CinemaPsych Podcast

CinemaPsych Podcast

By: cinemapsychpod

Language: en

Categories: Tv, Film, Science, Social

Where psychology meets films. We dissect and analyze popular films and their psychological content.

Episodes

Episode 107: Believing in Angels Really Does Enhance Sports Performance! Angels in the Outfield (1994) with Corinne Hobbs
Dec 15, 2025

Join Alex and Corinne Hobbs as they dive into a headfirst slide in home, exploring the mid-90s Disney hit Angels in the Outfield (1994)! Corinne is working toward her doctoral dissertation about coaching and pregame speeches, and knows all things sports psychology, so this is the perfect film to explore. The pair discuss how George Knox (Danny Glover) evolves as a coach, from curmudgeon to a strong believer in his players and the truth that anything can happen. A discussion of faith in sports follows, including how superstitions play a role in an elite athlete's sphere of...

Duration: 01:13:53
Episode 106: No Mnemonics Detected but at Least We Have Jones — Johnny Mnemonic (1995) with Celeste Pilegard
Nov 24, 2025

Join Alex and Celeste Pilegard as they discuss the first of two Keanu Reeves dystopian cyberpunk future films, Johnny Mnemonic (1995). The film was directed by Robert Longo and he quit filmmaking after this one. A film having to do with storing other people's memories in your head while others suffer from a debilitating disease caused by electronics, while set in 2021... you have to wonder if the author of the short story, William Gibson, was some sort of soothsayer! The pair discusses the interesting memory portrayals and their relation to scientists' current understanding of memory, as well as...

Duration: 01:46:39
Episode 105: Defying Gravity is the Self-Actualization Anthem We All Needed — Wicked (2024) with Jill Swirsky
Nov 03, 2025

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Jill Swirsky as they enter the world of musical theater yet again, this time traveling to the land of Oz in Wicked (2024)! The film is an adaptation of the Broadway play, which was an adaptation of the novel by Gregory Maguire. We follow Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo, the eventual Wicked Witch of the West, on her journey as a child and young adult. Along the way, she learns about her true magical abilities but ultimately becomes the villain of Oz when she uncovers a terrible secret. Along for the ride...

Duration: 01:24:40
Episode 104: The Family That Crimes Together Stays Together — The Godfather (1972) with Jon Mandracchia
Oct 13, 2025

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Jon Mandracchia as they become members of the Corleone family discussing Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather (1972). This first part stars Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone, a mafia Don whose life is based on tradition. Also starring Al Pacino as Michael, Vito's son, who unexpectedly, but with his full throat, becomes the new Don. Robert Duvall, James Caan, Diane Keaton, and many others bring an amazing cast of characters to life. The conversation centers around criminogenic thinking, the cognitive processes that lead to criminal behavior, and inputs into that thinking, like the...

Duration: 01:20:12
Episode 103: Finding Love, Family, & Metaphorical Food Through Psychodynamic Therapy — Antwone Fisher (2002) with Katherine Marshall Woods
Sep 22, 2025

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Katherine Marshall Woods as they explore the psychodynamic themes in Denzel Washington's directorial debut, Antwone Fisher (2002). The film also stars Washington, and in his Hollywood debut, Derek Luke plays the titular character. The film was based on the real Fisher's autobiography, Finding Fish (2001), and is about a man with anger issues on a hair trigger. But as the two psychologists explore in this episode, perhaps its because he's hungry for family, for a place of belonging, and to find those folks who won't abandon him like his early family. It's an...

Duration: 01:09:10
Episode 102: Hitchcock, Freudian Theory, and the Perfect Murder — Strangers on a Train (1951) with Brooke Cannon
Sep 01, 2025

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Brooke Cannon as they explore one of Alfred Hitchcock's brilliant thrillers, Strangers on a Train (1951). The film stars Farley Granger as a tennis pro, Guy Haines, who meets stranger Bruno Antony on... you guessed it, a train! Bruno hates his dad, Guy wants to divorce his wife, and well, Bruno tinks they are going to share a pair of murders — criss-cross! Intrigue erupts as Bruno follows through, but Guy thought he was joking. The episode explores the Freudian theory Hitchcock was a fan of, along with the Dark Triad personality theory. Th...

Duration: 01:21:40
Episode 101: Basic Film Editing and Human Perception are a Match Made in Cinema Heaven! The Cinema Within (2024) with Chad Freidrichs
Aug 11, 2025

Join Alex and guest host Chad Freidrichs, documentary filmmakers, as they discuss one of Chad's recent releases, The Cinema Within (2024). The documentary cleverly explores and visualizes one of film's greatest mysteries: how humans intuitively process film editing's most basic pieces: the cut! The pair discuss film theory and how it relates to cognitive processes and perception. While documentaries are rare on this show, it's a great exploration of how human psychology allows the cinematic experience to work and how it has been astonishing movies goers for nearly 140 years! If you're intrigued by cinema and film as an...

Duration: 01:33:12
Episode 100: The Past Six Years and Episodes of Shows and Psychology Squeezed into Three Hours — Worth It!
Jul 21, 2025

Join Alex in a celebration of the past six years of CinemaPsych Podcast content and 100 episodes! It's been a journey, with so many films and guests, and so what better way to highlight that time with a clip show! In this double-sized episode, explore some of my favorite moments and discussions, from great films, actors, and directors to awesome psychology content and critical thinking in art. In addition to the past episode clips, Alex describes the new additions to the website, a reimagined resource for this show and the larger aim of film pedagogy in psychology. The...

Duration: 03:04:40
Episode 099: My Availability Heuristic Says It’s a Shark Attack! Jaws (1975) with Jordan Wagge
Jul 03, 2025

Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Jordan Wagge as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the first summer blockbuster films, Jaws (1975)! One of Steven Spielberg's great filmmaking achievements, featuring one of the best dolly zoom shots in cinema history, as well as a fully functional animatronic sharks, affectionately named Bruce. Starring Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw, as three very different shark hunters when a great white attacks a small summer island. The episode explores biases by one infamous mayor, including the dynamics of each of the three men as they struggle to...

Duration: 01:34:08
Episode 098: Rats Cooking in the Kitchen? Sure, I’ll Bite — Ratatouille (2007) with Shlomit Flaisher-Grinberg
Jun 09, 2025

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Shlomit Flaisher-Grinberg as they discuss the neuroscience behind Pixar's brilliant Ratatouille (2007), directed by Brad Bird and starring the voices of Patton Oswalt as Remy, Ian Holm as Skinner, Brad Garrett as Gusteau, Janeane Garofalo as Colette, Lou Romano as Linguini, and Peter O'Toole as Anton Ego. This lovely movie about following your dreams has a ton of psychological concepts hidden within, from the sensation and perception of food, how Remy controls Linguini, and how Rats just get a bad rap. Shlomit shares her experiences working with rats as a graduate student...

Duration: 01:31:00
Episode 097: Using My Ambition and Bottom-Up Processing for Birding! The Big Year (2011) with Marc Klippenstine
May 22, 2025

Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Marc Klippenstine for a personalized discussion on birding, bird-watching, and psychology: The Big Year (2011). The film stars comedy powerhouses Jack Black, Steve Martin, and Owen Wilson, as three men who love birding so much, they all attempt the Audubon Society's "Big Year". Birding is a hobby that relies on bottom-up and top-down processing, cooperation, friendship, and a little bit of intrinsic motivation! But what happens when ambition gets in the way of personal relationships? This question and more are discussed in a wonderful chat about the portrayal of birding in...

Duration: 01:29:19
Episode 096: Glasgow Senses Falling Down, Falling Down — Perfect Sense (2011) with T.R. Brooks
Apr 28, 2025

Join Alex and guest host Dr. T.R. Brooks as they discuss the intriguing and horrifying implications of a series of pandemics that rob people of their beloved senses in Perfect Sense (2011). The independent sleeper stars Ewan MacGregor, a chef, and Eva Green, an epidemiologist, who embark on a love story in the midst of these catastrophic events. While the doctors and scientists are trying to figure out a pattern to these illnesses that lead to mass sense loss, the chefs and the artists of the world try to cope and adapt. What would you do if...

