Empathy For The Devil

Message Heard
  • 5.0 (20)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Empathy For The Devil is a podcast from Attune and Message Heard that discusses music and mental health by delving into the lives of artists and performers who, despite their unique talents, left us far too soon⁠⁠. Each episode is a journey into one iconic musician, using their life story as a lens to understand them as individuals beyond societal judgments, unravelling their personal stories with empathy and understanding⁠⁠. Attune, as a dedicated provider of mental health and well-being services, is committed to delivering holistic support and resources. www.we-are-attune.com

  1. 10/04/2025

    Jimi Hendrix: Abandoned. Adulated. Addicted

    Jimi Hendrix is widely regarded as the best guitarist of all time, not least by our very own Chula. With unparalleled technical mastery, showmanship and innovation, Hendrix seemed to be one with his instrument. Over the course of his upsettingly brief career, he redefined the musical landscape of his time, and cemented himself as a cultural legend of the late 60’s and early 70’s. Yet behind the myth was a shy young man, whose early years were difficult, unsettled, and marked with emotional and physical neglect. He found music as an escape from his chaotic upbringing; but struggled with the immense fame and fortune that came along with it.  In the final episode of the season, Chula goes beyond the myth of Jimi Hendrix and explores the public triumphs and private pains of his ultimate guitar hero. Drawing on his work as a psychotherapist, he discusses how Hendrix’s unstable childhood, particularly as a child of alcoholic (ACA), might have contributed to his ability to experience and cope with fame and success in adulthood. This week’s ‘ One For The Road’ is ‘Electric Ladyland’ - the third and final studio album by the Jimi Hendrix Experience - which Chula believes “everyone should listen to once before they die”. Treat yourself to a physical copy or stream it on your favourite platform. Content Warnings: childhood neglect, poverty, alcohol addiction, early loss of a parent, drug use, overdose If you or someone you know has been affected by the themes in this episode, there are some useful organisations on Attune’s website that can be of help: www.we-are-attune.com/podcast  Attune, as a dedicated provider of mental health and well-being services, is committed to delivering holistic support and resources. With its team of skilled professionals, Attune excels in recognising and responding to the intricate needs of people and teams in talent-based industries. You can learn more about Attune through our website: https://www.we-are-attune.com/ Follow Attune on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/we_are_attune/# Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@weareattune  and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-attune/  Empathy For The Devil is produced by Message Heard Listen to more Message Heard shows through our website: https://messageheard.com/Follow Message Heard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/messageheard/mycompany/ and Twitter: https://x.com/messageheard?lang=en-GB  This is a Message Heard Production Producer and Editor - Emma Werner Senior Producer - Harry Stott Executive Producer - Sandra Ferrari Videographer - Ethan Judd Audio Engineer - Lizzie Andrews Production Coordinator - Kirsty McLean Filmed at ID Studios ___ Empathy For The Devil Season 2 is brought to you in partnership with London Records.

    50 min

  2. 03/04/2025

    Sid Vicious: Iconic Punk or Innocent Puppet?

    Today, the name “Sid Vicious” is practically synonymous with punk, nihilism and self-destruction. But before Sid, there was a young boy named Simon John Ritchie whose peripatetic childhood was marked by neglect, instability and drugs.  As bassist of the Sex Pistols, Sid’s rise to fame was driven not by musical talent but by his anarchic persona and darkly violent streak - “a living circus” as his fellow band member once described him. He was celebrated for his worst and pushed into the spotlight with little to no duty of care, eventually dying of an overdose at only 21 years old. In this episode, Matt takes us on the complex and shockingly short journey of Sid Vicious - or rather, Simon John Ritchie. Drawing on his experience as a mental health professional, Matt offers a more compassionate perspective on the infamous punk icon, revealing a sad but all too familiar tale of exploitation and spectacle at the expense of vulnerable individuals. Today’s ‘One For The Road’ is the Youtuber Mary Spender. First and foremost a brilliant musician, she also publishes fascinating video essays on her experience of the music industry. Do check out her channel - https://www.youtube.com/maryspender  Content Warnings: drug addiction, overdose, childhood neglect, childhood abandonment, animal cruelty, self-harm, death by stabbing If you or someone you know has been affected by the themes in this episode, there are some useful organisations on Attune’s website that can be of help: www.we-are-attune.com/podcast  Attune, as a dedicated provider of mental health and well-being services, is committed to delivering holistic support and resources. With its team of skilled professionals, Attune excels in recognising and responding to the intricate needs of people and teams in talent-based industries. You can learn more about Attune through our website: https://www.we-are-attune.com/ Follow Attune on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/we_are_attune/# Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@weareattune  and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-attune/  Empathy For The Devil is produced by Message Heard Listen to more Message Heard shows through our website: https://messageheard.com/ Follow Message Heard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/messageheard/mycompany/ and Twitter: https://x.com/messageheard?lang=en-GB  This is a Message Heard Production Producer and Editor - Emma Werner Senior Producer - Harry Stott Executive Producer - Sandra Ferrari Videographer - Ethan Judd Sound and Mix Engineer - Lizzie Andrews Production Coordinator - Kirsty McLean Filmed at ID Studios ___ Empathy For The Devil Season 2 is brought to you in partnership with London Records.  Check out their podcast ‘Hit That Perfect Beat - The London Records Story’, a deep dive into the legendary label behind some of the most iconic hits of the last 50 years, featuring illuminating interviews with artists such as Bananarama, Allsaints and many more.

