Welcome to Episode 10!!!! Wait a minute.... episode 10? Seriously??? Yaaaas! I finally made it!!! Woohoo!!

In today's episode, we are discussing how mental health impacts the music industry.

According to a study done by the University of Westminster and MusicTank of musicians, "68.5% of 2,211 said they had experienced depression, and 71.1% said they had experienced severe anxiety or panic attacks. ( These results show that musicians are 3 times more susceptible to depression than the average person. "

That's a lot. Seriously. There is a big problem of mental health in the music industry, and it is not talked about a lot. Musicians can struggle a lot due to relational issues, financial problems, career struggles, societal pressure, and so much more.

Often times, when we look at music celebs, we think their lives must be amazing because they have these fans, and are making big cash. But that's far from the truth. We often don't realize a celeb is struggling with their mental health until they take their own life...

I had the pleasure of interviewing Brian Zhang on the podcast, who discusses mental health in the music industry in depth.

For over a decade, he taught more than 1,000 students and built a thriving music school. But behind the scenes, he battled major depression—a struggle that began at 17 and followed him through his career.

In 2024, he made a difficult decision: he shut down his school to focus on what mattered most—his mental health and helping other musicians do the same.

Now, through The Mental Musiciannewsletter and social media, Brian shares raw, honest stories about burnout, anxiety, and creative exhaustion—giving musicians the tools to break free from the pressures of the industry and rediscover their love for music.

To hear his insights, check out today's new episode as we dive into the underrated topic of mental health for musicians.

To learn more about Brian, you can check him out here:

https://www.instagram.com/brianzhangmusic

https://www.threads.net/@brianzhangmusic

https://thementalmusician.beehiiv.com/subscribe

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-zhang-

Also, if you haven't already and want to stay up to date with the podcast, you can check out more here:

https://www.instagram.com/everythingstorymentalhealth

https://linktr.ee/storytellingmentalhealth

Disclaimer*****

This podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as legal, health and professional advice. This podcast and the host are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such physical or mental health conditions. ​​The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

When you hear the word 'disability,' what comes to your head?

Unfortunately, many think of the terms 'unable' or 'superhuman?' In today's society, there seems to be this stereotypical view toward the disabled community where we either can't or super can.

In reality, a disability is just a spectrum where each individual has strengths and weaknesses.

As an autistic ADHD woman, I can find it very disabling to do certain things while also finding it very enabling to do other things - especially when it comes to doing creative things.

The media industry hasn't done the best representation when it comes to showcasing the disabled community but there definitely seems to be some small improvement when it comes to advocating for the disabled community.

I had the pleasure of interviewing, Alicia Grace Chenier, on the podcast who goes in full depth about what it's like to live in the creative world as a blind actress.

Alicia Grace Chenier is a blind actor, director, and filmmaker who is located in Sudbury Ontario.

To hear her story check out today's brand new episode as we dive into living with a disability in the creative world.

To check out Alicia check out her Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/aliciagraceofficial

Follow my podcast:

https://www.instagram.com/everythingstorymentalhealth

Disclaimer*****

This podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as legal health and professional advice. This podcast and the host are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such physical or mental health conditions. ​​The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

And we're back with part 2 of anxiety and rejection! Join us today as we dive in about personal stories of rejection, ways to manage our anxiety, and how we resonate with Anxiety from Inside Out 2!

Valeria Rusnak is the host and producer of The Rejected Pre-Med podcast, a show dedicated to exploring resilience and mental wellness for those navigating setbacks and rejection. Through her podcast, Valeria shares stories and resources, interviewing guests who open up about their own journeys, all aimed at fostering compassion, self-reflection, and growth in the face of adversity. Living with strong tendencies toward anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality, Valeria offers support to anyone struggling with uncertainty in their path while navigating uncertainty in her own life. Based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Valeria is passionate about helping listeners find strength and perspective, and she’s excited to share her insights on Inside Out 2 in today’s discussion.

