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August 29, 2025 57 mins

Is the music industry a mental health hazard? This is one of the many questions explored in this episode, as Johnny and first-time co-host, Jermaine Marshall, explore the mental health and wellness challenges of writing, recording and performing music with local artists Ricky Brant—who writes, records and performs music as KaKaow (and hosts Musiikki Café's popular weekly open mic night)—and Rich Tyo of JukeBox County, who is also a professional psychotherapist. The conversation spans everything from substance abuse and addiction to grief and trauma, and covers topics ranging from self-care to professional help and even psychedelics treatment.

Chapters:
00:00:22 Episode overview
00:01:38 Guest and host introductions
00:03:15 Psychiatry vs. psychotherapy
00:04:44 Is the music industry a mental health hazard?
00:08:49 Music as an outlet for pain and trauma
00:12:34 Balancing artist image and authentic identity
00:15:42 Music as a mental health tool
00:18:21 The vulnerable act of making and sharing music
00:21:39 Reconciling religion and music
00:23:57 Opening the musical medicine cabinet
00:26:56 Processing feelings vs. catharsis
00:30:37 How to approach professional mental health help
00:33:55 Live music as therapeutic infrastructure
00:40:06 No substitute for connection
00:42:54 Carrying grief as an artist
00:44:50 Ricky's rebound from rock bottom
00:53:13 Psychedelic support
00:55:46 Episode credits

Episode Production Credits

Guests:
Rich Tyo of JukeBox County https://kingstonlive.ca/jukebox-county
Ricky Brant (KaKaow) https://kingstonlive.ca/kakaow


Hosts:
Johnny San john@kingstonlive.ca
Jermaine Marshall https://kingstonlive.ca/jermainemarshall

Episode Links:
Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Addiction & Mental Health Services https://amhs-kfla.ca
AMHS-KFLA mental health crisis programs https://amhs-kfla.ca/programs-services/crisis/
Outside the Box Education & Psychotherapy https://www.kingstonoutsidethebox.com/
JukeBox County https://kingstonlive.ca/jukebox-county
KaKaow https://kingstonlive.ca/kakaow
Musiikki Café https://kingstonlive.ca/musiikki-cafe
Kingston concerts and music festivals https://kingstonlive.ca/
Audio production by Soundwise https://kingstonlive.ca/resource/1191590/view

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