What happens when telling the truth costs you everything… and then changes everything? In this episode of The Med Free Mental Fitness Podcast , host Katinka Blackford Newman speaks to whistleblower Blair Hamrick, a former pharmaceutical sales representative who took on GlaxoSmithKline and helped expose one of the largest healthcare fraud cases in history. His testimony contributed to a $3 billion settlement with the US government. Under whistleblower law, he received $31 million. But this is not...
Apr 09, 2026•36 min•Season 2Ep. 13
In this episode of the Med Free Mental Fitness podcast, I am joined by Brooke Siem, author of 'May Cause Side Effects.' Brooke shares her personal journey of being placed on antidepressants as a teenager following her father's sudden death, the side effects she experienced over 15 years, and her life-altering decision to come off the medication. Discover how Brooke navigated the challenging withdrawal process, rebuilt her mental health through practical tools and self-awareness, and now advocate...
Dec 26, 2025•40 min•Season 2Ep. 12
In this thought-provoking episode, host Katinka Blackford Newman sits down with Dr. Sami Timimi—consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and author of "Searching for Normal"—to explore the dramatic rise in psychiatric diagnoses among children. Together, they question whether we are truly uncovering hidden illnesses or simply pathologising normal human variation, stress, and distress. Dr. Timimi shares his decades of experience inside mental health services and explains why ...
Nov 26, 2025•45 min•Season 2Ep. 11
In this episode of the Med Free Mental Fitness podcast, hosted by Katinka Blackford Newman, we dive deep into the topic of insomnia with special guest Miranda Levy. Miranda, an accomplished journalist and author, shares her harrowing personal journey through severe insomnia following a sudden and traumatic end to her marriage in 2010. Her battle with sleep deprivation led to a prolonged and complicated relationship with various psychotropic drugs, which only exacerbated her condition. Miranda di...
Nov 10, 2025•46 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Join host Katinka Blackford Newman on The Med Free Mental Fitness Podcast as she dives into the topic of psychosis with Eugene Larkin, author of 'Seeking Soteria.' Eugene shares his experiences at the radical Soteria House project, where individuals with schizophrenia and psychosis were supported without medication. Discover the origins of Soteria Houses, the significant impact of offering presence over medication, and real-life success stories of those who thrived under this compassionate care ...
Oct 18, 2025•39 min•Season 2Ep. 9
In this powerful episode, host Katinka Blackford Newman sits down with writer and speaker Mary Ann Kenny to discuss her extraordinary journey through grief, mental health challenges, and recovery and her new book The Episode. After the sudden loss of her husband, Mary Ann faced overwhelming grief that led to the prescription of an antidepressant which resulted in a severe adverse reaction. This led to led to a psychotic episode and a harrowing experience within the mental healthcare system. She ...
Sep 30, 2025•48 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Join host Katinka Blackford Newman and guest Philippe Tahon, London-based psychotherapist and author of "Shrink, the Diet for the Mind," for a deep dive into the world of weight loss, emotional eating, and the new wave of weight loss jabs. This episode explores why diets often fail, the emotional roots of overeating, and how to find true freedom with food—without medication. Timecoded Highlights: 00:00 – Introduction: Katinka welcomes listeners and introduces the episode’s focus on weight loss, ...
Sep 16, 2025•30 min•Season 2Ep. 7
The Hidden Harms of Psychiatric Medications: A Conversation with Robert Whitaker In this episode of the Med Free Mental Fitness podcast, host Katinka Blackford Newman interviews Robert Whitaker, an award-winning journalist and founder of MAD in America. They discuss the long-term harms of psychiatric medications, particularly antidepressants and ADHD stimulants, and challenge the mainstream narrative that these drugs are universally beneficial. Whitaker shares insights from his groundbreaking bo...
Jul 09, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 6
In this episode of The Med Free Mental Fitness Podcast, we expose the potential harms of ADHD medication and challenge the surge in ADHD diagnoses. Host Katinka Blackford Newman interviews Joseph Pack, founder of Drug-Free ADHD ( https://drugfreeadhd.org/ ) who shares his personal journey with ADHD diagnosis and his decision to manage it without drugs. They discuss the long-term risks associated with ADHD medications, the impact of Big Pharma, and alternative management techniques such as breath...
Jun 15, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In this episode, host Katinka Blackford Newman explores the causes of depression and the myth of the chemical imbalance. Her guest is psychiatrist Professor Joanna Moncrieff, author of a groundbreaking new book 'Chemically Imbalanced' which has caused waves in the media. Her book exposes how we have all been sold a lie: that mental illness, particularly depression has been proved to be caused by a chemical imbalance that medication can cure. They explore the alternative explanations for the caus...
May 27, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Medication, Mental Illness, and Murder: Unraveling the Crespi Tragedy In this episode, Katinka Blackford Newman interviews Ed Jones, the author of a compelling new book, 'Medication, Mental Illness, and Murder: What Killed the Crespi Twins.' The discussion delves into the tragic story of David Crespi, who murdered his twin daughters while under the influence of the antidepressant Prozac, which can have rare but severe side effects, including psychosis and violence. Jones shares his personal conn...
May 05, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Unmasking Mental Health: Laura Delano's Journey through Misdiagnosis and Recovery. In this thought-provoking episode of The Med Free Mental Fitness Podcast, life coach, journalist, and author Katinka Blackford Newman engages in a deep conversation with Laura Delano, author of 'Unshrunk? How the Mental Health Industry Took Over My Life and My Fight to Get it Back.' Laura shares her harrowing experience of being diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 14, enduring 14 years of psychiatric treatments, an...
Apr 16, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Navigating Mental Health Challenges: A Conversation with Rachel Kelly In this episode of the Med free Mental Fitness Podcast, host Katinka Blackford Newman speaks with bestselling author and mental health ambassador Rachel Kelly. Rachel shares her personal experiences with severe depression, the impact it had on her family, and her struggles with various medications. She discusses her journey to recovery, the importance of feeling empowered, and her skepticism toward the chemical imbalance narra...
Mar 27, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 1
