State Of Mind with Maurice Benard

Amy Morin knew the advice for grief and anxiety. Living through it was a different question. After losing her mother and her husband, the psychotherapist was helping clients by day and facing an empty house at night. How do you help someone else through a hard day when you can barely imagine going home?

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. and Canada. If you are outside the U.S. or Canada, contact your local emergency number or local crisis support service...

General Hospital's Kayden Tokarski and Maurice Benard get personal about anxiety—and the gap between looking confident and feeling it. Kayden knows what it's like to seem at ease while second-guessing yourself, and Maurice recognizes more than a young actor's nerves in what she's saying.

When she starts asking him questions of her own, this becomes a conversation between two people working out how much power to give other people's opinions and their own inner critics. Social media makes that question harder to escape, especially when everyone else seems further ahead.

Kayden and Maurice explore co...

General Hospital's Kayden Tokarski sits down with Maurice Benard, and Scout is only the beginning. Behind the credits is a young actress learning when to trust her work and when to let it go. Her Gaslit audition opens up a conversation about second-guessing yourself, and Maurice's own self-tape story makes it clear that even decades on GH don't take the pressure out of performing. There's more to Kayden's ambitions than the next role. As she talks about balancing school with acting and lending her voice to Walk Against Drugs, Maurice gets a fuller picture of the person behind Scout...

General Hospital's Paige Herschell returns with Maurice Benard—and it gets personal.

Paige asks the Daytime Emmy-winning host a question that turns the interview around; from there, performance and personal history begin to overlap, until Maurice names what he saw in one scene and Paige leaves GH fans with one last Port Charles question.

Part 2 of this conversation goes where State of Mind is supposed to go: into the complicated space where love meets addiction, grief changes old beliefs, and the truths people carry can follow them into their work.

Content note: This ep...

In Part 1 of this conversation, Maurice Benard sits down with General Hospital’s Paige Herschell for a deeply personal conversation about transformation, creativity and grief.

Paige Herschell is an actress and producer known for General Hospital, Law & Order: SVU and The Paper. She played Jacinda Bracken on General Hospital.

Rob Brownstein (Michael, Straight Outta Compton) joins General Hospital's Maurice Benard. On State of Mind, the actor and longtime teacher reflects on working with Al Pacino, the pressure and precision of soap acting, and an idea that has shaped the way he navigates a career built on uncertainty: maybe rejection is the wrong word. If only one actor can get the role, how much of the pain comes from the decision — and how much from the story we tell ourselves about it? That question reaches well beyond Hollywood. Born in Vietnam and raised across continents, Rob grew up fast, ca...

Laura Day and Maurice Benard ask what separates intuition from anxiety—and what pain requires. The New York Times bestselling author argues that a useful signal should lead somewhere, suffering needs tools, and identity can be rebuilt through the choices we make next. Her story gives those ideas their weight. Laura survived a childhood shaped by neglect and devastating suicide loss, while Maurice brings his own experience of bipolar disorder and crippling anxiety into the conversation. Together they challenge easy answers about treatment, ego, resilience, and human potential—and reveal the humor, kindness, and unexpected friendship behind the Demi Moor...

In this episode originally recorded in 2022, Maurice is joined by Mark Teschner. Mark has been the Casting Director at General Hospital since 1989 and has won ten Emmy Awards for Casting. Mark has unique ability to communicate with actors, encouraging them to deliver their best performances and he shares insight in his casting of Vanessa Marcil, Steve Burton and Michael Sutton.

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...

Ben Greenfield, health consultant, trainer, triathlete, personal trainer, speaker, and New York Times bestselling author, joins Maurice Benard for a wide-ranging conversation about anxiety, biohacking, longevity, and the limits of self-optimization.

Grounded in Maurice’s experience with bipolar disorder, anxiety, and lithium, they explore why Ben values healthspan and quality of life over immortality and when the pursuit of peak performance can go too far. Ben reflects on extreme bodybuilding, endurance competition, and a boxing injury that changed the way he thinks about pushing the body.

Disclaimer: This program is intended strictly for in...

Jordan Sunshine walks into State of Mind with the kind of confidence that makes Maurice Benard forget he is interviewing a six-year-old. His work in 3 Body Problem and The Pitt may open the door, but the real story begins when Jordan starts talking. A child who once found speaking to people frightening now commands the room with instinct, humor, and an unusually clear sense of who he is.

Check out more from Jordan Sunshine everywhere: ☀️@thejordansunshine

Disclaimer: This program is intended strictly for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. It does not constitute formal medi...

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 Ho...

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...

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...

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 ch...

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...

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...

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 steppi...

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...

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.

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

Video Versions of State of Mind available on YouTube! <...

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 da...

