NOAH KAHAN: Imposter Syndrome, Anxiety & The Pressure of Success (What He’s Never Shared Before)
4/6/20261 hr 23 min
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
JAY’S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX
Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe
Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro
01:54 Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of Others
04:39 The Childhood Memory That Defined My Career
05:42 Middle Child Energy and the Need to Be Heard
06:57 Music Was My Only Plan A
08:44 The Disconnect Between Fitting In and Being Genuine
11:09 Expressing Yourself Without Giving Yourself Away
14:05 Songwriting: The Constant Search for a Simpler Life
17:25 Every Creative Process Is Different
18:52 When What You Do Becomes Who You Are
24:07 The Power of Journaling Your Lessons
27:05 Does Healing Kill Creativity?
29:48 My Biggest Regret in Communicating with Family
32:43 The Vulnerability of Filming Your Private Life
36:32 Healing and Finding Peace as a Family
43:51 Has Success Made Mental Health Harder or Better?
46:19 The Honest Truth about Body Dysmorphia
52:09 Living and Dying by Your Own Honesty
57:40 The Difference Between Going to Therapy and Doing Therapy
01:00:24 Do You Secretly Find Comfort in Your Pain?
01:02:01 Re-evaluating What Truly Matters After Success
01:05:59 Finding the Strength to Believe in Yourself
01:11:04 Protecting Your Heart While Taking Criticism
01:14:06 Stability Rooted in Love and Marriage
01:20:48 Would You Rather?
01:22:55 Gut Reaction
01:25:46 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
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsJay Shetty· Host0:00
This is an iHeartPodcast, Guaranteed Human. [soft music] Life doesn't always go to plan, and for parents, there are days when everything happens at once. That's why I appreciate anything that brings real relief in those moments. Real life needs real relief. That's why DoorDash is there for whatever you need, whenever you need it. Being able to take one task off the list means more time, more presence, and a little more peace, and that matters. Parents know all too well how crazy life can get. DoorDash just helps bring a little order to it. Spring is here, and Spring Fest is happening now at Lowe's. If your yard needs a refresh, grab Stay Green Premium two cubic foot mulch, five bags for just ten bucks. That's right, five bags for just ten bucks to help your landscaping look its best. And if you're heading indoors, you can save up to forty percent off select major appliances, making it a great time to upgrade the machines that keep your home running. Whether you're working in the yard or tackling chores inside, our best lineup is here at Lowe's. Valid through April twenty-second, while supplies last. Selection varies by location. See lowes.com for details. Mulch offer excludes Alaska and Hawaii. We spend so much time managing stress and wellness, but sometimes it's the unseen things around us that throw us off, like allergens hiding in the air we breathe at home. That's where Clorox Pure Allergen Neutralizer