Otherppl with Brad Listi REPLAY: Susannah Cahalan
Jan 3, 2026
Susannah Cahalan, a bestselling journalist known for her works on neuroscience and psychiatry, dives into the fascinating psyche of Rosemary Woodruff Leary. They explore Susannah's own psychedelic experiences and the allure of counterculture. The conversation reveals Timothy Leary's complex legacy and how personal failures intersect with prescient ideas. Cahalan also shares stories of Leary's arrest and their life on the run, while assessing modern psychedelic research and therapeutic potential. It's a compelling blend of history, personal narrative, and cultural critique.
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Rediscovering Rosemary's Hidden Archive
- Susannah Cahalan discovered Rosemary Woodruff Leary through Rosemary's 25 banker boxes at the NYPL, which revealed an unsung life.
- Rosemary's archives reframed the psychedelic narrative away from Timothy Leary's dominant story.
Personal Psychedelic Limits After Illness
- Susannah had intense psychedelic experiences as a teenager, including hallucinations of dancing Grateful Dead bears.
- After autoimmune encephalitis she limited psychedelic use, doing only cautious microdosing due to brain risks.
Don't Take Psychedelics If You're Unsure
- If you must ask others whether you should take psychedelics, avoid doing it.
- Susannah's guide advised: "If you have to ask, you shouldn't do it."