Shows
Five Building Blocks of Recovery®The Surprising Truth about Overcoming Negative Feelings with Stephen NawotniakA non-motorized trek across the East Coast. A hospital stay that reset everything. And a clear, human roadmap for living well with bipolar disorder. I sat down with Steven Nawotniak—occupational therapist, certified psychiatric rehabilitation practitioner, New York certified peer specialist, and award-winning author—to trace how he moved from coping with symptoms to building a purpose-driven life grounded in fulfillment and action over feelings.In this episode Stephen and I discuss:The two types of stigmaThe power of expanded self-awareness (Building Block #5)Four perspectives living with bipolarThree things to have a good quality of life whil...
2026-01-1947 minFive Building Blocks of Recovery®Season 3 - Announcement of Schedule Change for PodcastHard seasons test our values. After losing a home to a wildfire, getting sick, and wrestling with an inconsistent rhythm in 2025, I made a decision that protects my mental health, supports self-care, and honors your time: I'm switching to a monthly release so every conversation about recovery gets the care it deserves.New episodes will come out every four weeks on Sundays at 3PM, which adds up to approximately 13 episodes every year. Thank you for sticking with me through the ups and downs this year. I genuinely appreciate every listen, every download, every review... And a...
2026-01-1804 min
The Samurai Way: Mastering Business & Life with Samurai WisdomFinding Ikigai in Recovery: Kaizen, Purpose, and the Samurai SpiritIn this episode, I sit down with Jared Bendifallah, a peer support group facilitator, speaker, and the creator of The Five Building Blocks of Recovery podcast. Jared has led over six hundred support groups with NAMI West Los Angeles and has spoken to countless middle school and high school students, helping to break the silence around mental health.
Our conversation is heartfelt, honest, and deeply meaningful.
We explore how the Japanese philosophies of Kaizen, continuous improvement, and Ikigai, what gives life meaning and fulfillment, can support the mental health recovery journey. Jared shares how focusing...
2025-12-2424 minFive Building Blocks of Recovery®The Missing Elements to the Mental Health Treatment Model with Adam SholderIt is no secret that the current mental health treatment model, is, to put nicely, flawed and incomplete. In this week’s episode I talk with Adam Sholder, mental health advocate and founder of Insight Enrichment Group, a mental health coaching and consulting company, about the missing elements to the standard mental health treatment model.In this episode we talk about:Adam’s personal and family history with mental health strugglesThe power of creative community in recovery (A Gap in the Forest)The importance of staying present in life and trusting the processThe concepts of “s...
2025-09-2955 minFive Building Blocks of Recovery®How to Thrive as a Student with a Mental Health Condition with Ryder DavisLet’s face it; being a college student can be one of the most fulfilling but also the most stressful periods of a young person’s life.Having to balance both academic and social pressures while being away from home for the first time and working towards a degree comes with its own set of challenges for anyone, not to mention those living with a mental health condition.In this week’s episode, I interview Ryder Davis, mental health advocate and NAMI Westside Los Angeles “Ending the Silence” presenter, about his experiences as a college student at...
2025-09-1547 minFive Building Blocks of Recovery®Oshri Hakak’s Mental Health Journey - How to Transform Your Deepest Wounds into Sources of Meaning and ConnectionA surprising dream following tragedy becomes a guiding light for an artist's life mission. After losing his Boy Scout leader to suicide at 16, Oshri Hakak dreamed of a document meant to cure all human illnesses—only to find its pages blank except for one word: "music." This mystical experience launched Oshri's commitment to creative expression as a healing force, a path that gained even deeper meaning when he later lost his brother to heart failure during a period of severe depression.Today, Oshri channels these profound experiences into children's books addressing mental health and mindfulness, daily art pr...
2025-09-0151 minFive Building Blocks of Recovery®Season 2 – How to Survive a Crisis and Protect Your Mental HealthAfter a prolonged absence since December 2024, I'm returning to the podcast following the devastating fires in Los Angeles County that destroyed my home and neighborhood in early January 2025. I share how I've used the Five Building Blocks of Recovery to navigate through one of the most difficult periods of my life and how you can use the building blocks to take care of your mental health in the midst of/after a crisis or trauma.In this episode I cover:• Creating structure and normalcy in the midst/after a crisis• Leaning on support from comm...
