Kevin Cole

Over the last decade or so I’ve been building up a list of songs that help me get moving and doing things (and reminding myself of how good it is to connect to people) when I have the urge to just curl up in a ball and avoid everything. I’m grateful to KEXP for being there making way over doing more of these songs in recent years. ~ Courtney Arlo Parks will be at Showbox SoDo on Friday, March 8.

"Over the last decade or so I’ve been building up a list of songs that help me get moving and doing things (and reminding myself of how good it is to connect to people) when I have the urge to just curl up in a ball and avoid everything. I’m grateful to KEXP for being there making way over doing more of these songs in recent years." ~ Courtney

I've been thinking about Rancid's fall back down all day. It's about how his friends, his band is there for him even when he falls back down. It would go perfectly after I'm not down!!! ~ Aron

Beyoncé's Break My Soul would sound to good for me if you can fit it in. I was really struggling this morning & today's programming was really supportive. Thanks❤️ ~ Claire in Mammoth Lakes

I love that KEXP fosters a listening community where we can lean into the struggles we live with, where we can feel our feelings, where we can feel like we are not alone. I will never forget back in September I went through a pretty terrible break up and I happened to be listening to the Morning Show and John, for whatever reason, opened up about a series of breakups and started playing music from that time. I sat in the car and cried, and then cried a little more when I got home, but at no point did I ever feel alone, or like I was less than. My anxious tendencies were a bit part of the breakup and it's easy to feel like you're not worthy or not enough or just not when something like that happens and your mental state is a part of it. But I remember that morning feeling heard just by listening to the radio. Then he played Expert in a Dying Field by the Beths and I bawled. For a while that song made me sad, but now it's like a little bit of an anthem. The song reminds me that I got through a tough time, and that I can get through more tough times, and I did nothing wrong by asking for what I needed to feel loved and to feel cared for in my relationship due to my anxious tendencies. Thanks for that and thanks for today - you've all done a great job (I've been tuning in in-between meetings). ~ Stefanie in Seattle

I'll go way back to when I was an art student at Cornish College of the Arts way back in the early 2000's. I had been crushing on this guy, Aaron, from the moment he walked into my painting class, wearing paint covered pants and mis-matched socks. I thought he was so cute and that his art was so interesting and special and therefore didn't think that he even noticed me. One day we had to take a class field trip and because I had a car, I volunteered to be one of the drivers. I don't know how, but he ended up in my car. Everyone piled into my little teal Dodge Neon. It was crammed with stinky art students, but the only one that I cared about was Aaron. He was actually IN my car!!! I was SO nervous and was too embarrassed to put on any music for fear my taste wouldn't pass his "cool" detector. So I just asked if anyone had any suggestions for what to listen to (of course just meaning what did he want to listen to) to which he chimed, "KEXP is always pretty good." And he told me what to tune into and I've been a listener ever since. Aaron and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary this past November. We listen to KEXP every morning with our son, Baxter, and throughout the day working from home on books together. Thanks for being the soundtrack to our love and our life. ~ Jessixa

Hi Kevin, I'd like to text a shout out to my daughter who is listening from their home right now. When they moved out, it was scary because of their mental health struggles but a step towards adulthood. I got them a smart speaker and taught them how to use kexp so they are never alone. I want them to know that I see their growth, they are braver and stronger than they think! I'm so proud of them. You got this, you are not alone! ~ Melissa

I have a dear friend whose daughter is fighting anorexia. As a result, I've learned a lot about this disease and other eating disorders. I've learned that they are mental illnesses and very difficult to overcome. I don't have a specific song request... I guess I just want to send strength and recognize the tough road ahead for those with eating disorders, and of course, for those who love them. ❤️ ~ Juli

"Music has incredible power," says KEXP Morning Show host John Richards. "I hear from listeners every day about a song or a lyric that helped them heal, process, grieve or just find the strength to go on. We hope that Music Heals: Mental Health can help listeners living with mental illness know that there is a whole community out here that cares about them. You’re not alone." If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the 988 Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States. Call or text 988.

On Friday I left the early childhood education profession after fourteen years for a job outside of the field. I ran centers in person throughout catastrophic events like COVID and "George Floyd." I consider it the great honor of my life that every other building on my corner was burned down during the racial justice uprising and mine sustained no damage. People knew that I ran a place children relied on to be safe. I moved schools. We unionized. But I was burnt out, drinking too much, lashing out. It was time to go. A go-to for me is the track "This is a Fire Door Never Leave Open by the Weakerthans." I consider it one of maybe a dozen perfect songs. I listened to it on repeat on my way to my last regular shift in childcare on Friday, ugly crying all the way. The line "show me there’s a pull, unassailable, that will lead you there - from the dark, alone - to benevolence that you’ve never known or you knew when you were four and can’t remember" is anthemic to me and my mental health. Thanks for all you do. Congrats on semi-retirement and congrats to Evie. ~ Noah in St Paul

