“How And Why Does Drumming RAISE Your I.Q.?” With CHRIS BRIEN Artwork

Beat The Mental Health Out Of It!

“Don’t look to the bottle, the knife, or the gun… Look for the soul you’ll become!

Welcome to “Beat The Mental Health Out Of It!”, where humor meets heart—and things get uncomfortably real!

Join our fearless host, “The DEFECTIVE Schizoaffective,” a lovable goofball navigating life with Schizoaffective Disorder who boldly asked, “What the hell… why not turn my traumatic experiences into a podcast for the enjoyment of others?”

He is often joined by his wise, “elderly” co-host, “IndyPocket,” an unapologetically candid mental health professional and lifelong mentor who adds his invaluable insight to the show!

In this unscripted “bro hang,” I plunge into the labyrinth of mental illness with all the candor and chaos of an unfiltered improv troupe at a hole-in-the-wall comedy club. Expect gut-busting anecdotes and uncomfortably dark humor—so dark it might just need a spotlight—as well as frank conversations that perfectly bridge the chasm between struggle and support.

I’m here to unpack the complexities of mental health, debunk the stigma, and share our own experiences—where every topic is fair game in our whimsical yet serious banter.

You’ll never know where our conversations will go… because frankly, I DON’T EVEN KNOW… And that’s the beauty of it!

From enlightening interviews with brave souls battling their own demons to laid-back discussions about coping mechanisms and the stark realities of life in a world that often misunderstands, this is your go-to podcast for catharsis, featuring plenty of laughs, hard truths, and a tear or two along the way.

This podcast serves as the spearhead for this transformative movement, and I’ve already taken the first step by establishing my Discord community, “The STRUGGLE Bus.” This space is intended for open dialogue, support, and connection as we all work together to navigate our mental health journeys.

We ALL have struggles and something valuable to share in the conversation!

I’m just a lovable dumbass creating a safe space where it’s perfectly acceptable to laugh morbidly at the absurdities of living with mental illness while embracing vulnerability and authenticity.

So, leave your sensitivity at the door and prepare to open your minds to a truly unique experience that just might teach you how to laugh at ANYTHING—even the darkest corners of life!

”Laughter is the best medicine… SO LET’S TAKE OUR DAMN PILLS!”

Stop crying, lighten up and join me as we BEAT THE MENTAL HEALTH OUT OF IT!

All Episodes

Beat The Mental Health Out Of It!

“How And Why Does Drumming RAISE Your I.Q.?” With CHRIS BRIEN

May 12, 2025 • Nicholas Wichman • Season 1 • Episode 13

Welcome to “Beat The Mental Health Out Of It!” with your hosts, The DEFECTIVE Schizoaffective and IndyPocket!

The podcast where we have candid, unscripted discussions about everything related to mental health with a twist of humor and no-holds-barred!

Join us for an episode that was months in the making, with CHRIS BRIEN!

Chris is “A Drummer From Down Under” and one of the most phenomenal players on the planet… an absolute master of the craft and a MONSTER behind the kit!

We talk about the unparalleled impact drumming has on brain development, which he has also shared in TWO TedTalks (links below) by discussing topics, such as:

- How he discovered drumming and the incredible impact instrument had on his brain development

- How to approach teaching drums to new students to cultivate genuine interest and a desire to immerse themselves deeply into learning and practicing

- His experiences with ASMR (ACTUAL ASMR! Not the bullshit we all see on YouTube!)and how this is a euphoric experience that brings him both peace and pleasure

- He discusses Synesthesia and how these individuals experience rhythm and music literally IN COLORS!

- His absolute love of Australia with a great deal of wonderful (and some “intriguing”) stories

We also nerd out about our favorite drummers, drumming trends we despise, terrible slasher films, the music industry (good and bad), how to raise children in a post-COVID world and even transgenders?

YOU CAN FOLLOW CHRIS HERE:

YouTube - https://youtube.com/@chrisbrien?si=OtPVytkzdL52QeJj

Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/chris.brien.39?

Here are the links to both of his TedTalk videos on YouTube:

TedTalk from 2013 - https://youtu.be/XGHi_FiPdAQ?si=3iKmFlaPUnW1nx0k

TedTalk from 2018 - https://youtu.be/1DShDopfjQI?si=2etbsmW09-yzkSFm

We had a blast “Beating The Mental HELL Out Of Drumming!” with this guy and he fit right in with our dumb asses! Thanks Christian!

NEW EPISODES ON MONDAYS!

JOIN “The STRUGGLE Bus” Discord - https://discord.gg/emFXKuWKNA

“The DEFECTIVE Schizoaffective”