Best Tony Mantor Podcasts (2025)

1
Melody Guy: Finding Connection Through Autism and Artistry 27:25

2d ago27:25

27:25

Melody Guy shares her extraordinary journey as an autistic singer-songwriter who has traveled over two million miles despite the challenges of sensory issues and PTSD. She reveals how music became both her shelter and her bridge to connecting with others when words failed. • Diagnosed with autism as an adult around the same time as her son • Surviv…

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Peter Samuelson: Finding Happy: Every act of empathy creates waves that never end 35:35

3d ago35:35

35:35

Peter Samuelson shares how his transition from successful film producer to nonprofit founder has led to his greatest happiness and inspired his new book "Finding Happy." • Produced iconic films like "Revenge of the Nerds" and "Wild" • Co-founded Starlight with Steven Spielberg to help seriously ill children • Created First Star to propel foster you…

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Leanna May Franklin: Love Without Structure:Navigating Serious Mental Illness as a Family 29:13

9d ago29:13

29:13

Leanna May Franklin shares her journey as a mental health advocate after her son experienced a psychotic break at age 19, revealing the challenges of navigating care even with resources and professional expertise. • Experienced a life-changing moment when her son had a psychotic breakdown during a family gathering • Recognized signs that she initia…

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The Evolution of Cimarron 615: From Poco to Nashville's Harmony Masters 24:35

10d ago24:35

24:35

Michael Webb of Cimarron 615 shares the band's origin story and their deep connections to legendary country rock band Poco. The Nashville-based quartet brings harmony-driven California country rock to life with their unique blend of musical expertise and collaborative spirit. • Band name combines "Cimarron" from Rusty Young's classic Poco song with…

1
Why Not Me ? The Power of Shared Experiences in Autism and Mental Health 2:53

12d ago2:53

2:53

Send us a text "Why Not Me?" podcast expands its mission to embrace both autism and mental health worldwide, creating a platform for raw, authentic storytelling that inspires and connects. Host Tony Mantor welcomes listeners to join a global movement fostering awareness, acceptance, and understanding through powerful personal narratives. • Broadcas…

1
Cindee Murphy: When the System Fails:Tristan Murphy's Story Changes Florida Law 40:31

14d ago40:31

40:31

Send us a text Cindy Murphy shares the heartbreaking story of her son Tristan, who struggled with schizophrenia and died by suicide while incarcerated after being handed a chainsaw during a prison work detail. Through her grief, Cindy has become a powerful advocate for mental health reform in the criminal justice system, working to pass the Tristan…

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Ann Corcoran: Psychosis Isn't a Choice 28:46

15d ago28:46

28:46

Send us a text Ann Corcoran, Executive Director of the National Shattering Silence Coalition, discusses the broken systems that fail those with serious mental illness and their families through discriminatory practices and neglect. She shares powerful stories of families desperately seeking help for loved ones in psychosis, highlighting how outdate…

1
Laura Craciun: A Son's Mental Illness and a System That Failed Him 27:07

16d ago27:07

27:07

Send us a text Laura Craciun shares her son's harrowing journey with serious mental illness and the systemic failures that criminalize mental health conditions instead of treating them. Her story highlights the urgent need for better policies to support individuals with psychosis and their families. • Laura's son was misdiagnosed with ADHD before e…

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Lynn Nanos: Navigating Psychosis: A Mobile Crisis Worker's Perspective 27:34

17d ago27:34

27:34

Send us a text Lynn Nanos, a mobile psychiatric emergency social worker with 15+ years experience, shares insights on evaluating and helping people with serious mental illness in crisis situations. Her work bridges the gap between law enforcement and mental healthcare, providing crucial interventions for individuals experiencing psychosis and other…

1
Billy Corgan's Evolution: Smashing Pumpkins journey 24:40

17d ago24:40

24:40

Billy Corgan, frontman of Smashing Pumpkins, shares his journey from rock star to wrestling promoter while reflecting on music industry transformations. Through conversations about his current projects and upcoming tours, Corgan reveals how he's maintained creative control and relevance over a four-decade career spanning 600+ songs. • Working on Me…

