The Journey with Mark Astor

Mark Astor

What happens when success doesn’t come in a straight line? The Journey with Mark Astor explores the paths most people never talk about the setbacks, turning points, and internal battles that quietly define who we become. Hosted by attorney Mark Astor, this podcast goes beyond surface-level conversations to uncover the real stories behind leadership, recovery, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. Each week, Mark sits down with guests who have navigated complex journeys of their own from business leaders and legal professionals to behavioral health experts and individuals shaped by life-altering experiences. These conversations challenge assumptions, shift perspective, and invite listeners to rethink what progress truly looks like. If you’re interested in honest dialogue, meaningful insight, and stories that stay with you long after the episode ends, this podcast was created for you.

  1. 1d ago

    Ep. 29 He Lived Under A Fake Name For 2 Years: Now He Saves Lives Through Mental Health Interventions with Evan Jarschauer

    A five-year-old boy disappears with his father to Canada under fake identities. Decades later, that same person becomes the interventionist celebrities call when their families are falling apart. Evan Jarschauer's story reads like fiction, but his approach to mental health interventions is grounded in hard-won expertise and genuine compassion. In this raw conversation, he reveals why waiting for someone to hit rock bottom is actually waiting for them to die, and how he helps families take control before it's too late. From his appearance on Keeping Up with the Kardashians to handling cases involving severe mental illness and addiction, Evan shares the behind-the-scenes reality of intervention work that most people never see. He explains why the surge in mental health cases since COVID isn't slowing down, how marijuana legalization created unexpected challenges, and why the most loving thing a family can sometimes do is refuse to let their loved one make decisions when they're psychiatrically compromised. Contact Mark Astor: Website: https://mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com/ Phone number: 561-517-9405 Email: mark@astorsimovitchlaw.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markastor TikTok: Mark G. Astor (@astorsimovitchlaw) | TikTok Contact Evan Jarschauer: Website: Behavioral Help Solutions | Mental Health | Drug Abuse | Nationwide

  2. Aug 11

    Ep. 28 He Traded NBA Finals Tickets To His Dealer for $1,000 In Cocaine with Brian Cuban

    What drives someone to trade NBA championship tickets for cocaine? Brian Cuban, attorney and recovery advocate, shares the raw reality of his 20-year battle with addiction that nearly destroyed his legal career and family relationships. From doing cocaine in federal courthouses to showing up to hearings under the influence, Brian's story reveals how addiction doesn't discriminate based on privilege or profession. His journey from rock bottom to nearly 19 years of sobriety offers profound insights into the intersection of mental health, family dynamics, and the legal profession's hidden crisis. Brian opens up about childhood trauma, the day he was stripped of his clothes by bullies, and how that shame followed him through decades of self-medication. He discusses the complexities of family relationships during active addiction, the moment his wife found him after a two-day blackout, and the decision that changed everything. This conversation explores the reality that lawyers suffer from alcohol use disorder at twice the rate of the general population, while offering hope for anyone struggling with addiction or supporting someone who is. Contact Mark Astor: Website: https://mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com/ Phone number: 561-517-9405 Email: mark@astorsimovitchlaw.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markastor TikTok: Mark G. Astor (@astorsimovitchlaw) | TikTok Contact Brian Cuban: Website: www.briancuban.com Email: brianwithanI@briancuban.com

  3. Aug 4

    Ep. 27 Why 80% Of Criminal Cases Are Mental Health Issues: The School Bus Analogy with Shannon Roy

    What if the criminal justice system has been approaching rehabilitation completely backwards? Shannon Roy, a seasoned criminal defense attorney with over 15 years of experience, shares a powerful analogy that reframes how we think about mental health and substance abuse in criminal cases. She reveals that at least 80% of her cases involve underlying mental health or substance abuse issues, yet the system continues to treat symptoms rather than root causes. Through her compelling school bus metaphor, Shannon illustrates why simply incarcerating people without addressing their underlying issues is not only ineffective but counterproductive. Shannon takes us inside her practice where she's learned to listen first, observe behavioral patterns, and build comprehensive mitigation strategies that address the whole person. From her early days winning a boating under the influence case to handling life-or-death felony trials, she shares the emotional weight of advocating for people whose liberty hangs in the balance. Her approach goes beyond traditional defense work, focusing on creating treatment plans that serve both public safety and human dignity. You'll discover how specialty courts are revolutionizing criminal justice and why Shannon believes everyone deserves someone willing to fight for them, regardless of the charges they face. Contact Mark Astor: Website: https://mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com/ Phone number: 561-517-9405 Email: mark@astorsimovitchlaw.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markastor TikTok: Mark G. Astor (@astorsimovitchlaw) | TikTok Contact Shannon Roy: Website: Roy LAW FIRM – Roy Defense