    50 min

  3. 27/03/2025

    Sinead O’Connor: Mystic. Revolutionary. Protest Singer

    Few artists embody the term “iconoclast” more than Sinead O’Connor. A voice of rebellion, she spoke truth to power and stood for what she believed in, regardless of personal and professional cost. As a survivor of unspeakable trauma herself, Sinead denounced child abuse in the catholic church on live television years before the world was ready to hear it. And though this infamous act saw her blacklisted from TV networks and venues, she maintained that it put her career “back on the right track”. She was, and always would be, a protest singer - never a pop star. A new Sinead-devotee, Sam returns to tell us the story of the fearless feminist icon with compassion and admiration. Together with Matt and Chula, she reflects on how the media portrayal of Sinead O’Connor had insidiously fed her own pre-conceptions and unconscious biases. This week’s ‘One For The Road’ is the seminal feminist book ‘Women Who Run With The Wolves: Contacting the Power of the Wild Woman’ by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. Find it here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/women-who-run-with-the-wolves/clarissa-pinkola-est-s/9781846046940  Content Warnings: physical, emotional and sexual child abuse, childhood neglect, early loss of a parent, mental health, depression, suicide, child loss. IMPORTANT: Alcohol withdrawal happens once an individual is physically dependent/chemically addicted and can be fatal and should only be attempted with medical guidance/assistance. The most serious form of withdrawal is called delirium tremens, or DTs. People with severe withdrawal symptoms or DTs should always have a drink if they need it while professional help is sought. If in doubt, call 999. If you or someone you know has been affected by the themes in this episode, there are some useful organisations on Attune’s website that can be of help: www.we-are-attune.com/podcast  Attune, as a dedicated provider of mental health and well-being services, is committed to delivering holistic support and resources. With its team of skilled professionals, Attune excels in recognising and responding to the intricate needs of people and teams in talent-based industries. You can learn more about Attune through our website: https://www.we-are-attune.com/ Follow Attune on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/we_are_attune/# Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@weareattune  and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-attune/  Empathy For The Devil is produced by Message Heard Listen to more Message Heard shows through our website: https://messageheard.com/Follow Message Heard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/messageheard/mycompany/ and Twitter: https://x.com/messageheard?lang=en-GB  This is a Message Heard Production Producer and Editor - Emma Werner Senior Producer - Harry Stott Executive Producer - Sandra Ferrari Videographer - Ethan Judd Mix Engineer - Lizzie Andrews Production Coordinator - Kirsty McLean Filmed at ID Studios ___ Empathy For The Devil Season 2 is brought to you in partnership with London Records.

