Schizophrenia: Three Moms in the Trenches

Randye Kaye
  • 4.7 (124)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Schizophrenia in the Family. How do we cope? How can we help? We each have adult sons with schizophrenia and have written acclaimed books about it. We say it like it is, to help families, practitioners and those with SMI (serious mental illness) feel less alone...and learn. Randye Kaye, Mindy Greiling, Miriam Feldman...and guests.

  1. No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson (ep. 135)

    MAR 18

    No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson (ep. 135)

    Send a Text to the Moms - please include your contact info if you want a response. thanks! We’ve discussed FDA barriers to clozapine and side effects of all antipsychotics. Tonight we’ll zero in on Risperdal its producer, Johnson and Johnson, and the FDA.  First, we’d like to say that for those listeners who are benefitting from Risperdal, the best antipsychotic is one that’s working for you. We’ll be talking about people for whom it’s not working so well. Our guest for this discussion is Gardiner Harris, author of the NYT bestselling book “No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson and Johnson.” Mr. Harris, a Yale graduate, is a freelance investigative journalist who was previously an reporter for the WSJ and NYT covering public health and the pharmaceutical industry.  Most book chapters are exposes of trusted Johnson and Johnson products, from Baby Powder to cancer drugs, and are getting media attention, but we shine a light on the section about Risperdal.  Questions:  First let’s talk about Risperdal benefit. Tell us about efficacy studies, including the CATIE trial and what they showed about Risperdal. (Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman of Columbia University who led CATIE was a recent guest).How do atypicals compare in price to older drugs like Haldol?What role did J& J and the FDA play in selling them to cash-strapped states? What are state budget trade-offs?What role did NAMI play? In this podcast, we mostly focus on adults with schizophrenia and psychosis-spectrum illnesses, but briefly, what was the off-label market (seniors and kids) for Risperdal and why did it take over sales?What role did psychiatrists play?Please talk about gynecomastia. (breasts, lactation)How did whistleblowers and lawyers help to change J & J practices? Why were no executives convicted?Do you have advice for consumers who seek the best medication for themselves or their loved ones?Links: book: https://www.amazon.com/No-More-Tears-Secrets-Johnson/dp/0593229878/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 author: https://gardinerharris.com/ CMS website/Physicians Payment Sunshine act: https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov/ Want to know more? Join our facebook page  Our websites: Randye Kaye Mindy Greiling Miriam (Mimi) Feldman

    55 min
  2. KETO & Schizophrenia: Hope, Hype, or Helpful Tool? (Ep. 134)

    MAR 12

    KETO & Schizophrenia: Hope, Hype, or Helpful Tool? (Ep. 134)

    Send a Text to the Moms - please include your contact info if you want a response. thanks! KETO has been in the news - with RFK Jr. claiming it can “cure” schizophrenia. We have questions and concerns - so we brought in an expert . Guest: Dr. Matt Bernstein is a highly respected clinical psychiatrist and a leading voice in metabolic psychiatry, with 25 years of experience helping individuals achieve full mental health and functional recovery. He also serves as chief medical officer at Ellenhorn, developing community-based strategies to optimize mental health. For the past five years, Dr. Bernstein has focused on metabolic psychiatry, first in his private practice, and then at Ellenhorn. Links: www.accordmh.com www.linkedin.com/in/mattbernsteinmd Thanks for liking and sharing the podcast!  Mindy and her book: https://mindygreiling.com/ Randye and her book: https://randyekaye.com/ Miriam and her book: https://www.miriam-feldman.com/ Want to know more? Join our facebook page Our websites: Randye Kaye Mindy Greiling Miriam (Mimi) Feldman

    50 min
  3. Ask the Therapist: Conversations About Psychosis and Hope (Ep. 133)

    FEB 18

    Ask the Therapist: Conversations About Psychosis and Hope (Ep. 133)