1
Jerri Clark: A Mother's Journey Through Loss and Advocacy 30:29

18d ago30:29

30:29

Send us a text Geri Clark, Resource and Advocacy Manager at Treatment Advocacy Center, shares her devastating journey of losing her son to severe mental illness while navigating a broken treatment system that wouldn't help until it was too late. She reveals critical gaps in our mental health system and explains how legal barriers, misunderstood med…

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Sheriff Donna Buckley:How One Sheriff is Reducing Recidivism Through Compassion 28:54

19d ago28:54

28:54

Send us a text Sheriff Donna Buckley shares her journey from attorney to becoming the first female sheriff in Barnstable County's 333-year history, along with her innovative approach to transforming incarceration through mental health support, comprehensive case management, and post-release services. • Buckley's background as legal counsel represen…

1
Jason MacKenzie:Healing After Unimaginable Loss 27:10

20d ago27:10

27:10

Send us a text Jason McKenzie shares his heart-wrenching journey through grief after losing his wife to suicide and his daughter to trauma-induced mental health struggles. His story reveals how childhood trauma ripples through generations and how he found healing through sobriety, purposeful grief work, and helping others. • Lost his police officer…

1
Eric Dias: Hope, Recovery, and Finding Your Voice with Schizoaffective Disorder 28:22

21d ago28:22

28:22

Send us a text Eric Diaz shares his journey of living with schizoaffective disorder and becoming an advocate for those with serious mental illness. Through finding the right medication, supportive communities, and creative outlets, Eric transformed from someone who couldn't leave his house to a published author helping others navigate similar chall…

1
Crystal Fox: One Mothers Journey Through Tragedy 31:08

22d ago31:08

31:08

Send us a text Crystal Fox shares her heartbreaking journey as the mother of a son with schizophrenia and co-founder of Arizona Mad Moms, an organization supporting families of loved ones with degenerative brain illnesses causing psychosis. Through her dual perspective as both a parent and a psychiatric nurse with 30 years of experience, Crystal il…

1
Cohen Miles-Rath: How One Man Transformed Crisis into a Call for Change 29:53

23d ago29:53

29:53

Send us a text Cohen Miles-Rath shares his powerful journey from psychosis and incarceration to becoming a mental health advocate and author. His story reveals how proper support systems and personal determination transformed a life-altering crisis into a mission of education and advocacy that's changing how we approach mental health treatment. • S…

1
Sherri Witwer: Rethinking How We help People in Mental Health Crisis 28:17

24d ago28:17

28:17

Send us a text Sherry Witwer, board president for CIT Utah, shares her insights on improving crisis response systems for people experiencing mental health emergencies and creating alternatives to incarceration through specialized training and community partnerships. • CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) training provides law enforcement with tools to ef…

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Darrell Herrmann : Straight Talk About Living With A Severe Mental Illness 27:27

25d ago27:27

27:27

Send us a text Darrell Herrmann, a retired US Army captain and former computer programmer, shares his remarkable journey of living with schizophrenia since 1984 and his mission to help others with severe mental illness live better lives. • Former US Army captain specializing in field artillery and nuclear weapons before developing schizophrenia • E…

1
Pete Earley:From Journalist to Advocate 31:09

26d ago31:09

31:09

Send us a text Pete Early shares his journey from Washington Post journalist to mental health advocate after his son developed bipolar disorder, revealing how a broken system forces families into crisis before providing help. • Diagnosis came during his son Kevin's college years with warning signs like "food doesn't taste good" and confusion about …

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Colleen Scott: One Mother's Journey Through Schizophrenia 29:35

27d ago29:35

29:35

Send us a text A mother shares her 18-year journey supporting a son with schizophrenia through mental health system failures, incarceration, and experimental brain surgery. • Colleen Scott's son started showing signs of schizophrenia at age 17, withdrawing socially and exhibiting erratic behavior • A prosecutor advised having her son arrested "to g…

