Mental Notes with Matt™

Season two opens with a reunion nearly 20 years in the making. A photo appeared on Matt's phone — two young actors at the Contemporary American Theater Festival in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, clearly happy, clearly free, clearly drinking. He sent it to his old friend Michael Borrelli. Michael's response changed everything: I'm sober now. Nearly 20 years. In this episode, Matt — six m...

In this deeply reflective conversation, Matt sits down with author and ikigai researcher Nicholas Kemp to explore the true meaning of the Japanese concept of ikigai — a word often misunderstood, oversimplified, and misapplied in Western culture. Rather than a Venn diagram, a career formula, or a secret to longevity, Nicholas explains that ikigai is an emotional experience — the feeling that life i...

In this episode of Mental Notes with Matt , I sit down with Stewart Pearce , world-renowned voice coach and master sound healer. Stewart has worked with some of the world’s most recognized performers, leaders, and visionaries, including Princess Diana, to help them unlock the deeper resonance of their voice. I first met Stewart over twenty years ago while studying at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in...

In this episode of Mental Notes with Matt , I sit down with my very first acting teacher, Ron Millkie. While many may know him as Officer Dorf from the original Friday the 13th , I know him as the person who saw something in me before I fully saw it in myself. Ron was the first person to invite me into the world of professional acting, and this conversation is a chance to not only honor that legac...

In this episode of Mental Notes with Matt , I sit down with Ezra De w olfe , founder of ADHD Tools, a platform helping thousands of late-diagnosed adults reframe their ADHD not as a flaw to manage, but as a strength to harness. Ezra’s work stands out because it goes beyond surface-level hacks and quick fixes. His mission is to help people with ADHD, especially entrepreneurs, creatives, and leaders...

Show Notes What does it mean to lead with presence, empathy, and authenticity? In this episode of Mental Notes with Matt , I sit down with Michael Cinquino — actor, educator, and creator of the Communication Dynamics Lab (CDL) — to talk about how high sensitivity can be a superpower and why the skills of performance belong everywhere from the stage to the boardroom. Michael shares his journey from...

Show Notes: What do you do when life takes everything you’ve built… and breaks it? What do you hold onto when the person you loved most is suddenly gone? In this deeply personal episode, I sit down with someone I’ve known since childhood to talk about grief, resilience, and what it really looks like to keep going after devastating loss. From losing her mother while pregnant, to unexpectedly losing...

Disclaimer: This episode includes discussion of suicide. Please listen with care. If you are struggling, resources are linked below. In this episode of Mental Notes with Matt , I sit down with Stephen Mosher —photographer, writer, sober alcoholic, and truth-teller. Stephen has captured portraits of some of Broadway’s brightest stars, but his greatest art may be the life he has built out of honesty...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Mental Notes with Matt , I sit down with licensed professional counselor Andrea Evgeniou to talk about the emotional masks we wear and why taking them off isn’t always as simple as it sounds. We explore how past experiences and trauma can shape the way we present ourselves to the world, often leading us to hide our authentic selves in the name of safety, accepta...

SHOW NOTES In this candid and insightful episode of Mental Notes with Matt , I sit down with meditation teacher, author, and podcast host David Gandelman to explore how we can reclaim our energy, reconnect with ourselves, and stay grounded in a chaotic world. From his early training in the Himalayas to his work with thousands of students around the world, David shares a blend of ancient wisdom, mo...

SHOW NOTES In this episode of Mental Notes with Matt , I sit down with award-winning playwright and screenwriter Samuel Brett Williams to talk about what it really means to tell the truth on stage, in life, and with yourself. Brett’s work doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable. He writes the kind of stories that spark walkouts, raise eyebrows, and, more importantly, invite reflection. We talk abo...

Show Notes   In this episode of Mental Notes, host Matt engages in a heartfelt conversation with Jamie Hannigan about the importance of living authentically and embracing one's truth. They discuss the challenges of navigating relationships, the impact of ADHD, and the journey of self-discovery through parenting. Jamie shares her experiences of heartbreak and resilience, emphasizing the value of su...

Show Notes In this episode of Mental Notes with Matt , I’m joined by longtime friend and creative force Ray McAnally. Ray is an actor, writer, traveler, and one of the most present people I know. We explore how getting outside of our daily rhythms, especially through travel, can create powerful shifts in our perspective and deepen our empathy. Ray shares stories from his travels, reflecting on how...

Show Notes Episode Summary: In this episode of Mental Notes with Matt , I sit down with my friend Christina Ross, a gifted writer and someone who doesn’t shy away from truth, no matter how uncomfortable it might be. We dive deep into what happens when the healing work you’ve been doing starts to unravel, and what it really takes to choose life again after a major fall. This conversation is raw, em...

In this short solo reflection, I talk about what it’s been like reaching out to people from my past as I build this podcast, how memory, fear, and inspiration all collide when you decide to put yourself out there. Some people say yes. Some don’t respond. But either way, I’m learning how to keep going, and how to honor the spark when it shows up. “What is personal, what does matter, is the fact tha...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Mental Notes with Matt , I reconnect with my former Mason Gross School of the Arts acting teacher and longtime inspiration, Kevin Kittle. What begins as a conversation about performance quickly becomes something deeper - a reflection on voice, identity, courage, and the challenge of showing up fully in today’s world. We unpack the idea of having a strong point o...

Full episode with my guest, acting teacher, educator, and thought leader Kevin Kittle, is on its way. But before it drops, here’s a quick teaser to set the stage. In this short preview, I reflect on a moment from acting school that’s stayed with me for over 20 years, and how it led to an honest, deeply personal conversation about finding your voice and owning your point of view.

In this solo episode, I reflect on a simple phone call with an old friend that revealed something deeper: how often we retreat from connection even when we crave it most. This is a story about friendship, silence, showing up, and the quiet courage it takes to answer when life calls.

Ever catch yourself arguing with the voice in your head? Yeah, me too. In this quick episode, I dive into that inner dialogue, what it tries to protect us from, and how we can shift the conversation.

Episode Duration: 20:16 Episode Description: In this debut episode of Mental Notes with Matt , I sit down with Sarah Wolfson—licensed social worker, former special education teacher, and a therapist who brings both personal presence and professional insight to her work. We talk about what it really means to “live the work” as a therapist, the moments when personal and professional identities blur,...

In this short introduction to Mental Notes, host Matt Ungermah shares the personal journey that inspired the podcast and what you can expect from future episodes—honest conversations, emotional insight, and a shared commitment to better understanding ourselves. Music licensed via Soundstripe Track: Iron and Steel Artist: Wicked Cinema License Code: FCRNGM0JYDPDFDSV