The Magic of the Broken: David J (Bauhaus / Love and Rockets)

In this deeply reflective episode of Team Human, Douglas Rushkoff sits down with David J, legendary bassist of Bauhaus and Love and Rockets, to explore the profound intersection of art, magic, grief, and resilience. The conversation unfolds as a tapestry of personal stories, spiritual encounters, and creative philosophy, centered around David J's new poetry collection, *Rhapsody, Threnody and Prayer*. Through intimate recollections of collaborations with icons like Genesis P-Orridge, Timothy Leary, and William Burroughs, David J reveals how his work has long been a ritual of connection—channeling the dead, embracing the broken, and finding beauty in darkness. The episode delves into the transformative power of vulnerability, the sacredness of the mundane, and the idea that true strength lies not in control, but in gentleness and openness. From the haunting story of a voodoo doll that seemingly orchestrated a fire at Rick Rubin’s house to the quiet magic of a shared glance during a rehearsal, the narrative underscores a worldview where the broken are not discarded but revered as vessels of light. Ultimately, the episode becomes a meditation on how art and compassion can be acts of resistance in a collapsing world.