Bert McCracken on Sobriety, Fatherhood & 25 Years of The Used | Artist Friendly

Bert McCracken, frontman of The Used, joins Joel Madden for an emotional, funny, and brutally honest conversation about music, growth, and redemption. Bert opens up about overcoming addiction, finding peace in fatherhood, and how his new solo project Robbie of The Used helped him rediscover joy in creating. He reflects on the early days of The Used, lessons from his Mormon upbringing, and what it means to keep evolving after two decades in punk rock. 🎧 A raw and real conversation about self-discovery, forgiveness, and staying true to who you are. WHAT’S IN THE EPISODE: The inspiration behind Bert’s solo project Robbie of The Used Life in Australia and raising kids away from the spotlight Reflections on 25 years of The Used and what keeps the band strong Lessons from addiction, rehab, and the choice to live sober How fatherhood redefined his creativity and priorities Growing up Mormon and finding freedom in rebellion The connection between loss, pain, and songwriting Working with John Feldmann and their long creative partnership Finding purpose through family, music, and mindfulness How therapy, honesty, and humor keep him grounded Why embracing imperfection is the key to real happiness The balance between the “onstage persona” and the man behind it Watch full episodes for free on Veeps: https://veeps.com/artistfriendly Stay connected and don’t miss a conversation: Instagram: / artist.friendly TikTok: / artist.friendly About Artist Friendly: On Artist Friendly, Good Charlotte’s Joel Madden gets real with today's breakthrough artists. From chart-toppers to rising stars, guests spill the untold stories behind their success: the pivotal moments, crushing failures, and insider moves that made all the difference. Drawing on his experience as an artist, performer and founder, Joel digs deeper than the surface. This isn't just interviews — it's a masterclass in creative survival from those who've lived it.