Episode 252
The Burden of Celebrity: Mental Health in the Spotlight
The episode delves into the profound complexities of the artistic experience, particularly highlighting the interplay between creativity and personal trauma. I recount my own journey, which commenced with vivid past life memories at a tender age, leading to a lifelong exploration of spiritual and psychic dimensions. Central to our discourse is the notion that many artists derive their most compelling work from periods of darkness and emotional turmoil, a reflection of the universal human condition. We further examine the societal pressures that artists face, often exacerbated by the expectations of success, which can lead to significant mental health challenges. Ultimately, I express a deep-seated commitment to fostering healing among creatives, emphasizing the need for supportive frameworks that address the intertwined nature of artistic expression and personal well-being.
The narrative unfolds with a remarkable exploration of the speaker's early life experiences, specifically the extraordinary recollection of past life memories that emerged when the speaker was merely two and a half years old. This profound awakening catalyzed a series of inquiries directed towards their parents, seeking clarity regarding an existence that seemingly transcended the present. The parental figures, rooted in their own diverse cultural and religious backgrounds—Roman Catholic and Jewish—exhibited a blend of curiosity and bewilderment, ultimately fostering an environment that encouraged the speaker's exploration rather than dismissing it outright. As the dialogue progresses, the speaker recounts their journey through various metaphysical avenues, including encounters with psychics and astrologers, which illuminated their innate clairvoyant abilities. Such experiences not only shaped the speaker's understanding of their own spiritual path but also laid the groundwork for a lifelong commitment to self-healing and the healing of others.
Takeaways:
- The speaker recounts a significant childhood experience involving past life memories that shaped their spiritual journey.
- They emphasize the importance of self-healing before assisting others on their healing paths in life.
- The podcast discusses the intersection of artistry and mental health, highlighting the pressures faced by artists in the entertainment industry.
- A notable point raised is the collective cultural tendency to connect through shared pain and trauma in artistic expression.
- The speakers address the misconception that artistic talent is inherently tied to personal suffering or trauma.
- The conversation includes reflections on the societal expectations placed upon artists, which can lead to anxiety and mental health struggles.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- Brian Weiss
- Alicia
- Barbra Streisand
- Selena Gomez
- Justin Bieber
Transcript
Well, I kind of, I have like a really kind of odd beginning.
Speaker A:I had a past life memory when I was two and a half years old.
Speaker A:I started asking my parents about my other parents and this other life that I had in Spain.
Speaker A:And they were like.
Speaker A:And my father was raised Roman Catholic, my mother Jewish.
Speaker A:So they weren't like, you know, they didn't know what I was talking about, but they were curious, they didn't shut me down.
Speaker A:And they were like, you know, and they.
Speaker A:So they asked me questions about it.
Speaker A:And shortly thereafter that I sort of was hearing like, you know, I could like I was having clairvoyant, clairaudient experiences where I could like hear beings from the other side.
Speaker A:And so my parents didn't exactly know what to do, so they would take me to like astrologers and psychics and stuff.
Speaker A:And they'd be like, oh, she's a psychic, she's a healer, this, that and the other.
Speaker A:And so around nine years old, I read this book called Many Lives, Many masters by a Dr.
Speaker A:Brian Weiss, who researched for many, many years talking with children under the age of five and doing past life regression therapy.
Speaker A:And they would remember their previous lives and then he would take them to like the place they were telling the story about and like names and people.
Speaker A:There's like no way these children would have known of like, you know, Robert, such and such in some island off of Scotland.
Speaker A:Do you know what I mean?
Speaker A:So like connecting all these dots and basically saying how before the age of five, the veil is really thin and you can remember.
Speaker A:So that sent me on this sort of very long, deep path of thinking for some answers and skill building around all of that.
Speaker A:So that's just been like a lifelong path for me.
Speaker A:And when you go on a path like that, I've been on a priestess path and a shamanic path and all different energy healing modalities.
Speaker A:On those paths, you first go through your own self healing process so that you could then support others in their process.
Speaker A:And so that's just sort of been like something that's just like an intuitive part of my life because I've been just trying to make sense of it all for the majority of my life.
Speaker A:And then I'd say alongside that, in my work with Alicia and any other artists that I've worked with again, and myself being an artist, I had to push through tremendous fear to write songs and to sing songs and to do all that stuff.
Speaker A:And so, and really understanding where that fear came from, where those blocks came from.
Speaker A:And so I felt really Called.
Speaker A:Because in the music business, it's like you've got artists and then you've got business.
Speaker A:And I found myself kind of wedged in this place of, like, I was good at both.
Speaker A:I was an artist and I was good at business.
Speaker A:But I felt like a sense of responsibility to support artists in their own.
Speaker A:In their own kind of personal growth work.
Speaker A:Because, you know, you see, you see, you know, I remember once, like, meeting with Barbra Streisand, and she talks about this publicly, but you know how, like, she gets so nervous before she goes on stage.
