Tony Mantor: Why Not Me ?

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  • 5.0 (7.5K)
  • Mental Health
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Autism, Mental Health, Advocacy & Human Stories. Embracing Autism/Mental Health Worldwide. Autism 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.

  1. 3d ago

    Grandparenting on the Spectrum: Jennifer Kaufman on Autism, Family, Acceptance, and First Responder Training

    Show Notes What happens when an autism expert becomes the grandmother of a child on the spectrum? In this heartfelt episode of Why Not Me? Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide, Tony Mantor sits down with Jennifer Kaufman—author of Grandparenting on the Spectrum: A Journey from Both Sides of the Desk—to explore autism through the unique lens of both a school principal and a grandmother. Jennifer shares how her grandson's diagnosis transformed her understanding of autism, challenged long-held assumptions, and reshaped family relationships. The conversation explores the important role grandparents play in supporting both autistic children and their parents while emphasizing empathy, acceptance, and inclusion. Jennifer also discusses her work training police officers, first responders, and campus security to better recognize and respond to autistic individuals during high-pressure situations. From the Blue Envelope Program to sensory awareness and communication strategies, she explains how education can prevent misunderstandings and improve outcomes. This episode is filled with practical advice, hope, and powerful reminders that every autistic individual is unique—and that understanding begins by listening. In this episode: Jennifer's journey from autism educator to autism grandmother Why grandparents can be one of the strongest support systems Common myths and misconceptions about autism Supporting families without offering unsolicited advice How autism affects the entire family dynamic Why inclusion matters more than perfection Autism and first responder training The Blue Envelope Program explained Communication strategies for autistic individuals Living in the moment and learning from neurodiversity Creating more accepting schools and communities The importance of curiosity over judgment See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. Jul 15

    Weanne Estrada:Mental Health Without Borders: How Compassion, Culture, and Community Transform Lives Worldwide

    Show Notes What does mental health look like when someone has lost everything? In this inspiring episode of Why Not Me?, Tony Mantor sits down with Weanne Estrada, Mental Health Specialist with ADRA International (Adventist Development and Relief Agency), to explore the realities of humanitarian work in more than 120 countries around the world. Together they discuss how mental health extends far beyond therapy, why culture matters in treatment, the resilience of refugees, and how communities recover after unimaginable loss. Wynne shares powerful stories from disaster zones, refugee camps, and conflict areas while offering hope through compassion, dignity, and human connection. This conversation challenges common misconceptions about refugees, humanitarian aid, serious mental illness, and recovery while reminding us that every person deserves to be seen first as a human being. Whether you're passionate about mental health, humanitarian work, autism advocacy, or simply understanding the human experience, this episode will leave a lasting impression. In This Episode What humanitarian mental health really looks like Why trauma is only part of the story The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) model explained Supporting refugees with dignity and respect Cultural differences in mental health care Serious mental illness and psychosis around the world Building resilience after disaster and displacement Fighting stigma through education and lived experience The importance of community, hope, and purpose Why recovery is often found in ordinary moments Learn more about ADRA International at:https://adra.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. Jul 8

    Dr. Adi Jaffe: The Truth About Addiction, Trauma, Shame, and Breaking Free

    (Show Notes) What if addiction isn't the real problem? In this powerful episode of Why Not Me? Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide, Tony Mantor sits down with psychologist, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author Dr. Adi Jaffe to challenge everything we've been taught about addiction, recovery, trauma, and personal transformation. Drawing from both his professional expertise and his own remarkable journey from addiction and prison to becoming a UCLA-trained psychologist, Dr. Jaffe explains why destructive behaviors often begin as attempts to survive emotional pain—not moral failures. Together they discuss: • Why addiction is often a response to trauma, pain, and unmet emotional needs • The powerful role shame plays in keeping people trapped • Why willpower alone rarely creates lasting change • How habits are formed in the brain—and why changing them takes time • The connection between anxiety, depression, addiction, and self-worth • Why healing begins with understanding instead of judgment • The importance of self-compassion during recovery • How changing your mindset can transform your life Whether you struggle with addiction, love someone who does, or simply want to better understand human behavior, this conversation offers practical wisdom, compassion, and hope. If this episode speaks to you, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need encouragement today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. Jun 26

