The Harder to Breathe Podcast
Honest and vulnerable conversations about the challenges we face and how to work through them; hosted by Maroon 5's founding drummer, therapist, author, and mental health advocate Ryan Dusick.
info_outline
07: A Head for Business & the Heart of a Performer (ft. Laura Casselman
07/22/2024
07: A Head for Business & the Heart of a Performer (ft. Laura Casselman
For today’s episode of “Harder to Breathe'', host and former drummer of “Maroon 5” Ryan Dusick is joined by co-host and actor Brian “Duck” Maillard to welcome Laura Casselman, the CEO of “JVZoo”, Speaker, Best Selling Author, and former member of the iconic Radio City Rockettes. Laura’s confidence is contagious, and as soon as she starts speaking you understand how she’s been able to foster success in so many areas of her life. She’s adamant about fighting the sexism that’s present in the businessworld, and has learned countless lessons along the way about the importance of Strategy, Winning, and Keeping a Level Head in high pressure situations. The one thing all three have in common is their performance thread, and Laura’s love for the limelight has been an enormous advantage in the corporate boardroom. Every negotiation is a stage and as she will tell you, there is always room to intentionally seek out lessons from failure. The passion for what she does, and the accountability and emotional support she receives from friends and loved ones are what keep Laura grinding from day to day. Finding “harmony” is essential, and Laura proves that when you love what you do and have healthy ways of dealing with Ego, Pride, Confidence, and more… you give yourself a fantastic opportunity to find “success”, no matter how you define it. 0:00:00 Introduction & The Shift in Ryan’s Sleep Schedule 0:02:30 Today’s Guest: Laura Casselman 0:06:38 Vulnerable as an Artist vs. Vulnerable in Business —-- 0:08:03 Laura’s Perspective on Vulnerability as a Leader in Business 0:10:26 A “Head for Business” and the “Heart and Soul” of a Performer 0:14:10 Intentionally Learning from Failures 0:15:24 Aiming for the “Win” in Everything and Seeking Control 0:16:45 Laura’s Thoughts on “Work/Life Balance” 0:19:42 How Having a Child Has Changed Laura’s Outlook 0:20:45 The Balance Between Commitments and Sense of Self 0:22:57 Laura’s Experience as a Rockette 0:27:23 Controlling Your Reactions in Uncertain Circumstances 0:29:36 Mentorship and Growing Women in the Workplace 0:33:18 The Strategy and Context of Navigating Leadership as a Woman 0:35:04 Processing Emotion as a CEO 0:39:03 Processing Emotion BEFORE becoming a CEO 0:42:43 Navigating Growing Up in the Bible Belt 0:46:09 Raising a Daughter with the issues of 2024 0:50:03 Laura’s Emotional Support 0:52:04 Ego vs. Pride 0:59:22 Navigating Imposter Syndrome and Confidence 1:04:49 Defining Success 1:07:10 Wrap Up & Conclusion More on Laura Casselman: - Official Website - Instagram - Laura’s Book: “Trust Your Increments” Ready to Dive Deeper?: BenBella Books Author Page - Amazon Book Page - WWSG Speaker Page - Psychology Today Therapist Profile - Stay Up to Date on the Podcast: Follow Ryan on Social Media: IG - LinkedIn - Facebook - Facebook Author Page - X / Twitter - Follow Duck on Social Media: IG - X / Twitter -
/episode/index/show/5c72a4a1-ff4f-4184-bc52-47c4a3a4afcf/id/32256707
info_outline
06: (Street-Art)istic Integrity
07/16/2024
06: (Street-Art)istic Integrity
