Superhero Therapy Podcast Ep. 19: Psychology of Halloween

ST Podcast Ep 19: Psych of Halloween

Join Dustin and Dr. Scarlet as they discuss the psychology of Halloween. HAPPY HALLOWEEN, EVERYONE!

**Samhain was written and performed by Dustin and Anthony McGinnis of the Brothers McGinnis.**

 

Surviving Real Life Horrors

Trigger Warning: Holocaust

My family and I are refugees. We moved to the United States to escape violence related to being Jewish. With the recent rise of Anti-Semitism, I was already feeling threatened. Last Saturday, an angry man with a gun claimed 11 lives of innocent elderly human beings, one of whom, Rose Mallinger, was a 97-year old Holocaust survivor. My heart shattered that day.  Continue reading Surviving Real Life Horrors

Superhero Therapy Podcast Ep. 18: Psychology of DC Superheroes

ST Podcast Ep. 18: DC Superheroes

Join host Dustin McGinnis, Dr. Janina Scarlet, and special Guest: Dr. Travis Langley as they discuss the psychology of DC Superheroes and the importance of accurate mental health depictions in pop culture.

 

Mental Health Representation Matters

Many of us like talking about pop culture, whether it’s comics, TV shows, movies, books, or video games. For those of us in the mental health field (and for many outside of this field), it may be fun to occasionally speculate about a fictional character’s psychological perspective. Perspective taking can actually help foster  empathy building and compassion toward others. However, diagnosing characters or people whom therapists have not evaluated in a session can be risky. Continue reading Mental Health Representation Matters

Overcoming the pain of disconnection

Two weeks ago my best friend of 17 years permanently removed me and over 70 other people from their life. There was no warning. There were neither signs nor conflicts leading up to this. There wasn’t an opportunity for a discussion, an agreement, or closure.

Sometimes loss has no rational explanation. Sometimes an end of a friendship, relationship, job or career, can feel like a part of us died. Jim Butcher, the author of the best-selling Dresden Files, describes a scenario in which his main protagonist, Harry Dresden, a wizard/private investigator discusses heartbreak as if someone’s soul is being ripped apart with a barbed wire on the inside.  Continue reading Overcoming the pain of disconnection

Superhero Therapy Podcast Ep. 17: Psychology of Lord of The Rings

ST Podcast Ep. 17: Lord of the Rings

J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic tale, Lord of The Rings is a timeless masterpiece. The story is rich with psychological metaphor and cleverly examines the enduring strength of the human spirit. Join Dr. Scarlet, Dustin, and special guest, Dr. Michael Mallen as they unravel the psychologies within Lord of The Rings.

Superhero Therapy Podcast Ep. 16: Psychology of Brooklyn 99

ST Podcast Ep. 16: Brooklyn 99

Brooklyn 99 is a progressive T.V. show that humbly celebrates diversity and inclusion.  Join Dustin and Dr. Scarlet as they explore the Psychology of this glorious show and the importance of social acceptance.

Defining Your Origin Story

When Bruce Wayne’s parents are murdered in a dark alley, his life is forever changed by this tragedy. Bruce spends many years of his life and many of his resources to become Batman, the hero of Gotham City, to ensure that no one suffers the same fate he does. Similarly, when T’Challa witnesses the death of his father in Vienna, he elects to fight for his right to become the Black Panther, in order to protect the people of Wakanda from travesty and invasion.

Although these stories are fictional, they demonstrate how we may be able to use our origin stories to develop a narrative to become our version of a Superhero in real life (IRL).

Continue reading Defining Your Origin Story

Superhero Therapy Podcast Ep. 15: Psychology of Cult TV Panel from SDCC 2018

ST Podcast Ep. 16: Psychology of Cult TV Panel SDCC 2018

Special Episode of the Superhero Therapy Podcast.  Our audio coverage of Dr. Scarlet’s Psychology of Cult TV pane from SDCC 2018.

Description:

A team of actors, TV writers, and psychologists discuss the psychology of your favorite TV shows, such as Supernatural, Star Wars Rebels, The Punisher, Jessica Jones, Doctor Who,and many others. Psychologists Dr. Janina Scarlet (Superhero Therapy, Harry Potter Therapy, Dark Agents) and Dr. Travis Langley (Batman: A Dark & Stormy Knight, Supernatural Psychology), actors Ruth Connell (Supernatural) and Rachel Miner (Supernatural), TV writers Christine Boylan (The Punisher, Once Upon a Time, Cloak & Dagger), Greg Weisman (Gargoyles, Young Justice), and Deric Hughes (Arrow, Flash, Beauty and the Beast) discuss your favorite TV shows. Dr. Billy San Juan (Doctor Who Psychology, California Screamin’) moderates.