  4. Jul 28

    Ep. 26 How Opioid Addiction Cost Him Everything And Led To 95% Sales Close Rates with Jake Stahl

    What happens when a top pharma salesman with a 95% close rate loses everything to addiction and has to move back in with his parents at age 50? Jake Stahl's story isn't just about falling down-it's about the strategic comeback that led him to create Orchestrate, a revolutionary sales psychology platform. After collapsing at home during opioid withdrawal and spending five horrifying days in detox, Jake rebuilt his life using the same behavioral psychology principles that made him number one in four different pharmaceutical products. His journey from packing trucks for Amazon to developing technology that helps businesses achieve 78% open rates on cold emails reveals the power of understanding human decision-making patterns. Jake's approach to sales isn't about manipulation-it's about creating conversations where purchase becomes the only logical endpoint. Through neurolinguistic programming and social psychology, he discovered why traditional sales methods fail and how to break conditioned responses that block real connection. His personal recovery story intertwines with professional insights about resilience, remarriage, and the psychology behind everything from car dealership tactics to Tesla's pricing strategy, offering hope and practical wisdom for anyone rebuilding after loss. Contact Mark Astor: Website: https://mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com/ Phone number: 561-517-9405 Email: mark@astorsimovitchlaw.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markastor TikTok: Mark G. Astor (@astorsimovitchlaw) | TikTok Contact Jake Stahl: Website: www.orchestraight.com Book: Own the Room: How to Communicate to Be Seen, Heard and Respected

  5. Jul 21

    Ep. 25 Molested Child Becomes Mental Health Counselor: How Trauma Shows Up In The Body with Kayla Myers

    What happens when childhood trauma manifests as mysterious physical symptoms that doctors can't explain? Kayla Myers was pulled out of school for nearly two years with debilitating stomach aches and fatigue that left her barely able to walk. After hundreds of medical visits, one holistic doctor finally recommended something revolutionary: counseling. The moment she started voicing her trauma from an abusive home and childhood molestation, her body began to heal. Today, Kayla is a licensed mental health counselor, competitive Spartan racer, and Miss Northeast title holder preparing for Miss Indiana in just 14 days. Her journey from eating lunch alone in the library to empowering others through her Operation Flourish platform reveals how sport became her lifeline and why she believes a third of your days should 'really suck' for optimal growth. Through raw honesty about bulimia, self-harm, and the non-linear path to healing, she demonstrates how trauma stored in the body can be transformed into strength that helps others flourish. Contact Mark Astor: Website: https://mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com/ Phone number: 561-517-9405 Email: mark@astorsimovitchlaw.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markastor TikTok: Mark G. Astor (@astorsimovitchlaw) | TikTok Contact Kayla Myers: Email: kaylamyers@gmail.com Instagram: @choosehealthMAO TikTok: @choosehealthMAO Facebook: Choose Health Website: OperationFlourish.com Podcast: Operation Flourish - Podcast - Apple Podcasts

  6. Jul 14

    Ep. 24 Meet Our COO: How We Built A Law Firm That Actually Serves Families with Jessica Douglas

