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The Medical Mind

American Psychiatric Association

APA's Medical Mind Podcast covers the latest in psychiatric medicine and emerging trends in the field of mental health care. APA members and other health care professionals provide insight into the intersection between mind, brain and body. The Medical Mind is the home for all of APA's podcast content, and features new series and as well as highlights from AJP Audio, Finding our Voice, Psychiatric Services from Pages to Practice, and more.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is subject to the Terms of Use at www.psychiatry.org. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual speakers only and do not necessarily represent the views of the American Psychiatric Association, its officers, trustees, or members. The content of this podcast is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, medical or any other type of professional advice nor does it represent any statement of the standard of care. We strongly recommend that any listener follow the advice of physicians directly involved in their care and contact their local emergency response number for any medical emergency. The information within this podcast is provided as-is and is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or accurate.

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  • 20 episodes
  • Avg 33 min
  • English
  • August 13 · 52 min

    Psychiatric News Special Report: Evidence-Based Management of Behavioral Symptoms of Dementia

    In this episode of Psychiatric News Special Report, Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza speaks with geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Rajesh Tampi about evidence-based approaches to managing the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Their conversation explores comprehensive assessment, caregiver burden, nonpharmacological interventions, medication strategies, and emerging treatments, with an emphasis on treating the whole patient and adapting care to individual needs. PsychNews Special Report is a production of Psychiatric News, a media platform dedicated to serving as the primary and most trusted source of information for APA members, other psychiatrists and physicians, health professionals, and the public about developments in the field of psychiatry and mental health that impact clinical care and professional practice. Learn more at psychiatryonline.org/journal/pn

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  • July 21 · 31 min

    Psychiatric News Special Report: Lithium Clinics and High-Risk Populations With Bipolar Disorder

    In this episode of Psychiatric News Special Report, Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza speaks with Dr. Sarah El Halabi and Dr. Stephen J. Ferrando about why lithium remains underused despite its established role in treating bipolar disorder. They explore how specialized lithium clinics and standardized monitoring can support safer prescribing for pregnant and postpartum patients, older adults, and people with renal disease. The conversation also addresses misconceptions about lithium toxicity, the challenges of managing complex medications, and the importance of coordinated, team-based care. PsychNews Special Report is a production of Psychiatric News, a media platform dedicated to serving as the primary and most trusted source of information for APA members, other psychiatrists and physicians, health professionals, and the public about developments in the field of psychiatry and mental health that impact clinical care and professional practice. Learn more at psychiatryonline.org/journal/pn

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  • July 17 · 40 min

    Women Psychiatrists Caucus Chats: Dr. Theresa Miskimen Rivera on Leading with Purpose

    In this episode Dr. Gupta is joined by Theresa Miskimen Rivera, MD, DLFAPA. Dr. Miskimen Rivera is the former President of the American Psychiatric Association; a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (APA); a member of the American College of Psychiatrists, and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. She most recently served as the Medical Quality and Clinical Effectiveness Officer for Behavioral Health in the Department of Psychiatry at Hunterdon Medical Center in Flemington, New Jersey. Dr. Miskimen centered her public-sector clinical practice on improving access to and delivery of psychiatric care for bilingual and bicultural communities, developing and implementing intercultural clinical programs, and serving as a consulting psychiatrist for a collaborative care practice in New Jersey. Her clinical work has informed research endeavors, resulting in numerous articles and lectures on diagnostic challenges and symptom phenomenology in treating racially and ethnically diverse populations, as well as on ethical issues affecting psychopharmacological research among ethnic populations and the cultural aspects of patient symptomatology. For over 30 years, Dr. Miskimen has applied her passion and expertise to critical roles, including psychiatric clinical care, patient advocacy, community outreach, academic endeavors, and organizational leadership. Dr. Miskimen has served in numerous community-facing initiatives and appointed positions under three past Governors of the State of New Jersey, addressing mental health issues spanning the intersection of technology and the delivery of psychiatric care, mental health in university settings, and youth suicide prevention. She has served as an APA Delegate to the American Medical Association Section Council on Psychiatry. She is also a member of the Steering Committee for the American Academy of Pediatrics Wellness through Equity and Leadership (WEL) program, which is tasked with developing a training curriculum and leadership experience for women physicians, mentoring participants, and establishing principles on equitable work environments.

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  • July 16 · 21 min

    Mental Health Pathfinders: What Psychiatrists Need to Know About AI with Dr. John Torous

    In this episode of Mental Health Pathfinders, Dr. John Torous, chair of the American Psychiatric Association's Council on Digital Health, Innovation, and Technology, explores the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in mental health care. He discusses the opportunities and limitations of AI-supported care, the risks of long-term chatbot use, privacy concerns, and the importance of maintaining human connection. The conversation also highlights the council's work to educate clinicians, shape responsible policy, and develop practical frameworks for evaluating new technologies.