Duration: 01:36:22
Episode 095: Lucy's Consolidation is Broken or She Gets Blackout Drunk Everyday! 50 First Dates (2004) with Melissa Maffeo
Apr 07, 2025

Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Melissa Maffeo as they discuss the hilarious memory mishaps in Adam Sandler's 50 First Dates, also starring Drew Barrymore, Sean Astin, and Dan Aykroyd. Barrymore plays a woman, Lucy, who had suffered brain trauma, and when she goes to sleep, her brain resets to that same day. Sandler's Henry Roth falls in love with her and wants to create a life with her, despite this very large limitation. Psychological concepts of memory, consolidation, learning, and consent are explored, even through all the hilarious moments that make most laugh out loud! There's...

Duration: 01:42:03
Episode 094: It Takes a Good Leader to Plan a Successful Heist — Ocean's 11 (2001) with Jason Spiegelman
Mar 17, 2025

Join Alex and friend-of-the-show returning guest host Jason Spiegelman as they discuss the leadership and heist psychology of the remake Ocean's Eleven (2001), directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, and so many other amazing actors. The art of con, deception, and planning are central foci in the discussion, along with leadership styles and some fun trivia about the movie. They also invoke several comparisons of these same concepts and themes in the immediate sequel Ocean's Twelve (2004). This discussion is a steal!

Please leave your feedback on...

Duration: 01:35:20
Episode 093: What Could Go Wrong on a Long Spaceflight—Slingshot (2024)
Feb 25, 2025

Join Alex as he takes a solo look at a recent science fiction film featuring Casey Affleck and Laurence Fishburne, Slingshot (2024). The title refers to the maneuver three men — or is it only one? — must complete around Jupiter, using its gravity well to gain speed on the way to Saturn's moon, Titan. We also flashback to the time before, when Affleck's John is training to make this years-long flight, while makes an ill-fated connection with Zoe. We see John slowly lose his connection with reality on this spaceflight — is there precedent in real spaceflight for the psychological effect...

Duration: 00:59:55
Episode 092: Developmental Psychology... In Song Form! The Sound of Music (1965) with Jill Swirsky
Feb 03, 2025

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Jill Swirsky as they enter the world of musical theater put to film in Robert Wise's wonderful adaptation of The Sound of Music (1965)! A musical about a man (played by Christopher Plummer) who treats his kids like sailors and woman (played by Julie Andrews) who just wants to sing with Nazism as a backdrop is a perfect exploration of psychology! From developmental theories, to grief and loss, to identity and relationships, this wonderful musical with amazing songs offers a great exploration of basic psychological concepts. This podcast episode is one of...

Duration: 01:48:55
Episode 091: Ah, Feeling Nostalgic... for Tornadoes? Twister (1996) and Twisters (2024) with Anthony Zoccolillo
Jan 13, 2025

Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Anthony Zoccolillo as they discuss both Twister (1996) and its remake/redo/spiritual sequel, Twisters (2024), under the guise of the psychology of nostalgia, and why Hollywood makes these remakes or long-gapped sequels. As people age, why do they seek comfort or lionize art that reflects a different time? Do the film compare in story and spectacle? The pair also explore how both films deal with PTSD and surviving trauma with how the characters progress through the natural disasters in the films. One thing they know for sure: that's going to be...

Duration: 01:35:30
Episode 090: Barton Men Don't Lie, Except When They Do! The Holdovers (2023) with Ed Hansen
Dec 02, 2024

Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Ed Hansen in a festive discussion of a recent, but to-be-considered a holiday classic, Alexander Payne's The Holdovers (2023). This is a story of a young, ne'er-do-well (Dominic Sessa as Angus Tully) who meets an immovable force in an old, curmudgeonly boarding school classic teacher (Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham). They're both "heldover" the winter holidays at the prestigious Barton Academy, with a grieving mother played by Da'Vine Joy Randolph. Over the course of the break, the three learn more about each other and how to navigate an unforgiving landscape of...

Duration: 01:20:26
Episode 089: You Haven't Listened to this Episode, You're Forgetful — Gaslight (1944) with Wind Goodfriend
Nov 11, 2024

Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Wind Goodfriend in a discussion of the psychological concepts found in the amazing psychological thriller Gaslight (1944) — THE origin of the word de jour "gaslighting" ! The film stars award-winning Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer, as woman who's reality is being warped by her conniving and selfish husband, respectively. Within the psychological manipulation of gaslighting, the hosts also explore the ways emotional and psychological abuse is carried out in these kinds of relationships and even discuss a new scale that aims to help folks determining if they/re under the gaslighting spell!

...

Duration: 01:33:00
Episode 088: I Wasn't Expecting to Be in This Movie! Inside Out 2 (2024)
Oct 21, 2024

Join Alex as he takes a solo look at the sequel to a film that lives in our hearts and our heads, Inside Out 2 (2024). While the film has a lot to live up to from its predecessor, this new entry into Riley's head isn't a slouch. A new dynamic and new emotions enter the picture as Riley turns 13 years old and beings puberty during a summer hockey camp. Of the new emotions, Anxiety (voiced by Maya Hawke), butts heads with Joy (voiced by Amy Poehler), and well, lots of wild and crazy events happen as they try...

Duration: 01:04:01
Episode 087: Flying Fighter Jets Requires Some Task Analysis — Top Gun: Maverick (2022) with Nic Baldwin
Sep 30, 2024

Join Alex and returning guest host Nic Baldwin as they chat about the job analysis required to fly fighter planes on a super dangerous mission against an unnamed enemy in Top Gun: Maverick (2022). Tom Cruise returns to the role of Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, with a new crop of young Top Gun pilots, including Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, among others, as they figure out how to complete this really hard... nay, "impossible" mission in F-18s against 5th generation fighters (which mat or may not be AI-controlled airplanes). With amazing visual combined with an original story...

Duration: 01:50:28
Episode 086: It's Not Voyeurism if Your Windows Are Open! Rear Window (1954) with Jane Halonen
Sep 09, 2024

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Jane Halonen as they creepily peer into Alfred Hitchcock's psychological thriller Rear Window (1954). The film stars James Stewart and Grace Kelly, with minor roles from Thelma Ritter, Wendell Corey, and Raymond Burr. Another character in this film is the set, which was a meticulous reconstruction of a small Greenwich Village courtyard, meant to evoke paranoia and claustrophobia. In the addition, the duo reflects on voyeurism, scopophilia, and the various psychological ideas surrounding watching others when you can't do anything else in the heat of a dreary summer. Perhaps your thoughts will...

Duration: 01:27:20
Episode 085: Everyone Could Use a Little Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy — Good Will Hunting (1997) with Ed Hansen
Aug 18, 2024

Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Ed Hansen in a discussion of cognitive-behavioral therapy and socio-developmental psychology in the Oscar-winning writer/stars Matt Damon and ben Affleck breakout Good Will Hunting (1997). But let's not forget the runaway star of this movie, the other Oscar-winner of this film, Robin Williams! In a film directed by Gus Van Sant, Matt plays Will Hunting, a troubled but brilliant young adult who eschews therapy but ultimately benefits from Carl Rogers' ideas embodied in cognitive-behavioral therapy. Join them as they pahrk the cahr at Hahvahrd Yahrd and chat! Wicked ahwesome!

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Duration: 01:52:57
Episode 084: How to Spot a True Narcissist in One Easy Step — Whiplash (2014) with Simon Rogoff
Jul 29, 2024

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Simon Rogoff as they explore the blatant narcissism in Damien Chazelle's jazz drumming masterpiece Whiplash (2014). Starring Miles Teller as Andrew Nieman, the jazz student, and J.K. Simmons as Fletcher, the jazz teacher, this film goes hard. Fletcher is the worst of the worst teacher, who justifies his actions by thinking he'll one day create the best jazz musician, while Andrew will top at nothing to become the next Charlie Parker. Explorations include, narcissism, of course, but also resiliency, perfectionism, and whether there are two narcissists in the movie, or just...