2025-08-1813 minFive Building Blocks of Recovery®Finding Stability and Connection Through Structure - Lessons Learned on the Path to Mental Health RecoveryWhat role does structure play in mental health recovery, and could it be the missing piece in your journey to well-being? This episode explores the transformative power of adding structure to your life (Building Block #1), drawing from my own "dark years" when the absence of grounding activities led to a mental health crisis. Through attending community college classes and participating in NAMI support groups, I discovered that even simple, consistent commitments can act as a lifeline, providing both stability and a newfound sense of connection with others. I explore how engaging in various activities, such as work, s...
2024-12-3025 minFive Building Blocks of Recovery®Debbie Brazil's Story of Advocacy and Acceptance - What You Really Need to Know About Recovery from a Mental Health ConditionImagine growing up in a household shadowed by bipolar disorder, only to find yourself struggling with your own mental health challenges as a teenager. That was Debbie Brazil's reality, and she's here to share her deeply personal story of overcoming panic and anxiety disorders and agoraphobia. Her experiences as a mother with children living with mental health conditions, and her mission to normalize mental health conversations and fight the stigma, offer invaluable insights for anyone affected by mental health struggles.Debbie and I talk about mental health through the lens of Building Block #3 (trusting the p...
2024-12-1637 minFive Building Blocks of Recovery®Francesca Reicherter’s Journey from Cheerleading Pressure to Mental Health Advocate – Breaking the Stigma around Mental HealthFrancesca Reicherter shares a deeply personal journey from the pressures of competitive cheerleading to becoming a beacon of hope in mental health advocacy. Her story lays bare the impact of media, social media, and societal pressures on self-worth, and how writing and podcasting became her refuge and platform for change and breaking the stigma. We explore how her struggles led to the founding of multiple different entities and projects, such as:“Inspiring My Generation” -- a nonprofit on a mission of suicide prevention“Normalize the Conversation” -- a podcast which amplifies diverse voices in mental health“Gracefully Chaotic” -- an online...
2024-12-0246 minFive Building Blocks of Recovery®Trusting the Process of Recovery - Getting Through the Difficult Parts of the Mental Health Recovery JourneyIn this episode I talk about the importance of, and what it means, to trust the process of recovery (Building Block #3) for those living with a mental health condition. I also offer some tips for how to get through the bad days and setbacks along the recovery journey with less resistance.For more information about the Five Building Blocks of Recovery and/or to contact Jared, go to Five Building Blocks of Recovery (thefivebuildingblocksofrecovery.com)
2024-10-0716 minFive Building Blocks of Recovery®Conversation with Frank King, Mental Health Comedian, Part II - Following Your Intuition and Trusting the ProcessIn today’s episode, as part of my second conversation with Frank King, we talk more about his journey with comedy and mental health, and the importance of following one’s intuition and what intuition can look like (Building Block 5). We also talk about trusting the process in life and in recovery, especially when it comes to depression (Building Block 3), and the importance of community (Building Block 4). Frank King, Suicide Prevention Speaker was a writer for The Tonight Show for 20 years, a speaker and comedian for 38.He’s fought a lifetime battle with Depression and Suicida...
2024-09-1653 minFive Building Blocks of Recovery®The Importance of Having Non-Clinical Support (Friends, Family...) along the Mental Health Recovery JourneyIn this episode I talk about why having a support system outside of having a therapist is so essential along the mental health recovery journey. I also share ideas for how you can expand your support system and what it can look like to actually ask for support. You don't have to go through the recovery journey alone. Everyone deserves support.*this episode was published when the podcast was titled "Five Pillars of Recovery" and before the name change to "Five Building Blocks of Recovery"For more information about the Five Bu...