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  • June 30 · 53 min

    Psychiatric News Special Report: Clinical Considerations of Cannabis Use in the Inpatient Medical Setting

    In this June episode of Psychiatric News Special Report, host Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza speaks with Dr. Heather Murray of the University of Colorado about clinical considerations for cannabis use in inpatient medical settings. The conversation examines how high-potency cannabis and concentrates have changed the clinical picture, including intoxication, withdrawal, hyperemesis, psychosis risk, delirium, catatonia, medication interactions, and self-directed discharge. Dr. Murray also emphasizes balanced, stigma-free assessment and the importance of asking about formulation, potency, route, frequency, and last use when caring for patients across medical and psychiatric settings.

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  • June 18 · 25 min

    Mental Health Pathfinders: APA President Mark H. Rapaport, M.D.

    In this episode of Mental Health Pathfinders, host Erin Connors speaks with APA President Mark H. Rapaport, M.D., about his vision for the year ahead and the role members can play in advancing psychiatry. Dr. Rapaport discusses APA's strategic priorities, the future of the DSM, and the importance of medical leadership, member engagement, and stronger communication throughout the organization. The conversation also examines urgent challenges facing psychiatrists and their patients, including scope creep, ghost panels, mental health parity, stigma, misinformation, and the effects of social media. Drawing on examples from crisis care and health economics, Dr. Rapaport explains how psychiatrists can demonstrate the value of their work and turn their experiences into effective advocacy for patients, communities, and the profession.

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  • May 27 · 20 min

    Women Leaders in Psychiatry: Dr. Marketa M. Wills on Leadership, Mentorship, and the Future of Psychiatry

    In this episode of Women Leaders in Psychiatry, Dr. Anjali Gupta speaks with Dr. Marketa M. Wills, CEO and medical director of the American Psychiatric Association, during a live meeting of the Women Psychiatrists Caucus. Dr. Wills reflects on her path into psychiatry, the mentors who shaped her career, and how her medical, business, and consulting background informs her leadership. She also discusses her vision for APA, the most pressing challenges facing psychiatry today, the importance of integrity in leadership, and the role psychiatrists must play in shaping technology, AI, access to care, and the future of the field.

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  • May 18 · 47 min

    Psych News Special Report: Conflict, Disaster, and the Psychiatry of Displacement

    In this episode of Psychiatric News Special Report, host Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza speaks with Dr. Sophia Matta about the May Psychiatric News article "Conflict, Disaster, and the Psychiatry of Displacement." Dr. Matta discusses how modern conflict, disaster, social media, drone warfare, environmental exposures, and displacement are reshaping the way psychiatrists understand trauma. The conversation explores continuous traumatic stress, the limits of traditional PTSD frameworks, emerging treatments such as neuromodulation and psychedelic-assisted therapy, the role of hope and resilience, and why psychiatry must take a broader, whole-person view of mental and physical health in a rapidly changing world. PsychNews Special Report is a production of Psychiatric News, a media platform dedicated to serving as the primary and most trusted source of information for APA members, other psychiatrists and physicians, health professionals, and the public about developments in the field of psychiatry and mental health that impact clinical care and professional practice. Learn more at psychiatryonline.org/journal/pn

  • April 28 · 14 min

    Mental Health Pathfinders: Building Resilience

    In this episode of Mental Health Pathfinders, host Erin Connors speaks with Nina Kraguljac, M.D., about what resilience really means through a mental health lens. Dr. Kraguljac discusses why resilience is not a fixed character trait, how it can be strengthened over time, and why meaning, hope, agency, and social connection play such an important role in helping people navigate adversity. She also shares insights from the State of Ohio Adversity and Resilience Study, a first-in-the-nation effort to better understand the psychological, social, environmental, and biological factors that shape resilience and mental health.

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  • April 17 · 46 min

    Psychiatric News Special Report: The 'Lifelong' Psychotherapy Patient

    This month on Psychiatric News Special Report, Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza is joined by clinical psychologists Dr. Erin Cassidy-Eagle and Dr. Janie Hong to discuss the "lifelong psychotherapy patient," a group that is common in practice but rarely examined directly. Drawing on their work at Stanford and their recent article in Psychiatric News, they explore why some patients need ongoing psychotherapy support, how short-term care models can fall short, and what it means to meet patients where they are rather than forcing treatment into rigid timelines. The conversation also looks at the pressure clinicians face inside modern health care systems, from insurance limits and measurement-based care to access bottlenecks and burnout. Along the way, the episode considers what meaningful progress can look like when symptom reduction is not the whole story, why long-term therapeutic relationships can be both demanding and deeply valuable, and how clinicians and systems can think more creatively about continuity of care. PsychNews Special Report is a production of Psychiatric News, a media platform dedicated to serving as the primary and most trusted source of information for APA members, other psychiatrists and physicians, health professionals, and the public about developments in the field of psychiatry and mental health that impact clinical care and professional practice. Learn more at psychiatryonline.org/journal/pn

