Behind the Mind

On episode 26 of Behind the Mind, Justin Goldman joins the show to discuss his mental health nonprofit, The Goalie Guild, which provides mental health support for the global goaltending community. He's also the author of five different books and is the Emergency Backup Goalie (EBUG) for the Colorado Avalanche. We had an awesome conversation about how Justin became passionate about hockey as well as mental health, and the impact he's had on goalies throughout the world by bridging his passions together and founding The Goalie Guild and its many initiatives, including Lift The Mask. We discussed some of the powerful stories that NHL goalies have shared about their battles with mental illness, as well as Justin's journey learning from a Shaolin Temple descendent that inspired his most recent book, The Hero in You.

Schuyler is a professional soccer player in the NWSL on the NC Courage, and formerly for the OL Reign and the Washington Spirit. She also played for the USWNT U-23 squad as well as AC Sparta in the Czech Republic. She graduated from Duke University after an incredible four-year college career. On this episode, she shares her journey to overcome severe anxiety, depression and OCD and how her mental health put her soccer career on hold. Schuyler discusses how she learned to cope with her struggles and how she successfuly manages her mental health today. A fun fact is she has shared the same field and locker room as global icon Megan Rapinoe. 

On episode 24 of Behind the Mind , Leo Flowers joins the show! Leo is a stand-up comedian, podcaster, and life coach. Not to mention a former Division I football player and TEDx Speaker. His podcast, Before You Kill Yourself, has featured hundreds of amazing guests. He's appeared on Comedy Central, MTV, FOX, STARZ and more.In this awesome conversation, Leo shares his mental health journey, his daily routine that keeps him happy and healthy, and how he helps his clients as a life coach. We discussed the power of meditation, exercise, journaling and a whole bunch of other self-help habits that promote overall welllness. He shares the purpose behind his podcast and what listeners can take from it. Leo was an incredibly insightful guest and he provided many tips that ALL OF YOU can implement into your daily lives. Enjoy!

On this episode, former Division I football player and coach for over 30 years, Brent Guy joins the show to share his journey with bipolar disorder. We discussed how his initial symptoms manifested, the tools he obtained to get well, and his road to becoming an advocate for the bipolar and mental health community. I had so much fun learning from Brent and it was an episode that can help people of all ages. Brent is a prime example that YOU can live a happy, healthy and productive life while struggling with bipolar disorder or any other mental health condition. Enjoy!

On this episode, Reagan joins me to discuss her incredible hockey career and how she became a mental health advocate. Reagan is a former Boston University Women's Ice Hockey captain, a Beanpot champion and Hall of Fame Inductee, as well as the founder of PACE Mentorship and the host of The Unpaved Path Podcast. We talked about how pain became our purpose and the mindfulness habits that clear our heads and keep us going. It was one of my all-time favorite conversations and an episode everyone can benefit from. Hope you enjoy!

On this episode, ESPN Senior Writer Ivan Maisel joins the show to discuss how mental health became prevalent in his life. In 2015, he lost his son, Max, to suicide and he's been raising awareness ever since. Ivan discusses the book he is writing about Max's tragic passing, as well as the transformation he's seen in the college sports world when it comes to placing an emphasis on mental health, and the mental health-driven stories he's written for ESPN.

On episode 20, Jennifer Teplin joins the show discuss her highly successful psychotherapy practice, Manhattan Wellness, which has been helping young people with self-esteem issues for years now. She debunks myths about therapy and talks about how you don't need to be in crisis mode to benefit from it. Jennifer also provides practical tools and daily habits and practices that can help us improve our mental health and self-worth. We discussed self-growth in 2020, and how to achieve mindfulness during this extremely uncertain time.Hope you enjoy!

On episode 19, Kevin Orozco joins me to discuss his newly verified nonprofit, Soccer Therapy NYC. We discuss the inspiration for his nonprofit, his own mental health journey, as well as tips and tools for all of you to improve your mental health. Towards the end of the episode, we discussed the silver linings of the COVID-19 pandemic induced isolation and how we can all better our mental health and well-being during this diffcult time.

