The Mental Musician

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 mental health stigma in the music industry • To create a space where musicians, artists, and creators feel supported • And to let people know they don’t have to go through it alone. I may not have millions of dollars, wealthy connections to make changes to systems, government policies and laws, but I can start honest conversations about burnout, depression, anxiety, career pressure... all of it. So if you’ve ever felt like you're the only one struggling, this podcast is for you. Because musicians deserve to succeed without sacrificing their health. So let’s support each other, build this community, and give ourselves a real shot.