Episode 252: Understanding the Brain with Dr Marc Dingman and Dr Leigh Richardson

On this episode of In Your Head with Dr. Leigh Richardson, we delve into the fascinating and often perplexing world of rare psychiatric and neurological disorders with Dr. Marc Dingman, author of Bizarre and a professor of neuroscience at Penn State University. Dr. Dingman’s book explores a long list of unusual conditions that challenge our understanding of the human brain and behavior. We’ll begin the show by discussing a chilling case from 1966: the story of Charles Whitman, the University of Texas at Austin student who, without warning, opened fire from the observation deck of the university's clock tower, killing 14 people and injuring 30 others. But what drove him to commit such an unimaginable act? How could a man with an otherwise upstanding character—an Eagle Scout, ex-Marine, and college student—suddenly snap and take so many lives? Was this an emotional reaction to external pressures? Was it influenced by social factors or his internal psychological state? Or perhaps, was something happening in Whitman’s brain that we couldn’t see? Dr. Dingman explores these questions in-depth, analyzing how psychiatric disorders and bizarre neurological occurrences can dramatically affect behavior and decision-making. Throughout this episode, we’ll discuss the role of brain health in shaping our decisions, what happens when the brain deviates from what we consider "normal," and how understanding rare conditions can deepen our appreciation for the complexities of the human mind. As Dr. Dingman says, there’s no such thing as a “normal” brain—each one is unique, and the differences between them can shape how we think, act, and interact with the world. Contact us at 214-329-9017 for more information. You can listen to the episode on Audible, Amazon Music, Amazon Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, and Podcast Addict.