The Harder to Breathe Podcast

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

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.

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"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

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📲Follow Brent Smith & Shinedown: IG: https://www.instagram.com/thebrentsmith Band IG: https://www.instagram.com/shinedown Web: https://www.shinedown.com/

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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

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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

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On May 7, 2019, Ellie Wyse was a high school freshman with an hour left in her day when a routine drill turned into an active shooter situation.

In this powerful and essential conversation, Ellie bravely recounts her experience surviving the STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting and the complex realization that one of the perpetrators was a peer. She shares the aftermath of the trauma, the unexpected loneliness of the subsequent COVID-19 lockdown (which she says was harder to process than the shooting itself), and her path to healing through EMDR therapy.

Now a psychology major, Ellie is turning her survival story into purpose, aiming to become a counselor to fill the critical mental health gap for teenagers affected by violence.

Key Takeaways from the Conversation:

• When a Drill Isn't a Drill: Ellie describes the chilling moment she realized the prolonged lockdown was real and how the fear was compounded by snipers surrounding the building.
• The Second Trauma: Ellie explains why the COVID-19 lockdown was worse than the shooting trauma—it was a two-year period of unknown, isolation, and the destruction of the progress she had made with her anxiety and depression.
• Healing with EMDR: Ellie gives the clearest explanation of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy—how it moves a traumatic memory from the emotional brain (amygdala) to the long-term memory (hippocampus), making it manageable.
• Guns vs. Mental Health: We discuss the importance of mental health intervention, especially when concerning signs are reported, and the responsibility to treat—not stigmatize—mental health issues seriously.
• Redemption Through Purpose: Ellie shares why she views her trauma as a gift that has given her direction and passion, allowing her to serve as a voice of hope for others.

📌 Episode Guide

• 00:00 - Intro
• 17:30 - Early Life & Faith
• 21:10 - The Day of the Shooting
• 26:00 - Finding Out Who the Shooter Was
• 30:45 - The Mental Health Intervention Debate
• 33:50 - The Immediate Aftermath
• 38:20 - Therapy & the Golden Retriever
• 39:35 - The Non-Linear Healing Process
• 45:30 - Finding Her Calling
• 47:00 - The Trauma of COVID-19 Lockdown

🎧 Listen to the full episode now: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Or wherever you get your podcasts

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This is not a conspiracy theory; it's a mental health crisis.

Returning guest Hillary Spiritos joins the hosts for a crucial discussion on the challenges facing young people in the age of AI and pervasive social media. We explore the profound effects of the algorithm—a system so isolating it mirrors the environment of a cult or a totalitarian state—and how it's fueling a loneliness epidemic and widespread cynicism.

Hillary offers guidance on how parents and peers can foster critical thinking and authentic connection to help young people push back against the constant barrage of misinformation and isolation.

Key Takeaways from the Conversation:

• The Cult of the Algorithm: We discuss how the structure of social media (isolation, filtering information, demanding obedience) is psychologically identical to the processes used by cults and dictatorships.
• The Antidote is Connection: The way to bridge political and social divides is not more argument, but somatic experience—physically engaging with others (like at concerts or playing sports) to remind us of our shared humanity.

• The AI/Erotica Problem: The conversation addresses the dangers of generative AI leaning into erotica, which furthers disconnection by providing immediate pleasure without the need for real human connection or the work of giving and receiving.

• Avoiding Numbness: The most cynical outcome is total desensitization (the Idiocracy effect). We must maintain our awareness that the current crisis is driven by greed, power, and the illusion of a quick fix.

📌 Episode Guide

00:00 - Intro 12:30 - "That Saves Me Time": The Double-Edged Sword of AI for Research and Creativity. 30:45 - "Question Everyone": Hillary's Advice on Fostering Critical Thinking in a Manipulative Digital World 44:30 - The Need for Boredom 46:25 - The AI & Erotica Danger 50:08 - The Male Loneliness Epidemic 52:45 - Dating App Distortion 1:03:13 - Somatic Connection Over Words 1:15:35 - No More Quick Fixes

🎧 Listen to the full episode now:

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Or wherever you get your podcasts

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This is an unvarnished look at the path to recovery. Ryan reconnects with his old friend, musician Davis Rowan, whom he met at the Betty Ford Center. Davis shares his powerful story of how alcohol, which once felt like a "solution" to social anxiety, became a destructive force, culminating in a terrifying diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) during a severe bender.

This conversation goes beyond mere sobriety to explore the deeper rewards of recovery: finding genuine community, cultivating new passions (like ultra-marathoning), and using lived experience to fuel a new purpose as a music school owner.

Davis's story is a testament to the fact that you can not only survive addiction but thrive beyond it.

