Inside Schizophrenia Podcast By Healthline Media cover art

Inside Schizophrenia

Inside Schizophrenia

By: Healthline Media
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Featuring engaging conversations and insightful interviews covering a wide range of topics including caregiving, family dynamics, and getting help for schizophrenia. Hosted by Rachel Star Withers, who lives with schizophrenia. Inside Schizophrenia brings firsthand experiences from individuals with schizophrenia, family members, caregivers, and medical experts, aiming to foster a deeper understanding of schizophrenia, shed light on its impact, and develop strategies for managing this serious mental illness. Co-hosted by Gabe Howard, new episodes are released on the third Wednesday of every month.374467 Copyright 2019-2024 Psych Central/Healthline Media. All rights reserved. Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Understanding Psychosis for Loved Ones and Caregivers

    Understanding Psychosis for Loved Ones and Caregivers
    Jul 16 2025
    Psychosis is a state of impaired reality which may include hallucinations and delusions. Experiencing psychosis can impair your functioning and have a negative effect on various aspects of your daily life, such as work, school, and the ability to maintain relationships. Being in a state of psychosis can be extremely frightening and confusing. Many times, it can be difficult for loved ones, caregivers, and even medical professionals to understand what it's like to experience psychosis. Host Rachel Star Withers, a diagnosed schizophrenic, and co-host Gabe Howard discuss what psychosis is like and how you can help someone who is experiencing psychosis in this episode of Inside Schizophrenia. Clinical psychologist Dr. Aaron Brinen joins as the guest. Dr. Brinen is the co-developer of recovery-oriented cognitive therapy (CT-R), and has been active in adapting CT-R for different settings and training therapists from around the world. He also has a new book out, “Living Well with Psychosis.” Our guest, Dr. Aaron P. Brinen, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist in private practice, where he employs evidence-based treatments to help people recover from serious mental health conditions. He is also Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Brinen is a co-developer of recovery-oriented cognitive therapy (CT-R), and has been active in adapting CT-R for different settings and training therapists from around the world. Our host, Rachel Star Withers, creates videos documenting her schizophrenia, ways to manage and let others like her know they are not alone and can still live an amazing life. She has written Lil Broken Star: Understanding Schizophrenia for Kids and a tool for schizophrenics, To See in the Dark: Hallucination and Delusion Journal. Fun Fact: She has wrestled alligators. To learn more about Rachel, please visit her website, RachelStarLive.com. Our cohost, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 mins
  • Advocacy for Schizophrenia and Serious Mental Illnesses

    Advocacy for Schizophrenia and Serious Mental Illnesses
    Jun 18 2025
    The story of schizophrenia has too often been told through a lens of fear and misunderstanding. But that’s changing. Thanks to relentless advocates, awareness campaigns, and policy reform, stigma is being challenged and access to care is improving. But how do we join this fight? What does real advocacy look like — and where do we even begin? In this episode, host Rachel Star Withers, who lives with schizophrenia, and co-host Gabe Howard share their own advocacy journeys and break down the many ways you can make a difference. Joining them is Dr. Tracy Hicks, a doctor of nursing practice and dual certified psychiatric and family nurse practitioner. With years of hands-on experience pushing for mental health reform, Dr. Hicks offers insight into what effective advocacy really takes — from the clinic to the capitol. Guest Information: Dr. Tracy Hicks, MBA, APRN, FNP- BC, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, FIAAN, FAANP Doctor of Nursing Practice, Dual Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Founder and CEO, Director of Clinical Services Founder and CEO of C-Trilogy, Dr. Hicks has been an advocate in the mental health community for many years as well as actively involved in attempts to make changes in legislation to break down barriers to care. C-Trilogy Comprehensive clinical care was established by Dr. Tracy Hicks as a for-profit entity in 2015, and in 2020 the Non-profit sector C-Trilogy Outreach was founded to answer the needs of the community during and after the pandemic. Dr. Hicks is an experienced speaker with several appearances and presentations across the country, primarily in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB), Social Determinants of Health (SDoH), Emotional Intelligence (EI), Leadership, and substance use disorder treatment. She also serves as an advisor, consultant, and speaker in the pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, she is certified in addictions nursing and was inducted into the Fellows of the International Academy of Addiction Nurses in 2019 and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners in 2021. She is a clinic owner and non-profit founder. She serves as Vice President of Texas Nurse Practitioners. She believes that “restricted NP practice anywhere is restricted access to care everywhere.” https://www.ctrilogyoutreach.org Our host, Rachel Star Withers, creates videos documenting her schizophrenia, ways to manage and let others like her know they are not alone and can still live an amazing life. She has written Lil Broken Star: Understanding Schizophrenia for Kids and a tool for schizophrenics, To See in the Dark: Hallucination and Delusion Journal. Fun Fact: She has wrestled alligators. To learn more about Rachel, please visit her website, RachelStarLive.com. Our cohost, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    42 mins
  • Why “Just Take Your Meds” Isn’t So Simple: Schizophrenia and the Med Adherence Dilemma

