<p><span>Keshawn Williams shares his inspiring journey and dedication to mental health and trauma-informed care. </span><br> <span>Williams, a graduate student pursuing a master's degree in social work, aims to become a trauma-focused psychotherapist. </span><br> <span>He recounts his diverse experiences from studying criminal justice and interning with the New Jersey State Parole Board to working in a nursing home and interning at community mental health centers. Williams highlights his mission to fill gaps in mental health services, break down stigmas, and advocate for better treatment outcomes. </span><br> <span>He emphasizes the importance of education, legislative advocacy, and a holistic approach to mental health care. </span><br> <span>The episode encourages listeners to foster awareness, acceptance, and understanding of autism and mental health worldwide.</span></p> <p>intro music: T. Wild<br> Mantor Music BMI</p>

<p>Cynthia Ray shares the deeply moving story of her brother Philip's tumultuous journey.<br> Diagnosed with autism later in life, Philip's association with a con artist led to his incarceration and a subsequent prostate cancer diagnosis that went untreated for a year.<br> Cynthia recounts Philip's early challenges, his strong belief in his inventions, and the dire consequences of misplaced trust.<br> She also discusses her ongoing advocacy for his compassionate release due to his severe health issues. This episode sheds light on the intersection of autism, criminal justice, and family resilience.</p> <p><span>A Brother's Journey</span><br> <span>Philip's Early Life and Autism Diagnosis</span><br> <span>The Invention and the Conman</span><br> <span>Legal Troubles and Incarceration</span><br> <span>Health Struggles in Prison</span><br> <span>Hopes for Compassionate Release</span></p> <p>INTRO Music; T.Wild<br> Mantor Music BMI</p>

<p>In this episode of 'Why Not Me,' Tony Mantor hosts Dianne Greeley, who shares her firsthand experiences and challenges in advocating for mental health reform.<br> Dianne recounts the struggles her loved one faced with severe mental illness and the inadequate support from health and legal systems.<br> She discusses the journey from personal caretaker to passionate advocate, emphasizing the need for greater awareness, education, and systemic change.<br> Her story highlights the human impact of untreated mental illness and the importance of compassion and involuntary treatment where necessary.<br> <span>Dianne's Personal Story</span><br> <span>The Struggles and Decline</span><br> <span>Understanding the System's Failures</span><br> <span>Dianne's Advocacy Journey</span><br> <span>Future Plans and Goals</span></p> <p><span>Intro Music: T.Wild</span><br> Mantor Music Publishing BMI</p>

<p>Empowering Adults with Special Needs: One Woman’s Journey<br> In this episode, we hear an inspiring story of a former special education teacher who founded a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting adults with special needs.<br> Initially serving individuals with autism, the organization's services have expanded to anyone needing support, regardless of diagnosis.<br> From starting with one program in a small library, the nonprofit now runs over 30 programs across nine counties and 87 cities, helping around 300 people weekly.<br> The founder shares her personal journey, the challenges she faced, and her relentless pursuit to provide a safe and nurturing environment for her son and others like him.<br> The organization now offers a wide range of vocational, social, and therapeutic programs, aiming for independent living for its members.<br> The story highlights the power of community support, passion, and the significance of creating inclusive spaces for individuals with special needs.<br> <span>Mission</span><br> <span>Personal Journey and Motivation</span><br> <span>Starting the Nonprofit</span><br> <span>Expanding Programs and Services</span><br> <span>Challenges and Milestones</span><br> <span>Vision for Independent Living</span></p> <p>https://whynotme.world</p> <p>Music intro: T. Wild<br> Mantor Music BMI</p>

<p><a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2117852/episodes/17349390/edit#">Description 2</a></p> <p>We explore the mission and approach of MA Therapy with founder Amira Martin, whose practice focuses on providing bias-free psychotherapy to women of color while also mentoring therapists to establish their own practices.</p> <p>• Amira's personal journey overcoming limited representation in professional fields through her sister's encouragement: "Don't stop yourself, let other people stop you"<br> • How MA Therapy serves diverse clients while maintaining a focus on BIPOC women and the LGBTQIA+ community<br> • Common mental health challenges seen across socioeconomic backgrounds, including anxiety, trauma, PTSD, and ADHD<br> • Research-backed strategies for finding happiness through community connection, belonging, and giving back<br> • Three-part approach to managing anxiety in challenging times: connecting with supportive community, establishing daily routines, and taking manageable action<br> • The importance of viewing current challenges through a historical lens and practicing consistent self-care<br> • How mental health needs have evolved, particularly since COVID-19 and through recent political climate changes</p> <p>Tune in and share this episode with someone who needs to know they're not alone in facing life's challenges</p>

