Movie House Sport Psychology

"Justin Bieber is a zombie!" I get into the Christmas spirit today, like a festive legend, by doing a solo episode about the 2017 movie Anna and the Apocalypse. This one-of-a-kind movie is a Christmas-musical-zombie-comedy. I talk the importance of focus, team cohesion, problem solving, and more. Let's see if there is such thing as a Hollywood ending for these characters. Take a listen! Check out...

"When people exist under one roof, a tiny society forms - the stuff of novellas: masters and servants." I talk to Stacy Rae Godoy, LMFT about the 2004 cult classic, Spanglish. We discussed the cultural and family dynamics navigated by the protagonist Flor (Paz Vega) as she works for the Clasky family (Adam Sandler; Tea Leoni; Cloris Leachman). We talked about cultural barriers and misunderstanding...

"Get'cha head in the game!" I talk to Julia Agahee, M.S. about the coming of age Disney classic High School Musical. We discussed the journey embarked on by Gabrielle Montez (Vanessa Hudgens) and Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) as they developed a love for theater and expanded their identities. We discussed the growth mindset and the fixed mindset, teamwork and collective success, performance anxiety and...

"I've been in this room before. We've all been here before." Friend of the show, David Smith, MSc, and I bring you a very spooky Halloween episode of Movie House Sport Psychology. Tune in to catch our Star Trek themed special announcement about an upcoming project. We talk about the terror of alien-abduction-driven insomnia and it's impact on performance. We talked about the crew's trauma response...

"Diamond dogs, mount up! Arf! Arf! Arf!" Friend of the show, Andrea Vargas, LMFT and I finish up our discussion of Season 3 of Ted Lasso and we talk about it all! We discussed the evolving relationships between Roy, Keely, and Jaime. We talked about Ted's unconventional coaching techniques, we talked about the Nate the Wonder Kid's redemption arc, Collin's self-actualization as a gay athlete, and...

"It's just poopeh. Let it flow." Andrea Vargas, LMFT and I talk about the first half of Ted Lasso Season 3. We discussed Roy and Keeley's breakup, athletes' sensitivity to criticism, Collin's double life as a gay athlete, unethical therapists, and more! If you're a "work in prog-mess" this episode is for you. Check it out! Follow Andrea on social media! http...

"I just want to say three things. One, never, ever give up. Two, you're never too old to chase your dreams. And three, it looks like a solitary sport, but it takes a team." Friend of the show, Monica Chernoff, AMFT and I talk about the inspirational and Oscar nominated movie, Nyad. We talked about the bond that Diana Nyad (Annette Bening) and Bonnie Stoll (Jodie Foster) share as long...

"Fear is the mind killer!" I talk to fellow Indo (Dutch-Indonesian/Indo Belanda) and Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) instructor Martin de Jong about the Dune movie series. We talked about colonialism demonstrated in Dune and how it compares to historical colonialism in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia). We compared the prophecies in Dune to Javanese prophecies and their influence...

"I AM THE PUMPKIN KING!" Let's take a trip to Halloween Town with today's guest, Dr. Rachel Hoeft, who is a cognitive performance specialist. We watched Tim Burton's 1993 classic Nightmare Before Christmas. We talk about talk about Jack's Skellington's experience with burnout, his motivation and leadership skills, his intentions versus his impact on Christmas, and mor...

"The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off." Andrea Vargas, LMFT returns to the podcast to discuss the second half of season 2 of Ted Lasso. In today's show we talk about Nate the Great completing his journey to the dark side. We talk about fathers and sons. Someone should write songs about that! We talk about Dr. Sharon learning to let herself be vulnerable and muc...

"I came here tonight because I realized, when you want to spend the rest of your life coaching with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start ASAP. You complete our team." Today, I talk to Andrea Vargas, LMFT about the first half of Ted Lasso season 2. We talk about Roy Kent starring in a rom-com, Danny Rojas getting the yips (we don't say that word!), the birth of the Wonder...

For Frodo! Don't let the weight of The One Ring get you down. This episode can't carry the Ring but maybe it can carry you! Friend of the show, Connor Chaney, and I discuss the final installment of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. We discuss eucatastrophe, leadership styles, and Jungian film analysis. We talk about internal family systems (everyone has a Gollum and a Smeagol). We also discus...

