Tony Mantor: Why Not Me ?

Show Notes:

What happens when a parent refuses to accept that "this is just the way it is"? In this inspiring episode of Why Not Me? Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide, host Tony Mantor welcomes autism advocate Colleen Lamar, whose personal journey as the mother of two autistic sons led to the creation of opportunities that continue to impact countless families.

Colleen shares the emotional story of her sons' diagnoses, the challenges of navigating therapy, education, insurance battles, and public schools, and how a year living in Germany completely changed her perspective on autism. She explains how that experience inspired her determination to advocate for her children and eventually help establish the Jeremiah Center, an innovative educational program that provides neurodivergent students with the opportunity to thrive in a supportive private school environment.

The conversation also explores sibling relationships, faith, advocacy, independent living, the importance of community, and the remarkable success of Vanderbilt University's Next Steps program in helping autistic young adults prepare for meaningful employment and independent lives.

Whether you're a parent, educator, clinician, advocate, or someone seeking a better understanding of autism, this episode offers hope, practical insights, and a powerful reminder that one family's determination can create lasting change for many others.

In this episode you'll hear:

• The emotional reality of receiving an autism diagnosis
• Why perspective can completely change the autism journey
• Lessons learned from living in Germany
• Navigating therapies, insurance, and special education
• The story behind the Jeremiah Center
• Why advocacy begins with parents
• Supporting neurotypical siblings
• The importance of inclusive education
• Vanderbilt's nationally recognized Next Steps program
• Building independence in autistic young adults
• Faith, resilience, and finding hope through community
• Encouragement for parents just beginning their autism journey

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When Julianna Scott’s son was diagnosed autistic at two years old, her family was given predictions about his future: he would never be mainstreamed in school, never drive a car, and never live independently.

Today, at 25, he has done all three.

But the journey between diagnosis and adulthood was anything but simple.

In this episode of Why Not Me? Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide, Tony Mantor sits down with Julianna Scott for an open conversation about raising an autistic child while navigating behavioral challenges, multiple schools, anxiety, depression, OCD, loneliness, family relationships, and the uncertainty that can accompany parenting when no one can truly predict what the future will hold.

Julianna shares why families shouldn't become trapped by a prognosis, how she and her husband learned to work as a team, and why understanding the difference between autistic behaviors and co-occurring mental-health challenges can be so important.

She also discusses the lessons that eventually led her and co-host Kelly Jensen to create The Refrigerator Mom, where they encourage families to research, advocate, ask questions, and discover what works for their individual child.

Above all, Julianna offers a powerful reminder to parents: you don't have to know where your child will be 20 years from now.

Focus on the child in front of you. Take the next step. Celebrate progress. Keep the future open.

Because sometimes the predictions made at the beginning of an autism journey say far more about what we don't yet know than about what a child may ultimately become.

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Show Notes

What happens when autism, severe mental illness, trauma, and unimaginable family challenges collide?

Sonia Hebdon knows that journey firsthand.

In this powerful episode of Why Not Me? Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide, author, speaker, and homeschooling mother Sonia Hebdon shares the remarkable story behind her book, The Crazy Mother's Guide to Parenting Exceptional Children. She opens up about raising a daughter with autism and Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), surviving years of crisis, navigating suicidal ideation, bullying, psychosis, hormonal mental health challenges, and discovering hope through faith, resilience, and unwavering love.

Sonia also discusses why parents must trust their instincts, the importance of finding the right support system, and why conversations about autism, mental illness, and suicide can no longer remain hidden behind closed doors.

This is an inspiring conversation for parents, caregivers, educators, mental health professionals, and anyone searching for hope during life's most difficult seasons.

In this episode:

• Raising children with autism and complex mental health challenges
• Living with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
• Bullying, self-harm, and suicide prevention
• The impact of hormones on girls with autism
• Parenting through crisis and trauma
• Faith, resilience, and finding hope
• Supporting families facing mental illness
• Why community and connection matter
• Sonia's books and mission to help other families

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Show Notes

What happens when a personal tragedy becomes a national movement for change?

Award-winning filmmaker, actress, and advocate Susie Singer Carter joins Tony Mantor to share the heartbreaking story that inspired her acclaimed documentary exposing America's nursing home system. After watching her mother suffer from preventable neglect while living with Alzheimer's disease, Susie turned grief into action.

In this powerful conversation, Susie discusses the realities facing millions of families navigating Alzheimer's, dementia, caregiving, long-term care, and nursing homes. She explains why neglect continues despite decades of reform efforts and why she believes meaningful change is finally possible.

