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: call, text 988, or start a 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.comState of Mind Production Team: Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard Executive Producer: Paula Benard Director of Production: Anthony CammarataAudio/Video/Editorial: Anthony CammarataPodcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato 

We hope you're enjoying your Holiday Season! While you do, 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.comState of Mind Production Team: Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard Executive Producer: Paula Benard Director of Production: Anthony CammarataAudio/Video/Editorial: Anthony CammarataPodcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato 

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.comState of Mind Production Team: Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard Executive Producer: Paula Benard Director of Production: Anthony CammarataAudio/Video/Editorial: Anthony CammarataPodcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato 

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.comState of Mind Production Team: Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard Executive Producer: Paula Benard Director of Production: Anthony CammarataAudio/Video/Editorial: Anthony CammarataPodcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato 

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.comState of Mind Production Team: Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard Executive Producer: Paula Benard Director of Production: Anthony CammarataAudio/Video/Editorial: Anthony CammarataPodcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato 

In this State of Mind conversation, Maurice sits down with young actress Scarlet Spears, who plays Young Glinda in Wicked: For Good and portrays Donna Corinthos on General Hospital. What begins as a light conversation about acting, family, and childhood opens into an unexpected moment about fear, loneliness, and mental health that only an eight year old could express with such clarity. Scarlet’s insight, humor, and kindness make this episode a reminder of how much we can learn when we truly listen. 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.comState of Mind Production Team: Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard Executive Producer: Paula Benard Director of Production: Anthony CammarataAudio/Video/Editorial: Anthony CammarataPodcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato 

Maurice welcomes longtime TV journalist Dorothy Lucey for a deep, vulnerable conversation about crippling nerves, panic attacks, and the unseen emotional cost of decades in the spotlight. Dorothy opens up about faith, anxiety, marriage, grief, joy, and the daily work of stopping a spiral before it starts. Together they explore how trauma sits in the body, how peace is rebuilt step by step, and why none of us are ever as “normal” as we seem. 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.comState of Mind Production Team: Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard Executive Producer: Paula Benard Director of Production: Anthony CammarataAudio/Video/Editorial: Anthony CammarataPodcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato 

Actor and author Adrian Alvarado sits down with Maurice to talk about his memoir Flipping My Script—a powerful story of losing his mother at fourteen, growing up without a father, and fighting through generational trauma to rebuild his identity. Adrian opens up about domestic violence, grief, art as therapy, and the long road toward healing and forgiveness. This is a raw, honest conversation that will stay with anyone who has ever rebuilt themselves from the ground up. 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.comState of Mind Production Team: Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard Executive Producer: Paula Benard Director of Production: Anthony CammarataAudio/Video/Editorial: Anthony CammarataPodcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato 

Actress Raven Bowens joins Maurice for a powerful, wide-ranging conversation about resilience, mental health, and the unexpected turns that shape a life. Raven opens up about a childhood spent moving from city to city, the grief of losing her first love, and the struggle to find stability while chasing her dream. She also shares how her acting journey led her to Days of Our Lives and why her greatest fulfillment now comes from rebuilding a school in Nigeria. A raw, honest, and deeply hopeful episode that reminds us why purpose and connection matter. 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.comState of Mind Production Team: Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard Executive Producer: Paula Benard Director of Production: Anthony CammarataAudio/Video/Editorial: Anthony CammarataPodcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato 

Maurice sits down with actor and musician Larry Romano (Donnie Brasco, King of Queens, The Thin Red Line, Sleepers) for a raw, wide-ranging conversation about creativity, identity, and the inner battles most people never see. Larry opens up about studying under Al Pacino’s acting coach, navigating depression, rebuilding after setbacks, and how family, music, and discipline shaped his resilience. It’s an honest, emotional, and unexpectedly inspiring look at artistry, mental health, and what it really takes to survive the industry — and yourself. 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.comState of Mind Production Team: Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard Executive Producer: Paula Benard Director of Production: Anthony CammarataAudio/Video/Editorial: Anthony CammarataPodcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato 

In Part 2 of their conversation on State of Mind, Genie Francis (General Hospital) and Jonathan Frakes (Star Trek: The Next Generation) open up about the hidden side of their 40-year relationship: social anxiety, deep lows, the “riverbank” metaphor that changed everything, and the small decisions that saved their marriage. Maurice creates space for a rare, honest look at survival, compassion, and what it means to stay when things get hard. Powerful, vulnerable, and unforgettable. 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.comState of Mind Production Team: Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard Executive Producer: Paula Benard Director of Production: Anthony CammarataAudio/Video/Editorial: Anthony CammarataPodcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato 

