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Unplug & Elevate: Notes of Empowerment Summer Playlist is a collaborative mixtape of music and thoughts sourced by three colleagues who work in the areas of wellness, burnout, and purpose, but more importantly, who are friends. We know that having the right playlist for a road trip (or whatever journey one is on) makes ALL the difference. This summer, we handpicked songs from our lives that helped us to rebalance, recoup our own stories, and root into our purpose. Listen now
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In the late 90s, Eminem exploded onto the scene with a raw, unfiltered style that captivated and polarized listeners. In the era of teen pop and boy bands, Eminem rapped out his anger and hostility, it was a detour from what was commonly heard on the radio or at the mall. My friends and I instantly fell hard for Eminem, investing a lot of time trying to fit our lyrics into his songs in an attempt to make them our own. His early work, characterized by an "us vs them" mentality, spoke directly to those who felt marginalized, angry, and misunderstood. Over the years, Eminem has evolved, confronting his demons and the monster in his head, ultimately shifting towards a narrative of "us together." This journey of transformation is not only a testament to his personal growth but also a powerful reflection of the human experience. It’s why his tracks have never left my playlists, especially my running playlist.
"Us vs Them": The Early Years
Eminem’s debut major-label album, The Slim Shady LP (1999), introduced the world to his alter ego, Slim Shady. Tracks like "My Name Is" and "Guilty Conscience" were filled with dark humor and graphic tales of violence and struggle, encapsulating his "us vs them" perspective. Slim Shady was the embodiment of rebellion, a voice for those who felt oppressed by societal norms and expectations.
I’m not going on the record as an Eminem expert but his life is full of controversy from his relationship with his mom and ex-wife Kim and loads of other celebrities, organizations, and affiliations. Eminem was never shy to share or rap his opinion. At times it felt like he was doing it to just get a rouse from people while other times you knew the pain was deeply seeded in his soul.
The semi-autobiographical film 8 Mile in 2002 brought Eminem’s story to the big screen, dramatizing his rise from Detroit's underground rap battles to mainstream success. The film’s anthem, "Lose Yourself," became an anthem for seizing opportunities, mirroring his own ascent from adversity. The truth that lurked beneath the surface of the film was the real heartache at home: the lack of love, support, and guidance. His mother was doing her best but the environment was terrible for any child. The only book he had growing up was the dictionary, which he’s so talented at selecting the most appropriate word to convey the song’s mood and why he’s considered the modern-day Shakespeare. He understood exactly how to vex people, push their buttons, and get them to react to him. He had been reacting his whole life to an “us vs them” story.
His early tracks depict a life of scarcity and struggle, fighting against a world that was against him. I avoided the most pain-filled, controversial songs, as they were too heavy for me. However, "Lose Yourself" always stayed on my playlist. Its message of seizing one opportunity inspired me before job interviews, dates, or whenever I felt anxious, and it kept me going during long runs when I wanted to give up.
Facing His Demons: The Turning Point
Eminem's life and career hit a critical juncture in the mid-2000s. His battle with addiction nearly cost him his life, culminating in a near-fatal overdose in 2007. This period of darkness forced Eminem to confront his demons head-on. The albums Relapse (2009) and Recovery (2010) document his struggle and subsequent journey towards sobriety.
Relapse was a raw, unapologetic exploration of his addiction and its impact on his life. Tracks like "3 a.m." and "Beautiful" are haunting depictions of his internal battles. However, it was Recovery that marked a significant shift in his narrative. In songs like "Not Afraid" and "Love the Way You Lie," Eminem opened up about his journey to self-improvement and healing. No longer is he in this fight by himself, he joins forces with others sparking renowned collaboration and he also invites us to be a part of the fight for our story, our life.
Hearing "Not Afraid" (2010) for the first time brought back all the feelers from 1999 of a person who could put into words how I was feeling, what I was seeing in the world, and how to better navigate it. The song became an instant anthem of empowerment, signaling his readiness to continuously face his problems and take control of his life. For me personally, any time I get nervous about voicing my thoughts and opinions at work or with my family, it’s this song that always comes to the forefront. When I was a child, I used to hum the hymn “Be Not Afraid”, so it was natural for “Not Afraid” to take that hymn’s spot because it was more empowering, more expansive, and inclusive.
I guess I had to Go to that place to get to this one
Now some of you Might still be in that place if you’re tryna get out just follow me, I’ll get you there.