If you want to learn more about Valeria Rusnak then you should check her out:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_rejectedpremed_podcast

https://www.instagram.com/valeria_rusnak141

Podcast:

https://rss.com/podcasts/rejected-premed/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeria-rusnak-911043234/

References:

⁠⁠https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22022452/plotsummary/?ref_=tt_stry_pl⁠⁠ - Inside Out 2 synopsis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_nv-kAq-Wg - Therapist reacts to Inside Out 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGp3KKODEbg -How Inside Out 2 Perfectly Depicts Anxiety

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAGS1F2uWlg - Why Anxiety Is A Perfect Villain | Inside Out 2 Review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEa83afD5I0 -INSIDE OUT 2 psychology explained by therapist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwGKgP6V2v4 -Why Joy & Anxiety are the Same Characters! Meg LeFauve

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/generalized-anxiety-disorder

Disclaimer*****

This podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as legal health and professional advice. This podcast and the host are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such physical or mental health conditions. ​​The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

*This episode contains spoilers*

I think we all know what anxiety feels like and it's not a pleasant feeling. It's estimated that 2.7% of U.S. adults are diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and to be honest, I think it's probably higher than that.

If you have seen Inside Out 2 already, then you know that Anxiety's character is a pretty good representation of... anxiety. Yet, I've seen so many misconceptions about the character/emotion and how it's a bad guy and blah blah blah, buuuut that's far from the truth. Anxiety has good intentions but goes about it wrong and that's generally what our anxiety does. One of the biggest factors that Anxiety wants is to keep Riley safe from rejection. But why does Anxiety do this? Well, I had the pleasure of inviting guest speaker Valeria Rusnak for her insight on Anxiety from Inside Out 2 and how it protects us from rejection.

Valeria Rusnak is the host and producer of The Rejected Pre-Med podcast, a show dedicated to exploring resilience and mental wellness for those navigating setbacks and rejection. Through her podcast, Valeria shares stories and resources, interviewing guests who open up about their journeys, all aimed at fostering compassion, self-reflection, and growth in the face of adversity. Living with strong tendencies toward anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality, Valeria offers support to anyone struggling with uncertainty in their path while navigating uncertainty in her own life. Based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Valeria is passionate about helping listeners find strength and perspective, and she’s excited to share her insights on Inside Out 2 in today’s discussion.

If you want to learn more about Valeria Rusnak then you should check her out:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_rejectedpremed_podcast

https://www.instagram.com/valeria_rusnak141

Podcast:

https://rss.com/podcasts/rejected-premed/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeria-rusnak-911043234/

References:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22022452/plotsummary/?ref_=tt_stry_pl - Inside Out 2 synopsis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_nv-kAq-Wg - Therapist reacts to Inside Out 2

How Inside Out 2 Perfectly Depicts Anxiety

Why Anxiety Is A Perfect Villain | Inside Out 2 Review

INSIDE OUT 2 psychology explained by therapist

Why Joy & Anxiety are the Same Character! Meg LeFauve

Disclaimer*****

This podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as legal health and professional advice. This podcast and the host are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such physical or mental health conditions. ​​The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

Confidence, confidence, confidence... It's challenging to find in a highly competitive world. As a creative individual—whether I’m writing, photographing, filmmaking, singing, or acting—I often feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of talent surrounding me.Let’s be honest: it can be especially tough when you're neurodivergent and dealing with trauma, anxiety disorders, depression, and other psychological factors. So, is confidence truly achievable in today’s world? I have good news: yes, it is. The truth is, you already possess confidence; it’s been inside you all along. It’s like a jacket that’s been shoved into the back of your closet, hidden and hard to find. I uncovered this truth about myself this year as I made significant self-discoveries.But how do you actually find confidence? Well, I had the pleasure of interviewing Linda Cajuste in today’s episode. Linda Cajuste is a dedicated Confidence Coach, ACC ICF certified life coach, and ideation strategist who empowers shy and introverted women entrepreneurs to find their voices and confidently pursue their goals. With over 15 years of experience in the corporate world as an accountant, she understands the challenges of stepping outside your comfort zone. After more than a decade of studying improv, Linda integrates creativity and spontaneity into her coaching approach. As the co-founder of My Creative Break, she creates meaningful opportunities for authentic networking and connection and runs a teambuilding company that emphasizes collaboration.