Duration: 01:38:00
Episode 083: Behaviorism and Research Methods on Repeat? Sign Me Up! Groundhog Day (1993) with Jordan Wagge
Jul 08, 2024

Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Jordan Wagge as they wax poetic and deep on one of Bill Murray's best, Groundhog Day (1993). Written and directed by comedy ace Harold Ramis and also starring Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott, and Stephen Tobolowsky, this movie has become timeless with the question: what would you do with a day that repeats over and over? The concepts explored in the episode feature heavily in behaviorist and learning principles, as well as a discussion of research methods and hypothesis testing. Of course Phil needs to learn how to be a better human...

Duration: 01:35:14
Episode 082: Would You Take This Drug? Limitless (2011) with Christina Ragan
Jun 17, 2024

Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Christina Ragan as they continue their tradition of rage (?) watch another movie that has drugs that unlock portions of unused brain matter — Limitless (2011), a Bradley Cooper psychological thriller. Directed by Neil Burger and based on the book The Dark Fields (2001) by Alan Glynn, the film also stars Robert De Niro and Abbie Cornish. Would you take a drug that unlocks amazing brain power, but has a high risk of death? These are important questions that Alex and Christina address, while also explaining the drug actions portrayed in the film AND wh...

Duration: 01:35:30
Episode 081: Prozium Has to Be a Play on Prozac, Right? Equilibrium (2002)
May 28, 2024

Join Alex as he takes a solo look at the post-war fascist future of no emotions in Equilibrium (2002), Kurt Wimmer's 1984-esque future where a city-state has outlawed emotions. The film stars an up-and-coming Christian Bale, Taye Diggs, Sean Bean (blink-and-you'll-miss-it), with Emily Watson and Angus MacFadyen. After World War III, fascists thought war and crime were emotions' fault, so they developed a drug that suppresses emotional extremes, and if you don't take it everyday, read books, or participate in culture, well... Clerics come and act as judge, jury, and sometimes executioner! What do theories of emotion have...

Duration: 01:20:20
Episode 080: Does an Android's Dreams Define Them? Blade Runner (1982) with Chris Mazurek
May 06, 2024

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Chris Mazurek as they discuss the implications of a near-future world with human-looking androids called Replicants in Ridley Scott's Blade Runner (1982). The film is based on Phillip K. Dick's novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? The film stars Harrison Ford, in between his Indiana Jones and Star Wars stints, who plays Rick Deckard, a Blade Runner — a person who hunts and kills (retires) these replicants because they're not supposed to be on Earth. Rutger Hauer plays Roy Batty, the leader of the replicant group being hunted, who ends up a tr...

Duration: 01:52:16
Episode 079: No, There Isn't a Gay Blood Test — Boy Erased (2018) with Lee Golembiewski
Apr 15, 2024

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Lee Golembiewski as they discuss the harrowing true story of a young gay man enduring conversion therapy in the US South in Boy Erased (2018). The film stars Lucas Hedges as Jared, playing a version of Garrard Conley, who wrote a memoir of the same name in 2016, detailing his journey through conversion therapy in the early 2000s. The film also stars Russell Crowe as his pastor father, who ultimately made the decision to send Jared to the harmful Christian ministry, Nicole Kidman, as his mother, who makes a startling transformation during the...

Duration: 01:37:06
Episode 078: Drugs are Bad, MMKay? Requiem for a Dream (2000) with Melissa Maffeo
Mar 25, 2024

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Melissa Maffeo as they delve into the seedy world of drug addiction in one of Darren Aronofsky's earlier films Requiem for a Dream (2000). The film stars up-and-coming Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, and Marlon Wayans, as well as Hollywood great Ellen Burstyn, as four folks who get caught up in their addictions, fueled by their dreams of better lives and fame. In true Aronofsky form, the visuals and filmmaking get you caught up in these addictions, how they manifest and how they actually destroy the dreams of our four main characters. This...

Duration: 01:47:06
Episode 077: Metascience, Faith, and Confirmation Bias... in Space! Contact (1997) with Jacob Miranda
Mar 04, 2024

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Jacob Miranda as they explore the metascience, confirmation bias, and the nature of faith vs. science in the sci-fi epic, Contact (1997). The film, directed by Robert Zemeckis and cowrote by Carl Sagan himself, stars Jodie Foster as Ellie Arroway, a SETI scientist who helps discover a message from the stars. The film also stars Matthew McConaughey, a religious person who acts as a foil for Ellie's scientifically-oriented mind. Confirmation bias reins in all aspects of this film, but the commentary also includes a a healthy dose of metascience and the open...

Duration: 01:37:16
Episode 076: The Technosocial Commentary isn't So Subtle — The Circle (2017)
Feb 12, 2024

Join Alex as he takes a solo look at the prophetic alternate reality in The Circle (2017), a film about a tech company and social media conglomerate that is parts Apple and other parts Facebook. The film, directed by James Ponsoldt and starring Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, Karen Gillan, John Boyega, and Patton Oswalt, explores the chaotic world of a tech company that creates technology to link everyone together and put cameras all over the world. You know, your typical data-farming and unregulated surveillance we've all come to integrate into our lives 24/7. There are a ton of psych...

Duration: 01:16:13
Episode 075: Disability and Laughing, They Do Go Together — The Fundamentals of Caring (2016) with Crissa Draper
Jan 22, 2024

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Crissa Draper as they discuss the the ins and outs of caring for a person with disabilities and the impact of grief in The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)! The films stars Paul Rudd as Paul Rudd playing a guy named Ben Benjamin, a father looking to make a major change in his life, becoming a full-time in-home caretaker. His first client is irascible Trevor, played by Craig Roberts, who has muscular dystrophy and is confined to a wheelchair. The film was written and directed by Rob Burnett, based on the book The...

Duration: 01:43:22
Episode 074: Virgil Picked Up His Hammer and Saw, and Hated it — At First Sight (1999) with KatieAnn Skogsberg
Jan 01, 2024

Join Alex and guest host Dr. KatieAnn Skogsberg as they discuss the fascinating story inspired by a true one, about a man who regains his sight after being blind for decades, in At First Sight (1999)! The story follows Val Kilmer's Virgil Adamson, as he receives cataract surgery and begins to "see", exploring a whole new world of visual sensations, all for a woman he met massaging, played by Mira Sorvino. The story mirrors the real life struggles of Shirley Jennings, a blind man who underwent a similar surgery and told his story to Dr. Oliver Sacks. It's...

Duration: 01:47:51
Episode 073: Self-Expansion Theory Across the Multiverse! Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) with Mona Xu
Dec 11, 2023

Join Alex and guest host Xiaomeng (Mona) Xu as they discuss the multiverse romp Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022), a film by writer-director team Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (the Daniels), starring Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Jamie Lee Curtis, James Hong, and Stephanie Hsu. They explore self-expansion theory in identity formation, across the multiverse, as well as the central theme of the film: relationships within the immigrant experience. There's a lot of silliness to be had here, so wear that googly eye while you listen to this engaging episode, doing your laundry and taxes!

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Duration: 01:47:00
Episode 072: Gender Expression and The Patriarchy and Toys! Barbie (2023) with Molly Metz
Nov 20, 2023

Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Molly Metz as they jump into the pink land that is Barbie (2023)! There's so much in this episode that they crammed in, and they didn't even get to everything. Alex and Molly explore gender expression, gender identity, masculinity, femininity, queerness, relationships, and of course, the role Barbie has had in Western/American culture since her debut in the 1950s. There are lot of great nuggets of info and a lot of laughs, and that's just in the podcast — imagine what's in the movie!

Check out these li...

