Popcorn Psychology

Have you found yourself wondering why people won't wear masks? Why the say the coronavirus is a hoax? Have you noticed yourself (and everyone else) struggling with weight since the start of the pandemic? Could disinformation be compared to a zombie outbreak? In this special crossover episode with Eric Scull of Thank You For Spieling we discuss the psychology of the various responses to the COVID19...

By superfan request, we are easing on down the road this week with The Wiz! We will be discussing the many representations of anxiety and depression seen in this movie. We will also dive deep into how systems of oppression, both on the micro level and macro level, impact mental health and cultural identity. Join us as we travel to Oz!! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/p...

Happy Pride (Belated)! In honor of Pride Month, we are going to dive into an LGBTQIA classic, But I’m A Cheerleader! We will be talking about the unethical and immoral practice of conversion therapy and also discussing the difference between gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/popcorn-psychology--3252280/s...

Every revolution starts with a spark! In this episode we examine the various responses to trauma we see in the main characters of this film: Katniss, Peeta, Gale, Haymitch, Johanna, and Finnick. We also discuss systems of oppression and compare and contrast the world of Panem to the riots and protests happening in our world now. We hope you enjoy the episode and leave us a rating and a review! May...

Be Our Guest! In this episode we discuss the Disney animated classic Beauty and the Beast (1991)! We discuss the way the Beast represented Depression in men, we discuss whether or not Gaston has a personality disorder, and we also debate whether or not Belle has Stockholm Syndrome! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/popcorn-psychology--3252280/support .

Popcorn Psychology is once again joined by the Mental Health Avengers (Capes on the Couch, Guardians MH, Popcorn Psychology, Pop Psych 101, and Freudian Sips) for Part Two of our previous episode! We tackle several subjects that are relevant to the Covid-19 pandemic: teletherapy, insurance coverage, coping skills while in quarantine, and more! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreak...

This episode we are offering something a little different! We join with Capes on the Couch and Guardians MH to discuss access to mental health in part 1 of a two part episode. Listen while the Mental Health Avengers discuss the Age of Access. We discuss some of the current barriers to the mental health system as well as frustrations for us as practitioners. We are hoping to help identify solutions...

Welcome to Season 3! This film received the most fan requests movie we have had so far and we are excited to open our new season with it! In this episode we cover Bipolar Disorder with Psychotic Features, the realities of living with chronic mental illness, and the importance of BioPsychoSocial assessment in the differential diagnosis process. This episode will be available on Patreon Only for a t...

[Content Warning: This episode discusses consent and sexual coercion] Happy Valentine’s Day, listeners!! We are back with our second annual fan-picked Valentine’s Day episode! We will be breaking down Cruel Intentions, specifically the relationships between Sebastian and our three main female leads: Katherine, Annette, and Cecile. We discuss a multitude of topics: enmeshment, power dynamics, paren...

Jump for our love!! For our second Christmas episode of 2019, we are cozying up with the beloved holiday movie, Love Actually! While all the storylines in the movie are near and dear, we will be focusing on three: the Alan Rickman/Emma Thompson story and the slippery slope of infidelty, the Liam Neeson story and the theme of grief and the shifting of a parental role, and lastly, the Laura Linney s...

What’s this? What’s this?! Why it’s our first holiday episode of 2019! We are exploring The Nightmare Before Christmas and the theme of identity. How is our identity shaped? By our childhood? By our experiences? By the roles we play within our communities? The expectations of others? Join us as we dive into these questions via the characters of Jack Skellington and Sally! Become a supporter of thi...

[Content Warning: this episode contains discussions of child abuse] In this episode, we explore the magical modern classic Matilda! We break down the characters of Matilda, Miss Honey, and Ms. Trunchbull and discuss how each character’s upbringing impacts their current functioning and presentation. We also review the concept of protective factors and how this influences the affect of trauma and pa...

You either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain. But are those the only options?? In this episode we are breaking down The Dark Knight as fan requested many times over! We will be diving into the topics of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), burnout and work-life balance, and Anti-Social Personality Disorder. We also discuss the rigidity of identity as displayed by Harvey Dent and the po...

