A Mental Health Break

Happy New Year! In this episode, five mental health advocates discuss their backgrounds and the current state of mental health on this expert panel. They explore the challenges faced during the holidays, the importance of self-care, and strategies for emotional well-being. The conversation emphasizes the need for support, understanding, and personal growth as we navigate the complexities of mental...

In this final episode of the year,Vincent A. Lanci shares his ongoing journey of recovery from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) + his surprise announcement: a Brain Injury Recovery Book for Families and Survivors and his TBI Recovery Coaching Practice. He reflects on the challenges faced during his hospital stay, the confusion between dreams and reality, and the importance of a support system. Lanci...

In this conversation, Nicole Zapoli shares her journey towards mental health awareness and the importance of fitness and mindset in achieving overall well-being. She discusses practical tools for overcoming negative thoughts, balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship, and the significance of consistency in fitness. Nicole also introduces her book, Live Fit From the Inside Out, which outlines six...

In this deeply insightful episode of A Mental Health Break , host Vincent A. Lanci welcomes Dr. Anthony Mazzella , a psychodynamic therapist with over 20 years of experience specializing in narcissism and personality dynamics. Dr. Mazzella breaks down one of the most misunderstood topics in mental health— narcissism —and helps listeners move beyond labels and blame into clarity, awareness, and emo...

Welcome to A Mental Health Break. In this incredibly raw and empowering episode , we sit down with Shelly Grimm, Financial Consultant, Author, and Founder of The Perpetual Caregiver. Shelly’s journey is one of profound resilience: from being legally emancipated at 13 while caring for her chronically ill mother to fleeing a dangerous home situation at 17. These harrowing experiences became the &quo...

What happens when your entire identity and life plan are obliterated in a single, devastating phone call? This week, we sit down with Jenny Brandemuehl , author of Forever Fly Free , whose life shifted from managing C-suite responsibilities in Silicon Valley to navigating hospital corridors after her husband survived a fiery plane crash with burns over 80% of his body. Jenny’s journey through care...

Chapter 1: The Impact and the Silence (The Hospital & Immediate Aftermath) Once per month, Host Vincent A. Lanci will release a solo episode. It will start out with his The Road Back: My TBI Recovery Journey  series. This week, Vincent dives into a vulnerable and honest conversation about: What happened What he remembers right before the accident (or the lack thereof) The coma & the confus...

Join us for a deeply human and candid conversation with someone who has mental health experiences from every angle. Melissa Fors Shackelford is a healthcare executive and the author of the Amazon #1 Best Seller, Harnessing Purpose . While Melissa is known for building compelling brands and advising Fortune 100 leaders, her path to purpose was forged through personal adversity . In this episode, we...

Join us for a powerfully honest and incredibly relatable conversation with Will Craig of Mental Health with Will LLC and the host of Sunday Reset w/ Will & Friends . Will is an open book, sharing his profound journey through mental health struggles that began early in life after being born with hydrocephalus, leading to six brain surgeries . He candidly discusses his battles with depression an...

The Shattering Point: What Happens When Childhood Trauma Finally Breaks Through Meet Andrea Leeb , a successful Manhattan attorney, writer, and high-functioning adult who learned the hard way that survival is not the same as healing . Andrea’s childhood was marked by severe sexual abuse and an environment of agonizing denial—a trauma so deep that when her mother discovered it, she was struck with...

What if your mental struggle isn't a personal failure, but a logical reaction to a broken society? This week on A Mental Health Break , we are joined by poet, playwright, Yale graduate, and cultural critic D.C. Copeland , author of the forthcoming book, Societal Dropout: A Culture Manifesto for the New Millennium . D.C. brings a unique, potent voice to the show, leveraging the philosophy of J...

We have listened to your feedback - you want to see solo episodes, too! This week, Host Vincent A. Lanci dives into 5 major benefits of becoming a podcast guest, where to find potential shows to guest on, and HOW to reach out to the host. No matter your path in life , podcast guest appearances have become more successful than traditional media or print. Learn all about how to level up your story o...

