Imagine being a kid, caught in the middle of your parents' divorce, and then suddenly finding yourself in what feels like a cult. Sounds like the plot of a intense movie, right? Well, for James Brody, also known as Brody Street, this was just the beginning of his real-life story.

I had the chance to sit down with James on this week's Journey to Legacy podcast, and let me tell you, his tale is one heck of a ride!

The Rocky Start

Picture this: Little James, just six years old, watching his family fall apart. His mom, trying to find answers, takes James and his siblings down a path that he now describes as "spiritualism."

"It felt really weird," James told me, his voice carrying a mix of memories and hard-earned wisdom. "A lot of things that could go wrong did go wrong with my mental health, with the way I saw the world, with how I was with friends."

But here's the kicker - this dark chapter in James's life? It became the soil from which his music would grow.

Finding His Tune

Now, you might be wondering, "How does a kid go from all that chaos to making music?" Well, for James, music was always there, like a steady beat in the background of his life.

"Whether it was through listening to country songs at the spiritualist church, school assemblies, or Robbie Williams," James shared, a smile in his voice, "music was always around."

At about ten years old, James picked up his first instrument. He started writing poems, then tried to turn them into songs. "I learned how to suck at doing that," he laughed, "to get better at it."

Turning Pain into Poetry

Fast forward to today, and James Brody, now known as Brody Street, is creating what he calls "music for broken people." It's not your typical top 40 stuff. No, this is music that digs deep, that isn't afraid to look at the dark stuff.

"Anyone can write a song that sounds like it's on the top 40," James explained. "But I like getting vulnerable and using those parts of my story and turning the broken pieces into something beautiful that can be a tool or a friend to someone else."

The Lesson in the Lyrics

Here's the cool thing about James's journey - he's not just making music. He's sharing some pretty powerful life lessons. Like this gem from his upcoming album, "Flicker Hills":

"Time makes you older, Faith makes you stronger, but it's just a moment, these storms will pass."

Powerful stuff, right? It's like James is reaching out through his music, saying, "Hey, I've been there. It's tough, but you're going to make it."

The Unexpected Legacy

Now, you might think that after all he's been through and achieved, James would be all about hitting the big time, winning awards, living that "sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll" lifestyle. But nope! That's not James's style at all.

When I asked him about his legacy, you know what he said? He wants to be a good son, a good brother, a good friend. Eventually, a good husband and father. And through his music, he wants to leave the world a little more hopeful than he found it.

"If I can make a mark by leaving the world a little more hopeful and positive than when I found it," James said, his voice full of conviction, "then that would be the crowning achievement."

Wrapping Up This Tune

So, there you have it, folks. James Brody's journey from a broken kid to a healer through music. It's a reminder that no matter how tough things get, there's always a way forward. And sometimes, that way forward comes with its own soundtrack.

James's new album, "Flicker Hills," drops on August 26th. Give it a listen. Who knows? It might be just the thing you need to hear today.

Remember, whatever you're going through, this too shall pass. Keep moving forward, and maybe, like James, you'll find your own way to turn your pain into something beautiful.

What about you? How do you deal with life's tough moments? Got a favorite song that gets you through? Share in the comments below!

Listen to the full Journey To Legacy podcast interview here or anywhere you listen to podcasts - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3dEZl7NApxwZahv2oTuVgD?si=erQ3JeVmSVOdxDGOhJgW9w