Psyched To Be With You!

In the 12th and FINAL EVER episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Christopher Leech! Your usual host with the most, Chris is finishing his PhD in Psychology looking at Video Games and Student Mental health. Alongside this, Chris is a Lecturer of Psychology at the University of Brighton, author, editor, presenter, panel host, accessibility consultant AND charity ambassador. This episode...

In the 11th episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Jess Rutland! Jess is an exceptional human currently working as the Business Development & Marketing Manager at Safe In Our World! Further, they have a background in psychology, neuroscience and data – all linked to video games! As you can imagine, they make an excellent fit for this podcast! I was delighted to host Jess on the sho...

Content warning: This episode contains some strong language. Listener discretion is advised. In the 10th episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Radderss! Radderss is a Twitch ambassador, content creator, and accessibility advocate and consultant. In this episode we chat all things content, disability, the problem with what we see online and ask questions like “why aren’t more people ki...

In the 9th episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Katie Downey aka GoblinKatie! Katie is TTRPG player & performer, variety streamer, storyteller, mental health advocate, shenanig-ator and all-around DICE GOBLIN! In this episode, we chat all things dice and rolling them. The challenges and triumphs of actual plays – both online and in-person shoots. How your real-world job can help...

In the 8th episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Jenny Windom! Jenny is a senior influencer manager by title, but in practice works in the art of “video game curation”. We discuss what this means, what it’s like to be part of a monthly video game club, working to your own values, defining cosy and wholesome games AND SO MUCH MORE! I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jenny before, an...

This episode contains some strong language, parental advisory is advised. In the 7th episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Mollie Evens! Mollie is a wonderful and bright human who endeavours to make games more accessible! Being a disabled person herself, Mollie is an accessibility consultant and inclusive gaming host! Beyond this we talk all things arts, event management and what it w...

This episode contains strong language, parental advisory is advised. In the 6th episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Bryn Richards! Bryn is a wiz when it comes to video game marketing, community and social media! This conversion includes info and advice on all those areas and more. This includes: How to play XCOM in the most optimal order, the importance of an inclusive community and...

In the 5th episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Dr Emily Friedman! Dr Emily is an expert in 18th Century (to present) literature, game studies, Narratology and media preservation! This conversation had me ENTHRALLED. We touch on all the subjects above, and many more. Cantering on the way TTRPG’s can be used for educational purposes and the way actual plays function in a broader “cont...

In the 4th episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Laura Dale! Laura is an author, accessibility and queer representation critic and consultant, video game writer and content creator. In this episode we discuss all things video games, writing, accessibility, content creation, queer representation and a wonderful tangent about music. This episode was a treat, and a chat that I enjoyed im...

In the 3rd episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Doug Cockle! Doug is an actor, streamer, roller of dice and acting teacher. One of Doug’s best-known roles is that of Geralt of Riva in The Witcher video game series. I do indeed ask about being Geralt, but also how Doug became an actor and how he manages to continue doing it. We discuss the importance of learning, challenges in higher...

Content Warning: This episode features some discussion of body image, weight, and fitness that could be triggering to some. Please ensure you take time and space for yourself, and if you need to access resources they can be found at https://www.takethis.org/mental-health-resources/ In the 2nd episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Owen Trett! Owen is a video editor, and part of the tea...

Large Spoiler Warning for all things The Witcher – you’ve been warned! In the 1st episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Dr Amelia Herbst! Dr Amelia is a therapist, specialising in all things gaming and nerd related. Alongside this an avid gamer, panellist at conventions and a fellow writer. In this episode we tackle each of those areas in turn as well as a special tangent, nee episode...

In the 12th and final episode of season 3 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Arevya! Arevya is a streamer, content creator, accessibility consultant and disability advocate! In this episode, we touch on all things disability, identity, accessibility in life and in gaming, mental health and SO MUCH MORE. This was one of those episodes I feel could have lasted a lifetime. I hope you enjoy this episode e...

