Host Mari Fong interviews pop singer/songwriter David Archuleta and psychotherapist Thomas Keenan-Hunt. 

David's story begins as a devout Mormon that includes a message from above that helped him move past his suicidal thoughts to finally come out as gay. David also talks about his natural solutions to calm his paralyzing anxiety attacks. His new EP entitled “Earthly Delights” drops August 15, followed by a tour this September 17, 2025 his first tour in five years. At the end of our episode we’ll also play a clip of his new single, “Creme Brûlée.”

Our featured expert is psychotherapist Thom Keenan-Hunt, who specializes in the LGBTQ community and also worked extensively with homeless queer youth. We’ll discuss the common challenges and solutions that can often drive LGBTQ youth toward suicide along with his advice for those looking to come out when growing up in a religion that does not support homosexuality or the queer lifestyle. 

Be brave, ask for help, and be persistent in finding the mental help that you need.

*THANK YOU for supporting our podcast through www.checkyourheadpodcast.com and through our patreon.com page. Every dollar is appreciated, every listener is appreciated <3

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Welcome to the premiere episode of our fifth season of CHECK YOUR HEAD Podcast, the podcast where notable musicians and experts share their stories and solutions for mental help and addiction recovery. I’m your host, Mari Fong, and today I’ve chosen to spotlight our partner MTV for “Mental Health Action Day” which is today, May 15th. Our mental health action was to create and premiere this very special episode that I’m incredibly excited about. So I ask you, what action will you take today, and everyday, to improve your mental health?

But now to our featured guests. Today we have a musician who has sold over 30 million albums with hits like “you were meant for me” and “standing still,” and dropped her 13th studio album entitled “freewheelin woman” in 2022. she was a winner on the popular show, The Masked Singer. Yes,today’s featured guest is singer/songwriter and mental health advocate, JEWEL. And in honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, “Jewel’s Lullaby Club,” was announced, which is a special four-week series inspired by Jewel’s iconic album Lullaby, originally created to manage her own stress and also to soothe her son to sleep. Next, paired with Jewel, is an expert who was also a touring musician as the former drummer for Maroon 5, but now he’s a licensed therapist, a speaker and author of the book and podcast called, “harder to breathe,” today’s expert is RYAN DUSICK. But first, let’s hear the ever-talented Jewel, share her story.

For more information on Jewel, visit jeweljk.com where you’ll find information on “Jewel’s Lullaby Club” in partnership with Inspiring Children’s Foundation.org, also visit jewelneverbroken.com for mental health fitness tools, education, and more, and for more information Ryan Dusick, as a therapist, coach, speaker and author of the book and podcast “Harder to Breathe” visit ryandusick.com. And, on checkheadpodcast.com, you’ll find the largest online list of free and affordable mental health and addiction recovery solutions along with everything you’d ever want to know about the CHECK YOUR HEAD Podcast. 

“Be brave, ask for help, and be persistent in finding the mental help that you need.” *THANK YOU for supporting our podcast through www.checkyourheadpodcast.com and through our patreon.com page. Every dollar is appreciated, every listener is appreciated <3

For free or affordable mental help, visit: http://checkyourheadpodcast.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/checkyourheadpodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/checkyourheadpodcast

Instagram: @checkyourheadpodcast https://www.instagram.com/checkyourheadpodcast/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@checkyourheadpodcast5174

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CHECK YOUR HEAD Podcast "Reboot" of Sammi Doll (Kat Von D, IAMX, Bullet Height, solo artist) with Mari Fong & Kat Jensen speaking on Depression & ADHD Recovery for Mental Health Awareness Week, May 12-18, 2025.

Mari Fong interviews Sammi Doll (Kat Von D, IAMX, Bullet Height) on depression and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder), then Mari Fong (former Life Coach for Musicians) discusses the interview with Kat Jensen (Producer, Social & Behavioral degree). Sammi Doll shares her facebook post while in the depths of depression, how the social media post affected her fans, her experience living in Berlin, Germany while in a crumbling relationship, and feeling stagnant and lost. 

How Sammi was confronted by a caring and compassionate bandmate, feeling valued, how healing began with a move back to sunny Los Angeles and starting a new chapter. Being diagnosed with ADHD, the difference between taking medication and not taking medication, feeling scattered, and remembering 5 good things that happened today. 

