The Impossible Profession

Richard B. Keys

The Impossible Profession is a monthly podcast that invites writers, theorists, and psychoanalytic clinicians to explore psychoanalysis as both a contemporary clinical practice and a lens for understanding the wider world. The show is hosted by Richard B. Keys, an Aotearoa-based psychoanalyst-in-training and writer.

Episodes

  1. 12/18/2025

    Why Psychosis Is Not So Crazy with Stijn Vanheule

    In this episode, Richard talks to clinical psychologist, professor, and psychoanalyst Stijn Vanhuele about his recent book, Why Psychosis Is Not So Crazy. They discuss critiques of the prevailing biomedical model of psychosis and explore what psychoanalysis uniquely offers in understanding and treating it. Drawing on Lacan’s ideas, they delve into the concept of madness as an expression of human freedom, while also examining the crucial roles played by creativity and community in the treatment of psychosis.

    1h 14m

  2. 11/26/2025

    On Breathing with Jamieson Webster

    In our inaugural episode, Richard talks to psychoanalyst, professor, and writer Jamieson Webster about her latest book, On Breathing. From the central theme of breath and breathlessness that orients Jamieson’s book, we discuss practising psychoanalysis under exceptional circumstances, Covid-19 and the climate crisis, questions of style in psychoanalytic writing, and even talk a little baby talk.

    44 min
  • 2 Episodes

About

The Impossible Profession is a monthly podcast that invites writers, theorists, and psychoanalytic clinicians to explore psychoanalysis as both a contemporary clinical practice and a lens for understanding the wider world. The show is hosted by Richard B. Keys, an Aotearoa-based psychoanalyst-in-training and writer.

Information

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