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State Of Mind with Maurice Benard — Health & Fitness
State Of Mind with Maurice Benard

State of Mind with Maurice Benard is a leading mental health podcast dedicated to open conversations about emotional wellness and resilience. Hosted by Emmy Award–winning actor and New York Times bestselling author Maurice Benard (Nothing General About It: How Love (and Lithium) Saved Me On and Off General Hospital), the show explores every aspect of mental health, from bipolar disorder and anxiety to everyday struggles with purpose, relationships, and hope. Through honest, heartfelt discussions with guests from all walks of life, State of Mind reminds listeners that no matter what you’re going through—you’re not alone.

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

(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.)

Copyright: © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.

Latest Episodes:

Jonathan Jackson on Prayer, Panic, and the Healing Power of Beauty Feb 21, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of State of Mind, Maurice Benard sits down with actor, musician, and longtime friend Jonathan Jackson for a deeply personal conversation about what happens when the mind feels steady but the body doesn’t. They talk about preparation, performance, and those moments when anxiety shows up physically even when you “should” be fine.

Jonathan shares how faith shapes his work and his life, why he resists the word “performing,” and what he’s learned about trauma, prayer, and the surprising idea that beauty can reach people when logic can’t. Maurice opens up about a difficult season, the power of friendship, and the kind of support that doesn’t just comfort you, it pulls you back toward the light.

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/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mbstateofmind/
State Of Mind Merch:https://www.mbstateofmind.com
State of Mind Production Team:
Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard
Executive Producer: Paula Benard
Director of Production: Anthony Cammarata
Audio/Video/Editorial: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato

Michael Easton: Anxiety, Grief, and the Hard Work of Healing Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

Actor, writer, director, and voice actor Michael Easton joins Maurice Benard on State of Mind for a rare, deeply honest conversation about what it really takes to heal.

Michael shares what it was like growing up between Belfast and the U.S., moving constantly, and carrying the hidden weight of childhood fear and instability into adulthood. From there, the conversation opens up into the stuff most people avoid: anxiety, grief, loss, and the long process of bringing buried pain to the surface so it can finally move.

They talk about surrender, therapy, meditation, the difference between suppressing pain and processing it, and why real healing often starts when someone is willing to sit with you in the dark.

Later, Michael reflects on his path into acting, the early years of his career, and the strange moments that come with visibility, identity, and being seen. The episode closes with a powerful tribute to Kamar de los Reyes, and what his life and passing changed in Michael forever.

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/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mbstateofmind/
State Of Mind Merch:https://www.mbstateofmind.com
State of Mind Production Team:
Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard
Executive Producer: Paula Benard
Director of Production: Anthony Cammarata
Audio/Video/Editorial: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato

Arthur S. Brown: Faith Through War (WWII, Discipline, and Radical Gratitude at 101) Feb 08, 2026

Show notes

On this State of Mind, Maurice sits down with Art Stratton Brown, a remarkable 101-year-old World War II veteran (and Josh Swickard’s grandfather) whose energy, clarity, and gratitude feel almost impossible to believe. Art takes us from a tough Chicago childhood and early leadership instincts to combat training, frontline battles in Italy and France, and the daily realities of war — fear, loss, survival, and the moments that never leave you. What unfolds is ultimately a conversation about resilience, faith, discipline, and how gratitude and purpose can shape a life, even after witnessing the darkest parts of humanity.

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/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mbstateofmind/
State Of Mind Merch:https://www.mbstateofmind.com
State of Mind Production Team:
Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard
Executive Producer: Paula Benard
Director of Production: Anthony Cammarata
Audio/Video/Editorial: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato

Josh Swickard: Taking the Fear Out of Anxiety (Breathwork, Faith, and Don’t Waste the Pain) Feb 01, 2026

Show notes

Josh Swickard—an actor who’s starred in films that have reached #1 on Netflix and on General Hospital—opens up about anxiety attacks he didn’t understand until they hit him, and how breathwork helped him reframe the symptoms and take away the fear. The conversation moves through anger, calm, parenting, and faith, landing on a powerful idea: don’t waste the pain—use it to help others keep moving forward.

