John J. Ratey
Born: April 07, 1948 – Rochester, Pennsylvania, United States
John J. Ratey is an American psychiatrist and Harvard Medical School associate clinical professor of psychiatry who writes about ADHD, neuropsychiatry, and the effects of exercise on brain health. He is best known for Spark and, with Edward M. Hallowell, Driven to Distraction, books that helped popularize these subjects for broad audiences.
Biography & Author's Journey
John J. Ratey built his career by linking psychiatry to everyday life. Raised in Beaver, Pennsylvania, he was first shaped by tennis, which helped carry him to Colgate University, where he studied philosophy as a Washburn Scholar. After working at Harvard’s Massachusetts Mental Health Center, he completed premedical studies in Boston, earned his M.D. at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and returned to Harvard for psychiatric training. He became inpatient chief resident and later assistant director of residency and medical student training, while beginning research on aggression, autism, and attention disorders. ((https://www.johnratey.com/aboutus.php?utm_source=openai))
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Go Wild
John J. Ratey & Richard Manning
Explore how reconnecting with our evolutionary roots through diet, exercise, and nature can combat modern health afflictions and restore wellbeing.
Spark
John J. Ratey & Eric Hagerman
Groundbreaking exploration of exercise's transformative effects on the brain, revealing its power to combat various mental health issues.
Driven to distraction
Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey
Guiding readers on ADHD, from symptoms to coping strategies and positive aspects.
Go Wild
John J. Ratey & Richard Manning
Explore how reconnecting with our evolutionary roots through diet, exercise, and nature can combat modern health afflictions and restore wellbeing.
Spark
John J. Ratey & Eric Hagerman
Groundbreaking exploration of exercise's transformative effects on the brain, revealing its power to combat various mental health issues.
Driven to distraction
Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey
Guiding readers on ADHD, from symptoms to coping strategies and positive aspects.
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Community Voices
"John J. Ratey takes a step in the right direction with an introduction to neuroscience that sticks to a man-on-the-street vocabulary"
— The New Yorker
"John J. Ratey is a conscientious guide, pointing out the intricate routes by which human brains navigate behavior"
— Kirkus Reviews
"After a careful and informative introduction to A.D.D., John J. Ratey answers questions in a presentation that is slow, clear, and thoughtful"
— AudioFile
"John J. Ratey synthesized volumes of research for his intriguing 2008 book Spark"
— The Washington Post
"Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey team up again for this encouraging survey on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder"
— Publishers Weekly
"John J. Ratey gives readers yet another reason to get active: exercise has a profound impact on cognitive abilities"
— Greater Good
"John J. Ratey and Richard Manning outline the mental and physical benefits of living more like our hunter-gatherer ancestors"
— Publishers Weekly
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
