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

Release Date: 04/22/2025

Mental Health Is Sexy: Trauma, Humor & Healing w/ Aleksei Archer | Harder to Breathe Podcast

The Harder to Breathe Podcast

This episode is for anyone who has ever felt alone in their struggle. We sit down with the incredible Aleksei Archer—comedian, actor, and mental health advocate—who has transformed personal tragedy into a powerful force for healing. Aleksei shares her deeply personal story of losing her father to suicide, and how she uses humor and radical honesty to create safe spaces for grief, connection, and resilience. 💡 In this raw and vulnerable conversation, you’ll discover: The unexpected power of community: Why finding your "tribe" can be the most critical step in overcoming trauma and...

Coping with Empty Nest Syndrome & Adulting is Hard! (Mailbag Q&A) | Harder to Breathe Podcast

The Harder to Breathe Podcast

🚨 LIFE UPDATE! 🚨 We’re diving into YOUR questions in our first-ever mailbag episode! From the heartbreak of an empty nest to the challenge of making friends as an adult, we’re tackling the real-life struggles you shared with us. This isn’t just a Q&A—it’s a raw, relatable, and honest conversation about navigating life’s biggest transitions. In this episode, we share personal stories and professional insights on: - The Emotional Toll of Empty Nest Syndrome: As the founding drummer of Maroon 5 and now a licensed therapist, Ryan Dusick shares a unique...

Nicky Byrne: Family, Fame & Overcoming Tragedy | Harder to Breathe Podcast

The Harder to Breathe Podcast

Join us for a deeply moving and intensely personal conversation with Nicky Byrne, the iconic member of Westlife, as he opens up about the sudden, heartbreaking loss of his father and the profound impact it had on his life. Beyond the dazzling lights of his global pop career, Nicky shares a raw account of navigating immense grief while in the public eye, revealing how his father’s enduring lessons on positivity and resilience ultimately guided him through his darkest moments. This episode delves into the unwavering bond of family, the unexpected challenges of fame, and the crucial search for...

TRL Host Damien Fahey on Fame, Crippling Anxiety & Finding Himself | Harder to Breathe Podcast

The Harder to Breathe Podcast

"My life was sleeping on an air mattress in Boston. Six months later, I'm in the middle of Times Square... I would literally run to the bathroom and dry heave out of anxiety." Damien Fahey gets real about the terrifying reality behind the TRL cameras. He was the face of MTV for years, taking over for Carson Daly on the biggest show in music television. But behind the scenes, Damien Fahey was battling crippling anxiety, imposter syndrome, and a crisis of identity. In this candid conversation, Damien opens up to host Ryan Dusick about the pressure of the TRL rocket ship, feeling like he had to...

A Mother’s Fight: Brandy Vega on Suicide Prevention & Saving Lives | Harder to Breathe Podcast

The Harder to Breathe Podcast

The police banged on my door and just said, 'Is this your kid? Go check on her.'" Brandy Vega shares the terrifying story of the night she almost lost her daughter to suicide for the second time, and how it ignited a global movement. In one of our most powerful conversations yet, entrepreneur, advocate, and mother Brandy Vega shares her deeply personal journey with teen suicide. From the shame and stigma that kept her silent after her daughter's first attempt at age 12, to the hospital that had no beds for suicidal teens, Brandy's story is a raw look at a crisis affecting millions. She opens...

Actor Erik "Happy" Anderson on Sobriety, Mindhunter & The Business of Acting | Harder to Breathe Podcast

The Harder to Breathe Podcast

Actor Erik "Happy" Anderson — known for his unforgettable role as Jerry Brudos in Mindhunter and appearances in The Knick — sits down for a raw, unfiltered conversation about addiction recovery, 21 years of sobriety, and surviving the relentless pressure of Hollywood. By college, he was a “fall down drunk.” By 26, he was homeless. In this candid interview on the Harder to Breathe Podcast, Happy shares his journey from blackout performances on stage to becoming a working actor in one of the toughest industries in the world. He opens up about the moment he realized he had a drinking...