    Meg LeDuc: Journey Through Serious Mental Illness:Living Beyond the Diagnosis

    Show Notes What happens when the diagnosis changes, the struggle feels endless, and hope seems impossible to find? In this episode of Why Not Me?, Tony Mantor sits down with writer and journalist Meg LeDuc to discuss her personal journey through depression, anxiety, psychosis, suicide attempts, self-harm, recovery, and ultimately healing. Meg shares how years of misdiagnosis, hospitalization, and mental health challenges shaped her life—and how determination, faith, support, and the right treatment helped her rebuild it. This honest conversation explores what it feels like to live with serious mental illness, the realities of psychosis, the impact of stigma, and why recovery is possible even after the darkest moments. Whether you're living with mental illness, supporting someone who is, or simply looking to better understand the human experience, this episode offers insight, compassion, and hope. In This Episode: Meg's journey through anxiety, depression, and psychosis The challenges of diagnosis and finding effective treatment Living with suicide ideation and surviving multiple attempts Self-harm, shame, and learning to heal The role of faith during recovery Relationships and mental illness How stigma affects people living with serious mental illness The difference between receiving help and choosing healing Recovery, resilience, and rebuilding a meaningful life Why psychosis is not a life sentence Memorable Quote "It's a piece of the puzzle. It's not the entire puzzle. There's so much more to me than illness." About Meg LaDuke Meg LaDuc is a Detroit-based freelance journalist, creative writer, and contributor to mental health publications. Drawing from both lived experience and professional reporting, she writes about mental health, disability, recovery, and resilience. She is currently working on a memoir chronicling her journey through serious mental illness and recovery . https://tonymantor.comhttps://Facebook.com/tonymantorhttps://instagram.com/tonymantorhttps://twitter.com/tonymantorhttps://youtube.com/tonymantormusicintro/outro music bed written by T. WildWhy Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. Jun 24

    Dr Aaron Meyer and Ann Marie Council part 2: Breaking the Cycle: Why Serious Mental Illness Deserves Better Than Jail or the Streets

    Send us Fan Mail Show Notes What happens when the systems designed to help people with serious mental illness become the very barriers preventing care? In Part 2 of this important conversation, Tony Mantor welcomes Dr. Aaron Meyer and Anne Marie Council for a candid discussion about the failures and possibilities within America's mental health system. Together, they explore why so many individuals spend years cycling through emergency rooms, jails, homelessness, and crisis without ever receiving the long-term treatment they truly need. The conversation examines the gap between policy and practice, the importance of housing with wraparound support, and why accountability—not simply creating more laws—may be the key to meaningful change. This episode challenges listeners to rethink assumptions about involuntary treatment, homelessness, public safety, and compassion while offering practical ways communities can advocate for a better behavioral health system. If you've ever wondered why so many people fall through the cracks, this conversation provides insight, hope, and a call to action.  In This Episode Why the "10-year loop" delays treatment for countless people living with serious mental illnessHow emergency rooms and jails have become default mental health providersThe importance of continuous support instead of one-time stabilizationWhy existing mental health laws are often not fully implementedThe need for more psychiatric beds and comprehensive treatment optionsHow housing combined with wraparound services can change livesThe role families and caregivers play in advocating for better careWhy stigma continues to prevent people from receiving helpThe importance of investigative journalism and public accountabilityPractical ways listeners can become advocates for change in their own communitiesWhy empathy and person-centered care must become the foundation of mental health policyKey Takeaway Serious mental illness is not a moral failing or a criminal issue—it is a healthcare issue. Until communities invest in accessible treatment, supportive housing, and systems that prioritize people over bureaucracy, too many individuals will continue cycling through crisis instead of recovery. Connect with Why Not Me? If this conversation resonated with you, please follow, rate, and share the podcast. Every listener helps expand understanding, reduce stigma, and create meaningful conversations about autism and mental health around the world. https://tonymantor.comhttps://Facebook.com/tonymantorhttps://instagram.com/tonymantorhttps://twitter.com/tonymantorhttps://youtube.com/tonymantormusicintro/outro music bed written by T. WildWhy Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  6. Jun 17

    Dr Aaron Meyer and Ann Marie Council: Bridging the Mental Health Gap: Policy, Psychiatry, and the Fight for Early Intervention