As an amplifier and long-time KEXP (back to KCMU days!) supporter, I am what you'd call a helper. I counsel/advise out-of-school youths ages 16-21. The amount of stress, trauma and struggle these youths experience is mind-boggling. They endure extraordinary difficulties with everything from mental health, substance use, physical/emotional trauma and abuse. They come to school, meet milestones, make progress and still have hope. Despite strong boundaries, self-care and supportive colleagues, sometimes it's too much. I hear or see something that cuts me to the bone. But like them, I continue to do the work, love my life, love them and have hope. Please play I won't back down by Tom Petty. Thanks for always being the best way to start my day, before I dig in to my amazing, fulfilling work. Love, Teresita

I am feeling so much profound gratitude for everyone at KEXP today, and for all the people writing, requesting, and connecting through listening today. Like many, many of those listening today, I come from a long line of intergenerational trauma and abuse. Some days, I am totally overwhelmed by the legacy this inheritance of suffering has left on my physiology and psychology. Some days, feeling safe in this world - let alone well and thriving - is just not a state I can access as a result of everything I have been through. But there are so, so many more days now than I once thought possible where I *can* touch into powerful states of security, safety, and even well-being. And the frequency and robustness of those moments continues to increase, year over year. There is nothing more profoundly hopeful to me than the realization that I am not doing this work alone. Today this work may seem small and individual, but I know with every fiber of my being, it is this very same work that is laying the foundation for a radically more compassionate and free tomorrow for us all. I would like to request the incomparable Nina Simone's "Feeling Good" in honor of everyone out there (and at KEXP!) who is doing this work to heal. You are in no way alone <3 All my Love, Lynette in Cap Hill

"Music has incredible power," says KEXP Morning Show host John Richards. "I hear from listeners every day about a song or a lyric that helped them heal, process, grieve or just find the strength to go on. We hope that Music Heals: Mental Health can help listeners living with mental illness know that there is a whole community out here that cares about them. You’re not alone." If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the 988 Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States. Call or text 988.

As KEXP’s Music Heals programming explores the role of music in coping with depression and anxiety, we also recognize the need for hands-on help and having a professional to hear your needs. Here are some numbers to help get you started: Crisis Text Line: For 24/7, free support for those in crisis. Text 741741 from anywhere in the US to text with a trained Crisis Counselor. Text 741741 to get connected with a counselor. 988 Lifeline: The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

"Be free. Be kind." That is the philosophy of the Croatian-Slovenian duo whose music carries a strong message of love and hope, complemented by R&B and jazz grooves. Sara Ester Gredelj (vocals, piano) was born in Croatia, and Nina Korošak-Serčič (drums) has Slovenian roots, but they met in Vienna, Austria, at one of Europe’s best art and music universities, the “Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Graz”, “Kunstuniversität Graz” (KUG); it is not an entirely surprising fact as KUG has always attracted talented young musicians from the Balkan region. Sara and Nina met, shared their love for jazz, soul, r’n’b and pop and decided to start a band. tinyurl.com When listening to their seductive R&B-jazz-pop-soul tracks, you’ll want to see how Sara and Nina bring their music to life in what is jokingly called "collective group therapy."

Live at KEXP To make a request: ive been a black sabbath super fan my whole life but the charles bradley cover of changes feels like a whole new song. It reminds me we are all on a journey, and no matter what the world throws at us we can stand up and make do. We evolve and learn with struggles but are still always ourselves. Even from a new point of view. ~ Kyle

I'm bipolar (type 2; more depressed than manic) and have had anxiety since I was a kid. Living through the lockdown days was exceptionally hard for me. I work in a music venue and was on furlough every other week and working from home on my on weeks. Because my sleep schedule was so messed up, I was sleeping in the guest room so as not to disturb my husband and it made me feel even more alone. I was taking Ambien to sleep at that time and one night I couldn't remember if I'd taken one of not. I had just filled my prescription so I knew how many pills I had. I emptied the bottle out to count them and, when I had them all in my hand, I thought that I could just end it all because I was so worried I'd get COVID, end up in the hospital on a ventilator and die a horrible death (I have asthma). I was so afraid that the next morning, I asked my husband to hide them and put one out for me every night. The only thing that kept me going was knowing my dog wouldn't understand if I wasn't there any more because I knew my human friends would be sad but they would know why I wasn't around anymore (the logic sounds twisted but it kept me pushing through and I'm thankful for that). I'm crying as I write this because it was such a dark time. You don't have to read all of this on the air since it might be a trigger for some listeners. My "depression" song is the Mad Season with the Seattle Symphony "River of Deceit". It makes me cry because it's so beautiful and powerful and it gives me the strength to push through. Thank you for everything you do and having special days like this and this is one of the many reasons I'm an amplifier. Much love, Janine in Tucson

