Artist Friendly — listen in on honest conversations with artists from all genres, and at every level of success in their fields, as they talk about the experien...
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Brent Smith of Shinedown.
For the past couple of decades, Shinedown have been relentless in their mission, channeling pain, addiction, and the power to overcome into seven studio albums and countless shows.
During the pandemic, they cracked the mainstream, subverting their hard-rock roots with the viral piano ballad “A Symptom of Being Human” and inviting Jelly Roll onstage for “Simple Man” at Blue Ridge Rock Fest in 2021.
As Shinedown prepare for a busy year, Smith connected with Madden about his diverse musical influences, the journey of building the band’s 20-plus-year career, and their highly anticipated headlining tour with Bush and Beartooth.
Listen to their conversation on Artist Friendly wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also watch the episode over at Veeps.
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Host: Joel Madden, @joelmadden
Executive Producers: Joel Madden, Benji Madden, Jillian King
Producers: Josh Madden, Joey Simmrin, Janice Leary
Visual Producer/Editor: Ryan Schaefer
Audio Producer/Composer: Nick Gray
Music/Theme Composer: Nick Gray
Cover Art/Design: Ryan Schaefer
Additional Contributors: Anna Zanes, Neville Hardman
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1:19:52
Encore Episode: Lainey Wilson
On this week’s episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is bringing you an encore episode of his conversation with Lainey Wilson.
Over the past decade, Wilson has blossomed into a bonafide country star and recently performed in the 2025 Grammy Awards.
The Southern-bred singer has written tracks with Luke Combs, made her acting debut in Yellowstone (as well as had her songs featured on its soundtrack), and devised her own genre, “bell bottom country.”
The sound combines Southern rock, soul, and a distinctly Nashvillian POV, where she now resides. That’s best heard on her latest album, Whirlwind, which continues to play with the boundaries of her sound and includes a wistful duet with Miranda Lambert.
Listen to their conversation on Artist Friendly wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also watch the episode over at Veeps.
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Host: Joel Madden, @joelmadden
Executive Producers: Joel Madden, Benji Madden, Jillian King
Producers: Josh Madden, Joey Simmrin, Janice Leary
Visual Producer/Editor: Ryan Schaefer
Audio Producer/Composer: Nick Gray
Music/Theme Composer: Nick Gray
Cover Art/Design: Ryan Schaefer
Additional Contributors: Anna Zanes, Neville Hardman
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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53:16
Bert McCracken of The Used
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Bert McCracken of The Used.
From the beginning, The Used have captured the outpouring of McCracken’s rawest emotions.
“It’s more than my journal. It’s so intimate. It’s terrifying… I can’t help it. It’s a big part of what I believe music is about,” McCracken reveals.
From 2002’s self-titled to 2024’s MEDZ, the band have navigated lineup changes, inner turmoil, and loss — and then channeled that pain into unrelenting songs that ripple with urgency and emotional intensity. In a conversation with Madden, The Used frontman opens up about being an outsider, putting tragedy into his music, and the band’s 25-year career
Listen to their conversation on Artist Friendly wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also watch the episode over at Veeps.
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Host: Joel Madden, @joelmadden
Executive Producers: Joel Madden, Benji Madden, Jillian King
Producers: Josh Madden, Joey Simmrin, Janice Leary
Visual Producer/Editor: Ryan Schaefer
Audio Producer/Composer: Nick Gray
Music/Theme Composer: Nick Gray
Cover Art/Design: Ryan Schaefer
Additional Contributors: Anna Zanes, Neville Hardman
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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53:20
Joshua Roberts of Magnolia Park
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Joshua Roberts of Magnolia Park.
Since unleashing their debut album in 2019, Magnolia Park have pointed ahead, combining emo-soaked rock with ambitious world-building. But though their sound is rooted in classic pop punk, their music has taken a darker turn over the years.
Lately, the band have been fixated on nü metal, embracing the heaviness to tell a bigger story with their upcoming neo-gothic concept album VAMP.
In a conversation with Madden, the Magnolia Park frontman explains his love of anime, racism in rock music, and being the hero of your own story.
Listen to their conversation on Artist Friendly wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also watch the episode over at Veeps.
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Host: Joel Madden, @joelmadden
Executive Producers: Joel Madden, Benji Madden, Jillian King
Producers: Josh Madden, Joey Simmrin, Janice Leary
Visual Producer/Editor: Ryan Schaefer
Audio Producer/Composer: Nick Gray
Music/Theme Composer: Nick Gray
Cover Art/Design: Ryan Schaefer
Additional Contributors: Anna Zanes, Neville Hardman
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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54:55
Encore Episode: Lefty Gunplay
On this week’s episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is bringing you an encore episode of his conversation with LA rapper Lefty Gunplay.
Lefty Gunplay is a rapper out of Baldwin Park who uses raw, witty wordplay to dig into his time in prison, hopes for the future, and pride for his city.
Gunplay released his latest album, “Most Valuable Gangbanger,” in November of last year, and was featured on Kendrick Lamar’s sixth album, ‘GNX,’ released the same day.
Listen to their conversation on Artist Friendly wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also watch the episode over at Veeps.
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Host: Joel Madden, @joelmadden
Executive Producers: Joel Madden, Benji Madden, Jillian King
Producers: Josh Madden, Joey Simmrin, Janice Leary
Visual Producer/Editor: Ryan Schaefer
Audio Producer/Composer: Nick Gray
Music/Theme Composer: Nick Gray
Cover Art/Design: Ryan Schaefer
Additional Contributors: Anna Zanes, Neville Hardman
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Artist Friendly — listen in on honest conversations with artists from all genres, and at every level of success in their fields, as they talk about the experiences that have shaped them, the obstacles they’ve overcome, and the methods, tools, and insights they have gained and used on their paths to achieving success.
Joel explores these ideas and themes to highlight these insights for you to use on your journey of personal growth and success.
Head over to Veeps to watch the latest episode!
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