible Sobriety.

“I recently was on the Recovery Collective show and WOW, my friend Tom’s energy and demeanor are contagious! He really cares about his guest, his subject matter and more importantly YOU, the one who is still suffering. Tom talks abut his mission, which to help those to overcome and rise above the AV/DC’s: the Addictions, Vices, Devices, Distractions, or Compulsions that may ail you or someone you know. In short, Tom’s enthusiasm and attitude will have you listening again and again. I am so fortunate to call him my friend.”

– Stewart Michaelson, Founder of Join The Nation Network

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"Highlights & Hits" featured on episode #067: 

02:18-04:00 - Shout out to Christian Leu on his new job in television production, in addition to working in radio...

07:31-20:05 - Jro Rostamo (from Suite Oblivion, Drama Queen, & Mob Zero), and Allen Smith from Letsinger...

20:17-37:32 - Drama Queen (Matt, Rob, Tee, Jim, & Jro)

38:35-46:00 - Round table discussion with all of the above rock and rollers...

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Amy Dresner is a former professional stand-up comic, having appeared at The Comedy Store, The Laugh Factory, and The Improv. Amy has been a contributing editor and writer for several publications including TheFix.com, Addiction.com, PsychologyToday.com, the Good Men Project, The Frisky, Refinery 29, among others. Her first book, "MY FAIR JUNKIE: A Memoir of Getting Dirty and Staying Clean" is a darkly funny and revealing debut memoir of one woman's twenty-year battle with sex, drugs, and alcohol addiction, and what happens when she finally emerges on the other side.

“I’ve been on what some have referred to as a “podcast/radio tour” as of late to promote my memoir so I know podcasts and radio shows. Tom is infinitely prepared, professional, smart and friendly.  He has a terrific sense of humor, enjoys what he does, really delves into the projects/backgrounds of his guests and all of these culminate in a terrific interview that goes deep but also includes laughter. As a guest, you feel safe in his hands as he guides you through a conversation with questions that are personally tailored to your story/project. Maybe I’m easy but Tom has a life long fan and guest in me.”

- Amy Dresner >> www.amydresner.com

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"Highlights & Hits" featured on episode #066: 

03:41-18:10 - Tom and Christian discuss the current "diss track" feud, and marketing implications between rappers MGK and Eminem...

20:20-23:26 - This episode closes with Tom's signature Sound Matter Moment titled "Time Waits for No One"...

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Lara Frazier is well-known in the digital recovery space as a speaker and truth-teller, a sobriety warrior, an innovator, and a writer. She is a fierce believer in the power of owning our stories and is a strong advocate for addiction recovery. Lara shares a story of healing: in sobriety, through addiction, in life and love, and in all the other big, huge moments of fear and magic that we rarely talk about, but we should. Lara received her MBA in Marketing & Global Business from Pepperdine University. After many years of working in the entertainment industry, Lara became addicted to prescription pills and left her career to seek help and find her truth. Lara's work has been featured in publications such as The Huffington Post, Glamour, AddictionUnscripted.Com, and WorkIt Health.

“Tom is an insightful and passionate host. I love the topics and guests he has on the show. Tom does his research on his guests! He asks the most intriguing questions I’ve ever been asked by a host. It’s apparent he knew about my work and I truly appreciated that. Tom’s passion is infectious. It’s an absolute pleasure to know Tom Leu and to be able to share the mic with one of the best recovery warriors there is.” 

– Lara Frazier, Writer and Speaker at LaraFrazier.com

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On Sound Matters episode #065, Tom hosts the return of Matt Vogt and Rob Pace from Rockford's Drama Queen talking about their CD release party and debut gig, plus much more...

"On behalf of the band DRAMA QUEEN I would like to offer some kind words to one of the best interview personalities we know Tom Leu. We have been on Tom's show SOUND MATTERS 3 times now Courtesy of Tom and consider him friend and family. Tom cares about music and people which is why his professionalism shines through. Whether hosting a local musician or a touring Mega Star, Tom does his homework and makes the interview stylish and classy for his audience. Thanks again Tom for helping to spread the word about DRAMA QUEEN and countless others. You surely are a blessing to all!"