If you want to learn more about Linda Cajuste and want to work with her then you should check her out:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yes2youcoaching

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindacajuste/

Also if you haven't already and want to stay up to date with the podcast you check out more on the gram:

https://www.instagram.com/everythingstorymentalhealth

Disclaimer*****

This podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as legal health and professional advice. This podcast and the host are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such physical or mental health conditions. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

I've spoken a lot about ADHD and other mental health conditions that can impact our creative world, but what about learning disabilities?

Learning disabilities are conditions that affect a person's ability to learn information, including reading, writing, math, listening, and speaking, despite having normal intelligence.

Unfortunately, individuals with learning disabilities, along with other forms of disabilities, are often overlooked. Less than 1% of writers in the TV industry are disabled, despite 29% of the U.S. population having disabilities... yikes!

Today, I'm interviewing speech pathologist Virginia Taylor to discuss this matter. Virginia Taylor runs her own private practice as a speech-language pathologist specializing in literacy intervention. She works with clients of all ages, including children and adults, in Columbia, South Carolina, and through teletherapy in other areas.

If you're considering taking a dyslexia evaluation, you should check her out:

Mobile: 803 200 1928

Email: ⁠info@literacylinktherapy.com⁠.

Also if you haven't already and want to stay up to date with the podcast you can check out more on the gram:

https://www.instagram.com/everythingstorymentalhealth

Resources

https://www.inevitable.foundation/why

Disclaimer***

This podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as legal health and professional advice. This podcast and the host are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such physical or mental health conditions. ​​The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

I remember when I did plays and musicals. That was a fun time and so long ago. I can't believe it's been over 10 years since I was in a musical.

In today's episode, I had the special honor of interviewing Playwrigther, Camille Simone Thomas.

Camille Simone Thomas is a playwright and creative located in the Bronx. She’s a 5th generation Detroiter through her father’s side and a first-generation Jamaican through her mother's. It’s important for her to name this because her work most often interrogates cultural legacies, familial healing, spirituality + ancestral wisdom, and the general kicking and screaming of how Black femmes get free despite the oppressive forces of colonialism, capitalism, and white supremacy.

Her plays have been workshopped at New York Theatre Workshop, Playwrights Horizons, Sanguine Theatre Company, Blackboard Playwriting series, Lime Arts Theatre Company, American Slavery Project, The Obie Award-winning Harlem9 and Detroit Public Theatre Company, Dixon Place, Workshop Theatre, Barter Theatre Company, The National Women's Theatre Festival, The Brick, and more!

You can check Camille's website and social ⬇️

https://www.camillesthomas.com/

https://www.instagram.com/camille4reel

And here is her upcoming play coming up in LA

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-light-in-dark-places-plays-for-hope-tickets-1000994370107?aff=oddtdtcreator

And you can follow me on the gram ⬇️

https://www.instagram.com/everythingstorymentalhealth

Disclaimer***

This podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as legal health and professional advice. This podcast and the host are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such physical or mental health conditions. ​​The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

Golly... writing is just super freaking hard y'all. That's just in general too. If writing were that easy everyone would be doing it, and it's a thousand times harder for those who struggle with mental health conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, autism, depression, OCD, learning disabilities, and many many more.

I've recently fallen back into my passion for writing and I've been looking for ways to improve my writing process. I know I'm not alone in facing challenges when it comes to writing, so I researched and created a list of 11 techniques that can help anyone kick-start their writing. Whether you're working on a script, blog, book, or anything else, I'm confident that these tips will have a positive impact on your writing journey.

Pomodoro Youtube Videos

Disclaimer***

This podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as legal health and professional advice. This podcast and the host are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such physical or mental health conditions. ​​The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.