Duration: 01:35:54
Episode 071: Four Walls, Infinite Feels — Room (2015) with Chelsea Robertson
Oct 30, 2023

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Chelsea Robertson as they discuss the tragedy and the triumph of a mother and her 5-year-old son in the heart-wrenching book adaptation of Room (2015). They explore the social and cognitive development of Jack, the little boy, who for five years, has only known the inside of a shed that they call "Room." We also explore the role of trauma in both Jack and his Ma, Joy, as they navigate their life inside and outside of Room. It's a tough book, it's a tough movie, and of course, it's going to be...

Duration: 01:39:02
Episode 070: Physics Avengers... Assemble! Oppenheimer (2023) with Sy Islam
Oct 09, 2023

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Sy Islam as they discuss the smash-hit from 2023, Oppenheimer! Christopher Nolan's three-hour peek behind the creation of the team that formed the Manhattan Project and the literal fallout from the creation and dropping of the first atomic bombs, featuring the amazing performances by Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, and Josh Hartnett, among many many more others. The pair discuss the formation of the "Physics Avengers" from an Industrial-Organizational Psych perspective, while exploring how they prevented the bias groupthink from pervading the critical decisions. It's a...

Duration: 01:13:27
Episode 069: The Doc with Staged Wilderness and Cultural Missteps—Nanook of the North (1922) with Phil Duncan
Sep 18, 2023

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Phil Duncan as they discuss cinema's first documentary, Nanook of the North (1922), which was actually the second filming of said documentary! Dr. Duncan is a cinema studies professor and documentarian filmmaker, so he comes with receipts about how this documentary is more like a docudrama, with behind-the-scenes drama and some piping hot tea about the filmmaker, Robert Flaherty.

Check out his documentary, Mississippi Mud: The Natural History of the Blues

Please leave your feedback on this post, the main site (cinemapsychpod.swanpsych.com...

Duration: 01:04:26
Episode 068: This Music Makes Me Feel... The Psychology of Star Wars (1977) Music with Jim Davies & Joe Kraemer
Aug 28, 2023

Join Alex and guest hosts Dr. Jim Davies and Hollywood composer Joe Kraemer as they discuss the powerful music of composer John Williams' immaculate score of Star Wars (1977) and its subsequent film franchise. In 2015, the two guests hosts wrote a chapter — after decades of friendship and a shared love of nerd culture and music — on the psychology of the music from the famous sci-fi/fantasy film from George Lucas. The trio chat about how the music makes the viewer feel and how Williams uses the concept of leitmotifs to signal how characters interact and why certain sounds with...

Duration: 01:15:11
Episode 067: A Real Life Schizophrenia Experience — A Beautiful Mind (2001)
Aug 07, 2023

Join Alex as he discusses wonderfully brilliant biopic of John Forbes Nash, Jr. in A Beautiful Mind (2001). The movie focuses on John Nash's struggle with finding an original idea to make his mark while also battling schizophrenia and the paranoid delusions and hallucinations it brought. The episode takes a an accuracy approach, since we are talking about an actual historical figure. What was true about Joh Nash's experience with the psychological disorder and how did director Ron Howard portray that for the audience in the film?

Please leave your feedback on this post...

Duration: 00:55:10
Episode 066: Tarantino Characters Flirting with Religion and Morality? Pulp Fiction (1994) with Jason Spiegelman
Jul 17, 2023

Join Alex and returning guest host Jason Spiegelman as they discuss another one of Quentin Tarantino's classic, dare we say, most popular film, Pulp Fiction (1994). Much like their last episode, they spend most of the time just chatting about their favorite scenes and lines from the classic gangster-like film that weaves in and around different converging storylines. Live from their hotel room at the 2023 AP Psych Reading, they celebrate the podcast's fourth anniversary. chatting about morality, religion, and nihilism! The episode IS a TASTY burger!

Please leave your feedback on this post, the...

Duration: 01:08:13
Episode 065: Milgram’s Conclusions on Obedience are Shocking! Experimenter (2015) with Sophie Halliday
Jun 26, 2023

Join Alex and guest host Sophie Halliday as they chat about the historical and psychological impact of Stanley Milgram's famous experiments on obedience and social influence in Michael Almereyda's Experimenter (2015), the other historical psychology movie that came out that year. This biopic stars Peter Sarsgaard as the titular character, with Winona Ryder, Jim Gaffigan, and several other star appearances as participants in the obedience studies. This witty drama-comedy takes the audience into the creation and data collection of the shock studies, but also other social influence experiments Milgram conducted over his 30ish year career. There are so...

Duration: 01:22:29
Episode 064: Sex, Drugs, and Psychoanalysis? A Dangerous Method (2011) with Sheila Thomas
Jun 05, 2023

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Sheila Thomas as they chat about the connection and the eventual schism of Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud in David Cronenberg's psychological thriller (?) A Dangerous Method, based on the book A Most Dangerous Method: The Story of Jung, Freud, and Sabina Spielrein, and the stage play The Talking Cure. The film stars Michael Fassbender as Jung and Viggo Mortensen as Freud, with Kiera Knightley as Sabina Spielrein. Spielrein enters Jung's life as a woman with hysteria (not a real disorder), but that turns into an affair with Jung, as he grapples...

Duration: 01:23:42
Episode 063: Intersectionality is a Real Concept, Y’all — The Color Purple (1985) with Wind Goodfriend
May 15, 2023

Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Wind Goodfriend in a discussion of the psychological concepts in Steven Spielberg's critical hit drama The Color Purple (1985), which stars a breakout performer Whoopi Goldberg, amazing Oprah Winfrey, and the immaculate Danny Glover (albeit a terrible character)! The main topic on the agenda: intersectionality, and what it meant for Black folks in Jim Crow rural south, but also Black women and the bonds they make and break. It's a window into a challenging life, where women were treated as pawns and subhuman. It's based on the book by Alice Walker...

Duration: 01:22:23
Episode 062: Listen! It’d Be a Lot Cooler If You Did — Dazed and Confused (1993) with Chris Miller
Apr 24, 2023

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Chris Miller as they discuss the wild and crazy Richard Linklater film Dazed and Confused (1993), a movie that came out in the 90s, but set in the mid-1970s. The film follows teens, such as Jason London, Anthony Rapp, Adam Goldberg, Parker Posey, Joey Lauren Adams, and Ben Affleck, as they end the school year with epic hazing for those matriculating students and a wild party in the forest. There's a lot of adolescent and young adult drama, as well as some solid social psychological concepts found in this film. So...

Duration: 01:22:35
Episode 061: McMurphy’s Stay at the State Hospital — One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Apr 03, 2023

Join Alex as he discusses One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), a tour de force from Milos Forman, Jack Nicholson, and Louise Fletcher! The film follows Randall McMurphy, an inmate at a work camp in Oregon who successfully (?) tricks them into thinking he's insane and so he gets transferred to the Oregon State Hospital, a psychiatric facility. This episode explores the state of treatment in the early 1960s in America and elsewhere in the Western world, as well as the Dark Triad set of personality traits — the hallmark of psychopathy — in the character of McMurphy himself. Did the...

Duration: 01:10:08
Episode 060: Baseball is a Game of Statistics! Moneyball (2011) with Jessica Hartnett
Mar 13, 2023

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Jessica Hartnett as they discuss the wonderful game of baseball and the even more wonderful subject of statistics in the film Moneyball (2011), a movie adapted from a book based on another book about all the stats in baseball! And as baseball fans AND teachers of stats, imagine the gushing and the excitement about two amazing topics all rolled into one! Follow as they discuss the wonderful portrayals by Brad Pitt as real-life baseball general manager Billy Beane and Jonah Hill as the fake stats guru Peter Brand in the real-life transformation...

