Dr. David Klonsky is a clinical psychology professor who conducts research on suicidal behavior, personality, emotion, and assessment. He developed the three-step theory, which is an important and parsimonious theory of suicidal behavior. David also conducted foundational work on the functions of nonsuicidal self-injury. After discussing suicidal behavior research, we shifted the conversation to open … Continue reading Suicidal Behavior, Science, & Mixed Martial Arts with Dr. David Klonsky

Jesse Singal is a journalist who writes about a range of fascinating topics, including psychology and behavioral science. Journalism plays an important role in communicating research findings to the public, and Jesse shared his insight about how that process works. We also talked about his concerns about current directions in journalism, college mental health, the … Continue reading Journalism & Psychology with Jesse Singal

Note: This episode was co-created and produced by Randolph Brickey. Randolph Brickey is a trial attorney, writer, and former public defender who joined us to talk about the movie, Primal Fear. First, we gave an overview of the plot and characters in the movie. Then, Randolph explained legal terms, such as not guilty by reason … Continue reading Primal Fear: The Intersection of Law & Psychology with Randolph Brickey

Dr. Chris Martin is a sociologist who does fascinating research on a range of topics that include culture, mental health, and well-being. He joined us to talk about a college course he teaches on happiness, his stand-up comedy experiences, and the podcast he hosts, Half Hour of Heterodoxy. First, we talked about how Chris got … Continue reading Happiness with Dr. Chris Martin

Michael Sargent is a social psychology professor and the host of Tatter, an excellent podcast about politics, policy, and many other interesting topics. We invited Michael on Jedi Counsel to talk about his pathway to becoming a social psychologist, including his research on need for cognition and punitive responses to crime. Then, Michael told us … Continue reading Tatter, Masculinity, & Pulp Fiction with Michael Sargent

This episode is an interview with Dr. Emily Pisetsky, an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and licensed psychologist. First, Dr. Pisetsky shared how she became interested in clinical psychology and the pathway she took toward studying and treating eating disorders. Next, we talked about research on body image and eating disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum … Continue reading Eating Disorders During & After Pregnancy with Dr. Emily Pisetsky

This episode is an interview with Dr. Mun Yee Kwan, an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology. First, Dr. Kwan shared how she became interested in clinical psychology and the journey she took toward becoming an eating disorder researcher. Next, we talked about the ways that social factors both increase risk, and are negatively impacted by, … Continue reading Causes & Consequences of Eating Disorders with Dr. Mun Yee Kwan

Hey Jedi Counsel friends! This week we are checking back in with three-peat guest-host, Dr. Keith Donohue! You might remember him from past episodes on myths around substance use as well as the fictional character James Bond. In this episode, we expanded our episode on Black Mirror: Bandersnatch by talking about “Choose Your Own Adventures” … Continue reading Choosing Our Own Adventures with Dr. Keith Donohue

This episode is an interview with Dr. April Smith, an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology. First, Dr. Smith shared how she became interested in her current research areas. Next, we talked about potential explanations for elevated suicidal behavior rates among people with eating disorders. Dr. Smith shared how her lab has investigated underlying factors through … Continue reading Eating Disorders & Suicidal Behavior with Dr. April Smith

Hey, Jedi Counsel fans! This week we decided to finally catch up with the world and check out Black Mirror: Bandersnatch! We know, we are a bit behind everyone else, but we were excited to talk about it anyways! Listen in as we both go through our individual choices and discuss some of the psychological … Continue reading The Psychology of Black Mirror: Bandersnatch

NOTE: This episode includes frank discussion of eating disorder symptoms, weight, body image, depression, and related struggles. Music critic and award-winning writer, Ken Capobianco, shares his story about recovering from anorexia nervosa after 30 years. We talked about the ways that dieting in his teen years escalated into an eating disorder and the painful effects … Continue reading Ken Capobianco Tells His Story about Recovering from Anorexia

Hey folks! Thanks so much for tuning in. This week we had the absolute pleasure of doing a cross-over episode with the Head Space and Timing Podcast hosted by Duane France. Duane is an individual with the unique experience and background of having served both as a veteran as well as a mental health therapist. … Continue reading The Psychology of Saving Private Ryan with Duane France

