
It's Not Just In Your Head
Two mental health professionals explore how our capitalist economic system impacts our emotional lives. From precarious housing and employment, to unaffordable healthcare, to endless debt -- it's not just in your head!
Support us: https://www.patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourhead
Latest episodes

Nov 30, 2022 • 1h
#116: Are Cities Bad for Mental Health? (ft. Andrew J. Steir)
Psychotherapist Dr Harriet Fraad and Addiction & Substance Use Disorder Counselor, Ikoi talk to an Environmental Neuroscientist about how cities make people LESS depressed, urban scaling theory, pace of life, green spaces and class, nature and fractal images, infrastructure and social control, and much more!References:Why life is faster but depression is lower in bigger cities: https://psyche.co/ideas/why-life-is-faster-but-depression-is-lower-in-bigger-citiesEnvironmental Neuroscience (Marc G. Berman, Andrew J. Stier, and Gaby N. Akcelik - University of Chicago): https://www.patreon.com/posts/74685552 [see bottom of patreon post, under attachments]Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6452796-driveWorkbook of an Unsuccessful Architect: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5195517-workbook-of-an-unsuccessful-architect--Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourheadEmail us with feedback, questions, suggestions at itsnotjustinyourhead@gmail.com.--Harriet’s other shows:WBAI Interpersonal Update (Wednesdays): https://wbai.org/program.php?program=431Capitalism Hits Home: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJpiw1WYdTNYvke-gNRdml1Z2lwz0iEH--ATTENTION! This is a Boring Dystopia/Obligatory 'don't sue us' message: This podcast provides numerous different perspectives and criticisms of the mental health space, however, it should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your medical professional with regards to any health decisions or management.

Nov 23, 2022 • 54min
#115: Psychiatric Drugs - The truth about how they work and how to come off them (ft. Dr Joanna Moncrieff)
"This book is a wake-up call to the potential damage we are doing to ourselves by relying on chemical cures for human distress. Its clear, concise explanations will enable people to make a fully informed decision about the benefits and harms of these drugs and whether and how to come off them if they so choose."Psychotherapist Dr Harriet Fraad and Addiction & Substance Use Disorder Counselor, Ikoi, are joined by Dr Joanna Moncrieff, critical psychiatrist, researcher and author of "A Straight Talking Introduction to Psychiatric Drugs". Drawing on extensive research, Joanna demonstrates that psychiatric drugs do not 'treat' or 'cure' mental illness by acting on hypothesised chemical imbalances or other abnormalities in the brain. There is no evidence for any of these ideas.The discussion covers the major problems with the Disease-Centered model, the problems of telling people they have a brain disease, flawed Random Controlled Trials, the complexity of the withdrawal process, how the medicalization of human distress was been useful for government, the expedient nature of the medical model and how any benefits of medication are often undermined by a lack of housing or general life stability.References:A Straight Talking Introduction to Psychiatric Drugs: The truth about how they work and how to come off them: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55904282-a-straight-talking-introduction-to-psychiatric-drugsJoanna Moncrieff's website: https://joannamoncrieff.com/Joanna Twitter: https://twitter.com/joannamoncrieff--Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourheadEmail us with feedback, questions, suggestions at itsnotjustinyourhead@gmail.com.--Harriet’s other shows:WBAI Interpersonal Update (Wednesdays): https://wbai.org/program.php?program=431Capitalism Hits Home: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJpiw1WYdTNYvke-gNRdml1Z2lwz0iEH--ATTENTION! This is a Boring Dystopia/Obligatory 'don't sue us' message: This podcast provides numerous different perspectives and criticisms of the mental health space, however, it should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your medical professional with regards to any health decisions or management.

