Tony Mantor: Why Not Me the World

Send us a text A mother and clinical social worker shares her heartbreaking journey navigating the legal system after her high-achieving son developed serious mental illness, revealing how our justice system criminalizes rather than treats mental health conditions. • Licensed independent clinical social worker with 40+ years experience working with vulnerable populations • Her academically successful son began experiencing internal racing thoughts and anxiety despite outward success • ...

Transcribed - Published: 17 May 2025

Send us a text Justin Volpe shares his journey from being diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and incarcerated to becoming a certified recovery peer specialist who has trained over 3,500 police officers in crisis intervention. His story demonstrates how individuals with lived experience can transform systems and save lives by bridging gaps between law enforcement, courts, and treatment providers. • Diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder in his early 20s after struggling with subst...

Transcribed - Published: 16 May 2025

Send us a text Jessica Ferguson shares the deeply personal story of her brother's struggle with serious mental illness and how systemic failures led to his incarceration after being accused of a triple homicide when he should have been in psychiatric care. • Her brother had been stable with his mental illness for a decade before showing concerning behavior changes in early 2023 • Despite three psychiatric hospitalizations within months, he was repeatedly discharged after 72-hour holds with n...

Transcribed - Published: 15 May 2025

Send us a text Dr. Jhilam Biswas, a board-certified adult and forensic psychiatrist, discusses how mental health issues intersect with the criminal justice system and the urgent need for reform. She shares insights from her research and clinical experience working with incarcerated individuals with mental illness, explaining why mental health care in America's prisons is a humanitarian crisis. • Director of Psychiatry Law and Society program at Brigham and Women's Hospital and co-direc...

Transcribed - Published: 14 May 2025

Send us a text Eric Smith shares his remarkable journey from child piano prodigy to mental health advocate after battling psychosis and addiction. His story reveals how finding the right medication after a decade of failed treatments transformed his life from hospitalization and FBI involvement to becoming a Texas Judicial Commissioner on Mental Health. • Displayed extraordinary musical talent from age three, studying under world-renowned pianists and performing with Grammy winners • E...

Transcribed - Published: 13 May 2025

Send us a text Seth Kahan shares his journey from personal tragedy to leading a national movement against mental health stigma after his mother developed schizophrenia when he was 10 years old. His experience pioneering frameworks for grand challenges led him to launch Stop Stigma Together, a collaborative initiative uniting major mental health organizations to eliminate stigma around mental health and substance use disorders. • Seth's mother developed schizophrenia when he was 10, des...

Transcribed - Published: 12 May 2025

Send us a text Seth Kahn shares his journey from personal tragedy to leading a national movement against mental health stigma after his mother developed schizophrenia when he was 10 years old. His experience pioneering frameworks for grand challenges led him to launch Stop Stigma Together, a collaborative initiative uniting major mental health organizations to eliminate stigma around mental health and substance use disorders. • Seth's mother developed schizophrenia when he was 10, dest...

Transcribed - Published: 12 May 2025

Send us a text Sylvia Mignon, licensed clinical social worker and professor of criminal justice, shares her heartbreaking journey navigating the mental health system while trying to secure proper care for her son with schizoaffective disorder. Despite her professional expertise, she's experienced nine years of struggling against bureaucracies that prioritize themselves over the needs of individuals with severe mental illness. • Mental health systems and criminal justice bureaucracies often w...

Transcribed - Published: 11 May 2025

Send us a text Jack Wood shares his son Jonathan's journey through Florida's mental health system, revealing how management failure rather than lack of resources creates catastrophic outcomes for those with severe mental illnesses. • Jonathan's early life included kidney disorder requiring powerful medications including cancer drugs • At 18, Jonathan developed schizophrenia with fixed delusions about having $10 billion from his blood plasma • Community treatment teams refused hospitalization...

Transcribed - Published: 10 May 2025

Send us a text Justyna Rzewinski shares her experience as a whistleblower after working at Rikers Island and her ongoing advocacy for criminal justice reform focusing on mental health treatment. • Working with different organizations to close Rikers Island and advocating for better treatment of mentally ill inmates • Fighting for smaller borough-based jails to replace Rikers, potentially saving $1 billion annually from DOC's $2.8 billion budget • Advocating for mental health courts and progr...