Susie also introduces ROAR (Respect, Oversight, Advocacy, and Reform for Long-Term Care), the nonprofit organization she founded to advocate for better care, greater transparency, and accountability throughout America's long-term care system.

Whether you're currently caring for a loved one, planning for the future, or simply want to understand one of the most overlooked healthcare issues in America, this conversation offers valuable insight, hope, and practical advice.

In this episode:

• Susie's mother's 16-year Alzheimer's journey

• The shocking reality inside America's nursing homes

• Recognizing neglect and preventable injuries

• What every family should know before choosing a facility

• Why staffing shortages continue

• The business side of long-term care

• Caregiver guilt and emotional trauma

• Creating the documentary that is changing lives

• Launching the ROAR movement

• The National Long-Term Care Reform Walk

• Why advocacy and awareness matter

• Finding hope through community and action

If this episode touched you, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who may benefit from hearing this important conversation.

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Show Notes

What happens when grief becomes the turning point instead of the ending?

At just 22 years old, Sean Hotchkiss lost his father to suicide. That devastating loss led him into years of addiction, unanswered questions, and emotional isolation. But instead of allowing tragedy to define his future, Sean chose a different path—one built on healing, vulnerability, recovery, and purpose.

Today, Sean is an author, men's coach, and advocate helping men break free from outdated ideas of masculinity while encouraging honest conversations about mental health, emotional resilience, and asking for help.

In this deeply personal episode, host Tony Mantor and Sean discuss:

• Losing a parent to suicide
• Grief and surviving devastating loss
• Addiction and long-term recovery
• Why men struggle to ask for help
• Healthy masculinity in today's world
• Breaking generational trauma
• Emotional resilience and vulnerability
• The importance of men's support groups
• Loneliness and mental health
• Journaling as a healing tool
• Rebuilding relationships after addiction
• Finding purpose after tragedy
• Why success alone doesn't create happiness
• Learning to believe you're worthy of love
• Creating hope for future generations

Sean also shares practical advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed, ashamed, isolated, or emotionally exhausted—and explains why telling your story may be the first step toward healing.

If you've experienced suicide loss, grief, depression, addiction, or simply want to better understand men's mental health, this conversation offers hope, compassion, and practical encouragement.

If this episode helped you, please follow Why Not Me?, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need to hear this conversation today.

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Show Notes

What happens when an elite undercover police officer is secretly fighting for his own life?

In this deeply moving episode of Why Not Me?, host Tony Mantor sits down with retired Australian Detective Sergeant Todd McGuire, who spent 27 years investigating serious and organized crime—including two years living undercover under a completely different identity.

But behind the badge was a man carrying unimaginable grief after losing the love of his life to suicide. That devastating loss sent Todd into a dangerous spiral where he admits he was living with a "death wish," hoping the job would end his pain.

Todd openly shares:

• The emotional cost of undercover police work
• Living under another identity
• PTSD, grief, and survivor's guilt
• Why silence nearly destroyed him
• The importance of vulnerability for first responders
• Mental health in policing
• Recovering after trauma
• How writing Donnie: An Undercover Cop with a Death Wish became part of his healing journey
• Why hope is always possible—even after devastating loss

Whether you're a first responder, someone living with trauma, grieving a loved one, or supporting someone facing mental health challenges, this conversation offers honesty, hope, and practical encouragement.

If this episode speaks to you, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need to hear it.

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Show Notes

Suicide is one of the most urgent—and least discussed—issues affecting the autistic community.

In this powerful episode, Tony Mantor welcomes Dr. Rachel Moseley, autistic researcher, author, and leading expert on autism, mental health, and suicide. Diagnosed with autism at age 28 while pursuing her PhD, Dr. Moseley shares her personal journey and explains why so many autistic individuals—especially women and those diagnosed later in life—struggle with depression, burnout, masking, and suicidal thoughts.

Together, they explore why autistic people face a significantly higher risk of suicide, the emotional cost of camouflaging autistic traits, the lifelong impact of bullying and isolation, and how society can better recognize and support autistic individuals before they reach a crisis.

This conversation is compassionate, honest, and filled with practical insight for autistic individuals, parents, educators, healthcare professionals, and anyone wanting to better understand autism and mental health.

