Interviews with authors, researchers, and special guests

Interview with Sylvia Nasar, the author of A Beautiful Mind
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File Source: National Public Radio
File Date: Jan 2002

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A Beautiful Mind is the biography of mathematical genius and Nobel Laureate John Nash, who also suffered from schizophrenia. The book won a National Book Critics Circle Award, and inspired the movie of the same name. Nasar is a former economics correspondent for The New York Times. She is currently the Knight Professor of Journalism at Columbia University.

For more information on ordering "A Beautiful Mind", please see our recommended book section

A Conversation with John Nash Play audio - click here
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File Source: Voices in the Family public radio show
File Date: July 22, 2002

Following the release of the movie "A Beautiful Mind," Dr. Dan Gottlieb speaks with the mathematic genius and schizophrenia patient John Nash himself. Nash shares his own experiences with his illness. The host also speaks with Dr. Richard Nackamura, acting director of the National Institute of Mental Health, and Richard C. Josiassen, Ph.D., Executive Director and Chief Scientist of the Arthur P. Noyes Foundation, about current schizophrenia research and treatments.

For more information on ordering "A Beautiful Mind", please see our recommended book section

Human Behavior and Evolution Society - a talk with author Matt Ridley
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File Source: The Edge, nonprofit information organization
File Date: June 18, 2003

Matt Ridley presents his latest book "Nature Via Nurture : Genes, Experience, and What Makes Us Human". Genes are not puppet masters or blueprints. Nor are they just the carriers of heredity. They are active during life; they switch each other on and off; they respond to the environment. They may direct the construction of the body and brain in the womb, but then they set about dismantling and rebuilding what they have made almost at once—in response to experience. They are both cause and consequence of our actions. Somehow the adherents of the "nurture" side of the argument have scared themselves silly at the power and inevitability of genes and missed the greatest lesson of all: the genes are on their side.

For more information on ordering the book "Nature Via Nurture", please see our recommended books section.

Nancy Andreasen, PhD - Understanding the Mind and Brain, and Mental Illness
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File Source: National Public Radio
File Date: April 12, 2002

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Neuroimaging studies are unlocking some of the secrets of the human brain, from schizophrenia to emotions to consciousness. In this hour, broadcasting from Iowa City, we'll talk with Nancy Andreasen and Antonio Damasio--two of the world's leading brain scientists and professors at the University of Iowa--about advances in understanding the brain and the mind. More information on Dr. Nancy Andreasen

Interview with Keith Hawton (Oxford Centre for Suicide Research) on Suicide and Self-Harm Play audio - click here
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File Source: National Electronic Library for Mental Health
File Date: Jan 2003

Professor Keith Hawton is Director of the University of Oxford Centre for Suicide Research. He has been working in the field of research into suicide and deliberate self-harm for more than 25 years. His work has resulted in over 200 publications, including several books. His most recent book is The International Handbook of Suicide and Attempted Suicide. In this interview, Dr. Hawton discusses the work of the Centre for Suicide Research, the common risk factors (the largest of which is psychiatric disorder) for suicide, the role of biology and environment (for example, media influence) on suicidal behavior, and various other issues relating to self-harm.

Schizophrenia - The Way Forward Play audio - click here
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File Source: BBC Radio (All In The Mind)
File Date: July 1, 2002

Host Dr Raj Persaud chairs a special debate on schizophrenia from the Institute of Psychiatry in South London, where listeners, service users and mental health organistions can put questions to a panel of experts. Panel guests include: Professor Robin Murray
(Head of General Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, London); Cliff Prior (Chief Executive, National Schizophrenia Fellowship);Dr Hilary Foster (Assertive Outreach Service, Surrey Oaklands NHS Trust); Rufus May (Clinical psychologist diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia).

Dr. Xavier Amador Play video - click here
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File Source: Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center
File Date: Not available

Dr. Amador gives a presentation on his book "I Am Not Sick! I Don't Need Help!" This highly-recommended book (used by many schizophrenia.com members) explains why the mentally ill can't understand that they're sick, and how family members can help them accept treatment.

For more information on ordering the book "I Am Not Sick!" please see our Recommended Books section.

Diagnosis: Schizophrenia Play audio - click here
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File Source: Information Advantage public radio program
File Date: Nov 14, 2002

Interview with author Rachel Miller, author of "Diagnosis: Schizophrenia." This easy-to-read book for patients and their families covers topics such as: medication, coping skills, social services, clinical research, and more. Includes personal narratives from schizophrenia patients.

For more information on ordering the book "Diagnosis: Schizophrenia" please see our Recommended Books section.

Author Victoria Secunda - author of "When Madness Comes Home"
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File Source: National Public Radio
File Date: August 1998

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An NPR Interview with Victoria Secunda, Author, When Madness Comes Home: Help and Hope for the Families of the Mentally Ill [Hyperion, 1998] - Victoria's sister has been diagnosed as manic-depressive, paranoid schizophrenic. Families often feel responsible for mentally ill relatives, but feel powerless to help them. Guests include: Eleanor Owen - Founding board member, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill - Founding member and Executive Director, Washington Advocates for the Mentally Ill - Sibling, father, son and niece are mentally ill. The Capitol Hill shootout focused national attention on the illness that Russell Weston was diagnosed with -- paranoid schizophrenia. In the days following the shooting, Weston''s parents apologized for the violent act their son is accused of committing.

For more information on ordering the book "When Madness Comes Home", please see our Recommended Books section.

The Outsider: A Journey Into My Father's Struggle with Madness
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File Source: National Public Radio
File Date: March 14, 2000

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An interview with Nathaniel Lachenmeyer, who has written the book"The Outsider: A Journey Into My Father's Struggle with Madness." His father, Charles, was a professor of sociology who lived a normal suburban life withhis family until the onset of schizophrenia. The disease destroyed his life: he lost his job, his family, and ended up homeless. Nathaniel corresponded with his father until it became too difficult to continue. After learning of his father's death in 1995, he decided to find out what happened to him. In Nathaniel's book, "through interviews with family, friends, former colleagues and medical personnel, Lachenmeyer constructs a heartrending portrait of a man whose emotional illness eventually robbed him of everything, counterbalanced in part by the author's gradual understanding of the plight of homeless people, who are often the victims of madness and misfortune." (Pubhlisher's Weekly).

For more information on ordering the book "The Outsider", please see our Recommended Books section.