The Rapture's Luke Jenner on Navigating Hopelessness and Finding Permission to Heal

Musician Luke Jenner, founding member of The Rapture, joins host Dr. Mike Friedman on  Going There with Dr. Mike to explore the profound experience of hopelessness, particularly in the context of coping with a family member's mental illness. The conversation begins with Luke unpacking the lyric, "I've seen no way out since I was a boy," and his journey of trying to save his mother, who lived with bipolar disorder and eventually died by suicide. The episode explores the intense internal battle of feeling unlovable, the weight of a family member's mental health struggles, and the various outlets—including baseball, music, and substance use—that provided a temporary escape. Please be advised this episode contains discussions of suicide and sexual abuse.

The conversation delves into Luke’s candid experience with finding a path to survival and recovery. He shares how the stage became a safe place to channel anger and how his band’s music was designed to give others permission to experience a transcendent release. Luke openly discusses his journey through 12-step programs and therapy, which led him to reframe his understanding of dependence and ultimately become a life coach. The episode explores how the DIY ethos of punk rock and the communal euphoria of rave culture merged to form The Rapture's mission: to create a space where people could forget themselves, enter their bodies, and experience the healing power of music.

Listen to Luke Jenner talk with Dr. Mike about hopelessness, family mental health, recovery, and more. Then, make sure to follow Going There with Dr. Mike via your favorite podcast provider to hear all the new episodes from Season 6. You can also follow the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our shows.

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