This is an episode of What Could Be Bad where Benj interviews Lita Abella, a former LAPD officer, attorney, author, coach, and public speaker who joined him in North County, San Diego to discuss her work on trauma, resilience, and mental health. Lita opens up about enduring childhood physical abuse from her mother, marrying at 17 to escape her household, and navigating subsequent challenges including a first marriage to a husband with alcohol and drug problems — experiences she didn't recognize as trauma until writing her book. The conversation explores her "Abella model" for processing trauma, which includes steps like identifying the issue and "Link and Leverage" — connecting the pieces and applying action such as therapy, coaching, or support groups. They close by discussing positive cultural shifts in law enforcement around mandated mental health training, the importance of organizations holding regular check-ins for high-stress professions, and the self-assessment tools available on Lita's website to help people take a first step toward seeking support.

In this inspiring episode, host Benj sits down with renowned social entrepreneur John Wood, whose life journey — from a chance encounter on a trek in Nepal to founding the global literacy organization ⁠Room to Read⁠ — offers a masterclass in purpose-driven living. John shares how a simple promise made to a Nepalese headmaster sparked a career-defining mission, and how that same spirit of action led him to create ⁠U-Go University⁠, an initiative dedicated to helping ambitious young women in low-income countries access university education and meaningful careers. With 6,700 scholars across nine countries and a goal of reaching 10,001, John breaks down how U-Go's lean, volunteer-powered model is creating outsized impact for just $800 per student per year. The conversation weaves between global equity, mental resilience, and the profound personal fulfillment that comes from choosing work that is bigger than yourself — a must-listen for anyone seeking purpose and positive change in the world.

Artist, MILCK, joins Benj Gershman for the premiere of Season Three of ⁠⁠What Could Be Bad⁠⁠ on the first day of Mental Health Awareness Month 2026. Stemming from Connie Lim's (aka MILCK) Chinese heritage, the discussion moves from historical beginnings to a modern day lens maintaining personall and professionally as an artist within American Culture, while speaking to a global audience. Respect for and from both sides is evident throughout the heartfelt and honest discussion.

In his transformative TEDxVailYouth Talk, Original Member of O.A.R. and "What Could Be Bad" podcast host Benj Gershman revolutionizes how we approach mental health by revealing why developing psychological resilience today is as essential as buckling your seatbelt before a crash. Drawing from his multi-decade journey as a performing musician and mental wellness advocate, Gershman shares accessible, preventative tools that can safeguard your mind against life's inevitable emotional collisions before they happen. With the compelling urgency of someone who's navigated both the highs and lows of public performance, he offers a roadmap for building the mental fitness that will protect you when—not if—challenging moments arrive, potentially saving your life just like the seatbelts we now take for granted. Benj is a multi-decade performing musician (Original Member of O.A.R.), podcast host (What Could Be Bad), and activist dedicated to promoting healthier living through mental well-being, resilience, and creativity. His talk focuses on preventative tools and actions we can all access that will set us up for any potentially challenging mental health issues we may face. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.

Filmed on location at Walking Mountains in Avon, CO, in front of a live audience, host Benj Gershman speaks with Dr. Paige Baker-Braxton, PsyD of Vail Health Behavioral Health. The two discuss Paige's personal history, challenges managing a demanding career while balancing life at home, and on the verge of adding to her busy schedule being an integral part of opening the new Precourt Healing Center in Edwards CO. A Q&A period followed the discussion with meaningful engagement by interested community members, including children.

Both originally from Montgomery County Maryland, Benj Gershman and Melissa Doman, connect at the Roots Music Project in Boulder, Colorado for an intimate and purposeful conversation. Discussing personal experiences in the mental health field, Mel discloses some of the most challenging circumstances she encountered as a former therapist and how it drove her work around workplace mental health. Looking forward, the two discuss their fireside interview, From the Stage to the Office, addressing Lessons on Mental Health at Work for businesses, conferences, and teams globally. Go to www.whatcouldbebad.com for more info.