General Hospital (GH) fans got to catch the second half of the conversation between Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) and Kayden Tokarski, who plays Scout on the ABC soap, when Part 2 dropped on his State of Mind podcast this past Sunday.
In Part 1, the two discussed her advocacy work and her role as a keynote speaker for a youth substance awareness event. Part 2 took a deeper look at the mental health struggles that affect so many young people, while also touching on what it’s like for her on the GH set.
Discussing Anxiety
On State of Mind, Maurice Benard opened the topic by asking Tokarski if she struggles with anxiety or depression. She didn’t hesitate to admit that anxiety definitely “crept up” on her as she hit her teenage years.
She shared that self-doubt started coming in, making her trust herself less and look at herself differently in the mirror. She added, “I will say I’ve always kind of probably from like 12 on like have always had a conflict with my nerves.”
People often tell her that she seems confident, but she admitted that deep down, she really isn’t. She’s just learned to hide it better over time.
Now, she views nerves as a sign that she cares deeply about what she’s doing. As an actress, she tries to use that nervous energy to fuel her performance.
Handling Panic
Benard, who has been open about his diagnosis with bipolar disorder, shared that he’s been breakdown-free for 33 years. But panic attacks are another story. He calls his anxiety “Freddy Krueger” because it still pops in to haunt him.
He explained that he used to pace back and forth when panic hit. Lately, he just sits in the uncomfortable feeling until it passes.
Tokarski agreed that you shouldn’t try to “squish it down,” though sitting in that discomfort isn’t easy. She noted that a lot of her anxiety comes from feeling out of control or worrying about the future and dwelling on the past.
Her main goal right now is learning to live in the present.
Breaking The Chains
Her own experiences led her to get involved with advocacy work outside of acting. She works with a non-profit called Breaking the Chains Foundation.
Tokarski explained, “we work on breaking the chains of mental health and body image struggles through artistic programming specifically for youth.”
Experiences in her own life, combined with stories people share with her, push her to keep speaking up about these topics.
Ego and Therapy
When the General Hospital duo started talking about ego, Benard called it a total “killer” for mental health.
Previously, he had mentioned that a therapist suggested he write down his worries, and this time, he admitted that nearly every one of them came back to his ego.
Tokarski then spoke about how she sometimes struggles on social media, and everyone knows that’s often about ego-posting. She doesn’t like the negativity that comes with it and so sometimes when it gets too much, she gets off it.
When Benard asked her thoughts on getting professional help, Tokarski said, “I think therapy is absolutely beneficial.”
She added that things like journaling, meditation, and listening to music help her cope. Acting also gives her a healthy way to escape reality and build empathy for other people.
Life On GH
Before wrapping up, they talked about her experience joining General Hospital. Tokarski revealed that Scout was actually her fourth audition for the soap over a five-year stretch.
When she finally got the call that she booked the part, her “soul left my body” and she broke down crying.
Her mom grew up watching GH, so joining the cast felt surreal.
She also praised the cast for being welcoming, and seemed impressed that despite the veterans being so well-known, nobody acts as if they are something special.
Viewers React
Fans took to the comments section on YouTube to share their thoughts on the interview.
One viewer wrote, “She is an old soul. Very wise beyond her years. She is such a bright light for her peers. I hope they listen to her.”
Here are a few more responses from the discussion:
- “Loved this state of mind it’s so nice to see young actors and actresses involved with organizations that help others.”
- “Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings! SOM is a wonderful gift that keeps on giving! Both of you are amazing people!”
- “She is a wonderful human just a breath of fresh air! Very grounded and helping others is so great.. Welcome to the G.H family .”
- “She so smart beyond her years looking forward see her see where is 20 years from now she amazing actress .I love her on gh.”
- “Kayden seems like a very wise young lady. I look forward to seeing how she portrays Scout’s coming of age tale. Just don’t be a Drew .”
What did you think of Kayden Tokarski’s interview on State of Mind? Sound off in the comments below, and check back for more General Hospital cast news and updates.