House of Games

Episode 3 is a collage of audio clips from interviews and media. In particular, I present a history of my mother's mental illness, her behavior, and the recollections of her closest friend. This podcast deals with discussions of child abuse and mental illness, it may be triggering for some listeners.

Created by: Donna Barrow-Green

Narrated by: Donna Barrow-Green

Music by: Raf Green Flowers Album. https://open.spotify.com/album/7fe1BBZGmU7FzIcIYBVS8l

Audio Clip (psychosurgery) H. Thomas Ballantine, MD https://youtu.be/o_bMvfSOFIM

For more on the story visit Illuminus Audio Productions, House of Games Blog where you'll find photographs, records, deeper exploration into the story: https://www.illuminusproductions.com/house-of-games/

(c) Donna Barrow-Green, Illuminus Audio Productions

Trigger Warning: This podcast is a memoir of child abuse and neuroscience. It is fully sound produced and experiential. The content may be triggering to some individuals.

Episode 2 is another audio book format memoir about my parents. It is a continuation of Episode 1 and sets the stage for a background on my parents' mental illness. In this episode I explore the origins of their behaviors including both of them undergoing brain surgery. I also explore how I made sense of the child abuse and what I understand about the ways abuse affects a child's brain.

I reference books and studies on interpersonal neurobiology:

Van der Kolk, Bessel A. The Body Keeps the Score : Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma : Key Takeaways, Analysis & Review. Instaread, 2015.

Siegel, Daniel J. Pocket Guide to Interpersonal Neurobiology : an Integrative Handbook of the Mind. 1st ed., W.W. Norton, 2012.

For more information on brain science and effects of abuse on young children visit The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/

For supplementary photographs, documents, and blog posts visit The House of Games Blog: https://www.illuminusproductions.com/house-of-games/

Outro Music "Lie to Me" by Raf Green https://open.spotify.com/artist/2gPagjf5oAnieCbalgmNTo

Written and read by Donna Barrow-Green (c) 2020

Episode 1: Two Criminals

What kind of man drives a 1969 two door holiday coupe cutlass supreme with bucket seats and a console in the middle with a removable compartment where weed and other drugs can be stored? What kind of secret life does a middle class chemist living in a small three bedroom suburban tract house have? Who leads double lives. Follow the lie. In my father’s case it’s the mask of a sociopath.

Note from the author:

House of Games examines the darkest recesses of my own childhood trauma and the ways it affected those around me. I have spent decades asking why...doing research and interviews. This podcast will weave together the story and the unexpected answers I’ve found. I attempt to explain how brain science frames my own experiences and offer stunning examples of society’s fascination with mental illness, brain science, and dysfunction.

Episode 1 is part of the audio collage House of Games. Chapter 1 is narrated by the author, embedded in a sound scape production .

Please review and rate this episode on itunes. It will help attract sponsors and support to keep the podcast going. Feel free to email me with thoughts or comments at [email protected]

You can find related material on the show's blog: https://www.illuminusproductions.com/house-of-games/

Thanks to Raf Green for the outro song Flowers. You can find the album on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7fe1BBZGmU7FzIcIYBVS8l

If you haven't listened to the Diarist by Donna Barrow Green you can find links and check out all of her work on https://www.illuminusproductions.com/