Randolph Brickey is a writer, recovering attorney, struggling internet personality, and former public defender. He joined us to discuss his fantastic article comparing Batman: The Animated Series (TAS) to Christopher Nolan’s Batman Trilogy. Brandon and Randolph talked about what TAS meant to them growing up and what it means to them now. Then, we discussed … Continue reading Episode 121: The Morality and Psychology of Batman with Randolph Brickey

We spoke to Dr. Tracy Witte, an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, about her fascinating research on suicidal behavior. First, she told us about the interesting path that led her to clinical psychology. Next, she shared how openness to new opportunities led to important interdisciplinary work with different populations (e.g., military, LGBTQ+ veterinarians and students). … Continue reading Episode 120: The Science of Suicide Prevention with Dr. Tracy Witte

Note from Katie: I realized after recording that I should have used the term “romantic partner selection” instead of “mate selection.” So sorry about that! Please mentally edit me throughout while listening to put my mind at ease – thank you! In honor of Valentine’s Day, this episode is all about relationships, couples therapy, and … Continue reading Episode 119: Relationship Research, Couples Therapy, & Romance in The Office

Geek Therapy’s Josué Cardona has hijacked this feed to make a special announcement. The Geek Therapy Network, including Jedi Counsel, is brought to you in part by member of Geek Therapy on Patreon. For the month of February GT is holding a special offer for all new and current members. Listen to learn more and … Continue reading Geek Therapy Patreon Special Offer

Content warning: This episode contains discussion of depictions of suicide and self-harm. Hey folks! We are back this week and we decided to check out the new Netflix film Bird Box. We started off by visiting about our overall impressions of the film and some relevant background information. Following that, we dig into some of the … Continue reading Episode 118 – The Psychology of Bird Box

Professor and clinical psychologist, Dr. Leonardo Bobadilla, joined us to discuss examples of narcissism in characters from The Office. We first discussed where the term narcissism came from and what it means to the public, therapists, and researchers. Then, we talked about different aspects of narcissism: pathological vs. adaptive and grandiose vs. vulnerable. Next, we … Continue reading Episode 117 – Narcissism in The Office Characters with Dr. Leonardo Bobadilla

This week’s episode is all about Aquaman, the movie. First, we talked about our overall impressions (which included some tangents about movie theater seats and movie lengths). Next, we discussed how we think Aquaman has low levels of the personality trait neuroticism, while King Orm has high levels of the personality trait narcissism. Then, we … Continue reading Episode 116 – The Psychology of Aquaman

Hey Jedi Counsel fans! This week we had the great opportunity to stop over and chat with our friends at Paradox Comics-N-Cards! They invited us on to talk a bit about Tom King’s recent comic book series called “Heroes in Crisis“. Listen in as we chat with the comic professionals about some of the themes … Continue reading Episode 115 – Talking Therapy in Tom King’s Heroes in Crisis

Heads Up From Your Friends at Jedi Counsel: This episode has lots of SPOILERS. This week, we recorded a podcast episode after seeing A Star Is Born. We opened up with some fun facts about the movie and then chatted about our overall impressions of it. Next, we discussed the depictions of mental health issues … Continue reading Episode 114 – Mental Health Themes in A Star is Born

We spoke to Dr. Sanjay Srivastava, a Professor of Psychology, about his research on personality and social dynamics, personality tests, the podcast he co-hosts (The Black Goat), and his blog (The Hardest Science). First, he told us about the interesting pathway that led him to where he is today. Next, we talked about the appeal … Continue reading Episode 113 – Personality Tests, The Hardest Science, & The Black Goat with Dr. Sanjay Srivastava

Katie spoke to Dr. Jack Arnal, an Associate Professor of Psychology and Zombie Science Instructor, about how he uses pop culture to teach college classes. First, he talked about the interesting pathway that led him to cognitive psychology and the similarities between teaching and stand-up comedy. Next, he shared how he got involved with the … Continue reading Dr. Who and Psychology with Dr. Jack Arnal

We spoke to Dr. Joshua Grubbs, an Assistant Professor of Psychology, about his research on behavioral addictions (e.g., compulsive sexual behavior, gambling), narcissism, and religious beliefs. First, he told us about the interesting pathway that led him to clinical psychology. Next, he shared how his observations led him to fascinating scientific questions and nuanced answers … Continue reading Jedi Counsel Episode 111 – Addiction, Personality, & Religion with Dr. Joshua Grubbs