For today’s episode of “Harder to Breathe'', host and former drummer of “Maroon 5” Ryan Dusick is joined by co-host and actor Brian “Duck” Maillard for a rare live & in-person conversation with Author, Filmmaker, and Street Artist “Morley”. If you have the chance to look over Morley’s street art portfolio, or if you stumble upon a piece of his work as you’re walking through Los Angeles, you’ll quickly see that there is much more depth to his art than you might typically expect from someone who claims “street artist” as their profession. That depth extends into the conversation, as the three men chat about what it really means to be an artist in the 21st century. It’s a wide-reaching discussion that covers topics such as balancing Dreams and Reality when growing up in the “you can do anything” era, choosing the messages you’re putting out into the world, maintaining artistic integrity, and staying “cool” as the meaning of the word shifts and changes over time. As Duck points out, it can be hard to separate yourself from your work as an artist, especially when the work is a direct expression of yourself, but finding the balance between expression, finances, and living a life you enjoy and are proud of is an absolutely worthwhile endeavor. On the whole, it’s a fantastic discussion, and broadly beneficial to artists and non-artists alike. 0:00:00 Introduction & The Mindset of an Artist 0:04:54 Today’s Guest: Morley 0:10:04 Morley’s Perception of Raising a Son in Los Angeles 0:14:25 Ryan’s Experience Growing Up in Los Angeles 0:16:24 How To Balance Your Dreams vs. Reality 0:18:54 Does Film School Prepare You For Real Life? 0:21:16 How Morley Got Into Street Art 0:24:53 The Messages Behind Morley’s Work 0:33:34 What Message Did Morley Need to Hear When He Was Coming Up? 0:37:34 What Were You Working Through That Your Art Helped With? 0:44:53 The Complexity of Needing Value From Your ArtWork 0:48:22 How We View Artistic Integrity 0:56:29 Is There (& Can There Be) a Business Model for a Street Artist? 0:60:11 Fighting Artistic Anxiety 1:06:10 Changing Band Names & Increasing Transparency 1:08:19 The Value of Changing Perspectives 1:13:10 How to “Stay Cool” 1:24:08 Ryan’s Connection With His Former Therapist 1:25:44 Allowing Yourself to Enjoy the Moment 1:28:26 Wrap Up & Conclusion More on Morley: https://morleyart.com/ - Official Website https://www.instagram.com/morleyartist/ - Personal Instagram https://markmywordsgallery.com/- Official Artwork Ready to Dive Deeper?: BenBella Books Author Page - Amazon Book Page - WWSG Speaker Page - Psychology Today Therapist Profile - Stay Up to Date on the Podcast: Follow Ryan on Social Media: IG - LinkedIn - Facebook - Facebook Author Page - X / Twitter - Follow Duck on Social Media: IG - X / Twitter -
/episode/index/show/5c72a4a1-ff4f-4184-bc52-47c4a3a4afcf/id/32081382
info_outline
05: Your Bad-Ass Masterclass: by Fighter Pilot Michelle Curran
07/09/2024
05: Your Bad-Ass Masterclass: by Fighter Pilot Michelle Curran
For today’s episode of “Harder to Breathe'', host and former drummer of “Maroon 5” Ryan Dusick is joined by co-host and actor Brian “Duck” Maillard to share in an incredible and authentic conversation with former combat Veteran, Thunderbird Soloist, Motivational Speaker, and 2 Time Author, Michelle “MACE” Curran. Spectators would frequently call Michelle a “Bad-Ass” after seeing her fly with the Thunderbirds, and while she’ll be the first to humbly deny it, it’s hard to disagree. She has done some incredible things that most people could never imagine doing. Brian and Duck quickly dive into the bravery that is required to jump into these positions, and learn a lot about what the word “bravery” means to a person like Michelle. It’s really a perfect fit for the “Harder to Breathe” Podcast, because since leaving the Thunderbirds, Michelle has turned her focus toward speaking about the importance of vulnerability. She talks openly about the struggles she faced as one of the only women in history to achieve her rank in the Thunderbirds, and how she oftentimes found herself trying to hide the fact that she was struggling– even when it would have benefited her to reach out to others. The recurring word that comes up throughout the discussion is “Authenticity”, and you’ll see why right away. Michelle, Ryan, and Duck have a conversation here that flows effortlessly, despite their differing backgrounds. Michelle is able to make her incredible and action-packed life seem relatable to everyone, and it’s proof that even the most “elevated” of us are still human beings, with human problems and human emotions. 