The Harder to Breathe Podcast

A Heartfelt Farewell: The End of an Era

Summary In this episode of the Harder To Breathe podcast, hosts Ryan Dusick and Brian "Duck" Maillard reflect on their journey together, discussing the decision to pause the podcast indefinitely. They share personal updates about their lives, including holiday experiences and the challenges of parenting. The conversation delves into the evolution of their friendship and the skills they've developed through the podcast, such as improved listening and deeper connections. They express gratitude for their listeners and the impact the show has had on their lives, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and connection in their future endeavors. The episode concludes with a hopeful outlook on maintaining their friendship and possibly creating new content in the future. Keywords Harder To Breathe, Ryan Dusick, Brian Maillard, mental health podcast, friendship, parenting, personal growth, podcasting journey, connection, authenticity Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Holiday Reflections 06:00 Parenting Challenges and Insights 10:40 Podcast Announcement and Future Plans 31:15 The Impact of Podcasting on Personal Growth 37:40 Reflections on Relationships and Connection 45:46 Looking Ahead: Future Possibilities and Creative Freedom

Holiday Special: Aging, Family Triggers, & Finding Gratitude in the Chaos | Harder to Breathe

Feeling like the magic of the holidays is slipping away? Or maybe you're just growing up? In our Season 2 finale, Ryan Dusick and co-host Brian "Duck" Maillard sit down for a candid, heartfelt reflection on another year gone by. From the bittersweet reality of aging parents to navigating family triggers during the holidays, this episode is all about finding grace in life's imperfections. 🎙️ In this episode, we dive into: * The "Grinch" Factor: Why the holidays can be triggering and how to navigate family expectations without losing your mind. * Aging with Perspective: How growing older shifts our definition of success—from chasing achievements to valuing connection and showing up. * The Power of Sentimental Gifts: Ryan shares a tear-jerking story about a baseball card from his dad that proves the best gifts have nothing to do with money. * Season 3 Teaser: Reflections on the growth of the podcast and what's ahead for the new year. Whether you're dreading family dinner or savoring every moment, this episode is a reminder: holidays don't have to be perfect to be meaningful. ⏱️ Timestamps: * 00:00 - Intro * 03:40 - The Reality of Aging: Shifts in career outlook and personal perspective * 08:15 - Alanis Morissette & Artistic Growth: Lessons in evolving beyond accolades * 16:40 - Redefining Success: Being the "glue guy" and a reliable friend * 41:15 - Holiday Triggers & Family Dynamics: Balancing traditions, guilt, and peace * 46:30 - Mother's Day Missteps: Creating meaningful family moments * 1:07:45 - The Sandy Koufax Card: A story of reconnection and love 🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 📲 Follow Harder To Breathe: * Libsyn: sites.libsyn.com/533902 [http://sites.libsyn.com/533902] * Facebook: facebook.com/RyanMichaelDusick [http://facebook.com/RyanMichaelDusick] * Instagram: instagram.com/ryan_michael_dusick [http://instagram.com/ryan_michael_dusick] * TikTok: tiktok.com/@ryandusick [http://tiktok.com/@ryandusick] * LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ryan-dusick-26460894 [http://linkedin.com/in/ryan-dusick-26460894] 🔔 Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more conversations that matter. #HarderToBreathe #Podcast #HolidaySpecial #MentalHealth #Aging #FamilyDynamics #Gratitude #SeasonFinale #Maroon5 #RyanDusick #HolidayStress

Shinedown's Brent Smith: Fighting Monsters, Sobriety, & Rock's Responsibility | Harder to Breathe

"I'm no good to him if I'm dead." That was the realization Shinedown frontman Brent Smith had when his son was born—a moment that sparked a journey from the depths of addiction to becoming one of rock's most powerful voices for mental health. In this raw and inspiring episode, Ryan Dusick and Co-host Brian "Duck" Maillard sit down with Brent Smith to discuss the evolution of Shinedown, from their grunge roots to their massive crossover hit, "A Symptom of Being Human." Brent opens up about his battle with alcoholism and drug addiction, his physical transformation (losing 70 pounds and getting sober), and the brotherhood within the band that saved his life. This is a deep dive into the reality of the rock star life versus the responsibility of the artist. You'll hear about: * The "Just Say No" Failure: Why the old approach to mental health and addiction didn't work, and how we're finally changing the conversation. * The Monster Within: Brent explains the real meaning behind the lyrics of "Monsters" and the daily battle to keep his dark side in check. * Sobriety as a Superpower: How getting sober made Brent "more dangerous" (in the best way possible) as an artist and a leader. * The Power of "Symptom of Being Human": Why this song became a "soul mission" for the band and a love letter to humanity. Don't miss this incredible conversation about resilience, recovery, and the power of music to save lives. 🎧 In this episode, we cover: * 00:00 - Intro * 02:36 - Validation & Ego: Ryan and Duck discuss the healthy balance between internal self-worth and the joy of external validation (like nailing a commercial shoot!). * 15:00 - Musical Roots: Brent and Ryan bond over their shared love for 90s grunge (Soundgarden, Nirvana) and how those bands validated their teenage angst. * 22:00 - "Just Say No" vs. Real Tools: Why the 80s approach to drugs failed and how today's conversation is finally offering real solutions for mental health. * 27:30 - The Turning Point: The making of The Sound of Madness, the lineup change that saved the band, and the grueling 37-month tour that followed. * 33:30 - The Wake-Up Call: How the birth of his son and a terrifying moment on his kitchen floor forced Brent to confront his addiction. * 39:40 - Brotherhood: The pivotal moment when drummer Barry Kerch confronted Brent not with judgment, but with love: "I don't want to watch my friend die." * 53:30 - "My Monsters Are Real": Brent breaks down his lyrics and the reality of living with the "other guy" inside his head. * 58:50 - "You Are Way More Dangerous When You're Sober": The profound advice from a friend that changed Brent's perspective on recovery and performance. * 1:08:00 - Writing Sober: The realization that he wrote and performed the entire Attention Attention album sober—proving he didn't need substances to be creative. * 1:25:00 - "A Symptom of Being Human": Why this song became a mission for the band and a bridge to a massive new audience. 🎧 Listen to the full episode now: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Or wherever you get your podcasts 📲Follow Harder To Breathe: 🎙️ Libsyn: sites.libsyn.com/533902 [https://sites.libsyn.com/533902] 👍 Facebook: facebook.com/RyanMichaelDusick [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://facebook.com/RyanMichaelDusick] 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/ryan_michael_dusick [https://instagram.com/ryan_michael_dusick] 🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@ryandusick [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://tiktok.com/%40ryandusick] 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ryan-dusick-26460894 [http://linkedin.com/in/ryan-dusick-26460894] 📲Follow Brent Smith & Shinedown: IG: https://www.instagram.com/thebrentsmith [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/thebrentsmith] Band IG: https://www.instagram.com/shinedown [https://www.instagram.com/shinedown] Web: https://www.shinedown.com/ [https://www.shinedown.com/] #HarderToBreathe #Podcast #Shinedown #BrentSmith #MentalHealth #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #RockAndRoll #ASymptomOfBeingHuman #Monsters #MusicIndustry #SuicidePrevention