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/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mbstateofmind/
State Of Mind Merch:https://www.mbstateofmind.com
State of Mind Production Team:
Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard
Executive Producer: Paula Benard
Director of Production: Anthony Cammarata
Audio/Video/Editorial: Anthony Cammarata
Audio Podcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato

Medina Ali: From Combat Sports to Pro Wrestling, Discipline, and Mental Strength Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

Maurice Bernard sits down with wrestler Medina Ali for a powerful conversation about discipline, mental strength, and resilience. Medina shares how her background in combat sports shaped her mindset, and what happened when she was unexpectedly contacted by WWE and thrown into the world of professional wrestling without prior experience. They talk about bullying, culture, family expectations, fear, and why physical movement has always been her form of therapy. Plus, Maurice opens up about anxiety, hypnosis, and finally getting back on a plane after years of fear.
Medina Ali on Instagram!
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/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mbstateofmind/
State Of Mind Merch:https://www.mbstateofmind.com
State of Mind Production Team:
Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard
Executive Producer: Paula Benard
Director of Production: Anthony Cammarata
Audio/Video/Editorial: Anthony Cammarata
Audio Podcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato

Manny Santoyo (Retired LAPD): Helicopters, the LA Riots, and Raising a Nonverbal Autistic Daughter Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

Retired LAPD veteran Manny Santoo rarely does interviews, but on State of Mind he opens up about a life shaped by the streets—air support helicopters, high-risk nights during the LA Riots, and what police work teaches you about fear, adrenaline, and restraint. The conversation turns deeply personal as Manny shares the story of his daughter Bella, who is autistic and mostly nonverbal, and how his family learned to communicate through letter boards and unwavering patience. Along the way: faith, grief, true-crime fascination, and the moments that change a person’s entire outlook.
If you're having thoughts of self-harm or suicide: live chat with Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It's free and confidential. You'll reach someone who is trained to listen and support you.

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/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mbstateofmind/
State Of Mind Merch:https://www.mbstateofmind.com
State of Mind Production Team:
Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard
Executive Producer: Paula Benard
Director of Production: Anthony Cammarata
Audio/Video/Editorial: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato

Michael E. Knight on Friendship, Mental Health, and Life After Daytime TV Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

Enjoy this conversation originally published in 2022 featuring Emmy-winning actor Michael E. Knight. In this episode reflects on decades of friendship with Maurice Benard, their early years on All My Children, and the moments that shaped them on and off screen. In a conversation filled with laughter and honesty, Michael opens up about living with OCD and dysthymia, the role therapy and medication have played in his life, and why asking for help can be an act of strength—not weakness.

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/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mbstateofmind/
State Of Mind Merch:https://www.mbstateofmind.com
State of Mind Production Team:
Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard
Executive Producer: Paula Benard
Director of Production: Anthony Cammarata
Audio/Video/Editorial: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato

General Hospital’s Chris McKenna Reveals Bipolar Disorder & Mental Health (A Seen on CNN) Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

For the first time publicly, Chris McKenna opens up about his bipolar diagnosis and the mental health journey that reshaped his life and career. In this deeply personal episode of State of Mind, the General Hospital actor tells Maurice Benard what it was like living undiagnosed for decades, the breaking point he faced during the pandemic, and the treatment that helped him find stability and clarity.

After breaking on State of Mind, Chris McKenna’s story was subsequently featured on The Story Is with Elex Michaelson on CNN, bringing the conversation to an even wider national audience.

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/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mbstateofmind/
State Of Mind Merch:https://www.mbstateofmind.com
State of Mind Production Team:
Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard
Executive Producer: Paula Benard
Director of Production: Anthony Cammarata
Audio/Video/Editorial: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato

Fritz Coleman on Retirement, Identity, and Why Staying Engaged Saved His Life Dec 14, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of State of Mind, legendary broadcaster and comedian Fritz Coleman reflects on retirement, identity, and the fear of losing purpose after a long career. He shares how staying engaged through creativity, sobriety, and meaningful work helped him avoid the emotional collapse he once witnessed in his own family. It is an honest conversation about aging, self-doubt, and what it really takes to stay alive inside.

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/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mbstateofmind/
State Of Mind Merch:https://www.mbstateofmind.com
State of Mind Production Team:
Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard
Executive Producer: Paula Benard
Director of Production: Anthony Cammarata
Audio/Video/Editorial: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato

Sharon Case: Bipolar Storylines, Real-Life Resilience, and the Truth Behind Young & Restless Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of State of Mind, Maurice sits down with Emmy-winning actress Sharon Case—known to millions as Sharon Newman from The Young and the Restless—for an unfiltered conversation about mental health, acting, and the real emotional truth behind portraying bipolar disorder on screen. Sharon opens up about her early life, unexpected path into daytime TV, her work with complex storylines, and the rising awareness around depression and suicide since the pandemic. This is an honest, surprising, deeply human conversation that fans of both daytime drama and mental-health advocacy will not forget.

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/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mbstateofmind/
State Of Mind Merch:https://www.mbstateofmind.com
State of Mind Production Team:
Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard
Executive Producer: Paula Benard
Director of Production: Anthony Cammarata
Audio/Video/Editorial: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato

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