Brett Anderson, MSG, MSW - Journey From Rock Musician To Rethinking Aging, Longevity & Mental Health

Brett Anderson, MSG, MSW is a Gerontologist and Clinical Social Worker on a mission to rethink aging, longevity & mental health.
Ms. Anderson was also the former lead singer of the American Rock group, The Donnas ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Donnas ), where she was the lead vocalist for 20 years, performing throughout the U.S., as well as internationally, and had performances / appearances on major network shows including Saturday Night Live, David Letterman and Late Night with Conan O’Brien.
Ms. Anderson received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Stanford University, her MSG, Gerontology from the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, and her Master of Social Work - MSW, from the
UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.
Now pursuing a career as a licensed geriatric social worker, Ms. Anderson hopes to integrate her creative and business experience, with her gerontological knowledge, to better meet the needs of our rapidly aging population.

[@LinkRocks]

There hasn't been a lot of info on what the ladies from The Donnas are up to these days, so it's very nice to see Brett doing so well. These are topics I could talk about for hours so I really enjoyed this conversation. Thank you for posting it!

[@ProgressPotentialPossibilities]

Thanks so much!

[@gerardcooney1810]

Great to see that Brett is doing so well.A very Smart and Classy Lady.

[@seandela1694]

As both a big fan of The Donna's, and getting old myself....glad to see this! Keep up the good work, Brett!

[@epessoarocha]

Man!! I used to listen The Donnas 20 years ago all day in my job. I was the manager and a guy yeled at me why I tormented him everyday listening that. After 20 years he is a closeted film-maker and unhappy. Everyone who loves The Donnas is someone who has dealt with their inner issues. That's why, in my opinion, she chose to pursue psychology.

[@axllebeer]

I remember being in my early 20's seeing the Donnas in Cleveland OH and was just so amazed by the power of the whole band. I have also wondered what they have all been up to and glad that Brett seems happy and has reinvented herself. I miss those days though.

[@diamondstar1200]

I've always known these ladies were not only extremely talented but also intelligent. It was palpable as soon as they opened their mouths.

[@lesbianmustardbottle957]

Agreed. They always struck me as being genuinely cool. Very rare.

[@williamlaseur3993]

Love the interview! I saw the Donna’s. Brett came out and said: we are a rock band from the Bay Area. Then they just shredded! Great to see her in a similar field to me and not the usual rock star stereotype ending. Go Brett!

[@rodycaz8984]

I discovered The Donnas recently, so watching this is pretty interesting. Too bad the band isn't around anymore.

[@Retfie719]

Saame here. How could I have missed them (spoiler: because they never became "big" in the sense that I could have even heard about them as a pre-teen in Europe).

[@Guitarzzzzzzz173]

What a wonderful interview! Thank you for posting this.

[@MrJoeawsome]

I can't believe this is the girl from donnas

[@benwool6090]

thx for sharing!

[@ProgressPotentialPossibilities]

You bet!

[@alohaboy62]

Very cool story! Impressive gal.

[@laurencekent1930]