Nov 15, 2022 • 1h 13min
#114: Public Hostage Public Ransom (ft. William Bronston)
Psychotherapist Dr. Harriet Fraad is joined by activist physician William Bronston MD to discuss his astonishing book 'Public Hostage Public Ransom: Ending Institutional America':
"Public Hostage should make you outraged. The mistreatment of disabled people in Willowbrook and the mistreatment today of disabled people living in institutions must be understood and together we must fight to provide people the supports they need to live their lives integrated in our communities with dignity and respect. We as a society are responsible for these atrocities if we remain silent..."
"William gives readers an in-depth look at how and why places like Willowbrook existed in the first place, and how financial incentives, hard-wired into the way health care is delivered in this country, encourage institutionalization of one form or another at the expense of more humane, more effective, and more cost effective home based health care. The result has been the continual use of for profit nursing homes and “assistive living centers” to which millions of elders and people with disabilities remain consigned..."
"His book delivers a timely, well-written and meticulously documented argument that radical change is needed. His book is a must read for anyone interested in disability rights, elder rights and health care reform."
References:
Public Hostage Public Ransom: Ending Institutional America: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61146053-public-hostage-public-ransom?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=eFvmxPITOD&rank=1
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51152447-caste?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=VauQJxpgAG&rank=1
The Lost Girls of Willowbrook: A Heartbreaking Novel of Survival Based on True History by Ellen Marie Wiseman: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63051263-the-lost-girls-of-willowbrook?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=2kJGVz4vp4&rank=1
YES! Magazine: https://www.yesmagazine.org/
Natural Causes: Life, Death and the Illusion of Control by Barbara Ehrenreich: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35959785-natural-causes?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=Z7ASZ2YiFq&rank=9
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Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourhead
Email us with feedback, questions, suggestions at itsnotjustinyourhead@gmail.com.
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ATTENTION! This is a Boring Dystopia/Obligatory 'don't sue us' message: This podcast provides numerous different perspectives and criticisms of the mental health space, however, it should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your medical professional with regards to any health decisions or management.

Nov 9, 2022 • 1h 15min
#113: Immortality and Cyborg Anthropology (ft. William Dawley and Fartein Nilsen)
Anthropologists William Dawley and Fartein Nilsen join us to discuss their work on a fascinating project ‘Technoscientific Immortality: A study of Human Futures’, covering the current technologies and philosophies of people trying to live forever and the challenges this poses to existing kinship relations.
It’s an extensive discussion covering cryonics, anti-aging, death-ism & the idea of finitude giving value to life, extending life for everyone, extending ‘life’ through digital tech, interactive memorials, facebook memorial pages, chatbot relationships, digital immortalist’s and more.
Part 2 of this conversation is a patron only episode. Become a patron at patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourhead to gain early access to episodes, our discord server, and monthly reading/discussion groups.
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References:
Technoscientific Immortality: A study of Human Futures: https://www.uib.no/en/immortality
William Dawley: https://www.uib.no/en/persons/William.Dawley
Fartein Nilsen: https://www.uib.no/en/persons/Fartein.Hauan.Nilsen
RAADfest (Revolution Against Aging and Death Festival): https://raadfest.com
Eterni.me lets you Skype with the dead: https://www.cnet.com/culture/eterni-me-lets-you-skype-with-the-dead/
How a Son Made a Chatbot of His Dying Dad: https://www.wired.com/video/watch/how-a-son-made-a-chat-bot-of-his-dying-dad
StoryFile Life | Interactive Memory Keeping App: https://life.storyfile.com/
HereAfter AI — Interactive Memory App: https://www.hereafter.ai/
All the Ghosts in the Machine: The Digital Afterlife of your Personal Data : https://www.amazon.co.uk/All-Ghosts-Machine-Illusions-Immortality/dp/147214189X
Meme successful people coffin: https://starecat.com/content/wp-content/uploads/coffin-successful-people-unsuccessful-people-comparison.jpg
Church of perpetual life: https://www.churchofperpetuallife.org/
Replika - Virtual AI Friend: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/replika-virtual-ai-friend/id1158555867
Black Transhuman Liberation Theology: Technology and Spirituality: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Transhuman-Liberation-Theology-Spirituality/dp/1350081930
Immortality: The Quest to Live Forever and How It Drives Civilization: https://www.amazon.com/Immortality-Quest-Forever-Drives-Civilization/dp/1510716157
Mark Fisher (“loss of loss”) Ghosts of My Life: Writings on Depression, Hauntology and Lost Futures:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20863042-ghosts-of-my-life?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=uuTdNHdEZK&rank=1
IBM and the Holocaust: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_and_the_Holocaust
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Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourhead
Email us with feedback, questions, suggestions at itsnotjustinyourhead@gmail.com.
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Harriet’s other shows:
WBAI Interpersonal Update (Wednesdays): https://wbai.org/program.php?program=431
Capitalism Hits Home: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJpiw1WYdTNYvke-gNRdml1Z2lwz0iEH
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ATTENTION! This is a Boring Dystopia/Obligatory 'don't sue us' message: This podcast provides numerous different perspectives and criticisms of the mental health space, however, it should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your medical professional with regards to any health decisions or management.

