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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