Schizophrenia: Three Moms in the Trenches
Voices from the place where schizophrenia and real life collide
Schizophrenia in the Family. How do we cope? How can we help? We each have adult sons with schizophrenia and have written acclaimed books about it. We say it like it is, to help families, practitioners and those with SMI (serious mental illness) feel less alone...and learn. Randye Kaye, Mindy Greiling, Miriam Feldman...and guests.
Two more riveting memoirs from fellow MRQs (Mothers who Refused to Quit) Mindy Greiling and Miriam Feldman affected me so much I had to get in touch – and this new podcast was born:
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What do we talk about?
Well, the truth. And we have guests, too. Some topics:
What’s Broken About the Mental Health system? – and how can it be fixed?
Early Detection
Conservatorship
The Voices
What Is Schizophrenia? What is it like?
Housing
Psychosis
Recovery
Family Loss and Needs
Where can you find it? Lots of places!
Audio: right here at randyekaye.com (see below) or wherever you get your podcasts. Apple/iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or here on our host site buzzsprout.
Video:
our YouTube channel for this podcast Schizophrenia: three Moms in the Trenches
Randye’s youtube channel for Ben Behind his Voices speeches and interviews
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SZ3MomsTrenches
please comment, subscribe, and share!
Who Are We?
Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”)
Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”
Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)
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thank you! please comment, subscribe and share
Kimberly: (Facebook comment)
“This is one of the best podcasts I’ve heard on SMI and Schizophrenia. I have found so many resources and learned so much from the guest speakers and these three wonderful women advocates: Randye, Mindy, and Miriam. I am thankful for what you three ladies are doing. Through your podcast I have found hope and inspiration. I truly thank you for the work you are doing here.”
Jacqueline: (via Instagram comment)
” I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to tune into your podcasts. I’ve almost listened to all of them, I can’t get enough! You have impacted me greatly and I feel a part of my life has changed because of you. So, thank you!”
Susan –
A friend of a friend recommended your podcast and I can’t thank them enough for doing so. Have made my way through every episode and am so grateful for what you 3 do. I’ve shared w my Family to Family class and you have many more new listeners…Very grateful to you. Sending thanks and hope.
Christal Cori –
Thank you for this! My mother had schizophrenia, and it is great to have more conversation around this complex disease and its ripple effect.
Mary Troy
Thank you for your advocacy and for this outstanding podcast Randye! “It is what it is!”
Shelley Dillenberg, Facebook (bbhv reader group)
I listened. I feel like I personally know all 3 of you. Looking forward to the next one. I would love to join the discussion too..
Laura Baxter: (fb message)
Schizophrenia mom here. Thank you so much for sharing your story… God bless you hang in there.
Jody DeLeon:
I LOVED the first podcast and actually wanted to post it here . Is there a way to sign up for notifications with the podcast, so I can know when there is a new one ? I don’t want to miss it !
Jen Johnson
So critically REAL! Essential information and advice and incredible mothers!
Melanie Noble-Barket
♥️Thank you for providing these videos 😊 It’s just so helpful and comforting to hear your stories and experiences and to know I’m not alone in this nightmare. I also am thankful to learn about the books/authors and have read or recently ordered them all! I do wish there was an ability to have a Q&A, but I also understand the limitations.
Lynn Merritt Stewart –
Just yesterday, I listened to episode six on conservatorship. Of course, I’ve been loving every episode! Your three moms episodes have been fantastic! You’ve helped so many! Although my situation is different since I’m not dealing with schizophrenia you have also helped me! There are so many similarities with different types of mental illness! I really look forward to each new episode! Looking forward to episode seven!!
Friendship ,Madness, and the Tragedy of Good Intentions (Ep. 75)
A story about friendship, love, and the price of self-delusion, The Best Minds explores the ways in which we understand—and fail to understand—mental illness. The 3 Moms in the Trenches of Schizophrenia talk with Jonathan on this episode
Guest: Jonathan Rosen, author
The Best Minds is Jonathan Rosen's brilliant and heartbreaking account of an American tragedy. It is a story about the bonds of family, friendship, and community; the promise of intellectual achievement; and the lure of utopian solutions.
“Brave and nuanced…an act of tremendous compassion and a literary triumph.” – The New York Times
“Immensely emotional and unforgettably haunting.” – Wall Street Journal
Acclaimed author Jonathan Rosen’s haunting investigation of the forces that led his closest childhood friend, Michael Laudor, from the heights of brilliant promise to the forensic psychiatric hospital where he has lived since killing the woman he loved. A story about friendship, love, and the price of self-delusion, The Best Minds explores the ways in which we understand—and fail to understand—mental illness.
We Ask:
1. What was the main reason you wrote this book?
2. Early in the book, you note a couple times how drawn Michael was to marijuana. We all noticed that in our sons as well. Knowing what you now know, what do you say to young people about marijuana?
3. We often talk about family loss, but friendship loss is seldom addressed. Do you miss Michael - the “old” Michael? What in the friendship stayed alive for you?
4. You often reference how intelligent Michael is. When did you first suspect Michael had a serious mental illness? Did you think his intelligence would protect him?
5. When Michael thought his parents were Nazis, he patrolled the house with a kitchen knife, to the point where his mother locked herself in the bedroom and called the police. This happened years before he stabbed Carrie to death under similar circumstances. Knowing what you now know, what help should Michael have gotten to head that off?
6. Mothers like us grieve terribly when our children become ill with schizophrenia. Part of that grief is the loneliness they endure. We see their friends becoming uncomfortable around them and eventually, when they have little or nothing in common anymore, moving on with their lives. We understand this, but still, it adds to our grief. Could you describe for us how this process feels from a good friend’s perspective?
7. You noted that,” Everyone said insight was the key, but the more insight Michael got, the sadder and lonelier and angrier he became.” We have noticed that in our sons. Do you think this is part of why the mental health rights groups advocate against involuntary treatment? What is your response to their position?