Key Takeaways from the Conversation:

• The Solution That Wasn't: Both Ryan and Davis admit that alcohol initially "served" them by alleviating social anxiety and shyness, making them feel more present.
• The Body Gives a Warning: Davis shares the terrifying consequence of his addiction when he woke up unable to feel his legs due to Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), an autoimmune disorder.
• The Power of Shared Trauma: We discuss why the bonds forged in rehab, surrounded by people who "get it," are so profoundly healing and lasting.
• Addiction Doesn't Discriminate: Davis reflects on the Betty Ford Center experience, realizing that addiction touches every demographic, emphasizing the shared human experience.
• Recovery is Service: Davis explains how working at a music school and focusing on bringing joy and community to students became a vital part of his continued sobriety.
• Extremes in Recovery: From an obsessive practice schedule to running 100-mile ultra-marathons, Davis discusses how he manages his personality's tendency toward extremes in a healthy way.

📌 Episode Guide

• 00:00 - Intro
• 24:20 - The Paradox of Addiction
• 45:20 - Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) & Alcohol
• 47:06 - The Danger of Denial
• 55:00 - The Turning Point
• 56:10 - The Healing Power of Shared Experience
• 01:07:05 - Addict's Mind, Runner's Body
• 1:10:45 - From Touring Drummer to Music School Owner:

🎧 Listen to the full episode now: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Or wherever you get your podcasts

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📲Follow Davis Rowan: IG: https://www.instagram.com/davis_rowan/?hl=en School: https://www.boulderdrumstudio.com/

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This episode goes beyond the surface to the heart of addiction. We sit down with former tech entrepreneur Curtis Morley, whose life's purpose shifted after the tragic loss of his best friend to suicide. Curtis believes his friend didn't understand the difference between sobriety and recovery, a lesson Curtis now uses to help men combat the epidemic of pornography addiction.

Curtis bravely shares his own experience and the core principles of his "Counterfeit Emotions" program, arguing that most men aren't addicted to porn—they're addicted to shame.

Key Takeaways from the Conversation:

• The Stigma of Shame: We discuss the statistic that 91.5% of men report viewing pornography in the last month, yet most are not clinically addicted, but are trapped in a cycle of shame fueled by silence, secrecy, and judgment.
• The Counterfeit of Love: Curtis defines lust as the counterfeit of love, operating as a "taking" rather than a "giving and receiving" exchange. True intimacy is redefined as a multi-pillar connection, with sex being the result of that connection, not the foundation.
• Pain vs. Misery: Learn the transcendent difference: Pain is inevitable and can be a tool for growth, while misery is the self-inflicted anguish created by adding blame and shame to pain.
• Sobriety vs. Recovery: Sobriety only measures time; Recovery measures depth. True healing means taking your "demons to lunch"—addressing the underlying emotional pain rather than just avoiding the addictive behavior ("dry drunk").

This episode is a powerful call for honesty, vulnerability, and a deeper understanding of the emotional drivers behind addictive behavior. 📌 Episode Guide 00:00 - Intro 07:00 - Ryan Revisits a Maroon 5 Show: Gratitude, Pride, and a Son's First Concert. 16:27 - Bridging the Divide: Can We Find Common Ground Between Religion and Psychology?34:30 - The Porn Addiction Epidemic 36:30 - Porn: Addiction to Shame 38:00 - The Dyad of Love vs. Lust 46:31 - The Four Components of Unwanted Pornography Viewing 1:06:25 - Pain is a Tool for Growth 1:13:00 - The Transcendent Ladder 1:19:15 - Sobriety vs. Recovery

🎧 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 📲Follow Curtis Morley: Web: www.counterfeitemotions.com Podcast: Counterfeit Emotions (on all platforms) Social: @authenticcurtis

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In this vital episode, we sit down with Steve Braun, a master mental performance coach and communication consultant (and co-founder of BGB Studios). Drawing on his martial arts discipleship, Steve explains that the core of our modern mental health and societal conflict is a deep imbalance between masculine (Yang) and feminine (Yin) energies.

This conversation offers a profound perspective on how to achieve peak performance and inner peace not through action, but through stillness and radical self-acceptance.

Key Takeaways from the Conversation:

• The Power of Stillness (Yin): Steve argues that Yin (stillness, reception) is the necessary first step for impactful action (Yang). Whether you're an actor, a CEO, or a parent, full acceptance of the present moment is the quickest path to presence and success.

• Masculinity & Self-Mutilation: We explore the Bell Hooks quote that the first act of violence patriarchy demands of men is against themselves—a "psychic self-mutilation" that denies them tools for vulnerability and emotional expression.

• The Solution to Cultural Conflict: The answer isn't more intellectual debate or "data," but somatic, communal experiences—singing, dancing, and physically working through trauma together, as our ancestors did.

• Coaching Beyond the Script: Steve explains that his work isn't about teaching lines, but about liberating the nervous system, empowering clients to be brightly sensitive in a high-pressure, often chaotic world.

📌 Episode Guide

00:00 - Intro

03:30 - Drawn to the Darkness

22:00 - The "Teacher" Archetype & Martial Arts

24:40 - Masculinity & Trauma

31:50 - The Divine Feminine (Yin)

37:05 - Stillness in Business & Life

48:05 - The Bell Hooks Quote

57:05 - Creating an Artistic Home

🎧 Listen to the full episode now: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Or wherever you get your podcasts

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📲Follow Steve Braun: Web: stevenbraun.co/ BGB Studios: brehmangarciabraun.com/

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