20 | Only The Word Gets Out Alive
Alive Again9 Syys 2025

20 | Only The Word Gets Out Alive

Our episode title is a lyric by ​​Scott McCaughey, the beloved singer-songwriter behind bands like Young Fresh Fellows and The Minus 5. McCaughey was also a member of R.E.M.’s touring band and contributed to their albums. He had spent his life living and breathing music—until a massive stroke in 2017 shattered his ability to speak, play, and understand the world around him. He describes the early aftermath as “a bizarre netherworld,” where reality blurred and even the simplest words failed him.

In this deeply human episode of Alive Again, Scott opens up about the long road of recovery—his first terrifying moments in the ER, the confusion of aphasia, and the odd beauty of watching The Wizard of Oz while relearning language. His story isn’t just about survival, but transformation.

With honesty, humor, and an artist’s insight, Scott explores what it means to lose the thing that once defined you—and how love, creativity, and community helped him find something even more profound in its place.

Scott McCaughey has led The Young Fresh Fellows since 1981. In 1993, he and Peter Buck founded The Minus 5 as a side project along with The Posies’ Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow. The group’s lineup has featured a rotating cast of musicians over the years. From 1994 to 2011, McCaughey was a member of R.E.M.’s touring band and also contributed to that group’s albums. In 2008, McCaughey formed The Baseball Project with Buck, Pitmon, and Linda’s husband, Dream Syndicate frontman Steve Wynn. The group, which now also features R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills, plays original baseball-themed indie-rock tunes.

Scott will be on tour with Minus 5 and The Baseball Project this September (2025). For more info and tour dates, go here:

The Minus 5 / Baseball Project – September, 2025 Tour

Scott graciously shared tracks from his incredible body of work, including:

  • “Johnny Volume,” “Heartbeat Smile” - Alejandro Escovedo
  • “Young Fresh Fellows Theme,” “Power Mowers Theme” - The Young Fresh Fellows
  • “Hey Lacey (Live)” - Filthy Friends
  • “All The Time,” “Emperor Of The Bathroom,” “Placent Folk,” “Scar Crow,” “MRI,” “Let the Rope Hold, Cassie Lee,” “House Of Four Doors (End Theme),” “Words & Birds” - The Minus 5
  • “Sun Station Vadsø” - The No Ones

Story Producer: Brent Dey


* If you have a transformative near-death experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jaksot(47)

13 | Lessons At The End Of The World

13 | Lessons At The End Of The World

What prepares someone to survive the unthinkable? For renowned polar explorer Eric Larsen, it wasn’t hope or heroism—it was hardship. From the punishing silence of the Arctic to the staggering indiffe...

22 Heinä 202559min

12 | You Can’t Hold Despair and Gratitude at the Same Time: The True Story of '127 Hours'

12 | You Can’t Hold Despair and Gratitude at the Same Time: The True Story of '127 Hours'

His miraculous survival story became the subject of Danny Boyle’s film 127 Hours—but what happened inside Aron’s mind and spirit during that ordeal is even more profound. In 2003, Aron Ralston was tr...

15 Heinä 20251h 29min

11 | What the Wasp Left Behind: Delaney Tarr’s Story

11 | What the Wasp Left Behind: Delaney Tarr’s Story

When Delaney Tarr survived the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, her life split in two. One part became instantly visible: the fiery, articulate youth activist who co-founded M...

8 Heinä 202554min

10 | The Light Between Worlds

10 | The Light Between Worlds

“I didn’t feel the van hit me. But I remember the voice. And then I was somewhere else.” When Anne Bayford was struck by a van while crossing a London street, her body was left broken—but her spirit w...

1 Heinä 202557min

9 | The Art of Coming Back

9 | The Art of Coming Back

He flatlined twice. What came back was a different man—and a different artist. In 2008, artist and musician Rodney White survived a catastrophic car accident that left him in a coma, fighting for his ...

24 Kesä 202535min

8 | Dragged Under, Lifted Up

8 | Dragged Under, Lifted Up

He was pulled beneath a speeding train… and awakened to something beyond this world. David Ditchfield was saying goodbye to a friend when his coat became trapped in the closing doors of a train. He wa...

17 Kesä 202539min

7 | Blair Crimmins’ Second Act

7 | Blair Crimmins’ Second Act

Before the fall, he was chasing a dream. After the fall, he found his sound. Musician Blair Crimmins was spiraling—caught between fading dreams, destructive habits, and an unshakable feeling that some...

10 Kesä 202558min

6 | Net-Zero Trauma: A Conversation With Rick Doblin

6 | Net-Zero Trauma: A Conversation With Rick Doblin

Perhaps the tools to face death— heal from trauma— and transform life—have been within us all along. In this special episode of Alive Again, host Dan Bush sits down with Rick Doblin, founder of the Mu...

3 Kesä 202547min

Suosittua kategoriassa Tiede

tiedekulma-podcast
rss-mita-tulisi-tietaa
rss-poliisin-mieli
rss-metsantuntijat-podcast
utelias-mieli
rss-duodecim-lehti
mielipaivakirja
filocast-filosofian-perusteet
rss-astetta-parempi-elama-podcast
rss-tiedetta-vai-tarinaa
rss-luontopodi-samuel-glassar-tutkii-luonnon-ihmeita
university-of-eastern-finland
docemilia
menologeja-tutkimusmatka-vaihdevuosiin
rss-bios-podcast
rss-ylistys-elaimille
rss-lapsuuden-rakentajat-podcast
rss-lihavuudesta-podcast
rss-sosiopodi
rss-miljonaarien-tasavalta