Weird Studies

Episode 191 — The Acid Queen, with Susannah Cahalan

May 21, 2025
Susannah Cahalan, a New York Times bestselling author known for her impactful works on mental health and biography, joins the conversation to illuminate the life of Rosemary Woodruff Leary, a pivotal figure in the psychedelic movement. They discuss her complex relationship with Timothy Leary, the often-overlooked contributions of women in counterculture, and the continued relevance of psychedelics in society. The chat weaves together themes of personal narratives, emotional struggles, and the creative chaos that underscores historical biographical writing.
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INSIGHT

Deeply Embodying Rosemary's Life

  • Susannah Cahalan deeply embodied Rosemary's life and perspective to understand her fully.
  • Following Rosemary's style, Cahalan embraced synchronicities and esoteric practices during research.
INSIGHT

Intimacy Through Archival Research

  • Biographers often feel a rare intimacy with their subjects through material traces left behind.
  • This sympathetic connection opens pathways to understanding lives long extinguished.
INSIGHT

Balancing Rigor and Openness

  • Writers can balance rigorous fact-checking with openness to weird experiences for deeper understanding.
  • Rosemary's story shows the perils and promises of openness to altered states and esotericism.
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