
Advertise on podcast: State Of Mind with Maurice Benard
Rating
4.8from
This podcast has
100 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
State Of MindExplicit
Yes
Date created
2022/05/08
Latest episode
2026/09/08
Average duration
44 min.
Release period
7 days
Description
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.
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Check latest episodes from State Of Mind with Maurice Benard podcast
General Hospital’s Paige Herschell on Grief, Caregiving and Finding Her Voice | Part 1
2026/09/08
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.
Paige shares how she went from eating lunch alone in a school bathroom to building a career as an actor and singer. She also opens up about becoming a caregiver to her mother, whose life was shaped by trauma, addiction and bipolar disorder, and losing her to breast cancer just four weeks after her diagnosis. Paige reflects on learning to remember her mother as a whole person, while revealing the love, music and unexpected choices that helped her find her own voice.
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:
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 & Video: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Strategy Consultant: Aaron Calafato
Rob Brownstein on Rejection, Al Pacino and the Actor’s Inner Work
2026/09/01
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, carried adult weight early, and eventually turned to therapy and lifelong self-work. What does that history give an actor — and what has to be unlearned? Why did six months on The Bold and the Beautiful change the way he sees soap actors? What does Daniel Day-Lewis reveal about preparation? And after years in the business, why does Rob still believe the work is never finished?
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:
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 & Video: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Strategy Consultant: Aaron Calafato
Laura Day on Anxiety, Identity and What Actually Works
2026/08/24
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 Moore Laura knows off camera.
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:
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 & Video: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Strategy Consultant: Aaron Calafato
Mark Teschner on Casting General Hospital, Discovering Stars & the Vulnerability of Acting | SOM Vault
2026/08/20
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 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:
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 & Video: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Strategy Consultant: Aaron Calafato
Ben Greenfield on Anxiety, Longevity & the Limits of Biohacking
2026/08/17
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 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:
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 & Video: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Strategy Consultant: Aaron Calafato
Maurice Benard Meets Jordan Sunshine: 3 Body Problem, The Pitt, Music & Big Dreams
2026/08/15
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 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:
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 & Video: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Strategy Consultant: Aaron Calafato
Audio Consultant: Ken Wendt
Tarek Tohme: What Loss Revealed, What the Cage Gave Back & Michael Jackson's Advice
2026/08/11
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:
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 & 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...
2026/08/10
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.
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:
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 & Video: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Strategy Consultant: Aaron Calafato
Audio Consultant: Ken Wendt
Breaking the Cycle with Rena Sofer (GH's Lois Cerullo)
2026/08/06
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/
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 & Video: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Strategy Consultant: Aaron Calafato
Audio Consultant: Ken Wendt
"I Kept It Inside": GH's Finn Carr (Rocco) Reveals His Hidden Struggle
2026/08/03
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.
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 & Video: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Strategy Consultant: Aaron Calafato
Audio Consultant: Ken Wendt
Matty Fiorenza: Firefighter PTSD, Addiction and Surviving a Suicidal Crisis
2026/08/01
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.
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 & Video: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Strategy Consultant: Aaron Calafato
Audio Consultant: Ken Wendt
James Patrick Stuart: Anxiety, Addiction, Grief and Finding Purpose
2026/07/30
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.
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 & Video: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Strategy Consultant: Aaron Calafato
Audio Consultant: Ken Wendt
AJ Mendez / AJ Lee on WWE, Bipolar Disorder, and and Making Peace With “Jean”
2026/06/18
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
(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.)
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/
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 & Video: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Strategy Consultant: Aaron Calafato
Audio Consultant: Ken Wendt
Joshua Benard on Music, Mental Health, and Turning Pain Into Art
2026/06/16
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
(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.)
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/
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 & Video: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Strategy Consultant: Aaron Calafato
Audio Consultant: Ken Wendt
Andrew Hawkes Opens Up About General Hospital, Mental Health & the Gift of Staying Alive
2026/06/06
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!
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 & Video: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Strategy Consultant: Aaron Calafato
Audio Consultant: Ken Wendt
Podcast reviews
Read State Of Mind with Maurice Benard podcast reviews
Lulu who 2 2026/10/06
Very real
I’ve been listening for a while now and I love what you’re doing! I just finished the one with Finn today, love love this show what a cool kid! It’s s...
V10591 2026/04/02
Genuine
I have been a GH fan for about 30 yrs and just found this podcast . Thank you Maurice (and friends) for being outspoken , and genuine on all things me...
Winterfuzz55 2026/03/02
Can not listen
Maurice constantly raises his voice so too hard to listen to with earbuds. Wish he would at least move away from the mic when he yells and/or makes we...
Maryp12831 2026/02/12
Please fix your microphones!!!
Maurice, I love your podcast, but struggle with the constant up/down of voices! It’s difficult to hear your guest because your responses come through ...
Glo5785 2026/01/16
Have really enjoyed Honesty & Vulnerability
I fell into this podcast about six months ago and have really enjoyed listening to the episodes then I have found to be unusually honest and full of v...
wolex17894 2025/11/24
Love hearing actors’ stories
I love hearing the stories of the actors who come on State of Mind. They have such rich lives and histories and I enjoy hearing about their experience...
Kippy2025 2025/11/17
Just found this on Apple
So happy to have found this podcast. Such a great listen.
live 7 2025/11/17
informed
excellent soaps give long time listers a place to be safe and enjoy long time friends. not weirdly but truly. u let us escape. ty. learn so much. t...
WaterGrandma 2025/10/10
Friend
Just conversations and great insight.
Podcast goes real fast because of Maurice and his guests
Werewolf lover24 2025/07/31
Love this podcast
I just listen to Julianne from fox. It was an Amazing interview love and connection with anxiety.
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