Jeffrey Vincent Parise: GH Villainy, Reinvention, and the Fight for Inner Peace
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.com
State of Mind Production Team:
Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard
Executive Producer: Paula Benard
Director of Production: Anthony Cammarata
Audio/Video/Editorial: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato
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Genie Francis: Childhood Fame, Trauma, and Becoming Laura Spencer (Part 1)
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.com
State of Mind Production Team:
Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard
Executive Producer: Paula Benard
Director of Production: Anthony Cammarata
Audio/Video/Editorial: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato
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Richard Taite on Addiction, Fentanyl, and Fixing Treatment
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
State of Mind Production Team:
Host & Editorial: Maurice Benard
Executive Producer: Paula Benard
Director of Production: Anthony Cammarata
Audio/Video/Editorial: Anthony Cammarata
Podcast Consultant: Aaron Calafato
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General Hospital Pioneers, Part 2 | Jackie Zeman and Kin Shriner: Fame’s Peak, Party Lore, and Stamos, Demi & Springfield
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.
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General Hospital Pioneers, Part 1 | Jackie Zeman and Kin Shriner: The Gloria Monty Era and How GH Changed Daytime TV
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.
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.