Nov 1, 2022 • 46min
#112: Diagnosis as a Weapon
“When people rebel you can call them crazy”.
Psychotherapist Dr. Harriet Fraad discusses an article sent to us by a patron entitled: HYSTERIA, WITCHES, AND THE WANDERING UTERUS: A BRIEF HISTORY OR, WHY I TEACH “THE YELLOW WALLPAPER”.
We discuss how a diagnosis - such as hysteria - often says more about a society than the individual, the fear of female emotions, irrationality, fragility and protection, the link between serial killers and Fanon, Adam Curtis, empowerment and the luxury of getting to know yourself.
References:
HYSTERIA, WITCHES, AND THE WANDERING UTERUS: A BRIEF HISTORY OR, WHY I TEACH “THE YELLOW WALLPAPER": https://while-you-were-sleeping.com/2017/04/18/hysteria-witches-and-the-wandering-uterus-a-brief-history-or-why-i-teach-the-yellow-wallpaper/
Molecules of Emotion: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/70197.Molecules_of_Emotion?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=9aA3dV6nQX&rank=1
Prologue to Violence: Child Abuse, Dissociation, and Crime : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2516116.Prologue_to_Violence?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=zgcaWBJUP5&rank=3 (Article mentioned 'From Their Cradle To Your Grave' became this book)
Ashley Frawley - Therapy Culture and Happy Signifiers: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/plasticpills-philosophy-critical-theory-podcast/id1501548680?i=1000525781286
Ashley Frawley - Emotional Fads vs. Freedom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHj1TEIBPlY
Adam Curtis TraumaZone: https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2022/adam-curtis-russia-1985-1999-traumazone
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Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourhead
Email us with feedback, questions, suggestions at itsnotjustinyourhead@gmail.com.
--
Harriet’s other shows:
WBAI Interpersonal Update (Wednesdays): https://wbai.org/program.php?program=431
Capitalism Hits Home: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJpiw1WYdTNYvke-gNRdml1Z2lwz0iEH
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ATTENTION! This is a Boring Dystopia/Obligatory 'don't sue us' message: This podcast provides numerous different perspectives and criticisms of the mental health space, however, it should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your medical professional with regards to any health decisions or management.