Speaker A:Like, sometimes she throws up.
Speaker A:So sometimes you see somebody who looks like the most confident badass in the whole world, and they're up on stage in an arena, but this person is struggling.
Speaker A:As we know, we've lost so many artists early.
Speaker A:So there is this interesting, like, dichotomy where artists are working with the most profound gift, that universal love.
Speaker A:Language, in a way.
Speaker A:But at the same time, there's also darkness and pain and trauma there.
Speaker A:And a lot of the industry kind of fuels that because there's this idea that you have to be in pain to write a good song or you have to be at.
Speaker A:So there's not really a support mechanism around how to heal through that.
Speaker A:So I found myself at the intersection of that and a lot of my relationships, and I felt like.
Speaker A:I just felt a sense of responsibility there.
Speaker B:That reminds me of when Selena Gomez canceled her massive tour because of anxiety.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker B:And that seemed to have come as a big surprise to everyone.
Speaker B:But it's.
Speaker B:It can be terrifying even if you do it every day going out and there's 10, 20, 30,000 people there watching.
Speaker B:You should just have to cancel the whole thing.
Speaker B:So Barbra Streisand has that.
Speaker B:True.
Speaker A:She's just immense pressure.
Speaker A:Yes, she's got performance anxiety in a big way, but it's just.
Speaker A:It's like even beyond that.
Speaker A:I remember we came out, we worked really, really hard on Alicia's first album for many, many years before she came out.
Speaker A:And then all of a sudden, it was like 10 million records and five Grammys or whatever the case.
Speaker A:And all of a sudden, you're on this.
Speaker A:You go from nobody knowing you to everybody knowing you and being.
Speaker A:We put these artists on pedestals like they're gods and goddesses and they're just human.
Speaker A:They shit like everybody else.
Speaker A:People, they put on their pants like everybody else.
Speaker A:They had them.
Speaker A:It's a lot of pressure.
Speaker A:And then after that, then you've got the industry pressure of like, well, are you going to do it again.
Speaker A:Do can you sell another 10 million records?
Speaker A:Are you gonna come out with another hit?
Speaker A:So it's like there's so much psychic pressure coming from your fans, from the business, from everything.
Speaker A:And you're like, you know, you become trapped pretty quickly.
Speaker A:You're in this like goldfish bowl, you know, I remember like going and doing like after party gigs and it's like you're sitting there at a club and everyone's just like looking at you, you know, so it's very.
Speaker A:It's not real life.
Speaker A:And.
Speaker B:And now with phones, it must be even weirder too.
Speaker B:People just taking pictures of you and stuff.
Speaker A:It's.
Speaker A:It's the weirdest.
Speaker A:Parties, planet Earth.
Speaker A:It's just bizarre.
Speaker A:Like we, you know, we have a cultural issue, I believe, with.
Speaker A:With what.
Speaker A:With what we.
Speaker A:With what we project onto celebrity.
Speaker A:And I think it creates a lot of mental health issues for people.
Speaker A:And there's no support around that for sure.
Speaker C:And you had firsthand knowledge with Alicia being so close to watching that go on.
Speaker C:Someone I think of when we speak of the pressure is like Justin Bieber, for example.
Speaker C:That poor gentleman was going through all of that in one of the hardest times to live as a man, just as a male.
Speaker C:And for him, I could only imagine what that would have done to someone's.
Speaker A:You know, mental and a baby.
Speaker C:So I know a lot of people like to dump on that kid.
Speaker A:Yeah, he's not developed.
Speaker A:So.
Speaker A:How old was he when he came on the scene?
Speaker A:He was a child.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:A baby that for some reason grown men hated with a passion.
Speaker B:I've never seen anything like that.
Speaker C:It was weird.
Speaker B:Every discussion anytime if, if a man is like over 35, they would hate him for like he killed their dog or something.
Speaker B:It was so weird.
Speaker B:Just cause it's a dog and because.
Speaker A:It'S just again because that, those, those men are wounded and insecure in their own shit.
Speaker A:And he's holding up a mirror and triggering that.
Speaker A:And that's why I'm like, everybody needs to heal their shit.
Speaker A:Because we're all out here projectile vomiting our unhealed wounds on each other.
Speaker A:Acting self righteous, period.
Speaker C:You're absolutely right.
Speaker B:I'm gonna send this video.
Speaker A:Send it?
Speaker A:Yeah, yeah, it should send it along with a number of.
Speaker A:Somebody who can help their asses.
Speaker A:It's okay, we can all do it together.
Speaker A:Just face your shit.
Speaker A:You go through it.
Speaker A:I promise.
Speaker B:I have a question.
Speaker B:I'm going to raise my hand just for the delays and stuff.
Speaker B:You don't have to answer this.
Speaker B:Question.
