Benjamin Tod on Mental Illness, Addiction, and Recovery 

Wise words. Take responsibility. Be accountable. Life is not fair. Don't be a Victim.

I've said it for years the man is the single greatest writer, the way he can transfer emotions, feelings, advice, into a tune is more than any poet, writer in history. Benjamin Tod you're not only the reason I am sober, but these videos are my go to information, pick up, reminder, as why I'm blessed today with my family, my children, my job, Life! I have my bad days but I will never quit because of Benjamin Tod. The way you have transformed from "using again"- to "what keeps me up now" to "dark before the dawn"! I can't wait to see how his final work will be. Not only songs it's his life story through music. My play list is ldsb and bt tunes! I'm proud of you bud!

I was sober for almost 9 years and I have messed up alot this last month I have turned back to alcohol and I feel so guilty , I’m glad I came across this video today and if anyone is willing I would ask for your prayers. Thank you so much

Nothing I could’ve listened to this morning that I needed to hear more than this right here.

Thank you Benjamin Tod. My husband showed me your music when I saved him from a suicide attempt when he relapsed after almost ten year sobriety streak from drugs & alcohol. He was a red seal journeyman power lineman.. he devastatingly took his life under the influence on the early morning hours of November 5th.. he called me crying telling me he loved me.. but he couldn’t love or heal himself.. he left me with our two year old boy/girl twins.. I know he would’ve never done this if he wasn’t under the influence.. his name is Jeremy hamelin & I miss him every second. I have to clean up the mess within my mind.. thank you for your music saving him for a short while.. your voice will forever remind me of him..

I’m 22 and I won’t be sober anytime soon, but I have been making music since I was 8 and I resonate with Ben heavily. One day I’ll be content being sober, and lord knows I’ve tried, but it ain’t my time. Nonetheless, I appreciate this interview heavily.

I could listen to Ben talk every day and still wouldn’t get tired of hearing him

Man knows what he’s talking about. I’ve been clean for almost 6 years and I’ve wasted so much time feeling lost not knowing what to do next. It sucks, but you have to get back out there and work twice as hard as others, to just get back to where you were before. And taking responsibility for what you did is a big part of it too. And helping others, repairing the damage you and your addiction did to your family. When I heard “Using again” for the first time I felt like it could’ve been written about me. I was also sad to see him struggling, but songs like his, in a weird way, also give me some hope that others can make it out of this alive, even if we slip and fall sometimes. Just knowing we’re not alone is reason enough to write songs about your experiences, especially during a bad part of your life. Glad to see Ben doing well and looking good.

Bottom line: if you can't control your emotions in a heated situation or a moment of impulse, you're still a child. A real man knows the importance of humbling himself, taking pride in everything that you do and having integrity and truth on your side. I remember an interview that Ben did where he says that he understands the importance of music, "you can literally change the world". Ben has literally changed the way that I look at things in a lot of different ways simply by the way he puts together his lyrics and melodies that help me or sometimes force me to reflect.

From the day you were born, there was a light that called your name buried deep somewhere in your soul...

Thanks man, stay strong

He has saved me from myself

Ben wears a Hill City SD ball cap sometimes and video a while back Justin was sporting a Badlands National Park tshirt. I saw these and got super excited! I grew up right in the nation park and currently live outside hillcity!

Speaking words of wisdom....listen to Benjamin Tod!!!

Oh man looking good brother! I haven’t seen one of your videos in a few years. I’m coming up on 5 years myself. Stay blessed and balanced friend

I just want to tell you how on the mark your words are. I am coming up on 19 years sober in a few months, and the things you talk about here are the same things my sponsor taught me all those years ago. The rage kept me alive before I got sober, but it was killing me afterwards. Peace brother and congrats on your sobriety!

You gotta respect a man who has been to the deepest depths of despair and made it out alright. Great advice from Ben, he has clearly learned some hard lessons along the way.

I could listen to him talk for hours.

its crazy weve actually got to watch him battle addiction. its awesome seeing him look great.

This man is helping me keep the needle out of my hand and arm. Thank you, man. Just knowing there's at least 1 other person on this planet that gets it is enough to keep going forward.

Thank you Ben for "Mercy Bark". I had to put down my dog keller this morning and have had it on repeat all day. 🙏

He fucking nailed recovery and what it means !!!!!!

love how you blow it out with music. bipolar med trips a bitch, grounded and sober brings new honest ppl. still miss a few from the old gang from time to time. you put the feeling it bro

Man i feel like Benjamin was talking to me personally. Been listening to his music off and on for a long time. This interview is what i needed to see. Thanks guys

Every once In awhile i come back to this video just to hear his advice Ben has always helped me at my lowest

I'm disabled from PTSD & at my worst a IV meth user & lived a lifestyle with dangerous & often destructive, at times malevolent people in & I was one of them. Not a member of anything, just adrift in the darkest corners. I've been living clean for 2 yrs now off the needle & everything else. Did the 12 steps, found Jesus to be my savior & went to all the recovery & counseling I could, got off probation & got certified as a peer support for mental health/substance abuse All along my journey the music of Benjamin Tod has helped me look inside myself both while in addiction & now living free of it. His music has always been so near the heart of the struggle it is truly powerful. It was great to hear him speak so many things I know to be absolutely true & to practically quote word for word some of the most brilliant minds in modern psychology is fantastic. He's the real deal & his music helped me to change in a very important way

What a guy... awesome talk.

Hes such a good guy. Talented AF too. Ashley Mae gives me chills sometimes on that fiddle. So good together.

Damn, this was alot better than I expected. Great and very interesting message

Exactly that Mr Todd, well said brother

very deep and yet sp sp true thank ya brother for the great words all true

Excellent words!

Thank you!

Dude, being somebody who has worked in recovery I totally agreed with you in terms of accountability. Keep up the good work, your music helps more than you may realize! And your right about getting ready to live sober before making the move to action, the planning stage of recovery is the most over looked. Planning for a sober life before making a change is so important. P.S. sorry for the edit, but I feel like some people I know in recovery could really benefit from watching this and listening to your music.

I found LDSB back in 17 or so from Gems but just recently started listening to Ben's interviews. In particular the one he did with Gems 4 yrs ago that was just published last year. He mentioned towards the end some old and current musicians that he enjoys, most current being artist's featured on Gems. My question is..the Avett Brothers? I've never heard any of the (forgive me) "underground" country artists mention them as an inspiration and I find that hard to believe given their musicianship and songwriting ability. If anyone has references to this please let me know. Thanks in advance ✌

Micah Fink and Benjamin should hang out. I think they would get along

Move on, but don't forget...And if the opportunity presents itself for you to get restitution, it's your move...Make a play...

A salt brother with no truer word said~~~

But naked into danger!

I needed this. Thank you

Mans a common sense genius.