Everything Storytelling + Mental Health

Maryah N. Nasir
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

Hey, fam! I’m Maryah and I'm a filmmaker, AuDHDer, photographer, a woman with anxiety, a writer, and many, many, MANY more things. Long story short, I am a storyteller who cares a whole lot about mental health. This is a place where I talk about BOTH storytelling and mental health because I believe they are interconnected. After all, storytelling aims to connect with the audience on a deeper level. My goal is to explore the relationship between storytelling and mental health and to create a community where we can be seen, heard, understood, and discover ourselves.

Episodes

  1. 04/11/2025

    10. the impact of mental health in the music industry with Brian Zhang

    Welcome to Episode 10!!!! Wait a minute.... episode 10? Seriously??? Yaaaas! I finally made it!!! Woohoo!! In today's episode, we are discussing how mental health impacts the music industry. According to a study done by the University of Westminster and MusicTank of musicians, "68.5% of 2,211 said they had experienced depression, and 71.1% said they had experienced severe anxiety or panic attacks. ( These results show that musicians are 3 times more susceptible to depression than the average person. " That's a lot. Seriously. There is a big problem of mental health in the music industry, and it is not talked about a lot. Musicians can struggle a lot due to relational issues, financial problems, career struggles, societal pressure, and so much more. Often times, when we look at music celebs, we think their lives must be amazing because they have these fans, and are making big cash. But that's far from the truth. We often don't realize a celeb is struggling with their mental health until they take their own life... I had the pleasure of interviewing Brian Zhang on the podcast, who discusses mental health in the music industry in depth. For over a decade, he taught more than 1,000 students and built a thriving music school. But behind the scenes, he battled major depression—a struggle that began at 17 and followed him through his career. In 2024, he made a difficult decision: he shut down his school to focus on what mattered most—his mental health and helping other musicians do the same. Now, through The Mental Musiciannewsletter and social media, Brian shares raw, honest stories about burnout, anxiety, and creative exhaustion—giving musicians the tools to break free from the pressures of the industry and rediscover their love for music. To hear his insights, check out today's new episode as we dive into the underrated topic of mental health for musicians. To learn more about Brian, you can check him out here: https://www.instagram.com/brianzhangmusic https://www.threads.net/@brianzhangmusic https://thementalmusician.beehiiv.com/subscribe https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-zhang- Also, if you haven't already and want to stay up to date with the podcast, you can check out more here: https://www.instagram.com/everythingstorymentalhealth https://linktr.ee/storytellingmentalhealth Disclaimer***** This podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as legal, health and professional advice. This podcast and the host are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such physical or mental health conditions. ​​The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

    1h 37m

  2. 02/28/2025

    9. living as a blind actress in the creative world and how it impacts mental health with Alicia Grace Chenier

    When you hear the word 'disability,' what comes to your head? Unfortunately, many think of the terms 'unable' or 'superhuman?' In today's society, there seems to be this stereotypical view toward the disabled community where we either can't or super can. In reality, a disability is just a spectrum where each individual has strengths and weaknesses. As an autistic ADHD woman, I can find it very disabling to do certain things while also finding it very enabling to do other things - especially when it comes to doing creative things. The media industry hasn't done the best representation when it comes to showcasing the disabled community but there definitely seems to be some small improvement when it comes to advocating for the disabled community. I had the pleasure of interviewing, Alicia Grace Chenier, on the podcast who goes in full depth about what it's like to live in the creative world as a blind actress. Alicia Grace Chenier is a blind actor, director, and filmmaker who is located in Sudbury Ontario.  To hear her story check out today's brand new episode as we dive into living with a disability in the creative world. To check out Alicia check out her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliciagraceofficial Follow my podcast: https://www.instagram.com/everythingstorymentalhealth Disclaimer***** This podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as legal health and professional advice. This podcast and the host are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such physical or mental health conditions. ​​The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

    48 min

  3. 02/14/2025

    8. anxiety is not a villain from inside out 2 and it protects us from rejection pt 2 with valeria rusnak

