Nick Hexum, 311: Anxiety & Addiction Recovery with Brandon Jay, Altadena Musicians, Podcasthon Special!

Mari Fong interviews Nick Hexum of 311 and Brandon Jay of Altadena Musicians for a special episode for Podcasthon, focusing on nonprofits and those who do good in this world.

Today we have a special Podcasthon episode where 2800 podcasts from around the world choose a nonprofit to spotlight, and I’ve chosen Altadena Musicians, a foundation that’s helped musicians find thousands and thousands of instruments and vinyl records, getting them back into the hands of those that lost theirs in the Eaton and Palisades fires in Los Angeles. I’ll be talking to musician and founder of Altadena Musicians, Brandon Jay. 

For our featured musician, I’m excited to have singer-songwriter Nick Hexum of 311, share his secrets about a mental health and addiction story that he kept hidden for more than a decade. With 311 being known for their songs like “Down,” “Amber” and “Beautiful Disaster,” many of them filled with lyrics of positivity and unity, and high-energy shows since 1988, you can imagine how it was surprising to hear Nick talk about his self-doubt, anxiety and perfectionism that eventually led to a terrifying addiction. 

Having interviewed Nick in the past, I was honored to be the one to hear this honest and vulnerable story of addiction and recovery, one he admits he’s never shared with his fans before today. I’ll be playing a clip of Nick Hexum’s song “Lonely Existence” from his side project EP, “Waxing Nostalgic” which dropped in 2025. So now let’s hear Part 1 of Nick Hexum, share his story.

CHECK YOUR HEAD Podcast is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit! THANK YOU for supporting our podcast at www.checkyourheadpodcast.com Every dollar is appreciated, every listener is appreciated.

Nick Hexum of 311 & Mari Fong

Brandon Jay of Altadena Musicians in front of the rubble of his home after the Eaton Fire.