    Send a Text to the Moms - please include your contact info if you want a response. thanks! Guest:Deb Bushong, MS, LPC-S  -  a  licensed therapist for over 20 years. "Conversations Therapy is focused on the therapeutic work that helps develop youth and young adults who are in the early parts of their journey of living with Psychosis. I offer supports of various kinds for the clients but also support and psychoeducation for the parents, family members, and support systems. The goal is to move these young people towards living a recovery-oriented, fulfilling life!" We ask questions (and push back a bit on “psychosis can be a gift”) - and share listener questions as well. Conversations Therapy & Supervision (469) 727-TALK {call or text} https://www.conversationstherapy.org https://linktr.ee/deb_bushong NAMI Ask the Expert Webinar:  https://www.nami.org/namis-ask-the-expert/nami-ask-the-expert-roles-in-recovery-part-2-parents/ Randye's substack: https://randyekaye.substack.com/ My daughter thinks we are not her parents, just friends. Is this considered psychosis?Our LO was diagnosed with schizophrenia 2 years ago. He has been so afraid to begin running again for fear the voices will get loud and tell him to stop. Do you have any advice to give him the courage to try the one thing he absolutely loved doing?Advice for a recreation therapist in state hospital. What are the best groups and topics to offer to patients going through the forensic/civil system to prevent readmission/relapse?What to say and not to say to a loved one when they are in psychosis, especially when they cannot recognize that they are having hallucinations.How to help a LO from miles away, while they are in psychosis.-My son laughs a lot and very hearty laughs. But whenever we ask him if he would like to share what the joke is or what’s funny. He says no it’s nothing.Please ask her if she knows if they ever share that information with anyone ? It’s been over 20 years and he still won’t reveal anything.What is the difference between psychosis and delusions? And how long can they last? Untreated… this seems to be a major obstacle to getting treatment.Susan Inman - comment (author of After Her Brain Broke) -An under researched approach is having professionally facilitated, long term, group based psychoeducation about psychotic disorders. My daughter and her friends for the last twenty years had this in a program that no longer exists. I think part of it power was when they saw others in the group who were clearly psychotic not understanWant to know more? Join our facebook page  Our websites: Randye Kaye Mindy Greiling Miriam (Mimi) Feldman

    58 min
  4. Integrated Behavioral Health Care: What’s Ahead for a Better System? (Ep. 132)

    FEB 3

    Integrated Behavioral Health Care: What’s Ahead for a Better System? (Ep. 132)

    Send a Text to the Moms - please include your contact info if you want a response. thanks! Guest: Dr. Theresa Miskimen Rivera, APA president 2025-2026 In this episode, we’re joined by the current president of the American Psychiatric Association for a timely conversation on what’s broken—and what’s possible—in mental healthcare. We explore the promise of integrated behavioral healthcare, why treating the whole person matters, and how earlier diagnosis can change lives. Just as important, we shine a light on the often-overlooked plight of caregivers supporting loved ones with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses—those doing the hardest work with the least support. Link: https://www.psychiatry.org/ Thanks for liking and sharing the podcast!  Mindy and her book: https://mindygreiling.com/ Randye and her book: https://randyekaye.com/ Miriam and her book: https://www.miriam-feldman.com/ Want to know more? Join our facebook page  Our websites: Randye Kaye Mindy Greiling Miriam (Mimi) Feldman

    51 min
  5. Collateral Damage: Mental Health Crisis Wake-Up Call (ep.131)

    JAN 28

    Collateral Damage: Mental Health Crisis Wake-Up Call (ep.131)

    Send a Text to the Moms - please include your contact info if you want a response. thanks! What happens when mental illness collides with broken systems—and no one is prepared to respond? In Collateral Damage, criminologist and former law enforcement officer Jesse Treviño exposes the catastrophic cost of ignoring mental illness in America’s public systems. Drawing on his own journey through trauma, PTSD, and crisis work, Treviño delivers an unflinching look at how law enforcement, healthcare, and policy too often fail the very people they claim to protect. We ask about:  The myths that fuel stigma and why they keep people from seeking help.How the criminal justice system became the de facto mental health system—and why it’s failing.Firsthand stories of crisis response, both successful and devastating.The truth about the link between mental illness and violence (it’s not what the media tells you).Practical lessons for police, policymakers, families, and communities.A call to action for compassion, reform, and resilience. Links: Collateral Damage: Mental Illness, Public Systems, and the Catastrophic Price of Doing Nothing  Book: https://a.co/d/3d3vRb1 Website: https://solutionpointplus.com/ Want to know more? Join our facebook page  Our websites: Randye Kaye Mindy Greiling Miriam (Mimi) Feldman

