Dr. George Musgrave shares over 15 years of research into the dangerous paradox of music careers: how can something that brings joy also cause such profound mental health struggles?
In this episode, we explore why musicians face suicide rates 69% higher than the general population for women and 20% higher for men, examine the stark gap between social media mythology and harsh financial realities, and discuss how 47% of UK musicians earn less than £10,000 annually. George shares practical strategies for protecting your mental health from the perspective of both an academic in this field and an artist who was signed to multiple major labels; including defining success on your own terms, having friends outside the music industry, and focusing on what you can actually control in an unpredictable career.
51 min