In this episode, Peter and Orlando explore Momma May Be Mad, a powerful memoir by Kerry Neville that examines mental health, addiction, and recovery. They discuss her journey through anorexia, alcoholism, bipolar disorder, and electroconvulsive therapy, and how writing became her anchor. This conversation highlights resilience, the complexity of healing, and the possibility of hope after crisis.

Momma May Be Mad: A Memoir by Kerry Neville

Credit: Madville Publishing

 

In this episode, we introduce you to Kerry Neville’s memoir Momma May Be Mad, a deeply personal account of mental illness and recovery. The book traces her descent into what she calls the “bottom of the well,” where anorexia, addiction, and suicidal thoughts shaped her daily reality. Her experience with electroconvulsive therapy left gaps in her memory, forcing her to reconstruct her own life through journals, records, and conversations with others.

As we discuss the structure of the memoir, we see how it moves from chaos to clarity. The early sections reflect a fragmented, disordered mind, while later passages become more grounded and reflective. This stylistic shift mirrors her gradual recovery, shaped by sobriety, major life changes, and a defining moment when she rejected a doctor’s claim that she was beyond help. That moment becomes a turning point where she begins to define recovery on her own terms.

Ultimately, this episode is about what it means to find hope after profound struggle. Neville describes writing as the force that kept her tethered to the world, even in her darkest moments. Today, she continues to teach and write, holding onto hope through everyday joys like time with horses and meaningful connections. Her story offers a reminder that rebuilding is possible, even after deep loss.