Therapist Reacts: The Hidden Psychology of The Bear Season 4 | Harder to Breathe Podcast

The Harder to Breathe Podcast

In this deep-dive episode, Ryan Dusick breaks down the complex family trauma, addiction, and healing portrayed in Season 4 of FX's "The Bear." Is it the most realistic depiction of a dysfunctional family on television? The kitchen in "The Bear" isn't just about food; it's a metaphor for a chaotic family system. In this one-on-one conversation, hosts Ryan Dusick and Brian “Duck” Maillard explore why we are drawn to chaos, how generational trauma shapes our lives, and the difficult but rewarding journey of personal growth. We analyze the character arcs of Carmy, Sugar,...

How Blind Athlete Anthony Ferraro Defied the Odds and Found His Voice | Harder to Breathe Podcast

The Harder to Breathe Podcast

What does it take to be truly unstoppable? In this powerful episode of Harder to Breathe, we sit down with wrestler, Paralympian, skateboarder, musician, and motivational speaker Anthony Ferraro, who has accomplished it all while being blind. Anthony shares his incredible story, from growing up as a visually impaired kid in a massive family to becoming a champion wrestler who faced constant prejudice from parents and coaches. He opens up about the crushing rejection from a high school that didn't want him, the journey of making the documentary "A Shot in the Dark" in his late...

From Psychosis to Eurovision: Turning Pain Into Power with X. ARI | Harder to Breathe Podcast

The Harder to Breathe Podcast

How do you turn your deepest pain into your greatest power? In this episode of The Harder to Breathe Podcast, we sit down with the unstoppable X ARI—a bold musical artist, fierce mental health advocate, and a true psychosis survivor whose story will leave you breathless.  From surviving bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, and multiple hospitalizations, to becoming a globally recognized queer songwriter and performing alongside K-pop and Eurovision acts—X ARI shares how she reclaimed her life through radical self-acceptance, love, music, and healing. 🎶💜  In this powerful interview,...

How a Rock Star Healed His Depression & Addiction | Kyle Nicolaides | Harder to Breathe Podcast

The Harder to Breathe Podcast

Dive deep with us as we explore the complex relationship between depression, healing, and the controversial world of plant medicine with Kyle Nicolaides, former frontman of Beware of Darkness and author of "Thank God for Depression." From rockstar struggles to spiritual awakenings, this conversation is raw, honest, and thought-provoking. 🌿✨ 🎧 In this episode, we cover: [00:02:17] Thank God for Depression: Reframing Painful Experiences as Lessons for Growth. [00:04:50] The Fear of Psychedelics: Navigating Loss of Control and New Mindstates. [00:11:00] When Early Success...

More Episodes

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 faced firsthand when she experienced a miscarriage of her own, followed by a Breast Cancer diagnosis several years later.

In an effort to make these topics less “taboo”, Dr. Zucker is speaking out. Her first book and the accompanying social media campaign “I Had a Miscarriage” were designed to directly give women a chance to speak about, and mourn, their miscarriages in an open and honest way. Now, with her second book, “Normalize It”, she is taking it a step further to discuss multiple issues that women face including girlhood, body image, motherhood, reproductive choice, sexual trauma, menopause, and more.

Dr. Zucker, Ryan, and Duck share a fantastic and candid conversation about the unique challenges that women face, and Dr. Zucker’s new book is a great way to dive deeper into the topic. It’s relevant for everyone, men and women alike, and aims to change the way we view womens’ health as a society. It’s a much needed conversation, and another fantastic and open conversation on the “Harder to Breathe” Podcast.

0:00:36 Introduction & Seasonal Affective Disorder

0:03:55 Today’s Guest: Dr. Jessica Zucker

0:07:48 Betty Ford’s Immense Impact

0:12:55 Dr. Zucker joins the Podcast & Shares Her Backstory

0:15:29 International Health Projects

0:16:42 Becoming a Clinical Psychologist & Experiencing a Miscarriage

0:21:08 Breast Cancer Diagnosis

0:22:46 Dr. Zucker’s New Book

0:27:48 Mixed Messages for Women in Society

0:33:46 Changing the Narrative on an Individual Basis

0:38:55 Public Platforms vs. Personal Connection

0:43:29 Journaling and Self-Expression