Drop the Needle

This early episode is the first of several that were only briefly available before they vanished due to a server crash (or Paul's ineptitude...)Regardless, they've all been re-discovered, dusted off, freshened up, and re-released for your listening pleasure. First up: Sean's great topic about the act of apologizing and/or asking for forgiveness in recovery.“Daniel,” Olentangy John  “Begin By Letting Go,” Etherwood “The Way Things Are,” Fiona Apple“The Traitor,” Sea Wolf“Hold Me Now,” Thompson Twins“Walking Home,” Serenades“Crawling Back to You,” Tom PettyThis podcast does not claim ownership or copyright of any of the media included.

Guest: Jason Lichtenberger Songs in order of appearance:“Nobody to Blame” - Chris Stapleton (Jason's choice)“ABC 123” - Tune-Yards (Sean's choice)“Everybody Wants to Rule the World" - Tears for Fears (Paul's choice)“Bad Bad Leroy Brown” - Jim Croce (Jason's choice)“Bad Blood” - Ryan Adams (Paul's choice)“Ride” - niko+ & Clans (Sean's choice)“Chateau Lobby #4" - Father John Misty (Paul's choice)“Ruins” - First Aid Kit (Sean's choice)This show does not claim copyright to any of the media included in this episode. 

[Previously released October 2019]Selections include:"Back in Your Head," Tegan & Sara"The Pretender," Jackson Browne "In the Waiting Line," Zero 7"Oh Devil," Electric GuestDrop the Needle does not claim ownership over any of the media included in this episode. 

Earlier this year, we returned with a brand-new co-host, a renewed purpose, and the excitement of getting together again... only to put the entire series to bed for good.In other words, this is our final-final, last-ever, we-swear-it's-over series finale. But this isn't a sad occasion. That's why this isn't an episode so much as a celebration that took almost 3 months to put together. It's a retrospective that pulls from 80 episodes to distill years of "Drop the Needle" down into one hour. If you've been with us since the beginning in 2016 or if this is your first-ever listen, thank you so much. As always, we hope this helps someone out there. Love, Paul, Sean, Rikki & MikeListen to all the songs included in this episode on Spotify! Guest Voices: Matt ArgalasAmy DresnerAmy TalbottShawn Patrick Thomas DaleyCole DownsDusty BakerJen HoeningCorby DickersonArtists: Julia JacklinBen HowardArcade FireBen Folds FiveBroken Social SceneCity and ColourThe DecemberistsOperatorsJukebox the GhostBeckLord HuronBruce Hornsby and the RangeLucy DacuslovelythebandiamamiwhoamiEagles of Death MetalToad the Wet SprocketMiike SnowPeter Gabriel<This podcast does not claim copyright to the elements included in this episode. This show is also not a substitute for psychological services, counseling or therapy>

Guest Matt Argalas (The Wounded Jukebox, The Lazy Flame) uses his butterscotch voice to discuss identity, loss, and Australian accents, not to mention collecting trinkets and toys and trivial things, and so much more. Music: Alena Diane, Carpenter Brut, Arlie, Jimmy Eat World, Arcade Fire, Sylvan Esso, Post Malone, She & Him, Bob Seger and Julia Jacklin. Movie: "Liberal Arts" (2012, dir. Josh Radnor)<This podcast does not claim copyright to the elements included in this episode. This show is also not a substitute for psychological services, counseling or therapy>

In a previous life, Dustin Baker was a rugby star, bartender, bouncer, reader, writer, and semi-serious Shakespeare scholar. Today, he's a high school language arts teacher who explores this week's topic through the prism of pop culture. He shares a poem by H.W. Longfellow; a novella by Fredrik Backman; music by The Steeldrivers, Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwoʻole and Faces; words from Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl; and a seminal scene from "Pulp Fiction." (Future guests: the bar has officially been set very, very high.)<This podcast does not claim copyright to the elements included in this episode. This show is also not a substitute for psychological services, counseling or therapy.>

If you're a people pleaser like 3/4 of this podcast's hosts, then this episode is a must-listen. Saying the word "no" is as empowering as it is elusive, but it's also intimidating and necessary. We walk through some tools and techniques to combat the anxiety of hearing "no" from others, bolstering self-identity, and diving into songs from Waxahatchee and KT Tunstall. <This podcast does not claim copyright to the song segments played. This show is also not a substitute for professional psychological services, counseling or therapy.>