Speaker B:So I'm still trying to understand the scope of everything that you do.
Speaker B:But from what I understand, part of it has to do with.
Speaker B:With you seeing things other people can't see and helping them connect with their past.
Speaker B:Maybe.
Speaker B:Now, here's my question.
Speaker B:At least I believe that some people are just dicks, right?
Speaker B:Do you ever get somebody and you just feel.
Speaker A:The dick energy?
Speaker B:Yeah, you just get a client who's like, I have these issues.
Speaker B:And you just feel them and you're like, oh, he's just an asshole.
Speaker B:Like, does that ever happen?
Speaker B:Or you're like, I can't help you.
Speaker B:That's just who you are.
Speaker A:Thankfully, like, I don't get that type of.
Speaker A:I don't like because, you know, I'm not an energetic match for that type of energy.
Speaker A:So people aren't trying to come to me.
Speaker A:But what I won't do is I won't.
Speaker A:I won't spin around in a sort of circle with somebody who's really committed to their victim story.
Speaker A:This.
Speaker A:This keeps happening to me and these people kind of like it's a mindset game.
Speaker A:And if you don't have the capacity to like.
Speaker A:And I don't feel like you're really bout it with like getting up out of a situation you're in and you just are.
Speaker A:You're just committed to your story that life is happening to you.
Speaker A:And like, I can't help you.
Speaker A:I can't change your mindset.
Speaker A:You have to want it.
Speaker A:So, like, that's the only thing I'm not.
Speaker A:I don't.
Speaker A:I don't.
Speaker A:I can't.
Speaker A:I can't really get with people who don't have, like, the energy to.
Speaker A:Who really want to break through whatever it is they're dealing with.
Speaker A:And I don't believe people are just dicks because they're just innately dicks.
Speaker A:You're a dick because, you know, some shit happened to you when you were a kid and you disassociated out of your body and you weren't given the love you needed and you're projecting that on everybody else.
Speaker A:But if you want to heal.
Speaker B:Hear that, Anthony.
Speaker A:I've got resources for you.
Speaker B:Okay?
Speaker C:So how do you begin that?
Speaker C:How does someone begin that healing process?
Speaker C:Is it just accepting that they are broken?
Speaker A:And it's not even broken, it's just wounded, Right?
Speaker A:Because it's like, at the end of the day, the truth of who we are is that we are.
Speaker A:We already are whole.
Speaker A:It's just that these things have happened and we've Forgotten the truth of who we are.
Speaker A:So first, it's just like, I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.
Speaker A:You know what I mean?
Speaker A:You have to just get to that point.
Speaker A:You're like, I'm done with this.
Speaker A:I want something different for myself.
Speaker A:And that's usually when somebody finds me, you know what I mean?
Speaker C:Right.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker C:So they wouldn't be an asshole, because they're definitely trying to come to you to help because they've submitted to the idea that they need help, but they.
Speaker A:Wanted it and they want to change.
Speaker A:Yeah, exactly.
Speaker A:I can't help people who don't want to change, and I have no interest in that.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker C:One thing you had talked about was how so many artists, so many great artists write from a place of pain.
Speaker C:Why do you think it's so much easier for artists to be able to write from darkness as opposed to.
Speaker C:As opposed to when they're happy and feeling great?
Speaker A:Well, I think that in general, we could all agree that the most kind of, like, growth in our lives come out of those challenging situations, Right?
Speaker A:Like, the people that were the hardest for me to deal with that, like, I'm like, you know, or like, maybe I have, like, you were, like, an enemy or whatever.
Speaker A:Like, at the end of the day, like, I had, like, a quantum level of growth behind my experience with that person.
Speaker A:So there's, like, a lot to pull from in any type of storytelling.
Speaker A:Right.
Speaker A:Whereas if it's like.
Speaker A:If it's, like, good all the time, you're kind of like just happy love songs or whatever, you know?
Speaker A:And I think that we are all carrying around varying degrees of pain.
Speaker A:And when you can hear through a song that someone understands and sees and relates to your pain, you know, I think part of the issue is we're just used to connecting to each other through pain.
Speaker A:And that goes across the board where, like, we recognize pain bodies in each other.
Speaker A:And so most of our culture and music and everything is built around a lot of that.
Speaker A:And I think it's just.
Speaker A:I think it's part of our sort of collective, like, maturing process.
Speaker A:It's just where we are collectively.
Speaker A:And I think.
Speaker A:And I also think that, though, that with some artists, it's like, I've talked to certain.
Speaker A:Like, when I sort of.
Speaker A:I sort of kind of approached certain people in the industry, and I was like, hey, I want to do this thing, and I want to help.
Speaker A:I want to help artists heal and stuff.
Speaker A:And they were like, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Speaker A:You know, you might steal the magic.
Speaker A:You know what I mean, so there's this notion that penis comes from that place, and so it's a little.
