The Mental Musician

music · EN

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 conversati