From the stage to the office

lessons on mental health at work

Co-Fireside Interview

Photo credit: Dominique D'Costa

“There's not enough social permission to foster preventative conversations that could transform the trajectory of people's mental health. This lack of permission stifles opportunities for early intervention and prevention.”

- Benj Gershman, original bassist of O.A.R.

Mental health at work matters in every industry, not just "traditional" ones.

The original bassist of O.A.R. and host of the What Could Be Bad podcast, Benj Gershman, and Organizational Psychologist, Mental Health at Work Specialist, & Author of Yes, You Can Talk About Mental Health at Work (Here's Why and How To Do It Really Well), Melissa Doman, M.A. want to bring this candid, and necessary, conversation into as many spaces as possible.

AUTHENTICITY

ADVOCACY

ACTION

This co-fireside interview will explore:

✔️ The connection between mental health and work identity

✔️ The importance of acknowledging intention versus impact when it comes to empathy at work

✔️ Why we need to challenge ongoing assumptions about behavioral health in non-traditional industries

✔️ Addressing misconceptions about common mental health struggles

✔️ Actionable strategies to manage mental wellbeing and start talking about mental health in any workplace

KEY CONVERSATION THEMES

It's time to de-stigmatize mental health conversations across all industries and enable real change in how people have those conversations.

Original bassist of O.A.R. and podcast host of What Could Be Bad

BENJ GERSHMAN

Benj Gershman is an American musician, podcast host, and community activist committed to improving lives through music, storytelling, and advocacy. As an original member of the band O.A.R., Benj has had the honor and privilege of meeting people from all walks of life while performing on his annual national tours in the U.S.’s most iconic venues and recording in some of the most industry-respected studios.

As a philanthropist and advocate at heart, Benj helped establish Heard the World in 2006, a non-profit fund that has donated over $1M dollars to youth and education programs worldwide. He also founded Look At Life, an artist collective based in New York City that pioneered leveraging online media contests to help artists secure art exhibitions in real estate developments, hotels, and event venues such as world-renowned Central Park Summerstage.

Benj also created and hosts the podcast and platform, What Could Be Bad, which elevates and de-stigmatizes mental health conversations through personal story-telling. During the first two seasons, he has hosted guests like Flavor Flav, Chef Robert Irvine, Brady Watt, and Noelle Scaggs, and more.

Organizational Psychologist and Author of Yes, You Can Talk About Mental Health at Work

Melissa Doman, MA

Melissa Doman, MA is an ​​Organizational Psychologist, Former Clinical Mental Health Therapist, & Author of Yes, You Can Talk About Mental Health at Work (Here’s Why And How To Do It Really Well). Melissa works with companies across industries around the globe – including clients like Google, Dow Jones, the Orlando City Soccer Club, Microsoft, Salesforce, Siemens, Estée Lauder, & Janssen.

She’s spoken at SXSW, has been featured as a subject matter expert in CNN, Vogue, NPR, Fast Company, the BBC, CNBC, Inc., and in LinkedIn’s 2022 Top 10 Voices on Mental Health. Having lived abroad in South Korea, England, Australia and traveled to nearly 50 countries, she calls upon her global experiences to inform how she works with companies around the world.

Melissa has one core goal: to equip companies, individuals, and leaders to have constructive conversations about mental health, team dynamics, and communication in the workplace. Her work and book aim to accomplish just that.

Faqs about “From the Stage to the office:”

  • It is available both virtually and in-person.

  • The event is 1-1.25 hours in length.

  • Businesses, summits, conferences, and any events