0:00:00 Introduction 0:02:20 Today’s Guest: Michelle Curran 0:03:51 Duck’s Free Therapy: Setting Yourself Apart 0:10:57 Watching Adam Levine’s Growth into Superstardom 0:14:28 The Weirdest Time in Maroon 5’s History (The Awkward “Audition”) —-- 0:18:03 Launch-Day for Michelle’s New Book: “What’s Your CallSign?” 0:20:45 The Meaning Behind Fighter Pilot Callsigns 0:22:45 The Inspiration for the Book 0:25:39 The Origin of Michelle’s Callsign 0:27:06 The Culture of Life as an Airforce Pilot & Imposter Syndrome 0:31:11 The Advice Michelle would Give Her Younger Self 0:36:12 The Importance of Reaching Out to Others Early On 0:40:31 Building the Courage to Conquer Your Inner Critic 0:44:49 Parallels Between Ryan and Michelle’s Experiences 0:52:18 Michelle’s Course: “The Bad-Ass Masterclass” 0:54:48 Fears that Michelle Carries to this Day 0:56:04 What’s Next for Michelle 0:57:59 The Challenges of Writing a Book 1:03:09 Actionable Goals & Building Habits 1:06:42 What’s Fun For Michelle 1:09:09 Did Something Ever Go Wrong Up in the Sky? (The Vulture Story) 1:19:42 Wrap Up & Conclusion More on Michelle “Mace” Curran: - Official Website - Instagram - Michelle’s First Book, “Upside Down Dreams” - Michelle’s BRAND NEW BOOK, “What’s Your Callsign?” Ready to Dive Deeper?: BenBella Books Author Page - Amazon Book Page - WWSG Speaker Page - Psychology Today Therapist Profile - Stay Up to Date on the Podcast: Follow Ryan on Social Media: IG - LinkedIn - Facebook - Facebook Author Page - X / Twitter - Follow Duck on Social Media: IG - X / Twitter -
/episode/index/show/5c72a4a1-ff4f-4184-bc52-47c4a3a4afcf/id/32024257
info_outline
04: Embracing the Cookout, While Avoiding the Burnout ft. The Grill Dads
07/02/2024
04: Embracing the Cookout, While Avoiding the Burnout ft. The Grill Dads
For today’s episode of “Harder to Breathe'', host and former drummer of “Maroon 5” Ryan Dusick is joined by co-host and actor Brian “Duck” Maillard to welcome two very special guests: Mark Anderson and Ryan Fey, food entertainers better known by their joint branding persona “The Grill Dads”. The warmth of the Grill Dads is felt right away, owing in part to the long held relationship between Dusick and Mark, a friendship that stretches back to the Maroon 5 Touring Days. The four men have a touching and humorous conversation that finds its way into some really vulnerable areas, including divorce, masculinity, mental health, imposter syndrome, addiction, social media, and more. Mark and Fey discuss the challenges of presenting themselves as “Lighthouse Dads” while maintaining strong real-life relationships with their families, as well as the burn-out that can be associated with having as many “Irons in the Fire” as they do. It’s a conversation that shows the depth of the intelligence, business acumen, and self-awareness that the Grill Dads carry beyond their front-facing “Idiot” persona. No doubt you’ll hear a little bit of your own experiences reflected back at you through their discussion. 0:00:00 Introduction & The Origin of “Duck”’s Nickname 0:02:31 Today’s Guests: Mark Anderson & Ryan Fey a.k.a “The Grill Dads” 0:07:28 Get to Know The Grill Dads 0:11:41 The Story of Dusick’s Introduction to Mark 0:13:44 The Leap of Faith to Leave Advertising and Launch Toward Passion 0:18:04 “Opportunity” Looks a Lot Like Hard Work - The Food Network Years 0:28:00 The Real Life Emotion Happening Behind the Scenes 0:28:40 Navigating Friendship AND Business 0:30:00 Responding to: “Say ‘Yes’ to Anything” Advice 0:38:40 The Meaning of Relationship: to Work, Food, and Each Other 0:42:00 Avoiding Emotional Pitfalls Common to Chefs 0:48:20 The Roles Mark and Fey Play on Screen and in Life 0:57:00 What it’s Like Appearing on Daytime Talk Shows 0:59:00 Do Ryan and Fey Deal With Imposter Syndrome? 1:11:38 Mark’s Personal Question for Dusick 1:14:50 What’s Coming Up For “The Grill Dads” 1:17:00 Wrap Up & Conclusion= More on The Grill Dads: - Official Website - Instagram - Facebook - Youtube - The Cookbook: “The Best Grilling Cookbook Ever Written by Two Idiots” Ready to Dive Deeper?: BenBella Books Author Page - Amazon Book Page - WWSG Speaker Page - Psychology Today Therapist Profile - Stay Up to Date on the Podcast: Follow Ryan on Social Media: IG - LinkedIn - Facebook - Facebook Author Page - X / Twitter - Follow Duck on Social Media: IG - X / Twitter -
