part 2 of our episode all about being employed with psychosis. In this episode I specifically ask what is it that my two guests feel has enabled them to work and what advice they have for listeners. 

Welcome to part one of our episode all about employment!

Hi guys, we are back!

Erica has a long history of paranoid schizophrenia and a current diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. Her new book The Mind Surfer is all about her experiences, and about how she has learned to live with/manage her psychosis. It is written in the form of short first person accounts and she draws a lot from her journalism experience to make it an engaging yet easy read. 

You can buy a copy of The Mind Surfer here - https://www.victorinapress.com/product/the-mind-surfer/

Erics previous book written with Professor Stephen Lawrie "the Beginners Guide To Sanity" can be found here - https://www.hammersmithbooks.co.uk/product/the-beginners-guide-to-sanity/

Erics website with links to many of her articles and information about her speaking here - Speaker Erica Crompton - frontpage - official website

HopeZine - https://issuu.com/erica_crompton 

In this episode I speak with Peter about his experiences of psychosis and his preventative methods. We also touch on the role of medication, society, different mental health systems and even capitalism. A lot of stuff was covered in these 45 minuets!

Links to things referenced in the podcast -

Orygen - https://www.orygen.org.au/

The stability network - https://www.thestabilitynetwork.org/

Today I am speaking with Graham Morgan. Blogger, writer, and heavily involved in policy making for Scotland, Graham has led a fascinating life and also happens to have schizophrenia. In todays episode we discuss his life and what things he finds helpful, as well as talking about his upcoming book Blackbirds Signing

This episode needed to be delayed at the last second so although we are discussing the book as if it has not just come out it actually came out at the start of September 2022 and can now be bought from multiple outlets

Grahams website - https://graeme7052.wixsite.com/gmorgan

Grahams story on our blog - https://realitytourists.wordpress.com/2022/06/30/59-year-old-man-with-decades-of-compulsory-treatment-finds-a-joy-he-never-thought-he-could%ef%bf%bc/

The fledgling press who published Grahams book Start and are publishing his new book Blackbirds Singing - https://www.fledglingpress.co.uk/

In todays episode I am joined by Serenity (note this is their twitter handle not their real name) who in their own words in one of those "rare annoying people who manage to hole down a job"

Serenity has chosen to be anonymous due to the potential effects disclosure could have on their life and career, here at Reality Tourists we fully understand and accept that this level of stigma does exist and is a serious issue. As such we ask that if you know who todays guest is or recognise their voice that you do not out them publicly.  

In todays episode I am talking with Dr Rachel Pruchno, the author of Beyond Madness; the pain and possibilities of mental illness. 

Dr Pruchno is a research psychologist who studies successful aging as her day job, but who has a strong interest and passion for opening up the conversation about mental illness and has written this book as a part of this goal. In it she uses her own experiences with her family as well as several "heroes" to explain the often complex world of mental illness and to distil the research into a way that can be understood by anyone. As she puts it in her book her education taught her a lot about mental health but her family taught her a lot about mental illness

We discuss not only her book but also some of the differences (and similarities) between America and the UK, a few models of care, medication, and even mental illness and violence. 

Beyond Madness on amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Madness-Possibilities-Serious-Illness/dp/1799799514

In todays episode I am joined by Yvette.

Yvette is a journalist and the co-host of the metro podcast Mentally Yours. She also happens to have bipolar disorder, experiencing delusions within her manic episodes. 

Mentally Yours on spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6qCGowS3fs0qFYMlxczxC5

*Spoiler warning for series 4 of Stranger Things*

Today I am chatting with Katie.

Katie is a freelance writer, mental health speaker, advocate, and the author of Living at the Speed of Light. They also happen to have biploar disorder and experience psychosis as part of this, including grandiose delusions that have resulted in Katie being hit be a car not once but TWICE

In todays episode we discuss all sorts from Star Trek and the portrayal of mental illness, to the way that the health system reacts to psychosis and the idea of having insight. 

Katie's Website - https://katieconibear.uk/

Katie's Star Trek article that we mentioned - https://intl.startrek.com/news/how-tngs-the-offspring-perfectly-explores-gender-and-choice

For a copy of Katie's book - https://uk.bookshop.org/books/living-at-the-speed-of-light-navigating-life-with-bipolar-disorder-from-depression-to-mania-and-everything-in-between/9781787755574

In this episode I am speaking with Tiffany

Tiffany is diagnosed with schizophrenia, and has experienced the symptoms of psychosis from a very early age. In todays episode I will speak with her about what this was like, how its effected her life, and how she feels about her psychosis.

*Warning - there are references to suicidal thinking, suicide attempts and disordered eating within this episode*