<p><a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2117852/episodes/17334163/edit#">Description 2</a></p> <p>Victoria Lenormand shares her transformative journey from police officer to autism advocate after her son's diagnosis, revealing how unconventional choices led to unexpected healing and growth for her entire family.</p> <p>• Former police officer whose life changed when her son was diagnosed with autism at age three<br> • Faced impossible demands balancing work while trying to help her son fit into traditional school<br> • Discovered during lockdown that her son thrived without school's constraints, rising from bottom to top of his class<br> • Changed diet completely, eliminating trigger foods and focusing on gut health with remarkable results in six weeks<br> • Traveled in a motorhome for three years providing experiential learning rather than traditional education<br> • Explored natural anxiety management using high-quality cacao as an alternative to medication<br> • Found that self-directed learning allowed her son to follow his interests while developing necessary skills<br> • Documented their journey in her book "The Magic of Not Fitting In" available on Amazon and IngramSpark<br> • Now coaches other families, sharing natural approaches to supporting neurodivergent children</p> <p>If you're noticing issues with gut health or anxiety in your child, consider exploring natural approaches like dietary changes and cacao. Visit Victoria's website at geminidirections.co.uk for more information about her coaching and her book.</p> <p>https://whynotme.world</p> <p>Intro music: T. Wild<br> Music: Mantor Music BMI</p>

<p>Janet Hayes shares her journey as a severe mental illness advocate reshaping New Orleans through innovative care systems for those with serious mental health challenges.</p> <p>• Started advocacy after Hurricane Katrina when untreated mental illness led to criminalization<br> • Witnessed a friend die in custody due to inadequate mental health and medical care<br> • Founded Healing Minds NOLA to create a "one-stop shop" for mental health care<br> • Successfully led implementation of Assistive Outpatient Treatment courts in Louisiana<br> • Working to reform the "15-day rule" limiting psychiatric hospitalization under Medicaid<br> • Advocates need to understand their specific state systems rather than applying generic solutions<br> • Louisiana has adequate psychiatric bed capacity but lacks long-term continuity of care<br> • Policy barriers, not just funding issues, prevent effective treatment for severe mental illness<br> • Ideological positions often prevent pragmatic solutions that could help vulnerable individuals<br> • Advocates are more effective when they understand local systems and speak from experience</p> <p>https://whynotme.world</p> <p>intro/outro music written by T. Wild</p> <p>Why Not me music published by Mantor Music (BMI)</p>

<p>Danielle Terrell shares her journey as the US Healthcare Development Director at the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) and her passion for improving healthcare accessibility for autistic individuals around the world.</p> <p>• IBCCES provides specialized training and certification for healthcare providers, helping hospitals, dental offices, and other facilities better support individuals with autism<br> • The organization has created global partnerships across healthcare, entertainment, and travel sectors, including certifying Emirates as the world's first autism-certified airline<br> • Training programs are built by autism experts and people with lived experience to address industry-specific needs rather than generic awareness<br> • Certification includes virtual training modules and on-site assessments to make environments more sensory-friendly without major structural changes<br> • Danielle has worked with individuals ages 2-87 across residential, educational, and healthcare settings throughout her career<br> • Healthcare gaps for autistic individuals include lack of understanding about sensory needs, communication differences, and proper accommodations<br> • Developers created an Accessibility App that helps people locate autism-certified businesses and services worldwide<br> • Danielle recently participated in Ride for Autism Africa, helping build a therapy center and special needs school in Kenya</p> <p>Join us in transforming the world, one story at a time. If you know someone who has a story to share, contact us at whynotmeworld.</p>

<p>Maria shares her journey advocating for mental healthcare, from working in a medical facility helping patients navigate services to struggling with the complex systems while trying to help her brother with severe mental illness. Her powerful story reveals critical gaps in our mental health and legal systems that prevent timely intervention for those most in need.</p> <p>• Experience as a healthcare advocate navigating insurance barriers and provider shortages<br> • Personal history with anxiety and OCD providing firsthand understanding of mental health challenges<br> • Brother's delusional disorder progression from normal complaints to severe paranoia<br> • Attempts to get help through police and crisis responders repeatedly blocked by bureaucratic barriers<br> • Brother's eventual criminal behavior, jail time, and homelessness due to untreated mental illness<br> • Finding support through MOMI (Mothers of the Mentally Ill) while continuing to search for solutions<br> • Importance of maintaining hope and humanizing those with severe mental illness<br> • Awareness as the first step toward creating positive change in mental health systems</p> <p>If you know someone who has a story to share, tell them to contact us at whynotmeworld. Spread the word about Why Not Me, our conversations, our inspiring guests that show you are not alone in this world.</p>

<p>Melody Guy shares her extraordinary journey as an autistic singer-songwriter who has traveled over two million miles despite the challenges of sensory issues and PTSD. She reveals how music became both her shelter and her bridge to connecting with others when words failed.</p> <p>• Diagnosed with autism as an adult around the same time as her son<br> • Survived childhood sexual abuse starting at age nine and a kidnapping at age 19<br> • Found her voice through music after escaping a controlling marriage that prevented her from singing for ten years<br> • Created "red threads" of connection through music demonstrations at Guitar Centers across America<br> • Developed coping strategies including a mental "switch" that helps her perform despite sensory challenges<br> • Working on her 11th music project which includes songs about autism like "Invisible" and "Life in the Spectrum"<br> • Discovered her "superpower" in co-writing songs with other trauma survivors through music therapy programs<br> • Advocates for fellow autistic individuals to embrace their differences and clearly communicate their boundaries</p> <p>Tell everyone everywhere about Why Not Me? The World, the conversations we're having and the inspiration our guests give to everyone everywhere that you are not alone in this world.</p> <p>https://tonymantor.com<br> https://Facebook.com/tonymantor<br> https://instagram.com/tonymantor<br> https://twitter.com/tonymantor<br> https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic<br> intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild<br> Why Not Me music published by Mantor Music (BMI)</p>