The Med Free Mental Fitness Podcast

Katinka Blackford Newman
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Mental Health

I’m your host, Katinka Blackford Newman, a life coach, author and health journalist. The Med-Free Mental Fitness Podcast is an interview-led show exploring mental health, behaviour change and wellbeing in the context of modern life. Through in-depth conversations, it examines how people live with overwhelm, stress and long-term challenges, and what genuinely supports recovery, resilience and agency. At its core, the podcast is about meaning and agency beyond diagnosis and quick fixes, with space for complexity and differing perspectives. Guests include clinicians, researchers, authors, journalists and practitioners, alongside people with lived experience. Topics include mental health and diagnosis, grief and loss, sleep and insomnia, trauma, addiction and habit change, pain, weight, medication use and withdrawal, informed consent, and evidence-informed, non-pharmacological approaches to recovery. Video interviews are available on YouTube. If you would like personalised support through life coaching, you can book a free consultation via: www.kbnlifecoaching.co.uk Katinka@kbnlifecoaching.co.uk

  1. 1d ago

    Did Medication Cause My Dad to Kill? | Jessica Barrett

    In her first in-depth interview, Jessica Barrett shares the devastating story of losing her twin sisters and how her family later came to believe that akathisia, a recognised adverse drug reaction linked to antidepressants and other medications, played a significant role in the tragedy Host Katinka Blackford Newman interviews Jessica Barrett (Nee Crespi), daughter of David Crespi, who in 2006 killed his five-year-old twin daughters in what Jessica describes as a prescription-drug-induced state after a two-week medication escalation that included Prozac, Trazodone, Ambien and one night of Lunesta, alongside an antibiotic. Jessica recounts her close childhood relationship with her father, his intermittent stress-related insomnia and medication cycles, the day she learned of the deaths, and seeing him in apparent psychosis. She explains how her mother’s research, including Peter Breggin’s Medication Madness, led the family to suspect a drug reaction and akathisia, and discusses his plea deal, prison medication changes, eventual tapering, and their ongoing grief, forgiveness, and hope that others will question and closely monitor psychiatric medications. Jessica's faith has helped her come to terms with what happened and she now co-hosts the Something... About Catholics podcast on Spotify. 00:00 Jessica’s Story Begins 00:51 A Normal Childhood 03:51 Dad’s Stress and Med Cycles 07:46 The Drug Cocktail Before 09:09 The Day Everything Changed 13:34 Aftermath and First Visit 17:30 Akathisia and Medication Clues 24:02 Trial and Life Sentences 26:20 Grief and Returning to School 30:21 Stopping Meds in Prison 33:00 Remembering and Reframing 35:53 Justice and Ongoing Impact 40:26 Forgiveness and Her Own Reaction 42:58 Book Publicity and Lessons 44:24 Final Takeaways and Outro

    48 min

  2. May 24

    The Truth About Sleeping Pills and Insomnia | Professor Colin Espie

    Host Katinka Blackford Newman speaks with sleep and insomnia expert Professor Colin Espie about why cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is recommended as first-line treatment over medication. Espie explains how insomnia is perpetuated by frustration, threat-based arousal, and catastrophic thinking, and why sedative drugs don’t reproduce normal sleep, can lose effectiveness, carry dependency risks, and increase risks such as falls in later life. He outlines CBT techniques including cognitive restructuring, paradoxical intention, and the behavioral approach of sleep restriction therapy, citing research showing strong outcomes when delivered in primary care. Espie discusses Sleepio, his fully automated digital CBT program with a NICE guideline and NHS availability in Scotland, and points listeners to his book Overcoming Insomnia and resources from The Sleep Charity. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:59 Colin’s Path to Sleep Science 01:46 Why CBT Beats Pills 03:19 The Insomnia Paradox 04:55 How Insomnia Becomes Chronic 07:43 Why Sleeping Pills Fall Short 11:20 Dependency and Long Term Risks 14:13 Stress Arousal and 4AM Panic 17:32 CBT Tools Cognitive Restructuring 21:24 Paradoxical Intention Explained 25:54 Sleep Hygiene Myths and Basics 28:40 Sleep Restriction Therapy 32:22 Medication Addiction and Access 35:28 Sleepio Digital CBT Program 37:39 Colin’s Own Sleep and Trusting Sleep 40:11 Resources and Closing

    42 min

  3. May 3

    Inside Psychiatry: Why one NHS Consultant Walked Away. Interview with Dr Clive Sherlock

