From Isolation to Impact: Orphan Prodigy on Agoraphobia, Adoption, and Art

This week on the Mental Health and Music Podcast, I sit down with Ian Keller—aka Orphan Prodigy—for one of the most vulnerable and inspiring conversations we’ve had to date. Ian opens up about his two-decade journey fronting an alt-rock band, the mental health crash that left him unable to leave his apartment, and the transformative exposure therapy that helped him reclaim his life. From the shadows of agoraphobia to a bold reinvention as a solo artist and producer, Ian’s story is a fearless testament to what happens when we face our fears head-on.

We talk about music as a healing ritual, the lifelong complexities of adoption, the scars of early relationships, and the spiritual work it takes to rebuild from emotional ground zero. Ian’s project, Orphan Prodigy, blends rock, trance, and EDM to form a genre-fluid soundtrack for modern-day anxiety—one that’s as cathartic as it is electrifying. Whether you’re navigating trauma, addiction, or simply trying to find your voice, this conversation is a reminder: don’t give up. There’s healing in the noise.

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Learn more about Orphan Prodigy and his music:

https://www.orphanprodigy.com/