You are not alone in your fight . This week, we welcome DK Kang , a martial artist, author, and wellness expert whose life story is a testament to unwavering human resilience. DK’s journey is one of perseverance and purpose: He bravely navigated a decade of infertility, profound family losses, job loss, financial hardship, and the emotional isolation of becoming the full-time caregiver for his wif...

How do you build a thriving life while navigating profound personal challenges? This week, we welcome a truly inspiring guest who embodies resilience, Dr. Michelle Taveras , founder of M Taveras, PsyD & Company Psychological Services. Dr. Taveras shares her powerful, intimate journey of earning her doctorate and establishing a respected practice while living with cerebral palsy. It’s a candid...

What does it really mean to be well—and how do we get there? This week, we're taking a deep dive into the practical side of mental and emotional well-being with a true veteran of the field. Join us for a powerful conversation with Aaron Gilbert, founder of Boston Evening Therapy Associates, who has spent 25 years helping tens of thousands of people live more constructively. In this episode, A...

Are you carrying burdens that aren't yours? This week on A Mental Health Break , we sit down with Jennifer Schrappe, a licensed therapist, pastor, and the founder of Chrysalis Enterprises. With over two decades of experience, Jennifer is a compassionate guide who helps people find hope, healing, and freedom from life's struggles . In this powerful conversation, Jennifer shares her person...

Join us for an incredibly raw and courageous conversation with Adriene Caldwell, author of the memoir, Unbroken . Her story is a testament to the profound resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable odds. In this episode, Adriene candidly shares her first-hand account of childhood trauma, from emotional and physical abuse to navigating a family riddled with untreated mental illness,...

He's back and more determined than ever. This week on A Mental Health Break , we are honored to welcome back mental health advocate and founder, Jeff Johnston. Since we last spoke, Jeff has turned his personal tragedies—the loss of his son to fentanyl and his wife to alcoholism—into a nationwide movement for change. In this powerful episode, Jeff shares how his profound losses ignited his mis...

Join us for a powerful and insightful conversation with Amber Brown, a true leader in healthcare, the military, and beyond. As a Patient Advisory Coordinator at Tampa General Hospital and a Physical Therapist, Amber is dedicated to integrating a patient's "lived experience" into the very systems of healthcare . She's also an Air Force Officer, overseeing medical readiness and o...

What if the darkest moments of your past are not a burden, but a blueprint for your greatest transformation? In this raw and powerful episode of A Mental Health Break , we sit down with Justin L. Shaw , a mystical comedian, Doctor of Divinity, and author of Sourcery 101: 13 Rungs to a Higher Elevation of Consciousness . Justin, a former stand-up comedian, gets real about growing up in a "figh...

What happens when you achieve the pinnacle of athletic success at just 16 years old, only to find yourself struggling with addiction years later? In this deeply personal and powerful episode of A Mental Health Break , we sit down with Carrie Bates , a three-time Olympic Gold Medalist and the Director of Strategic Growth and Advocacy for Caron Treatment Centers . Carrie shares her journey from a ch...

Have you ever wondered what's really happening inside your mind when you're struggling with anxiety, trauma, or depression? And what if there were specific, proven strategies to help you navigate these challenges and find a path to healing? In this episode of A Mental Health Break, we’re joined by Dr. Catherine Nobile , a licensed Doctor of Clinical Psychology with a specialty in evidenc...

This week on A Mental Health Break , we're honored to host a guest who has turned profound personal struggle into a mission to heal millions. Jason Hopcus , the founder and CEO of Connection Project, is a pioneering entrepreneur who's using cutting-edge technology to revolutionize access to mental health resources.  His journey began in 2011 when a personal crisis led him to lose everyth...

Welcome! This week on A Mental Health Break , prepare for a profoundly transformative conversation on healing from within. We are incredibly honored to welcome Deborah Grassman , a distinguished author, contributing writer to multiple textbooks, and the compassionate voice behind the powerful concept of "Soul Injury." While her impressive resume includes three books, 25 published article...

This week on A Mental Health Break , we're tackling one of the most frustrating and overwhelming hurdles to mental well-being: health insurance coverage . We're honored to welcome Louise Norris , a nationally recognized health policy analyst who has been expertly tracking and writing about health insurance and reform since 2006. With hundreds of educational articles for healthinsurance.o...