On the Record with Poppy Reid

In this episode of On The Record, Poppy Reid sits down with Australian global export Ruel to revisit his 2023 debut album Fourth Wall; a record that captured one of the most uncertain and transformative periods of his life. Looking back with the benefit of hindsight, Ruel opens up about growing up in the public eye, navigating the pressure of early success, and trying to figure out who he was as both a person and an artist.From signing a major label deal at just 14 years old to being greeted by hoards of fans overseas before he fully understood his own fame, Ruel reflects on the unique challenges of building a career while still discovering himself. He shares how the isolation of COVID influenced the making of Fourth Wall, why he was writing music that didn’t always feel authentic, and the creative struggles that came with making a debut album under intense expectations.The conversation also explores the changing relationship between artists and fans in the social media era, the pressure to constantly share your life online, creative disagreements behind the scenes, and what success means when you've already achieved more than you ever imagined. This is a candid, thoughtful, and at times funny conversation about identity, ambition, fame, creativity, and what happens when you grow up while the world is watching. Topics discussed:Revisiting Fourth Wall with hindsight Growing up in the spotlight The pressure of making a debut album COVID's impact on creativity and songwriting Authenticity versus artistic perception Early fame and international success Becoming the leader of your own career Creative disagreements and artistic growth Social media, fan culture, and constant visibility Defining success beyond awards and accolades The future of Ruel's music and careerPoppy Reid is dressed by American ApparelShop the looks at https://www.americanapparel.com.au/------------------Follow Poppy :https://www.instagram.com/itspoppyreid/Follow Ruel :https://www.instagram.com/oneruel/Follow Curious Media :https://www.instagram.com/itscuriousmedia/

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 lifeIf this episoderesonates with you, let us know your thoughts in the comments and subscribe for more conversations like this.CONTENTWARNINGThis 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 Australia13 11 14 lifeline.org.au-------------------Follow Poppy :https://www.instagram.com/itspoppyreid/Follow Joel Birch :https://www.instagram.com/joeldtd/Follow Curious Media :https://www.instagram.com/itscuriousmedia/