Mindhunting: Journeys in Forensic Psychiatry

The literary fascination with the troubled and tumultuous lives and minds of secret agents stems back 70 years to the introduction of James Bond in Casino Royale. Contemporary approaches need to provide greater psychological and emotional depth as well as a cracking thrill ride! Thankfully, Samantha Adair's "Tom Grant" series, commencing with Blood Orphan, delivers on all fronts. Join me for a chat with Sam, one of Australia's leading contemporary crime thriller writers, as we look into the mind of secret agent Tom Grant.

The human fascination with fire is thousands of years old. Fire is the great paradox: it provides warmth, energy and protection but also terror and destruction. What does a forensic psychiatrist think of when confronted by the arsonist? What drives a person to deliberately light fires? What role does mental illness play in fire lighting? Join me as we discuss arson and the curiosity of pyromania, with some flames of pop culture also burning away! (TW: description of violent crimes)

Acts of violence seem to be everywhere. We are bombarded by images and stories of violence on TV, in the media, on our socials and even in our own lives. How does a forensic psychiatrist approach the problem of violence? How does it intersect with mental illness and how can we reduce the risks? In pop culture, we will also chat about a very special "club" that uses violence in a unique way. (TW: Descriptions of violent crimes).

Over almost 50 years, the David Berkowitz case remains a controversial chapter in the history of New York City and forensic psychiatry. So, just who was the "Son of Sam" and what drove him to kill 6 innocent people over a 12-month period? What can forensic psychiatry teach us about this disturbing, terrifying case? And, just how has David Berkowitz been capture in pop culture? (TW: descriptions of violent crimes)

Malignant narcissism in the extreme can lead to shocking violence and crimes, even murder. But what can drive that and how does it occur? Does the narcissistic murderer qualify for a mental impairment defense and is treatment a possibility for this type of personality? Let's find out and then explore a nineteenth century gothic horror novel all about vanity and naricissim. (TW: descriptions of violent crimes)

Terry Gilliam's intriguing 1995 film, 12 Monkeys, taps into the confusing, subjective paradox of human experience. Pandemics are nothing new, but how do we actually decide which "infected" information we can trust? And just who can we trust to deliver it? Above all, can we ever really trust ourselves and our own past, present and future?

Why has the term 'narcissist' become so common? What does it even mean and how do they gaslight? In the opening of this 2-parter, let's chat about self-love, Greek myths, infants, mirrors and how we can work out just who is a narcissist. And, in pop culture, come with me as we meet the true King of Comedy. (TW: descriptions of violent crime)

Stalking is an old problem with a new focus as law makers and clinicians have increasingly understood and acknowledged the serious psychological harm that it does to so many victims. Let's take a walk with the stalker and understand what drives them, who they are, how they operate and what psychiatric conditions may be at play. Our dash of pop culture takes a look at a book and film that examines the interplay between enduring love and the stalker. (TW: descriptions of violent crime).

Our moods are at the core of our lives and our human existence. But what happens when our feelings and emotions go to the extreme? When the depression and mania of bipolar disorder take hold, what can happen and how might that lead into the world of forensic psychiatry? Join me for a chat about the highs and lows of this intriguing and misunderstood illness, with a trip to the movies as we meet the fascinating Mr. Jones. (TW: description of suicide and violent crime).

Set in the midst of the anti-psychiatry movement, the stunning One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a striking portrayal of the varying drives for individual, institutional and social coercion and control. Let's have a chat about how pop culture can brilliantly describe, through the novel and film, just how personal, therapeutic and community relationships can all fracture and the devastating consequences that can be left behind, not only in a psychiatric ward but in society at large.