    And we're back with part 2 of anxiety and rejection! Join us today as we dive in about personal stories of rejection, ways to manage our anxiety, and how we resonate with Anxiety from Inside Out 2! Valeria Rusnak is the host and producer of The Rejected Pre-Med podcast, a show dedicated to exploring resilience and mental wellness for those navigating setbacks and rejection. Through her podcast, Valeria shares stories and resources, interviewing guests who open up about their own journeys, all aimed at fostering compassion, self-reflection, and growth in the face of adversity. Living with strong tendencies toward anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality, Valeria offers support to anyone struggling with uncertainty in their path while navigating uncertainty in her own life. Based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Valeria is passionate about helping listeners find strength and perspective, and she’s excited to share her insights on Inside Out 2 in today’s discussion. If you want to learn more about Valeria Rusnak then you should check her out: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_rejectedpremed_podcast https://www.instagram.com/valeria_rusnak141 Podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/rejected-premed/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeria-rusnak-911043234/ References: ⁠⁠https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22022452/plotsummary/?ref_=tt_stry_pl⁠⁠ - Inside Out 2 synopsis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_nv-kAq-Wg - Therapist reacts to Inside Out 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGp3KKODEbg -How Inside Out 2 Perfectly Depicts Anxiety https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAGS1F2uWlg - Why Anxiety Is A Perfect Villain | Inside Out 2 Review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEa83afD5I0 -INSIDE OUT 2 psychology explained by therapist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwGKgP6V2v4 -Why Joy & Anxiety are the Same Characters! Meg LeFauve https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/generalized-anxiety-disorder Disclaimer***** This podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as legal health and professional advice. This podcast and the host are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such physical or mental health conditions. ​​The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

    58 min

  4. 01/31/2025

    7. anxiety is not a villain from inside out 2 & it protects us from rejection pt. 1 with valeria rusnak

    *This episode contains spoilers* I think we all know what anxiety feels like and it's not a pleasant feeling. It's estimated that 2.7% of U.S. adults are diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and to be honest, I think it's probably higher than that. If you have seen Inside Out 2 already, then you know that Anxiety's character is a pretty good representation of... anxiety. Yet, I've seen so many misconceptions about the character/emotion and how it's a bad guy and blah blah blah, buuuut that's far from the truth. Anxiety has good intentions but goes about it wrong and that's generally what our anxiety does. One of the biggest factors that Anxiety wants is to keep Riley safe from rejection. But why does Anxiety do this? Well, I had the pleasure of inviting guest speaker Valeria Rusnak for her insight on Anxiety from Inside Out 2 and how it protects us from rejection. Valeria Rusnak is the host and producer of The Rejected Pre-Med podcast, a show dedicated to exploring resilience and mental wellness for those navigating setbacks and rejection. Through her podcast, Valeria shares stories and resources, interviewing guests who open up about their journeys, all aimed at fostering compassion, self-reflection, and growth in the face of adversity. Living with strong tendencies toward anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality, Valeria offers support to anyone struggling with uncertainty in their path while navigating uncertainty in her own life. Based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Valeria is passionate about helping listeners find strength and perspective, and she’s excited to share her insights on Inside Out 2 in today’s discussion. If you want to learn more about Valeria Rusnak then you should check her out: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_rejectedpremed_podcast https://www.instagram.com/valeria_rusnak141 Podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/rejected-premed/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeria-rusnak-911043234/ References: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22022452/plotsummary/?ref_=tt_stry_pl - Inside Out 2 synopsis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_nv-kAq-Wg - Therapist reacts to Inside Out 2 How Inside Out 2 Perfectly Depicts Anxiety Why Anxiety Is A Perfect Villain | Inside Out 2 Review INSIDE OUT 2 psychology explained by therapist Why Joy & Anxiety are the Same Character! Meg LeFauve Disclaimer***** This podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as legal health and professional advice. This podcast and the host are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such physical or mental health conditions. ​​The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

    48 min

  5. 11/15/2024

    6. finding confidence in a competitive world with linda cajuste

    Confidence, confidence, confidence... It's challenging to find in a highly competitive world. As a creative individual—whether I’m writing, photographing, filmmaking, singing, or acting—I often feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of talent surrounding me.Let’s be honest: it can be especially tough when you're neurodivergent and dealing with trauma, anxiety disorders, depression, and other psychological factors. So, is confidence truly achievable in today’s world? I have good news: yes, it is. The truth is, you already possess confidence; it’s been inside you all along. It’s like a jacket that’s been shoved into the back of your closet, hidden and hard to find. I uncovered this truth about myself this year as I made significant self-discoveries.But how do you actually find confidence? Well, I had the pleasure of interviewing Linda Cajuste in today’s episode. Linda Cajuste is a dedicated Confidence Coach, ACC ICF certified life coach, and ideation strategist who empowers shy and introverted women entrepreneurs to find their voices and confidently pursue their goals. With over 15 years of experience in the corporate world as an accountant, she understands the challenges of stepping outside your comfort zone. After more than a decade of studying improv, Linda integrates creativity and spontaneity into her coaching approach. As the co-founder of My Creative Break, she creates meaningful opportunities for authentic networking and connection and runs a teambuilding company that emphasizes collaboration. If you want to learn more about Linda Cajuste and want to work with her then you should check her out: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yes2youcoaching LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindacajuste/ Also if you haven't already and want to stay up to date with the podcast you check out more on the gram: https://www.instagram.com/everythingstorymentalhealth Disclaimer***** This podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as legal health and professional advice. This podcast and the host are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such physical or mental health conditions. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