Transcribed - Published: 9 May 2025

Send us a text Leslie Carpenter, co-founder of Iowa Mental Health Advocacy and Legislative Advocacy Manager at the Treatment Advocacy Center, shares her journey from concerned mother to dedicated mental health advocate after her son was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder 19 years ago. She discusses the barriers families face when seeking help for loved ones with severe mental illness and her multi-level approach to creating systemic change. • Leslie advocates at both state and nat...

Transcribed - Published: 8 May 2025

Send us a text Clubhouse International is transforming lives through intentional communities where people with mental illness rebuild their lives after disruption and isolation. Joel Cochoran joins us to tell the Clubhouse story. • Clubhouse International operates 377 clubhouses across 32 countries using a specific 37-standard model • Members voluntarily participate in work-ordered days that provide structure, purpose, and skill development • Employment program achieves 40% employment rate c...

Transcribed - Published: 7 May 2025

Send us a text Clubhouse International is transforming lives through intentional communities where people with mental illness rebuild their lives after disruption and isolation. Joel Corcoran joins us to tell the Clubhouse story. • Clubhouse International operates 377 clubhouses across 32 countries using a specific 37-standard model • Members voluntarily participate in work-ordered days that provide structure, purpose, and skill development • Employment program achieves 40% employment rate c...

Transcribed - Published: 7 May 2025

Send us a text Denise Paley shares the harrowing story of her son's sudden onset schizophrenia at age 18 and his subsequent five-year imprisonment without sentencing, revealing critical failures in how our justice system handles mental illness. • Son Ellis was an honor roll student with a bright future before experiencing first-episode psychosis • Police dismissed parents' concerns when Ellis disappeared, missing critical intervention opportunity • Ellis has been incarcerated for nearly five...

Transcribed - Published: 6 May 2025

Send us a text Judge Milton Mack shares his mission to reform the mental health system by moving from crisis intervention to early treatment and prevention. His groundbreaking work in Michigan demonstrates how changing laws and procedures can dramatically improve outcomes while reducing costs. • Moving from an inpatient model to an outpatient world where over 90% of mental health care now occurs • Changing intervention standards to help people before they reach crisis, not waiting for ...

Transcribed - Published: 5 May 2025

Send us a text Carly, a licensed clinical social worker and mother, shares her 30-year journey navigating her son's schizophrenia diagnosis and the healthcare system's failures that led to his year-long incarceration. • Son diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 17, now 47 years old • Early signs included not wanting to get out of bed, not going to school, and "odd" behavior • Initially had periods of stability while on medication but struggled with consistent treatment • COVID isolation ...

Transcribed - Published: 4 May 2025

Send us a text Ashley Smith, an advocate, author, and speaker, shares her powerful journey of recovery from schizophrenia and how she transformed a legal crisis into a platform for mental health advocacy. Through her blog "Overcoming Schizophrenia," seven self-published books, and work with organizations like NAMI and the Curious Foundation, Ashley demonstrates that recovery is possible and helps others find their path forward. • Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia at age 20 after a ...

Transcribed - Published: 3 May 2025

Send us a text Katie R. Dale shares her journey from hospital patient to mental health author and advocate, offering insights into living with bipolar disorder type 1 with psychotic features and how writing became her path to healing and helping others. • Started blogging in 2014 after hospitalization as self-therapy before expanding into professional advocacy • Wrote memoir "But Deliver Me From Crazy" chronicling her experiences from teen years through mid-twenties • Found writing helped pr...

Transcribed - Published: 2 May 2025

Send us a text Tim Murphy, former congressman and psychologist, shares his journey advocating for mental health reform through the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act and highlights the systemic failures in America's approach to serious mental illness. • Serious mental illness requires different treatment approaches than general mental health concerns • Current Medicaid restrictions only allow 15-day hospital stays with a 190-day lifetime limit • HIPAA laws often prevent necessary c...

Transcribed - Published: 1 May 2025

Send us a text Psychotherapist Haley Graham shares her journey from pharmacist to mental health advocate after her son's struggle with school led her to found the Bounce Brighter Futures Foundation. Her personal experience with neurodivergence drives her passion for supporting children, parents, and teachers through therapeutic storytelling and compassionate understanding. • Founded Bounce Brighter Futures Foundation in 2019, now supporting 90 families weekly with 12 therapists • Appro...