Larry Kent here. I think my 1st Donnas show was at the Edge back in 1995 or 6?, when the Donnas had matching teeshirts with 'the Donnas', written on the front. Or maybe it was at the Great American Music Hall, or Slim's. Well I instantly became a Donnaholic for life. I saw Brett and the Donnas performing maybe 30 or more times during the 8 or 9 years. I have a chronological list and photos I'd like to share if your planning on writing a book 📚. Mostly at places around the San Francisco bay area. But I remember being at Donnas concerts at the Roxy on Sunset Blvd in L.A. And at the House of Blues in Las Vegas 🎲🎲, another time I followed the tour from San Francisco to the DV8 in Salt Lake and then to the Bluebird in Denver. The Donnas tour that year continued on to New York 🗽, but I had to turn back and return to California. I wanted to go to Australia 🇭🇲 but couldn't afford it that year. Eventually I saw more Donnas shows at Slim's on 11th st in San Francisco and at Bimbo's near the warf and at THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL and in Sacramento. I was on my way to L.A. when the events of September 11, 2001 happened and several Donnas shows were cancelled. The next time I saw Brett sing was at Malos and the Satellite near Silver Lake in L.A with the Stripminers?? Or Alpha Beta?? Well I retired from the Cal Army National Guard and I get a small military pension🪖 and social security. I also am extremely lucky to have a HUD Section 8 housing voucher, I have lived at the Bethlehem Tower in Santa Rosa for 7 years. My address is Apt #1402, 801 Tupper st, Santa Rosa CA 95404. I haven't drank alcohol for 8 years and I go to AA meetings once a week. I'm 65 here in 2023. My phone is 7073049885, please text to me. I have hundreds of photos of the Donnas shows and would like to give Brett copies of my photography. I wish I could go to a AA meeting where Brett would be there so I could tell her I am happy she found recovery and redemption. It makes me happy to think of Brett talking about healthy ways to live a longer life. I am proud of you Brett for getting an Education and for helping other people live better lives. My own health is fairly good for my age and I have many many happy memories of the touring days of the Donnas. I used to work at the Post Office when I first met Brett signing autographs at the merchandise table. I once met her father and ate french fries 🍟 while he told me he was very proud of his daughter and her music 🎶. Dear Brett I hope we can somehow meet again in person and talk about the Donnas, and about recovery and ways to have a longer life through good food, clean living and rest and shelter. The Donnas concerts helped me learn about venues outside of Santa Rosa and the Donnas were and are a source of joy for me. I still love, 🎤RADIO, RADIO,..GIMME GIMME,..RADIO RADIO GIMME GIMME, and all those wonderful songs from Teenage Rock Roll Machine, the Donnas Spend the Night and The Donnas Turn 21. Please please text to me or send a letter. I don't have a functioning Email right now even though this phone has an old Email address I lost the password for. I hope this text note isn't too forward, too fresh, too dumb and immature or somehow too inappropriate or something. I miss the live concerts. I wish I could say hello again someday to 🎸Allison, 🔊Maya and 🥁Torry. Well I volunteered all my personal contact information because I don't know any other way to make contact. Please reach out and say hello if you ever are not busy and have a free moment. I have been a fan since the Lookout Record days and I am very happy that you are aware these days of the bad health effects of alcohol and drugs. Depression and frustrations over money problems, romantic misadventures and health issues used to bother me and it's refreshing and inspiring to see Brett Anderson talking about the 12 steps and other recovery programs. Brett I just wanted to tell you that those Donnas concerts were super fun for me and that the Donnas had excellent exciting original songs that cheered me up and gave me many good reasons to live and to keep on living the good life. 💐Brett you were and still are very clean, healthy, honest, beautiful and multi-talented. And I my opinion every bit as skilled, as mesmerizing at being the front woman of a touring🎶 rock & roll outfit as any Susanna Hoffs, Belinda Carlisle or Madonna and very best of all you Brett Anderson, were from Palo Alto and always singing 🎶 good sounding songs at swell places all around the greater San Francisco bay area. Brett I have always thought you were very very good looking and intelligent. This good news about your education and new line of work makes me feel wonderful because I always knew you had brains and smarts and just needed some time to get it all together and all set. Thank you thank you for the good times. And thank you thank you for the update and good news of your College Degree and work in Rehab recovery. Please, please contact me because maybe I can get my Medical insurance to cover therapy. I'm a gentleman and promise to be on my very best behavior around you and your friends. Signed Larry Kent😁

[@Retfie719]

After the first paragraph, this suddenly became way too creepy

[@mickmarsbar81]

@@Retfie719 There are paragraphs?! I didn’t even attempt to read that

[@charlieekstrom3324]

Wow

[@TheBassman28]

Lets make Rock n Roll Babies :) hehe hehehe brilliant interview!

[@ProgressPotentialPossibilities]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@eprohoda]

what'up- Yo-this is stunningg vlog~ see u around.

[@ProgressPotentialPossibilities]

Thanks for coming

[@mrjackpotz]

very sad