Welcome to another episode of When Words Fail, Music Speaks – the show where we explore how rhythm, melody, and storytelling become lifelines for those wrestling with depression, Anxiety, and life’s inevitable setbacks.
In today’s conversation, we sit down with Ben Barbic – a multi‑talented musician, entrepreneur, author, and motivational storyteller. Ben shares the journey behind his powerful memoir Rise & Climb: Finding Purpose Through Pain, a book born from eight years of raw reflection, late‑night airport scribbles, and moments of raw loss (including a Family fire and the loss of a motorcycle dealership). He explains how each chapter is anchored to a song title, revealing why music has always been his refuge and why it continues to shape his healing process.
From the grit of Guns N’ Roses’ “It’s So Easy” that captured his teenage anguish, to the uplifting vibes of reggae that turned his darkness into joy, Ben walks us through his evolving soundscape – from early rock‑and‑roll roots, through hip‑hop beats, to today’s acoustic‑driven soundtrack that will accompany the audiobook release of Rise & Climb this October.
We also dive into:
- The hardest chapter to write – reliving childhood loss and the fire that led him to his first Casio keyboard.
- How writing became therapeutic, loosening pain’s grip and turning Trauma into a catalyst for Growth.
- The philosophy that every bout of suffering carries a core lesson, and how channeling that “fuel” can spark purpose.
- A lightning‑round of rapid‑fire questions – from his first album (A‑C‑D‑C), to his go‑to workout track (Wu‑Tang), to his ultimate dinner guest (Frank Sinatra).
- What keeps Ben smiling these days: genuine, distraction‑free conversations that remind us why connection matters.
Whether you’re a creator seeking inspiration, someone navigating the fog of Mental Health challenges, or simply a music lover curious about the stories behind the songs, this episode offers a heartfelt reminder: pain is not just an obstacle; it can be the very material we forge into purpose.
Stay tuned, press play, and let the conversation heal you as much as it inspires.
Website:
https://www.risenclimb.com
James Cox is an individual living with cerebral palsy. He has a podcast called “When Words Fail…Music Speaks” in which he discusses how Music can help with depression. James has lived with cerebral palsy all of his life, and now he wants to help people understand that living with a disability does not define who he is.
James’ dad is a retired colonel in the Air Force, so he lived in many different places such as the Philippines and bases in the southeast USA meeting many interesting people and gaining life experience. James has worked several different jobs over the years that allowed him the opportunity to meet new people and gain different outlooks on life. Places such as Central Carolina Tech College, The Sumter Library, Dave and Buster’s, and Outback Steakhouse.
James has been living on his own for five years now. Moving out of Sumter SC, he has been living up to his life long goal to live on his own and thrive despite his disability. He now lives in Columbia SC and has a part time job that he loves in addition to his podcast.
