Courage
Hey, Friends.
This week is a major milestone for my colleague, Benjamin Lerner.
Tomorrow (2/20) is the 5th anniversary of his debut album, CLEAN, which he will celebrate on a special episode of his radio show, CLEAN Jams at 11pm on WEQX 102.7.
On Friday, 2/21, Benjamin’s new EP, entitled, “Run Towards the Truth” will be released. This is the second of three consecutive EPs celebrating his mantra.
I’ve been watching his teaser tracks on benjaminlerner.com and - although addiction is a hard and sad topic - I’ve been coming away with feelings of empathy and hope. What stands out most to me, is how courageous Benjamin is.
The media often portrays stories of tragic overdoses, on-going hopeless addiction, and drug-related crimes.
Benjamin’s story gives a much-needed glimpse into what a life in recovery can be. In Benjamin’s case, it is a beautiful life, and one he doesn’t take for granted, not even for a second. While every person who fights through recovery has courage, it takes a special level of courage to share such a personal experience with the world. Benjamin’s willingness to be vulnerable and to open himself up to the judgement and criticism of people who might not understand, is, literally, lifesaving. This is the feeling that overwhelms me when I listen to his music, and I am grateful to him for his bravery.
Benjamin will be 9 years sober in June. His music, often underscored by his lush, virtuoso piano accompaniment, is heartfelt, passionate, and urgent. I personally don’t need captions to understand his lyrics - Benjamin’s rhymes are clearly articulated, hammering through with grave importance. He doesn’t simply want us to understand; he needs us to.
“As long as I’m alive and I’m sober, I’m not stopping,” he declares, with certainty and a bit of defiance toward anyone or anything that might sow doubt, including himself.
Congratulations, Benjamin. Thank you for your courage and for sharing a story that needs to be heard. For more on Benjamin Lerner’s much-anticipated EP release, read more below...
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~Megan Demarest, Editor of The Guide​
RUN TOWARDS THE TRUTH:
Recovery Rap Reimagined
Benjamin Lerner’s new EP, RUN TOWARDS THE TRUTH, promises to push his artistic and recovery advocacy efforts even further. Scheduled to be released on Friday February 21, the second installment in Lerner’s three-part EP series builds upon his established recovery music catalog.
RUN TOWARDS THE TRUTH follows the first EP in the series, KEEP MOVING FORWARD, which resonated deeply with listeners and amassed millions of views across social media. RUN TOWARDS THE TRUTH will showcase Lerner’s signature hard-hitting lyricism alongside compelling production. The EP’s first three tracks—“Get Out While You Still Can,” “Impostor Syndrome,” and “Switched Up”—blend sharp, introspective storytelling with dynamic Hip-Hop beats and melodic hooks. The final track, “Distant,” takes a more stripped-down, reflective approach with live piano accompaniment.
A notable highlight of the EP is Lerner’s collaboration with Pittsburgh-based recovery rap pioneer, Colicchie, on “Impostor Syndrome.” Having inspired Lerner’s journey into recovery-focused hip-hop, Colicchie’s presence on the track marks a full-circle moment for Lerner’s musical journey.
The album was recorded and mixed by the team at Old Mill Road Recording (including GRAMMY® Award-winning audio engineer, Benjamin J. Arrindell) in East Arlington, Vermont.
Beyond the music, the EP’s title reflects the second phrase in Lerner’s personal recovery mantra:
“Keep moving forward. Run towards the truth. Don’t quit before the miracle happens.”
These words, which closed out Lerner’s long-running CLEAN Column in the Vermont News Guide for five years, continue to shape his advocacy efforts alongside his producer and mentor, Dr. Joshua Sherman. Together, the two have built Lerner’s journey into a multi-platform recovery advocacy campaign, from CLEAN Jams on 102.7 WEQX, speaking engagements at such prestigious institutions as The Aspen Institute and Carnegie Hall, and a social media platform with over 300,000 followers and 150 million combined video views.
With RUN TOWARDS THE TRUTH, Lerner remains unwavering in his commitment to sharing his story of recovery. The EP will be available to listen on all streaming platforms upon release and at BenjaminLerner.com