1
Stephanie Beilin: Mother's Journey Through Mental Illness and Incarceration 26:56

28d ago26:56

26:56

Send us a text A mother and clinical social worker shares her heartbreaking journey navigating the legal system after her high-achieving son developed serious mental illness, revealing how our justice system criminalizes rather than treats mental health conditions. • Licensed independent clinical social worker with 40+ years experience working with…

1
Justin Volpe : How Peer Support Changes Lives 28:20

29d ago28:20

28:20

Send us a text Justin Volpe shares his journey from being diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and incarcerated to becoming a certified recovery peer specialist who has trained over 3,500 police officers in crisis intervention. His story demonstrates how individuals with lived experience can transform systems and save lives by bridging gaps betw…

1
Jessica Ferguson : Brother in Crisis: A Family's Desperate Fight for Mental Health Support 28:24

30d ago28:24

28:24

Send us a text Jessica Ferguson shares the deeply personal story of her brother's struggle with serious mental illness and how systemic failures led to his incarceration after being accused of a triple homicide when he should have been in psychiatric care. • Her brother had been stable with his mental illness for a decade before showing concerning …

1
Jhilam Biswas Reveals Paths to Mental Health Reform From Forensic Hospitals to Freedom 31:24

1M ago31:24

31:24

Send us a text Dr. Jhilam Biswas, a board-certified adult and forensic psychiatrist, discusses how mental health issues intersect with the criminal justice system and the urgent need for reform. She shares insights from her research and clinical experience working with incarcerated individuals with mental illness, explaining why mental health care …

1
Eric Smith: From Music Prodigy to Mental Health Advocate 30:47

1M ago30:47

30:47

Send us a text Eric Smith shares his remarkable journey from child piano prodigy to mental health advocate after battling psychosis and addiction. His story reveals how finding the right medication after a decade of failed treatments transformed his life from hospitalization and FBI involvement to becoming a Texas Judicial Commissioner on Mental He…

1
John Paycheck blazes his own trail while honoring his father's legendary legacy. 26:19

1M ago26:19

26:19

John Paycheck, son of outlaw country legend Johnny Paycheck, joins us to share his journey as a country music artist balancing his father's legacy with his own unique sound and style. We explore the surprising complexity behind Johnny Paycheck's public image, getting an insider perspective on the man behind the music while learning how John is forg…

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Alison Arngrim: The Unexpected Life of Little House's Most Memorable Villain 27:13

1M ago27:13

27:13

Alison Arngrim takes us on a journey through her remarkable life in Hollywood, from her iconic role as Nellie Olsen on Little House on the Prairie to her current career as an author, stand-up comedian, and advocate for abuse survivors. • Growing up in an entertainment dynasty with a mother who voiced Casper the Friendly Ghost and a father who manag…

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Seth Kahan's Journey Transforms Mental Health Advocacy in America 29:38

1M ago29:38

29:38

Send us a text Seth Kahan shares his journey from personal tragedy to leading a national movement against mental health stigma after his mother developed schizophrenia when he was 10 years old. His experience pioneering frameworks for grand challenges led him to launch Stop Stigma Together, a collaborative initiative uniting major mental health org…

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Sylvia Mignon: When Your Expertise Can't Save Your Child 30:01

1M ago30:01

30:01

Send us a text Sylvia Mignon, licensed clinical social worker and professor of criminal justice, shares her heartbreaking journey navigating the mental health system while trying to secure proper care for her son with schizoaffective disorder. Despite her professional expertise, she's experienced nine years of struggling against bureaucracies that …

1
Jack Wood:: A Father's Fight for Mental Health Reform 27:59

1M ago27:59

27:59

Send us a text Jack Wood shares his son Jonathan's journey through Florida's mental health system, revealing how management failure rather than lack of resources creates catastrophic outcomes for those with severe mental illnesses. • Jonathan's early life included kidney disorder requiring powerful medications including cancer drugs • At 18, Jonath…