    1h 16m

  6. 10/19/2024

    5. learning disabilities and the impact it has on the creative world with virginia taylor

    I've spoken a lot about ADHD and other mental health conditions that can impact our creative world, but what about learning disabilities? Learning disabilities are conditions that affect a person's ability to learn information, including reading, writing, math, listening, and speaking, despite having normal intelligence. Unfortunately, individuals with learning disabilities, along with other forms of disabilities, are often overlooked. Less than 1% of writers in the TV industry are disabled, despite 29% of the U.S. population having disabilities... yikes! Today, I'm interviewing speech pathologist Virginia Taylor to discuss this matter. Virginia Taylor runs her own private practice as a speech-language pathologist specializing in literacy intervention. She works with clients of all ages, including children and adults, in Columbia, South Carolina, and through teletherapy in other areas. If you're considering taking a dyslexia evaluation, you should check her out: Mobile: 803 200 1928 Email: ⁠info@literacylinktherapy.com⁠. Also if you haven't already and want to stay up to date with the podcast you can check out more on the gram: https://www.instagram.com/everythingstorymentalhealth Resources https://www.inevitable.foundation/why Disclaimer*** This podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as legal health and professional advice. This podcast and the host are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such physical or mental health conditions. ​​The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

    42 min

  7. 09/27/2024

    4. the writing life and raising awareness of mental health through the power of playwright with Camille Simone Thomas

    I remember when I did plays and musicals. That was a fun time and so long ago. I can't believe it's been over 10 years since I was in a musical. In today's episode, I had the special honor of interviewing Playwrigther, Camille Simone Thomas. Camille Simone Thomas is a playwright and creative located in the Bronx. She’s a 5th generation Detroiter through her father’s side and a first-generation Jamaican through her mother's. It’s important for her to name this because her work most often interrogates cultural legacies, familial healing, spirituality + ancestral wisdom, and the general kicking and screaming of how Black femmes get free despite the oppressive forces of colonialism, capitalism, and white supremacy. Her plays have been workshopped at New York Theatre Workshop, Playwrights Horizons, Sanguine Theatre Company, Blackboard Playwriting series, Lime Arts Theatre Company, American Slavery Project, The Obie Award-winning Harlem9 and Detroit Public Theatre Company, Dixon Place, Workshop Theatre, Barter Theatre Company, The National Women's Theatre Festival, The Brick, and more!  You can check Camille's website and social ⬇️ https://www.camillesthomas.com/ https://www.instagram.com/camille4reel And here is her upcoming play coming up in LA https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-light-in-dark-places-plays-for-hope-tickets-1000994370107?aff=oddtdtcreator And you can follow me on the gram ⬇️ https://www.instagram.com/everythingstorymentalhealth Disclaimer*** This podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as legal health and professional advice. This podcast and the host are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such physical or mental health conditions. ​​The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

    46 min

  8. 09/13/2024

    3. writing techniques for writers who struggle with mental health

    Golly... writing is just super freaking hard y'all. That's just in general too. If writing were that easy everyone would be doing it, and it's a thousand times harder for those who struggle with mental health conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, autism, depression, OCD, learning disabilities, and many many more. I've recently fallen back into my passion for writing and I've been looking for ways to improve my writing process. I know I'm not alone in facing challenges when it comes to writing, so I researched and created a list of 11 techniques that can help anyone kick-start their writing. Whether you're working on a script, blog, book, or anything else, I'm confident that these tips will have a positive impact on your writing journey. Pomodoro Youtube Videos Disclaimer*** This podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as legal health and professional advice. This podcast and the host are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such physical or mental health conditions. ​​The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

    42 min

  9. 07/26/2024

    2. from imagination to impact: embracing your inner child for personal growth and creative inspiration with rachel ann

    Y’all the human brain is just too fascinating. I mean first ADHD and now inner child. What the heck? This topic is so good. Inner child are our deep memories and emotions that we have held on to since we were kids.  Yes since we were kids. This can be times in our lives when we were in elementary, middle, and even high school. The inner child holds the core memories and emotions from our entire childhood. Of course, I did a little research on this, but this time, I wanted to invite a special guest, who was very knowledgeable about the subject. Meet Rachel Ann. Rachel Ann is a Christian holistic life coach, specializing in supporting Christian women of color to show up as their authentic selves, without fear or judgment, and helping them understand how the past impacts the present and, potentially, the future. Her journey began in counseling, advising, coaching, and mentoring back in 2014. As a previous psychotherapist and educator, and as someone with a few mental health diagnoses such as cPTSD, OCD, anxiety, and depression, she uses her professional, academic, and life experience to develop mindset and wellness programs, equipping clients with tools for self-sufficiency, healthy coping mechanisms, and mindfulness techniques to develop healthy views of self, build confidence, and operate in the fullness of who they're called to be. She lives in New York City with her husband and six plant babies. When she's not coaching, you can find her sipping boba, dancing to Afrobeats, or volunteering at her church. Here is Rachel's free gift to you! https://www.rachelanncoaching.com/esmhpodcastfreebie  You can also check her out on the website: https://www.rachelanncoaching.com/ And on her Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/realwithrachelann/ Don't forget to follow me on the gram to keep up with more updates and news about the podcast :) https://www.instagram.com/everythingstorymentalhealth Disclaimer*** This podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as legal health and professional advice. This podcast and the host are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such physical or mental health conditions. ​​The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

