Tony Mantor: Why Not Me the World
Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects millions of people worldwide.
It is characterized by difficulties in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors.
Although autism is becoming more widely recognized, there is still a lack of understanding and awareness surrounding the condition.
As a result, many individuals and families affected by autism struggle to find the support and resources they need.
Why Not Me The World podcast aims to bridge that gap by providing valuable information and insights into autism, fostering empathy and understanding, and promoting acceptance and inclusion.
Nashville based Music Producer Tony Mantor explores the remarkable impact his guests make by empowering their voices in spreading awareness about autism and helping break down the barriers of understanding.
Join Mantor and his guests as they delve into the world of autism and mental health to explore topics such as diagnosis, treatment, research, and personal stories.
Together, we can create a more informed and compassionate society for individuals with autism.
Episodes
118 episodes
Katie R. Dale's Mental Health Story: Living Beyond Crazy
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.
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27:29
Tim Murphy's Fight for Mental Health Reform
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 illnes...
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30:22
Haley Graham : A Conversation on Mental Health, Autism, and Finding Your Way
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 dri...
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26:04
Patrick Kennedy on Autism,Mental Health, Addiction, and Political Change
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 ...
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33:14
Judge Liefman: Breaking the Cycle of Autism and Mental Illness in Criminal Justice
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...
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31:40
Christine Vester: Humanity Over Handcuffs: Protecting Autistic Lives in Legal Battles
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 profess...
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16:59
Carol Nesteikis: Autism and the Justice System
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 helpi...
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25:06
Areva Martin: How One Mother Became an Everyday Autism Advocate
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 tw...
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27:19
Ruth Johnston: Autism and Schizophrenia: A Mother's Fight for Change
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 ...
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30:54
Angela Calzone's Vision:Integrating disabilities into the workforce
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 integrat...
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24:53
Brian Shrader: How Autism is Misunderstood in the Legal System
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...
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28:24
Judge Kim Taylor:A Judge's Journey with Autism
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 learni...
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26:30
Understanding Autism Through Music: An Acoustic Evening for a Cause
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 hav...
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15:47
Rita Williams: How One Woman Transformed Personal Trauma into Criminal Justice Reform
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 sup...
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27:28
Leigh Anne McKingsley: Creating Pathways to Justice for the Developmentally Disabled
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 ...
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28:49
Judge David Fleisher: When Judges Choose Compassion Over Punishment?
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 p...
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28:20
Bridget Hampstead's Journey: Autism, Community, and Radical Love
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 neu...
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25:20
John Puls : Autism, Justice, and Understanding: Navigating the Criminal System
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 individ...
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24:26
Trish Ieraci:Understanding Autism Saves Lives: One Trainer's Mission to Transform Police Interactions
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 stere...
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26:00
Country Music Meets Compassion: How Artists Are Making a Difference for Autism
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...
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16:07
Joan Lipinski : Battles for Her Autistic Daughter's Freedom
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. T...
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27:26
Doug Passon: Breaking Down Barriers, How Understanding Autism Changes Legal Outcomes
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.• Cr...
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29:28
Brian Kelmar:Breaking Down Barriers: One Father's Fight to Reform Legal Treatment of Autism
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...
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27:15
Steven Waddell: Rocks, Rails, and Revelations: A Model's Autism Story
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 inte...
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27:30