On episode 18 of Behind the Mind, award-winning mental health advocate Ross Szabo joins the show to discuss his inspirational journey with bipolar disorder and the amazing work he does for mental health education. He currently serves as the Wellness Director at Geffen Academy at UCLA and is the CEO of the Human Power Project. Ross was the Director of Outreach for the National Mental Health Awareness Campaign from 2002-2010, which helped transform the way mental health is taught in the United States. He is one of the most important people in mental health education, further evidenced by having the Didi Hirsch Removing the Stigma Leadership Award to his name, and being entered into the Congressional Record by Congressman Patrick Kennedy for his advocacy. His book, Behind Happy Faces: Taking Charge of Your Mental Health - A Guide for Young Adults, has been taught at over 70,000 grade schools and universities. He is also the author of A Kids Book About Anxiety. It was an honor having Ross on the show, and we discussed the lifestyle habits that help us achieve emotional balance while living with bipolar disorder. I think his many insights will be valuable to all of my listeners, especially with stress and anxiety on the rise during this global pandemic. Enjoy!

On the latest episode of Behind the Mind, Vice President of Equity & Inclusion at Quinnipiac University, Don Sawyer, joins me to discuss mental health in black communities, black mental health on college campuses, and the psychological impact of racism and the many ways in which it manifests in daily life. He shines light on the impact that COVID-19 and the current social justice movement are having on black mental health. He shares his own experiences with mental health as a young boy growing up in Harlem, and how martial arts provided him with a healthy outlet to fight through struggles. He discusses how meditation and time to self promotes mental health, and shares advice not only for black students, but for students of all races to take care of themselves emotionally. He also discusses his work to promote diversity at Quinnipiac, where he created the Youtube series "The Cut," which provides black students a platform to open up about their daily struggles, including mental health concerns. Enjoy!

In January of 2018, Washington State University Quarterback Tyler Hilinski lost his life to suicide. He was only 21. His story has been widely publicized over the past couple of years, due to the courage of his parents Mark and Kym Hilinski. The two of them founded Hilinski's Hope Foundation to honor the life of their son. Hilinski's Hope has raised over $500,000, with all proceeds funding programs that educate, advocate and de-stigmatize mental illness. You can learn more about Hilinski's Hope at their website https://hilinskishope.org/. On this episode of Behind the Mind, Mark and Kym Hilinski share how Tyler's suicide unfolded, how their family has kept going, and founding Hilinski's Hope. We also talked about suicide prevention, brain health, mental health education and the need for honest conversation among young males. I hope this episode is helpful for anyone struggling and for those just trying to learn about mental health and the brain

On episode 15 of Behind the Mind, elite off-road racer and mental health advocate Kelly Catale joins the show. In 2019, Kelly finished 10th in the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships and and has been on the podium for mountain bike, gravel, and cyclocross races throughout the country.We discussed her long battle with depression, how she manages it, the many forms of depression, and the healthy ways in which to fight it. There was an awesome segment about meditation, how it's helped both of us and the structural changes that occur inside the brain with daily practice. We also talked about writing as therapy and what that does to the brain. You can learn more about Kelly, her racing career, and her mental health advocacy at her website, https://www.kellycatale.com/. Enjoy!

On this episode of Behind the Mind, I’m joined by my close friend from boarding school, Charlie Reznikoff. Charlie is a former D3 hooper who just signed with Agency-B Consulting. He plans on playing pro ball in Israel as soon as it’s safe from Coronavirus. Charlie shares his mental health journey and how basketball has been his primary outlet for dealing with anxiety throughout his life. We also talked about our unique bond at The Marvelwood School, what we learned there, and how basketball helped us both. It was an insightful conversation about mental health, mindfulness, and the importance of embracing self-development. That, and plenty of laughs too!

On Episode 13 of Behind the Mind, I chatted with former NBA power forward Michael Sweetney. We had an awesome talk about his inspiring mental health journey, the NBA’s mission to improve league-wide mental health, and the work he’s doing to contribute to and raise awareness for the issue. There is also some awesome basketball talk in there for all the sports fans. Description below:In a draft that featured LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh, Georgetown power forward Michael Sweetney was selected 9th overall by the New York Knicks. Sweetney was highly talented. He was an inside scoring machine and a rebound magnet who averaged 22 points and 10 boards in his final year with Georgetown.Michael was a popular face in New York that summer. He was on a billboard in Times Square and every Knicks fan was excited to see what he would bring to the franchise. Unfortunately, his father tragically passed away from a heart attack prior to the start of his rookie season. This sent Michael in a downward spiral of depression that stunted his development in the NBA. His suffering led him to attempt suicide during the season.His four-year career in the NBA was shorter than expected, but his flashes of talent were shown on many occasions. Michael eventually received enough help to maintain a career overseas and in the G-League. He is now a basketball coach at Yeshiva University. He says he has never been happier and is at peace with his life.