/episode/index/show/5c72a4a1-ff4f-4184-bc52-47c4a3a4afcf/id/31749277
info_outline
03: Facing Grief with Sexy Humor
06/25/2024
03: Facing Grief with Sexy Humor
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode features heavy and extensive conversation surrounding suicide, facing suicide loss, suicide prevention, and more. For today’s episode of “Harder to Breathe'', host and former drummer of “Maroon 5” Ryan Dusick is joined by co-host and actor Brian “Duck” Maillard alongside special guest: Actor, Comic, Influencer, and Founder of “Mourning Glory”: Aleksei Archer. Aleksei Archer is truly one-of-a-kind. Her mission is to bring together victims of Suicide Loss through her foundation “Mourning Glory”, and to face a very dark topic like suicide with both humor and sex appeal. It’s an extremely fine line to walk, yet undeniably a fascinating and unique one. The trio dive deep into Aleksei’s relationship with her father, who she lost to suicide, and how joining a community of victims to Suicide Loss has been a powerful and necessary step in her growth and healing process. Along the way, important and useful topics come up including the stress of Social Media, Generational Trauma, Sexual Identity and so much more… with plenty of laughs along the way– the forte of Aleksei’s groundbreaking approach to trauma. More on Aleksei Archer: - Mourning Glory, Aleksei’s Suicide Loss Program Instagram: @alekseiarcher - Her Professional/Personal Website 0:00:00 Introduction & Reminiscing on Duck’s Band 0:08:10 Intro to Today’s Guest: Aleksei Archer 0:09:33 Duck’s Free Therapy Session – Will He Ever “Make It?” — 0:18:46 Aleksei Archer Joins the Podcast 0:21:40 What is “Mourning Glory” and “Active Grieving”? 0:26:53 Ryan and Duck’s Connection to Community 0:32:14 How Aleksei Grows and Grieves Today 0:35:16 Ryan’s Family Connection to Suicide 0:37:37 How to Build Resilience 0:40:29 The Importance of Our Language Around Suicide 0:42:16 Humor and the Psychology Surrounding It 0:47:04 Generational Trauma 0:50:24 How Aleksei Identifies, and the Importance of Identity 0:53:31 Anxiety and Pressure Surrounding Social Media 1:03:53 The Focus on Suicide Loss vs. Suicide Prevention 1:05:20 What People Should Understand About Grief (Community Part 2) 1:09:42 Know Your Unhealthy Healing Modalities 1:13:53 How to Have Healthy Conversations Surrounding Suicide 1:26:40 Aleksei’s Upcoming Show, “Venice Beach Scumbags” 1:26:04 Wrap-Up & Conclusion Ready to Dive Deeper?: BenBella Books Author Page - Amazon Book Page - WWSG Speaker Page - Psychology Today Therapist Profile - Stay Up to Date on the Podcast: Follow Ryan on Social Media: IG - LinkedIn - Facebook - Facebook Author Page - X / Twitter - Follow Duck on Social Media: IG - X / Twitter -
/episode/index/show/5c72a4a1-ff4f-4184-bc52-47c4a3a4afcf/id/31862912
info_outline
02: The Willingness to Be Vulnerable with Dusick and The Duck
06/20/2024
02: The Willingness to Be Vulnerable with Dusick and The Duck
