Welcome to Why Not Me, the World Podcast, hosted by Tony Mayator.

Broadcasting from Music City, USA, Nashville, Tennessee.

Join us as our guests tell us their stories.

Some will make you laugh, some will make you cry.

Real life people who will inspire and show that you are not alone in this world.

Hopefully you gain more awareness, acceptance, and a better understanding for autism

around the world.

Hi, I'm Tony Mantor. Welcome to Why Not Me the World, Humanity Over Handcuffs, the Silent Crisis, Special Event.

Joining us today is Eric Diaz. He's a writer, YouTuber, comedian, and dedicated mental health professional who recently celebrated the release of his debut novel, I Got Sober for this.

Eric's life has been deeply shaped by his personal experiences, making him intimately familiar

with the profound struggles of addiction and severe mental health challenges.

Diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder as a teenager, he has navigated his complexities firsthand,

emerging as a relentless and inspiring advocate for individuals with serious mental illness

and their families that support them.

With his wealth of knowledge, unique perspective, and unwavering commitment to raising awareness, he's a true

asset to any conversation on these topics. We're genuinely honored to have him join us today.

Thanks for coming on. Well, thank you for having me. I love doing advocacy and I love talking

about my book, so it's a win-win. Yes, I love a win-win. Well, let's start with

what led you to where you are now. How did your journey begin? What path did you take? And where did

that path bring you to where you are today? Well, as a child, I enjoyed writing, and I kind of somewhere along the

way lost, I stopped doing it for some reason. And then after I quit drinking, I didn't know what to do

with myself. I felt powerless. I have a brother who was refusing medication for schizophrenia at the time.

...