Transcribed - Published: 30 April 2025

Send us a text Patrick Kennedy shares his journey from Congressman to mental health advocate, revealing how his family history and personal struggles with addiction shaped his mission to transform America's approach to mental health care. • Passed the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act by attaching it to the 2008 bank bailout bill • Advocates for unifying mental health, addiction, and intellectual disability communities around shared needs • Explains how our healthcare system focu...

Transcribed - Published: 29 April 2025

Send us a text Judge Steven Leifman shares his remarkable journey from witnessing horrific conditions in a state psychiatric hospital as a teenager to becoming a leading judicial advocate for mental health reform. His work in Miami-Dade County has transformed how the criminal justice system handles people with mental illness, saving millions of dollars while giving thousands a path to recovery. • Began his advocacy at 17 when investigating abuse at a state psychiatric hospital where he...

Transcribed - Published: 28 April 2025

Send us a text Christine Vester shares her mission with Humanity Over Handcuffs, a national advocacy movement protecting autistic individuals from being criminalized by the justice system. Her organization supports families, educates legal professionals, and works toward reforming a system that often treats neurological differences as criminal behavior. • Autistic behaviors like lack of eye contact, shutdowns, and sensory overload often misinterpreted by police as aggression or defianc...

Transcribed - Published: 27 April 2025

Send us a text Carol Nistakis shares her family's painful journey through the justice system after her autistic son was manipulated into illegal activity by a neighbor. Her decade-long fight for justice led her to cofound D3, an organization helping families navigate the unique challenges autistic individuals face in legal proceedings. • Began advocating when son was diagnosed at age 2, ensuring proper education and support • Son functioned at age 10 level but was active in Special Oly...

Transcribed - Published: 26 April 2025

Send us a text CNN contributor and civil rights attorney Areva Martin shares her personal journey of raising an autistic son while becoming a powerful advocate for disability rights and creating systemic change. • Son Marty's autism diagnosis at age two prompted an intensive learning journey • Navigated overwhelming and often inaccurate information by applying legal training to seek evidence-based resources • Witnessed evolution from stigma and "cure" focus to greater acceptance and integrat...

Transcribed - Published: 25 April 2025

Send us a text Ruth Johnston shares her harrowing journey as the mother of an autistic son who developed schizophrenia, and how this experience drove her to advocate for Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania following a family tragedy. • Ruth's son was diagnosed with autism as a teenager, after she had already been homeschooling him for years • Around age 13, he began showing signs of developing schizophrenia, though it took a decade to recognize the condition...

Transcribed - Published: 24 April 2025

Send us a text Angela Calzone shares how Inroads to Opportunities supports individuals with disabilities through comprehensive programs designed to facilitate meaningful employment. The organization's business-oriented approach focuses on integration, skills development, and changing employer perceptions about hiring people with both visible and invisible disabilities. • Inroads to Opportunities serves approximately 400 individuals annually with various disabilities • School-to-work tr...

Transcribed - Published: 23 April 2025

Send us a text Brian Shrader, a criminal defense attorney with experience as both prosecutor and defender, exposes how the justice system profoundly fails people with autism and mental health conditions. • Autism often leads to escalation during police encounters rather than directly causing criminal behavior • Mental health training is virtually non-existent for lawyers, judges and prosecutors • The system lacks procedures and resources for addressing mental health issues beyond addiction •...

Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2025

Send us a text Judge Kim Taylor shares her journey as a pioneering female judge and mother of a son with autism, revealing how personal experience fueled her advocacy for autism awareness in the criminal justice system. Her work began after learning about Sidney Templeton, a young man with autism who died in police custody due to officers' lack of understanding about his condition. • First woman elected as district court judge in Alexander-Iredell-Davie County in 1986 • Created a task ...

Transcribed - Published: 21 April 2025

Send us a text We broadcast live from the Nashville Palace for a special remote podcast supporting "An Acoustic Evening for Autism," bringing together musicians who share their personal connections to autism awareness. • Jamie O'Neill describes how having a cousin with autism inspired her participation in the benefit concert • Jamie emphasizes the importance of slowing down in our fast-paced world to accommodate different needs • Minnie Murphy reveals her 5-year-old son is on the autism spec...