Duration: 01:06:20
Episode 059: He Wasn’t Even Supposed to Be There Today! Clerks (1994) with Nic Baldwin
Feb 20, 2023

Join Alex and guest host Nicholas Baldwin as they discuss the wild antics of two clerks in Kevin Smith's cult class Clerks (1994). Follow Dante (Brian O'Halloran) and Randall (Kevin Anderson) as they navigate a day of true terribleness at a strip mall with the Quik Stop and the movie store. Oh, and let's not forget Jay and Silent Bob! The psych concepts are numerous in the world of Industrial-Organizational Psych and Nic is here to explain how even a clerk of a store are worthy of a closer IO look. Oh, and there's plenty of "I'm not...

Duration: 01:07:05
Episode 058: Can I Persuade You To Stop Smoking? Thank You For Smoking (2005) with Ed Hansen
Jan 30, 2023

Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Ed Hansen in a discussion of the various psychological concepts in the hilarious and sardonic dark comedy Thank You For Smoking (2005). The film was written and directed by Jason Reitman, and stars Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, David Koechner, Cameron Bright, J.K. Simmons, William H. Macy, and Robert Duvall — a ton of huge names in a tight film that explores major health psychology and persuasion concepts. How does the film parody one of the leading causes of death for decades? How is Nick Naylor SO GOOD at talking and getting pe...

Duration: 01:46:41
Episode 057: Conditioning Kids to Not Chop Down Trees — The Lorax (2012) with Kiersten Baughman
Jan 09, 2023

Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Kiersten Baughman as they discuss the many clear learning principles in Dr. Seuss' beloved classic The Lorax (2012), or more directly, the modern retelling of the classic, featuring songs! They discuss classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning theory, all found within the main story of conservationism and anti-capitalism! I know marshmallows are lovely, but they are worth cutting down all the trees, my little bear friends! As the Lorax says, "I speak for the trees, and they say could you f-in' not?!"

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Duration: 01:07:56
Episode 056: How Did Psychology Hurt Scott Calvin? The Santa Clause (1994)
Dec 19, 2022

Join Alex as he discusses a timeless Christmas classic, The Santa Clause (1994), starring Tim Allen in one of his more-famous roles. Watch as he becomes Santa after being tricked into it by magical law — this sounds like real life — and as he spends the entire runtime throwing psychiatry and psychology under the bus! It's almost like the real Tim Allen put in his own disdain for an entire professional field into the movie! But don't forget about all the great examples of belief perseverance and belief revision amongst the characters! Just press play on this episode — your ears w...

Duration: 00:55:09
Episode 055: Autism and a Better Life for Cattle — Temple Grandin (2010) with Sara Bagley
Nov 28, 2022

Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Sara Bagley as they embark on a discussion of Autism Spectrum Disorder and visual eidetic memory in the lovely and inspiring biopic of the real-life ASD advocate AND cattle-life revolutionary, Temple Grandin in HBO's Temple Grandin (2010)! They discuss the basics of ASD, what the film gets right and what the film ditches for the sake of the narrative, as well as Dr. Grandin's amazing shift in the cattle industry's practices. They include nuggets of visual storytelling so that the viewer can feel and experience Temple's internal struggle and brilliance, expertly...

Duration: 01:06:49
Episode 054: Fatphobia and Misogyny in a Romantic Comedy? That Can’t Be! Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) with Jordan Wagge
Nov 07, 2022

Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Jordan Wagge (Twitter: @jorowags) as they take a closer look at the problematic themes and issues in 2001's Bridget Jones's Diary! A successful vehicle for Renee Zellweger, which spawned two sequels, it does have strong "romantic comedy" vibes, which includes things like fatphobia, misogyny, sexual harassment, and a lot more! Would it hold up today? Probably not, and not just because of those things — just look at how many people are smoking cigarettes on film AND inside!

More information on CREP, the Collaborative Replication Education Project.

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Duration: 01:04:05
Episode 053: False Memories AND a Trip to Mars? Sign Me Up! Total Recall (1990)
Oct 17, 2022

Join Alex as he discusses a timeless sci-fi classic from Paul Verhoeven and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Total Recall (1990)! Of course, this movie is all about how you might implant memories into a person, giving them the experience without the experience! We follow Doug Quaid, having an existential crisis in his life, realizing he got his memories changed into false ones by a criminal syndicate called the Agency. Do these false memories, from Rekall Inc., really mean he's a new person? Join the discussion of the 90s best — yeah, we said it — sci-fi jaunt from Phillip K. Dick and Verh...

Duration: 01:06:40
Episode 052: We Might Love David If He Wasn’t So Creepy — A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) with Jim Davies
Sep 26, 2022

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Jim Davies in a discussion of the portrayal of artificial intelligence, consciousness, and love in Steven Spielberg's Pinocchio-esque film, A.I.: Artificial Intelligence (2001)! We explore the idea of artificial intelligence, what it means to be conscious or sentient, and how well the film works on these fundamentally hard-to-define fronts. Though Jim is a cognitive scientist, Alex also asks him about the film's idea of love and what it means to be loved, which hits at The Velveteen Rabbit's ideal of what it means to be real and who is worthy of...

Duration: 01:34:10
Episode 051: Hans Landa is a Psych Case Study—Inglourious Basterds (2009) with Jason Spiegelman
Sep 05, 2022

Join Alex and returning guest host Jason Spiegelman as they discuss a one of Quentin Tarantino's classic westerns... set during World War II, and in France, Inglourious Basterds (2009). Rather than naming specific psychological principles in this discussion, a focus is on the characters, their motivations, and the scenes in which those motivations are readily apparent. What does it mean to express unfettered glee at the death of Nazis? Why would a German soldier really think using the wrong number three means spies? And why is Hans Landa one of the most terrifying movie villains in a good...

Duration: 01:31:23
Episode 050: Self-Discovery Right Before a Wedding is Ill-Advised — The Philadelphia Story (1940)
Aug 16, 2022

Join Alex as he discusses a solid romantic screwball comedy from the early film days, The Philadelphia Story (1940), starring Golden Age of cinema heavyweights like Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and James Stewart! In this episode, we'll explore how Katherine Hepburn's character, Tracy, comes to learn more about herself through social psychological principles regarding the formation of the SELF. Alex also dives into the portrayal of gender roles, as this movie revolves around Tracy's very important wedding. Alex also gushes about the Mid-Atlantic accent, a highlight of films in this era! It's positively lovely...

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Duration: 01:10:43
Episode 049: Birthdays Are Random, Folks — Born on the Fourth of July (1989) with Anthony Zoccolillo
Jul 04, 2022

Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Anthony Zoccolillo as they discuss the middle film of Oliver Stone's Vietnam trilogy, Born on the Fourth of July (1989). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), patriotism, and activism are fantastic topics to explore in this war film based on the life of a real Vietnam veteran that went from blind patriot to leading antiwar activist, Ron Kovic. It really puts events of today in perspective, sheesh...

Check out 50 States of Terror episode that Zocc was on for Mental Health Awareness Month, May 2022!

Please leave...

Duration: 01:14:23
Episode 048: Who Woulda Thunk Superheroes Would Make Decent Leaders? The Marvel Cinematic Universe with Sy Islam & Gordon Schmidt
Jun 13, 2022

Join Alex and guest hosts Drs. Sy Islam and Gordon Schmidt in a discussion of the various leadership qualities of several Marvel superheroes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (2008 - Present)! The Universe is huge, there are so many movies, but the characters span several movies, played by the same actors, so we have the ability to track growth and development in this action-adventure genre! Sy and Gordon literally wrote the book on leadership in the MCU, so join us to find out which characters Papa Kevin Feige has made successful leaders — and you'll even hear our three fu...

Duration: 01:13:21
Episode 047: I Wouldn’t Say I’ve Been Missing Work—Office Space (1999) with Ed Hansen
May 23, 2022

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Ed Hansen in a discussion of the various psychological concepts in the sharp witty satire of late-1990s office work in Mike Judge's Office Space (1999)! It's high time we discussed the often-neglected child of psychology, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, and all that it has to offer in this laugh-filled podcast episode exploring a laugh-inducing commentary on bad bosses, crappy office work environments, and toxic corporate mentality. The movie starts Ron Livingston, Jennifer Aniston, John C. McGinley, Gary Cole, and Stephen Root as Milton... you'll have to listen to hear me doing my best...

