“Pain isn’t measurable” That simple line appeared as a text overlay in the opening moments of Sunday’s episode of State of Mind with General Hospital’s Maurice Benard. It became the underlying theme for everything that followed.
Viewpoints on Suffering
Father and son disagreed on how people view suffering. GH’s veteran actor who plays the role of Sonny Corinthos admitted he tends to “rank” his own pain, with his time in a mental institution at the top.
Joshua Benard saw things differently. He argued that pain isn’t a competition. Whether someone is 14 years old or lived a full life, a crisis is still a crisis, and the hurt can feel just as overwhelming.
Then Joshua went further, saying, “Well, what else is bipolar, dude?” he said. “I’ve seen you be bipolar. It’s a lot different than someone who just has anxiety, trust me.”
Maurice tried to downplay it with, “You’ve never seen me go through a manic episode.”
Still, Joshua didn’t let it go, adding, “But I’ve seen you manic.”
Sleep Deprivation and Depression
An interesting moment came when Maurice and Joshua discussed “sleep deprivation, depression, and anxiety.” Maurice wondered aloud whether more people suffer from depression than anxiety and jokingly suggested asking “ChatGPT” for the answer.
Years ago, the real-life Sonny Corinthos might have reached for an encyclopedia instead.
Moving beyond the statistics, the discussion remained personal and reflective as the pair shared their perspectives on “mental health” and life experiences.
Young Creatives in Hollywood
The duo also discussed the obstacles facing young creatives in Hollywood. The subject resonated with Joshua, who recalled feeling discouraged after an encounter with “a producer” left him questioning his career path.
Maurice Benard felt it was really bad for anyone to discourage young talent, calling it one of the “stupidest” things people in the industry can do.
Heartbreak And High Notes
The conversation then turned to Joshua’s recent breakup and how it influenced his music.
After “therapy,” Joshua said he no longer believes “deep suffering” is necessary to create meaningful songs. While heartbreak once fueled his work, he now approaches songwriting from a healthier place.
Joshua, who General Hospital fans remember as Adam, said he finds joy in creating music melodies these days rather than relying on emotional pain.
A Few Light Moments
The episode included lighter moments too. Maurice recalled a Hollywood gathering where a young Joshua was playing piano when he suddenly realized “Chris Martin of Coldplay” was standing nearby.
According to Maurice, the musician offered simple encouragement: “Don’t stop. Don’t stop at all.”
The conversation later drifted into movies, with them joking about Joshua falling asleep during the opening stretch of The Deer Hunter.
Moments like that highlighted the easy chemistry between them and left Maurice Benard suggesting a future YouTube series reviewing classic films together.
For General Hospital fans who enjoy music, Maurice also mentioned their upcoming July tour, which will feature “live performances” from Joshua.
Acoustic Closer
Wrapping up the episode, Joshua Benard performed a live acoustic song. The lyrics echoed many of the themes discussed throughout the podcast. They touched on love, separation, acceptance, and finding peace when two people see the world differently.
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