State Of Mind with Maurice Benard

Latest Episodes:

Tarek Tohme: What Loss Revealed, What the Cage Gave Back & Michael Jackson's Advice Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

Tarek Tohme joins Maurice Benard to discuss grief, mental health, Michael Jackson, and MMA. In this full episode of State of Mind, the filmmaker, actor, producer, and writer reflects on growing up shy and emotionally guarded, the emotional education many young people never receive, and the pressure he encountered in Hollywood. Tarek also opens up about losing two close friends, shares personal memories of Michael Jackson and the media attention his family experienced after Jackson’s death, and explains why stepping into the cage became a grounding practice in his own life.
The conversation also returns to Hold On, the film that brought Maurice and Tarek together, as Maurice describes acting through anxiety and Tarek reflects on compassionate leadership on high-pressure sets. From the childhood metaphor of being “a lock” to the contrast between a career roadmap and an emotional roadmap, the episode centers self-expression, resilience, grief, and the discipline that helped Tarek feel grounded.

Disclaimer: This program is intended strictly for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. It does not constitute formal medical advice, clinical diagnosis, or mental health treatment protocols.
Support Resources:
🆘 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call, text, or chat 988 for 24/7 free, confidential support.
Follow SOM, tap 5 stars, & share this episode with someone who needs it.

Video Versions of State of Mind available on YouTube!
Watch!
Buy Maurice’s New York Times Bestselling Book!
Nothing General About It: How Love (and Lithium) Saved Me On and Off General Hospital

Follow Maurice on Social Media:
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State Of Mind Merch:https://www.mbstateofmind.com
State of Mind Production Team:
Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard
Executive Producer: Paula Benard
Director of Production & Video: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Strategy Consultant: Aaron Calafato
Audio Consultant: Ken Wendt

Trauma Surgeon Jeremy Heffner on PTSD & the Cost of Holding It All In... Aug 09, 2026

Show notes

Trauma surgeon Jeremy Heffner tells Maurice Benard what emotional control cost him. After years of managing chaos and carrying other people’s worst moments, Jeremy says he became so skilled at locking away emotion that he could no longer cry. He called it a “black hole in my heart.” In this deeply personal State of Mind conversation, Jeremy and Maurice go inside PTSD, moral injury, doctor burnout, residential treatment, faith, EMDR, COVID, men and emotion, and what happens when the people expected to handle everyone else’s crisis have nowhere to put their own. Maurice connects Jeremy’s story to his own lived experience with bipolar disorder, severe depression during COVID, faith, and why State of Mind exists.
Content note: This episode includes discussions of suicidal ideation, severe depression, trauma exposure, residential treatment, PTSD, and alcohol-related harm.

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Breaking the Cycle with Rena Sofer (GH's Lois Cerullo) Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

In this episode from the SOM archives, General Hospital's Rena Sofer opens up about breaking family cycles, B&B, and becoming Lois. In this powerful conversation with Maurice Benard, the daytime legend reflects on the father who protected her, the family trauma she worked to break, and why she refuses to diagnose a family member. She explores how iconic characters like Lois Cerullo and Quinn Fuller came alive, the real-life relationship that had to end before it could be rebuilt, and why she eventually chose to walk away and follow her own dreams.
(Disclaimer: This program is intended strictly for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. It does not constitute formal medical advice, clinical diagnosis, or mental health treatment protocols.)
Support Resources:
🆘 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call, text, or chat 988 for 24/7 free, confidential support.
📘 "Nothing General About It" Autobiography: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062973371
Follow SOM, tap 5 stars, & share this episode with someone who needs it.

Video Versions of State of Mind available on YouTube!
Watch!
Read Maurice’s New York Times Bestselling Book!
Nothing General About It: How Love (and Lithium) Saved Me On and Off General Hospital

Follow Maurice on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mauricebenard/

X: https://twitter.com/mauricebenard

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MauriceBenard/

"I Kept It Inside": GH's Finn Carr (Rocco) Reveals His Hidden Struggle Aug 02, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, which originally aired in January of 2025, General Hospital's Finn Carr (Rocco) and Maurice Benard (Sonny) sit down for a deeply honest conversation about acting pressure, anxiety, depression, and finding your voice. Moving beyond the heavy storylines of Port Charles, the two GH actors dive into the realities of growing up in the industry, from Finn’s early days acting alongside Betty White to the brutal, fast-paced reality of soap opera production. Opening up about his mental health journey, Finn details what panic attacks feel like, his experience navigating seasonal depression, and why Zoom therapy presented unique challenges during the pandemic. Maurice reflects on the cost of method acting, his own nervous breakdowns, and why opening up about mental health is the most important step a young man can take. The duo also share the specific routines—from cold water swimming to rock climbing—that help them stay grounded and keep depression at bay.
*Photo Courtesy of Disney/Ricky Middlesworth

(Disclaimer: This program is intended strictly for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. It does not constitute formal medical advice, clinical diagnosis, or mental health treatment protocols.)
Support Resources:
🆘 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call, text, or chat 988 for 24/7 free, confidential support.
📘 "Nothing General About It" Autobiography: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062973371
Follow SOM, tap 5 stars, & share this episode with someone who needs it.