    1h 3m

  10. 07/19/2024

    1. the real truth of adhd and living with it as a creative and human being

    I was shocked when I truly found out what ADHD was. Learning this information was a game-changer for me. I had no idea that many things that happened in my life were because of my ADHD, especially in my storytelling world. ADHD is a very misunderstood and underdiagnosed condition. It's been researched that the life expectancy is 13 years shorter for those with ADHD than neurotypical peers. It's not something that shouldn't be taken seriously it SHOULD be taken seriously. In today's episode (the very first episode) I talk about what is truly ADHD. I go all into the science stuff, my personal stories as a creative and human being, and a few solutions to how to live in a world that wasn't made for us ADHDers and neurodivergents. Do you think you have ADHD or know someone who has it? Take a look at these. *These are not diagnostic tests* https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-symptoms-test-adults/ https://add.org/adhd-test/ *These are places where you can get diagnosed* Primary Care Physician or Psychiatrist I'm unfamiliar with this site but it seems to have some good resources to get you started. https://adhdonline.com/ References where I got all my info from: How to ADHD by Jessica McCabe. This book is awesome because this is where I truly learned about myself. 10/10 Recommend https://www.amazon.com/How-ADHD-Insiders-Working-Against/dp/0593578945 Also, Check out her amazing YouTube that explains all about ADHD https://www.youtube.com/@HowtoADHD ADHD for Smartass Women by Tracy Otsuka. If you're a female with ADHD then check this one out! Also 10/10 https://www.amazon.com/ADHD-Smart-Ass-Women-Neurodivergent/dp Some other resources that I used for this podcast episode: ⁠https://www.additudemag.com/slideshows/famous-people-with-adhd/⁠ ⁠https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/adhd/30-famous-people-with-adhd/⁠ ⁠https://adhdembrace.org/famous-people-with-adhd/#:~:text=Although%20it%20can't%20be,and%20general%20theories%20of%20relativity⁠.   ⁠https://add.org/executive-function-disorder/#:~:text=A%20person%20with%20ADHD%20may,not%20mean%20you%20have%20ADHD⁠.  ⁠https://www.landmarkoutreach.org/strategies/executive-function-overview/#:~:text=Brown%20believes%20that%20we%20need,and%20action%20to%20achieve%20goals⁠.  ⁠https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0928425713000223⁠  ⁠https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/27637/storytelling.pdf⁠  What is Executive Function - How it relates to ADHD by Dr. Tracey Marks ⁠https://youtu.be/GIOAwvmHYuY?si=WXHByFDi1pL_xG0H⁠  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2894421/#:~:text=Studies%20have%20found%20that%20ADHD,hemisphere%20specialized%20for%20behavioral%20inhibition. To keep up with the latest updates, follow me on the gram for the latest updates. Instagram: @everythingstorymentalhealth Disclaimer*** This podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as legal health and professional advice. This podcast and the host are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such physical or mental health conditions. ​​The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

    56 min

  11. TRAILER

    Um, what even is this podcast?

    Hey, fam! I’m Maryah and I'm a filmmaker… and an ADHDer... a writer...and woman who deals with anxiety... and a photographer - okay you get the picture. Long story short, I am a storyteller who cares a whole lot about mental health. This is a place where I discuss both storytelling and mental health, which I find to be interconnected. When you tell a story, the goal is to connect with your audience, on a deeper level, reaching their minds. Chances are, they can relate to the situation, understand the problem, or see what it's like to be that person, thing, or character. I'm on a mission to explore the relationship between storytelling and mental health and to create a community where we can be seen, heard, understood, and discover our true ourselves. Disclaimer*** This podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as legal health and professional advice. This podcast and the host are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such physical or mental health conditions. ​​The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

    2 min

Trailer

About

Hey, fam! I’m Maryah and I'm a filmmaker, AuDHDer, photographer, a woman with anxiety, a writer, and many, many, MANY more things. Long story short, I am a storyteller who cares a whole lot about mental health. This is a place where I talk about BOTH storytelling and mental health because I believe they are interconnected. After all, storytelling aims to connect with the audience on a deeper level. My goal is to explore the relationship between storytelling and mental health and to create a community where we can be seen, heard, understood, and discover ourselves.

Information