    49 min

  4. 20/03/2025

    DMX: Pain and Power

    “See to live is to suffer, but to survive well that’s to find meaning in the suffering”. This is what American rapper DMX tells us in his brutally honest autobiographical song “Slippin’”. It is difficult to overstate the trauma of DMX’s childhood - and the transformative power of the music he created out of it. Born Earl Simmons, his start in life was marked with abuse, poverty, ill health and abandonment. Funneled into youth institutions - and then into youth incarceration, his early years paved the way for lifelong struggles with mental health, drug addiction and criminality.  Yet in spite of - or perhaps because of - these experiences, DMX rose to become one of the defining rap artists of the late 90’s and early 00’s, making history as the first artist ever to have his first five albums hit number one in the Billboard charts. A captivating MC, DMX will be remembered for his disarmingly soul-searching lyrics, his emotionally charged performances and his very public, ultimately losing battle with his inner demons. In this episode, Chula Goonewardene - Clinical Director and Co-Founder of Attune - takes a compassionate dive into the life and checkered career of DMX, informed by his role as a psychotherapist. As the team reflect on the personal and systemic challenges that DMX faced, they discuss his unique ability to channel pain and vulnerability into some of the most powerful rap ever produced. This week’s ‘One for the Road’ is ‘The Zen of Recovery’, a book Chula was introduced to by his sponsor during his own recovery journey. Written by dharma teacher Mel Ash, this book explores the AA Twelve Steps within the context of Buddhism and Zen practice. You can find it here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Zen-of-Recovery-by-Mel-Ash/9780874777062   Content Warnings: childhood parental abuse, abandonment trauma, drug use, addiction, overdose, youth incarceration, institutional racism, mental health. IMPORTANT: Alcohol withdrawal happens once an individual is physically dependent/chemically addicted and can be fatal and should only be attempted with medical guidance/assistance. The most serious form of withdrawal is called delirium tremens, or DTs. People with severe withdrawal symptoms or DTs should always have a drink if they need it while professional help is sought. If in doubt, call 999. If you or someone you know has been affected by the themes in this episode, there are some useful organisations on Attune’s website that can be of help: www.we-are-attune.com/podcast  Attune, as a dedicated provider of mental health and well-being services, is committed to delivering holistic support and resources. With its team of skilled professionals, Attune excels in recognising and responding to the intricate needs of people and teams in talent-based industries. You can learn more about Attune through our website: https://www.we-are-attune.com/ Follow Attune on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/we_are_attune/# Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@weareattune  and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-attune/  Empathy For The Devil is produced by Message Heard Listen to more Message Heard shows through our website: https://messageheard.com/ Follow Message Heard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/messageheard/mycompany/ and Twitter: https://x.com/messageheard?lang=en-GB  This is a Message Heard Production Producer and Editor - Emma Werner Senior Producer - Harry Stott Executive Producer - Sandra Ferrari Videographer - Ethan Judd Audio and Mix Engineer - Lizzie Andrews Production Coordinator - Kirsty McLean Filmed at ID Studios

    57 min

  5. 13/03/2025

    Prince: Relentless Genius

    Prince was perhaps one of the most accomplished, innovative and prolific artists of the last century. Through his seemingly limitless talent and electrifying performances, he transcended every genre and pushed every norm. With a catalogue of 40 studio albums, multiple film scores, not to mention a wealth of unreleased material, Prince’s musical legacy is staggering.  But his story is also one of inescapable contradictions. Offstage, he was softly-spoken and private - a stark contrast to the flamboyant, over-the-top artist audiences witnessed on stage. Though known for his unabashed sexuality and explicit lyrics, he espoused strict religious beliefs and even enforced a swear jar to discourage profanities around him. And despite his lifelong public shunning of any drugs or alcohol, Prince tragically passed away from an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2016 - leaving the world in disbelief. Sam Parker - CEO and Co-Founder of Attune - returns for the first time this season to tell the story of Prince Rogers Nelson, a complex genius on a relentless search for perfection. With an empathetic approach shaped by her experience as a mental health practitioner, coach and former artist manager, she explores the man behind the purple icon - and the forces that may have contributed to his shocking and devastating death. This week’s ‘One for the Road’ as chosen by Sam comes from The Artist himself. ‘The Beautiful Ones’ is Prince’s sadly unfinished autobiography - an intimate and illuminating memoir full of previously unseen photos and handwritten notes. You can find it here: https://www.londonreviewbookshop.co.uk/stock/the-beautiful-ones-prince  Content Warnings: baby loss, miscarriage, substance use, addiction, overdose IMPORTANT: Alcohol withdrawal happens once an individual is physically dependent/chemically addicted and can be fatal and should only be attempted with medical guidance/assistance. The most serious form of withdrawal is called delirium tremens, or DTs. People with severe withdrawal symptoms or DTs should always have a drink if they need it while professional help is sought. If in doubt, call 999. If you or someone you know has been affected by the themes in this episode, there are some useful organisations on Attune’s website that can be of help: www.we-are-attune.com/podcast  Attune, as a dedicated provider of mental health and well-being services, is committed to delivering holistic support and resources. With its team of skilled professionals, Attune excels in recognising and responding to the intricate needs of people and teams in talent-based industries. You can learn more about Attune through our website: https://www.we-are-attune.com/ Follow Attune on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/we_are_attune/# Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@weareattune  and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-attune/  Empathy For The Devil is produced by Message Heard Listen to more Message Heard shows through our website: https://messageheard.com/ Follow Message Heard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/messageheard/mycompany/ and Twitter: https://x.com/messageheard?lang=en-GB  This is a Message Heard Production. Producer and Editor - Emma Werner Senior Producer - Harry Stott Executive Producer - Sandra Ferrari Videographer - Ethan Judd Audio and Mix Engineer - Lizzie Andrews Production Coordinator - Kirsty McLean Filmed at ID Studios ___________ Empathy For The Devil Season 2 is brought to you in partnership with London Records.  Website: londonrecords.co.uk