Sara Bareilles on Fear, Broadway, & Why She's "The Opposite of Fearless" | Harder to Breathe Podcast

From "Love Song" to Waitress on Broadway, Sara Bareilles has built a career on vulnerability and taking creative risks. But is she fearless? "I'm the opposite of fearless," she confesses in this intimate interview. Host Ryan Dusick sits down with his old friend Sara Bareilles for a deeply personal conversation about navigating the music industry, overcoming anxiety, and finding your authentic voice. Sara opens up about her mental health journey, the "game-changing" impact of therapy, and why leaning into fear has been the key to her artistic growth. This episode is packed with honest reflections on: * The Myth of Fearlessness: Why fear is actually a useful indicator of where you need to go next. * Mental Health & Creativity: Sara shares her experience with depression and anxiety, and how learning not to "abandon yourself" is crucial for relationships and art. * A Heartfelt Apology: Ryan and Sara share a touching moment of closure regarding a difficult time on tour with Maroon 5. * From Pop Star to Broadway Star: The transition from the charts to the stage, and how Sara found a new sense of community in the theater world. Don't miss this inspiring conversation about embracing imperfection and finding the courage to be messy, complicated, and human. 🎧 In this episode, we cover: 00:00 - Intro 02:40 - Fear as a Compass 05:46 - The Game-Changer 08:00 - Not Abandoning Yourself 09:50 - A Moment of Healing 13:45 - The Broadway Transition 16:33 - "The Interestings" Musical 18:56 - Finding the Sweet Spot 🎧 Listen to the full episode now: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Or wherever you get your podcasts 📲Follow Harder To Breathe: 🎙️ Libsyn: sites.libsyn.com/533902 👍 Facebook: facebook.com/RyanMichaelDusick 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/ryan_michael_dusick 🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@ryandusick 📲Follow Sara Bareilles: IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarabareilles Web: https://www.sarabareilles.com/ #HarderToBreathe #Podcast #SaraBareilles #MentalHealth #Creativity #Broadway #Maroon5 #RyanDusick #AnxietyRelief #Songwriting #Vulnerability

Sadness vs. Depression: Understanding Anhedonia and Finding Political Hope | Harder to Breathe Podcast

Is it just a "bad week," or is it something deeper? In this episode of Harder To Breathe, we explore the often-confusing line between sadness and clinical depression, and how to recognize the signs of anhedonia (the inability to feel pleasure). Ryan shares a profound experience seeing Alanis Morissette live, sparking a conversation about trauma, the #MeToo movement, and shifting from "writing hits" to authentic expression. Co-host Brian "Duck" Maillard opens up about his personal battle with anhedonia (the inability to feel pleasure) and describes exactly what depression feels like physically compared to anxiety. We also dive deep into the psychology of legacy—would you rather be remembered for your accolades or your character? Brian "Duck" Maillard opens up about his recent battles with depression, while we tackle the importance of becoming "untriggerable" by using principles from The Four Agreements. Finally, we touch on the current political climate, finding cautious optimism, and the importance of empathy in a polarized world. 👇 Let us know in the comments: How do you distinguish between just having a "bad day" and feeling truly depressed? What helps you pull yourself out of it? 🎧 In this episode, we cover: 00:00 - Intro 07:48 - The Alanis Morissette Effect 15:47 - Legacy 27:04 - The Four Agreements 37:18 - Depression vs. Sadness 46:40 - A glimmer of hope? Navigating politics, polarization, and finding common ground. 58:00 - The danger of "playing it safe" vs. standing on your principles. 🎧 Listen to the full episode now: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Or wherever you get your podcasts 📲Follow Harder To Breathe: 🎙️ Libsyn: sites.libsyn.com/533902 👍 Facebook: facebook.com/RyanMichaelDusick 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/ryan_michael_dusick 🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@ryandusick 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ryan-dusick-26460894 #HarderToBreathe #Podcast #MentalHealthAwareness #DepressionVsSadness #RecoveryJourney #Anhedonia