Libsyn Directory

Honestly Authentic ft. Ato Essandoh, star of ’The Diplomat’ | #25

Release Date: 11/26/2024

Mental Health in a Divided World | Harder to Breathe Podcast

The Harder to Breathe Podcast

Ryan Dusick and co-host Brian “Duck” Maillard confront the toxic political climate and its impact on our mental health, relationships, and society. Join the Harder to Breathe podcast as they delve into the challenging yet necessary conversation about politics, misinformation, and the path to healthier communication. They discuss everything from cult-like leader figures to finding personal coping mechanisms to address these difficult topics. Can we save democracy without losing ourselves in the process? 🎧 In this episode, we cover: [00:00:33] Why Talking About Politics is Stressful...

Overcoming Anxiety in a Tech-Driven World | Shira Lazar | The Harder to Breathe Podcast

The Harder to Breathe Podcast

Tech vs. Mental Health: Can We Find Balance? 🤔 Shira Lazar from @Creators4MentalHealth joins us to explore the culture of the tech world, the anxieties it provokes, and how we can all find joy in the present moment. 🧘‍♀️ We talk purpose, mindfulness, & more! Listen for tangible advice to build! 💪 🎧 In this episode, we cover: [00:00:50] Overcoming tech-induced anxiety and finding your path. [00:22:30] How AI and new tech impact our wellness. [00:27:00] Being creative while handling fame at the same time! [00:35:00] The joys of staying in compared to going out (JOMO)....

Hillary Spiritos on Defining Success for Gen Z | The Harder To Breathe

The Harder to Breathe Podcast

Join Ryan Dusik and co-host Brian “Duck” Maillard in a thought-provoking conversation with Hillary Spiritos, a certified Pathfinding Coach, on The Harder To Breathe Podcast. Dive into the unique challenges facing Gen Z, redefine success, and discover how to help young people navigate the modern world. 🎧 In this episode, we cover: [00:01:00] The struggles of aging and maintaining physical well-being. [00:04:00] Transitioning to a career as a youth coach. [00:08:00] Defining success for young people. [00:15:00] Coping as a non-binary person. [00:17:00] Finding positive routes to help...

Jeremy Sisto on Hollywood, Family, & Finding Purpose | The Harder To Breathe Podcast

The Harder to Breathe Podcast

Ever wondered what it takes to build a lasting career in Hollywood? Join Ryan Dusick and Brian “Duck” Maillard as they chat with actor Jeremy Sisto about his journey through fame, family life, and the constant quest for authenticity. 🎧 In this episode, we cover: [00:01:00] Duck's "Cosmic Connections": Hear the hilarious and oddly specific reasons Duck is a Jeremy Sisto super-fan! [00:05:00] The Therapist's Toolkit: What go-to advice does Ryan find himself sharing with clients most often? [00:29:00] Authenticity in Hollywood: Jeremy discusses the balance of staying true to yourself...

Michele Lee UNFILTERED: Knots Landing, Broadway & Mental Health | Harder To Breathe Podcast

The Harder to Breathe Podcast

🎙️ I’m beyond excited to share this deeply personal and incredibly special episode of The Harder To Breathe Podcast — featuring none other than my amazing aunt, the legendary Michele Lee! You know her from Knots Landing, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Broadway, and a 50+ year career that's nothing short of iconic. But in this conversation, we go way beyond the headlines. It was an honor to sit down with Aunt Michele and my co-host Brian “Duck” Maillard for a raw, real, and heartfelt chat. We covered everything — from superstardom to family complexities...

Sam Riegel on Resilience, Voice Acting & Humor After Cancer | Harder to Breathe Podcast

The Harder to Breathe Podcast

In this powerful episode of The Harder To Breathe Podcast, Ryan Dusik and Brian “Duck” Maillard welcome voice acting legend Sam Riegel (Critical Role, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) for a candid and moving conversation. Sam shares his extraordinary journey, from childhood fame to a career in voice acting, his 9/11 survival story, and his recent battle with cancer. In this episode, you’ll hear: [00:00:42] Duck’s Shoutout: A huge congratulations to Duck’s son's team for winning in the playoffs. [00:02:13] Navigating Realities: Discussion of where the balance is between helping someone...

The Sklar Brothers on Comedy, Identity, & Parenting | The Harder To Breathe Podcast

The Harder to Breathe Podcast

This week, Ryan and Duck sit down with the legendary Sklar Brothers (Jason & Randy) for a conversation that’s equal parts comedy, heart, and insight. From pioneering the early days of comedy podcasting to reflecting on parenting, identity, and the state of humor today—this is a must-listen episode. In this episode, you’ll hear: [00:02:00] Duck Mailer shares why the Sklar Brothers are comedy heroes [00:08:00] The guys unpack the societal issue of equating ignorance with weakness [00:15:00] Echo chambers & information bubbles—what’s the real danger? [00:22:00] Interview with...