Duration: 01:43:32
Episode 046: Let’s Talk About Sex... Research — Kinsey (2004) with Leslee Koritzke
May 02, 2022

Join Alex and guest host Leslee Kortizke in a discussion of the various psychological concepts in the biopic of Dr. Alfred Kinsey in the aptly-named Kinsey (2004)! The discussion is of course on the titular character's groundbreaking work on the sexual behaviors of Americans in the 1940s and 1950s, an extremely taboo subject of the time! The episode features an exploration of the precursors to the work, as portrayed in the film, with an explanation of the methods used and a critique of the work through a more modern lens. Let's have a discussion about sex, shall we?<...

Duration: 01:26:00
Episode 045: A Juicy 90s Satire of Conversion Therapy—But I’m a Cheerleader (1999) with Molly Metz & Will Ryan
Apr 10, 2022

90s satire But I'm a Cheerleader (1999)! The film stars Natasha Lyonne and Clea Duvall as lesbians forced to attend a straight conversion camp. While the content is heavy — conversion therapy is wrong at all levels for both orientation AND gender conversion — if you're ready to laugh at the absurdity of it all, tag along! The trio chat about gender identity and roles, sexual orientation, and how this movie turns typical gay and lesbian tropes on their head! According to Dr. Ryan, it's a lesbian cult classic!

Follow Dogtor Gordie on Instagram!

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Duration: 01:35:10
Episode 044: Wait, Zimbardo Didn’t Do An Experiment? The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015) with Keli Braitman and Jen Simonds
Feb 28, 2022

Join Alex and guest hosts Drs. Keli Braitman and Jen Simonds as the three dissect and discuss the dramatic take on the real life The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015)! The film stars Billy Crudup as the real Dr. Philip Zimbardo, a psychologist who became famous for putting college-aged men in a fake prison in the basement of the psychology building in the summer of 1971, letting guards treat these men as less than humans. We tackle the ethical issues, the psychology of the situation, and how this kind of study would never pass muster in this modern era of...

Duration: 01:31:23
Episode 043: A Disney Version of a Discussion on Racial Prejudice—Remember the Titans (2000) with Wind Goodfriend
Feb 07, 2022

Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Wind Goodfriend in a discussion of the psychological concepts in the uplifting but superficial film, Remember the Titans (2000)! We discuss whether the discussion and commentary in this "Based on a True Story" story holds up in our modern discussion on prejudice and race, dive deep into the Allport theory of contact and cooperation and the Sherif Robbers Cave field experiment, and finally chat about the real life events surrounding this story versus the film's creative license. But, football? LEFT SIDE... STRONG SIDE!

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Duration: 01:20:28
Episode 042: A Trans, Religious, Simulation Allegory, Oh My! The Matrix Film Franchise with Alex Swan
Jan 17, 2022

Join Alex in an exploration of the themes and allegories — that have a psychological flair, of course — in The Matrix (1999) film franchise! In this episode, Alex dives into the Wachowski sisters' true meaning of the first film, which was a transgender allegory. He also explores the iconic religious allegory, as well as a discussion about simulation theory. Some other details are also discussed, like how you can really function with a giant spike shoved into the back of your skull! (Hint: you can't.) While there is minimal discussion of the new film, The Matrix: Resurrections (2021), consider this a mi...

Duration: 01:23:51
Episode 041: If Freud is the Butt of the Jokes, What Does it Mean? What About Bob (1991) with Jordan Wagge
Dec 06, 2021

Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Jordan Wagge (BlueSky: @jorowags.bsky.social) as they take a closer look at the goofy Bill Murray comedy What About Bob? (1991). This Frank Oz classic that also stars Richard Dreyfuss as Dr. Leo Marvin is a wild ride in anxiety, therapy, and Freud jokes! Alex and Jordan officially start the Dr. Leo Marvin Haters Club and decide he is one of the worst people — not just therapist — in the world. But remember, don't think too hard about the psych portrayal in the movie, it's a comedy!

Plea...

Duration: 01:17:32
Episode 040: Wait, A Chimp Can Fly A Plane?! Project X (1987) with Karen Brakke
Nov 15, 2021

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Karen Brakke in a discussion of the various psychological concepts in the unofficial sequel to Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Project X (1987), starring Matthew Broderick and Helen Hunt. This film is fascinating for its portrayal of animal cognition, animal rights in research, and just how similar Broderick's character is just another Ferris Bueller! We also have an interesting discussion regarding various projects occurring around the same time period in psychology, and marvel about how well they portrayed a psychology graduate student!

Check out the Southeastern Teaching of Psychology...

Duration: 01:23:38
Episode 039: Do You Remember the Last Time We Talked About This Film? Memento (2000) with Alex Swan
Oct 25, 2021

Join Alex in an renewed exploration of the memory issues and portrayal Memento (2000)! We first talked about this film all the way back in July 2019, in Episode 000. In this episode, Alex dives a little deeper into the portrayal of anterograde amnesia and the ultimate outcome of the story, including the speculation about which character is telling the truth. This is truly a wonderful film that does a pretty decent job at exploring how anterograde amnesia might work in the wild. And let's not forget Christopher Nolan's wonderful storytelling technique of a backwards narrative!

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Duration: 01:10:10
Episode 038: Men Can Get Really Angry! 12 Angry Men (1957 & 1997) with Jordan Wagge & Jason Spiegelman
Oct 04, 2021

Join Alex and returning guest hosts Dr. Jordan Wagge and Jason Spiegelman as the three dissect and discuss the two major American versions of the stage play and short story 12 Angry Men! The first major release was in 1957, written and directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Henry Fonda. The second, made-for-TV movie, was released in 1997, and starred several great actors, including John Lemmon, William Peterson, James Gandolfini, Mykelti Williams, Tony Danza, and the venerable George C. Scott. We explore social influence, persuasion, racism and prejudice, confirmation bias, and toxic masculinity. Wouldn't this be a better scenario if...

Duration: 01:37:53
Episode 037: This Film is One Giant Racist and Sexist Fest! Crash (2004) with Karenna Malavanti
Sep 13, 2021

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Karenna Malavanti in a discussion of the various psychological concepts in the wildly controversial film, Crash (2004)! It's controversial because even writer-director Paul Haggis doesn't think it should have won Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Oh, and the fact that each scene or connected vignette features truly awful human beings! But we wade into the controversy and discuss racism, sexism, prejudice, and stereotypes... so *crash* into us!

Follow Karenna on Twitter: @KMalavanti

Please leave your feedback on this post, the main site (cinemapsychpod...

Duration: 01:12:56
Episode 036: Wait, the Prison Was a Metaphor? The Shawshank Redemption (1994) with Justine Egan-Kunicki
Aug 23, 2021

Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Justine Egan-Kunicki in a discussion of the various psychological concepts in the classic prison film, The Shawshank Redemption (1994), a film based on a novella by Stephen King that doesn't have any horror or supernatural elements. Just good old fashioned, mid-century prison brutality! It is set in Maine, though... anyway, the episode explores psychological prison, institutionalization, and hope. It stars Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins in perhaps two of their best roles. You can't help but smile as the end of the movie sweeps you away to Mexico!

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Duration: 01:29:32
Episode 035: Mental Health, Sexuality, and Suicide, Oh My! The Hours (2002) with Crystal Steltenpohl
Aug 02, 2021

Join Alex and Dr. Crystal Steltenpohl in a discussion of the various psychological concepts in the crushing, but a poignant look at relationships and happiness, film The Hours (2002). The film stars Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, and Meryl Streep as three women struggling with their mental health, relationships, and happiness, connected by the story written by the famous Virginia Woolf. Listen, Nicole Kidman's prosthetic nose was great to be like Virginia, but it didn't change color!

