Shrinking Reality

Our podcast explores  Love Island USA  Season 8 through the lens of psychology. Rather than simply recapping each episode, we examine the behaviors, relationship dynamics, communication styles, attachment patterns, group influence, emotional regulation, and decision-making that shape life inside the villa. We discuss why contestants respond the way they do, how social pressures and the show's...

Tonight we discuss the finale of Perfect Match, season 4. Ryan didn't watch, so he learns the fate of our couples, including who was voted the Perfect Match! We also find out who's still together...if anyone!

On tonight's pod we cover episodes 5 & 6 of season 4 of Perfect Match on Netflix. Ryan wasn't able to see the episodes, so he's learning in real time what he missed! We break down a disconnection between Marissa and DeMari, including a live demonstration by Ryan and Krista on how they could have handled it in a healthier way.

We are discussing episodes 3 and 4 of Perfect Match, season 4. Should some people be banned from reality dating shows?? We discuss the cognitive dissonance that shows up for the individuals who participate in these shows. We also call out the gender double standards that we see in this episode.

Welcome to season 5 of the pod!! We are starting this season with Perfect Match, season 4. Perfect Match brings together various reality starts from other shows to match up, compete in challenges to gain power, and ends with a cash prize, and maybe a coupling?? We break down the first two episodes of this show...we'll see what transpires as we continue coverage.

We did a continuation of the download from Deede's narcissistic abuse recovery conference. Here we go into more of what it means to self-abandon in order to keep the peace, along with how we start to rebuild and heal from that. We discuss the trauma bond, betrayal blindness, and coercive control, along with real life examples.

This concludes our coverage of Temptation Island!! We were surprised by Shyanne and Jack, and have a different perspective of them after the reunion. It was a mixture of chaos and closure! We love this show and can't wait to cover it again next season!

This is part 1 of the Temptation Island reunion....Ryan didn't watch, so he's going to find out what happened as we go! Nick Viall and Natalie Joy hosted the reunion...we find out what happened with each of the couples after leaving the island. BUT...before we start, we've got some differences of opinions about some other reality stars!

We have the final episodes of Temptation Island, including the final bonfire....Ryan didn't get a chance to watch it, so he is learning the couples fates as we recap!! Who stays together? Who leaves alone or with someone else? What concerns do we have from what we have seen this season? Find out here.... Please follow us on Instagram....Shrinking Reality!

This is part 1 or a 2 part recap...we are breaking down Temptation Island, episodes 7-9. We have the couples receiving their videos from their partners and the last bonfire before the final bonfire and the conclusion of the show.

This is our second recording of Temptation Island, episodes 4-6. We discuss the biggest red flag person on this season, the covert behaviors we are seeing. As the couples settle in with the tempters, there is more drama, heightened emotions, more answers for the couples. We touch on therapeutic themes of the relational stance, "the fog," emotional abuse, insecurities, and what actual wor...

For the first time, we are covering Temptation Island, a reality show where struggling couples go to an island, are separated, interact with singles who are meant to tempt them, in the hopes to gain clarity about their relationships. We discuss attachment issues, emotional abuse, AIR method in repairing damage, and other red flags we see!

We conclude our interview with Daryl Wicker! He discusses some of his early teachings and how he chooses to resolve his conflicts, how he shows compassion, forgiveness, etc! There are more insights from the Love Is Blind reunion and how Daryl approached Devonta with firmness and compassion!

We are so excited to welcome our very first guest to the pod....Daryl Wicker, aka Brittany's dad!! Daryl stole our hearts on Love Is Blind, season 10 Ohio, when he and his lovely wife, Susana opened up their home and welcomed Devonta, and all of us, into their warm family! Daryl sat down with us and shared his origin story, early family life, his relationship with Susana, and some insights int...

This episode covers Age Of Attraction...from Netflix, hosted by Nick Viall and Natalie Joy... Age Of Attraction is a reality dating show where singles date without knowing each other's ages, exploring if love is truly ageless and if age is just a number. We discuss the stereotypes of men dating younger women, and younger men dating older women. We discuss the different power dynamics that aros...

Deede is back from the Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Conference with Dr Ramani...and she's bringing some of the insights!! There's so much more to share, so we will most likely revisit! We want to invite our listeners to submit any questions or examples that you have or want to share...and they might make it on the pod!!

Trigger warning!! With The Bachelorette being canceled, due to Taylor Frankie Paul's video release, we are discussing a very important topic...Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), as well as toxic relationships, the phases of a toxic relationship, and how to know if it's an abusive relationship. Krista touches on how IPV increased during the pandemic, and how new assessme...

Part 2 of our two-part recap of the Vanderpump Rules reunion!

We are wrapping up Vanderpump Rules, season 12 reunion! We had a slow start getting to know the brand new cast, but we are all in! During our discussion about Shayne we talk about sex, casual sex, is it the same for men and women? Ethical non-monogamy vs non-exclusive dating. Audrey has been a pod favorite...how did she show up the last couple episodes and the reunion... Marcus and Kim brought a d...

This episode concludes our recap of Love Is Blind, season 10, Ohio, with the reunion. Who's still together? Were our predictions correct? We can't wait to see our favorites, and see how others are going to explain themselves for their behavior.

We conclude our episode 8 with the rest of the cast and marriages...Emma and Mike's fate, Alex and Ashley's WILD altar moment, our MVPs, Vic and Christine...and of course Amber and Jordan!

This episode concludes the cast party, we continue to see Chris's toxic spiral, as our Queen Jess continues to elevate!! We have two couples that decide not to follow through with their wedding day, will they stay together, or is this the end of the road for them? The psychological terms we discuss in this episode are "idealization" and John Gottman's Four Horsemen, specifically...

We continue with the family interactions, how the couples are navigating their lives back home. We see some couples getting stronger, while others are navigating rough waters! We continue to be slightly triggered by a FEW of the men, and one of the women! We have fireworks happening at the cast party...

Ooooh! The therapists are triggered!! The couples are back in Ohio, moving in together, meeting the families. We see some sweet, loving families and interactions, and we see some breakdowns in the relationships. We discuss the difference between therapists and lawyers, after watching Ashley's father question Alex. Chris becomes the season's villain, and we have A LOT to say about him! We e...

We are recapping Love Is Blind, season 10, episodes 4-6!! We have to devote some time to our badass women, Tyler and Keya and how they chose themselves over the man!! We won't see them much after this but had to give them the respect they deserve!! The couples are on their pre-wedding honeymoons, and we start to see the cracks in the relationships. Insecurities and attachment styles are coming...