*Po-tay-toes*! Boil 'em, mash 'em, stick 'em in a *stew*! Sit down for a helping of second breakfast with Connor Chaney and me as we discuss the state of our favorite fellowship. In this episode, we reminisced about being "very cool" in our younger days. We talked about how learning group dynamics and trusting the process in improv can help during a journey to Mordor. We talk...

One does not simply walk into Mordor! Let's take a walk through the Shire with today's guest. Connor Chaney is an improviser, actor, graduate student and mental health professional. We talk about how the characters of the 2001 classic Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring demonstrate the guiding principles of improv comedy such as "yes, and." We also talk about the team dynam...

"People keep asking me if I’m back and I haven’t really had an answer but now, yeah I’m thinking I’m back." In today's episode, I speak to Mart de Jong about the John Wick movie series. Martin is a fellow Indo ( AKA Dutch-Indonesian or Indo Belanda), who is a Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) instructor specializing in the Dutch klewang (a historical weapon from the Dutch East...

“You know what the happiest animal on Earth is? It’s a goldfish. You know why? Got a ten-second memory. Be a goldfish, Sam.” In today's episode, friend of the show Andrea Vargas, LMFT and I talk about season one of the hit series Ted Lasso. We discussed the dynamic between Ted and Coach Beard, team cohesion, community building, healthy masculinity, gender dynamics, accountability and forgivene...

"Everything your pal Brett said is true. Except he left out one detail. Those dogs... that was not steak they were eating." Today, I talk to educator, coach, and podcaster, Dr. Steve Wachs! We discussed the 1997 cult classic Suicide Kings starring the singular Christopher Walken as (former?) mob boss Carlo Bartolucci AKA Charlie Barret. The movie also has an all star cast of "90&#39...

"The ones who push the limits, discover the limits sometimes push back." In today's episode, I talk to Monica Chernoff, AMFT about the 2012 classic surfing movie Chasing Mavericks. Monica is a marriage and family therapy associate supervised by Macy Grim, LPCC. We discussed the mentorship and coaching of Frosty Hesson (Gerard Butler). We talked about the value-driven behavior of Jay...

I am an F-B-I AGENT! Today, I talk to Eric Kaufmann, an educational therapist and executive functioning coach, about the movie Point Break. We talk about the "Bromance" between Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) and Bodhi (Patrick Swayze). We talked about the executive functioning and leadership skills of Bodhi and much more. Check it out! Check out Eric Kuafmann's website: https://www.upski...

"Welcome to the party, pal!" Today, I talk to friend of the show David Smith, MSc about the 1980's classic, Die Hard. We talk about the psychological "cat and mouse" game between John McClane (Bruce Willis) and Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman). We talk about talk about McClane's relationship with Ms. Holly Gennaro (Bonnie Bedelia), his "Bromance" with Sgt. Al Powell...

"I was loved for a minute, then I was hated. Then I was just a punch line." In today's episode, I talk to Dr. Saemi Lee about I, Tonya. We discussed her film class, the myth of meritocracy in sport, socioeconomic issues in sport, domestic violence, and our approach to working with athletes. Check it out! Follow Dr. Saemi Lee on social media! https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Saemi...

RITCHIE!!!! Today, I talk to Andrea Vargas, LMFT about the 1987 classic La Bamba. We talk about the fascinating and painful relationship between Ritchie (Lou Diamond Phillips) and Bob (Esai Morales). We discussed the racism and various obstacles Ritchie navigated as an elite performer. Check it out! Follow Andrea on social media! https://www.instagram.com/sanasanacolitadtrauma/ https://www.psychol...

Strike first. Strike hard. Some mercy? In today's episode, I catch up with Lidia Garcia, ACSW about season two of the hit Netflix show Cobra Kai. Lidia is an associate clinical social worker supervised by Monica D. Valdivia Aguilar, LMFT. We talked about the bitter rivalry between Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka). We also talked about psychological tactics of...

"We're not gettin' outta here alive. But neither is that Thing." In today's episode, I talk to friend of the show, Dr. Taylor Neff (AKA the Doctor of Horror) about the 1982 classic, The Thing. We talk about MacReady 's (Kurt Russell) performance as the de facto leader and his relationship to Childs (Keith David). We talk about strategic thinking, fight or flight, and comm...

"Do me a favor. Don't scream." In today's episode, I talk to Dr. Taylor Neff (A.K.A. The Doctor of Horror) about the 1995 horror movie Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight. We talk about the evil genius of Billy Zane's character The Collector. We talk about how the movie demonstrates group psychology, team cohesion, core fears, and possibly the first Black final girl!...