State Of Mind with Maurice Benard

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

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, 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

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 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