    Send us Fan Mail In this important episode of Why Not Me? Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide, Tony Mantor sits down with Dr. Alan Meyer, psychiatrist and Behavioral Health Officer for the City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, and Ann Marie Council, retired Senior Deputy City Attorney and mental health policy advisor, for an in-depth discussion about the challenges facing today's mental health system.  Together, they explore why so many individuals with serious mental illness fall through the cracks, the disconnect between policy and real-world implementation, and how communities can better support those in crisis before tragedy strikes. The conversation covers assisted outpatient treatment, California's CARE Act, healthcare burnout, homelessness, autism, schizophrenia, and the urgent need for earlier intervention and stronger collaboration between healthcare providers, lawmakers, first responders, and community organizations. This is the first of a two-part series that shines a light on the people working to create meaningful change in mental healthcare. In this episode you'll learn: Why mental health and physical health must be treated togetherThe barriers preventing people from receiving timely careHow policy often fails frontline healthcare workersThe role of cities, counties, and states in behavioral health servicesWhy assisted outpatient treatment remains difficult to accessHow technology and AI could improve mental health accessThe importance of prevention instead of waiting for crisisWhy community partnerships are essential for lasting solutionsHow burnout is affecting healthcare professionals and first respondersWhat changes could transform the future of mental healthcareOur Guests Dr. Alan Meyer Psychiatrist at the University of California, San DiegoBehavioral Health Officer for the City of San Diego Fire-Rescue DepartmentSpecialist in complex behavioral health and high-utilizer emergency response systemsAnn Marie Council Retired Senior Deputy City Attorney for the City of San DiegoFounding Partner and Mental Health Policy Advisor at Quarter Turn StrategiesAdvocate for legislative reform and improved mental health policyKey Takeaway Real change begins when healthcare, government, first responders, and communities stop working in silos and start working together. Early intervention, compassionate care, and practical policy reforms can save lives and restore hope for individuals and families navigating serious mental illness. If this conversation inspires you, follow the show, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who believes mental health deserves greater understanding and action. #MentalHealth #Autism #BehavioralHealth #Psychiatry #HealthcarePolicy #EarlyIntervention #SeriousMentalIllness #WhyNotMePodcast #TonyMantor #MentalHealthAwareness #Homelessness #CommunityCare https://tonymantor.comhttps://Facebook.com/tonymantorhttps://instagram.com/tonymantorhttps://twitter.com/tonymantorhttps://youtube.com/tonymantormusicintro/outro music bed written by T. WildWhy Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  7. Jun 10

    John Rolls: What If Inclusion Worked Better Than Quotas

    Send us Fan Mail We talk with John Rolls about the Gremlin Club’s Sunday open mic in Camarthen and how it grows from a rehearsal night into a welcoming community where people leave their troubles at the door.  We dig into what real inclusion looks like for autism, mental health, and disability when the room treats everyone as equal and still makes space for what people need. • how the Gremlin Club open mic starts as a Welsh Factor practice night • why the night becomes about community building over competition • John stepping in to run it after Elise’s bowel cancer diagnosis • building confidence for nervous newcomers through crowd support • making space for autistic singers and people with mental health challenges • handling disability and access needs while keeping the same respect for everyone • why the event is not branded as karaoke and how the format keeps it fun • filming for nostalgia and feedback while choosing not to live stream • word-of-mouth promotion and small grassroots marketing efforts If this kind of conversation matters to you, follow the show so you don't miss what comes next.  https://tonymantor.comhttps://Facebook.com/tonymantorhttps://instagram.com/tonymantorhttps://twitter.com/tonymantorhttps://youtube.com/tonymantormusicintro/outro music bed written by T. WildWhy Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  8. Jun 3

    Jerri Clark: Ambiguous Loss and When Mental Illness Steals Someone You Love

    Send us Fan Mail We sit with author Jerri Clark as he explains how severe mental illness can create a “gone but not gone” grief that families carry in silence.  We talk about ambiguous loss, why closure often never comes, and how to keep living with love and meaning even when the outcome is out of our control. • Jerri’s story of losing his son through psychosis, system failures, and suicide • What ambiguous loss means and why the ambiguity is unfixable • The guilt families feel when they grieve someone still living • Naming the losses: relationship, future, safety, predictability • Coping as a nonlinear process that does not deliver resolution • Learning to live with grief without letting it become your only identity • “This is not my fault” as a practical starting point • Adjust mastery and revising attachment when you cannot control outcomes • What readers can expect from the book’s “do now” reflections and exercises • Why community, empathy, and support networks matter for healing If this kind of conversation matters to you, follow the show so you don't miss what comes next.  https://tonymantor.comhttps://Facebook.com/tonymantorhttps://instagram.com/tonymantorhttps://twitter.com/tonymantorhttps://youtube.com/tonymantormusicintro/outro music bed written by T. WildWhy Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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About

Autism, Mental Health, Advocacy & Human Stories. Embracing Autism/Mental Health Worldwide. Autism 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.

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  • Creator
    iHeartPodcasts
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    229
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    2026 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    Tony Mantor: Why Not Me ?

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