Honestly with Bari Weiss

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‘My Friend’s Descent into Madness and Bloodshed’: An American Tragedy

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Apr 19, 2023

Guest

Jonathan Rosen

Jonathan Rosen, author of The Best Minds, delves into the life of his childhood friend Michael Laudor, a promising talent whose struggles with schizophrenia led to a tragic crime. They explore the complexities of friendship amid mental illness, revealing how societal neglect impacts vulnerable individuals. Rosen critiques the media's influence on public perception of mental health, sharing insights on the tragic intersection of personal crises and systemic failings, ultimately highlighting America's ongoing challenges in addressing mental health needs.

01:40:31

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ANECDOTE

Childhood Friendship

Jonathan Rosen and Michael Laudor, childhood friends, met in 1973.
Laudor, described as brilliant and charismatic, made a strong first impression.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Living in Laudor's Shadow

Rosen often felt overshadowed by Laudor's confidence and effortless achievements.
Despite their differences, their complementary personalities fostered a unique bond.

insights

INSIGHT

Madness in the Air

The cultural "madness" of the 60s and 70s blurred the lines between sanity and madness.
This made it difficult to define and address true mental illness.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Fragments of Friendship and Mental Health

03:40 • 23min

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Echoes of the Past: Mental Health and Public Perception

26:10 • 11min

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The Descent of Michael Lauder

37:38 • 7min

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Navigating Mental Health Journeys

The Tragedy of Good Intentions: A Deep Dive

01:12:41 • 2min

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The Tragic Intersection of Mental Health and Society

01:15:08 • 21min

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The Intersection of Life and Storytelling: A Reflection on Madness

01:36:06 • 5min

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Jonathan Rosen has spent the last few years trying to understand the story of his closest childhood friend, Michael Laudor.

Michael Laudor was, by all accounts, a genius. Maybe even a prodigy. Academically, he excelled beyond belief. Things that are hard for most young students, like reading and comprehending large volumes of material, came easily for him. His charm was infectious, and seemed to immediately attract the attention of any room he entered. As he navigated young adulthood and college, and eventually law school at Yale, one thing was clear: everyone was drawn to Michael.

Then Michael did something unimaginable: he killed his fiancée.

The tragedy of Michael’s story is captured in Jonathan’s new book, The Best Minds: A Story of Friendship, Madness, and the Tragedy of Good Intentions. It’s a breathtaking account of friendship, the harrowing and insidious nature of mental illness as it takes over someone’s life, and most of all, it investigates the invisible forces—cultural, political, and ideological—that shaped Michael’s terrible fortune, and America’s ongoing failure to get people like Michael the help that they so desperately need.

On today’s episode, Jonathan shares this personal story of extreme tragedy. Which is also, as we discuss, an American tragedy.

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