    Why “Just Take Your Meds” Isn’t So Simple: Schizophrenia and the Med Adherence Dilemma
    May 21 2025
    Up to 70% of people with schizophrenia don’t take their medication as prescribed. This nonadherence is tied to higher risks of psychosis, relapse, ongoing symptoms, and even suicide attempts. So why do so many people with schizophrenia struggle to stay on their meds — despite such serious consequences? And what can actually be done about it? In this episode of Inside Schizophrenia, host Rachel Star Withers — who lives with schizophrenia — and co-host Gabe Howard explore the complicated reality behind medication adherence. Rachel shares her own experiences with skipping or stopping meds, shedding light on the emotional and psychological challenges that aren’t often discussed. They’re joined by Dr. Alberto Augsten, a toxicologist and psychopharmacologist who consults with pharmaceutical companies and helps shape best-practice guidelines for psychiatric medications. Dr. Augsten brings expert insight into how treatment can be improved and what steps can be taken to support long-term recovery. Listen now to learn more! Our guest, Dr. Alberto Augsten, is a board certified toxicologist and psychopharmacologist. He is a consultant and expert witness specializing in psychopharmacology and clinical toxicology. Offering professional, impactful, and strategic consulting services, Dr. Augsten caters to legal, healthcare, and clinical practice development. His expertise encompasses many areas, ensuring clients receive top-notch guidance and insights. Dr. Augsten specializes in providing tailored consulting services to assist in the development and optimization of clinical practice standards. His expertise covers many areas crucial for clinic development, allowing for standard of care reviews concerning those matters. Dr. Augsten's influence extends beyond his clinical practice. He offers consultation and education services to pharmaceutical companies, contributing to the advancement of pharmaceutical knowledge and practices. Through his contributions, he is helping to improve patient outcomes and ensure the highest quality of care. Our host, Rachel Star Withers, creates videos documenting her schizophrenia, ways to manage and let others like her know they are not alone and can still live an amazing life. She has written Lil Broken Star: Understanding Schizophrenia for Kids and a tool for schizophrenics, To See in the Dark: Hallucination and Delusion Journal. Fun Fact: She has wrestled alligators. To learn more about Rachel, please visit her website, RachelStarLive.com. Our cohost, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    53 mins
All stars
Most relevant  
I'm a week out from telling a professional for the first time the depth and width of my illness. I won't self-diagnose, but 1+1=2 most of the time and I expect the prognosis.

I'm lucky that I've made it so long with only one hospitalization, and this show has eased some of my anxiety with being honest to a doctor. Thank you.

Thank You

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The topics covered have all been important ones and very helpful! What's more though is that Gabe and Rachel have such wonderful personalities and with all that they do inspire hope in me that even with my SZ I can have a life of quality and purpose. I am at the beginning of the journey since being diagnosed and was feeling so lonely but this podcast has really been a lifesaver! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Wonderful Topics and Hosts Inspire Hope

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I loved this episode. 1st though, your podcast has helped ground me in a new direction I've been focusing on in my journey. Being dually diagnosed with SUD, schizoaffective, asd, & adhd I've gone through some rigorous gauntlets in working towards figuring me out. Growing in my recovery I have found that I connect well with others in the midst of psychosis and have developed the desired to also work with the dually diagnosed.

As an ambassador for legitimizing both mental health and SUD as medical issues, hearing this podcast has encouraged me in focusing on this direction.

Making light out of this misunderstood illness the way you've done in this episode is awesome. I mean, I don't struggle with mental illness, because I'm really good at it. And I don't quite understand my friends distaste of my meds either, but they do tend to go away when I take them. 🤪🤣

Thanks for what you are doing Rachel. you are awesome and such an encouragement.

Ryan

Great topic for upcoming advocate

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This podcast is so well done! I'm grateful to have found it. The audio quality, the content, the resources given and the guest speakers are excellent! Rachel and Gabe discuss the difficult topic of schizophrenia and bipolar disorders in a straightforward yet entertaining, humorous and upbeat way. I finish each episode feeling good and empowered. Rachel and Gabe are true and unapologetic and it's comforting to know that real people are living successfully with the challenges and limits that mental disorders bring. The podcast has been a tremendous help and reassurance to me and my family because we're new to the lifestyle and challenges of schizophrenia disorders. I truly enjoy listening to and sharing the episodes.

Empowering, inspiring & upbeat

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Because the hosts shared their experience with mental illness with such candor, it felt as if we were sitting in a coffee shop enjoying conversation. I have listened the podcast about the history of Schizophrenia several times because although it is fascinating it is heart wrenching. Thank you for these incredible podcasts and for sharing so much about your own lives.

Susana

Incredibly thorough and easy to follow!

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