Jay sits down with singer-songwriter Noah Kahan to break down the pressure that comes after “making it” – the imposter syndrome, the constant comparison, and the fear of losing it all. Noah shares how music became his escape from anxiety growing up, what it felt like to finally land the record deal he dreamed of, and why success didn’t silence the doubt, it amplified it.
Jay and Noah unpack the myth of the “tortured artist,” and the quiet fear that healing might take away what makes you creative. Noah opens up about his recent OCD diagnosis, how he let go of the belief that he had to suffer for his art, and what it took to find his voice again without relying on pain. Noah speaks candidly about his struggles with body dysmorphia and the unexpected therapy of creating his documentary. Together they explore what it means to find balance and to stop performing for the world so you can finally be seen by the people who matter most.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to Stop Defining Your Worth by Your Work
How to Face Your Unseen Fears Through Therapy
How to Stay Present When Life Feels Overwhelming
How to Extract Lessons from Painful Feedback
How to Handle the Fear of Losing Your Success
How to Stay Grounded Between Praise and Criticism
How to Prioritize Your Time Over the Endless Grind
Whether you are navigating a major life transition or simply trying to find your footing in a loud world, remember that your self-worth is not a mathematical equation based on your latest achievement.
No one should have to navigate their mental health journey alone. Join Noah in the mission to prove that the more we share our stories, the more we empower others to do the same. Visit: https://www.busyheadproject.org/
With Love and Gratitude,
Jay Shetty
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What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro
01:19 Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of Others
03:21 The Childhood Memory That Defined My Career
04:19 Middle Child Energy and the Need to Be Heard
05:34 Music Was My Only Plan A
06:57 The Disconnect Between Fitting In and Being Genuine
09:21 Expressing Yourself Without Giving Yourself Away
12:17 Songwriting: The Constant Search for a Simpler Life
15:17 Every Creative Process Is Different
17:31 When What You Do Becomes Who You Are
25:56 Does Healing Kill Creativity?
28:24 My Biggest Regret in Communicating with Family
31:33 The Vulnerability of Filming Your Private Life
35:25 Healing and Finding Peace as a Family
42:50 Has Success Made Mental Health Harder or Better?
45:09 The Honest Truth about Body Dysmorphia
50:44 Living and Dying by Your Own Honesty
55:42 The Difference Between Going to Therapy and Doing Therapy
58:22 Do You Secretly Find Comfort in Your Pain?
01:00:00 Re-evaluating What Truly Matters After Success
01:03:48 Finding the Strength to Believe in Yourself
01:09:32 Protecting Your Heart While Taking Criticism
01:13:21 Would You Rather?
01:15:31 Gut Reaction
01:18:20 Noah on Final Five
Episode Resources:
Website | https://noahkahan.com/
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/c/NoahKahan
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/noahkahanmusic
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/noahkahanmusic/
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@noahkahanmusic
X | https://x.com/NoahKahan
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