Nancy Wilson has seen it all throughout her career. Her musical journey has taken her all across the globe as she’s played her music in front of thousands of fans on some of the world’s biggest stages. Her talent as a songwriter is undeniable, but experiences from her childhood and the steps she’s taken on her mental health journey have played just as important of a role in helping her become who she is today.
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Wilson was a recent guest on The Hardcore Humanism Podcast with Dr. Mike as the two had a wide ranging conversation about the Heart songwriter’s upbringing, sexism as it relates to the origins of the iconic song “Barracuda,” and so much more.
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Nancy Wilson is fresh off the release of her studio album You and Me, which features the title track as a tribute to her mother, Lois. When Wilson was a child, her mother took her and her siblings on a ship to Taiwan to meet up with her father, who was stationed there was a Marine.
The trip over to Taiwan was something that Wilson remembers well. “There were no real railings on the sides of the ship, so I was on a leash,” Wilson said.
Her wartime experiences is something that Wilson uses to draw parallels to what’s going on today amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. “We've been in a war this last year with a pandemic,” she said. “And there's a similarity to how you gather yourself together and how you keep your loved ones close and how you protect your bubble... we've had to readjust our whole way of living and thinking and protecting our own lives, and the lives of our loved ones."
Wilson added: “I think there's definitely a symbolic connection there to what it's like to live through a war.”
Dr. Mike’s Hardcore Humanism speaks with musicians about their mental health journey and the lessons that they’ve learned. “We’ve chosen musicians because they are often outside-the-box thinkers who have overcome tremendous struggles to achieve their purpose,” Dr. Mike said in a statement.
“We want people to get inspired by the experiences of these accomplished artists and to take-away insights that they can apply in their own lives,”
Audacy's I’m Listening initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-273-8255.
WATCH MORE: Simple ways you can reduce anxiety and stress in your life
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