In this conversation, Dr. Tony Dice shares his transformative journey from addiction to recovery, detailing his experiences as a Navy SEAL and the struggles he faced with substance abuse. He emphasizes the importance of support, the power of the 12-step program, and the holistic change model that can help others in similar situations. Dr. Dice's story is one of resilience, hope, and the desire to help others find their path to recovery.

As you listen:

00:00 From Chaos to Clarity: A Journey of Recovery
14:56 The Power of Transformation: Embracing Change
20:02 Helping Others: The Gift of Support

🚀 DEEP DIVE HERE: https://vincentalanci.com/podcasts/

"I realized I hate who I was."

"I did everything everyone told me."

Takeaways:

-I got my four year degree in human services.
-I walked into the Farley center and said, 'Can I have a job?'
-I learned the value of carrying a flask with me wherever I went.
-Addiction has claws on me.
-I hit a bottom during the H1N1 pandemic.
-I found a treatment center and called them up.
-I realized I hate who I was and there was just maybe this shit will work.
-I did everything everyone told me because I just desperately wanted to change.
-I discovered 12-step programs have over 200 different versions.
-When you allow someone to help you, you are honoring them.

Dr. Dice also offers a moving reminder to anyone struggling:

Whether you are battling addiction, watching a loved one struggle, or feeling trapped in repeating patterns, this episode will remind you that change is possible — and that your story is not over.

Tune in for a conversation about recovery, identity, resilience, and the courage it takes to begin again.

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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 health in today's world with Bronwyn, Claudia, Kendra, and Tomi!

As You Listen:
00:00 Introduction to Mental Health Advocates
05:00 Navigating Mental Health During the Holidays
10:01 Emotional Wellbeing Trends and Challenges
15:02 Self-Care Strategies for the New Year
20:02 Looking Ahead: Goals and Aspirations for 2026

"You are not alone."

"Self-care is not selfish."

"Trust your gut."

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Takeaways
-You are not alone in your mental health journey.
-Anger can provide valuable insights into our emotions.
-Emotional well-being is declining globally, with many feeling burnt out.
-Setting boundaries during family gatherings is crucial for mental health.
-Self-care practices are essential for emotional resilience.
-Forgiveness is a personal journey that liberates the individual.
-Listening to others can be more helpful than offering advice.
-It’s important to engage in activities that bring joy and fulfillment.
-Trusting your instincts can guide you in making decisions.
-Cooking for oneself can be a nurturing act of self-care.

First Episodes
Dr. Tomi Bryan
Claudia Holley
Kendra King
Bronwyn Schweigerdt

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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 discusses the ramping up of therapy sessions and the emotional rollercoaster of recovery, emphasizing the need for resilience and positivity. He also hints at future developments in his coaching practice and the roadmap for brain injury recovery he plans to introduce.

As You Listen:
00:00 Introduction to the Journey
03:48 Facing the Reality of TBI
09:58 Therapy and Recovery Progress
12:46 Looking Ahead: Independence and Support

"I hope I'm here to help."

"It was extremely scary."

🚀 DEEP DIVE HERE: https://vincentalanci.com/podcasts/

Takeaways
-The journey of recovery from TBI is complex and emotional.
-Support systems play a crucial role in recovery.
-Therapy sessions increase as recovery progresses.
-The confusion between dreams and reality can be disorienting.
-Resilience is key in overcoming adversity.
-A brain injury is often an invisible struggle.
-Sharing personal stories can inspire others.
-Positivity can significantly impact recovery.
-Setting goals and milestones is important for progress.
-The journey of recovery is ongoing and requires patience.

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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 shifts to living a healthier and happier life, emphasizing that small, actionable steps can lead to significant changes.

As you listen:
00:00 Just Do the Next Thing
02:05 The Journey to Mental Health Awareness
05:57 Tools for Overcoming Negative Thoughts
08:09 Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship
11:53 The Importance of Mindset in Fitness
16:07 The Six Shifts to a Healthier Life

🚀 DEEP DIVE HERE: https://vincentalanci.com/podcasts/

"Consistency is key." - Nicole Zapoli

Takeaways

-Mindset can be a powerful ally in tough situations.
-Cheer for yourself and transform your outlook.
-Surround yourself with positivity and mindfulness.
-Journaling and self-reflection are powerful tools.
-Challenge yourself regularly to grow.
-Set yourself up for success each day.
-Exercise has profound mental health benefits.
-Consistency in fitness leads to better outcomes.
-Small, actionable steps can lead to big changes.