  • March 17 · 46 min

    Psychiatric News Special Report: Rethinking Pain as a Dual Diagnosis

    In this episode of Psychiatric News Special Report, host Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza speaks with Dr. Alexander Niculescu about pain as more than a physical symptom alone. Their conversation explores the overlap between chronic pain and psychiatric conditions, the promise of precision psychiatry, and how biomarkers may help clinicians better assess risk, guide treatment, and rethink refractory pain. They also discuss the limitations of current approaches, the role of non-opioid interventions, and why psychiatrists are uniquely positioned to treat the whole person. Read this special report here: https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.pn.2026.03.3.28 PsychNews Special Report is a production of Psychiatric News, a media platform dedicated to serving as the primary and most trusted source of information for APA members, other psychiatrists and physicians, health professionals, and the public about developments in the field of psychiatry and mental health that impact clinical care and professional practice. Learn more at psychiatryonline.org/journal/pn

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  • March 12 · 10 min

    Mental Health Pathfinders: A Closer Look at Women's Mental Health with Dr. Nancy Byatt

    In this episode of Mental Health Pathfinders, host Erin Connors speaks with Dr. Nancy Byatt about women's mental health and the growing importance of reproductive psychiatry. Their conversation explores how mental health needs can arise across the lifespan, from menstruation and pregnancy to postpartum and menopause, and why prioritizing emotional well-being is essential for both women and their families. Dr. Byatt also addresses common concerns about antidepressant use and pain treatment during pregnancy, while highlighting the importance of trusted medical guidance, early support, and greater awareness of maternal mental health.

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  • February 20 · 47 min

    Psychiatric News Special Report: Barriers to Rehabilitation After Discharge

    On this episode of Psychiatric News Special Report, host Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza is joined by Dr. James Bourgeois, Vice Chair of Hospital Psychiatry Services at UC Davis and Psychiatric News' consultation liaison section editor, for a practical conversation on what happens after medical discharge for patients living with serious mental illness. Using the February Special Report on post discharge rehabilitation barriers as a springboard, they break down why "medically ready" can still mean "psychiatrically at risk," and how mobility limits, nursing capacity, and safety rules can block transfers to inpatient psychiatry. The discussion highlights proactive consultation models, stronger handoffs to outpatient care, and how primary care based psychiatric support can reduce repeat hospital use while keeping patients safer in the community. Read this special report here: https://www.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.pn.2026.02.2.4 PsychNews Special Report is a production of Psychiatric News, a media platform dedicated to serving as the primary and most trusted source of information for APA members, other psychiatrists and physicians, health professionals, and the public about developments in the field of psychiatry and mental health that impact clinical care and professional practice. Learn more at psychiatryonline.org/journal/pn

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  • February 19 · 19 min

    Mental Health Pathfinders: The Future of the DSM

    On this episode of Mental Health Pathfinders, host Erin Connors speaks with Dr. Maria Oquendo, Dr. Jonathan Alpert, and Dr. Nitin Gogtay about how a roadmap is taking shape for the future of the DSM. They break down how the work builds on DSM-5 and DSM-5-TR, and what it could look like to broaden diagnosis beyond symptom checklists to include functioning, quality of life, and social and cultural context. The conversation explores where biomarkers may eventually fit, why the DSM may evolve into a more frequently updated digital-first "living" manual, and how feedback from clinicians, people with lived experience, and caregivers is being built into the process.

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  • January 29 · 20 min

    Mental Health Innovation Zone: From Clinic to Startup, Building Tools That Scale Care

    On this episode of Mental Health Innovation Zone, Dr. Stephen Chan sits down with child psychiatrist and entrepreneur Dr. Monika Roots to unpack her path from clinical practice to building and scaling mental health tech companies. Dr. Roots shares the origin story behind early innovations like CogCubed, lessons learned about designing for real end users, and how measurement became a key lever as telehealth expanded. The conversation also explores leadership frameworks that embrace learning through mistakes, the value of mentorship, and why understanding the business of medicine matters for every clinician.

