John M. Oldham, M.D., is one of America's foremost authorities on personality disorders and the science of personality styles. A distinguished emeritus professor at Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Oldham has spent decades helping people understand the traits and patterns that define who they are — and how those traits can become sources of strength rather than limitation. He served as president of the American Psychiatric Association from 2011 to 2012 and has held leadership roles at the Menninger Foundation and the New York State Office of Mental Health, establishing himself as a trusted voice at the highest levels of psychiatry.
Dr. Oldham is best known to general audiences as the co-author of The New Personality Self-Portrait, a groundbreaking guide that translates complex psychiatric research into practical self-knowledge. Rather than labeling personality through a lens of disorder, his work embraces the full spectrum of human character, showing readers how their dominant personality styles shape their relationships, ambitions, and daily decisions. His approach combines the rigor of clinical science with an accessible, empowering perspective that has resonated with readers seeking genuine insight into themselves and others.
With over 200 published journal articles and books, Dr. Oldham has made enduring contributions to the understanding of personality disorders, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and emotional regulation. He trained at Columbia University and received psychoanalytic training at the Columbia Psychoanalytic Center, bringing a deep, integrative perspective to his work. For listeners exploring the Nightingale-Conant library, Dr. Oldham offers the rare combination of world-class expertise and a compassionate, practical voice — making him an ideal guide for anyone ready to understand their personality and put it to work.
