rachelstarlive

08/31/2026

Top Schizophrenia Myths Debunked
There are many myths that surround people with a schizophrenia diagnosis. Some examples of these myths are that people with schizophrenia have multiple personalities, that those with schizophrenia are dangerous and need to be hospitalized permanently, or that schizophrenia is caused by childhood abuse.

None of these are true. Schizophrenia spectrum disorder is one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions. Dispelling these myths is crucial for reducing stigma.

Host Rachel Star Withers, a diagnosed schizophrenic, and co-host Gabe Howard break down the common myths surrounding schizophrenia and how to respond when you hear them, in this episode of Inside Schizophrenia.

Guest Kit Wallis, who goes by SchizoKitzo, joins later in the show. She is a content creator who advocates for schizoaffective and bipolar disorders. Kit was diagnosed with the bipolar type of schizoaffective disorder in late 2020, but has been managing symptoms since she was in middle school. The mission of SchizoKitzo is to raise awareness of schizoaffective disorder and all of its aspects, from the mood side to the psychotic side.
https://psychcentral.com/blog/is/podcast-top-schizophrenia-myths-debunked PsychCentral.com Healthline

What should we say when we hear schizophrenia myths? Listen to Rachel Star and SchizoKitzo explain some common misconceptions about living with this disorder on this podcast episode.

08/06/2026

Crisis in Schizophrenia: What to Do First
The intersection of schizophrenia and an acute mental health crisis typically involves a profound, overwhelming disruption of cognitive processing, emotional stability, and grasp on reality. During these periods, symptoms of the disorder such as hallucinations or delusions frequently intensify, leaving someone unable to distinguish internal psychiatric distress from the external reality. This internal chaos is often compounded by severe agitation, a sudden withdrawal from social support systems, or a complete breakdown in the ability to communicate, which can rapidly escalate into a dangerous medical and social emergency.

Helping a family member experiencing a mental health crisis is an incredibly stressful and frightening situation. Safety, both yours and theirs, is the immediate priority.

In this episode, host Rachel Star Withers, a diagnosed schizophrenic, and co-host Gabe Howard discuss how to navigate an active schizophrenia mental health crisis while prioritizing safety for everyone involved.

Guest Touray Beaton, Jr., director of emergency and community based services with the South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, joins. He breaks down how the South Carolina Mental Health Mobile Crisis responds so you can know what to expect. Healthline PsychCentral.com
https://psychcentral.com/blog/is/podcast-crisis-in-schizophrenia-what-to-do-first

Learn important steps to take before, during, and after a schizophrenia crisis on this episode of the Inside Schizophrenia podcast. Listen Now!

08/01/2026

Brain Stories Podcast
Today, Rachel Star Withers talks about the hallucinations she has had since she was a kid, and how she learned to manage them. It became the basis of a brilliant children's book she has written. Rachel is energetic, refreshingly open, matter-of-fact and has forged a method to deal with hallucinations and depression that could help millions.

Rachel is a speaker, entertainer, teacher and the host of a terrific podcast called Inside Schizophrenia. Check it out at https://psychcentral.com/blog/is. You can find out more about her on her webpage https://www.rachelstarlive.com/.

Her children's book, "The Adventures of _____________, volume 1" is available on Amazon. It includes a workbook and ought to be required reading for any child living with depression, ADHD or hallucinations - and anybody who is supporting those children. There are sections for hallucinations, depression and ADHD - you can buy them individually if you prefer.

Subscribe or follow Brain Stories so you never miss an episode. The next episode will be released in two weeks.

This episode was edited and co-produced by Kate Rusk-Kosa. Theme music comes to us from Paul Swartzel. It was executive produced by Frank Kosa and Janet Yang.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dimAtuHHUF4

Welcome to Brain Stories Connections! Now available in a new video ...

07/28/2026

06/24/2026

Systemic Failures Leading to Tragedy with Schizophrenia

Treating schizophrenia in America is often described as a broken system, not because of a lack of medical knowledge, but due to structural and policy failures. The failures of these systems has created a cycle where individuals often move between homelessness, emergency rooms, and the criminal justice system rather than receiving ongoing care. Many families and caregivers struggle to get help even when the situation turns dangerous.

In this episode, hosts Rachel Star Withers and Gabe Howard discuss how the government and health care system failures lead to these tragedies and what needs to change. They unpack cases like the one involving Rob Reiner, where his son, who has schizophrenia, is suspected of murdering both his parents during a severe mental health crisis.

Guest Gail Freedman joins later in the episode. She is the director, writer, and producer of a new documentary, “No One Cares About Crazy People .” It’s inspired by Ron Powers acclaimed book of the same name and it’s an intimate, immersive dive into the crisis and chaos of severe mental illness and the grassroots movement to do something about it.

https://psychcentral.com/blog/is/podcast-systemic-failures-leading-to-tragedy-with-schizophrenia PsychCentral.com Healthline

Unpacking situations like the one involving Rob Reiner’s son is explored on this episode of the Inside Schizophrenia podcast. Listen now!

05/15/2026

Anasognosia- unable to recognize you are sick (Via “Out of Mind Out of Sight”)

04/27/2026

Headlines of Horror: Schizophrenia Portrayals in News Media

“Paranoid schizophrenic admits to attacking dog walker.” When we watch a horror movie, we know the “madman” on screen is a work of fiction. But when the nightly news leads with a diagnosis to explain a tragedy, the fear it creates is very real — and often permanent.

Why does the media lead with schizophrenia only when the story involves violence, yet remain silent when it comes to stories of recovery, hope, and humanity?

In this hard-hitting episode, host Rachel Star Withers (who lives with schizophrenia) and co-host Gabe Howard explore the Lead with Fear phenomenon — the dangerous journalistic trend of linking a diagnosis to a crime before the facts are even in — and why schizophrenia seems to have the worst PR team in the world.

Later in the show, we sit down with two media heavyweights who are using their platforms to overhaul how the world views mental health. Leading the way is Janet Yang, an Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning producer and former President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Consistently named one of the 50 most powerful women in Hollywood, Janet brings a massive industry footprint to the conversation on authentic representation.

She is joined by Frank Kosa, an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker with an extensive career crafting narratives for National Geographic, the History Channel, and A&E. Together, these industry titans explain why the media relies on dangerous tropes and how they are reclaiming the narrative with their series, “Brain Stories.”

Listener Take-A-Ways:
-why “paranoid schizophrenia” is an obsolete clinical term that journalists refuse to let go of
-the startling statistic that fewer than 20% of news stories about schizophrenia include themes of recovery
-practical ways you can hold news outlets accountable and promote stories of hope

It’s time to stop letting clickbait define a diagnosis. Tune in to learn how we can start telling the whole story.

“Real life is many times scarier than horror movies. When people see schizophrenia portrayed on the news and they feel scared, they believe that that thing is 100% verified to be legitimately scary.” ~Rachel Star Withers, Host
Healthline PsychCentral.com Brain Stories Podcast

Beyond clickbait: Podcast episode explores how sensationalized news fuels schizophrenia stigma. Featuring Janet Yang as a featured guest.