    50 min

  6. 06/03/2025

    Amy Winehouse: Fame Is a Losing Game

    We are kicking off Empathy For The Devil Season 2 with perhaps our most requested artist - Amy Winehouse. A once-in-a-generation talent, Amy burst onto the scene in the mid-2000’s with an inimitable soulful voice and deeply emotive lyrics. She shone brightly then flamed out right in front of our eyes, receiving an appalling lack of empathy as she became consumed by her addictions.  Her story is a tragic tale of a would-be jazz club singer who found herself thrust into the machine industry, coming of age under the weight of fame and in the unforgiving public eye.  Matt Thomas - Creative Lead and Co-Founder of Attune - guides us through the first episode of the season, and examines the harsh criticism and cruel mockery (often laced with thinly veiled misogyny) which Amy endured right when she needed help the most. Taking a kind and compassionate approach, he unpacks the modern tragedy of a unique talent taken far too soon, remembering just how fortunate we were to hear that extraordinary voice. This week’s ‘One For The Road’ is the podcast ‘A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs’, written and presented by Andrew Hickey. It’s a brilliantly researched, eye-opening look at the history of rock from the swing era to the end of the millennium. Find it on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Content Warnings: substance use, addiction, alcoholism, alcohol poisoning, depression, eating disorders, bulimia. IMPORTANT: Alcohol withdrawal happens once an individual is physically dependent/chemically addicted and can be fatal and should only be attempted with medical guidance/assistance. The most serious form of withdrawal is called delirium tremens, or DTs. People with severe withdrawal symptoms or DTs should always have a drink if they need it while professional help is sought. If in doubt, call 999. If you or someone you know has been affected by the themes in this episode, there are some useful organisations on Attune’s website that can be of help: www.we-are-attune.com/podcast  Attune, as a dedicated provider of mental health and well-being services, is committed to delivering holistic support and resources. With its team of skilled professionals, Attune excels in recognising and responding to the intricate needs of people and teams in talent-based industries. You can learn more about Attune through our website: https://www.we-are-attune.com/ Follow Attune on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/we_are_attune/# Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@weareattune  and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-attune/  Empathy For The Devil is produced by Message Heard Listen to more Message Heard shows through our website: https://messageheard.com/Follow Message Heard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/messageheard/mycompany/ and Twitter: https://x.com/messageheard?lang=en-GB  This is a Message Heard Production. Producer and Editor - Emma Werner Senior Producer - Harry Stott Executive Producer - Sandra Ferrari Videographer - Ethan Judd Audio and Mix Engineer - Lizzie Andrews Production Coordinator - Kirsty McLean Filmed at ID Studios __________________ Empathy For The Devil Season 2 is brought to you in partnership with London Records.  Website: londonrecords.co.uk

    57 min

  7. SEASON 2 TRAILER

    Empathy for the Devil Season 2 - Coming 6th of March !

