The Five Building Blocks of Recovery is a mental health podcast for people in recovery from one or more mental health conditions, their friends and family, and those in the mental health field who are providing support and treatment.
The podcast will be partly educational and partly conversational; some episodes will focus on one or more aspects of each of the Five Building Blocks, while others will consist of interviews with people in recovery or people with expertise on one or more building blocks.
Ultimately the goal is to leave you with simple ideas and action steps for your mental health recovery journey or for someone you care about.
New episodes typically come out every four weeks on Sunday afternoons at 3PM, Pacific Time.
Peer support group facilitator, peer support specialist, and professional mental health speaker Jared Bendifallah talks about mental health through the lens of his Five Building Blocks of Recovery which can provide a roadmap for recovery – a simple yet profound framework -- for those living with a mental health condition (and inspiration for their loved ones).
Remember, recovery is possible, and hope is real 😊
Disclaimer: The insights and offerings shared by guests reflect their own views and experiences. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health, clinical, or medical advice. Always use your own judgment when considering any services, programs, or resources mentioned.
For more information about the Five Building Blocks of Recovery and/or to contact Jared, go to Five Building Blocks of Recovery (thefivebuildingblocksofrecovery.com) (https://thefivebuildingblocksofrecovery.com/)
The Five Tools for Cultivating Indestructible Resilience Along the Mental Health Recovery Journey
When you’re exhausted, scared, or stuck in that loop of “nothing is getting better,” resilience isn’t a personality trait, it’s a set of choices you can practice. In this episode, I share the five tools that you can lean on to build indestructible resilience in recovery from a mental health condition, especially when life is complicated by anxiety, depression, grief, or physical health issues that bring uncertainty and long waits for answers. If you’ve ever felt beaten down or close to giving...
15 Mar 2026
Getting Unstuck: How Obstacles Become The Path To Your Life’s Calling with Ben Hummell
What if the hardest seasons in life and along the mental health recovery journey aren’t detours but doorways? We sit down with depth psychotherapist, coach, and author Ben Hummell to unpack how identity, transitions, and purpose intersect—and why your most stubborn obstacles may be pointing you toward your life’s work. In this episode Ben and I discuss the following: 1. Navigating identity struggles 2. Handling life transitions 3. The "wound drive" versus the "genius drive" and why both...
15 Feb 2026
Is it Safe to Unmask? The Power of Authenticity and Advocacy to Transform Your Mental Health with Merlot Ghadoushi
In a world that forces many of us to mask, especially those with mental health conditions, what if your real power comes from authenticity and turning authenticity into impact? That question sits at the heart of our conversation with youth mental health advocate, student, and writer Merlot Ghadoushi, who opens up about rerouting her college path to protect her mental health, learning to set boundaries, prioritizing rest, and building advocacy work that turns vulnerability into action. W...
18 Jan 2026
The Surprising Truth about Overcoming Negative Feelings with Stephen Nawotniak
A 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 ...
18 Jan 2026
Season 3 - Announcement of Schedule Change for Podcast
Hard 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 ...
28 Sept 2025
The Missing Elements to the Mental Health Treatment Model with Adam Sholder
It 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 t...
14 Sept 2025
How to Thrive as a Student with a Mental Health Condition with Ryder Davis
The journey through college while managing a mental health condition presents unique challenges that extend far beyond academics. In this powerful conversation, 25-year-old mental health advocate Ryder Davis opens up about navigating bipolar disorder diagnosis at 18 and finding his path to recovery as a student at Boston University. The conversation delves deep into practical strategies for students managing mental health conditions. From building authentic friendships who understand when is...
31 Aug 2025
Oshri Hakak’s Mental Health Journey - How to Transform Your Deepest Wounds into Sources of Meaning and Connection
A 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...
17 Aug 2025
Season 2 – How to Survive a Crisis and Protect Your Mental Health
After 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 t...
29 Dec 2024
Finding Stability and Connection Through Structure - Lessons Learned on the Path to Mental Health Recovery
What 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, provid...
15 Dec 2024
Debbie Brazil's Story of Advocacy and Acceptance - What You Really Need to Know About Recovery from a Mental Health Condition
Debbie Brazil shares her deeply personal story of overcoming mental health challenges and fighting stigma as a mother of children living with mental health conditions.
1 Dec 2024
From Cheerleading Pressure to Mental Health Advocate - Francesca Reicherter's Journey of Resilience and Community Building
Francesca Reicherter, a mental health advocate and nonprofit founder, shares her personal journey from competitive cheerleading to empowering self-worth and community building through writing, podcasting, and advocacy.
6 Oct 2024
Trusting the Process of Recovery - Getting Through the Difficult Parts of the Mental Health Recovery Journey
In 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)
15 Sept 2024
Conversation with Frank King, Mental Health Comedian, Part II - Following Your Intuition and Trusting the Process
In 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 ye...
1 Sept 2024
The Importance of Having Non-Clinical Support (Friends, Family...) along the Mental Health Recovery Journey
In 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 Reco...
18 Aug 2024
The Importance of Clinical Support along the Mental Health Recovery Journey
In 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 ...
4 Aug 2024
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...
4 Aug 2024
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 Co...
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