The Fear, the Freedom, and the Mid-Life Career Change | Harder to Breathe Podcast
Release Date: 10/14/2025
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The Fear, the Freedom, and the Mid-Life Career Change | Harder to Breathe Podcast
The Harder to Breathe Podcast
"How do you make a total left turn from the music industry to the mental health field?" Ryan Dusick often fields this question, but the reality is that starting over is rarely a clean break—it’s usually a long, messy process of grief and self-discovery. In this one-on-one episode, Ryan and Duck dive into the core challenges of major life transitions, from leaving a band at the peak of success to finding new purpose in your 40s. Ryan shares his journey from losing his identity as a musician to embracing his calling as a therapist, explaining that his change was driven by a commitment to...
info_outline"How do you make a total left turn from the music industry to the mental health field?"
Ryan Dusick often fields this question, but the reality is that starting over is rarely a clean break—it’s usually a long, messy process of grief and self-discovery. In this one-on-one episode, Ryan and Duck dive into the core challenges of major life transitions, from leaving a band at the peak of success to finding new purpose in your 40s.
Ryan shares his journey from losing his identity as a musician to embracing his calling as a therapist, explaining that his change was driven by a commitment to recovery and the realization that his greatest talents were anchored in empathy and connection.
This is essential listening for anyone who is:
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Feeling unfulfilled in their current career, but are afraid to quit.
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Mourning the loss of a past identity (career, relationship, status).
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Facing an unexpected life change and needing motivation to move forward.
The biggest risk isn't trying something new; it's staying still in a life you're unhappy with.
📌 Episode Guide
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00:00 - Intro
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01:05 - The Rush Reunion
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10:45 - The "Left Turn" Identity Crisis
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16:15 - The Completionist Mindset
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19:15 - Grieving Your Old Self
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24:50 - Finding New Purpose
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28:10 - The Fear of the Unknown
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42:15 - The Creative Niche
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46:55 - The Obligation to Quit
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55:50 - The Riskiest Choice is Doing Nothing
🎧 Listen to the full episode now: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Or wherever you get your podcasts
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