Head Inside Mental Health

When David McNeese sought treatment for his own substance use in 2012, he had no idea it would lead him to pioneer an innovative recovery program that challenges traditional approaches. What began as a passion project with no financial backing—literally living in the basement of their first recovery house—has evolved into a sophisticated clinical program incorporating adventure therapy, martial arts, and holistic approaches alongsi...

Every parent knows the heart-wrenching reality: you're only as happy as your least happy child. Attorney Laura Sundberg knows this terrain intimately. With over three decades of legal expertise in trusts and estates, she found herself navigating unfamiliar territory when her son developed severe clinical depression and anxiety. What began as mysterious medical symptoms evolved into a complex mental health journey requiring spe...

What happens when we shift our focus from "fixing" young adults to understanding the family systems that shape them? Dr. Vaughn Heath and Steve Roth of the Arise Society join host Todd Weatherly in this groundbreaking conversation exploring how anxiety moves through family systems like electricity through a circuit, with parents often functioning as "capacitors" and struggling young adults becoming the "gro...

In this deeply insightful conversation we welcome Dr. Jack Hinman, founder of Engage Transitions, and Eric Fawson, Clinical Director at Elements Wilderness Treatment Program, to explore how our earliest relationships create templates that shape our connections throughout life. Both experts bring unique perspectives from their extensive work with young adults and families navigating mental health challenges in therapeutic settings. 

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Dr. Michael Gurian, New York Times bestselling author of 32 books, takes us deep into the crisis facing boys today with his latest book "Boys: A Rescue Plan" where he offers a roadmap for raising healthy and fulfilled men. This conversation reveals what Dr. Gurian calls "a mismatch of the male brain with our systems." Drawing from neurobiological research, he demonstrates how male brains develop and function dif...

A lawyer-turned-therapist opens up about watching family members struggle through addiction and mental health challenges while navigating her own recovery journey. Heidi Stewart, who works at the Aegis First Episode Psychosis Clinic in Asheville, NC, shares profound insights from both sides of the treatment equation.

Heidi challenges the "tough love" approach that permeates American attitudes toward addiction and...

Dr. John Santopietro never planned to become a leader in mental healthcare transformation, but after witnessing systemic failures firsthand, he couldn't stay on the sidelines.

From his unique beginnings working in a family fish market where he observed countless personality types, through his Quaker education emphasizing introspection – Dr. Santopietro's path to psychiatry reveals how personal experiences shape p...

Dr. Michael Groat, President and CEO of the Lindner Center of Hope, talks with us this week about how therapeutic communities break free from traditional care silos and embraces a truly integrated approach.

Our conversation explores how the Lindner Center's unique continuum of care—from acute hospitalization to residential treatment and outpatient services—creates seamless transitions for patients navigating complex m...

The delicate balance between mental health medications and addiction treatment remains one of healthcare's most challenging terrains. Lisa Wheeler, PA-C, brings her 30+ years of experience to this conversation, sharing how her journey into addiction medicine revealed both her passion for helping marginalized populations and the systemic problems preventing truly integrated care.

Wheeler's refreshingly authentic a...

Discover the transformative journey of Dr. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt, a trailblazer in mental health and eating disorder treatment. From her formative training at NYU Bellevue Hospital to her influential role as Nevada's Medical Director for Mental Health and Disability Services, Dr. Oliver-Pyatt's career is a masterclass in pioneering compassionate care. We explore how her unique blend of psychodynamic therapy and community psy...

What if a single medication could revolutionize the treatment of thought disorder and psychosis? Join us as we invite Dr. David Pickar and the team he supports at Help in the Home back to the show to explore the potential of a new anti-psychotic medication approved by the FDA, Cobenfy.  Setting itself apart by targeting the brain's cholinergic system and M1 and M4 receptors, Cobenfy sets a promising a new pathway for reduced s...

What happens when a hurricane hits not just the physical landscape but also the heart and mind of a community? Join us on this compelling episode of Head Inside Mental Health, where we sit down with Dr. Eric Levine, President and CEO of CooperRiis, to discover the resiliency of community during a disaster. Eric shares his firsthand experiences, detailing the immense impact the storm had on the community in Asheville and the surroun...

What if the rapidly increasing potency of cannabis is silently fueling a mental health crisis? Join us on Head Inside Mental Health as we sit down with Dr. Rocco Marotta, a distinguished psychiatrist and neurologist with Silver Hill Hospital, to unravel the intricate link between cannabis use and psychosis. Dr. Marotta shares his compelling journey from a liberal perspective on cannabis to a tale of caution, shaped by firsthand exp...

Tragedy and triumph define the deeply personal journey of Jordan Lewis, an attorney who has made it his mission to champion mental health parity. Listen as Jordan opens up about loss and the journey of a parent with children in recovery from alcoholism and substance use. The episode offers an intimate glimpse into the complexities of family, the resilience needed for recovery, and the relentless pursuit of advocacy in mental health...

B Reeves takes us on a walk through his personal journey in recovery, revealing the raw yet rewarding path to sobriety. Growing up in Raleigh, North Carolina, B faced early exposure to substances, which set the stage for years of struggle. As B opens up about the "gift of desperation" leading to his pivotal moment of seeking help in 2018, listeners gain insight into the complex layers of addiction and the profound transfo...

Explore the societal underpinnings of pop psychology with us as we tackle the overuse and misunderstandings of terms like gaslighting and narcissism, particularly within the recovery community. Join us as we welcome back John Egan, Director of Business Development at Futures Recovery Healthcare, who shares his valuable insights and experiences as a therapist. Together, we navigate the delicate balance between sensitivity and the ne...

Can family dynamics make or break a young man's recovery journey? Vince Benevento, director and founder of Causeway Collaborative, joins us to unravel his personal and professional experiences in creating supportive environments for young men in recovery trying to get a launch on life. From his early days as an in-home therapist to establishing a full-fledged organization, Vince sheds light on the urgency to address educationa...

Join us as we explore the complex landscape of adoptive families, particularly those who face the unique challenges that come with raising adolescents with severe attachment issues with Dr. Norm Thibault, a leading expert in adoption and attachment. Dr. Thibault is the founding owner of  shares groundbreaking insights from scientists like Dr. Nim Tottenham and Dr. John Balin, revealing how early developmental factors can shape a ch...