State Of Mind with Maurice Benard

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.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 

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.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 

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.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 

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.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 

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.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 

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 

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 

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 

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

Emmy-winning actress Laura Wright returns to State of Mind for a powerful and deeply personal conversation with Maurice Benard. She opens up about her daughter’s battle with Type 1 diabetes, the life-changing moment that led to her diagnosis, and how it reshaped her outlook on family and gratitude. Laura also shares her passion project, Sacred Space—a movement devoted to healing, self-discovery, and helping others find strength through connection. 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

Actress Cynthia Watros (General Hospital, Lost, Guiding Light) joins Maurice Benard for a rare and revealing conversation about resilience, redemption, and self-discovery. From battling a life-threatening illness as a teen to finding purpose through acting, Cynthia opens up about her journey, family, mental health, and motherhood. A heartfelt, honest talk about learning from mistakes, embracing imperfection, and finding peace in life’s messiest chapters. 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 Jens Austin Astrup (General Hospital, Gossip Girl) joins Maurice Benard for a powerful and heartfelt conversation about grief, resilience, and rediscovering peace. Jens opens up about losing his father to suicide, navigating instability and foster care, and how he learned to find meaning through love, discipline, and self-reflection. A moving discussion about overcoming darkness, healing family bonds, and the strength it takes to stay open-hearted in a chaotic world. 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 and creator Adrian Anchondo joins Maurice Benard to share his inspiring journey from YouTube fame to General Hospital. He opens up about growing up in a large family, his creative drive, and how faith and humor helped him navigate life’s toughest chapters. A heartfelt and uplifting look at creativity, identity, and choosing joy through it all. 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

Emmy-winning actress Eileen Davidson (The Young and the Restless, Days of Our Lives, RHOBH) joins Maurice Benard for a deeply honest and emotional conversation about family, grief, mental health, and resilience. Eileen opens up about growing up in a turbulent household, coping with loss, and learning to let go of shame while finding inner peace. A powerful, intimate episode that celebrates strength, vulnerability, and the courage to heal. 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 Clint Howard joins Maurice Benard for an unforgettable conversation about childhood fame, family, and mental health. From growing up alongside his brother Ron Howard to surviving addiction and rediscovering purpose, Clint shares the wisdom, humor, and heart that have defined his journey. A candid, deeply human talk about resilience, recovery, and what really matters after the spotlight fades.   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