In the 11th episode of season 3 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Dr Hannah  Slack! Dr Slack is a post-doctorate researcher at Kings College London working on the U-Belong project. Researching areas on student loneliness, mental health, agency and more. Alongside all this, we tackle a number of issues from moving beyond a PhD, to making your own wedding dress for a textiles exam and so much more! Thi...

In the 10th episode of season 3 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Dr Elizabeth Kilmer! Dr Elizabeth is a lichened clinical therapist, qualitative researcher, Author, and ADHD panel designer and advocate. In this episode we talk about the challenge of working multiple jobs, the therapeutic value of TTRPG’s, research AND so much more! Dr Elizabeth is one of the coolest people I know, this was a fantast...

In the first of its kind, a miniature episode of the podcast you know and love “A Little Psyched To Be With You” is a deep dive on a specific topic. Returning guest Dr Rachel Kowert joins me to discuss her recent book The Psychgeist of Pop Culture: The Witcher. An edited collection of chapters with psychological analysis of characters from The Continent. This is an editor behind the scenes as we g...

Content Warning: This episode contains strong language some viewers may not like. In the 9th episode of season 3 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Matt Storm (aka Stormageddon)! Matt is an amazing podcaster (hosting and producing) and occasional DJ! Matt currently works on a number of podcasts and I couldn’t wait to talk to a true professional about the craft! This was a fantastic chat and includes p...

In the 8th episode of season 3 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Adam Clarke! Adam is currently working in games marketing - everything from press releases to full marketing campaigns for games. Adam was wonderful to chat to, and as such this episode has pretty much everything you can imagine! Discussions of living in Ireland, history, games, being a carer, privilege, marketing great games, a love of...

Content warning: This episode contains discussion of mental health challenges. This includes mentions of disordered eating, self-harm, suicide, and depression. These are, by and large in passing but some listeners may find this triggering. Access resources at https://www.takethis.org/mental-health-resources/   In the 7th episode of season 3 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Mxiety (Marie Shanley)! Mx...

Content warning: This episode contains mentions of spoilers, puzzles with themes viewers may find unsettling and the passing mention of the use of a firearm. Access resources at https://www.takethis.org/mental-health-resources/ In the 6th episode of season 3 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Mairi Nolan! Mairi is a puzzle game designer and helps to craft those tricky puzzles that leave you scratching...

Content warning: This episode discusses topics that some listeners would like to be aware of. This includes health and fitness, mental health, and mentions of finance. Access resources at https://www.takethis.org/mental-health-resources/ In the 5th episode of season 3 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Anni Valkama! Anni is the “Head of keeping on brand” at Super Rare Games! Join us as we discuss all...

In the 4th episode of season 3 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Irma Melunovic! Irma is yet another fantastic colleague, and friend who joins me on this episode of the pod. Irma is a fellow psychology researcher and GTA at Edge Hill University. Irma’s research looks at forensic psychology including investigative interviewing and personality. In this episode, we delve into being an international stud...

In the 3rd episode of season 3 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Beth Thomas! I am privileged to call Beth and friend, and equally as lucky to work alongside her. Beth is a fellow PhD Researcher and GTA at Edge Hill University. Beth is studying the intersection between video games, gender and gamer identity. In this episode we chat all about the academic path, research, video games and teaching! We a...

In the 2nd episode of season 3 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Liz Favorito! Liz is one of my favourite people, and yet another of the wonderful humans I met at PAX East 2022! As East 2023 is around the corner we’ll be reunited for hijinks! We talk about Liz being a French teacher, the impact of being a nerd and volunteering for Take This! Liz loves rolling dice and recently shared the digital stag...

In the 1st episode of season 3 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Amanda Spellman! Amanda is a therapist working in the mental health space and has a background in social work. In this episode, we break down what therapy is, what it can look like and how it functions. We also discuss how being a geek can be fun and a great tool in the therapist's arsenal. We also touch on what it’s like to moderate, w...