For today’s episode of “Harder to Breathe'', host Ryan Dusick is joined by longtime friend and occasional collaborator Brian “Duck” Maillard. Duck’s successful acting career (as well as his anxiety) began on the Off-Broadway stage in New York City. After deciding to turn his focus to film and tv, he moved to Los Angeles where he would go on to meet Ryan at a Costume Party just before the end of Ryan’s time as the drummer of Maroon 5. Despite seeming like he had it all together, Ryan was dealing with heavy alcohol addiction for the first decade of their friendship– something that Duck never knew he was going through. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the trauma that Duck experienced as a result of growing up under his father’s alcoholism, has led him to a lifetime of complete sobriety which he maintains to this day. Ultimately, the conversation allows both men to be vulnerable about their experiences, one of the main goals here on the “Harder to Breathe'' podcast. The two discuss the importance of being upfront and honest with yourself about what you’re feeling and what you’re going through. It may not always help to be “positive”, but it does help to have an awareness of what you’re feeling– especially if you are comfortable sharing that experience with others. 0:01:25 How Ryan met “Duck”, the Harder To Breathe Podcast Co-Host 0:06:08 The Effect of Alcohol on Ryan’s Past 0:07:20 Duck’s Background & Start as an Actor 0:011:20 Does Ryan Miss Life as a Musician? 0:14:43 Ryan’s Involvement in Duck’s One-Time Band 0:17:25 Duck’s Connection Between Music and Acting 0:22:18 The Pressure Ryan Felt Growing Up 0:26:04 How Does Duck Deal With Pressure? 0:31:31 The Power of Feeling Like You “Belong” 0:34:03 Duck’s Thoughts on “Fake it ‘Till You Make It” 0:38:40 Ryan’s Thoughts on “Fake it ‘Till You Make It” 0:40:54 The Background of Duck’s Sobriety 0:45:03 The Manifestation of Duck’s Anxiety 0:52:17 Can People Change? 0:59:39 The Power in Learning From Bad Role Models 1:03:11 The Willingness to be Vulnerable 1:12:12 Wrap Up & Conclusion Ready to Dive Deeper?: BenBella Books Author Page - Amazon Book Page - WWSG Speaker Page - Psychology Today Therapist Profile - Stay Up to Date on the Podcast: Follow Ryan on Social Media: IG - LinkedIn - Facebook - Facebook Author Page - X / Twitter - Follow Duck on Social Media: IG - X / Twitter -
/episode/index/show/5c72a4a1-ff4f-4184-bc52-47c4a3a4afcf/id/31687692
info_outline
01: Setting the Stage - Life After Maroon 5
06/11/2024
01: Setting the Stage - Life After Maroon 5
Welcome to “Harder to Breathe”, a brand new podcast hosted by founding drummer of the world’s favorite band “Maroon 5”, and current therapist, author, and speaker, Ryan Dusick. In this Pilot episode Ryan will set the stage for what’s to come, giving you a brief taste of the mental and physical struggle he dealt with as the first drummer of Maroon 5. At that point in his life, pressure was high, and without being properly equipped to handle the accompanying anxiety, Ryan became physically unable to perform. He couldn’t play the drums, and was forced to leave the band, simultaneously leaving behind the identity that he had crafted for himself over the course of a decade in the band. In the ensuing years Ryan turned his struggles into a chance to help others, eventually going back to school to become a Therapist. Now, with his “Harder to Breathe” book and this newly launched Podcast of the same name, he’s seeking to inspire vulnerability from other people who also find themselves in the public eye. He’ll be discussing mental health in all aspects with performers, musicians, entrepreneurs, athletes, and more– all with the intention of learning how they manage to keep a healthy mind amidst a chaotic and high-pressure life. 01:41 Introduction: Who is “Ryan Dusick”? 02:54 How Did We Get Here? 09:46 Where I’m At Today 10:42 What’s the Meaning Behind “Harder to Breathe”? 16:34 What to Expect From the Show 22:34 How YOU Can Relate 25:34 Look at problems as a Challenge… Not a Threat 30:36 Anxiety is Nature’s Performance Enhancer 35:29 Curiosity for Self, Others, & for Living 40:34 Wrap Up, Conclusion, and What’s Coming Up Ready to Dive Deeper?: BenBella Books Author Page - Amazon Book Page - WWSG Speaker Page - Psychology Today Therapist Profile - Stay Up to Date on the Podcast: Follow Ryan on Social Media: IG - LinkedIn - Facebook - Facebook Author Page - X / Twitter -
/episode/index/show/5c72a4a1-ff4f-4184-bc52-47c4a3a4afcf/id/31687567