Rob Thomas: Allow Your Environment to Inform Your Creativity

Rob Thomas (lead singer of Matchbox 20) makes a rare podcast appearance to discuss how he went from stealing cars to being one of the most notable voices in alternative rock! He opens up about his tumultuous childhood growing up with an absent father and his mom’s Hodgkins diagnosis, the life lessons he learned from his liquor-bootlegging grandma, and his skepticism of genuine connections after dealing with “transactional” relationships for so long. Rob shares fascinating insights into the deep meanings behind so many of Matchbox 20’s hits, from which of their most famous songs is actually about mental health to his feelings on their hit song “Push’s” role in the new Barbie movie. He reveals the surprising origins of his famous collab with Carlos Santana and his love-hate relationship with “Smooth” now, how songwriting can be a form of therapy for him, how each member of Matchbox 20 being in therapy affects their collaboration, and what he credits his longtime marriage to in the midst of a rock-and-roll lifestyle. Rob also reflects on the value of social media, why he almost stopped therapy after a bad experience, his complicated relationship with alcohol today, his couples therapy goals, his struggles with panic attacks and what he does to manage them.

Rob Thomas’ charity, Sidewalk Angels Foundation: https://www.sidewalkangelsfoundation.org/about

Matchbox Twenty’s new album, Where the Light Goes: https://matchboxtwenty.com/releases/where-the-light-goes/

See Matchbox 20 on tour: https://matchboxtwenty.com/events/