Shrink Tank Podcast

Why Do We *Need* John Krasinski’s ‘Some Good News’? Analyzing the Psychology of Positivity If there’s one thing that has made quarantine better, it’s been viewing John Krasinski’s Some Good News— his smash-hit YouTube show highlighting happy moments as news segments. So, why do we need good news? Why do we need heroes? In today’s […]

Your Mindset Determines How You’re Coping with the Pandemic If you’re struggling with coping with the Pandemic, take a look at your mindset. Sometimes just a shift in your own perspective can have the greatest impact. Take, for example, our podcast speakers. Have you ever watched a movie or tv show from the past that […]

How to Maintain your Emotional Health During a Pandemic Dr. Dave Verhaagen shares practical tips to maintain your emotional health during a pandemic. Due to COVID-19, the Shrink Tank Podcast has made the decision that our mental health experts, as well as our behind-the-scenes crew, temporarily pause recording our podcast while working remotely to protect […]

HBO’s McMillions: How Do Regular People Get Wrapped up in Organized Crime? Imagine if the only thing standing between you and a million dollars was a small ticket on the french fries you just bought for lunch. If you knew you never had a chance at winning, would you still play? We’re of course talking […]

Billie Eilish is Paving the Way for Gen Z to Open up About Mental Health In the music industry, Billie Eilish is known as the somewhat creepy, still cool girl who is one of the staple pillars for the niche genre ‘melancholy pop.’ In today’s episode of the Shrink Tank Podcast, our mental health experts […]

Is Coronavirus Increasing Cultural Anxiety? Mental Health Experts Discuss the Psychology of Fear Fever. Cough. Shortness of breath. This doesn’t sound too scary, if anything, it sounds like a typical respiratory infection. When you find out these symptoms are associated with Coronavirus, however, it’s a different story. In today’s episode of the Shrink Tank Podcast, […]

Dwyane Wade & Zaya Wade: How His Open Support for Trans Daughter Causes Shockwaves for Activism Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union are inspiring many with their recent public support of the transgender community after their daughter Zaya publicly identified as transgender. This support and acceptance of parenting a transgender child have inspired us to discuss […]

What John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch Highlights about Childhood Anxiety John Mulaney is a quirky comedian, so it’s no surprise that John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch is just as eclectic. While the Netflix special felt odd at times, it did highlight numerous psychological concepts that we wanted to explore. In today’s episode […]

Best Mental Health Depictions in Oscar-Nominated Films With the Oscar’s premiering this Sunday, we thought we’d stray from the usual “predictions” and have a little fun in the realm of psychology. In today’s episode of the Shrink Tank Podcast, our mental health experts spotlight Oscar-nominated films and performances that embody a mental health issue or […]

What Went Wrong in ‘Marriage Story’? Mental Health Experts Answer Both Adam Driver and Scarlett Johannsson’s performances in Marriage Story have so much to offer about the human experience in relationships and how to finding hope in tragic circumstances. In today’s episode of the Shrink Tank Podcast, our mental health experts discuss how Marriage Story […]

Why Haven’t we Cancelled The Academy Yet? Analyzing the Sexist, Racist, and Elitist Process in Selecting Oscar Nominees This year’s Academy Awards are causing headlines—yet again—for the fact that not a single female director was recognized in the Best Director category. In today’s episode of the Shrink Tank Podcast, our panel of Shrinks discuss the […]

What is the Psychology of Classism? Analyzing ‘Parasite’, ‘Knives Out’, and ‘Us’ The year’s films Parasite, Knives Out and Us all explored how classism impacts our day to day life. In today’s episode of the Shrink Tank Podcast, our panel of Shrinks discuss the erosion of middle class, the exploitation of the lower class, and the […]

Analyzing ‘The Mandalorian’: How Attachment Impacts our Identity The Mandalorian explores how an individual’s moral development — or moral code — fosters their decision making and personal identity. The show follows lead character Mando as he puts himself in the crossfire of the Empire to protect the Baby Yoda. In today’s episode of the Shrink […]

Analyzing ‘Watchmen’: Reverse Racism, Reparations, and Morality Watchmen is an American superhero drama television series, which serves as a continuation of the 1987 DC Comics limited series of the same name created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The HBO drama is set in an alternate reality where white supremacist group, the Seventh Kavalry, has […]

Greta Thunberg: Psychology of Teenage Activism Greta Thunberg is a 16-year-old Swedish environmental activist on climate change whose campaigning has gained international recognition. Every Friday, Thunberg would skip school in order to sit outside the Swedish parliament to call for stronger action on global warming by holding up a sign saying (in Swedish) “School strike […]

Jeopardy, Alex Trebek, Cancer, and Positive Psychology Alex Trebek, the longtime host of Jeopardy! has been a pop culture staple since the show’s revival in 1984.  Apart from being a beloved icon of public television, he’s made waves this year for how he’s eloquently handled his diagnosis of Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in the public […]

Is Tom Hanks the Mister Rogers of Today’s Time? Tom Hanks has one of the most long-standing careers in Hollywood, yet has remained one of the kindest individuals in the industry. Tom Hanks’ portrayal of Mister Rogers in It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood inspired this discussion on his psychological make up. That said, […]

Psychology of Fetishes: How Do We Think about Fetishes in a Sex-Positive Culture? With an ever-changing culture on the way we talk about sex, our panel of Shrinks wanted to approach the subject of fetishes. How do fetishes start? Are fetishes psychologically healthy? How do fetishes relate to vulnerability and intimacy? In today’s episode of […]

JoJo Rabbit: Is it Okay to Use Hitler as a Punch Line?  JoJo Rabbit, the latest film from Taiki Waititi, follows a lonely German boy who discovers that his single mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their attic. Aided only by his imaginary friend—Adolf Hitler—Jojo must confront his blind nationalism as World War II […]

Should Student-Athletes Be Paid? Where Moral Psychology Comes into Play In September of this year, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a measure that allows players to receive endorsement deals, despite the NCAA calling the move “unconstitutional.” When asked about the NCAA’s differing view on the subject, Governor Newsom said, “I have deep reverence, […]