Popcorn Psychology

Welcome to Season 7! We have heard your cries and we are starting with Saltburn! [content warning: this episode includes discussions of abuse] We attempt to understand Oliver Quick through the lens of antisocial personality disorder. We also discuss the Catton family as a model for dysfunctional family systems.

[CW: Discussions of predatory relationships including references to assault] This year's winner of our Valentine's Day poll is Never Been Kissed! Listener beware if you are precious about this movie because we truly rip it apart. We first break down the characters of Josie and Rob. We discuss the potential of neurodivergence in regards to Josie and the impact of failed dreams via Rob. We spend a good chunk of this episode focusing on the predatory and reprehensible relationship between Josie AND A MAN WHO THINKS SHE IS A TEENAGER! So hang on to your favorite feather boa, cuz this is gonna be a bumpy ride.

Would it be better to forget than remember when pain is involved? We try to answer that question in our PATREON picked episode on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. We analyze the two main characters: Clementine & Joel. We also rip apart the ethics (or lack thereof) behind the “medical professionals” responsible for the forgetting procedure. Join us as we try to outrun the memory police! Thank you, Kayla!

Happy December 23rd! Or how its known in the Costanza household: HAPPY FESTIVUS! Join us as we round out 2023 by getting out our metal poles and discussing the Festivus episode of Seinfeld. We discuss how trauma is represented by George Costanza as well as how Festivus is a holiday made by and for someone with Narcissistic Personality Disorder. We wish you all a happy new year and we hope you all win your family's feats of strength!!

Merry Christmas! This holiday season we break down (and hate on) the 90s kid classic, Jingle All The Way! We discuss the representation of parenting via Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sinbad. We also explore the destructive nature of consumerism. Hope you all don’t mind our ribbing of a modern classic that unfortunately does not hold up in any way.

Join us as we discuss the 90s classic: Fried Green Tomatoes! We are once again joined by Rachel Harrison, our close friend and art therapist. We discuss identity through the experiences of the three main characters: Idgie, Ruth, and Evelyn. We also discuss the importance of chosen family and community. Tawanda!!

In this episode we are joined by Tessa Marie Hoffman as we break down the 2014 critically acclaimed film, Whiplash. We discuss the “teaching” tactics displayed in the movie and evaluate the differences between preparing students for the realities of a difficult career and narcissistic abuse. We also explore the power dynamics of mentor/student relationships, specifically within the entertainment industry. Find out more about Tessa on IG @tessamariehoffman or at tessamariehoffman.net

[CW: This episode contains lengthy discussions throughout about domestic violence] Happy Halloween! We are finally taking the windy mountain road to the Overlook Hotel to discuss The Shining! We are joined by Dr. Scott Jordon (aka Zombie Scotty)! We ask the question, would seeing ghosts give you PTSD? We have a very serious discussion about the domestic violence shown in the relationship of Jack and Wendy as well as its impact on their son, Danny. We also touch on the variety of ways that Kubrick uses aspects of filmmaking to provoke a psychological response within us. Join us! But don't go into room 237!! Where you can find Dr. Scott: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN5ddGv-AuqOj7iwdBxt_eQ twitter.com/Dark_Loops

Are you creepy, spooky, mysterious, or kooky?? Well you've come to the right place because we are talking about The Addams Family!! We are specifically diving into the 1991 film and we are joined by Benjamin Taitz! We ask the eternal question: are the Addams Family a family of "psychopaths"? We also break down the relationship between Fester and his "adoptive" mother, Ms. Craven, as a textbook example of how enmeshment is used within an abusive dynamic. Join us if you dare! Find Ben here: @MHQPodcast-twitter, facebook taplink.cc/mhq

Enjoy this live episode from Fan Expo Chicago 2023! Ben and Brittney chat with a live audience about a variety of topics from the portrayal of therapists in film/tv to surprising places that we have found positive mental health messaging. We touch upon several different pieces of media, from Ted Lasso to Bluey to the MCU. Thank you to everyone who attended live and asked such thoughtful questions!

