CHECK YOUR HEAD: Mental Help for Musicians Mari Fong

Mari Fong interviews Zac Barnett of American Authors and Chris Bullard, former touring musician and founder of Sound Mind Live. Zac Barnett of American Authors shares about caring for his mother with bipolar disorder and the importance of being a mental health support for those you love. American Authors will be playing at the upcoming Music for Mental Health concert on May 21, 2022, hosted by the nonprofit, Sound Mind Live. Next, Chris Bullard, the founder of Sound Mind Live, shares how his own bipolar disorder inspired him to become a mental health advocate for musicians.
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Mari Fong interviews Jared Watson of Dirty Heads and Dave Schools of and the Neal Casal Foundation and Widespread Panic. Jared Watson shares how his hard partying ways with Dirty Heads ("Lay Me Down," "Stand Tall") descended into alcohol and drug abuse. He recollects his wake up call when rushed to the hospital, barely able to move from his tour bunk bed. Depression and anxiety followed, with his road to recovery being a remarkable one. Their latest album, 'The Best of Dirty Heads' features the single "Rage" with Travis Barker and Aimee Allen of The Interrupters.
 
Next, we have Dave Schools of Widespread Panic talk about Neal Casal, a musician who died from mental illness in 2019, and the  Neal Casal Music Foundation.  Dave explains the mental rigors of being a touring musician and the foundation's mission to improve the lives of others also battling mental illness. The tribute album 'Highway Butterfly: The Songs of Neal Casal' is out now, with 41 incredible musicians singing the songs of this beloved musician.   

“Be brave, ask for help, and be persistent in finding the mental help that you need.” For free and affordable solutions for mental health and addiction recovery, visit: http://checkyourheadpodcast.com/
* Donate to our mission at checkyourheadpodcast.com or on our patreon.com page. Every dollar is appreciated, every listener is appreciated.
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Mari Fong interviews singer-songwriter Amos Lee and Dr. Melissa Boudin, psychologist and Clinical Director of Choosing Therapy. Amos Lee spent his life coping with anxiety and panic attacks which led him to be agoraphobic at the tender age of 10 years-old.  Lee shares his panic attack recovery tools, and also how to best support someone with mood disorders.  We'll also play a clip of his single, "Worry No More" from his 6th album, 'Dreamland.'

Next, Dr. Melissa Boudin, psychologist and Clinical Director of Choosing Therapy explains the breathing techniques and other skills that can be learned to effectively calm panic attacks.  Dr. Boudin also shares how online therapy or telehealth is effective and convenient whether you're on tour or at home.

“Be brave, ask for help, and be persistent in finding the mental help that you need.” For free and affordable solutions for mental health and addiction recovery, visit: http://checkyourheadpodcast.com/
* Donate to our mission at checkyourheadpodcast.com or on our patreon.com page. Every dollar is appreciated, every listener is appreciated.
THANK YOU for following us on social media @checkyourheadpodcastWatch and subscribe to our YouTube Channel:  checkyourheadpodcast.youtubeSupport the show

Mari Fong interviews Matt Brandyberry of From Ashes to New and Eva Marie AKA Amanda Lyberg, psychotherapist and lead singer of Eva Under Fire.  Matt Brandyberry shares his story what led to his personal breakdown which triggered panic attacks, anxiety and depression. The pros and cons of competitiveness. From Ashes to New's single and latest album "Panic" is an insight to these moods along with 3 EPs dropped in 2021 entitled "Quarantine Chronicles." Listen to a clip of "Panic" after Matt's interview.

Next, our mental health expert is a psychotherapist, clinical psychologist and lead singer of the band Eva Under Fire, Eva Marie AKA Amanda Lyberg. Eva Marie shares panic attack solutions, how to advocate for your mental health on tour, and why facing our demons is hard, but better than drowning our sorrows. Listen to a clip of Eva Under Fire's single "Unstoppable" off their debut album, Love, Drugs & Misery.

“Be brave, ask for help, and be persistent in finding the mental help that you need.” For free and affordable solutions for mental health and addiction recovery, visit: http://checkyourheadpodcast.com/
* Donate to our mission at checkyourheadpodcast.com or on our patreon.com page. Every dollar is appreciated, every listener is appreciated.
THANK YOU for following us on social media @checkyourheadpodcastWatch and subscribe to our YouTube Channel:  checkyourheadpodcast.youtubeSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/checkyourheadpodcast)
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Mari Fong interviews contemporary classical pianist RIOPY and Dr. Benjamin Miller, PsyD and President of Well Being Trust.  Pianist and composer Jean-Philippe Rio-Py (RIOPY), who wrote the score for award-winning films The Shape of Water and The Danish Girl, grew up in a cult where he was physically and emotionally abused until his escape. As a child, he survived by escaping to the piano, where he could quiet his mind from his OCD, anxiety and depression. RIOPY shares his unique solutions for recovery along with a clip of "Sweet Awakening," an instrumental off his latest album, Bliss.   
 
Next, mental health expert, President of Well Being Trust, and musician Dr. Benjamin Miller talks about the power of music and the power of meditation in healing both our minds and our souls. Well Being Trust is a philanthropy dedicated to advancing the mental, social and spiritual health of the nation at wellbeingtrust.org.

“Be brave, ask for help, and be persistent in finding the mental help that you need.” For free and affordable solutions for mental health and addiction recovery, visit: http://checkyourheadpodcast.com/
* Donate to our mission at checkyourheadpodcast.com or on our patreon.com page. Every dollar is appreciated, every listener is appreciated.
THANK YOU for following us on social media @checkyourheadpodcastWatch and subscribe to our YouTube Channel:  checkyourheadpodcast.youtubeSupport the show

Mari Fong interviews Nina Ljeti and Jacob Loeb of Kills Birds, and Johanna Kandel of the National Alliance For Eating Disorders.  Nina and Jacob of the band Kills Birds share their  pandemic challenges, depression solutions, Nina's toxic relationship recovery, and the story behind Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters inviting the band to record their latest album, "Married," at his studio and as an opening act for the Foos. We play a clip of their single, "Rabbit" inspired by Nina's abusive relationship.

Next, we have mental health expert Johanna Kandel, founder and CEO of the National Alliance For Eating Disorders and author of "Life Beyond Your Eating Disorder." A former ballerina and 10-year survivor of eating disorders, Johanna gives recovery advice, how The Alliance can help, and their "Not One More" Weekend,  Feb. 25-27, 2022, which features advocates like singer-songwriter Demi Lovato as a part of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

“Be brave, ask for help, and be persistent in finding the mental help that you need.” For free and affordable solutions for mental health and addiction recovery, visit: http://checkyourheadpodcast.com/
* Donate to our mission at checkyourheadpodcast.com or on our patreon.com page. Every dollar is appreciated, every listener is appreciated.
THANK YOU for following us on social media @checkyourheadpodcastWatch and subscribe to our YouTube Channel:  checkyourheadpodcast.youtubeSupport the show