Matt Halpern, an incredibly savvy and accomplished businessman at the well-versed age of 38, ridiculously focused and disciplined since four years old, and hyper-talented with almost every one of his varied pursuits. 

As legit rockstar drummer with his progressive metal mates in their band Periphery, Matt and I have a deep conversation about his intentional avoidance of drug and alcohol addiction, even while growing up in Baltimore, arguably the heroin capital of the world. 

Matt gleams as he presents the massive responsibility assigned to himself as a new father, reveals how he and his gorgeous wife Natalie met, and describes their plans to help their son be the best person he can be, whoever he chooses to be, and what about those sinister toddler iPads and iPhones anyway?

For all you musicians and Periphery fans, Matt discusses multiple new educational projects and products, an upcoming new album, and one of the keys for bands to be successful.  

We walk down our shared memory lane from Baltimore and even with more than a decade of birthdays between us, Matt and I discuss our synonymous life non-negotiables: conscientiousness, introspection, saying yes, great communication, absolute accountability, and refined gumption to get up and go.

Matt dives deep into some of his early and never-before disclosed painful problems at home, shares the wicked smart life mantra he learned on the first day of acting class in college, shares his biggest regret, and slyly laughs about his biggest flop.

Operating from our proprietary structured daily routines of defined priorities, we discuss the importance of keeping first things first, remaining flexible, thus creating a calm and productive center within. 

A crystal-clear thinker and speaker, Matt divulges why he does what he does: so to be focused, able to deal with whatever comes his way, remaining to do the good work on the right stuff, and living his best life for his family, for as long as he possibly can.

Lastly, he shares his thoughts on man’s best friend, and we hear Matt’s heart bleed through his words talking about his love for dogs. Please give a listen, I think you will gain something surprising from this one hour and thirty-eight minutes episode, actually, I know you will. ~ Thank you, Roger Ray Bird.

The book:
Daddy, Why Were You A Drug Addict?: Winning the War Amid My Angel and Devil Within
by Roger Ray Bird
ISBN 979-8218286651
Available on Amazon for $11

Roger's social directory: HERE