Episode 11: Stephen Fried - Benjamin Rush & A Life In Journalism

Stephen Fried is an author and investigative journalist. During our conversation, Stephen talks about his life and work in Philadelphia, and his most recent book "Rush: Revolution, Madness, and Benjamin Rush, the Visionary Doctor Who Became a Founding Father." "Rush" details the life of one of America's most important early citizens: an abolitionist, the uniter of the acrimonious relationship of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, and the founder of American psychiatry.

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Show notes

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(00:00) Intro

(00:49) Stephen shares where his initial interest and talent in nonfiction history comes from

(13:35) How Stephen spent years of his life researching and writing books

(18:35) About Stephen’s first book, "Thing of Beauty: The Tragedy of Supermodel Gia"

(39:25) Stephen explains how he learned about Benjamin Rush

(56:39) Stephen notes that Benjamin Rush was somebody who was well ahead of his time. He explains his understanding of Rush and how he was able to create a new perspective on people who had mental illnesses and addiction

(01:15:00) Stephen explains why bleeding someone who’s psychotic is the craziest thing in the world

(01:27:34) Stephen’s advice for people learning about Patrick Kennedy’s story

(01:37:30) Stephen shares his thoughts on modernity

(01:45:06) What Stephen thinks is the best thing we as a country could implement to ease some suffering and improve the mental health crisis