Transcribed - Published: 20 April 2025

Send us a text Rita Williams turned personal tragedy into powerful advocacy when her spouse was unexpectedly sentenced to 10-20 years in prison, revealing deep flaws in the criminal justice system and sparking her mission to expose judicial misconduct and support others facing similar challenges. • Former federal employee who pursued a master's in criminal justice before her spouse faced white-collar charges • Discovered her spouse had high-functioning autism only after his incarceration, hi...

Transcribed - Published: 19 April 2025

Send us a text Leigh Anne McKingsley shares her journey as Senior Director of Disability and Justice Initiatives for the ARC, where she oversees the National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability to address the invisibility and injustices faced by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the justice system. • The ARC began as a parent advocacy group fighting against institutionalization of children with disabilities and has evolved over 70+ years to promote inclusion th...

Transcribed - Published: 18 April 2025

Send us a text Judge David Fleischer, who presides over Harris County Criminal Court in Houston, Texas, shares his groundbreaking approaches to criminal justice reform with a focus on mental health and autism awareness. • Reforming the bail system to prevent wealth-based discrimination in courts • Dropping conviction rates from 60% to 25% through bail reform implementation • Creating court environments where defendants with mental health issues receive compassion and understanding • Livestre...

Transcribed - Published: 17 April 2025

Send us a text Bridget Hampstead shares her journey from discovering her own neurodivergence to founding Fish in a Tree, a virtual community center supporting neurodivergent adults. Her work combines community building, political advocacy, and neuroaffirming practices to create spaces where late-diagnosed autistic individuals can find acceptance and belonging. • Founded Fish in a Tree after realizing neurodivergent people lacked community support • Pivoted from physical center to virtu...

Transcribed - Published: 16 April 2025

Send us a text John Puls, a psychotherapist specializing in forensic work, shares critical insights on navigating the intersection of autism, mental health, and the criminal justice system. He draws on his extensive experience working with individuals in crisis to offer practical guidance for families and caregivers. • Working as a psychotherapist with both autistic individuals and those with severe mental health issues • Providing forensic services including testifying for involuntary...

Transcribed - Published: 15 April 2025

Send us a text Trish Ieraci, founder of Teaching Individuals About Autism (TIA), takes us deep into the critical gap between law enforcement training and successful interactions with the autism community. With powerful clarity, she dismantles the narrow stereotype that autism only affects severely impaired children, explaining how this misconception creates dangerous situations when officers encounter well-spoken, educated autistic adults. "You meet one person with autism, you meet one perso...

Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2025

Send us a text Tony Mantor hosts a special remote podcast from Nashville Palace supporting "An Acoustic Evening for Autism." Country music artists Daryl Worley and Dillon Massengale share their personal connections to autism awareness and how music has become a platform for making a difference. • Daryl Worley explains how friends with an autistic child inspired his commitment to the cause • Worley discusses establishing his foundation and the challenges of fundraising for charitable causes •...

Transcribed - Published: 13 April 2025

Send us a text Joan Lipinski shares her deeply personal journey fighting for her daughter with Asperger's syndrome who received a 63-month federal prison sentence after being manipulated into bringing contraband into a facility where she worked. Through multiple prison transfers, denied medical care following back surgery, and judicial misunderstanding of autism, Joan has become a determined advocate battling against a system that fails to accommodate neurodiversity. • Joan's daughter ...

Transcribed - Published: 12 April 2025

Send us a text Doug Passon shares his journey as a criminal defense lawyer and filmmaker advocating for autistic individuals in the legal system, drawing from both his professional experience and personal connection as a parent of an autistic son. • Criminal defense lawyer who uses documentary filmmaking to humanize clients at sentencing • Pioneered the use of video in sentencing mitigation, recognized by Wall Street Journal • Self-described as both lawyer and filmmaker who shows humanity be...

Transcribed - Published: 11 April 2025

Send us a text Brian Kelmar shares his inspiring journey of creating Decriminalize Developmental Disabilities (D3), an organization helping families whose autistic loved ones become entangled in the criminal justice system. His personal experience with his teenage son's case revealed a shocking truth: many states fail to recognize developmental disabilities in criminal proceedings, despite acknowledging conditions like mental illness or addiction. • Working to change laws, perceptions,...

