State Of Mind with Maurice Benard

Trauma surgeon Jeremy Heffner tells Maurice Benard what emotional control cost him. After years of managing chaos and carrying other people’s worst moments, Jeremy says he became so skilled at locking away emotion that he could no longer cry. He called it a “black hole in my heart.” In this deeply personal State of Mind conversation, Jeremy and Maurice go inside PTSD, moral injury, doctor burnout, residential trea...

In this episode from the SOM archives, General Hospital's Rena Sofer opens up about breaking family cycles, B&B, and becoming Lois. In this powerful conversation with Maurice Benard, the daytime legend reflects on the father who protected her, the family trauma she worked to break, and why she refuses to diagnose a family member. She explores how iconic characters like Lois Cerullo and Quinn Fuller came alive, the real-life rel...

In this episode, which originally aired in January of 2025, General Hospital's Finn Carr (Rocco) and Maurice Benard (Sonny) sit down for a deeply honest conversation about acting pressure, anxiety, depression, and finding your voice. Moving beyond the heavy storylines of Port Charles, the two GH actors dive into the realities of growing up in the industry, from Finn’s early days acting alongside Betty White to the brutal, fas...

First responder Matty Fiorenza joins Maurice Benard for an unflinching conversation about firefighter PTSD, complex trauma, moral injury and recovery. After a 22-year career marked by devastating emergency calls, physical injuries and unresolved childhood wounds, Matty describes how addiction and isolation brought him to a life-threatening crisis. He also shares the daily practices, faith, service and commu...

This episode is from the SOM archives. Originally recorded in 2021, it features James Patrick Stuart, beloved as Valentin Cassadine on General Hospital. James joins Maurice Benard for a deeply honest conversation about anxiety, self-medication, grief, faith and recovery. James shares how a simple act of service helped redirect his life, while Maurice reflects on surviving his own darkest period and the professional help that saved ...

AJ Mendez, known to WWE fans around the world as AJ Lee, returns to State of Mind and has a deeply honest and powerful conversation Maurice. They talked about growing up tough, surviving pressure, living with bipolar disorder, and returning to the wrestling spotlight with a healthier sense of self.

AJ opens up about her childhood, her mother’s mental health journey, hospitalization, therapy, routine, and the tools that help h...

Maurice Benard welcomes his son Joshua Benard back to State of Mind for a deeply personal conversation about music, acting, anxiety, depression, family, and the creative life.

After a powerful performance at The Hotel Cafe, Joshua opens up about finding his identity as a songwriter, moving from songs rooted in pain to music that also makes room for joy. He and Maurice talk honestly about sleep, depression, bipolar disorder, what it...

Maurice Benard welcomes Andrew Hawkes from General Hospital for a raw and heartfelt conversation about acting, anxiety, addiction, depression, family, and survival. Andrew shares how undiagnosed ADD shaped his childhood, how acting gave him focus, and how recovery, therapy, and love helped him find gratitude after some of the darkest seasons of his life. A deeply human episode about staying alive long enough to discover what life s...

Actor and director Marcus Coloma joins Maurice Benard for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about General Hospital, acting, anxiety, Scientology, faith, friendship, fatherhood, and the personal choices that have helped him grow.

Marcus opens up about his time on General Hospital, the fear and pressure that came with performing, how he found more confidence as an actor, and why his friendship with Maurice allows them to talk o...

In this deeply personal solo episode of State of Mind, Maurice Benard looks back on more than three decades of playing Sonny Corinthos on General Hospital. Maurice opens up about the early days of landing the role, battling bipolar disorder and nervous breakdowns behind the scenes, and the producers and castmates who helped carry him through some of the darkest moments of his life.

From unforgettable storylines with Vanessa Marcil,...

Actor and filmmaker Josh Murray joins Maurice Benard for a deeply honest conversation about soccer, acting, depression, journaling, and finding a way back to yourself through art. From his role on General Hospital to his new film Gym Rat, Josh opens up about pain, purpose, and why talking about mental health can help people feel less alone. *If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the...

What is it really like to live with bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety—and why are so many people still afraid to talk about it?

On this episode of State of Mind, Maurice Benard sits down with actress, model, and musician Léa Marcastel for an honest and deeply personal conversation about mental health, trauma, and healing. Together, they explore what it means to struggle with depression from a young age, feel misunders...

WARNING: This episode talks about suicide, which some people may find disturbing. If you are having thoughts of suicide, know there is help and you are not alone.

Support: Call or text 988 Chat: 988lifeline.org Maurice Benard sits down with actor Nathan Dean Parsons for a deeply personal conversation about bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and suicide. Together, they open up about living with mental health challenges, the pai...

In this episode of State of Mind, Maurice Benard sits down with actor Diedrich Bader for a deeply personal conversation on depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and the ongoing pursuit of peace within.

What begins as a light conversation about Hollywood quickly turns into an honest exploration of mental health, including the realities of living with bipolar disorder, the impact of alcohol and anxiety, and the emotional toll of act...

On this episode of State of Mind, Maurice Benard sits down with rising actress Bluesy Burke for an honest conversation about anxiety, acting, and growing up in the spotlight.

Bluesy opens up about moving across the country during COVID, leaving behind close friendships, and stepping into the unknown at a young age. She shares what it was like booking General Hospital, walking into high-pressure auditions, and navigating nerves on s...

Chauntal Lewis joins State of Mind again. This time, for a deeply honest conversation about surviving domestic violence, living with anxiety, and finding a way forward after trauma. In this powerful episode, she opens up about abuse, love addiction, grief, losing her hand in a devastating car accident, and the work it took to reclaim her life and sense of self.

This is a raw, emotional, and ultimately hopeful conversation about wha...

Maurice Benard sits down with acclaimed actor Clancy Brown for a wide-ranging conversation about anxiety, mental health, acting, family, grief, and resilience. Known for unforgettable roles in The Shawshank Redemption, John Wick, SpongeBob SquarePants, and The Penguin, Clancy opens up about the nerves that have followed him throughout his career, how he learned to work through them, and the personal experiences that shaped him long...

In this special birthday episode of State of Mind, the tables turn as Dominic Zamprogna (Dante on General Hospital) takes over the host chair to interview Maurice Benard.

Maurice opens up about his life, career, and lifelong journey with bipolar disorder—from his early days chasing acting dreams, to his first manic episode and time in a mental institution, to becoming one of daytime television’s most iconic actors as So...

In this episode of State of Mind, Maurice Benard sits down with actress Kelly Thiebaud for a raw, funny, and surprisingly deep conversation about what it really means to start over.

Kelly opens up about growing up in a small town, being a sports kid turned model, and how the modeling world messed with her relationship to food, her body, and her self-worth. She shares what it was like moving to Los Angeles at 17, experiencing an ear...