From Advocate to Skeptic: Rose Cartwright’s Personal Journey in the World of Medical Models

Tyler Kent | 26 November 2024
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Celebrity Interviews
From Advocate to Skeptic: Rose Cartwright’s Personal Journey in the World of Medical Models

Rose Cartwright is a screenwriter and the author of Pure, a highly successful memoir that was adapted into a series for Channel Four. She is also a writer and producer on Netflix’s 3 Body Problem. Pure detailed Rose’s personal journey of discovering that she had OCD, a “mental illness,” and the sense of relief she initially found within that medical framework. However, this clarity was short-lived. In her new book, The Maps We Carry, she explores the painful realization that the “illness” narrative she had embraced and publicly championed was deeply flawed and, at times, harmful.

In this interview, Cartwright reflects on her painful and isolating journey away from the “mental illness” model. She discusses how confronting her childhood trauma shaped her understanding, and she critiques the limitations of oversimplified trauma narratives. She also shares how psychedelics and meditation helped her uncover the roots of her disconnection, leading her to a deeper appreciation for the significance of trusting relationships and communities. With raw honesty, Cartwright emphasizes in both her book and this conversation the importance of approaching our understanding of mental health and suffering with humility and openness.

Beauty
The Secret to Brighter, Smoother Skin: My 56-Year-Old Mom and I Swear by These Peel Pads

When I asked my mom what she wanted for her 56th birthday, she had one simple request—Yse Beauty's Your Favorite Ex Exfoliating Pads. Before you ask, no, she doesn’t typically ask for beauty products (though I do offer them frequently, as any good beauty-editor daughter would!). She doesn’t wear perfume and keeps her skincare and makeup routine extremely minimal.

But these peel pads are different. They’re gentle yet powerful, helping to fade dark spots, smooth fine lines, and prevent breakouts with just one swipe. I know because I’m completely hooked on them too—and apparently, I’m not alone, as they’ve been sold out for months. (My mom was keeping track, of course.)

So, you can probably guess why she was so eager for them as her birthday gift. She’d been carefully rationing her last few pads, hoping I could work some beauty-editor magic to get my hands on a secret stash. Luckily, the brand sent me the very last sample they had, and I was crowned daughter of the year. (Thanks, Yse!) Fast forward a few weeks, and the peel pads were back in stock—needless to say, my mom was beyond excited.

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Entertainment
How The Franchise Strikes the Perfect Balance Between Hollywood Satire and Humanity

The entertainment industry has long been a prime target for satire, from classic Hollywood films like Sullivan’s Travels and Singin’ in the Rain to both affectionate takes (Truffaut’s Day for Night) and more cynical critiques (Altman’s The Player). This tradition continues with recent sitcoms like 30 Rock and Hacks, which highlight the absurdities of behind-the-scenes life in showbiz.

HBO’s The Franchise aims to capture all the ridiculousness and moral shortcomings we expect in a contemporary spoof of superhero franchise-making. Set at Leavesden Studios in England, it follows the troubled production of Tecto, a much-maligned spinoff of a larger comic book movie series.

Showrunner Jon Brown, drawing on his experience in the Veep and Succession writers' rooms, brings the concept to life, which was initially conceived by Sam Mendes (who directed the show’s ambitious pilot episode) and Veep creator Armando Iannucci. The Envelope spoke with Brown and Himesh Patel (Station Eleven, Yesterday), who portrays the overworked, hyper-stressed first assistant director on the show within the show.

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