This Life-Changing Conversation Will Help You Make Peace With Who You Are
Mel Robbins (host), Mon Rovîa (guest), Mon Rovîa (guest)
In this episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, featuring Mel Robbins and Mon Rovîa, This Life-Changing Conversation Will Help You Make Peace With Who You Are explores from War-Torn Childhood To Healing Voice: Embracing You Fully Mel Robbins interviews musician Monrovia, whose life spans civil war in Liberia, adoption into an American family, addiction, and eventual healing through music. He shares how journaling and songwriting became a safe place to process trauma, shame, survivor’s guilt, and questions of identity. The conversation centers on the idea that life includes suffering, but none of it cancels your belonging or the meaning of your time here. Monrovia offers a framework of “continuing,” reframing guilt as growth and gifts as something meant to be given, to help listeners make peace with who they are.
From War-Torn Childhood To Healing Voice: Embracing You Fully
Mel Robbins interviews musician Monrovia, whose life spans civil war in Liberia, adoption into an American family, addiction, and eventual healing through music. He shares how journaling and songwriting became a safe place to process trauma, shame, survivor’s guilt, and questions of identity. The conversation centers on the idea that life includes suffering, but none of it cancels your belonging or the meaning of your time here. Monrovia offers a framework of “continuing,” reframing guilt as growth and gifts as something meant to be given, to help listeners make peace with who they are.
Key Takeaways
Your life is meant, even when it’s full of suffering.
Monrovia repeatedly emphasizes that pain and hardship do not disqualify you from belonging; your presence here is intentional, and you have an important part to play despite what you’ve endured.
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Use memory as fuel for continuation, not proof you should quit.
When you feel like giving up, look back at what you’ve already survived; remembering past resilience can anchor the belief that you can make it through current struggles as well.
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Create a safe, quiet space to face your truth.
For him, journaling and music were private, judgment-free places to process war, adoption, and conception by violence; he suggests everyone find their own quiet medium to honestly confront their story.
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Transform “I deserve to suffer” into “I get to grow.”
He describes being “in love with his suffering,” believing he deserved pain; the turning point was reframing guilt into opportunities for small, steady growth and choosing better actions day by day.
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Notice and accept the hands that are extended toward you.
Healing accelerated when he finally accepted his adoptive father’s invitation to rebuild a house in California; he urges listeners to recognize the people who keep showing up and let them help.
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Gifts are meant to be given, not hidden.
He resisted sharing his music, doubting he “deserved” to do it and fearing it didn’t fit expectations; once he shared his songs honestly (starting on TikTok), they became a vehicle for others’ healing.
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Practice the ‘art of continuing’ by delaying quitting, not denying struggle.
His inner script—“Not today, I’ll find another day to quit”—honored his pain while choosing to keep going; that simple mental move bought him enough days for life, identity, and purpose to change.
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Notable Quotes
“Life is full of suffering, but it doesn't take away from you belonging in it.”
— Monrovia
“Talking about my stories and the music, all I do it for is for you to know that your time here is meant.”
— Monrovia
“If you stop now, you'll never know the groups of people that are waiting to bring you into that fold or the lives that you're going to impact.”
— Monrovia
“From violence, still beautiful things can come.”
— Monrovia
“You just deserve to be happy. No matter what has happened, you deserve to be happy.”
— Monrovia
Questions Answered in This Episode
How can I apply Monrovia’s idea of “find another day” when my urge to quit feels overwhelming in the moment?
Mel Robbins interviews musician Monrovia, whose life spans civil war in Liberia, adoption into an American family, addiction, and eventual healing through music. ...
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What safe, quiet space or practice could become my version of journaling and music for processing hard truths?
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Where in my life am I still “in love with my suffering,” and what would growth look like instead?
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Whose extended hands or support have I been ignoring or pushing away, and what might change if I accepted their help?
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If I fully believed my time here is meant, what creative gift, conversation, or risk would I finally stop postponing?
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Transcript Preview
You're about to meet someone unlike any other guest who has ever been on the Mel Robbins Podcast.
Life is, is full of suffering, but it doesn't take away from you belonging in it. Talking about my stories and the music, all I do it for is for you to know that your time here is, is meant.
Crooked the road.
His name is Monrovia. You and I are gonna be swept away, not only by his story, but by his humility, his compassion, and the message that he is here to tell you today. It's a message that's gonna leave you feeling loved, empowered, and clear. Mon's life story sounds like a movie, and every bit of it is true. How do you process the survivor guilt?
Move from a place of, of blame to a place of, I think, claiming this opportunity. It was a gift. If you stop now, you'll never know the groups of people that are waiting to bring you into that fold or the lives that you're going to impact in this life on this journey. And so, I believe that you're meant to be here, and I hope you continue.
I'm so proud of you.
Thank you. Means a lot.
I'm- I don't know why I'm gonna cry, but I'm so proud of you.
Maybe tomorrow. We might steal the sun from underneath our eyes.
Hey, it's your friend Mel, and welcome to the Mel Robbins Podcast. I am on the edge of my seat. I am so excited for our conversation today. I'm excited that you're here. It is always such an honor to spend this time together. But today, the fact that I get to meet somebody that I've admired at the same moment you get to meet them, that is just a thrill. And if you're new to the podcast, I wanted to personally take a moment and welcome you to the Mel Robbins Podcast family. I'm so glad that you're here with me right now. And because you made the time to listen to this particular episode today, here's what I know about you. First of all, I know that you value your time, so it means a lot to me that you made the decision to hit play. And you're gonna be so happy that you did because something magical is about to happen. And if you're listening right now because someone shared this conversation with you, it's because I was right. Something magical did happen in this episode and they wanted you to experience it too, and so does my incredible guest today, Monrovia. Monrovia is a phenomenon, a one-of-a-kind musician from Tennessee who has carved out time from a busy touring schedule to be here for this special conversation. You and I are gonna be swept away, not only by his story, but by his humility, his compassion, and the message that he is here to tell you today. It's a message that's gonna leave you feeling loved, empowered, and clear. Mon's life story sounds like a movie, and every bit of it is true. Mon grew up carrying a history and feelings that he couldn't fully explain, until he found music. And now his music is finding people all over the world. I mean, just look at his TikTok. His videos have 17 million likes, and a bunch of them, they're from me. And what he's creating doesn't just cross genres, it crosses continents, generations, and life experiences. Mon blends his Afro-Appalachian roots with raw, personal storytelling, a sound so distinct, so grounding and folksy singer-songwriter, it earned him a spot on Spotify's 2024 Juniper Artists to Watch list. He now reaches over 1.5 million monthly listeners on the platform, proof that his voice is resonating way beyond the stage. And a Monrovia concert? That is something to behold. He has sold out every headline show he's ever played. He's taken the stage at Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, and the legendary Newport Folk Festival. This year, this rising star is going global with a sold out European tour that he just completed and US appearances at major festivals, including Boston Calling and a return to Newport. I mean, this guy is a rising star. But more importantly, there is so much wisdom, not only in his music, but in his life story and what he wants to share with you today, that you can take whatever has happened to you in the past and make something beautiful out of it. So please help me welcome Monrovia to the Mel Robbins Podcast. Monrovia, I am so excited to meet you in person. Thank you for jumping on a plane. Thank you for being here. Congratulations on all your success. I am so excited to talk to you.
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