Brian Zhang

The Mental Musician

Music EN ↓ 5 episodes

Hey everyone, Welcome to The Mental Musician Podcast. My name is Brian Zhang. I'm a guitarist, music teacher, and writer from Sydney, Australia. I've been a professional musician for over a decade. But behind the scenes, I've battled major depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. In June 2021, I had a mental breakdown. It forced me to face what I’d been carrying for years. And when I finally opened up to other musicians... It was confronting to hear how many musicians said, “I’ve gone through the same thing”—and how lonely they felt. That’s why I started this podcast: • To break the me...

Author

Brian Zhang

Episodes

Is Passion Hurting Musicians' Mental Health 10.05.2026 1:37:45

"Follow your passion." It's the age old advice that every musician will receive at some stage in their lives. On one hand, passion can be a good thing as it drives a young musician to be committed and motivated to work harder than everyone else. On the other hand, it can push a musician to become obsessive, and ignore every other part of their life, including their mental health. Tha...

Why So Many Musicians Are Struggling With Their Mental Health 25.03.2026 1:16:55

Hey, it’s Brian welcome to The Mental Musician Podcast . This show is about breaking the mental health stigma in the music industry and having the conversations most musicians avoid once the stage lights turn off. Chapters (00:00) Introduction: Welcome Michael and Michelle (6:39) Starting a conversation about mental health (12:09) Discussing why musicians struggling with their mental health (15:07...

An Honest Conversation About Getting Through Suicidal Thoughts and Walking Away From Music 05.02.2026 1:52:53

Talking about suicide isn’t normal in society — let alone in the music industry. But sometimes what we call normal is the very thing that’s hurting us. At some point, you have to choose to create a new kind of normal. And for musicians, that can mean doing the unthinkable: putting your dreams aside to take care of yourself. My guest today, Michael Wright — bass guru and teacher from the UK — firml...

Brian talks about rebuilding his life after breaking down with two seizures in 2025 (solo episode) 10.01.2026 34:20

After a long period of suicidal ideation, a complete breakdown, and two seizures, I spent most of 2025 rebuilding my life . I know many of you listening to this are artists and musicians trying to do the same thing. So in this episode, I share three things I changed to get my life back on track. These lessons may or may not work for you, but I hope they give you inspiration knowing that I was able...

Opening up about the mental health struggles that musicians don't talk about with Mike Wright 14.12.2025 2:04:55

Being a musician can be lonely. Being a musician living with depression and mental illness can be even lonelier. My first guest today, Michael Wright, knows that reality firsthand — and instead of staying silent, he’s dedicated his career to breaking the stigma and opening up in an industry that has long discouraged people from doing exactly that. With the bass and guitar in hand, he is one of the...