Stay awake! Because we are finally delving into the multilayered dream space of Inception! We are joined by a super knowledgable guest on therapeutic dreamwork: Dr. Isaac Taitz. We discuss the real components of dreams and consciousness demonstrated in this sci-fi movie. We also continue our discussions on grief, specifically when grief is tangled up in shame. Lastly, we answer the question: Can you really incept a person with an idea?? Where you can find Dr. Isaac Taitz: www.allmindhealth.com https://www.facebook.com/allmindhealth Twitter: @AllMindHealth1 Instagram: @allmindhealth Youtube: @allmindhealth

Wakanda Forever! This will come as no surprise to anyone but this episode will be mainly about grief and the myriad of ways we can experience grief and process grief. We discuss grief not only through the fictional characters of this movie but also through the significant real-life loss of Chadwick Boseman. So bring your tissues and an open heart as we dive into this heavy topic. ❤️

Hello!! We are doing a very special crossover episode with Raiders of the Lost Podcast, hosted by twin brothers Anthony and James Deveney who break down your favorite movies from the past and present. We are finally talking about Pixar's Up, a highly requested film by fans. As this is a hyrid episode, we get a bit more into the actual making of the film and behind the scenes trivia as well as discuss themes of mental health. So join us as we fly all the way to Paradise Falls!!

Hello our fellow adventurers! After many many many fan requests, we are jumping on our camels and venturing into 1999's The Mummy! We are joined by an awesome guest, Charlene MacPherson, as we explore the psychology behind exploration. We also discuss the difference between individualism and collectivism as well as how this movie compares to a D&D campaign. Join us and don't read out loud from any ancient books! How to find Charlene: @NAT20therapy- Facebook, Insta, Twitter, Bluesky, www.nat20therapy.com @MHQPodcast-twitter, facebook taplink.cc/mhq

Join us as we swing into 2021's Spider-Man: No Way Home, the third Spider-Man installment with Tom Holland. We wanted to discuss this movie and this character due to Ben's contribution to the recently published book, Spider-Man Psychology: Untangling Webs. You can find the link below! In this episode we will be discussing corrective experiences, grief, & empathy. Enjoy as we attempt to keep all three Peter Parkers straight through out the discussion! Link to book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/spider-man-psychology-untangling-webs-travis-langley/18819647?ean=9781684429332

Well Garsh! We have a new episode today with the beloved animated 90s movie, A Goofy Movie! We break down the four commonly known parenting styles as well as discuss the difficult journey of parenting a child into adolescence. Ayuck!

Hello! We venture back into the cinematic universe of Wes Anderson with the stop motion animated feature, Fantastic Mr. Fox! We discuss the diagnosis of Narcissistic Personality Disorder and how it presents in our main charater, Mr. Fox. We also explore how this diagnosis not only affects Mr. Fox but his nuclear family, extended family, and his entire animal community. So don't waste any more cussing time and check out this episode!!

Today, we have a special treat for you as we feature an episode from the new podcast "Richard Wiseman's On Your Mind," co-hosted by Richard Wiseman, Britain's only professor in the Public Understanding of Psychology, and science journalist Marnie Chesterson. Together, they delve into the captivating topic of persuasion, exploring how the power of persuasion can be used for good, the psychological tricks used to persuade people, and ways to protect ourselves from marketing strategies. In this episode, all these questions and more will be answered.

We are once again joined by the fantastic Justine Mastin as we complete our LOTR journey with The Return of the King. We discuss the theme of chosen family seen throughout the film as well as purpose and heroism. There may be a day that we stop watching this film, but it is not this day! So get it over with and throw that ring in that mighty big volcano and join us!! Find Justine Mastin @mindbodyfandom on IG

[CW: mild references to SA] Come with me if you want to live! In this episode we time travel into Terminator 2. We discuss the movie's diagnosis of Sarah Connor having schizoaffective disorder. We dive into the movie's portrayal of mental health services within an intensive institutionalized setting. We also break down John Connor as a kid who was raised by an unconventional parent who normalized a number of behaviors that would be considered criminal by mainstream society.