#49 Improving Mental Health on Tour | Amber Health

Recorded live from Rock Lititz in Lititz, Pennsylvania, host Nikki Sanz sits down with Dr. Chayim Newman and Zack Borer—the co-founders of Amber Health—to talk about what it really takes to support touring crews and live event professionals when the days are long, the pressure is constant, and the margin for error is basically zero.

This conversation goes beyond “mental health awareness” and into what support looks like on the ground: proactive tools that help people manage the road and real-time backup for the moments that can derail a camp—conflict, crisis, burnout, and the stuff nobody wants to put on the comms channel.

What you’ll learn:

• Why touring can be “lonely in a crowd,” even with a full crew around you
• What changes when support is built for the road, not a 9–5 world
• The difference between proactive training and crisis response
• How trust and industry fluency make care actually usable
• Why this is shifting into a standard tour budget line item
• How support can reduce conflict, turnover, and operational risk

Dr. Chayim Newman and Zack Borer bios:
Dr. Chayim Newman and Zack Borer, LMFT are the co-founders of Amber Health, the music industry's only full-service mental health and wellness provider. Since launching the organization in 2021, their team has pioneered a new standard of care specifically designed for the unique demands of the music business. Together, they've developed and implemented comprehensive mental health programs that serve everyone from touring crews and live event staff to A-list artists and major music companies. Their innovative approach addresses the full spectrum of mental health needs—from crisis intervention and ongoing support to preventative wellness initiatives and systemic cultural change. Amber Health has forged groundbreaking partnerships with industry leaders including Sony Music, Clair Global, and world-renowned artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Green Day, Ed Sheeran, and Billie Eilish and more.

Dr. Newman holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and maintains a private practice specializing in clinical care for artists and industry members. He utilizes a variety of therapeutic modalities—including ACT, CBT, Mindfulness, and traditional psychotherapy—to address the psychological and emotional challenges unique to the music world. With over two decades of involvement in the industry as a touring performer, event producer, and artist liaison, Dr. Newman brings firsthand insight into its distinct stresses. He was also the co-founder of the Tour Health Research Initiative (THRIV), dedicated to conducting research on mental health in the touring sector, and co-creator of the weekly Come Together music industry online support groups. In his spare time, Dr. Newman can be found studying ancient Jewish spirituality or surfing off the coast of Portugal.

Zack is a Los Angeles-based licensed psychotherapist with a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. After spending a decade as a professional musician and songwriter, he transitioned into mental health with a deep understanding of the unique pressures faced by artists and music industry professionals. His dual background allows him to connect authentically with clients who navigate the intersection of creative expression and mental wellness.

Together, Zack and Dr. Newman are committed to making mental health support accessible and stigma-free for an industry that has historically lacked dedicated resources.

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Host: Nikki Sanz