The Conscious Artist®: Mental Health Conversations with Pallavi Mahidhara

In this special joint episode with The Classical Circuit host Ella Lee, Pallavi and Ella discuss growing up as children of immigrants, discovering their voices beyond the piano, and redefining belonging in classical music. Their conversation offers an inspiring reminder that there’s space for everyone in this industry, and that by pursuing what’s authentic and meaningful, we can each create our own path forward.

Listen to The Classical Circuit:

https://shows.acast.com/the-classical-circuit

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In this deeply personal opening episode of Season 8, pianist Jonathan Biss joins host Pallavi Mahidhara for a courageous conversation about mental health, living with anxiety, and the emotional complexities of life as an artist. Together they explore identity, vulnerability, and the lifelong journey of understanding oneself on and offstage, offering insight, honesty, and hope for artists navigating similar struggles.

Discover more of Jonathan's work: https://www.jonathanbiss.com/

Listen to Unquiet:

https://www.jonathanbiss.com/projects/unquiet

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Our Season 7 finale features violinist Irene Abrigo. She is a performer and teacher, runs her own festival and non profit, and is committed to her social responsibility as an artist. Her academy, Fast Fingers, Slow Life, is a holistic approach to a musician's journey. We discuss how she balances all the facets of her artistry, while taking care of her mental wellbeing.

Discover more of Irene's story: https://www.ireneabrigo.com/

Join the Fast Fingers, Slow Life Academy: https://www.ireneabrigo.com/fast-fingers-slow-life

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Dutch violinist Elvira van Groningen is specialized in musicians' health. After unexpectedly dealing with focal dystonia during her musical studies, she has dedicated the past decade to arming herself with tools and knowledge during her training as a Timani teacher, which focuses on the anatomy and movement necessary to play with optimal effectiveness.

Discover more of Elvira's story: https://www.elviravangroningen.com/

Learn more about Timani: https://www.timani.no/

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Afro-Latina conductor, Kalena Bovell, shares her unique journey into classical music. Largely self-taught in her early years, she came to music later than most and navigated a path that was far from traditional. She discusses the importance of forging one's own path in the face of systemic barriers, and reflects on the deeper risks women face when their voices are ignored or dismissed, onstage in the music world, and especially in regards to women's health.

Learn more about Kalena: https://www.kalenabovell.com/

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Dr. Esther Kim is a former violinist turned psychiatrist, practicing at Adelpha Psychiatric Group. We discuss her intense beginnings of a musical career, the subsequent burnout, and the sudden spark and shift into medicine and psychiatry.

Learn more about Dr. Kim: https://www.adelphapsych.com/provider/esther-kim-m-d

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TW: This episode discusses personality disorders.

This week we are joined by Dr. Frederic Bien, President of the Personality Disorders Awareness Network (PDAN). He has served as Director of Development and was on the Board of National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder. This conversation sheds light on the different types of personality disorders, to help bring awareness and offer support to those with disorders or who have family members and friends who have disorders.

PDAN: https://pdan.org/

PDAN Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/PDAN/

Other resources: https://pdan.org/resources/associations-and-organizations/

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Hungarian flutist Ágnes Vass speaks about her work as Co-Principal Flutist of the Bremerhaven Philharmonic Orchestra, alongside being a certified yoga teacher and meditation and breathwork instructor. Also the creator of Body Mind Music Lab, her diverse passions and skills combine art and mindfulness, enriching both her musical practice and her personal development.

Learn more about Ágnes: https://en.agnesvass.com/

Join Body Mind Music Lab: https://www.instagram.com/bodymindmusiclab?igsh=MTkzMWVtdDkxYTZteA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

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Announcing the official launch of The Conscious Artist®️ Online Shop! Logo and merchandise designed exclusively for the store by Pallavi Mahidhara. You can browse t-shirts, mugs and more to help support mental health awareness. Site currently intended for US customers only - international shipping rates and taxes apply - but stay tuned for the EU site, coming soon! Happy shopping - be sure to show off your purchases on social media and tag @theconsciousartistofficial on Instagram! Thank you for supporting this show and see you back in July for Season 7 of The Conscious Artist®️.

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A special bonus episode with your host, Pallavi Mahidhara, reflecting on the conversations in Season 6, and looking forward to Season 7. 

I love being able to give back with this podcast and the content I share. That's why I invest my time and money into The Conscious Artist® - because I am committed to contributing positive change to our industry and to helping the next generation of artists. At the same time this is an independent podcast, fully run by yours truly, and in order to maintain quality and consistent content on top of my performance schedule, I do need some support. 

So moving forward from Season 7, bonus episodes like these will be available only to paid subscribers. For only $9/month, paid subscribers will get access to bonus episodes, personal reflections, and a brand new bite size meditation series - "Mini Mindfulness with Pallavi".  All under 5 minutes, these guided meditations can help you get started on your meditation journey, ease your stress during practice sessions, or simply allow you to unwind after an intense day. 

Premium content will also include once a month 30-min Zoom community check-ins. If you love this show and want to get premium access by subscribing - please know it would help me out a lot! If a monthly subscription feels too daunting for you right now, you can also support me with a one time donation instead on Buy Me A Coffee - the links for both the monthly subscriptions and the one time donations are listed below. Thank you all for being here with me - I truly appreciate all your continued support and love!  

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