Tony Mantor Stops By To Talk About Music, Producing And His New Podcast Show, Why Not Me!

By Robert White, Editor-In-Chief

For most of his life, Tony Mantor has been a quiet force behind the scenes of Nashville's music industry. A seasoned producer, accomplished pianist, and record label founder, Mantor’s career has spanned decades and genres. But in recent years, his focus has shifted from the studio to the podcast mic, championing a cause that few in the entertainment world are bold enough to tackle: autism and mental health advocacy.

With his critically acclaimed podcast Why Not Me topping charts across Spotify and Apple Podcasts, Mantor is now launching a powerful new series, Humanity Over Handcuffs: The Silent Crisis, timed with Autism Acceptance Month. The series dives into how autistic individuals—and those with broader mental health challenges—are being misunderstood, mistreated, and mishandled within the legal and law enforcement systems.

“The series isn’t about placing blame,” Mantor explains. “It’s about elevating the conversation and creating solution-driven strategies that promote empathy over punishment. It’s time we start asking different questions—not just in the U.S., but globally.”

The upcoming episodes will feature conversations with high-profile figures such as former U.S. Representatives Patrick J. Kennedy and Dr. Tim Murphy, as well as judges, attorneys, police officers, and clinical experts. Each guest brings a unique perspective to a pressing issue: what happens when the justice system fails those with neurological differences?

Mantor’s journey into advocacy began not in a boardroom, but in the quiet of the pandemic lockdowns. With recording sessions on pause, he found himself reflecting on how to use his voice for good. That reflection led to the song Why Not Me, originally penned by a friend, but instantly resonant. “It was like he wrote it for me,” Mantor recalls. “It’s a message about never giving up. That message, in turn, gave me a mission.”

What began as a music video supporting first responders quickly evolved. After a speech therapist working with autistic children reached out, Mantor pivoted, creating a new version of the video centered around autism awareness. It went viral, pulling him deeper into the world of neurodiversity advocacy. “I didn’t know anything about autism before this,” he admits. “But I knew I had to learn—and I had to help.”

From there, Mantor launched Why Not Me The World, a podcast aimed at demystifying autism through deeply personal storytelling. With more than 750,000 downloads in 82 countries, the podcast has become a lifeline for families, clinicians, and self-advocates navigating a world that often misunderstands them. It’s ranked in the top 0.5% of podcasts worldwide by Listen Notes.

In 2024, Mantor pushed even further, producing 61 consecutive episodes throughout Autism and Mental Health Awareness Months, spotlighting topics from schizophrenia to ADHD. The response was overwhelming. “People need a space to be heard,” he says. “And that’s what this show has become—a space for truth, for nuance, for compassion.”

But hosting such emotionally charged content isn’t without its weight. “It’s changed me,” he confesses. “The stigma I once carried—just from ignorance—is gone. Now, I want to understand people before I judge. I want to know if someone was failed by the system before I label them a criminal.”

It’s that level of depth, honesty, and courage that defines Mantor’s work. Whether producing music in Nashville or moderating a podcast on global mental health, Tony Mantor is determined to put humanity at the center of every story.

You can stream Why Not Me? Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide on all major platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartMedia, and Amazon—or directly at TonyMantor.com and WhyNotMe.

🎧 Also listen to the full conversation with Tony Mantor? On Spotify or wherever you listen to Audio podcasts. Tune in to his episode on The Savoir Faire Audio Experience—streaming now.