meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Intelligence Squared

ABC’s James Longman on Family, Trauma, and Reporting from the Frontlines (Part 2)

Intelligence Squared

Intelligence Squared

Arts, News, Society & Culture, News Commentary

4.21.1K Ratings

🗓️ 9 February 2025

⏱️ 28 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Having reported from over sixty countries, from the front lines of wars in Ukraine and Syria to the wilds of the Antarctic, ABC News Chief International Correspondent James Longman has witnessed the extremes of human existence firsthand. But the story that has stayed with him the longest is closer to home. In his new memoir, The Inherited Mind, James applies his journalistic skills to explore a family legacy marked by mental illness, and the science and people that shape us. James was just a preteen at boarding school when his father, who struggled with depression and schizophrenia, died by suicide. His uncle was also diagnosed with schizophrenia, and his grandfather also ended his life. As James grew older, his own battles with depression led him to examine how his father’s mental health might have influenced his own. Drawing on conversations with leading experts, he delves into the science of inheritance, the impact of environment on genetic predispositions, and how one can overcome a familial history of mental illness and trauma. On January 30, James was joined in conversation with longtime friend, barrister and broadcaster Rob Rinder for a powerful discussion on family, resilience, and frontline reporting, live at the Kiln Theatre in London. --------- If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events  ...  Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

As a small business owner, my favourite thing about posting a job on LinkedIn is that when I hit send, I clock out and LinkedIn clocks in.

0:06.9

LinkedIn makes it easy to post your job for free. Get qualified candidates and manage them all in one place.

0:12.9

Plus, LinkedIn extends the reach of your job posts by allowing you to share it with your network.

0:17.6

And hiring managers that add a hiring frame to their LinkedIn profiles

0:21.5

receive two times more qualified applicants. Go to LinkedIn.com slash agree to post your job

0:27.4

for free. Terms and conditions apply. Welcome to Intelligence Squared, where great minds meet.

0:35.5

I'm producer Mia Sorrenti.

0:41.7

For this episode, we're rejoining for part two of our conversation with the international correspondent James Longman,

0:44.4

discussing his new memoir, The Inherited Mind.

0:47.4

This is the second part of our two-part episode,

0:50.3

ABC News, James Longman on family, trauma and reporting from the front lines.

0:55.0

If you haven't heard part one, do just jump back an episode and get up to speed.

0:59.0

Now it's time to rejoin the conversation, recorded recently at the Kiln Theatre in London.

1:05.0

Here's our host for the evening, broadcaster and barrister, Rob Rinder.

1:09.0

Well, I'm going to, I'm sure people here will be buying the book and reading it.

1:14.6

And I was going to quote from the letter, excuse me, the account that she gives.

1:21.6

I urge you to.

1:26.6

It is quite extraordinary. There are other characters as well, people who knew your dad. You call

1:33.8

them, well, voices from the past and guardian angels as well. One of the voices from the past is

1:40.0

somebody called Lizzie. You can tell us who Lizzie was and why she was important.

1:44.6

In my last week at the BBC, I got a letter, I got an email from someone who'd heard me

1:49.8

on the radio, and she said, hi, James, I think I heard your voice on Radio 4, and I've just

...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in -49 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Intelligence Squared, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Intelligence Squared and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.