The Willingness to Be Vulnerable with Dusick and The Duck | #02

The Harder to Breathe Podcast

For today’s episode of “Harder to Breathe'', host Ryan Dusick is joined by longtime friend and occasional collaborator Brian “Duck” Maillard. Duck’s successful acting career (as well as his anxiety) began on the Off-Broadway stage in New York City. After deciding to turn his focus to film and tv, he moved to Los Angeles where he would go on to meet Ryan at a Costume Party just before the end of Ryan’s time as the drummer of Maroon 5.

Despite seeming like he had it all together, Ryan was dealing with heavy alcohol addiction for the first decade of their friendship– something that Duck never knew he was going through. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the trauma that Duck experienced as a result of growing up under his father’s alcoholism, has led him to a lifetime of complete sobriety which he maintains to this day.

Ultimately, the conversation allows both men to be vulnerable about their experiences, one of the main goals here on the “Harder to Breathe'' podcast. The two discuss the importance of being upfront and honest with yourself about what you’re feeling and what you’re going through. It may not always help to be “positive”, but it does help to have an awareness of what you’re feeling– especially if you are comfortable sharing that experience with others.

0:01:25 How Ryan met “Duck”, the Harder To Breathe Podcast Co-Host

0:06:08 The Effect of Alcohol on Ryan’s Past

0:07:20 Duck’s Background & Start as an Actor

0:011:20 Does Ryan Miss Life as a Musician?

0:14:43 Ryan’s Involvement in Duck’s One-Time Band

0:17:25 Duck’s Connection Between Music and Acting

0:22:18 The Pressure Ryan Felt Growing Up

0:26:04 How Does Duck Deal With Pressure?

0:31:31 The Power of Feeling Like You “Belong”

0:34:03 Duck’s Thoughts on “Fake it ‘Till You Make It”

0:38:40 Ryan’s Thoughts on “Fake it ‘Till You Make It”

0:40:54 The Background of Duck’s Sobriety

0:45:03 The Manifestation of Duck’s Anxiety

0:52:17 Can People Change?

0:59:39 The Power in Learning From Bad Role Models

1:03:11 The Willingness to be Vulnerable

1:12:12 Wrap Up & Conclusion

Ready to Dive Deeper?:

https://www.ryandusick.com/

BenBella Books Author Page - https://benbellabooks.com/authors/dusick-ryan/

Amazon Book Page - https://www.amazon.com/Harder-Breathe-Memoir-Finding-Recovery/dp/1637742339/

WWSG Speaker Page - https://wwsg.com/speakers/ryan-dusick/

Psychology Today Therapist Profile - https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/937599

Stay Up to Date on the Podcast: @hardertobreathepodcast

Follow Ryan on Social Media:

IG - @ryan_michael_dusick

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-dusick-ma-amft-26460894/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ryan.m.dusick

Facebook Author Page - https://www.facebook.com/RyanMichaelDusick/

X / Twitter - @DusickRyan

Follow Duck on Social Media:

IG - @Newyorkduck

X / Twitter - @DuckMaillard