Rephonic
Artwork for Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health

Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health

Mad in America
Mental Health
Antidepressants
Psychiatry
Psychosis
Psychology
Social Justice
Neoliberalism
Depression
Psychotherapy
Polypharmacy
Mental Health Care
Youth Mental Health
Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal
Radical Acceptance
Mental Health System
Single Session Interventions
Withdrawal Symptoms
Education
Anxiety
Informed Consent

Welcome to the Mad in America podcast, a weekly discussion that searches for the truth about psychiatric prescription drugs and mental health care worldwide. Hosted by James Moore, this podcast is part of Mad in America's mission to serve as a catalyst for rethinking psychiatric care. We believe that the current drug-based paradigm of care has failed our society and that scientific research, as we... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes299Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Health & FitnessMental HealthMedicine

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health

Latest Episodes

Jussi Valtonen is a neuropsychologist, an adjunct researcher with the Finnish Centre for Evidence-Based Orthopedics (FICEBO), a professor of writing at the University of the Arts Helsinki, and a columnist for the Finnish Medical Journal. He works c... more

YouTube

Born in Germany and raised in Denmark, Fiona Frenzen is a qualified teacher with a master's degree in anthropology. For years, she had a dream about living in Iceland, seeking the grounding and healing effect of nature. But due to her health challeng... more

YouTube

Marsha Zaritsky is a licensed mental health therapist certified in Internal Family Systems.

She joins us to explain how her experience with polypharmacy and psychiatric drug withdrawal has changed and informed how she practices.

***

Thank you f... more

YouTube

Eric Jarvis is a Professor of Psychiatry at McGill University whose work brings attention to areas often overlooked in mainstream psychiatry, including religion, coercion, the social determinants of psychosis, and culture. He directs the Cultural Con... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Fiona Frenzen
Anthropology graduate, former teacher, and advocate focused on antidepressant withdrawal and awareness
Independent researcher/educator in Iceland
Episode: Anthropology, Arctic Iceland and Antidepressant Withdrawal: A Conversation With Fiona Frenzen
Marsha Zaritsky
Licensed mental health therapist, certified in Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Licensed in Idaho and Washington
Episode: Meeting Life Unmedicated: Aging, Protracted Withdrawal and Healing - A Conversation With Marsha Zaritsky
Eric Jarvis
Cultural psychiatrist, McGill University
McGill University
Episode: Faith, Culture, and Coercion: An Interview with Cultural Psychiatrist G. Eric Jarvis
Beatrice Birch
Founder and director of Inner Fire, a residential program in rural Vermont
Inner Fire
Episode: Kindling Our Inner Fire: A Residential Program Where Drug Tapering is the Norm
Justin Garson
Philosopher and historian of science at the City University of New York
City University of New York
Episode: The Madness Pill: How Psychedelics and Stimulants Shaped Biological Psychiatry — An Interview with Justin Garson
Kelsey Osgood
Author of How to Disappear Completely on Modern Anorexia and Godstruck
Author
Episode: Finding God and Leaving Psychiatry: An Interview With Kelsey Osgood
Prateeksha Sharma
Writer and mental health advocate whose work critiques psychiatric systems and foregrounds survivor perspectives
Episode: "Everybody Can Recover": Fighting Psychiatric Subjectivation and Helping Others Along the Way: An Interview with Prateeksha Sharma
Linda Michaels
Psychologist in private practice; co-founder and chair of Psychotherapy Action Network (PsiAN)
Psychotherapy Action Network (PsiAN)
Episode: The Fight for the Soul of Psychotherapy: An Interview with Linda Michaels
Agnes Higgins
Nurse, researcher, and former professor of mental health at Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College Dublin
Episode: Examining Psychiatric Medication Tapering and Withdrawal: The Evolving Role of Pharmacists — A Conversation with Agnes Higgins and Cathal Cadogan

Hosts

James Moore
Co-host and interviewer focusing on historical, ethical, and policy dimensions of mental health care.
Brooke Seam
Co-host and interviewer with emphasis on science, nutrition, and patient perspectives.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 361 ratings
  • Rethinking Mental Health

    Very enlightening conversation. I’ve found compliance model and lack of humility by PHD’s infuriating! Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NappyDresser
    United States2 months ago
  • Lack of actual experience is obvious

    Please leave Pleasantville and come spend some time in inpatient psych units across Appalachia, then tell me how we should give less antipsychotics and present a more calming presence instead. Don't fret about the time off you'll need, you'll be singing a different tune in a week or less.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    RainbowBright79
    United States5 months ago
  • Life-Giving.