Check out Crystal on Twitter! Also, don't forget to pop over to the Open Scholarship Knowledge Base.

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Duration: 01:37:49
Episode 034: This is One Reality Show That Definitely Isn't Ethical—The Truman Show (1998) with Mehwish Safdar
Jul 12, 2021

Join Alex and Virginia Commonwealth University undergrad Mehwish Safdar in a discussion of the various psychological concepts in the wildly unethical, but touching lark The Truman Show (1998). The film stars Jim Carrey, in a shift from his sillier roles earlier in the 90s, as the titular Truman Burbank. He's the real person in an elaborate reality show. Joining him are Ed Harris and Laura Linney as the creator Christof and his fake wife, respectively. It's a fantastic ride and could be useful in discussions beyond ethics!

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Duration: 01:00:03
Episode 033: With L-Dopa, You Too Can Do the Hokey Pokey (But Only if You're Rigid)—Awakenings (1990) with Sara Bagley
Jun 21, 2021

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Sara Bagley in a discussion of the psychological concepts in the wonderful film based on the book of the same name, written by Dr. Oliver Sacks, Awakenings (1990)! The film stars Robin Williams as a facsimile of Dr. Sacks and Robert De Niro in one of his strongest method roles. We discuss everything you wanted to know about L-Dopa and dopamine, among this wild trip based in truth.

Please leave your feedback on this post, the main site (cinemapsychpod.swanpsych.com) or on Facebook (@CinPsyPod). We'd love to...

Duration: 01:25:04
Episode 032: How Stalking and Insurance Scams Drive a Person Insane—Unsane (2018) with Alex Swan
May 31, 2021

Join Alex in a solo episode as he discusses the psychological concepts in a sleeper indie thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh, Unsane (2018). It stars Claire Foy as a woman suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from a stalker, but everyone at the health clinic thinks she's delusional, because who stalks these days, amirite? Anyway, it's a cautionary tale about believing women and insurance scams! The idea for covering this film came from a General Psychology class Watch Party on Alex's Twitch.tv channel (https://twitch.tv/cogpsychprof).

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Duration: 00:59:22
Episode 031: CinemaPsych at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference 2021—What's Your Film Pedagogy?
May 10, 2021

Join Alex in a special episode of the podcast! In this ep, Alex hosts a Roundtable Discussion at the Annual Conference of the Midwestern Psychological Association, held virtually in 2021 due to the ongoing COVID pandemic. Several educators in psychology joined to discuss their film pedagogy. Here are their details:

Sara Bagley, Lindenwood University
Crystal N. Steltenpohl, University of Southern Indiana
Thomas Dirth, Bemidji State University
Jordan Wagge, Avila University (and past guest host)
Bonnie Ekstrom
Alan Zheng

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Duration: 00:33:47
Episode 030: I Can't Get Over the Stalker Behavior! 50 Shades of Grey (2015) with Kiersten Baughman
Apr 19, 2021

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Kiersten Baughman in a discussion of the psychological concepts in the poorly-acted but provocative BDSM LARP, 50 Shades of Grey (2015)! Starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan, this film really shows how a stalker can ultimately win: just be rich!

Please leave your feedback on this post, the main site (cinemapsychpod.swanpsych.com) or on Facebook (@CinPsyPod). We'd love to hear from you!

Don't forget to check out our Paypal links to contribute to this podcast and keep the lights on! Don't forget to check...

Duration: 01:05:03
Episode 029: It's Just a Jump to the Right... of Acceptance? The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) with Wind Goodfriend
Mar 29, 2021

Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Wind Goodfriend in a discussion of the psychological concepts in the outrageous but important cult class film, The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)! We do the Time Warp again to discuss the sex, sexuality, and gender-bending concepts that are all over this wild musical. The message here is, don't dream it, BE IT!

Check our Dr. Goodfriend's new Audible course, The Science of Love.

Additional reading, care of the "your thoughts" segment: Toward a Sociology of Cult Films: Reading "Rocky Horror"

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Duration: 01:09:04
Episode 028: It Really is Hard to Forget This Film—Still Alice (2014) with Shana Southard-Dobbs
Mar 08, 2021

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Shana Southard-Dobbs in a discussion of the psychological concepts in the somber and illustrative film, Still Alice (2014)! Alzheimer's disease is front and center in this tour de force by Julianne Moore. Both Shana and I thought some of the aspects of the film came too close to home, but not for the memory loss, but that it happens to a college professor and cognitive scientist!

Please leave your feedback on this post, the main site (cinemapsychpod.swanpsych.com) or on Facebook (@CinPsyPod). We'd love to hear from...

Duration: 01:22:21
Episode 027: Honey, Where's My Dinner? Pleasantville (1998) with Will Ryan
Feb 15, 2021

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Will Ryan in a discussion of the psychological concepts in the whimsical fairy tale, Pleasantville (1998)! This film has so many lovely allegories, so we explore as many as we can in a short amount of time. Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon are fantastic in these early roles of their careers, with William H. Macy doing a great job asking... "Where is my dinner?"

Please leave your feedback on this post, the main site (cinemapsychpod.swanpsych.com) or on Facebook (@CinPsyPod). We'd love to hear from you!

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Duration: 00:54:41
Episode 026: K-Mart Got Some Really Great Product Placement—Rain Man (1988) with Anthony Zoccolillo
Jan 25, 2021

Join Alex and Anthony Zoccolillo as they discuss the great but problematic Rain Man (1988). These are some wonderful performances by Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman, but the autism portrayal was a product of its time. After you listen to this podcast episode, pull up a chair and watch The People's Court!

Please leave your feedback on this post, the main site (cinemapsychpod.swanpsych.com) or on Facebook (@CinPsyPod). We'd love to hear from you!

Don't forget to check out our Paypal links to contribute to this podcast and keep...

Duration: 01:02:57
Episode 025: I Think There's An Allegory In Here Somewhere—X-Men Franchise (2000-2019) with Michael Alexander
Jan 04, 2021

Join Alex and guest host Michael Alexander in a discussion of the psychological concepts in the X-Men film franchise (2000-2019), films where the allegories for civil rights for minority populations and groups hit you like Magneto would hit you with a steel bar! We do also delve into the 90s cartoon and of course discuss the comic books that informed these films.

Please leave your feedback on this post, the main site (cinemapsychpod.swanpsych.com) or on Facebook (@CinPsyPod). We'd love to hear from you!

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Duration: 01:44:57
Episode 024: Don't Take a Job at a Lighthouse, You'll Go Mad! The Lighthouse (2019) with Alex Swan
Dec 14, 2020

Join Alex in a solo episode as he discusses the psychological concepts in a well-filmed but strikingly strange film The Lighthouse (2019). It stars Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe, ONLY, as we explore the descent (?) into madness when guilt, excessive drinking, and isolation make a formidable cocktail. This episode also represents a different delivery method, much like Episode 022/Fight Club, with the bulk of the discussion happening during a live stream of Alex's (https://twitch.tv/cogpsychprof), with participation and some shoutouts to Twitch chat. It also includes some sound bites that will sound different, because they were...

Duration: 00:46:48
Episode 023: All Work and No Play MakesJack a Narcissist—The Shining (1980) with Sully Coleman
Nov 23, 2020

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Sully Coleman in a discussion of the psychological concepts in Stanley Kubrick's wild psychological horror The Shining (1980), a film where you get the sense something is wrong—perhaps it's all the ghosts in the hotel OR, and hear me out, it's Jack's unrelenting narcissism!

Please leave your feedback on this post, the main site (cinemapsychpod.swanpsych.com) or on Facebook (@CinPsyPod). We'd love to hear from you!

Don't forget to check out our Paypal links to contribute to this podcast and keep the li...