On episode 12 of Behind the Mind, former NFL Offensive-Lineman Joe Barksdale joined the show to discuss his life-long struggle with depression. Joe and I had an awesome conversation and I really enjoyed learning about his story. He really is a complex person with a very insightful mind. He is another shining example that we all go through something, no matter how successful we appear on the surface. I did not expect Kobe Bryant to come up in this episode, but Joe brought up meeting him in 2018, and how Kobe influenced him to stop playing football and follow his passion for making music. Joe has already released an album and says that music has changed his life. Joe will soon be launching his own mental health blog to contribute to the conversation about mental health.Hope you enjoy!

On Episode 11 of Behind the Mind, Mike Vosters joins the show to discuss his journey with bipolar disorder. Now 30 and living in Brooklyn, NY, Mike is a DJ and also the founder of Mental Health League, an apparel company dedicated to raising mental health awareness that encourages everyone to try and win their battle with mental health every single day. This episode featured some awesome dialogue about both of our journey's with bipolar disorder, and we discussed the various tools we have developed to keep us stable, productive and happy. You don't need to have bipolar disorder to resonate with this vulnerable and honest episode, but if you or someone you know struggles with it, this is a MUST LISTEN.Hope you enjoy!

Episode 10 of Behind the Mind OUT NOW! Introducing my next guest… Jean Mellano!Jean is the author of Slipped Away. In her memoir, Jean shares the story of her life partner, Steve Tarpinian, and his shocking suicide in 2015. I can’t thank Jean enough for agreeing to come on Behind the Mind to spread suicide and mental health awareness. This episode was extremely emotional, as it details the love story between Jean and Steve that began in 1981, but also the tragic news she received in 2015, when she found out that Steve had taken his own life. We discuss mental health as a whole and the ways in which we can all contribute to suicide prevention and awareness. It was an extremely informative episode, as we both shine light on how common suicide is, and how you never know what someone is going through. 

Jordan Burnham is one of the world’s most influential mental health advocates. He was invited by Barack Obama to speak about mental health at the White House, has been interviewed on CNN by Anderson Cooper, and has been featured in a long list of other nationally known media outlets. However, to receive that amount of recognition and become such a powerful advocate, Jordan dealt with an extremely tragic mental health experience. Despite his attempted suicide during senior year of high school, Jordan is still pushing through, and his road to recovery provides hope for all. I can’t thank him enough for bravely sharing his story and I believe that it will impact every single person who takes the time to listen.  

On episode 8 of Behind the Mind, Quinnipiac University professor Trip Sanders joins me to discuss his childhood struggles with anxiety. This episode was an awesome change of pace for the show, as Trip and I share a lot about our mental health journies and highlight the things we do to stay mentally healthy. After listening to this interview, you will be more knowledgable about the essential lifestyle habits that contribute to good mental health, the importance of trying new activities and setting goals, and you will more critically consider the way you define happiness. This long-form dialogue was extremely fun to record and produce, so please let me know if you'd like to hear more conversations like this in the future! 

On episode 7 of Behind the Mind, Max Guttman joins the show to share his experiences with schizophrenia and details the adversity he overcame to live a happy, healthy and productive life. He also shines light on the common misconceptions about schizophrenia and the manner in which the disorder can be treated. This was one of the most inspirational stories I have ever heard, and I can't thank Max enough for his bravery and willingness to help me reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. Now 33, Max Guttman is the owner of Recovery Now in New York. He provides psychotherapy, complex case management, community consultation, and self-management skill-building groups. His approach is based on evidenced-based practices (EBP). Max earned a master’s degree in Social Work from Binghamton University. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a field instructor for both postgraduate and undergraduate students at Lehman College. He is also a social work supervisor and psychotherapist at Courtland Avenue Clinic in the South Bronx where he teaches students social work praxis in New York City. In addition to these responsibilities, he manages Mental Health Affairs, a mental health blog. Currently, Max teaches clinical social work, diagnosis and assessment at Fordham University. He has also published two novellas under the pen name J. Peters, both of which are heavily based on his own experiences with mental illness. You can learn more about this book series on Facebook at @PetersNovellas.As always, I hope you enjoyed this episode. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness, please help me reduce stigma and raise awareness by sharing this podcast. Feel free to subscribe, rate and review on any of the podcast platforms. This episode is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and Shout Engine. It will be uploaded to SoundCloud as well soon. 

