The Imperfect Dads Podcast
I Recorded One Of My Most Honest Interviews Ever & Then Disappeared For 6 Weeks
Hi. I was gone from Substack, social media, email and text for six weeks. A health break. I do apologize if you reached out and I didn’t respond.*
While I was gone from public life, a podcast I recorded in February as the featured guest was released. I was crazy honest about both deeply hilarious and deeply tragic moments in my life, and told stories I’ve never told before publicly — about being a son, a father, a husband, a teacher, a musician, and trying to find the humanity, gratitude and purpose in it all. Listen here or find it on all major podcast services.
The host, Devon, writes:
“On this episode we have on musician Cory Cullinan, also known as Dr. Noize.
I met up with Cory at his studio and we discussed taking his daughters to the Grammys, his daughters going off to college, coaching his daughters in soccer, and learning how to motivate his kids based on their personalities.
A lot of this conversation is a deeply personal story about Cory’s upbringing. I asked him about what made him do kids music and he shared the story of his childhood. He grew up with a normal happy family life and then his brother got sick and died within 2 years, and a year later his dad died of suicide. Cory opened up to me about how that has guided the rest of his life. From trying to understand his dad’s decision to understanding his brother’s acceptance of illness. By performing for kids he honors his dad and brother before life fell apart.
So this episode has a lot to it. And I’m genuinely grateful for Cory’s trust in sharing his story.”
The childhood story stuff in the podcast starts around 18:30. Meanwhile, while I was away, I built more experiences as a father and husband. Three highlights are below.
Our youngest daughter Riley has become an adept leader as Music Director of her a cappella group, the Harvard Veritones. We traveled to meet up with Sidney for Riley’s show in Cambridge. Nothing in this world is more inspiring to me than brilliant and talented young minds bringing beautiful art into the world to build a more joyous community.** Here’s the only song Riley didn’t conduct that night… because she was the soloist. Hear Miss Independent declare her independence:
Our oldest daughter Sidney is a human generator of positive energy, opportunity and adventure. Riley traveled with us to spend time with Sidney’s incredible Yale School Of Management crew after they returned from two weeks in Bhutan studying the culture, politics and values of the only country in the world with a Ministry Of Happiness. Sidney and her close friend were unexpectedly forced to land in the Middle East during the war for three days. They modeled resilience. Our roles have switched; I am the student and she is the Master.*** She’s exactly the muse I need.
It’s my 31st anniversary today to the woman I need, my first wife Janette.**** We built our two greatest creations, Sidney and Riley, together. She’s still raising me. A strong woman. I am grateful for that. And for my friends from all eras who are there for me whenever I need you. You know who you are. You’re the best. And finally…
Apply to my Stanford Recording Arts Workshop here! My incredible Teaching Assistants this year — two talented women capable of teaching the course on their own whenever I need to hit the sports bar or answer the Bat Signal — are Pikes Peak State College Music Department Chair Shazia Ali and Riley Max. We already have an amazing international ensemble of musicians and creatives coming. You’re next.
Thanks for your time. Share positive energy. Go make the world you live in.
— Cory Cullinan / Doctor Noize
*I also apologize if you reached out BEFORE the last six weeks and I didn’t respond… working on my digital comms game. Suck at it. Namaste.
**This is also why I love the opportunity I’m given to teach at Stanford each year.
***As it should be.
****Look, it’s been an awfully serious Noizeletter… I had to throw at least one bad joke in here.