In this very special bonus episode we Assembled with 4 other Mental Health Podcasts (PopPsych101, Freudian Sips, Guardians MH, and Capes on the Couch) to form the Mental Health Avengers! We discuss why we started, what each of our missions are, and how we got started in mental health with the singular mission to team up and destroy the stigma that prevents people from reaching out for help when th...

[Content Warning: this episode contains discussion of self-harm, sexual assault, and suicide] For our second Halloween episode, we will be diving into the movie, Black Swan and it’s portrayal of psychosis via the character played by Natalie Portman. We will be discussing a multitude of topics: self-harm, hallucinations, delusions, psychotic breaks, and schizophrenia. We will also be examining the...

[Content Warning: this episode contains discussion about sexual abuse] In our first Halloween episode of 2019, we will be exploring fear as shown in the 2017 adaptation of It by Stephen King! We break down the fears experienced by each main child character in this movie and how these fears are overcome. We also address how fear is avoided by the adults in the town of Derry via stigmatizing and oth...

The first rule of Fight Club is about to be broken because all we do this episode is talk about it. We will be diving head first into a discussion on the depiction of Dissociative Identify Disorder (DID), aka formerly Multiple Personality Disorder, in the film and evaluate whether the presenting symptoms better fit DID or Psychosis and the clinical accuracy of the portrayal in the film. We also di...

The only thing more powerful than fear is hope! In this episode we discuss the world of Panem and describe how the fascist regime of President Snow and the capitol have created 74 years of generational trauma on the citizens of the districts. We break down the maladaptive responses of Katniss, Peeta, and Haymitch as well as the adjustments to subjugation made by the other citizens of Panem that re...

In our second fan requested episode of the season we take a trip to Bat Country to discuss the cult classic Fear and Loathing and the myriad of substance use issues presented within! We discuss the difficulty in diagnosing disorders due to substance use, treating people who are engaged in a substance abuse lifestyle, suicidality, homicidality, psychosis, mania and the use of motivational interview...

With this episode we start our Substance Abuse Month. We evaluate the role of cultural and generational factors on Alcohol abuse. We also examine the role of generational trauma and how it gets passed down within familes and cultures. We also discuss the impact of emotional instability and secret keeping on relationships and how it can lead to abuse patterns. Become a supporter of this podcast: ht...

Get your wands at the ready!! Today is our third and final installment of the Harry Potter series!! In this episode we will discussing the themes of heroism, resilience through ongoing trauma, and the dangers of secret-keeping. We also discuss the psychological impact of both the magical horcuxes and the very real isolation our three heroes experience on their journey. Join us as we finally reach...

Ever found out that your bio dad is an intergalactic evil warlord? Or was ignorantly smug of kissing a girl who was unknowingly your twin sister?? Well we have got an episode for you! We are discussing, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back with Special Guest Anthony Sytko from Capes on the Couch! We discuss the relationships between Luke and Yoda, Han and Leia, Lando and himself, and finally Luke an...

It's Shark Week! In this Episode on the Will Ferrell/ John C. Reilly classic comedy Step Brothers we discuss the depiction of Emotional Maturity and Development, Blended Families, and the (TERRIBLE) depiction of Client-Therapist relationships in the media! Did we just become best friends?! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/popcorn-psychology--3252280/support .

Have you heard the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise? In this special short LIVE episode we cover Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and the manipulation and grooming masterfully deployed by Palpatine to turn Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader. We discuss the specific strategies that master manipulators use to groom their prey and detail how Darth Sidious played the long game in his slow g...

SPOILER ALERT!!!! Avengers Assemble and make sure you have your kleenex! In this epsiode we will be discussing the events of Avengers Endgame and Infinity War in full detail so DON"T LISTEN UNTIL YOU ARE READY because this epsidoe is FULL OF SPOILERS! Without giving too much away we will be discsussing how the OG Avengers Hawkeye, Black Widow, Hulk, Thor, Captain America, and Iron Man deal with Gr...