Brick by Brick

Philosophy

Getting Existential With Mark Arm

Michael Friedman Ph.D. on April 17, 2023

The frontman of rock band Mudhoney discusses the philosophy behind his creativity.

The frontman of rock band Mudhoney discusses the philosophy behind his creativity.

Emotion Regulation

How Shaun Morgan Empties His Jar

Michael Friedman Ph.D. on April 1, 2023

"Every time I allowed myself to be vulnerable, I was let down again. And then it became a shame. I felt ashamed that I had allowed myself to be fooled again and again and again."

"Every time I allowed myself to be vulnerable, I was let down again. And then it became a shame. I felt ashamed that I had allowed myself to be fooled again and again and again."

Anxiety

What Brent Smith Understands About Being Human

Michael Friedman Ph.D. on March 28, 2023

"I would be more nervous if I wasn't nervous, because it lets me know I'm alive. It lets me know that I care."

"I would be more nervous if I wasn't nervous, because it lets me know I'm alive. It lets me know that I care."

Career

Adam Darski and the Dynamic Evolution of Heavy Metal Music

Michael Friedman Ph.D. on September 22, 2022

Founding member of band Behemoth shares how heavy metal music inspired him to overcome obstacles, discover his true self, and achieve his purpose.

Founding member of band Behemoth shares how heavy metal music inspired him to overcome obstacles, discover his true self, and achieve his purpose.

Relationships

Heavy Metal GWAR and the Power of Identity

Michael Friedman Ph.D. on August 11, 2022

"It was a matter of personal economics. It just started costing me more to do it than I was taking away from it. And so I had to stop.”

"It was a matter of personal economics. It just started costing me more to do it than I was taking away from it. And so I had to stop.”

Addiction

How Love Saved Max Cavalera

Michael Friedman Ph.D. on August 9, 2022

“Without this music, I don't exist.”

“Without this music, I don't exist.”

Self-Help

Why We Feel Empty

Michael Friedman Ph.D. on July 7, 2022

When feeling empty and disconnected, instead of filling the void with unhealthy habits, here are steps we can take to understand and embrace our emptiness to achieve fulfillment.

When feeling empty and disconnected, instead of filling the void with unhealthy habits, here are steps we can take to understand and embrace our emptiness to achieve fulfillment.

Career

The Evolution of Iggor Cavalera

Michael Friedman Ph.D. on May 27, 2022

Achieving the fame and success you dreamed of as an artist may have unintended consequences. Musician Iggor Cavalera discusses how he finds balance.

Achieving the fame and success you dreamed of as an artist may have unintended consequences. Musician Iggor Cavalera discusses how he finds balance.

Relationships

How to Cope When People Let You Down

Michael Friedman Ph.D. on May 20, 2022

How do we cope when we feel let down by someone we trust? Here are a few suggestions as inspired by Dr. Mike's conversation with the artist Jewel.

How do we cope when we feel let down by someone we trust? Here are a few suggestions as inspired by Dr. Mike's conversation with the artist Jewel.

Addiction

How Ann Wilson Groks the Abyss

Michael Friedman Ph.D. on May 11, 2022

Ann Wilson of the band Heart talks about coping with feelings of emptiness and loneliness by embracing the pain through music.

Ann Wilson of the band Heart talks about coping with feelings of emptiness and loneliness by embracing the pain through music.

Anxiety

Why Jewel Knows That We Are Never Broken

Michael Friedman Ph.D. on April 22, 2022

While negative emotions and anxiety may make us feel "broken," the artist, Jewel, shares how viewing them as our allies can show just how whole we are.

While negative emotions and anxiety may make us feel "broken," the artist, Jewel, shares how viewing them as our allies can show just how whole we are.

Career

Why The Go Go's Drummer Gina Schock Is a Chip Off the Old Block

Michael Friedman Ph.D. on April 21, 2022

Gina Schock, drummer of The Go-Go's, recounts the joys and struggles of caring for her elderly parents who suffered from Alzheimer's disease. 

Gina Schock, drummer of The Go-Go's, recounts the joys and struggles of caring for her elderly parents who suffered from Alzheimer's disease. 

Fear

Confronting Existential Dread With Dani Filth

Michael Friedman Ph.D. on January 27, 2022

Many of us have experienced the panic of existential dread. Dani Filth shares how music helps him explore this fear, find purpose and embrace living.

Many of us have experienced the panic of existential dread. Dani Filth shares how music helps him explore this fear, find purpose and embrace living.

Self-Help

How Lit Taught Us That It’s Okay to Be Our Own Worst Enemy

Michael Friedman Ph.D. on January 18, 2022

Are we our own worst enemies or are our "gut instincts" trying to tell us something? Ajay Prokoff of the band Lit shares his insights with Dr. Mike.

Are we our own worst enemies or are our "gut instincts" trying to tell us something? Ajay Prokoff of the band Lit shares his insights with Dr. Mike.

Loneliness

Finding Home With Lena Scissorhands

Michael Friedman Ph.D. on January 13, 2022

Where is home? Is it the physical space where you live, or is it a mental state that you can nurture and that lives within you?

Where is home? Is it the physical space where you live, or is it a mental state that you can nurture and that lives within you?

Relationships

Frank Bello and the Powerful Invisibility of Abandonment

Michael Friedman Ph.D. on November 18, 2021

Frank Bello of Anthrax shares how music helped and continues to help him cope with being abandoned by his father as a child.

Frank Bello of Anthrax shares how music helped and continues to help him cope with being abandoned by his father as a child.

Fear

Contemplating Regret With Carl Bell

Michael Friedman Ph.D. on November 5, 2021

Regret can haunt us because we will not know the results of our choices perhaps until the end of our lives. But here are ways we can cope with our fear of regret.

Regret can haunt us because we will not know the results of our choices perhaps until the end of our lives. But here are ways we can cope with our fear of regret.

Fear

Slugging It Out in the Dark With Jerry Cantrell

Michael Friedman Ph.D. on October 27, 2021

Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains talks about overcoming obstacles and pursuing our purpose by finding a community of like-minded individuals that share in our dreams.

Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains talks about overcoming obstacles and pursuing our purpose by finding a community of like-minded individuals that share in our dreams.

Mindfulness

The Aggressive Vulnerability of Rick Allen and Lauren Monroe

Michael Friedman Ph.D. on September 9, 2021

Raven Drum Foundation co-founders share their compassionate approach to healing.

Raven Drum Foundation co-founders share their compassionate approach to healing.

Relationships

Rain Phoenix and the Ferocity of Militant Love

Michael Friedman Ph.D. on July 21, 2021

Rain Phoenix shares how grieving her brother River's death was a 25-year experience and how "militant love" helps her maintain compassion.

Rain Phoenix shares how grieving her brother River's death was a 25-year experience and how "militant love" helps her maintain compassion.