A Life-Altering Experience
After a life-altering experience of being involuntarily confined in a mental ward in New York City in 2014—an unnecessary and deeply challenging ordeal—I spent years rebuilding my sense of self and purpose.
A Vision for Safe Spaces
Today, my work focuses on creating a global network of safe and empowering spaces, led by peers who truly understand, for those navigating emotional and psychosocial challenges.
Journey & Personal Turning Points
My journey began with loss. My father, Gary S. Johnson, died when I was 13. His struggle with societal pressures taught me the cost of a world that doesn’t offer enough safe spaces. In my teenage years, punk music gave me a voice to question the systems around me. Later, moving between Berlin and New York City, I experienced cultural contrasts that deepened my understanding of connection, creativity, and resilience.
Professional Experiences
My professional journey has been as diverse as it is enriching. In New York City, I worked for years under the leadership of Barbara Corcoran at her real estate company, where I learned how a female-dominated organization operates with unique strength and cohesion. As a manager at the Soho office of the Corcoran Group, Jim Gricar taught me how to lead through adversity, especially during the turbulent days following 9/11. From Alon Ben Meir, my personal coach, I gained valuable skills in negotiation and strategic planning.
In Berlin, my early career was shaped by artistic endeavors, from working in theater, music, and film to bartending at live music venues. These roles fueled my creative spirit and helped me connect with diverse communities. One of the most unique chapters of my life was working as a cab driver in Berlin during the fall of the Berlin Wall, witnessing history unfold firsthand.
This combination of artistic and business experiences informs my work today, blending creativity with strategic thinking as I develop RECASAS and advocate for a more compassionate approach to emotional well-being.
Mentors
Throughout my life, I’ve been guided and inspired by many incredible mentors, but none more so than my mother. She is the most resilient and strongest person I know, and I owe all my strength to her. Her unwavering support, even in my most challenging times, and her ability to face life’s hardships with courage and determination have been my greatest source of inspiration.
I’ve also had the privilege of learning from others who shaped my journey. My stepfather, Dr. Josef Dieter Stein, taught me to think on a global scale and value family connections. My father, Gary S. Johnson, instilled in me a love for literature and the arts that continues to guide my creative pursuits. Ben Vereen, my direct neighbor in Brooklyn for 4 years, profoundly influenced my storytelling and creative expression. His friendship and inspiration during pivotal years of my life reinforced my belief in the power of art to heal and inspire.
Mentors like Barbara Corcoran, Jim Gricar, and Alon Ben Meir influenced my professional approach, teaching me resilience, leadership, and strategic thinking. Together, they form a foundation of wisdom and guidance that informs everything I do today.
Education & Creative Expression
My studies in business, psychology, and media philosophy across Germany, the U.S., and Switzerland have all fed my passion for reimagining systems of care. Whether performing at storytelling events, writing poetry, participating at poetry slam events, or developing RECASAS, I find creative expression to be a powerful catalyst for resilience and connection. I am also working on a memoir that I hope to publish one day, sharing my journey of reclaiming myself after a life-altering experience and advocating for a more compassionate world.
Building Resilience Through Connection
Through RECASAS, my creative endeavors, and public speaking, I am dedicated to nurturing emotional resilience through connection and creativity.
Vision for the Future
Together, we can create a world where emotional struggles are met with humanity, creativity, and support. Through RECASAS and beyond, I’m committed to making peer-supported, non-medical care accessible to future generations. Let’s rewrite the story of mental well-being—one creative space at a time.