Would you please play Rusty Cage, either the Soundgarden version or the Johnny Cash version? This has long been my personal anthem for fresh starts and personal renewal. Maybe it can help someone else fight the good fight and resolve to break out of their own negative situation. ~ Ryan

Hello, my name is Cat, I am French. Here is one of my many stories about how music heals. It was 1973, I was 9 years old. I was lying on a bed in a caravan, I was sad and lonely, I was looking at the ceiling of the caravan. A transistor radio was playing. It was then that the song "Life on Mars" by David Bowie was broadcast. It was the first time I heard David Bowie, it was the first time I heard this song, I remember that I was immediately captivated, fascinated... It was one of the most important moments of my life. I was no longer alone. A few years later, when I was able to understand English, I identified with the lyrics of this song, even if the lyrics keep their part of mystery, as in all poetry. When I am moved by music created by other humans, I am not alone. When other humans and I are moved by the same music, we are not alone. When humans attend a concert together, it's a sharing of emotions and vibes. Well, okay, music is my passion, and I need to share music with others, and I often feel out of sync with others, so I throw bottles in the sea, and these bottles carry my hopes of sharing. Thanks for your time 🌸

Can you play something from Brimheim? I've been struggling with ptsd/depression/anxiety and she's gotten me thru literally everything related to mental health struggles. ~ Eryn (and Trevor) in Olympia

Last year was the most awful year of my life. Filled with loss, trauma, suffering. The whole time, while I was completely dazed, kexp was on in the background. I couldn't absorb it at the time, but it was there. A couple of songs that helped me were Ghosts Again by Depeche Mode and Free by Florence and the Machine. I've been fortunate to not have major anxiety up until last year, but that song, especially, sums up what it does and how it can completely control you. Until you're able to overcome it and sort of make peace with it. Ghosts Again, goes without saying, helped me deal with all the loss I experienced and weirdly helped me go forward. ~ Chris

Music has been a huge part of my life since I was a child and was always my answer to the question "what could you not live without?" A year ago I turned my entire life upside down to follow a passion to go back to grad school for applied cognition and neuroscience with an eventual goal of using music in my therapy practice to help others heal. But the journey has not been easy and the last few weeks have brought a level of depression, despair, panic, and, dread that I have never experienced before. I second guessed everything I thought I wanted to do. Younger me never expected that in my 50th year around the planet I would be getting divorced, starting completely over, and living across the country in a place so foreign to me that I can't even fathom how I got here. I have been grieving my life I built in Seattle for decades. I ended up missing the application deadline for school and began to feel like I couldn't survive this. Everything brought me to my knees. I couldn't get out of bed and felt utterly and completely lost. But today I vowed I would actually get up, shower, and try to do something productive. I pleaded with the universe to show me a sign that I actually WAS on the right path because I just wasn't sure anymore. A few minutes later I tuned into KEXP and "Don't Give Up" was playing. I immediately shared with my roommate that it felt like a pretty strong sign. A song, giving me a message I needed to hear. I didn't know at the time it was Music Heals - Mental Health day. But as soon as I heard the first air break and you saying what day it was, I completely broke down in tears. I guess the universe just gave me a huge flashing billboard for a sign. So, thank you. Would you kindly play The Rainbow Connection, by Kermit? It always brings a smile to my face. Thank you for being there. I feel seen. Krista in North Texas

Have a request if it fits. An old girlfriend from LA passed from cancer, and we knew she was not going to get better, but Rolling Stones' "She's like a Rainbow" kinda became our song, and it always helps me accept her passing, and I still struggle with loss of a dear friend. ~ Greg and Yolo

Thank you for joining us today on Mental Health Day. Did you know this is part of our ongoing Music Heals series? www.kexp.org If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis, here is a list of resources to explore: www.kexp.org

Hi there, Kevin. I decided on writing in because honestly, I'm not doing great, and I'm sure there is someone else out there listening who feels the way I do, too. It's been a struggle just to keep myself here for the last year. I am unpacking a lot of trauma in therapy and right now, watching so many of my fellow artist and creative friends lose their career prospects to things like AI is crushing. Sometimes, all the work I do doesn't feel like it's enough. But one thing I can always rely on every day is hearing y'all on the radio. It sounds cheesy as hell. There's no algorithm. Here is a whole community of real, live people who still care about keeping the arts, and what makes us uniquely human alive. And they're running a program like this because that's what empowered humans can do when they help each other keep these communities going. I took my speakers with me to my job tonight. I'm gonna keep the radio on. I hope you do too. I won't be alone. You're not alone either. ~ Olivia

Thank you for music heals! Clinical depression has taught me that no matter how strong your support system is (and i'm very lucky to have amazing people around me), being your own advocate is the most important thing. Too many people still think depression is just being a little sad. Can you play neko case's no need to cry? ~ Tara