Oct 26, 2022 • 51min
#111: Why Aren't There More Black Socialists? (ft. T1J)
YouTuber T1J joins Psychotherapist Harriet Fraad and Substance Abuse Councillor Ikoi to discuss racism, class, the DSA, Jay-Z, Cornel West, socialist history, 'staying in your lane', organizing that replicates the workplace, and meeting people where they are at.References:Why Aren't There More Black Socialists? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut7mqstf5swThis Streamer Thinks I'm Wrong About Socialism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx_5XzfTO8MT1J Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/the1janitorT1J Twitter: https://twitter.com/the1janitorDSA Statement on Nazi Violence in Charlottesville: https://www.dsausa.org/democratic-left/charlottesville_dl/Jay-Z has claimed that “capitalist” is a derogatory term invented to bring down the black community: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/jay-z-capitalist-new-slur-wealth-us-b2158116.htmlCornell West's 'Toward a Socialist Theory of Racism': https://www.dsausa.org/files/2018/07/Toward_a_Socialist_Theory_of_Racism.pdf--Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourheadEmail us with feedback, questions, suggestions at itsnotjustinyourhead@gmail.com.--Harriet’s other shows:WBAI Interpersonal Update (Wednesdays): https://wbai.org/program.php?program=431Capitalism Hits Home: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJpiw1WYdTNYvke-gNRdml1Z2lwz0iEH--ATTENTION! This is a Boring Dystopia/Obligatory 'don't sue us' message: This podcast provides numerous different perspectives and criticisms of the mental health space, however, it should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your medical professional with regards to any health decisions or management.

Oct 19, 2022 • 1h 3min
#110: Is gambling natural? (ft. Rebecca Cassidy)
Anthropologist Professor Rebecca Cassidy, author of 'Vicious Games: Capitalism and Gambling', chats with Substance Abuse Councillor Ikoi Hiroe:
“Vicious Games is based on field research with the people who produce, shape and consume gambling. Rebecca Cassidy explores the gambling industry's affinity with capitalism and the free market and how the UK has led the way in exporting 'light touch' regulation and 'responsible gambling' around the world. She reveals how the industry extracts wealth from some of our poorest communities, and examines the adverse health effects on those battling gambling addiction. Through an anthropological excavation, Vicious Games opens up this process, with the intention of creating alternative, more equitable futures.”
References:
Vicious Games: Capitalism and Gambling: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48856313-vicious-games
High Stakes: Florida Seminole Gaming and Sovereignty: https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv11smmh0
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Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourhead
Email us with feedback, questions, suggestions at itsnotjustinyourhead@gmail.com.
--
Harriet’s other shows:
WBAI Interpersonal Update (Wednesdays): https://wbai.org/program.php?program=431
Capitalism Hits Home: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJpiw1WYdTNYvke-gNRdml1Z2lwz0iEH
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ATTENTION! This is a Boring Dystopia/Obligatory 'don't sue us' message: This podcast provides numerous different perspectives and criticisms of the mental health space, however, it should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your medical professional with regards to any health decisions or management.

Oct 12, 2022 • 51min
#109: A nation of bootlickers
The Queen is dead... and who cares? The Monarchy are a potent symbol of unjust hierarchical power, yet the English (and many across the world) are in tears. What are the psychological mechanism at play?Psychotherapist Harriet Fraad and Substance Abuse Councillor Ikoi (and British editor/producer/co-host Liam Tate) discuss fawning, the enjoyment of suffering, passivity, 'being part of history', dominance and submission, fairy tales & occupied imaginations, slavery, the enjoyment of pomp, and much more!References:Nation of bootlickers: Why do English people love oppression?: https://www.dazeddigital.com/life-culture/article/56983/1/nation-of-bootlickers-why-do-the-english-love-oppression-queen-royal-familyQueen 'will help disgraced Prince Andrew pay £12million out-of-court settlement': https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/queen-will-help-disgraced-prince-26242479Buckingham Palace banned ethnic minorities from office roles, papers reveal: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jun/02/buckingham-palace-banned-ethnic-minorities-from-office-roles-papers-revealQueen lobbied for change in law to hide her private wealth: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/feb/07/revealed-queen-lobbied-for-change-in-law-to-hide-her-private-wealthKing Charles will not pay tax on inheritance from the Queen: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/13/king-charles-will-not-pay-tax-on-inheritance-from-the-queenYou’re a sick old man!: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/video/2022/sep/12/andrew-youre-a-sick-man-police-drag-heckler-from-crowd-during-queens-procession-videoBearded man heckles King Charles in Cardiff over the cost of the monarchy: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/bearded-man-heckles-king-charles-25043207'Lizzie's in a box' chant rings out around 3Arena during Bellator Dublin show: https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/ufc/lizzies-box-chant-rings-out-28069317There are three common myths about the monarchy: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci0KLmxO6L9/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY%3D--Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourheadEmail us with feedback, questions, suggestions at itsnotjustinyourhead@gmail.com.