On Episode 6 of Behind the Mind, Hannah Bott joins the show to discuss her lifelong experiences with anxiety and depression. I highly reccommend learning about Hannah and all the adversity she has overcome, including a traumatic experience as a victim of sexual violence. She truly is an inspiration and is extremely brave to share such a detailed story with the world. Hannah currently serves as the Outreach Coordinator at NAMI North Texas. Her goal is to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness, and to educate people on the various signs and symptoms. She has also been competing in beauty pageants since she was 14 years old. Most recently, in May, she entered the Mrs. Texas Beauty Pageant. She won 1st place for the fitness award, and also uses the stage as a platform to spread mental health awareness. We also discuss how sufficient parental support helped both of us thrive in the face of mental illness, the current state of stigma, and the work Hannah does at NAMI. 

For episode 5 of Behind the Mind, Amy Guerrero joins the show for both an insightful and inspirational interview. Amy shares her personal life story with various mental illnesses, childhood trauma, addiction,  and her path to a meaningful life and profession. We both share our experiences with childhood mental illness, discuss the impact of nutrition, exercise and other lifestyle habits on our mental health, and the issues with how most people treat addiction.If you or someone you know has experienced mental illness and/or addiction, or are just interested in an extremely important topic, this is a MUST LISTEN for you. Also, make sure to check out Amy’s website (AmyGuerrero.com) to see the amazing work that she does!This episode is longer than usual, but that’s because there is so much packed into it! As always, send me your feedback and feel free to rate, review and subscribe to Behind the Mind on Apple Podcasts and follow @BTM_Pod on Instagram and on Twitter!

Mike is the author of the book Transforming Stigma and travels the country as a professional mental health speaker. As a 2017 PM360 ELITE Award Winner, he is recognized as one of the 100 most influential people in the healthcare industry. His compelling TEDx talk has even been used in college classrooms and has received amazing reviews.I met Mike at the SEA Conference in Chicago, where he was the keynote speaker for the event. I learned all about his story, and now I'm happy to share it with all of you. As a child, Mike was placed in a psychiatric hospital three times, and at the age of 10, tried to attempt suicide. Now, after a long and difficult journey, Mike is doing whatever he can to help eliminate the stigma our society puts on mental illness, and raise awareness for the topic as a whole.Learn more about Mike's lifelong struggle with mental illness and how he became such an influential advocate on Episode 4 of Behind the Mind! 

Episode 3 of Behind the Mind features Elizabeth Radday, who shares her experiences with panic disorder and agoraphobia.Liz was the Director of the Learning Support program at the Marvelwood School and is now the Research Specialist at Skills21 at EdAdvance. The Marvelwood School is where I spent my four years of high school, and I can attribute much of my self-betterment and my current ability to live a happy and productive life to her. She helped me become a better student in the face of my bipolar disorder, and supported me in my most difficult times away from home.

Katharine Haines is a student at Quinnipiac University, but her road to get there was not pretty. Katharine has experienced mental illness ever since she was a child, suffering from anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. Her intense feelings of depression led her down a path of addiction and alcoholism, and forced her to drop out of college her first time around. After spending time in rehab and finding ways to improve her mental health, she is now in a much better place. She attends AA meetings, lives with other recovering addicts in a sober house, and has worked in treatment centers to help current addicts the same way she was helped. I had an awesome time talking with her, and she is extremely brave to share her full and honest story with the world. Hope you enjoy! 

On the premiere episode of Behind the Mind, former NHL goaltender Clint Malarchuk shares his story. In 1989, Clint survived one of the most gruesome injuries in sports history, but hit the ice again just 10 days later. He didn’t know it at the time, but that decision would have serious repercussions on his mental health moving forward. He ended up living with undiagnosed PTSD for almost 20 years, before attempting suicide in 2008. He survived yet again, and ever since, he has been a mental health advocate, trying to prove that it’s OK to have a mental illness and encouraging those in pain to seek help.Thanks and enjoy!