From "That Thing You Do!" to Healing: Johnathon Schaech's Journey | Harder To Breathe Podcast

The Harder to Breathe Podcast

Hey everyone! 👋 Welcome back to The Harder To Breathe Podcast! This week, Ryan and Duck sit down with actor Johnathon Schaech (That Thing You Do!, Blue Ridge) for an incredibly open and honest conversation about addiction, trauma, finding hope, and the power of human connection. ➡️ In this episode, you'll hear: [0:00:00] - Intro: Duck and Ryan talk about themed restaurants... and Ryan reveals a WILD Maroon 5 story from Tokyo! 🤯 [0:11:24] - Interview Start: Johnathon Schaech joins the podcast! [0:13:15] - How "That Thing You Do!" Mirrored Maroon 5's Early Days: The inspiration and...

Your Mess is Your Magic with Marc Scheff | #17

The Harder to Breathe Podcast

On today’s episode of “Harder to Breathe'', host, founding drummer of “Maroon 5”, and licensed therapist, Ryan Dusick is joined by co-host and actor Brian “Duck” Maillard for a conversation with Artist and Creativity Coach, Marc Sheff. Marc is a renowned and award winning artist who has absolutely set the NYC art scene ablaze with his incredible work in resin. In addition to his art, he has recently opened himself up to creative coaching, acquiring multiple professional licenses on the path to giving creatives the permission they need to Create… Destroy… & Emerge as...

Miscarriages, Breast Cancer, & Choosing to Talk About it (feat. Dr. Jessica Zucker) | #16

The Harder to Breathe Podcast

On today’s episode of “Harder to Breathe'', host, founding drummer of “Maroon 5”, and licensed therapist, Ryan Dusick is joined by co-host and actor Brian “Duck” Maillard for a conversation with LA based psychologist and author, Dr. Jessica Zucker. Dr. Zucker has been a womens’ health advocate for years, choosing to become a clinical psychologist in order to give women a voice for their pain, both physically and mentally. All too often women feel that they are unable to comfortably speak out about the health issues they are facing in society– an issue that Dr. Zucker...

More Episodes

For today’s episode of “Harder to Breathe'', host and founding drummer of “Maroon 5” Ryan Dusick is joined by co-host and actor Brian “Duck” Maillard for a conversation with Ato Essandoh. Ato is an actor who has found his way onto all of our screens at one point or another, through iconic roles in “Garden State”, “Blood Diamond”, and many more. Now, he has been thrust into the limelight once again through his powerful role on the latest season of “The Diplomat”, now available on Netflix.

Ato and Duck had a special opportunity to work together on set in the past, and it speaks well to Ato’s warmth and charm that the two have maintained a connection all these years later. Ryan and Duck are quickly able to connect with the struggles that Ato has faced in growing his career as an actor, and his resilience and determination is inspiring, regardless of your background or career.

It’s a wide-reaching conversation that spans from parental approval, to authenticity, to recent health scares. Ato is able and willing to speak about his own connection to mental health and how it manifested itself through past failures in auditions– and he does so in such a way that we can all relate to. It’s a well-connected and can’t-miss episode of the “Harder to Breathe” Podcast, that will only make you even more amazed by everything Ato Essandoh has been able to accomplish so far.

0:00:00 Introduction & Duck’s Reaction to his Performance Anxiety

0:04:10 Ryan’s Therapeutic Suggestions for Duck

0:10:32 The Source of Duck’s Emotional Responses

0:14:01 Your Thoughts “Protecting” You

0:22:59 Today’s Guest: Ato Essandoh

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0:25:38 Ato Essandoh Joins the Podcast & Shares His Relationship with Duck

0:28:14 Ato’s Career Goals as an Actor

0:34:57 Challenges Along the Way

0:41:30 Putting in the Time to be “Ready” for Opportunity

0:45:44 Internal vs. External Perception

0:50:19 The Influence of Ato’s Ghanaian-American Heritage

0:54:43 Parental Approval for the Arts

0:57:10 How Identity has Affected the Work

1:01:48 Authenticity vs. “People Pleasing”

1:10:10 Ato’s Recent Health Scare

1:12:53 Ryan’s Experience with the Pandemic

1:18:46 Community & Mental Health

1:22:43 The Diplomat Season 2

1:26:11 Wrap Up & Conclusion

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