General Hospital favorite Jeffrey Vincent Parise opens up about the real story behind his life—far beyond Carlos, the villains, and the unforgettable on-screen moments GH fans remember him for. He and Maurice dig into Parise’s battles with anxiety, the dark seasons that reshaped him, and the practices that helped him rebuild from the inside out, including yoga, meditation, and deep shadow-work. This conversation blends nostalgia, vulnerability, and the kind of mental-health honesty that reminds fans why State of Mind exists in the first place. 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.comState of Mind Production Team: Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard Executive Producer: Paula Benard Director of Production: Anthony CammarataAudio/Video/Editorial: Anthony CammarataPodcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato 

This episode is Part 1 of Maurice Benard’s deeply personal conversation with Genie Francis. Together, they go back to the beginning: Genie’s early rise as a fourteen-year-old on General Hospital, the whirlwind fame of Laura Spencer, and the emotional toll of growing up on television. Genie opens up about isolation, arrested development, perfectionism, and the generational anxiety that shaped her life long before she understood it. Maurice reflects on how her experiences intersect with his own mental-health journey, creating one of the most honest and revealing dialogues ever shared on State of Mind. Part 1 covers Genie’s early career, the pressures of live TV, the explosive Luke & Laura years, and the hidden struggles behind her iconic performances. Part 2 drops November 23, when Genie is joined by her husband, Jonathan Frakes, for an intimate and powerful follow-up conversation. 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.comState of Mind Production Team: Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard Executive Producer: Paula Benard Director of Production: Anthony CammarataAudio/Video/Editorial: Anthony CammarataPodcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato 

Founder of Cliffside Malibu and Carrera Treatment, Richard Taite joins me to unpack addiction, the fentanyl crisis, and why most centers fail patients. We dig into his “love call” philosophy, what great treatment actually looks like, and how homelessness and veteran care intersect with mental health. It’s raw, practical, and full of takeaways for families seeking real help.Listen to Maurice's recent appearance on Richard Taite's Podcast:We're Out of Time  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  

Maurice, Kin, and Jackie pick up where they left off—at the height of GH mania. They share stories about the wild 1980s, breakout stars like Rick Springfield, Demi Moore, and John Stamos, and the reality behind the show’s unprecedented success. The conversation takes a deeper turn into mental health, the Sonny–Scotty feud, and Bobby’s wisdom about love and forgiveness. Recorded before her passing, this episode now stands as a heartfelt tribute to Jackie Zeman’s light, legacy, and unforgettable presence.

Maurice Benard sits down with GH icons Jackie Zeman and Kin Shriner for a joyful, behind-the-scenes look at the show’s 1970s reboot. They remember live-to-tape mayhem, early fame, and how Gloria Monty’s fearless vision turned General Hospital into a cultural phenomenon. Funny, fast, and full of heart, this conversation captures Jackie’s warmth, humor, and pioneering spirit—shared now in loving memory of her life and legacy following her passing in May 2023.

We're resharing on of Maurice's most popular interviews. In this conversation Maurice sits down with John J. York for a rare, wide-open conversation that starts with GH memories and turns into a deep dive on faith, mental health, and finding peace. They talk candidly about mania vs. anxiety, why staying on medication matters, and how prayer and routine helped John through life’s pivots. You’ll also hear gratitude for executive producer Frank Valentini’s leadership, Chicago family stories, and a light nod to John’s “Playgirl cover” and Werewolf days. It’s honest, warm, and quietly powerful—proof that connection is the point. 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

Maurice goes unscripted to unpack his recent tour, a powerful father–son moment on stage, and the reality of pushing through anxiety while performing. He speaks directly to the community about the scale of mental health struggles and why checking in twice can save a life. Maurice also previews two new ideas: long-form community Zooms and “State of Mind on the Street,” a series of conversations with people facing real challenges. A heartfelt thank-you to the audience—and a reminder that connection is the point. 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

In this special State of Mind tribute, Maurice Benard sits down with the late, legendary Tristan Rogers (General Hospital, The Young and the Restless) for one of his final interviews. In this wide-ranging, funny, and deeply human conversation, Tristan reflects on his wild early days in Australia, his unexpected path to Hollywood, and unforgettable moments with Elizabeth Taylor and the cast of General Hospital. A celebration of a storyteller, an actor, and a friend whose charm, honesty, and laughter will never be forgotten. 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

Actor Tony Denison (Major Crimes, Crime Story, The Closer) joins Maurice Benard for a raw and inspiring conversation about survival, sobriety, and self-worth. Tony opens up about overcoming addiction, rebuilding his life and career, and the moment he finally chose recovery. From Harlem to Hollywood, he reflects on lessons from his immigrant parents, the importance of service, and how gratitude—not fame—became the true measure of success. 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