Welp. Here we are, elbowing our way back into your podcast queue again. In the 2+ years we've been away, a couple of things have changed (to say the least) but that's why we've returned. Sean's steel-trap music memory is intact, Paul still doesn't enunciate words correctly, and Mike is leveling up with his recovery like never before. We're also more professional for Season 6, too. Literally! Our new co-host Rikki is a licensed counselor with a specialization in trauma, which puts an entirely different spin on "giving it a whirl."This episode features music by Alexi Murdoch and Toad the Wet Sprocket, not to mention a little Steve Martin action in the mix for good measure.<DtN does not claim ownership of the media segments featured in the show. All rights remain with their copyright holders.>

Before we kick off Drop the Needle 2.0 next week, here's one more unarchived episode from the not-all-that-different 1.0 version of this show. This one's from 2018. It features segments from tracks by Hippo Campus, Sharon Van Etten, R.E.M., HAERTS, Ten Fe, and Ashe, not to mention all three of us in very good places in life.

Our last new episode was released in December '19. Right after the holidays, the world shut down.Between then and now, so much has happened with the three of us that it's almost hilarious if some of it wasn't so sad. (We have a lot to talk about, you guys.)  Anyway, this episode finds Paul setting the table for Season 6. Each week until the new season, we'll be running some of our favorite, previously unavailable episodes from years past, like this one. But first: a discussion of why DtN is back and how it'll be different.Next, you'll find our very first podcast recording ever: an hour-long interview with Mike, before we formally asked him to join as a co-host. It's somewhat naive and unpolished, but it's true and honest. If nothing else, it's a fun time capsule in all the same ways as it's a permanent document of our sobriety, circa 2017. Fun fact: this episode has been in the Recycling Bin of Paul's Mac at least three times on accident, with no other versions saved anywhere. In other words, this is one lucky mp3 file. It's been cleaned and remastered to the best of our ability, so please enjoy.  <New episodes start June 1, 2022>

Sean, Mike and Paul get into the topic of loyalty—for people, for brands, for recovery programs and everything in between. (This episode also boasts references to Boxcar Willie and "Toy Story," so it can't be all bad.) Artists include Randy Newman, Miya Folick, R.E.M. and Local Natives.(Drop the Needle does not own or claim ownership of any music used in this podcast. All rights go to original owner.)

"I'm an alcoholic and an addict and I unleashed the monster. I didn't realize how severe the consequences of that would be." Co-host Mike Verlie returns to the show—and to recovery. Mike shares a bit of his journey over the past few months as well as his hopes for the future. Artists in this episode include Lucy Dacus, Gaz Coombes and Daft Punk.(Drop the Needle does not own or claim ownership of any music used in this podcast. All rights go to original owner.)

By far, this is our happiest, bounciest and most upbeat collection of music in one episode. That's because we're talking about "the pink cloud" in addiction recovery—the temporary sense of euphoria, hope and well-being that occurs during very early sobriety. Artists this time around include Phantom Planet, Gotye, Phoenix, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Florence + The Machine and Jessica Lea Mayfield. (Drop the Needle does not own or claim ownership of any music used in this podcast. All rights go to original owner.)

Instant gratification is one of the hallmarks of suffering from addiction⁠—the soulless chase of a short-term high without thinking through the long-term consequences. Sean and Paul talk about self-control, impulse purchases, patience and focusing on the big picture. Artists include Now, Now, Bat for Lashes, Arcade Fire, Saint Motel, The Beach Boys, and Sylvan Esso. (Drop the Needle does not own or claim ownership of any music used in this podcast. All rights go to original owner.)

When you're in addiction recovery, it's easy to beat yourself up for the things that you did. But it's how you move past your bad decisions and forgive yourself that truly defines your future. In this episode, Sean and Paul talk about letting go of the past, awkward moments, dwelling on mistakes and pushing forward. Artists include Metronomy, Mr. Little Jeans, Fruit Bats and Teenage Priest. (Drop the Needle does not own or claim ownership of any music used in this podcast. All rights go to original owner.)

If you're struggling with alcoholism and addiction, you know how cruel sleep can be. Likewise, if you're struggling with sobriety, you know just how cruel sleep can be, too. There's no happy medium. Many routines over many years have to be built. Paul has had a contentious, ugly relationship with sleep for nearly six years after getting sober. In this episode, Sean and Paul discuss sleep habits, dream imagery in songs, and Paul's addiction to Ambien. They also share songs by Hey Ocean!, Youth Lagoon, M83 and Explosions in the Sky.(Drop the Needle does not own or claim ownership of any music used in this podcast. All rights go to original owner.)