Kat Jensen and host Mari talk about the signs to look for with depression, what you can do to help yourself and others during a depressive episode, and how to show compassion during the pandemic. Helpful apps, teleheath, and texting that can be used to find mental help on the checkyourheadpodcast.com website. 

“Be brave, ask for help, and be persistent in finding the mental help that you need.” *THANK YOU for supporting our podcast through www.checkyourheadpodcast.com and through our patreon.com page. Every dollar is appreciated, every listener is appreciated <3

For free or affordable mental help, visit: http://checkyourheadpodcast.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/checkyourheadpodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/checkyourheadpodcast

Instagram: @checkyourheadpodcast https://www.instagram.com/checkyourheadpodcast/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@checkyourheadpodcast5174

Say hello and give us feedback! We love hearing from our Superhero fans ❤️🤘

Support the show

Say hello and give us feedback! We love hearing from our Superhero fans ❤️🤘

Support the show

CHECK YOUR HEAD Podcast "Reboot" of While She Sleeps (Sean Long) & Therapist Andrea Vassilev (DBSA) speaking on Panic Attacks & Agoraphobia Recovery for Mental Health Awareness Month, May 2025.

Mari Fong interviews guitarist Sean Long of While She Sleeps and Andrea Vassilev of DBSA, San Gabriel Valley. Sean Long share his story and solutions for recovery for anxiety, panic attacks, panic disorder and agoraphobia. While She Sleeps’s single “Nervous” off their new album Sleeps Society is based on Sean’s mental health journey and admits the song is the most important one he’s ever written. 

Andrea Vassilev of DBSA San Gabriel Valley explains panic disorder and how it can easily escalate to agoraphobia if untreated. She shares her thoughts on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and medication as treatment for panic disorder.  

“Be brave, ask for help, and be persistent in finding the mental help that you need.”
 For free or affordable mental help, 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 <3

• THANK YOU for following and liking us on social media @checkyourheadpodcast
• Watch and subscribe to our YouTube Channel:  checkyourheadpodcast.youtube

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CHECK YOUR HEAD Podcast "Reboot" of Tower of Power (Emilio Castillo) & Tim Ringgold (Music Therapist, Sonic Recovery) speaking on Drug & Sex Addiction Recovery for National Counseling Awareness Month, April 2025.

Mari Fong interviews Emilio Castillo (Tower of Power) and Tim Ringgold, MT-BC (Music Therapist & Author of Sonic Recovery: Harness the Power of Music to Stay Sober) on addiction and mental health. Emilio Castillo shares his story of addiction to alcohol, heroin, marijuana, cocaine, eating, and more. 

Hear why Emilio would create drug recipes and party with bandmate “Doc” Kupka, and why singer Rick Stevens went to prison for 36 years. Emilio finds hope in recovery with the 12-steps and finally listening to others. Emilio shares his four words of advice to musicians who desire a long career in music.

Music therapist Tim Ringgold shares his story of sex addiction and finding healing through music therapy. He shares the importance of trying many tools for recovery until you find what's right for you.  Listen to Tower of Power's “Look In My Eyes" from Step Up which dropped March 2020.

“Be brave, ask for help, and be persistent in finding the mental help that you need.” * Thank you for subscribing to our podcast and supporting us through Patreon or on checkyourheadpodcast.com. Every dollar is appreciated, every listener is appreciated.  For free or affordable mental help, visit: http://checkyourheadpodcast.com/

Subscribe on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/checkyourheadpodcast

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CHECK YOUR HEAD Podcast "Reboot" of The Lumineers (Wesley Schultz) & Kerry Abernathy (Therapist & Addiction Specialist) speaking on Alcoholism & Mood Disorders Affecting Families for Alcohol Awareness Month, April 2025.

Mari Fong interviews Wesley Schultz of The Lumineers with Kerri Abernathy, Marriage & Family Therapist and Addiction Specialist.  Schultz shares how a family member's severe alcoholism and  mood disorders affect him and his wife and the lives of other family members. The muse for The Lumineers's song "Gloria," this woman was sent to the ER 99 times in one year due to her alcoholism. Finding help with an addiction specialist and creating healthy boundaries for your own mental health.  Listen to The Lumineers's single "Brightside" off their new album of the same name.

Next, we have Marriage & Family Therapist and Addiction Specialist Kerri Abernathy who shares her own experience as a recovering alcoholic, and her professional advice what you can do to protect yourself from the alcoholic's ongoing drama. How to help the addict while also helping yourself, and the importance of the alcoholic experiencing the harsh consequences of addiction.

