This week on the show Sara J. is joined by musician and podcast host Mark Hopkins for a wide-ranging conversation that’s equal parts heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply human.
They dive into everything — from the power of music and raw emotion to time itself, ghost stories from Salem, UFOs, and beyond.
Mark shares how hearing Pearl Jam’s Ten for the first time changed the trajectory of his life, the early influence of his siblings’ eclectic music tastes, and the unwavering support of his father. A lifelong student of music, he reflects on the Baltimore music scene, playing with past guest Dan Wallace, and the endless joy of falling down music’s rabbit holes, taking the things he loves along the way and adding his finger print to create his own musical "mad libs"
They talk creativity’s highs and lows, releasing three new songs in 2025, and the importance of pouring into yourself — including workouts (because yes, Sara loves her workouts).
From interviewing Pearl Jam’s first drummer to working remotely for Berklee College of Music while raising his daughter, Mark opens up about life, art, and staying connected to your 15-year-old self, even when you’re “adulting.”
Plus: his podcast At Home with Mark (Sara will be a live guest on Oct 28 at 6pm ET!), the magic of meeting your heroes, and why music lovers are all just a little bit like Swifties.
More from this week's guest: https://linktr.ee/Markhopkinsmusic?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafQn7eUUTvuENftgU0gyBd8FB9xHD_D1J_ht2BcjYvKOTub1JnNBwtOJmR4mA_aem_aYJ3m08maMAIKlHuq7FYsg
Falling Branch Farm Brewery Pumpkin Fest October 4th: https://www.fallingbranch.beer/events-calendar-1
Donate to DATC Media Company: https://datcmediacompany.com/support
Give the gift of Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Datcmediacompany/gift
The DATC Media Podcast Family: https://datcmediacompany.com/podcasts
Want to be a guest on the show? https://datcmediacompany.com/contact/ola/services/be-a-guest-on-dropped-among-this-crowd-podcast
Want to be a RoughGauge featured artist? Send an email to: saraj@roughgaugellc.com
Want to work with Sara? Book a one-on-one session to bring your music/media vision to life: https://datcmediacompany.com/contact/ola/services/consulting-services-with-sara-j
Let's Collab! https://datcmediacompany.com/collab-opportunties-1
Want to hang out virtually? Join Sara and jD on Sunday nights on YouTube for Hip fan convos! https://www.youtube.com/@dewvre1974
Curious about the October 4th Toronto event? https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/a-celebration-of-the-hip-for-als-tickets-1137838598879?aff=oddtdtcreator
Follow DATC Media:
https://datcmediacompany.com
https://www.facebook.com/datcmedia
https://www.instagram.com/datcmediacompany/
Follow Dropped Among This Crowd Podcast:
https://www.instagram.com/droppedamongthiscrowdpodcast/
https://www.facebook.com/droppedamongthiscrowd/
Email: droppedamongthiscrowdpod@gmail.com
Book a conversation on "Dropped among this Crowd": https://datcmediacompany.com/contact/ola/services/be-on-dropped-among-this-crowd-podcast
Follow Sara J:
https://www.facebook.com/sara.till41/
https://www.instagram.com/sarajachimiak/