In this deeply personal solo episode of State of Mind, Maurice Benard looks back on more than three decades of playing Sonny Corinthos on General Hospital. Maurice opens up about the early days of landing the role, battling bipolar disorder and nervous breakdowns behind the scenes, and the producers and castmates who helped carry him through some of the darkest moments of his life.

From unforgettable storylines with Vanessa Marcil, Steve Burton, Sarah Brown, and Tony Geary to the deeply emotional Alzheimer’s storyline inspired by his own father’s battle with the disease, Maurice reflects on the...

Actor and filmmaker Josh Murray joins Maurice Benard for a deeply honest conversation about soccer, acting, depression, journaling, and finding a way back to yourself through art. From his role on General Hospital to his new film Gym Rat, Josh opens up about pain, purpose, and why talking about mental health can help people feel less alone.

*If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available.
Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or chat via 988lifeline.org.
Support is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

What is it really like to live with bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety—and why are so many people still afraid to talk about it?

On this episode of State of Mind, Maurice Benard sits down with actress, model, and musician Léa Marcastel for an honest and deeply personal conversation about mental health, trauma, and healing. Together, they explore what it means to struggle with depression from a young age, feel misunderstood, and navigate the invisible weight of anxiety and emotional pain.

Léa Marcastel shares her journey growing up feeling invalidated, battling depression and...

WARNING:
This episode talks about suicide, which some people may find disturbing. If you are having thoughts of suicide, know there is help and you are not alone.

Support:
Call or text 988
Chat: 988lifeline.org

Maurice Benard sits down with actor Nathan Dean Parsons for a deeply personal conversation about bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and suicide. Together, they open up about living with mental health challenges, the pain of losing a loved one to suicide, and the overwhelming feeling of being a burden. This powerful State of Mind episode explores what it...

In this episode of State of Mind, Maurice Benard sits down with actor Diedrich Bader for a deeply personal conversation on depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and the ongoing pursuit of peace within.

What begins as a light conversation about Hollywood quickly turns into an honest exploration of mental health, including the realities of living with bipolar disorder, the impact of alcohol and anxiety, and the emotional toll of acting and storytelling. Diedrich opens up about his own experience with depression, sleeplessness, and unconventional paths to healing, while Maurice shares his lifelong journey with bipolar disorder and medication.<...

On this episode of State of Mind, Maurice Benard sits down with rising actress Bluesy Burke for an honest conversation about anxiety, acting, and growing up in the spotlight.

Bluesy opens up about moving across the country during COVID, leaving behind close friendships, and stepping into the unknown at a young age. She shares what it was like booking General Hospital, walking into high-pressure auditions, and navigating nerves on set while learning to trust herself.

Together, they explore:

Chauntal Lewis joins State of Mind again. This time, for a deeply honest conversation about surviving domestic violence, living with anxiety, and finding a way forward after trauma. In this powerful episode, she opens up about abuse, love addiction, grief, losing her hand in a devastating car accident, and the work it took to reclaim her life and sense of self.

This is a raw, emotional, and ultimately hopeful conversation about what it means to tell the truth, get help, and keep going.

Show your support:
Follow SOM, tap 5 stars, & share this...

Maurice Benard sits down with acclaimed actor Clancy Brown for a wide-ranging conversation about anxiety, mental health, acting, family, grief, and resilience. Known for unforgettable roles in The Shawshank Redemption, John Wick, SpongeBob SquarePants, and The Penguin, Clancy opens up about the nerves that have followed him throughout his career, how he learned to work through them, and the personal experiences that shaped him long before Hollywood knew his name.

The conversation moves from Clancy’s childhood in Ohio and the loss of his sister, to his mother’s artistic journey, to the emotional realities of performing unde...

In this special birthday episode of State of Mind, the tables turn as Dominic Zamprogna (Dante on General Hospital) takes over the host chair to interview Maurice Benard.

Maurice opens up about his life, career, and lifelong journey with bipolar disorder—from his early days chasing acting dreams, to his first manic episode and time in a mental institution, to becoming one of daytime television’s most iconic actors as Sonny Corinthos.

The two longtime friends share stories from their years working together, discuss the pressures of fame, ego, mental health, and finding peace as you...

In this episode of State of Mind, Maurice Benard sits down with actress Kelly Thiebaud for a raw, funny, and surprisingly deep conversation about what it really means to start over.

Kelly opens up about growing up in a small town, being a sports kid turned model, and how the modeling world messed with her relationship to food, her body, and her self-worth. She shares what it was like moving to Los Angeles at 17, experiencing an early heartbreak that shaped how she viewed love, and why she didn’t fully step into acting until later in life.

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 se...

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...

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.

<...

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 I...

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 o...

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 s...

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 Mau...

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.

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...

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 Vers...