Oct 5, 2022 • 1h 34min
#108: Therapist Worker Cooperative: Phoenix Mental Health
Max is joined by Jeff and Eric, 2 of 7 worker-owners of a therapist worker cooperative in Minneapolis, Minnesota called Phoenix Mental Health. In their collective, everyone keeps 100% of the money they earn from seeing clients, and everyone pitches in money to pay for rent, bills, credentialing, billing, and accounting. They use consensus decision making in meetings, and people know them to be a "non-hierarchical, social justice" minded therapy practice. Members tend to lean "left" but don't necessarily identify with left-wing labels such as anarchist, socialist, Marxist (etc), although some do.
How is Phoenix different from the ordinary capitalist mental health business enterprise? What motivates them to operate how they do? Is it possible for more workers in the mental health field to adopt this kind of model to help transition society toward a more equitable and pro- mental health economy? This episode is a lively discussion about these questions and more.
Learn more about Phoenix at phoenix-mental-health.com, and to learn more about the growing movement of therapist worker co-ops go to therapistworkercoops.info
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Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourhead
Email us with feedback, questions, suggestions at itsnotjustinyourhead@gmail.com.
--
Harriet’s other shows:
WBAI Interpersonal Update (Wednesdays): https://wbai.org/program.php?program=431
Capitalism Hits Home: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJpiw1WYdTNYvke-gNRdml1Z2lwz0iEH
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ATTENTION! This is a Boring Dystopia/Obligatory 'don't sue us' message: This podcast provides numerous different perspectives and criticisms of the mental health space, however, it should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your medical professional with regards to any health decisions or management.

Sep 28, 2022 • 55min
#107: The Manosphere (ft. F.D.Signifier)
Does the Manosphere care about men? We chat with F.D.Signifier about his string of popular video essays: 'Dissecting the Manosphere', 'Connecting the Manosphere' and 'Understanding the BIack Manosphere'.
"The manosphere is a collection of websites, blogs, and online forums promoting masculinity, misogyny, and opposition to feminism."
The conversation covers aggrieved entitlement, the promise of patriarchy, the loss of male power and the desire for dominance, the socialist ideology of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King and the whiteness problem of Socialism... and that's just the first 15 minutes! It's a good one!
Part 2 of this conversation is a patron only episode. Become a patron at patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourhead to gain early access to episodes, our discord server, and monthly reading/discussion groups.
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References:
Dissecting the Manosphere: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1FkO7Tr70A
Connecting the Manosphere: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y0nR0E8pk4
Understanding the BIack Manosphere: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upt_ks61_70
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FDsignifier
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fdsignifier/
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/fdsignifier
Bushmaster Rifle Ad: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/bushmaster-rifle-ad-masculinity-gun-violence-newtown-adam-lanza_b_2317924
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Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourhead
Email us with feedback, questions, suggestions at itsnotjustinyourhead@gmail.com.
--
Harriet’s other shows:
WBAI Interpersonal Update (Wednesdays): https://wbai.org/program.php?program=431
Capitalism Hits Home: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJpiw1WYdTNYvke-gNRdml1Z2lwz0iEH
--
ATTENTION! This is a Boring Dystopia/Obligatory 'don't sue us' message: This podcast provides numerous different perspectives and criticisms of the mental health space, however, it should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your medical professional with regards to any health decisions or management.
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