2024-09-0219 minFive Building Blocks of Recovery®The Importance of Clinical Support along the Mental Health Recovery JourneyIn this episode I talk about the importance of accepting and embracing clinical support along the mental health recovery journey and what to look for in a psychiatrist and a therapist. I also share tips on how to find clinical support.*trigger warning I do indirectly talk about suicide*this episode was published when the podcast was titled "Five Pillars of Recovery" and before the name change to "Five Building Blocks of Recovery"For more information about the Five Building Blocks of Recovery and/or to contact Jared, go to Five Building Blocks...
2024-08-1923 minFive Building Blocks of Recovery®Conversation with Frank King, 12x TEDx speaker and "The Mental Health Comedian"In this episode I talk with Frank King about how he takes care of his mental health through the lens of Building Block 2 (Having a Self-Care Plan) and Building Block 1 (Basic Stability). Frank talks about his five-part self-care plan and how he uses “gamification” to motivate him to stay consistent with his self-care practice. He also talks about the importance of having a schedule/structure and relying on his “pit-crew” of non-clinical support in his life.*trigger warning Frank and I do talk about suicide in this episode*this episode was published when the podc...
2024-08-0524 minFive Building Blocks of Recovery®Introductory Episode - Who Am I? and the "Five Building Blocks of Recovery"In this episode I share my own story of recovery from dealing with anxiety from a young age, going through a mental health crisis after college, and eventually being able to bounce back and create a new life for myself as a mental health advocate. I also introduce the actual Five Building Blocks of Recovery, which are:1. Building Block 1 (Basic Stability)2. Building Block 2 (Having a Self-Care Plan)3. Building Block 3 (Trusting the Process of Recovery)4. Building Block 4 (Finding Your Community)5. Building Block 5 (Expanded Self-Awareness and Following Your Intuition)*trigger warning I...
2024-08-0532 min
Kleymb Out!***THE FIVE PILLARS OF RECOVERY TO MENTAL WELLNESS***by Jared Bendifallah fromN.A.M.I. aka National Alliance on Mental IllnessJoe and Kirk go over their WINS and LESSONS for the week. Kirk talks about the exciting journey with his sweetheart and arrival of their son Dylan making his debut in 9 weeks! Joe talks about parenting struggles with his children and academics. They also go over the 5 Pillars of recovery to mental wellness one by one.
THANK YOU AS ALWAYS TO EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU:)
2024-05-2033 min
NAMI OC Presents: It's Okay To FeelRecovery, Resiliency, & the Importance of Peer Support with Jared BendifallahPeer Support is a crucial component that makes NAMI work. Today we have peer support specialist Jared Bendifallah join the pod to discuss his mental health journey. We discover his 5 pillars of recovery to mental wellness, the importance of Peer Support groups, and our Peer to Peer classes. Find out more about Jared with the links below.
Jared's LinkedIn profile: Jared Bendifallah | LinkedIn
Jared's Calendly, in case people would like to connect with him for any reason:
calendly.com/chatwithjaredb
Resources:
NAMI Orange County Website
NAMI Orange County Programs
NAMI Or...
2024-03-1436 min
Serotonin Sunday013 - Billy Raffoul, Ally Rayne, Matteson Gregory, Alexander Saint & Jared Bendifallah (NAMI WLA)Serotonin Sunday, hosted by recording artist and mental health advocate Dylan Dunlap, is a stigma-free space designed to pull back the curtain on the creatives who cultivate the art we love! Each episode features 3-4 singer-songwriters playing their favorite songs and puts the spotlight on one amazing organization doing work in the mental health space. Whether you personally struggle with a mental health condition, you know somebody that struggles, or you just want to listen, you’ve come to the right place and are welcome here. The goal each Sunday is to open up a real conversation; all while ra...
2022-08-011h 13
🎧 Fight The Funk Podcast: Hosted by Maagic Collins#55 Fight The Funk Podcast#55 Fight The Funk PodcastOn this week's episode of Fight The Funk Podcast.Join me in a conversation with Jared Bendifallah. His journey from a neuroscience major to receiving a master's in urban planning. Now a peer-to-peer group facilitator at Nami West LA.We discuss the rewards and challenges of a peer group facilitator.What brought Jared to Nami West LA. What he does for self-care.Advice for future facilitators. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/maagic-collins1/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/maagic-collins1/support
2021-04-2130 min