Whether you’re feeling stuck, burned out, or simply in need of encouragement, this conversation will remind you that you’re not alone—and that healing and growth begin with the very next step.

🎧 Tune in, take a breath, and do the next thing.

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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 emotional protection. Together, they explore how narcissistic traits show up in relationships, why the holidays can intensify conflict, and how to stay grounded when you feel erased, devalued, or emotionally hijacked.

This conversation is especially powerful for anyone navigating difficult family dynamics, romantic relationships, or workplace stress—offering both clinical insight and practical guidance you can use immediately.

Takeaways

• Narcissism involves a fragile sense of self-esteem.
• Individuals with narcissistic traits often seek validation from others.
• Recognizing old roles in family interactions is crucial.
• Professional help is important for addressing personality disorders.
• Healing from narcissistic traits is possible with effort.
• Self-awareness can help in managing reactions to narcissistic behavior.

"It's easier said than done." -Dr. Anthony

Interesting topics:

00:00 Understanding Narcissism: An Introduction

02:15 The Journey into Mental Health and Narcissism

04:34 Defining Narcissism: Characteristics and Behaviors

07:04 Navigating Family Dynamics During the Holidays

10:27 Coping Strategies for Dealing with Narcissistic Traits

Listen now to gain clarity, compassion, and practical tools for navigating complex relationships—without losing yourself in the process.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check out Dr. Anthony Mazzella’s podcast, The Narcissism Decoder, and learn more about his work at DrMazella.com

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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 "broken bricks" she used to build a new foundation of advocacy and emotional preparation for others.

This conversation dives deep into the mental health crisis hidden within the caregiving role and how to create a robust emotional and logistical safety net when your world is falling apart.

In this episode, we discuss crucial mental health topics for caregivers and trauma survivors:

• Unshakeable Confidence: Strategies for building inner strength and resilience when facing unimaginable stress and instability.
• Breaking the Cycle: How to recognize and actively stop unhealthy generational caregiving patterns that lead to isolation and burnout.
• The Emotional Fallout: The necessity of counseling and open communication to manage the heavy emotional toll of chronic illness and caregiving trauma.
• Building Your Chosen Family: Overcoming the crushing isolation of caregiving by intentionally creating a strong, supportive care team.
• Beyond Hope: Why relying on "hope as a strategy" is a mental health drain, and how tools like Shelly’s "Family Love Letter" can provide genuine peace of mind and dignity for your loved ones.

Shelly's mission is to empower you to transform adversity into preparedness. Listen to learn how to heal your past while proactively building a stronger, more prepared future.

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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 caregiving, loss, and radical rediscovery is the ultimate testament to human resilience. She doesn't just talk about coping; she shares the practical, mental, and emotional steps she took to rebuild her identity and find new purpose after unimaginable grief. This conversation offers hope that is authentic, heartfelt, and entirely free of clichés.

In this deeply honest conversation, we normalize the mental health shifts required to endure trauma and emerge stronger:

• Resilience as a Skill: Jenny breaks down The Anatomy of Resilience—why your inner strength is a skill you can and must develop before life’s biggest challenges hit.
• The Caregiver Identity: We discuss the silent mental load of caregiving and advocacy, and how to maintain your own psychological health when you are the sole anchor for a loved one.
• Turning Survival into Growth: The emotional and mental shifts required to move from merely enduring pain to actively creating a new life filled with meaning, growth, and joy.
• Micro-Moments of Hope: Why joy doesn't need to be grand to be transformative, and how focusing on tiny sparks of light can sustain you through the darkest phases of grief and recovery.
• The Power of Vulnerability: Jenny explains how being fiercely open about fear, uncertainty, and grief became her bridge to deeper connection with her community and herself.

Whether you are navigating a personal setback, recovering from loss, or simply looking to fortify your mental health, Jenny's story will inspire you to believe that you can emerge from hardship more alive, more intentional, and more truly yourself than ever before.

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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 confused reawakening
• The terror of realizing he can't walk, talk properly, or remember
• The Daily Battle for Basic Learning and the First Steps of Relearning Life
• What is a TBI?

If you are looking for inspiration and a beautiful perspective, click play now. Enjoy your break, right here on A Mental Health Break. Stay tuned next month for Chapter 2.

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Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

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