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  • January 21 · 54 min

    Psych News Special Report: Addressing Cognitive Error in Psychiatric Practice

    On this episode of PsychNews Special Report, host Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza sits down with psychiatrist and author Dr. Paul Putman to explore how cognitive errors show up in everyday clinical work. They talk through fast versus slow thinking, why our brains default to shortcuts, and how time pressure, isolation, and copy forward documentation can quietly amplify mistakes. Dr. Putman makes the case for practical guardrails like semi structured interview templates, deliberate differential diagnoses, and a habit of revising your model when treatments stall. The conversation also challenges the label of treatment resistance, highlights the value of second opinions and true peer consultation, and closes with strategies for protecting clinician wellbeing. Read this special report here: https://www.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.pn.2026.01.1.7 PsychNews Special Report is a production of Psychiatric News, a media platform dedicated to serving as the primary and most trusted source of information for APA members, other psychiatrists and physicians, health professionals, and the public about developments in the field of psychiatry and mental health that impact clinical care and professional practice. Learn more at psychiatryonline.org/journal/pn

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  • January 2 · 12 min

    Mental Health Pathfinders: Dr. Petros Levounis on Dry January and What a Month Free From Alcohol Can Teach You

    On this episode of Mental Health Pathfinders, host Erin Connors sits down with Dr. Petros Levounis to unpack the appeal of Dry January and what people can realistically gain from a month off alcohol. They talk through why a time-limited goal can be easier to stick with, how to handle social situations without making it a public announcement, and what benefits people often notice physically and psychologically when they take a break. The conversation also covers practical strategies for anxiety in the moment (including hydration, cutting back on caffeine, and finding a supportive ally), the rise of mocktails, what to know about medications that can help reduce cravings, and how to reintroduce alcohol more safely if you choose to drink again after a month off.

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  • Dec 30, 2025 · 15 min

    Mental Health Pathfinders: APA's Year in Review with CEO & Medical Director Dr. Marketa Wills

    In this holiday-season conversation, host Erin Connors sits down with APA CEO and Medical Director Dr. Marketa Wills to reflect on the year and look ahead to what is next for psychiatry and the Association. Dr. Wills shares why APA's new strategic plan is the right roadmap for a fast-changing landscape, with a sharper focus on measurable progress for members and patients. They discuss what she heard from psychiatrists across the U.S. and globally, the strongest advocacy priorities from parity to reimbursement, and how APA is strengthening partnerships and infrastructure to support the field. Dr. Wills also talks candidly about mental fitness and self-care during a demanding season.

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  • Dec 12, 2025 · 54 min

    Psych News Special Report: Communicating the Neurobiology of MDD

    On this episode of Psychiatric News Special Report, host Dr. Adrian Preda talks with psychiatrist and neuroscientist Dr. Chloe Page about what modern brain science really tells us about major depressive disorder. Drawing on the December 2025 Special Report, they walk through the rise and limits of the "chemical imbalance" story, how media coverage of the Moncrieff serotonin review fueled public mistrust, and why a neuroplasticity framework offers a richer and more accurate way to understand depression. Along the way, they explore how stress, genetics, inflammation and brain circuits converge on reduced plasticity, why antidepressants can help even when serotonin is not the whole story, and how psychotherapy, exercise, neuromodulation and medication can work together to get a "stuck" brain moving again. The conversation highlights the power of metaphors, honest communication and shared decision making to rebuild trust and help patients make sense of both the science and their own experience of depression. Read the full Special Report here: https://www.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.pn.2025.12.12.2 PsychNews Special Report is a production of Psychiatric News, a media platform dedicated to serving as the primary and most trusted source of information for APA members, other psychiatrists and physicians, health professionals, and the public about developments in the field of psychiatry and mental health that impact clinical care and professional practice. Learn more at psychiatryonline.org/journal/pn

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  • Dec 5, 2025 · 34 min

    Mente sana, gente sana: fe, comunidad y salud mental

    En este episodio de Mente Sana, Gente Sana, el Dr. Héctor Colón-Rivera se sienta con el psiquiatra e investigador en salud mental global Dr. Víctor Pereira-Sánchez para explorar cómo la fe, la migración y la comunidad se entrecruzan en la salud mental de los latinos e hispanos. Basándose en su experiencia en Washington Heights y en su propia formación espiritual en España, el Dr. Pereira-Sánchez describe el papel central que desempeñan las iglesias en la vida de los inmigrantes, desde el apoyo social y el sentido de pertenencia hasta el arraigo espiritual en momentos de crisis. Hablan de cómo los sacerdotes y los líderes religiosos suelen convertirse en el primer punto de contacto para las personas que sufren depresión, ansiedad o pensamientos suicidas, y de lo que puede suceder cuando el estigma, la culpa o la desinformación alejan a las personas de la atención sanitaria. La conversación destaca formas concretas en que las parroquias pueden convertirse en espacios más saludables desde el punto de vista mental, incluyendo la alfabetización en salud mental, los ministerios de presencia y la colaboración con los médicos. El episodio también analiza cómo la tecnología y los servicios transmitidos en vivo están remodelando la vida religiosa, las señales de alerta que las familias deben observar en los niños y adolescentes, y consejos prácticos para quienes buscan una nueva comunidad religiosa o desean ser voluntarios en una.

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