- Matt Vogt, guitarist for Drama Queen >> www.dramaqueenrocks.com

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Wesley Geer has been a professional musician for over 20 years. He first found success as the founding member of Jive Records artist Hed P.E. as a guitarist, songwriter and producer. After touring the world for eight years, Wes left the band for a lifestyle change and ultimately landed in rehab. In 2010, at almost three years sober, he was approached to play with the legendary band Korn. He joined Korn and worked with them as their touring guitarist for the next several years, traveling to 42 countries, headlining shows, and appearing on a number of recordings, cable and TV shows. 

In 2012, Wes founded Rock to Recovery in an effort to bring a new and unique type of group music expression into treatment centers by forming a band! The program is designed so that ‘non-musicians’ can access the magic, healing, and uplifting powers of writing and playing music.

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Kevin Polky from Shatter Our Silence is a former champion bodybuilder and now a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Certified School Social Worker, executive coach, former football and strength coach and personal trainer. Kevin dives into his personal recovery journey, the good reasons for founding SOS, and impactful strategies for working through the darkness that sometimes affects us all. Kevin has worked with individuals, families, and organizations in areas of Illinois and Wisconsin. Kevin also facilitates men’s groups, conducts workshops and seminars, and serves as a consultant to businesses, schools, and churches. In 2016, Kevin founded Shatter Our Silence a non-for-profit company to increase awareness and educate on the factors that lead to suicide in young adults.

“Recovery Collective is simply amazing! Tom Leu breaks the stigma around addiction, and the misperceptions around sobriety and recovery. Tom is always well-prepared, has a great knowledge base, and is always curious to learn more. Tom doesn’t conduct interviews, but rather has conversations with guests about the silence and stigma surrounding suicide, mental illness, addiction and recovery. As an addiction counselor and licensed clinical social worker for the past 26 years with 10 addiction counselors working for me, Recovery Collective has been an amazing resource for us and our clients. Tom brings a message of hope, healing and fun to recovery from addiction of all types.”

- Kevin Polky, LCSW/CADC >> www.shatteroursilence.org

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Sound Matters episode #064 features Tom's great conversation with Chicago's Enuff Z'Nuff founder, bassist, and now lead singer, Chip Z'Nuff. Chip talks candidly about the music business today, the influences he wears loud and proud, and the great new Enuff Z'Nuff album Diamond Boy featuring him on lead vocals, and his transition fronting the band for the first time with absence of Donnie Vie. Chip also shares what touring and lifestyle choices in 2018 and beyond look like, as well his surprising answer to a question he's never been asked in interviews all these years. Don't miss this one...

Inside the Interview:
00:56 - Is rock n' roll dead...?
01:21 - On Chip and the band's history with Cheap Trick...
03:08 - On the latest Enuff Z'Nuff album, Diamond Boy...
04:55 - Artists and bands that shaped the Enuff Z'Nuff sound...
07:24 - On the gap between Enuff Z'Nuff albums...
08:50 - On the absence of Donnie Vie on Diamond Boy...
11:19 - On putting out full albums vs. releasing singles...
13:13 - On touring in 2018 and beyond...
16:28 - On Chip's transition into the lead singer role...
17:50 - On the songs and subjective matter on Diamond Boy...
20:22 - On lifestyle choices for Chip Z'Nuff in 2018...
21:00 - A question Chip has never been asked and his answer...

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Tawny M. Lara is an entrepreneur, writer, and public speaker. She’s the founder of SobrieTea Party and Readings on Recovery, co-host of Recovery Rocks podcast, and an award-winning filmmaker of her recovery documentary, "Fixed Up." When she’s not working on all of the things, she’s doing yoga or eating tacos - sometimes simultaneously. Tom as he and Tawny dig into her personal recovery journey from a self-professed "party girl" to one of today's most prominent and prolific voices in the recovery and the "alt sober" communities.

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Connect with Tom:
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