Tony Mantor: Why Not Me ?
Embracing Autism/Mental Health WorldwideAutism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition affecting millions worldwide, characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Despite increasing recognition, there remains a lack of understanding and awareness about the condition.Mental health encompasses a range of conditions impacting emotional, psychological, and social well-being, affecting millions globally. It includes disorders like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and psychosis. Schizophrenia is marked by symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, while psychosis involves a loss of contact with reality, often presenting with similar symptoms. Despite growing awareness, stigma and misconceptions about mental health, particularly schizophrenia and psychosis, persist, underscoring the need for greater understanding and support.From celebrating neurodiversity to breaking down stigma, we create a safe space for listeners to learn, grow, and feel seen. Whether you're on the spectrum, a caregiver, or an advocate, join our global community for inspiring conversations and empowering resources that uplift and unite. Tune in to embrace understanding, healing, and hope worldwide!Together, we can create a more informed and compassionate society for individuals with Autism and Mental Illness.
Episodes
Sydney Curtin, an inspiring speaker, author, multi-business owner, consultant, and life coach. She shares her powerful journey of overcoming a traumatic past marked by her mother's addiction and mental health challenges.
Sydney discusses how she transformed her life, navigating through personal and professional struggles, and now helps others do the same.
She delves into her career shift from aspiring psychiatrist to life coach, ad...
Keshawn Williams shares his inspiring journey and dedication to mental health and trauma-informed care.
Williams, a graduate student pursuing a master's degree in social work, aims to become a trauma-focused psychotherapist.
He recounts his diverse experiences from studying criminal justice and interning with the New Jersey State Parole Board to working in a nursing home and interning at community ...
Cynthia Ray shares the deeply moving story of her brother Philip's tumultuous journey.
Diagnosed with autism later in life, Philip's association with a con artist led to his incarceration and a subsequent prostate cancer diagnosis that went untreated for a year.
Cynthia recounts Philip's early challenges, his strong belief in his inventions, and the dire consequences of misplaced trust.
She also discusses her ongoing advocacy for h...
In this episode of 'Why Not Me,' Tony Mantor hosts Dianne Greeley, who shares her firsthand experiences and challenges in advocating for mental health reform.
Dianne recounts the struggles her loved one faced with severe mental illness and the inadequate support from health and legal systems.
She discusses the journey from personal caretaker to passionate advocate, emphasizing the need for greater awareness, education, and systemic...
Empowering Adults with Special Needs: One Woman’s Journey
In this episode, we hear an inspiring story of a former special education teacher who founded a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting adults with special needs.
Initially serving individuals with autism, the organization's services have expanded to anyone needing support, regardless of diagnosis.
From starting with one program in a small library, the nonprofit now r...
We explore the mission and approach of MA Therapy with founder Amira Martin, whose practice focuses on providing bias-free psychotherapy to women of color while also mentoring therapists to establish their own practices.
• Amira's personal journey overcoming limited representation in professional fields through her sister's encouragement: "Don't stop yourself, let other people stop you"
• How MA Therapy serv...
Victoria Lenormand shares her transformative journey from police officer to autism advocate after her son's diagnosis, revealing how unconventional choices led to unexpected healing and growth for her entire family.
• Former police officer whose life changed when her son was diagnosed with autism at age three
• Faced impossible demands balancing work while trying to help her son fit into traditional school
• Discovere...
Janet Hayes shares her journey as a severe mental illness advocate reshaping New Orleans through innovative care systems for those with serious mental health challenges.
• Started advocacy after Hurricane Katrina when untreated mental illness led to criminalization
• Witnessed a friend die in custody due to inadequate mental health and medical care
• Founded Healing Minds NOLA to create a "one-stop shop" for mental health...
Danielle Terrell shares her journey as the US Healthcare Development Director at the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) and her passion for improving healthcare accessibility for autistic individuals around the world.
• IBCCES provides specialized training and certification for healthcare providers, helping hospitals, dental offices, and other facilities better support individuals with ...
Maria shares her journey advocating for mental healthcare, from working in a medical facility helping patients navigate services to struggling with the complex systems while trying to help her brother with severe mental illness. Her powerful story reveals critical gaps in our mental health and legal systems that prevent timely intervention for those most in need.
• Experience as a healthcare advocate navigating insurance barriers a...
Melody Guy shares her extraordinary journey as an autistic singer-songwriter who has traveled over two million miles despite the challenges of sensory issues and PTSD. She reveals how music became both her shelter and her bridge to connecting with others when words failed.
• Diagnosed with autism as an adult around the same time as her son
• Survived childhood sexual abuse starting at age nine and a kidnapping at age 19
• Found her...
Leanna May Franklin shares her journey as a mental health advocate after her son experienced a psychotic break at age 19, revealing the challenges of navigating care even with resources and professional expertise.
• Experienced a life-changing moment when her son had a psychotic breakdown during a family gathering
• Recognized signs that she initially thought were typical teenage behaviors but were early symptoms of mental illness
...
"Why Not Me?" podcast expands its mission to embrace both autism and mental health worldwide, creating a platform for raw, authentic storytelling that inspires and connects.
Host Tony Mantor welcomes listeners to join a global movement fostering awareness, acceptance, and understanding through powerful personal narratives.
• Broadcasting from Nashville, Tennessee with a mission to share powerful stories
• E...
Cindy Murphy shares the heartbreaking story of her son Tristan, who struggled with schizophrenia and died by suicide while incarcerated after being handed a chainsaw during a prison work detail.
Through her grief, Cindy has become a powerful advocate for mental health reform in the criminal justice system, working to pass the Tristan Murphy Act in Florida.
• Tristan developed schizophrenia in his 30s, unusually late ...
Ann Corcoran, Executive Director of the National Shattering Silence Coalition, discusses the broken systems that fail those with serious mental illness and their families through discriminatory practices and neglect.
She shares powerful stories of families desperately seeking help for loved ones in psychosis, highlighting how outdated laws and policies create barriers to treatment until tragedy strikes.
• Explaining ...
Laura Craciun shares her son's harrowing journey with serious mental illness and the systemic failures that criminalize mental health conditions instead of treating them.
Her story highlights the urgent need for better policies to support individuals with psychosis and their families.
• Laura's son was misdiagnosed with ADHD before eventually being diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder at age 20
• Cannabis use pote...
Lynn Nanos, a mobile psychiatric emergency social worker with 15+ years experience, shares insights on evaluating and helping people with serious mental illness in crisis situations.
Her work bridges the gap between law enforcement and mental healthcare, providing crucial interventions for individuals experiencing psychosis and other mental health emergencies.
• Conducts psychiatric evaluations in various settings in...
Geri Clark, Resource and Advocacy Manager at Treatment Advocacy Center, shares her devastating journey of losing her son to severe mental illness while navigating a broken treatment system that wouldn't help until it was too late. She reveals critical gaps in our mental health system and explains how legal barriers, misunderstood medical conditions, and insufficient family support create deadly consequences for those...
Sheriff Donna Buckley shares her journey from attorney to becoming the first female sheriff in Barnstable County's 333-year history, along with her innovative approach to transforming incarceration through mental health support, comprehensive case management, and post-release services.
• Buckley's background as legal counsel representing public employees, including police officers and educators
• How the prevalence o...
Jason McKenzie shares his heart-wrenching journey through grief after losing his wife to suicide and his daughter to trauma-induced mental health struggles. His story reveals how childhood trauma ripples through generations and how he found healing through sobriety, purposeful grief work, and helping others.
• Lost his police officer wife to suicide after years battling mental health issues stemming from childhood tr...
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