    Former NHS Psychiatrist Dr. Clive Sherlock on Drug Harm, Withdrawal, and “Adaptation Practice” Host Katinka Blackford Newman interviews Dr. Clive Sherlock, a medically trained doctor and former NHS psychiatrist, about why he began questioning mainstream psychiatry, realising there was no discovered or published biological cause of conditions like depression, and later facing managerial pressure to prescribe drugs, which led him to resign despite losing income, status, and pension. He describes harms he observed from psychiatric drugs, including sexual dysfunction that persisted after stopping, sedation and loss of vitality, and suicides on the ward. After studying philosophy, he trained in Buddhist-informed approaches focused on emotion, learning to locate feelings physically in the midrift and “bear” them rather than suppress, distract, or overthink. He outlines key pillars of his “adaptation practice,” including daily structure, prompt responding, wholehearted action, and gradually building tolerance for distress, and explains that most clients now seek help tapering and withdrawing from psychiatric drugs. He shares how the practice made him calmer and reduced resentment, and directs listeners to adaptationpractice.org. 00:00 Welcome to Med Free 00:32 Meet Dr Clive Sherlock 01:11 Questioning Psychiatry Origins 03:59 Pressure to Prescribe 05:48 Drug Harms Witnessed 08:44 Turning to Buddhism 10:12 Feeling Emotions in Body 13:03 Bearing vs Avoiding Feelings 16:46 Adaptation Practice Basics 22:23 Who He Helps Now 23:29 Tapering and Withdrawal Support 29:49 Akathisia and Gradual Bearing 31:27 Why It's Called Adaptation 32:14 Personal Transformation 35:31 Emotion as Life Energy 36:40 Where to Learn More 37:01 Closing Thanks and Outro

    38 min

  4. Apr 9

    The $31 Million Pharma Whistleblower | Blair Hamrick on Big Pharma

    What happens when telling the truth costs you everything… and then changes everything? In this episode of The Med Free Mental Fitness Podcast, host Katinka Blackford Newman speaks to whistleblower Blair Hamrick, a former pharmaceutical sales representative who took on GlaxoSmithKline and helped expose one of the largest healthcare fraud cases in history. His testimony contributed to a $3 billion settlement with the US government. Under whistleblower law, he received $31 million. But this is not a story about money. It is a story about integrity, pressure, risk, and what it takes to stand up inside a system that rewards silence. Blair describes what he saw from the inside of the pharmaceutical industry, the moment he began to question it, and what followed when he chose to act. We talk about the culture of sales, the human cost of misinformation, and the personal consequences of stepping out of line. This conversation sits at the heart of a wider question: what happens when the systems we trust are not as they seem, and what does it take to face that honestly? • What life is really like as a pharmaceutical sales rep • The moment Blair began to question what he was being asked to do • How the whistleblowing process works in practice • The $3 billion settlement and what it represented • The personal and professional risks of speaking out • What this reveals about the wider culture of Big Pharma • Integrity, consequences, and the price of telling the truth Katinka Blackford Newman is a life coach, journalist and founder of the not for profit, Antidepressant Risks.

    36 min

  5. 12/26/2025

    Grief, Pills, and Finding the Way Back: Brooke Siem on Life After Meds

    In this episode of the Med Free Mental Fitness podcast, I am joined by Brooke Siem, author of 'May Cause Side Effects.' Brooke shares her personal journey of being placed on antidepressants as a teenager following her father's sudden death, the side effects she experienced over 15 years, and her life-altering decision to come off the medication. Discover how Brooke navigated the challenging withdrawal process, rebuilt her mental health through practical tools and self-awareness, and now advocates for a life beyond medication. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on the impact of psychiatric drugs and the strength found in med-free mental fitness. 00:00 Introduction to Med Free Mental Fitness 00:47 Brooke's Journey with Antidepressants 02:25 The Effects and Side Effects of Medication 04:11 Questioning the Medication 14:07 The Turning Point: Deciding to Come Off Medication 15:29 The Struggle of Withdrawal 18:14 Rebuilding Life Beyond Medication 31:28 Advocacy and Current Work 34:27 Final Thoughts and Reflections

    40 min

  6. 11/26/2025

    Normal or Neurodiverse? Challenging the Medicalisation of Childhood - Interview with Dr Sami Timimi

    In this thought-provoking episode, host Katinka Blackford Newman sits down with Dr. Sami Timimi—consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and author of "Searching for Normal"—to explore the dramatic rise in psychiatric diagnoses among children. Together, they question whether we are truly uncovering hidden illnesses or simply pathologising normal human variation, stress, and distress. Dr. Timimi shares his decades of experience inside mental health services and explains why he challenges the medical model applied to childhood. The conversation dives deep into the unintended consequences of labelling, the limitations of psychiatric diagnoses, and the risks of over-medicalising children’s emotions and behaviours. Key topics include: Why rates of ADHD, autism, anxiety, and depression are soaringThe subjective nature of psychiatric diagnosesThe impact of labels on children, families, and societyThe role of medication and its long-term effectsAlternatives to the medical model: resilience, connection, and understanding If you’re a parent, educator, mental health professional, or simply curious about the future of mental health, this episode will challenge your assumptions and offer a fresh perspective. 🔔 If this conversation resonates, please like, subscribe, and leave a review to help these ideas reach more people! You can watch this episode as a video on youtube

