ABC’s James Longman on Family, Trauma, and Reporting from the Frontlines (Part 2)

Feb 9, 2025

In this conversation, James Longman, ABC News Chief International Correspondent and author of 'The Inherited Mind,' dives into his personal journey with family trauma and mental illness. He reflects on how his father's struggles with depression and schizophrenia shaped his own mental health. James discusses the science of inherited trauma, the importance of storytelling in healing, and the emotional complexities of loss. Joined by Rob Rinder, they explore the delicate balance between resilience and vulnerability in the face of devastating family legacies.

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ANECDOTE

Lizzie's Email

James Longman shares how 'Lizzie', his father's former girlfriend, contacted him.
She offered to share memories, injecting 'fun' into his father's narrative beyond illness.

ANECDOTE

Liz's Revelation

Longman discusses 'Liz', his father's carer, who revealed his father's desire for a relationship with him.
This revelation lifted years of sadness and changed Longman's perspective on his father's feelings.

INSIGHT

Father's Longing

Longman reflects on his father's longing to be near him, despite restrictions.
This realization shifted his perspective from a belief that his existence burdened his father to understanding his father's love.

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Having reported from over sixty countries, from the front lines of wars in Ukraine and Syria to the wilds of the Antarctic, ABC News Chief International Correspondent James Longman has witnessed the extremes of human existence firsthand.

But the story that has stayed with him the longest is closer to home. In his new memoir, The Inherited Mind, James applies his journalistic skills to explore a family legacy marked by mental illness, and the science and people that shape us.

James was just a preteen at boarding school when his father, who struggled with depression and schizophrenia, died by suicide. His uncle was also diagnosed with schizophrenia, and his grandfather also ended his life. As James grew older, his own battles with depression led him to examine how his father’s mental health might have influenced his own. Drawing on conversations with leading experts, he delves into the science of inheritance, the impact of environment on genetic predispositions, and how one can overcome a familial history of mental illness and trauma.

On January 30, James was joined in conversation with longtime friend, barrister and broadcaster Rob Rinder for a powerful discussion on family, resilience, and frontline reporting, live at the Kiln Theatre in London.

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