
Michael Murphy (Written By Wolves): Living w/ Anxiety & Perfectionism Recovery w/Mari Fong (Life Coach for Musicians) & Kat Jensen
10/07/21 • 61 min
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Mari Fong interviews Michael Murphy, lead singer of Written By Wolves, and musician health expert Kat Jensen. Michael Murphy shares his story and solutions for anxiety and depression, where his goal to always be “the best” started to have a negative affect on him and his family. Michael explains why songwriting is easier than traditional therapy, and how making lists has worked wonders for him. We play a clip of “Help Me Through the Night” inspired by Michael’s anxiety. Written By Wolves dropped the “The Collab Project” EP made as a mental health initiative featuring collaborations with Kellin Quinn of Sleeping with Sirens, Sonny Sandoval of P.O.D. and more.
Next, Mari Fong, Life Coach for Musicians, and Kat Jensen, singer-songwriter formerly of Love Toyz, talk about the dangers of perfectionism and how it can be tamed to work for you, not against you. How perfectionism can creep into a musician’s life and wreak havoc on their mind, body, spirit and relationships. How mistakes show you the way to achieving your goals.
“Be brave, ask for help, and be persistent in finding the mental help that you need.” For free and affordable solutions for mental health and addiction recovery, visit: http://checkyourheadpodcast.com/
* Donate to our mission at checkyourheadpodcast.com or on our patreon.com page. Every dollar is appreciated, every listener is appreciated.
- THANK YOU for following us on social media @checkyourheadpodcast
- Watch and subscribe to our YouTube Channel: checkyourheadpodcast.youtube
Mari Fong interviews Michael Murphy, lead singer of Written By Wolves, and musician health expert Kat Jensen. Michael Murphy shares his story and solutions for anxiety and depression, where his goal to always be “the best” started to have a negative affect on him and his family. Michael explains why songwriting is easier than traditional therapy, and how making lists has worked wonders for him. We play a clip of “Help Me Through the Night” inspired by Michael’s anxiety. Written By Wolves dropped the “The Collab Project” EP made as a mental health initiative featuring collaborations with Kellin Quinn of Sleeping with Sirens, Sonny Sandoval of P.O.D. and more.
Next, Mari Fong, Life Coach for Musicians, and Kat Jensen, singer-songwriter formerly of Love Toyz, talk about the dangers of perfectionism and how it can be tamed to work for you, not against you. How perfectionism can creep into a musician’s life and wreak havoc on their mind, body, spirit and relationships. How mistakes show you the way to achieving your goals.
“Be brave, ask for help, and be persistent in finding the mental help that you need.” For free and affordable solutions for mental health and addiction recovery, visit: http://checkyourheadpodcast.com/
* Donate to our mission at checkyourheadpodcast.com or on our patreon.com page. Every dollar is appreciated, every listener is appreciated.
- THANK YOU for following us on social media @checkyourheadpodcast
- Watch and subscribe to our YouTube Channel: checkyourheadpodcast.youtube
Previous Episode

Chase Bryant: Living w/Anxiety, Depression & Imposter Syndrome Recovery w/Aric Steinberg (Sweet Relief Musicians Fund)
Mari Fong interviews country singer-songwriter Chase Bryant and Sweet Relief Musicians Fund Executive Vice President of Development & Artist Relations, Aric Steinberg. Chase Bryant shares his solutions for anxiety, depression and imposter syndrome recovery. After skyrocketing to fame, Chase Bryant found himself quickly playing with country superstars like Tim McGraw where the stress of fame took his toll and led him to a suicide attempt. Slowing his life down, being true to himself, and therapy have soothed his soul and helped calm his mood disorders.
Next, Aric Steinberg of Sweet Relief Musicians Fund talks about how this 501(c)3 nonprofit can help musicians and others working in the music industry with financial assistance, especially during this pandemic. Sweet Relief and the CHECK YOUR HEAD Podcast partner for the Add-A-Buck Program where artists donate $1 for each ticket sold to benefit musicians and their mental health. Aric shares how easy it is to apply for Sweet Relief assistance.
“Be brave, ask for help, and be persistent in finding the mental help that you need.” For free and affordable solutions for mental health and addiction recovery, visit: http://checkyourheadpodcast.com/
* Donate to our mission at checkyourheadpodcast.com or on our patreon.com page. Every dollar is appreciated, every listener is appreciated.
- THANK YOU for following us on social media @checkyourheadpodcast
- Watch and subscribe to our YouTube Channel: checkyourheadpodcast.youtube
Next Episode

Sal Rodriguez (WAR): Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior & Addiction Recovery w/Jeff Duke (Christ Powered Recovery)
Mari Fong interviews Sal Rodriguez of WAR and Jeff Duke, Founder of Christ Powered Recovery. Sal Rodriguez shares how music, drinking alcohol and parties were part of his lifestyle growing up which led to an addiction to cocaine and selling LSD as a teen. His obsessive-compulsive behaviors made it hard to stop using but eventually found his solutions through Christ Powered Recovery and the 12 steps. Multi-platinum selling band WAR celebrates their 52nd anniversary in 2021.
Next, we have Sal Rodriguez's mentor and founder of Christ Powered Recovery, Jeff Duke, who shares his knowledge on why the program worked for Sal and how to prevent relapse with our mood disorders and addictions. With 26 years of sobriety, Jeff shares common trials and tribulations of recovery and how a better life is waiting for you on the other side.
“Be brave, ask for help, and be persistent in finding the mental help that you need.” For free and affordable solutions for mental health and addiction recovery, visit: http://checkyourheadpodcast.com/
* Donate to our mission at checkyourheadpodcast.com or on our patreon.com page. Every dollar is appreciated, every listener is appreciated.
- THANK YOU for following us on social media @checkyourheadpodcast
- Watch and subscribe to our YouTube Channel: checkyourheadpodcast.youtube
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