Val Emmich is a New York Times best-selling author (Dear Evan Hansen), an actor (30 Rock, Ugly Betty, commercials you've seen), a musician (Tizzy, Slow Down Kid), and my friend from High School.

He was the good looking guy with a band who became the guy with a record contract, who was in commercials and tv shows, who got a book published and articles written about him in the New York Times. He was also suffering from crippling depression and struggling to come to terms with a past he hid from everyone.

He and I have always kept in touch. It was really amazing to get to catch up with Val and talk to him about high school, what was really going on under the surface, his career, and his transition to fatherhood. I also genuinely love his music. It's autobiographical, raw, and gut-wrenching.

It was a true reminder that the guy with a band, the guy in all the plays, the varsity cheerleader, and the girl who didn't talk to anyone were all going through their own journeys, and they still are.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses mental health and suicide.

valemmich.com
Val has some shows coming up in NJ
Saturday May 4th at The Saint
Friday May 10th at FM

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