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Justyna Rzewinski : A Whistleblower's Fight for Mental Health in Prisons 28:07

1M ago28:07

28:07

Send us a text Justyna Rzewinski shares her experience as a whistleblower after working at Rikers Island and her ongoing advocacy for criminal justice reform focusing on mental health treatment. • Working with different organizations to close Rikers Island and advocating for better treatment of mentally ill inmates • Fighting for smaller borough-ba…

1
Leslie Carpenter: Breaking the Mental Health Crisis Cycle 29:25

1M ago29:25

29:25

Send us a text Leslie Carpenter, co-founder of Iowa Mental Health Advocacy and Legislative Advocacy Manager at the Treatment Advocacy Center, shares her journey from concerned mother to dedicated mental health advocate after her son was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder 19 years ago. She discusses the barriers families face when seeking help …

1
Joel Corcoran: Welcome, Needed, and Valued: The Clubhouse Approach 29:10

1M ago29:10

29:10

Send us a text Clubhouse International is transforming lives through intentional communities where people with mental illness rebuild their lives after disruption and isolation. Joel Corcoran joins us to tell the Clubhouse story. • Clubhouse International operates 377 clubhouses across 32 countries using a specific 37-standard model • Members volun…

1
Denise Paley: From Crisis to Advocacy 30:09

1M ago30:09

30:09

Send us a text Denise Paley shares the harrowing story of her son's sudden onset schizophrenia at age 18 and his subsequent five-year imprisonment without sentencing, revealing critical failures in how our justice system handles mental illness. • Son Ellis was an honor roll student with a bright future before experiencing first-episode psychosis • …

1
Judge Milton Mack's Mission to Reform Mental Healthcare 27:14

1M ago27:14

27:14

Send us a text Judge Milton Mack shares his mission to reform the mental health system by moving from crisis intervention to early treatment and prevention. His groundbreaking work in Michigan demonstrates how changing laws and procedures can dramatically improve outcomes while reducing costs. • Moving from an inpatient model to an outpatient world…

1
From Diagnosis to Detention: How Schizophrenia Changed Two Lives Forever 24:04

1M ago24:04

24:04

Send us a text Carly, a licensed clinical social worker and mother, shares her 30-year journey navigating her son's schizophrenia diagnosis and the healthcare system's failures that led to his year-long incarceration. • Son diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 17, now 47 years old • Early signs included not wanting to get out of bed, not going to sc…

1
Ashley Smith: from crisis to advocacy 28:57

1M ago28:57

28:57

Send us a text Ashley Smith, an advocate, author, and speaker, shares her powerful journey of recovery from schizophrenia and how she transformed a legal crisis into a platform for mental health advocacy. Through her blog "Overcoming Schizophrenia," seven self-published books, and work with organizations like NAMI and the Curious Foundation, Ashley…

1
Katie R. Dale's Mental Health Story: Living Beyond Crazy 27:30

1M ago27:30

27:30

Send us a text Katie R. Dale shares her journey from hospital patient to mental health author and advocate, offering insights into living with bipolar disorder type 1 with psychotic features and how writing became her path to healing and helping others. • Started blogging in 2014 after hospitalization as self-therapy before expanding into professio…

1
Tim Murphy's Fight for Mental Health Reform 30:22

1M ago30:22

30:22

Send us a text Tim Murphy, former congressman and psychologist, shares his journey advocating for mental health reform through the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act and highlights the systemic failures in America's approach to serious mental illness. • Serious mental illness requires different treatment approaches than general mental hea…

1
Haley Graham : A Conversation on Mental Health, Autism, and Finding Your Way 26:05

1M ago26:05

26:05

Send us a text Psychotherapist Haley Graham shares her journey from pharmacist to mental health advocate after her son's struggle with school led her to found the Bounce Brighter Futures Foundation. Her personal experience with neurodivergence drives her passion for supporting children, parents, and teachers through therapeutic storytelling and com…