    What happens when a law firm stops operating like chaos and starts running like a sophisticated business? Jessica Douglas, Chief Operating Officer at Mark Astor's mental health and addiction law firm, reveals the transformation that's helping hundreds of families navigate their most challenging moments. After working with over 100 law firms as a fractional COO, Jessica made the rare decision to join just one firm full-time - and her reasons might surprise you. From 30-day university-style onboarding programs to 24/7 client support systems, she breaks down the operational framework that's revolutionizing how legal services are delivered in the behavioral health space. This isn't your typical law firm success story. Jessica shares why the myth of needing the 'name partner' attorney is actually harmful to clients, how proper team structure creates better outcomes than solo practitioners, and the specific systems that allow complex mental health cases to move through the courts efficiently. Whether you're a legal professional looking to scale your practice or a family seeking quality representation, this conversation reveals what truly separates exceptional legal service from the rest of the field. Contact Mark Astor: Website: https://mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com/ Phone number: 561-517-9405 Email: mark@astorsimovitchlaw.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markastor TikTok: Mark G. Astor (@astorsimovitchlaw) | TikTok

  7. Jul 7

    Ep. 23 How She Lost Her Law License And Built A $10K Jet Podcast Empire with Blanca Perper

    What would you do if you lost your law license for three years after becoming the victim of a financial crime? Blanca Perper faced this exact nightmare scenario, spending nearly a million dollars to prove her innocence and fight for her professional life. Instead of letting this devastating blow destroy her, she transformed those dark years into something extraordinary. As the daughter of the late Dr. Joshua Perper, the Broward County medical examiner who handled the Anna Nicole Smith case, Blanca understood that resilience runs in the family. Today, Blanca has rebuilt her legal career as a concierge attorney while simultaneously creating the Laws of Life platform, where she's interviewed over 4,000 people and now conducts podcast interviews on private jets. Her journey from public defender to corporate counsel to victim of financial crime to media entrepreneur reveals the power of choosing growth over bitterness. You'll discover how she maintains availability for clients seven days a week, why she believes everyone deserves a space to shine, and the specific strategies that helped her turn professional devastation into a thriving multimedia empire. Contact Mark Astor: Website: https://mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com/ Phone number: 561-517-9405 Email: mark@astorsimovitchlaw.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markastor TikTok: Mark G. Astor (@astorsimovitchlaw) | TikTok Contact Blanca Perper: Phone: 561-543-9040 Instagram: @BlancaLawsOfLife Tuesday Talk Show: 7 PM weekly (Zoom link available on Instagram)

  8. Jun 30

    Ep. 22 Section 12 Mental Health Commitments: Getting Real Treatment Instead Of Hospital Rooms with Jimmy Kane

    How does someone go from selling drugs on the streets of Charlestown to becoming the person families call when everything falls apart? Jimmy Kane's transformation story will challenge everything you think you know about addiction, recovery, and second chances. Of the eleven men in his 1979 wedding party, only two are still alive-the rest lost to addiction and violence in a neighborhood where criminal activity was so normal that kids didn't even blink at seeing guns and money on kitchen tables. But Jimmy's journey from that world to helping families navigate Massachusetts' Section 12 mental health system reveals something powerful about human resilience. What makes Jimmy's approach different is his understanding that real treatment isn't about sitting in a hospital room while doctors who've never really met you try different medications for a week at a time. His work getting people out of Section 12 holds and into proper facilities has exposed the gaps in our mental health system that most people never see. From his friendship with NHL enforcers to his connections with Boston's most notorious figures, Jimmy brings a perspective to recovery and mental health advocacy that you won't find anywhere else. Contact Mark Astor: Website: https://mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com/ Phone number: 561-517-9405 Email: mark@astorsimovitchlaw.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markastor TikTok: Mark G. Astor (@astorsimovitchlaw) | TikTok Contact Jimmy Kane: Website: Kane Life Coaching

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About

What happens when success doesn’t come in a straight line? The Journey with Mark Astor explores the paths most people never talk about the setbacks, turning points, and internal battles that quietly define who we become. Hosted by attorney Mark Astor, this podcast goes beyond surface-level conversations to uncover the real stories behind leadership, recovery, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. Each week, Mark sits down with guests who have navigated complex journeys of their own from business leaders and legal professionals to behavioral health experts and individuals shaped by life-altering experiences. These conversations challenge assumptions, shift perspective, and invite listeners to rethink what progress truly looks like. If you’re interested in honest dialogue, meaningful insight, and stories that stay with you long after the episode ends, this podcast was created for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Mark Astor
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Journey with Mark Astor
  • Show Website
    The Journey with Mark Astor