“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 @checkyourheadpodcast
• Watch and subscribe to our YouTube Channel:  checkyourheadpodcast.youtube

Support the show

Say hello and give us feedback! We love hearing from our Superhero fans ❤️🤘

Support the show

CHECK YOUR HEAD Podcast "Reboot" of Sal Rodriguez (WAR) & Jeff Duke speaking on Alcoholism & Multi-Drug Addiction recovery for Alcohol Awareness Month, April 2025.

Mari Fong interviews Sal Rodriguez of WAR and Jeff Duke, Founder of Christ Powered Recovery.  Sal Rodriguez shares how music, drinking alcohol and parties were part of his lifestyle growing up which led to an addiction to cocaine and selling LSD as a teen. His obsessive-compulsive behaviors made it hard to stop using but eventually found his solutions through Christ Powered Recovery and the 12 steps. Multi-platinum selling band WAR celebrates their 52nd anniversary in 2021.
 
Next, we have Sal Rodriguez's mentor and founder of Christ Powered Recovery, Jeff Duke, who  shares his knowledge on why the program worked for Sal and how to prevent relapse with our mood disorders and addictions. With 26 years of sobriety, Jeff shares common trials and tribulations of recovery and how a better life is waiting for you on the other side.
 
“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 @checkyourheadpodcast
• Watch and subscribe to our YouTube Channel:  checkyourheadpodcast.youtube

Say hello and give us feedback! We love hearing from our Superhero fans ❤️🤘

Support the show

CHECK YOUR HEAD Podcast "Reboot" of Katelyn Tarver speaking on Anxiety & Teen Self-Doubt for World Teen Mental Health Day, celebrated on March 2, 2025.

Mari Fong interviews Katelyn Tarver, singer-songwriter and actress, and Dr. Adi Jaffe, psychologist, addiction specialist, and author of The Abstinence Myth. 

Katelyn Tarver shares her story and solutions for living with anxiety and teen self-doubt, growing up in the spotlight as a young girl. Katelyn was only 16 when her first EP was released, followed by 5 more EPs before winning NBC's "Songland" in 2019.  Katelyn was only 14 when she first debuted on television, often feeling overwhelming fear and nervousness throughout her career.  

Next, we have Part 2 of the interview with expert Dr. Adi Jaffe, Ph.D, psychologist and author of the book,The Abstinence Myth.  Dr. Jaffe shares the importance of finding the root causes of addiction and how therapy can be essential to longtime recovery and sobriety. He explains his unique approach with the IGNTD program.

“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 @checkyourheadpodcast
• Watch and subscribe to our YouTube Channel:  checkyourheadpodcast.youtube

Say hello and give us feedback! We love hearing from our Superhero fans ❤️🤘

Support the show

CHECK YOUR HEAD Podcast "Reboot" of Lindsey Stirling & Dr. Christina Wierenga speaking on Anorexia Nervosa recovery for Eating Disorders Awareness Week, 2025.

Mari Fong interviews Lindsey Stirling, singer-songwriter, violinist, and dancer, and Dr. Christina Wierenga, Professor of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuropsychologist at UC San Diego’s Eating Disorders Center for Treatment and Research. 

Lindsey Stirling shares her story of anorexia nervosa and the depression and anxiety that came along with it. Lindsey’s anorexia started in college and she takes us on her journey to recovery and maintenance of her condition. Currently on her 2021 Christmas Program tour, Lindsey recently dropped "Lose You Now" featuring Mako.  Next, mental health and eating disorders expert Dr. Wierenga shares new research on anorexia nervosa and the treatment steps that often takes a team of specialists to treat this serious condition.   

“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 @checkyourheadpodcast
• Watch and subscribe to our YouTube Channel:  checkyourheadpodcast.youtube

Say hello and give us feedback! We love hearing from our Superhero fans ❤️🤘

Support the show

You’re invited to the CHECK YOUR HEAD Afterparty where Mari Fong and Kat Jensen take best lessons from each episode and talk about how to ease them into our daily lives. For September 2024 which is Suicide Prevention and Recovery Month, we’re spotlighting the Seether & Dr. Dan Reidenberg (SAVE.org, Suicide Prevention Expert) episode. 

Say hello and give us feedback! We love hearing from our Superhero fans ❤️🤘

Support the show