Transcribed - Published: 10 April 2025

Send us a text Stephen Waddell takes us on a powerful journey of self-discovery as he shares how he uncovered his autism in adulthood after building a successful modeling career. Despite being naturally introverted and struggling with social interactions, Stephen found himself thrust into a profession that demanded social fluency – forcing him to systematically develop scripts and strategies that masked his autistic traits. A near-fatal accident on the New York subway at age 21 became...

Transcribed - Published: 9 April 2025

Send us a text Mark Mahoney reveals his groundbreaking work as possibly the only attorney in North America exclusively dedicated to defending individuals with autism spectrum disorder who face criminal charges. Through years of specialized practice, he shares crucial insights about how the criminal justice system fundamentally misunderstands autism. • Autism directly affects social understanding and learning of unwritten rules • People with autism often commit crimes without understand...

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2025

Send us a text When autism intersects with law enforcement, the results can be harmful or even catastrophic without proper training and understanding. Retired law enforcement commander Bart Barter shares his journey of creating specialized training for first responders after his son's autism diagnosis. • Started Autism Safety 101 after 31 years in law enforcement and his son's autism diagnosis at age 3 • Individuals with autism are seven times more likely to encounter law enforcement t...

Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2025

Send us a text When autism intersects with law enforcement, the results can be harmful or even catastrophic without proper training and understanding. Retired law enforcement commander Bart Barta shares his journey of creating specialized training for first responders after his son's autism diagnosis. • Started Autism Safety 101 after 31 years in law enforcement and his son's autism diagnosis at age 3 • Individuals with autism are seven times more likely to encounter law enforcement th...

Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2025

Send us a text Country music and autism awareness come together at Nashville Palace for "An Acoustic Evening for Autism," where artists use their platform to support families affected by autism through the newly formed Country Music Autism Awareness Foundation. • Doug Mathis explains how his song about an autistic boy named Jack led to creating an annual benefit concert • The event features performances from Daryl Worley, T Graham Brown, John Barry, and others to raise funds for Vanderbilt's...

Transcribed - Published: 6 April 2025

Send us a text Dennis Debbaudt shares his 30-year journey addressing autism-related police interactions and developing training programs for law enforcement nationwide. His pioneering work bridges the gap between public safety professionals and the autistic community through educational materials, videos, and hands-on training that helps prevent tragic misunderstandings. • Former detective agency owner whose autistic son's diagnosis in the 1980s revealed a complete lack of resources on...

Transcribed - Published: 5 April 2025

Send us a text Criminal defense attorney Elizabeth Kelly shares her expertise on representing individuals with autism spectrum disorder and mental health conditions in the justice system, revealing how these clients are often misunderstood and how proper legal representation can change outcomes. • Started career representing a client with intellectual disability who was manipulated into criminal activity • Defines mental disabilities broadly to include mental illness, intellectual disabiliti...

Transcribed - Published: 4 April 2025

Send us a text Jerry Turning shares his journey from veteran police officer to autism advocate after his son's diagnosis, creating Blue Bridge Autism Training to educate first responders about autism. His unique perspective bridges the gap between law enforcement and the autism community, helping prevent dangerous misunderstandings during crisis situations. • Turning spent 22 of his 25-year police career as a canine handler before his son's autism diagnosis changed everything • Police ...

Transcribed - Published: 3 April 2025

Send us a text Dr. Theresa Haskins shares her journey from a mother seeking answers for her autistic son to becoming an educator and researcher dedicated to creating more inclusive systems for neurodivergent individuals. Her experiences navigating medical dismissals, educational barriers, and workplace challenges illuminate how society needs to fundamentally shift its approach to neurodiversity. • Mother of a "thrice exceptional" son (autistic, ADHD, and gifted) who could count to 100 ...

Transcribed - Published: 2 April 2025

Send us a text Judge Sonny Bailey shares how she created the nation's only court dedicated to helping autistic youth stay out of the criminal justice system. What began in 2018 as a quieter courtroom for one overwhelmed teen has evolved into an innovative program with a 90% success rate, recently recognized through Nevada legislation as the country's first official neurodiversity specialty court. • Autism court began accidentally when officers brought in an overwhelmed teen who needed ...

Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2025