In this episode, Joel Birch of Amity Affliction opens up in one
of his most raw and vulnerable conversations yet. What starts as
a discussion about the 10 year anniversary of the seminal album
This Could Be Heartbreak turns into a powerful conversation about
addiction, living with bipolar disorder, grief, identity, family
trauma, and learning how to keep moving when everything feels
like it’s falling apart.
Joel reflects on what he calls “the worst 18 months” of his life
navigating public backlash, personal loss, online judgment,and
nearly walking away from the band entirely. He speaks honestly
about a period where alcohol controlled his life, and later
realising how much addiction had shapedhis behaviour.
The conversation explores Joel’s mental health journey, how
understanding his patterns changed the way he approaches life,
and the complicated reality of getting sober while
finallyconfronting emotions that had been buried for years.
One of the most emotional parts of the episode focuses on
childhood, memory, and family. Joel talks about remembering
almost nothing from ages 4–18, unpacking painful familydynamics,
and how the loss of his mother forced him to question everything
he thought he understood about his upbringing.
Along with host Poppy Reid, they also dive into his songwriting
as catharsis, why Joel chooses to be brutallyhonest in his
lyrics, the responsibility he feels toward fans, and how music
became both survival and self-discovery.
Topics discussed:
• Addiction and getting sober
• This could be heartbreak 10 years after it was released
• Living with bipolar disorder
• Public criticism and identity
• Childhood trauma and memory
• Family relationships and grief
• Writing music as catharsis
• The pressure of being a frontman
• The exit of band member Ahren Stringer
• Nearly quitting the band• Healing, growth, and rebuilding life
If this episoderesonates with you, let us know your thoughts in
the comments and subscribe for more conversations like this.
CONTENTWARNING
This episode contains open and honest discussion of addiction,
grief, family abuse, trauma, mental health, and suicidal
ideation.
Please take care while listening.
If this brings anything up for you, support is available.
Lifeline Australia
13 11 14 lifeline.org.au
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Follow Poppy :https://www.instagram.com/itspoppyreid/
Follow Joel Birch :https://www.instagram.com/joeldtd/
Follow Curious Media :https://www.instagram.com/itscuriousmedia/
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