SHOW NOTES
In this episode of Mental Notes with Matt, I sit down with award-winning playwright and screenwriter Samuel Brett Williams to talk about what it really means to tell the truth on stage, in life, and with yourself.

Brett’s work doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable. He writes the kind of stories that spark walkouts, raise eyebrows, and, more importantly, invite reflection. We talk about his journey from Arkansas to New York and back again, the inner battles of imposter syndrome, the fear of not being good enough, and the emotional courage it takes to put something honest into the world.

Whether you’re an artist, a creative, or just someone trying to live a little more truthfully, this conversation is a powerful reminder that telling the truth might be the most radical thing we can do, and the most freeing.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why Brett believes every great story starts with discomfort

• How fear, grief, and personal loss shaped his creative path

• The tension between artistic integrity and audience approval

• Lessons from theater that apply to real life

• The quiet power of building something authentic, one brick at a time

Guest Bio:

Samuel Brett Williams is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter. His work has been developed and produced at theaters across the country, including Cherry Lane Theatre, New York Theatre Workshop, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He is also a professor of writing and the founder of Southern Theater Company in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Connect with Brett:

Follow Brett's Theater Company: https://www.instagram.com/southern_theatre_company/

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs a reminder that it’s okay to speak honestly, even if it makes people uncomfortable.

For more episodes, visit mentalnoteswithmatt.com or follow @mentalnoteswithmatt on Instagram.

Show Notes

In this episode of Mental Notes, host Matt engages in a heartfelt conversation with Jamie Hannigan about the importance of living authentically and embracing one's truth. They discuss the challenges of navigating relationships, the impact of ADHD, and the journey of self-discovery through parenting. Jamie shares her experiences of heartbreak and resilience, emphasizing the value of surrounding oneself with diverse perspectives. The conversation highlights the significance of authenticity in both personal and professional realms, encouraging listeners to honor their truth and advocate for themselves and others.

In this episode, we discuss:

• • The importance of staying true to oneself.
  • Surrounding oneself with diverse perspectives enriches life.
  • Heartbreak can be a profound teacher in relationships.
  • ADHD can manifest differently in individuals, often misunderstood.
  • Parenting can lead to significant self-discovery and growth.
  • Authenticity attracts genuine connections and relationships.
  • The courage to speak one's truth is a powerful act.
  • Using one's platform for advocacy is essential.
  • Living authentically can be both freeing and challenging.
  • Healing begins when one aligns with their true self.

• Follow her creations:

  Instagram: @stagestarsnj

  FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/stagestarsproductions/

  Let’s Connect:

  🌐 Website: ⁠mentalnoteswithmatt.com⁠

  📧 Email: ⁠mentalnoteswithmatt@gmail.com⁠

  📸 Instagram: @mental_notes_with_matt

  🎵 TikTok: @mental.notes.with.matt

  If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with someone who might need to hear it today.

Show Notes

In this episode of Mental Notes with Matt, I’m joined by longtime friend and creative force Ray McAnally. Ray is an actor, writer, traveler, and one of the most present people I know. We explore how getting outside of our daily rhythms, especially through travel, can create powerful shifts in our perspective and deepen our empathy.

Ray shares stories from his travels, reflecting on how being immersed in different cultures, histories, and landscapes has helped him reconnect to himself and others. We talk about the healing power of nature, the vulnerability of being seen outside your comfort zone, and the beauty of living with curiosity instead of control.

This conversation is a gentle invitation to look up, look around, and maybe even plan your own reset.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How travel can awaken empathy and disrupt personal narratives

• The difference between escape and expansion

• Why slowing down helps us hear ourselves more clearly

• Reconnecting to childlike awe through movement and nature

• Storytelling as a bridge between personal experience and shared humanity

Ray McAnally is an actor, producer, writer, and storyteller whose work spans television, film, and theater. A deep thinker with an infectious sense of humor, Ray brings heart and curiosity into everything he does. His current project, Raymond’s Where, explores history, place, and people through the lens of storytelling.

Follow his adventures and creations:

Website: raymcanally.com

Instagram: @raymondswhere

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/dailyfiberfilms

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2197708/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

Let’s Connect:

🌐 Website: ⁠mentalnoteswithmatt.com⁠

📧 Email: ⁠mentalnoteswithmatt@gmail.com⁠

📸 Instagram: @mental_notes_with_matt

🎵 TikTok: @mental.notes.with.matt

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with someone who might need to hear it today.