"Us Together": A New Narrative
Post sobriety, Eminem’s lyrical style still conveys anger, but it has shifted to a perspective of let's process this crap, we call life, together. He has moved away from the "us vs them" mentality, embracing a narrative of unity through our collective struggles. This evolution is evident in his collaborations and the themes he explores in his later work.
In The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013), tracks like "Headlights" show Eminem reconciling with his past and seeking forgiveness. "Headlights," in particular, is a heartfelt apology to his mother, showcasing his growth and maturity. The song marks a stark contrast to his earlier, more combative tracks about their relationship.
Eminem’s more recent albums, including Revival (2017), Kamikaze (2018), and Music to Be Murdered By (2020), continue this trend. In Revival, songs like "Walk on Water" (featuring Beyoncé) express vulnerability and self-doubt, while "Castle" and "Arose" offer a deeply introspective look at his life and legacy. These albums feature collaborations with a diverse range of artists, further emphasizing his shift towards inclusivity and unity.
Eminem has formed unlikely relationships with people like Elton John, Dido, P!nk, and Jonah Hill, reflecting his growth through intentional and generous collaborations. He values hands willing to give and support, regardless of identity, and partners for common good. His community involvement includes visiting terminally ill fans, supporting Pride in Detroit, donating to the Fresh Start program, and establishing the Marshall Mathers Foundation to help disadvantaged youth in Detroit. His actions are truly inspiring.
This is particularly inspirational to me as I continue to launch my coaching practice. I want anyone who feels that coaching would be beneficial to have access to it, so like many other coaches offering creative pricing creates more accessibility and being able to work with clients where they are at in life without creating undue financial hardship for support. I plan to engage in more organic local outreach because when one person is uplifted, we all get uplifted.
Embracing Growth and Unity
Eminem's journey from an "us vs them" mindset to an "us together" narrative mirrors his personal growth and evolution as an artist. He has faced his demons, confronted the monster in his head, and emerged with a renewed sense of purpose and empathy. His music continues to inspire and resonate with listeners, offering a powerful testament to the transformative power of facing one's fears and embracing change.
His fans have witnessed Eminem's evolution firsthand, from the angry, rebellious voice of a generation to a more reflective and inclusive artist. His story is a reminder that no matter how dark our struggles may be, growth and redemption are always possible. Eminem’s journey is not just his own but a universal one, highlighting the resilience and strength inherent in all of us. We may not all be in recovery from a substance, but we are all trying to live a sobering life – one day at a time, authoring our story versus allowing someone (or something) else write it for us. If there was a sobriety group for “not enough” and being an overly eager people pleaser, I’d be in it. Caring for our mental and emotional health is a sobering and reflective journey every day.
Rapping up here (see what I did there), I hope this blog helps bring Eminem more into focus. Hearing his music reminds me of how complex life can be and that being in it together is more uplifting than creating a divide. We each have our own unique experience that allows us to author our unique story based on who we are as a person and as a collective entity within the greater whole. This is why I continue to follow and admire Marshall Bruce Mathers III (aka Eminem). He’s living proof that we’re human, we’re complicated, and we don’t get just one opportunity; we get one every second of every day to rise up and choose better. Like Marshall, I surround myself with people who bring out my best and respect my self-care routine, allowing me to be consistent with my introspection and growth.
Featured Response by Megan Krings from Mindful Heart Counseling
Eileen, thanks for challenging me with Eminem. Much like Charlotte, I was only familiar with the headlines from early in his career. Armed with the information that he is sober and seeing Elton John discuss their friendship on Graham Norton’s show, I realized I had written him off too quickly.
When someone is messy, complicated, and chaotic, I tend to stop paying attention, hoping they'll come around when things calm down. This happens to many folks before they decide to get sober. Addiction becomes an abusive relationship, slowly thinning out healthy relationships and leaving individuals with low-quality connections that make recovery seem impossible. This seems to be especially true for celebrities.
Before COVID, I worked at a residential addiction rehab and later an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for those exploring the possibility of sobriety. While I don’t think sobriety is for everyone, some of my favorite people are sober. Helping clients find a workable relationship with substances, whether through intentional moderation or sobriety, is one of my favorite ongoing conversations. For this therapist, it's more engaging to discuss the relationships you want to have with alcohol than to assess how to rebuild a life after an overdose. Recovery is possible, and while it's hard, relapse might be part of the process for some, but not for everyone.