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Russell Watson & Helen Jane Long:A Collaborative Journey of Two Musical Powerhouses 25:29

2M ago25:29

25:29

Russell Watson and Helen Jane Long share the story behind their new collaborative album "Shine," blending Watson's powerful tenor with Long's evocative compositions to create music that uplifts and inspires audiences. • Multi-platinum tenor Russell Watson and billion-stream pianist Helen Jane Long met after Helen had admired Russell's voice for ove…

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Patrick Kennedy on Autism,Mental Health, Addiction, and Political Change 33:15

2M ago33:15

33:15

Send us a text Patrick Kennedy shares his journey from Congressman to mental health advocate, revealing how his family history and personal struggles with addiction shaped his mission to transform America's approach to mental health care. • Passed the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act by attaching it to the 2008 bank bailout bill • Advo…

1
Judge Liefman: Breaking the Cycle of Autism and Mental Illness in Criminal Justice 31:40

2M ago31:40

31:40

Send us a text Judge Steven Leifman shares his remarkable journey from witnessing horrific conditions in a state psychiatric hospital as a teenager to becoming a leading judicial advocate for mental health reform. His work in Miami-Dade County has transformed how the criminal justice system handles people with mental illness, saving millions of dol…

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Christine Vester: Humanity Over Handcuffs: Protecting Autistic Lives in Legal Battles 16:59

2M ago16:59

16:59

Send us a text Christine Vester shares her mission with Humanity Over Handcuffs, a national advocacy movement protecting autistic individuals from being criminalized by the justice system. Her organization supports families, educates legal professionals, and works toward reforming a system that often treats neurological differences as criminal beha…

1
Carol Nesteikis: Autism and the Justice System 25:06

2M ago25:06

25:06

Send us a text Carol Nistakis shares her family's painful journey through the justice system after her autistic son was manipulated into illegal activity by a neighbor. Her decade-long fight for justice led her to cofound D3, an organization helping families navigate the unique challenges autistic individuals face in legal proceedings. • Began advo…

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Areva Martin: How One Mother Became an Everyday Autism Advocate 27:19

2M ago27:19

27:19

Send us a text CNN contributor and civil rights attorney Areva Martin shares her personal journey of raising an autistic son while becoming a powerful advocate for disability rights and creating systemic change. • Son Marty's autism diagnosis at age two prompted an intensive learning journey • Navigated overwhelming and often inaccurate information…

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Ruth Johnston: Autism and Schizophrenia: A Mother's Fight for Change 30:55

2M ago30:55

30:55

Send us a text Ruth Johnston shares her harrowing journey as the mother of an autistic son who developed schizophrenia, and how this experience drove her to advocate for Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania following a family tragedy. • Ruth's son was diagnosed with autism as a teenager, after she had already been h…

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Angela Calzone's Vision:Integrating disabilities into the workforce 24:53

2M ago24:53

24:53

Send us a text Angela Calzone shares how Inroads to Opportunities supports individuals with disabilities through comprehensive programs designed to facilitate meaningful employment. The organization's business-oriented approach focuses on integration, skills development, and changing employer perceptions about hiring people with both visible and in…

1
Brian Shrader: How Autism is Misunderstood in the Legal System 28:24

2M ago28:24

28:24

Send us a text Brian Shrader, a criminal defense attorney with experience as both prosecutor and defender, exposes how the justice system profoundly fails people with autism and mental health conditions. • Autism often leads to escalation during police encounters rather than directly causing criminal behavior • Mental health training is virtually n…

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Judge Kim Taylor:A Judge's Journey with Autism 26:30

2M ago26:30

26:30

Send us a text Judge Kim Taylor shares her journey as a pioneering female judge and mother of a son with autism, revealing how personal experience fueled her advocacy for autism awareness in the criminal justice system. Her work began after learning about Sidney Templeton, a young man with autism who died in police custody due to officers' lack of …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Tony Mantor Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen