CHECK YOUR HEAD: Mental Help for Musicians Podcast Season 5 premiere episode features JEWEL and Therapist RYAN DUSICK (Maroon 5) Drops May 15 for Mental Health Action Day 2025 20242X Winner of a “People’s Choice” Podcast Award (2024, 2021) |
| In honor of Mental Health Action Day on May 15, 2025, the CHECK YOUR HEADPodcast is proud to partner with MTV’s Mental Health Action Day to launch its Season 5 premiere episode, featuring singer/songwriter and mental health advocate Jewel, and licensed therapist Dr. Ryan Dusick, LMFT—former drummer of Maroon 5 and author of the memoir and podcast Harder to Breathe. |
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| After a short hiatus, the CHECK YOUR HEAD Podcast returns to the airwaves as a 2X “People’s Choice” Podcast Award winner (2024 & 2021).Musical guests on past episodes include: The Lumineers, Fred Armisen (SNL, Portlandia), Killswitch Engage, Lindsey Stirling, Grouplove, James Arthur, grandson, Sal Rodriguez of WAR, The Revivalists, Emilio Castillo of Tower of Power, Clarke (Guns N’ Roses), Dirty Heads, Amos Lee, Seether,and the iconic Linda Ronstadt—with more to come.Each episode pairs musical guests with top mental health experts such as:Dr. Dan Reidenberg (SAVE.org, suicide prevention expert)Dr. Ish Major (named on “America’s Top Psychiatrist” list, TV’s Marriage Boot Camp)Tim Ringgold, MT-BC, Music Therapist and author of Sonic Recovery: Harness the Power of Music to Stay S.O.B.E.R. |
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“When I first heard the news in 2017 that Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Audioslave) had lost his life to suicide, the news hit me hard,” says host Mari Fong, who covered Cornell as a music journalist. “Then when Chester Bennington (Linkin Park) took his own life, and soon after AVICII (Tim Bergling) did the same, I just couldn’t believe it. These were artists whose music brought me so much joy—how could they be living in so much pain? I knew I had to do something that could actually make a difference.”That “something” was becoming an advocate for musicians and their mental health. Fong began raising funds by hosting music events and partnering with charities to address the growing crisis of suicides, substance abuse, and mental health challenges in the music industry.Having personally experienced depression and anxiety, Fong brings real-world understanding and compassion to her mission.“The darkness and hopelessness of depression, and the irrational fears that come with anxiety, were real battles for me,” says Fong. “But when I finally found solutions that worked, a better, happier life was on the other side.”“Musicians can often lose their way, not know where to turn, or give up on finding help. I want to give them hope, encourage persistence, and provide both real-world and professional solutions. That way, everyone can choose their own path to recovery.” |