judah & the lion
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this album came out right when I was working in a semi-toxic workplace and one of my coworkers started to have a breakdown. For him especially the job was deeply unhealthy and toxic.
He was a guy who always hid his issues and pain, thought the only acceptable pathway was to cover up and put on a brave face and say that everything was good and he was always okay. There was shame in admitting weakness or failure or confusion. But things got to be too much and started to spill out and thank goodness he opened up—with me and a couple others—about the depression, suicidal thoughts, childhood trauma, and decade of stuffing it down.
This song was cathartic for all of us at the time: permission granted to be real.
Epilogue to the story above: he quit the toxic job, started getting help, and ever since has been on a journey of open authenticity.
Great song!