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Matty Fiorenza: Firefighter PTSD, Addiction and Surviving a Suicidal Crisis Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

First responder Matty Fiorenza joins Maurice Benard for an unflinching conversation about firefighter PTSD, complex trauma, moral injury and recovery. After a 22-year career marked by devastating emergency calls, physical injuries and unresolved childhood wounds, Matty describes how addiction and isolation brought him to a life-threatening crisis. He also shares the daily practices, faith, service and community of men that helped him rebuild his life and now allow him to support other first responders who are struggling.
(Disclaimer: This program is intended strictly for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. It does not constitute formal medical advice, clinical diagnosis, or mental health treatment protocols.)
Support Resources:
🆘 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call, text, or chat 988 for 24/7 free, confidential support.
📘 "Nothing General About It" Autobiography: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062973371
Follow SOM, tap 5 stars, & share this episode with someone who needs it.

X: https://twitter.com/mauricebenard

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MauriceBenard/

James Patrick Stuart: Anxiety, Addiction, Grief and Finding Purpose Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

This episode is from the SOM archives. Originally recorded in 2021, it features James Patrick Stuart, beloved as Valentin Cassadine on General Hospital. James joins Maurice Benard for a deeply honest conversation about anxiety, self-medication, grief, faith and recovery. James shares how a simple act of service helped redirect his life, while Maurice reflects on surviving his own darkest period and the professional help that saved his life. Together, they explore what it means to keep going, help others and discover purpose beyond yourself.
(Disclaimer: This program is intended strictly for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. It does not constitute formal medical advice, clinical diagnosis, or mental health treatment protocols.)

Support Resources:
🆘 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call, text, or chat 988 for 24/7 free, confidential support.
📘 "Nothing General About It" Autobiography: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062973371

Follow SOM, tap 5 stars, & share this episode with someone who needs it.

Follow Maurice on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mauricebenard/

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AJ Mendez / AJ Lee on WWE, Bipolar Disorder, and and Making Peace With “Jean” Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

AJ Mendez, known to WWE fans around the world as AJ Lee, returns to State of Mind and has a deeply honest and powerful conversation Maurice. They talked about growing up tough, surviving pressure, living with bipolar disorder, and returning to the wrestling spotlight with a healthier sense of self.

AJ opens up about her childhood, her mother’s mental health journey, hospitalization, therapy, routine, and the tools that help her separate herself from dark thoughts. She also shares why she named the darker side of her bipolar disorder “Jean,” how she learned to manage anxiety before stepping back into the ring, and why support, treatment, and self-awareness look different for everyone.

For lifelong WWE fans, this is a rare look at the person behind AJ Lee. For anyone navigating their own mental health journey, it is a reminder that a diagnosis does not have to define you. With the right tools, support, and honesty, what feels like a weakness can become part of your strength.

In this episode, Maurice and AJ discuss bipolar disorder, wrestling, anxiety, depression, WWE, mental health support, creative work, marriage, storytelling, and why living with a mental health condition can become a superpower.

Support Resources:
🆘 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call, text, or chat 988 for 24/7 free, confidential support.
📘 "Nothing General About It" Autobiography: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062973371

Follow SOM, tap 5 stars, & share this episode with someone who needs it.

Follow Maurice on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mauricebenard/

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Joshua Benard on Music, Mental Health, and Turning Pain Into Art Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

Maurice Benard welcomes his son Joshua Benard back to State of Mind for a deeply personal conversation about music, acting, anxiety, depression, family, and the creative life.

After a powerful performance at The Hotel Cafe, Joshua opens up about finding his identity as a songwriter, moving from songs rooted in pain to music that also makes room for joy. He and Maurice talk honestly about sleep, depression, bipolar disorder, what it feels like to watch a parent struggle with mental health, and why openness can be both necessary and complicated.

The conversation also moves into creativity, performance, artistic influences, acting versus music, Chris Martin’s unforgettable advice to “don’t stop,” and Joshua’s perspective on pain as something that cannot always be measured or ranked. The episode closes with an intimate live acoustic performance from Joshua.

Support Resources:
🆘 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call, text, or chat 988 for 24/7 free, confidential support.
📘 "Nothing General About It" Autobiography: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062973371

Follow SOM, tap 5 stars, & share this episode with someone who needs it.

Follow Maurice on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mauricebenard/

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Andrew Hawkes Opens Up About General Hospital, Mental Health & the Gift of Staying Alive Jun 06, 2026

Show notes

Maurice Benard welcomes Andrew Hawkes from General Hospital for a raw and heartfelt conversation about acting, anxiety, addiction, depression, family, and survival. Andrew shares how undiagnosed ADD shaped his childhood, how acting gave him focus, and how recovery, therapy, and love helped him find gratitude after some of the darkest seasons of his life. A deeply human episode about staying alive long enough to discover what life still has waiting for you.

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Marcus Coloma on Scientology, General Hospital, Anxiety, and Friendship May 28, 2026

Show notes

Actor and director Marcus Coloma joins Maurice Benard for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about General Hospital, acting, anxiety, Scientology, faith, friendship, fatherhood, and the personal choices that have helped him grow.

Marcus opens up about his time on General Hospital, the fear and pressure that came with performing, how he found more confidence as an actor, and why his friendship with Maurice allows them to talk openly about complicated subjects. The conversation also moves into Marcus’s experience with Scientology and Dianetics, his perspective on anxiety and the mind, his recent decision to step away from dating apps and social media, and the self-discipline he has been practicing in his personal life.

In this episode:

• Marcus Coloma reflects on his time at General Hospital
• Maurice and Marcus discuss anxiety, fear, and mental health
• Marcus shares how Scientology and Dianetics shaped his life
• The two friends talk about faith, friendship, and acceptance
• Marcus opens up about celibacy, social media, fatherhood, and personal growth

A thoughtful, funny, and surprisingly vulnerable episode about identity, belief, performance, and what it means to keep becoming yourself.

Follow SOM, tap 5 stars, & share this episode with someone who needs it.

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