In this episode:

• Dr. Rachel Moseley's late autism diagnosis

• Why autistic women are often diagnosed later in life

• The hidden dangers of masking and camouflaging

• Autism, depression, and burnout

• Suicide risk in the autistic community

• Warning signs families should recognize

• The lifelong effects of bullying and isolation

• Puberty, menopause, and mental health challenges

• Why belonging and community matter

• Practical ways to support autistic loved ones

• The importance of acceptance over masking

• Building a society where autistic people can thrive

If this episode is meaningful to you, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share this conversation. Greater awareness can help save lives.

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Show Notes

At just 40 years old, Gemma Inggall never imagined an ordinary weekend would change her life forever. After a boxing class and horseback riding lesson, she suffered a life-threatening stroke that left her facing overwhelming physical and emotional challenges.

In this inspiring episode of Why Not Me? Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide, host Tony Mantor sits down with Gemma to discuss her remarkable journey from hospital bed to crossing the finish line of the London Marathon.

Together they explore:

• What it was like suffering a stroke at only 40 years old
• The invisible realities of post-stroke fatigue and sensory overload
• Living with anxiety and the fear of another stroke
• Relearning everyday life after brain injury
• Returning to horseback riding and boxing after recovery
• Running the London Marathon against incredible odds
• Supporting fellow stroke and brain injury survivors
• Why invisible disabilities deserve greater understanding
• The power of resilience, determination, and hope
• Why you should never judge someone by what you can—or cannot—see

Gemma's story is a powerful reminder that recovery isn't about returning to the person you once were. It's about discovering the strength to become someone even stronger.

Whether you're a stroke survivor, caregiver, healthcare professional, someone living with an invisible disability, or simply searching for hope during difficult times, this conversation will inspire you.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Why Not Me?, leave a review, and share this conversation with someone who needs encouragement today.

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Show Notes:

What happens when an autism diagnosis changes the direction of your family's life? In this heartfelt episode of Why Not Me? Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide, Tony Mantor welcomes Kelly Jensen, co-host of the Refrigerator Moms podcast, autism advocate, and mother of a 26-year-old autistic son.

Kelly shares the emotional realities of recognizing autism in the early 2000s, navigating years of therapies, advocating through the education system, supporting siblings, and discovering practical tools that made a meaningful difference—including the Zones of Regulation, adaptive communication, music therapy, and sensory supports.

The conversation also explores Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), an innovative brain stimulation treatment that Kelly credits with dramatically improving her son's anxiety, communication, independence, and quality of life. She explains how TMS works, who may benefit, current insurance coverage, and why families should stay informed about emerging treatment options.

Kelly also discusses the inspiration behind the Refrigerator Moms podcast, reclaiming a hurtful term from autism's history while providing practical, evidence-based resources for parents navigating similar journeys.

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, clinician, educator, autistic adult, or simply someone wanting to better understand autism, this episode offers hope, practical advice, and a reminder that every person's journey is unique.

Topics include:

• Early signs of autism
• Speech delays and communication development
• Parenting through diagnosis
• School advocacy and IEP challenges
• Meltdowns and sensory regulation
• Zones of Regulation explained
• Music therapy and adaptive communication
• Autism and OCD
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
• MERT therapy
• Anxiety and autism
• Building independence
• Supporting families
• Refrigerator Moms podcast
• Hope through lived experience

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Show Notes

What if the biggest obstacle facing autistic individuals isn't autism itself—but the way society chooses to understand it?

In this thought-provoking episode of Why Not Me? Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide, host Tony Mantor sits down with nationally recognized educational and behavior therapist Robert J. Bernstein, who has spent more than 35 years helping autistic children, adults, and families discover practical pathways to growth.

Robert shares the personal experiences that shaped his life's work, including raising a son on the autism spectrum and growing up with a brother who is autistic. Together, Tony and Robert explore why every autistic person deserves to be understood as an individual rather than through a diagnostic label.

They discuss Robert's award-winning book Uniquely Normal, the importance of discovering the "reservoir of normalcy" within every autistic individual, why cognitive understanding often succeeds where behavior management falls short, and how educators can better support neurodiverse students.

The conversation also examines early language development, sensory differences, trauma within educational systems, employment, self-regulation, and why families should never give up on finding the right support.

Whether you're a parent, educator, therapist, advocate, or autistic adult, this episode offers hope, practical insight, and a powerful reminder that understanding always comes before meaningful change.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why every autistic person is truly unique

• The meaning behind "Uniquely Normal"

• Cognitive approaches versus behavior-based interventions

• Early language development and natural communication

• Understanding meltdowns instead of simply reacting to them

• Why sensory environments matter

• How schools can better serve neurodiverse students

• Helping autistic adults thrive in work and relationships

• Empowering parents through practical strategies

• Why it's never too late to unlock potential

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