    Life-Changing….this organization’s work has been to me. This podcast makes it even more accessible for my disability. Thank you 🙏for doing work that matters, and for seeking (and succeeding) to do it well.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TemptingTheMuse
    United States9 months ago
  • very valuable podcast

    I have texted many episodes to people whose families are told the same “no cure, lifelong medication story” that many doctors follow. This podcast gives alternative views and perspectives and solutions that have helped people I know recover. The focus is on recovery not treatment. Thanks for these podcasts !

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sat88&&
    United Statesa year ago
  • Life-changing for long-term medication users

    This podcast is a salve for people like me who feel alone in the psychiatric journey after spending the past two decades wrestling with medication. I was looking for a show that would serve as both a reference as well as a confidence booster as I try to taper off psychotropic drugs for good. The hosts ask great questions and the carefully curated guests are smart and informative. I love that this show doesn’t undermine the intelligence of its listeners by dumbing down the subject matter. Thank y... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Genesee10
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A vital voice challenging pharma-dominant narratives in mental health.
Accessible yet rigorous; great for listeners who want depth without jargon.
Thoughtful critique of psychiatry with strong emphasis on patient stories.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Anthropology, Arctic Iceland and Antidepressant Withdrawal: A Conversation With Fiona Frenzen
Q: Can you tell me a little bit about acceptance and how that has played a role in your recovery?
Fiona explains that acceptance helps manage ongoing sadness, grief, and lingering symptoms, enabling her to live independently in Iceland, slowly rebuild her health, and recognize the necessity of gradual healing rather than fighting every symptom alone.
Anthropology, Arctic Iceland and Antidepressant Withdrawal: A Conversation With Fiona Frenzen
Q: Can you start there and tell us how the journey began?
Fiona describes the onset of withdrawal in fall 2022, the realization that her symptoms matched withdrawal from Sertraline, and the long, challenging process of tapering from high doses while coping with OCD and trauma.
Kindling Our Inner Fire: A Residential Program Where Drug Tapering is the Norm
Q: How do you handle safety and the potential for violence during tapering?
The episode discusses five acts of violence over 11 years, emphasizes prevention through grounding (jump rope, garden work), and outlines protocols for removing individuals when necessary while maintaining safety for others.
Kindling Our Inner Fire: A Residential Program Where Drug Tapering is the Norm
Q: What are the costs and funding considerations for a year-long program like this?
Birch explains the total cost around $237,000 per year, with two-thirds of participants receiving financial aid through fundraising, and notes the lack of insurance coverage and state funding in many cases.
Kindling Our Inner Fire: A Residential Program Where Drug Tapering is the Norm
Q: What does a typical day look like for seekers at Inner Fire?
A structured day begins early with meals, walks, and a morning circle, followed by hands-on activities (kitchen work, gardening), and a rich schedule of therapies in the afternoon, all with a focus on grounding and community.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health

What is Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show leans into critical perspectives on psychiatry, medications, and mental health care, frequently hosting researchers, clinicians, and people with lived experience to challenge mainstream pharmacological paradigms. Conversations often explore historical, cultural, and policy dimensions of treatment, with a strong emphasis on recovery, humane approaches, and patient empowerment. Notable strengths include rigorously sourced discussions, a willingness to critique industry-driven practices, and a usefully accessible bridge between scholarly critique and personal experience. Potential listeners who seek thoughtful critique of the biomedical model and practical recovery-oriented insights will likely find it compelling for staying informed ... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health:

1. Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast
2. Therapist Uncensored Podcast
3. The Curiosity Shop with Brené Brown and Adam Grant
4. Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson
5. ZOE Science & Nutrition

How many episodes of Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health are there?

Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health launched 9 years ago and published 299 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health?

Recent guests on Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health include:

1. Fiona Frenzen
2. Marsha Zaritsky
3. Eric Jarvis
4. Beatrice Birch
5. Justin Garson
6. Kelsey Osgood
7. Prateeksha Sharma
8. Linda Michaels

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days