    45 min

  7. 11/10/2025

    Journey Through Insomnia: Miranda Levy’s Battle & Recovery

    In this episode of the Med Free Mental Fitness podcast, hosted by Katinka Blackford Newman, we dive deep into the topic of insomnia with special guest Miranda Levy. Miranda, an accomplished journalist and author, shares her harrowing personal journey through severe insomnia following a sudden and traumatic end to her marriage in 2010. Her battle with sleep deprivation led to a prolonged and complicated relationship with various psychotropic drugs, which only exacerbated her condition. Miranda discusses the impact on her personal and professional life, including struggles with anxiety, panic, and a host of prescription medications that altered her everyday reality. Transitioning through multiple diagnoses and treatments, Miranda finally embarks on a journey towards recovery, finding solace in therapeutic approaches and rebuilding her life. Her book, 'The Insomnia Diaries: How I Learned to Sleep Again,' offers an honest and insightful look into her experiences, providing hope and practical advice for those facing similar struggles. Join us for an inspiring conversation about resilience, the dangers of dependency on medications, and the power of perseverance. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:16 Meet Miranda Levy: A Personal Journey 01:16 The Onset of Insomnia 01:42 The Struggle with Medication 05:29 Life in Disarray 08:40 A Desperate Search for Solutions 13:32 The Impact on Family and Diagnosis 19:50 A Chemical Soup of Medications 22:21 The Decision to Enter Rehab 23:36 Experiences in Rehab 24:51 Withdrawal and Akathisia 27:37 Hospitalization and Further Treatment 30:17 Living with Family and Initial Recovery 33:21 Gradual Improvement and New Beginnings 37:08 Rebuilding Life and Relationships 42:10 Reflections and Advice on Sleep Medication 44:50 Final Thoughts and Book Promotion

    46 min

  8. 10/18/2025

    Medication-Free Healing: The Legacy of Soteria House

    Join host Katinka Blackford Newman on The Med Free Mental Fitness Podcast as she dives into the topic of psychosis with Eugene Larkin, author of 'Seeking Soteria.' Eugene shares his experiences at the radical Soteria House project, where individuals with schizophrenia and psychosis were supported without medication. Discover the origins of Soteria Houses, the significant impact of offering presence over medication, and real-life success stories of those who thrived under this compassionate care model. This episode challenges the conventional views on mental illness and explores the potential of non-medicated approaches in mental health treatment. 00:00 Introduction to the Med Free Mental Fitness Podcast 00:40 Origins of Soteria House 03:04 Eugene's Journey to Soteria House 06:47 First Impressions and Early Experiences 09:45 Success Stories and Therapeutic Approaches 16:42 Understanding Psychosis and Mental Health Labels 19:37 Empathy and Understanding at TER 20:09 A Real-Life Example of Psychosis 20:41 The Journey of Rebirth 22:16 The Heroic Transformation 23:52 Reunion and Reflections 28:17 The Impact of Medication 31:26 The Satter Model's Influence 32:39 Medication: Choice vs. Force 36:06 The Misconception of Medication 38:10 Concluding Thoughts Katinka Blackford Newman is a life coach, journalist and CEO of the nonprofit Antidepressantrisks.org She can be reached at Katinka@kbnlifecoaching.co.uk

    39 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

I’m your host, Katinka Blackford Newman, a life coach, author and health journalist. The Med-Free Mental Fitness Podcast is an interview-led show exploring mental health, behaviour change and wellbeing in the context of modern life. Through in-depth conversations, it examines how people live with overwhelm, stress and long-term challenges, and what genuinely supports recovery, resilience and agency. At its core, the podcast is about meaning and agency beyond diagnosis and quick fixes, with space for complexity and differing perspectives. Guests include clinicians, researchers, authors, journalists and practitioners, alongside people with lived experience. Topics include mental health and diagnosis, grief and loss, sleep and insomnia, trauma, addiction and habit change, pain, weight, medication use and withdrawal, informed consent, and evidence-informed, non-pharmacological approaches to recovery. Video interviews are available on YouTube. If you would like personalised support through life coaching, you can book a free consultation via: www.kbnlifecoaching.co.uk Katinka@kbnlifecoaching.co.uk

Information

  • Creator
    Katinka Blackford Newman
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Katinka Blackford Newman
  • Show Website
    The Med Free Mental Fitness Podcast

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