Ryan Dusick: The Truth About Fear and Creativity

December 2, 2025

From “Love Song” to Waitress on Broadway, Sara Bareilles has built a career on vulnerability and taking creative risks. But is she fearless?

“I’m the opposite of fearless,” she confesses in this intimate interview.

Host Ryan Dusick sits down with his old friend Sara Bareilles for a deeply personal conversation about navigating the music industry, overcoming anxiety, and finding your authentic voice. Sara opens up about her mental health journey, the “game-changing” impact of therapy, and why leaning into fear has been the key to her artistic growth.

This episode is packed with honest reflections on:

The Myth of Fearlessness: Why fear is actually a useful indicator of where you need to go next.

Mental Health & Creativity: Sara shares her experience with depression and anxiety, and how learning not to “abandon yourself” is crucial for relationships and art.

A Heartfelt Apology: Ryan and Sara share a touching moment of closure regarding a difficult time on tour with Maroon 5.
From Pop Star to Broadway Star: The transition from the charts to the stage, and how Sara found a new sense of community in the theater world.

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about embracing imperfection and finding the courage to be messy, complicated, and human.

Ryan Dusick brings a rare blend of music industry insight and therapeutic expertise to every conversation, making him a compelling speaker on topics like mental health, resilience, and creative identity. Dusick’s speaking engagements are managed exclusively by WWSG. To host him as your event speaker, contact us.

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