    Empathy For The Devil is back for a new season, bringing you the stories of six iconic musicians who left us too soon and faced unforgiving judgement, blame and even derision both during their career and long after their passing. As three music industry veterans turned mental health professionals, Sam, Matt and Chula unpack these tragic tales with empathy and understanding, drawing on their unique professional and lived experiences. While this podcast may be about artists who have been and gone, their challenges remain all too current, still affecting individuals in the industry today. So join our three hosts once again as we delve into the turbulent lives of Amy Winehouse, Sid Vicious and many more, as they discuss not only what happened, but why it happened - and how things might have been different with more considered support, empathy and care. Attune, as a dedicated provider of mental health and well-being services, is committed to delivering holistic support and resources. With its team of skilled professionals, Attune excels in recognising and responding to the intricate needs of people and teams in talent-based industries. You can learn more about Attune through our website: https://www.we-are-attune.com/ Follow Attune on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/we_are_attune/# Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ @weareattune  and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-attune/  Empathy For The Devil is produced by Message Heard. Listen to more Message Heard shows through our website: https://messageheard.com/ Follow Message Heard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/messageheard/mycompany/ Twitter: https://x.com/messageheard?lang=en-GB  ____________ Empathy For The Devil Season 2 is brought to you in partnership with London Records.  Check out their podcast ‘Hit That Perfect Beat - The London Records Story’, a deep dive into the legendary label behind some of the most iconic hits of the last 50 years, featuring illuminating interviews with artists such as Bananarama, Allsaints and many more.

    1 min

  8. 15/08/2024

    Lil Peep: Dying in Plain Sight

    During his short career, Lil Peep quickly became the voice of Gen Z. After pioneering the grunge-laden emo-rap genre that blew up on Soundcloud in the mid 2010s, he was selling out venues from the US to Russia – all without ever having released any music. He wore his emotions not just on his sleeve but on his face, and his powerful lyrics  told the story of a young man struggling with mental health issues and substance addiction which took his life in 2017. In our final episode of the first season of Empathy for the Devil, Matt Thomas returns to tell us the story of a musician working in a different time to our other episodes, but whose story still resonates profoundly with the themes we’ve been discussing. From childhood trauma to anxiety and addiction, to the identity issues of a character who just wanted to be ‘Everybody’s Everything’, Lil Peep’s story rounds off our season in a tragic tale of an artist whose unique style was lost too soon. This week’s ‘One for the Road’ is Barbara Kingsolver’s award winning novel, ‘Demon Copperhead’. A reworking of Dickens’ classic ‘David Copperfield’, this book explores the life of the eponymous protagonist, a young orphan growing up in the US Appalachians during the opioid crisis, and is a profoundly moving story of a left behind America and the effects that prescription drugs have had on the region. You can buy a copy here: https://www.faber.co.uk/product/9780571376483-demon-copperhead/  Content Warnings: substance use, mental health, childhood trauma, and his death by drug overdose. We also discuss bullying, the experience of homelessness, and the psychological impacts of witnessing 9/11.  IMPORTANT: Alcohol withdrawal happens once an individual is physically     dependent/chemically addicted and can be fatal and should only be attempted with medical guidance/assistance. The most serious form of withdrawal is called delirium tremens, or DTs. People with severe withdrawal symptoms or DTs should always have a drink if they need it while professional help is sought. If in doubt, call 999. If you or someone you know has been affected by the themes in this episode, there are some useful organisations on Attune’s website that can be of help: www.we-are-attune.com/podcast  Attune, as a dedicated provider of mental health and well-being services, is committed to delivering holistic support and resources. With its team of skilled professionals, Attune excels in recognising and responding to the intricate needs of people and teams in talent-based industries. You can learn more about Attune through our website: https://www.we-are-attune.com/ Follow Attune on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/we_are_attune/# Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@weareattune  and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-attune/  Empathy For The Devil is produced by Message Heard Listen to more Message Heard shows through our website: https://messageheard.com/ Follow Message Heard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/messageheard/mycompany/ and Twitter: https://x.com/messageheard?lang=en-GB  This is a Message Heard Production Produced by - Harry Stott Executive Producer - Sandra Ferrari Edited by - Blu Posner and Ethan Judd Production Coordinator - Lizzie Hartree

    53 min
See All (14)

Trailers

5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Empathy For The Devil is a podcast from Attune and Message Heard that discusses music and mental health by delving into the lives of artists and performers who, despite their unique talents, left us far too soon⁠⁠. Each episode is a journey into one iconic musician, using their life story as a lens to understand them as individuals beyond societal judgments, unravelling their personal stories with empathy and understanding⁠⁠. Attune, as a dedicated provider of mental health and well-being services, is committed to delivering holistic support and resources. www.we-are-attune.com

Information

  • Creator
    Message Heard
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Message Heard
  • Show Website
    Empathy For The Devil