    47 min
  6. ALL IN: Mental Health Support for the Family (Ep. 130)

    JAN 21

    ALL IN: Mental Health Support for the Family (Ep. 130)

    Send a Text to the Moms - please include your contact info if you want a response. thanks! The "ALL IN FAMILY" website says:  “When one member of the family is struggling with mental health challenges and/or addiction (dual diagnosis), it impacts every member of the family. At All IN Family, we are here to support you.” What does that mean? Charlotte Armstrong and Kirsten Drybrough are the co-founders of  All In Family, to fill a need: support for the family of those with serious mental illness (whatever family means to you). They are peer support workers and want to share what they do, how they can help  - starting with free resources. What can peer support mean for our loved ones- and for us, in the family? links: https://www.allinfamily.ca/ https://cafetacenter.net/ [https://www.youtube.com/@allinfamilypeersupport] [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwL7P5ESNu6-12kUUJHZl0dDknd8zyfYR]    Want to know more? Join our facebook page  Our websites: Randye Kaye Mindy Greiling Miriam (Mimi) Feldman

    50 min
  7. Antipsychotics and Weight Gain: It Doesn’t Have to Happen (Ep. 129)

    JAN 7

    Antipsychotics and Weight Gain: It Doesn’t Have to Happen (Ep. 129)

    Send a Text to the Moms - please include your contact info if you want a response. thanks! Weight gain is one of the most common—and distressing—side effects of antipsychotic medications. For many people, it affects self-esteem, physical health, and even the willingness to stay on treatment. In this episode of Schizophrenia: Three Moms in the Trenches, we talk about why these medications cause weight gain, whether it can be treated or prevented, and what families should understand about metabolism and insulin resistance. We also touch on the growing conversation around the ketogenic diet and its possible role in treatment. What’s evidence-based, what’s still emerging, and how can families advocate wisely?   Guest :  Robert S Laitman, MD, is an internal medicine physician at Bronx Westchester Medical Group in New York.  Book: MEANINGFUL RECOVERY from Schizophrenia and Serious Mental Illness with Clozapine: Hope & Help  BUY THE 5th EDITION - for an extensive update to Dr Laitman's section, An Optimistic Nephrologist. MoreIn depth data about clozapine and the mitigation of side effects for a MEANINGFUL RECOVERY.Published in December 2025. We also touch on the expanding reach of Doromind, so more can benefit from Dr. Laitman’s treatment protocols. https://www.doromind.com/ Keto Diet resources: https://accordmh.com/ Dr. Chris Palmer has written books about it. Want to know more? Join our facebook page  Our websites: Randye Kaye Mindy Greiling Miriam (Mimi) Feldman

    42 min
  8. The Reiner Family Tragedy: A Fear Too Many Live With (Ep. 128)

    12/17/2025

    The Reiner Family Tragedy: A Fear Too Many Live With (Ep. 128)

    Send a Text to the Moms - please include your contact info if you want a response. thanks! Two days after the tragic murders of Rob and Michele Reiner, allegedly at the hands of their middle son, Nick, we three moms comment on the system, the families who try everything to help someone they love, the fears many of us live with. We also vent about system failures, and the unforgivable response from Donald Trump. Want to know more? Join our facebook page  Our websites: Randye Kaye Mindy Greiling Miriam (Mimi) Feldman

    36 min
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4.7
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About

Schizophrenia in the Family. How do we cope? How can we help? We each have adult sons with schizophrenia and have written acclaimed books about it. We say it like it is, to help families, practitioners and those with SMI (serious mental illness) feel less alone...and learn. Randye Kaye, Mindy Greiling, Miriam Feldman...and guests.

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