A Cuppa With: Mental Health in Music Podcast

A Cuppa With: Mental Health in Music - Episode one: An Introduction

In Episode one, we hear about how musicians and music venue owners are struggling. This six-part series discusses themes of mental health issues that have arisen throughout the five years of the ‘A Cuppa With’ radio show. In the wake of the continued uncertainty surrounding the Covid19 pandemic, with the complete detriment to the live music industry, there are massive ramifications to the mental health of musicians who have lost their livelihood. Each episode will be one hour long featuring a musician talking about their experiences and a mental health expert giving tools on how to fill your wellness cup both during and beyond the pandemic. In Episode one, we hear about how musicians and music venue owners are struggling. We hear from Jamie Mulrooney from Doppler, Micah Music Robin James Hurt, Claire Nolan from Lypton Village Siobhan Shiels of Great White Lies, Dave Judge of Abner Browns Barbershop and The Underground Venue and Dave Reid of Minding Creative Minds.

A Cuppa With: Mental Health in Music - Episode two: Dealing with Uncertainty

Episode two is on ‘Dealing With Uncertainty’ something we are all familiar with these days. - we hear from Barry Jay Hughes and Naoise Roo on how they struggled with the loss of certainty and planning around their music careers, Robin James Hurt - Music a full time gigging musician who has swapped his multiple weekly live sets in Temple Bar for multiple walks a day with his dog Dougal. We hear how he has had to deal with the blow to his full time income and how he is coping. We also hear from Clinical Hypnotherapist and best selling author Fiona Brennan- Clinical Hypnotherapist- The Positive Habit who specialises in helping people manage the unknown. Fiona used to own a theatre company so she’s also very in tune with the uncertainty around the creative lifestyle. Fiona chats to Rachel about how people can incorporate mindfulness into their day to build their resilience and control the controllables.

A Cuppa With: Mental Health in Music - Episode three: Beating Imposter Syndrome

Episode Three of the Mental Health in Music series covered “Beating Imposter Syndrome” - which is something which impacts all creatives - and most people to be fair! Imposter Syndrome is that nagging feeling that nothing you’ve created is good enough and you will be "found out" eventually! Sound familiar? Well, in this episode I talk to Emma Langford who is a prime example of someone who has worked their way to the top - from the ground up. Emma has openly talked about her own insecurities, while continuing to achieve her dreams, in spite of self-doubts! I'm also joined by Mental Health and Mindfulness expert, and author, Padraig O'Morain - who talks about the familiarity we all have with imposter syndrome and how to overcome 'the fear'. Also featured on the show speaking about their experiences with imposter syndrome are Katie Gallagher - KTG Ódú and Dave O’Grady.

A Cuppa With: Mental Health in Music - Episode four: Finding Your Authentic Self

This week, it's Episode FOUR - all about "finding your Identity" and I look at how to build an authentic identity, in a way that is completely true to your own value systems. This episode features Danny G & the Major 7ths, Enda Gallery, Tolü Makay, and Louize Carroll I loved speaking with Tolü! As someone who has a very strong presence, she stepped away from corporations and has worked tirelessly to be true to who she is. A true inspiration with the most magical voice!! I also chat with the brilliant Louize Carroll, Chartered Psycologist - who also just so happens to be extra qualified to discuss musicians and mental health - as she's also @theblizzardsie Bass player! Louize brings expertise from both sides of her personality and has a special interest in working with people in creative industries, so was the perfect choice for this episode.

A Cuppa With: Mental Health in Music - Episode Five: Knowing Your Worth

A Cuppa With: Mental Health in Music - Episode FIVE - all about Knowing Your Worth. We will look at; Knowing your worth, Knowing your boundaries, and Knowing how to say No. I’m joined by; Author, N.U.I.G. Lecturer and speaker, and Clinical Psychologist, Dr Malie Coyne and also by independent music publisher, and musician, Rohan Healy, one half of The Dublin City Rounders and owner of Beardfire Music Publishing. This week the discussion is all about what worth means, how to truly value yourself, how to set your personal standards, and put your own wellbeing first. We also hear from some musicians who were offered some bizarre alternatives to monetary payment for gigs thanks Robin James Hurt and Siobhan Shiels for taking part.

A Cuppa With: Mental Health in Music - Episode Six: Maintaining Our Wellbeing Passed the Pandemic

Episode SIX - is all about 'Ongoing Wellness Passed the Pandemic'. In this final episode - we will look at how to support your own, and others mental health, while working in the often uncertain creative industry. I'm joined by: Aoife Ruth; a researcher, educator and psychotherapist, with special expertise in Politics and Sociology and Integrative Psychotherapy. Aoife is passionate about working with musicians to develop personally and professionally. We talk about the positive response of musicians coming together in a unified voice in challenging unhelpful narratives around the arts. Aoife also discusses the negative stories we tell ourselves and how we can check in to adapt the destructive bullying we do in our own minds. I'm also joined by Niall Breslin, known to most as 'Bressie': the singer, guitarist and songwriter with The Blizzards… a leading figure in Mindfulness and Co-Founder of the Mental Health Charity A Lust for Life. We talk about changing the perception of music and the arts as a career. Niall also speaks about how important it is for musicians to keep their authenticity and their rawness. Both guests highlight the amazing work being done by Minding Creative Minds and both speak about how 'Victor Frankl's - 'Man's Search for Meaning' is one of the most important books ever written. We also hear from Cara Kursh and Jim O'Donoghue Martin - 'Video Blue' on how they look after their mental health.