I encourage people to do a gut check on their substance use with the following questions:
1. Have you ever felt the need to cut down on your use?
2. Do you feel annoyed by people complaining about your use?
3. Do you ever feel guilty about your use?
4. Do you ever have an eye-opener in the morning to relieve the shakes?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, talk with your therapist or coach. If you don’t have one, I'd love to help you figure this out.
Eminem’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that recovery is possible. His story encourages me to reevaluate my judgments and to offer support rather than turning away from those who struggle with addiction. By engaging in open conversations about substance use and seeking help when needed, we can all contribute to a healthier, more understanding community.
Featured Response by Charlotte Kovacs from Charlotte Kovacs Coaching
One of the best parts of doing this playlist has been the comradery. I’ve never been a team sports player and I generally work by myself (nature of the work) but when lightning strikes in a small team setting, there is nothing like it, and that’s what this project has been. Pure bliss, a mixture of hard work, creativity, accountability and challenging one another. One of the challenges has been understanding what music is to each other. As we’ve discussed, some of us are lyrics people and some of us are melody people. Some of us are Eminem people, and some of us only know the flashy stuff that makes its way into the cultural zeitgeist.
I’m very grateful to Eileen for deepening my understanding of who Eminem is as a person and as an artist, because my understanding of him was stuck in the “us vs. them” mentality. And to be honest, I’m sick of “us vs. them” these days. Eileen’s narrative of Eminem’s journey helps me understand the world a little more. Today, our communities, country, world, and sometimes even our families, can feel very “us vs. them”. Where do we live, what groups do we belong to, what music do we listen to, what news do we listen to…who do we vote for. It’s all become very binary and very, very reactionary.
Eileen talking about Eminem’s difficult childhood reminds me of the scarcity mindset, versus an abundant mindset. With a scarcity mindset, we get locked into thoughts of “all or nothing” and “mine versus yours”. When we come to the world with a scarcity mindset, we are overly protective of what we feel is “ours”, we worry there isn’t enough to go around, and when we worry there isn’t enough to go around, we take more than we need and we shut ourselves off from others. With an abundant mindset, we get creative, generous, open. My favorite analogy is the metaphysical pie. We live in a very abundant world, our resources, for the most part, aren’t pie, they aren’t going to all be taken by a few people, or, they don’t have to all be taken by a few people. Abundant thinkers don’t worry that there isn’t enough pie to go around, abundant thinkers understand that you get what you give in this world. Abundant thinkers know that as more people belong, participate, or take the resources they need to care for themselves that the pie will get larger.
When we open ourselves to others - all others - when we seek out meaningful conversations, when we really, truly listen to one another, we begin to peel back the scarcity mindset and see how much we all really have in common. How we all really want many of the same things, how it isn’t “us vs. them” but “us together” - because, like it or not, we are all in this together. We all want to be seen, heard, valued, and appreciated, the best way we can get this for ourselves is to give it to others. This isn’t easy, it takes effort, but it’s so worth it, and maybe there’s pie for a reward.
Bios
Megan Hutchinson Krings, LCSW CADC is a licensed clinical social worker and a certified alcohol and drug counselor. She often works with folks when their neglected hunches about life manifest into addiction, depression, anxiety, burnout, or deep grief for the life they want but can’t have. Megan is the founder of Mindful Heart Counseling.
Charlotte Kovacs, ACC, CPCC, specializes in empowering solopreneurs and female small business owners to build confidence and grow their dream businesses. She provides one-on-one and small group programs designed to help women set ambitious yet attainable goals, navigate the emotional challenges of leadership, and fulfill their purpose both professionally and personally. Charlotte is the founder of Charlotte Kovacs Coaching.
Eileen Murphy, MA in Industrial & Organizational Psychology, is your go-to certified Stress Management and Health & Wellness coach. She’s on a mission to help you disrupt your stress and find joy, aligning your career, health, and wellness like a life-balancing pro. Eileen is the founder of Blackbird Life Coaching.
Disclaimer: This blog may include excerpts of song lyrics for the purposes of commentary, criticism, and education. We believe that the use of these materials constitutes "fair use" under U.S. copyright law, as it is non-commercial and transformative in nature. We do not claim ownership of any copyrighted material used, and all rights to the original works remain with the respective copyright holders. If you are the owner of the material and believe that its use is not in accordance with "fair use," please contact us so we can promptly address your concerns.
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