Duration: 01:24:23
Episode 022: Welp, it Looks Like I Broke the First Two Rules—Fight Club (1999) with Alex Swan
Oct 26, 2020

Join Alex in a solo episode as he discusses the psychological concepts in a wild ride of a film, Fight Club (1999), starring Edward Norton and Brad Pitt as the same person... but actually different people? This episode is also an experimental delivery, with the bulk of the discussion happening during a live stream of Alex's (https://twitch.tv/cogpsychprof), with participation and some shoutouts to Twitch chat.

Please leave your feedback on this post, the main site (cinemapsychpod.swanpsych.com) or on Facebook (@CinPsyPod). We'd love to hear from you!

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Duration: 00:56:34
Episode 021: The Film Where the DID Psychologist Does Everything Wrong—Split (2016) with Lyra Stein
Oct 12, 2020

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Lyra Stein in a discussion of the psychological concepts in Split (2016), a film where M. Night Shyamalan returns to the height of his powers in an exploration of Dissociative Identity Disorder, but breaks that whole thing by bringing in some supernatural elements. James McAvoy is so good, though!

Please leave your feedback on this post, the main site (cinemapsychpod.swanpsych.com) or on Facebook (@CinPsyPod). We'd love to hear from you!

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Duration: 01:04:14
Episode 020: Please Don't Try to Erase This Podcast Episode from Your Memory--Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) with Jordan Wagge
Sep 21, 2020

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Jordan Wagge in a discussion of the psychological concepts in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), a cerebral (pun intended!) romp with Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, written by Charlie Kaufman. We don't recommend getting a procedure to erase memories, for any reason!

You can also find Jordan on BlueSky: @jorowags.bsky.social

Please leave your feedback on this post, the main site (cinemapsychpod.swanpsych.com) or on Facebook (@CinPsyPod). We'd love to hear from you!

Don't forget to...

Duration: 01:09:33
Episode 019: Fly Fishing and Family Time Dynamics--Can Brad Pitt Be My Brother? A River Runs Through It (1992) with Jason Spiegelman
Aug 31, 2020

Join Alex and returning guest host Jason Spiegelman as they discuss the family dynamics in the fly fishing period piece, A River Runs Through It (1992). The film stars Brad Pitt, Tom Skerritt, and Craig Sheffer as father and sons just trying to make it in early 20th century Montana. Honestly, the only thing you can really focus on are the amount of stares people make and all the fly fishing. Makes you want to forget all your troubles and just go wade out into a river!

Check out a fun, early-in-podcast-producing moment from the last time Jason...

Duration: 01:00:22
Episode 018: The Stereotypes Slashed Me Harder Than the Actual Knives! Scream (1996) with Angela Bell
Aug 10, 2020

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Angela Bell in a discussion of the psychological concepts in Scream (1996), Wes Craven's reimagining and spoofing of his own slasher films. Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, David Arquette, and lots more star in this movie that has so many gender stereotypes and aggression, our eyes rolled too far back in our heads and now we're permanently stuck like that. Also find out how Craven got his start in film--and how that relates to Randy's horror movie rules!

Check out recent articles on racial equality, equity, and justice current...

Duration: 01:13:08
Episode 017: CinemaPsych is One Year Old! A Year in Review and a Look to the Future with Astrid Swan
Jul 20, 2020

Join Alex and his wife Astrid as they discuss the first year of the podcast, her thoughts on some favorite moments and episodes, a a look to the future of the podcast, including films that are on the docket in the upcoming year! Onward!

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Duration: 00:48:23
Episode 016: Social Media Profiles and FBI Profiles are the Same, Right? Red Dragon (2002) with Marc Klippenstine
Jun 29, 2020

Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Marc Klippenstine for a discussion of the psychological concepts in Red Dragon (2002), the second best Hannibal Lecter movie, but one where we can explore if the FBI is just using our social media to determine whether or not we're serial murderers! Edward Norton is an established profiler and Anthony Hopkins is still very creepy...

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Don't forget to check out...

Duration: 01:06:34
Episode 015: Self-Expansion Your Relationship with Your Computer! Her (2013) with Jeff Bowen
Jun 08, 2020

Join Alex and guest host Dr. Jeff Bowen in a discussion of the psychological concepts in Her (2013), another tour de force by Joaquin Phoenix (I suppose this show has become to the JP show by now...). We chat about how real a relationship with an OS could be--for me... I love my MacOS!

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Duration: 01:26:42
Episode 014: This is an Idea of a Podcast Episode--American Psycho (2000) with Alex Swan
May 18, 2020

Join Alex in a solo episode as he discusses the psychological concepts in an "American" classic, American Psycho (2000), starring Christian Bale in perhaps one is his most iconic performances as Patrick Bateman, an investment banker who likes to kill folks but has an awesome skincare routine.

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Duration: 01:02:59
Episode 013: Are We Supposed to Laugh At or With This Guy? Joker (2019) with Wind Goodfriend
Apr 27, 2020

Join Alex and frequent guest host Dr. Wind Goodfriend on discussion of the psychological concepts in Joker (2019), the latest take on the amazing batman villain. Joaquin Phoenix gives a stunning performance of a guy just on the edge of reality. That laugh gives us the creeps!

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<...

Duration: 01:20:18
Episode 012: Don't Worry, This Episode Isn't About Coronavirus... We Think? Contagion (2011) with Anthony Zoccolillo
Apr 06, 2020

Join Alex and Anthony Zoccolillo as they discuss Contagion (2011), a film too important to pass up in this time of the coronavirus pandemic of 2019-2020! In this episode, we explore several eerily-good features of the science presented in the film, including panic-buying, the tremendous pressure to get things right by government officials, and conspiracy theories. It's honestly a scary form of life imitating art at this juncture. We end by chatting about how we're coping with the social distancing and offer some tips to our listeners. Join us on this ride!

Take a...

Duration: 01:04:45
Episode 011: I'm Going to Fast Forward to the Last Person's Testimony--Rashomon (1950)/Knives Out (2019) with Celeste Pilegard
Mar 16, 2020

Join Alex and Celeste Pilegard as they discuss Rashomon (1950) and Knives Out (2019), two films cut from the same cloth (pun intended)! In this episode, the Rashomon effect is explored deeply, with discussions on police line-ups & eyewitness testimony, and whether we live in a shared reality. You really can't miss this whodunnit extravaganza!

Also, check out Celeste's Cognitive Psychology OER textbook (Cognitive Foundations)!

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Don't forget...

Duration: 01:30:57
Episode 010: I Need to Remember That Jingle Like I Need An HQ Crisis in My Head! Inside Out (2015) with Molly Metz
Feb 24, 2020

Join Alex and Molly Metz as they discuss Inside Out (2015), a long-awaited episode for the podcast. This episode has everything: a deep discussion of emotion theory, a critique of the memory representation, and the exploration of some possible hidden psychology gems. It's joyful, saddening, and maybe you'll have a jingle or two stuck in your head when you're finished listening! If you have a free moment, check out her passion: The Society for the Teaching of Psychology (STP).

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Duration: 01:20:06
Episode 009: One Neuron, You're Alive; Two Make a Pair! Lucy (2013) Rage Watch with Christina Ragan
Feb 03, 2020

Join Alex and Christina Ragan (her FB Group for instructors for Bio and Neuro Psychology) in a discussion of the BAD psychological concepts in Luc Besson's gobbledegook sci-fi thriller (?) Lucy (2014). It stars Scarlett Johansson as the eponymous Lucy, a woman who unlocks supernatural powers just by using more of her brain, and Morgan Freeman, a science-adjacent person who has really weird theories about space-time and brains. We called this a Rage Watch followed by a Rage Chat! Join us.

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Duration: 00:57:00
Episode 008: Don't Make Me Spray You With My Fox Repellent! Zootopia (2016) with Justine Egan-Kunicki
Jan 13, 2020

Join Alex and Justine Egan-Kunicki in a discussion of the psychological concepts Disney's animated jaunt Zootopia (2016). The voice roles are Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, and many others. It's like Disney's attempt to make up for all the really bad stuff it made in the mid-20th century!

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Duration: 00:59:51