Michele Lee UNFILTERED: Knots Landing, Broadway & Mental Health | Harder To Breathe Podcast
Release Date: 06/03/2025
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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 Archerācomedian, actor, and mental health advocateāwho 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. š” In this raw and vulnerable conversation, youāll discover: The unexpected power of community: Why finding your "tribe" can be the most critical step in overcoming trauma and...
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šØ LIFE UPDATE! šØ Weāre 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, weāre tackling the real-life struggles you shared with us. This isnāt just a Q&Aāitās a raw, relatable, and honest conversation about navigating lifeās 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...
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TRL Host Damien Fahey on Fame, Crippling Anxiety & Finding Himself | Harder to Breathe Podcast
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Actor Erik "Happy" Anderson ā known for his unforgettable role as Jerry Brudos in Mindhunter and appearances in The Knick ā 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 āfall down drunk.ā 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...
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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 ARIāa bold musical artist, fierce mental health advocate, and a true psychosis survivor whose story will leave you breathless.āØ From surviving bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, and multiple hospitalizations, to becoming a globally recognized queer songwriter and performing alongside K-pop and Eurovision actsāX ARI shares how she reclaimed her life through radical self-acceptance, love, music, and healing. š¶šāØ In this powerful interview,...
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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. šæāØ š§ 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...
info_outlinešļø Iām beyond excited to share this deeply personal and incredibly special episode of The Harder To Breathe Podcast ā 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 āDuckā Maillard for a raw, real, and heartfelt chat. We covered everything ā from superstardom to family complexities (especially her relationship with my dad, Kenny!), to healing from grief and discovering self-acceptance later in life.
She opened up about navigating imposter syndrome (yes, even at the top of her game), shared stories from her early Broadway days and The Love Bug, and teased her brand-new podcast with her Knots Landing co-stars. And yes... we get that Bill Clinton story. š³
I also share my surreal experience giving the commencement speech at Pepperdine University and reflect on how it all ties back to Mental Health Awareness Month and my own recovery journey.
This episode is packed with vulnerability, laughter, wisdom, and a few surprises.
š§ In this episode, we cover:
[00:00:30] - Michele Leeās incredible legacy
[00:02:30] - My Pepperdine commencement moment
[00:09:30] - Mental Health Awareness & the work of NAMI
[00:16:25] - The heart of our family story: control, codependence & healing
[00:34:30] - Grace, reflection & Michelleās take on aging
[01:06:30] - Knots Landing reunion podcast: Weāre Not Done Yet
[01:14:15] - The Bill Clinton moment, hypnosis for stage fright, Barbra Streisand & more!
This one meant a lot to me ā I hope it resonates with you too. Drop a comment and let me know what stood out the most.š
ā”ļø And be sure to follow Micheleās new show: Knot Done Yet!