PSYCHOCINEMATIC

A podcast analysing depictions of mental illness and disabilities in film and TV. Hosted by a psychologist, Stephanie, and friends with lived experience. We may ruin your favourite movie, but we promise to do it with fun, humour, and perhaps an important lesson or two.

Listen on:

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Episodes

Thursday Mar 09, 2023


TRANSCRIPT HERE
 
In honour of the passing of iconic disability activist Judy Heumann (18 December 1947 - 4 March 2023), we are re-releasing our September 2021 episode which coincided with International Day of Persons with Disability.
Join me (Steph) as I have a big gush about the documentary Crip Camp and a little rant about ableism, and direct your attention to the ‘mother of disability’ Judy Heumann as well as some of the many disability activists that I look to, leading the work in inclusion in Australia and the world.
 
DISABILITY FOCUSED PODCASTS MENTIONED:
The Heumann Perspective
I Can't Stand Podcast
Beyond 6 Seconds
[UN] Marginalised Podcast
Disability Visibility Project
Disability After Dark
The Chronic Ills Podcast
 
LINKS FROM ORIGINAL EPISODE:
International Day of People with Disability (idpwd.com.au)
Crip Camp | A Disability Revolution
“Crip Camp” Pieces Together the U.S. History of Disability Rights | Bitch Media
Judy Heumann | Disability Rights Advocate | Judithheumann
Factually! with Adam Conover: The Extraordinary History of the Disability Rights Movement with Judy Heumann on Apple Podcasts
The Heumann Perspective on Apple Podcasts
Jordon Steele-John | Greens WA
The I Can't Stand Podcast (icantstandpodcast.com)
Carly Findlay – Writer, speaker, appearance activist. Loving life!
ABC Ramp Up – Disability, Discussion, Debate (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)(archived)
Stella Young: I'm not your inspiration, thank you very much | TED Talk
 
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram,  Twitter and Tiktok! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com. Join our PATREON to support us and get sikkkk benefits and bonus content! And check out our NEW WEBSITE!!!

Thursday Feb 23, 2023


TRANSCRIPT HERE
 
Drop Dead Fred was a movie most millenials grew up with in their childhood, to the chagrin of their parents. But did we realise as youngsters that this silly slapstick comedy starring Young Ones’ Rik Mayall was actually a deep meditation on childhood trauma, arrested development, and narcissistic parenting? Join Steph and special guest Ariadne Giousmas as they dissect a hallmark film from their childhood and whether it passes or fails the Psychocinematic test (the Answer May Shock You!) Did you ever have an imaginary friend? Please tell us in the comments or in that Apple Podcasts review you’re about to submit!
Content warning: childhood neglect, abuse and abandonment, complex PTSD, relationship abuse, violence.
Follow Ariadne @BobbinsofBrisbane on instagram!
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram,  Twitter and Tiktok! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com. Join our PATREON to support us and get sikkkk benefits and bonus content! And check out our NEW WEBSITE!!!
 
REFERENCES
Should They Watch It Podcast's episode on Drop Dead Fred
26 Years On, Drop Dead Fred Is Way Darker Than You Remember Growing Up with Help From \"Drop Dead Fred\"
Drop Dead Fred – The Cult Classic Rife with Hypocrisy - Poplurker.com
Cult Classics: ‘Drop Dead Fred’ is More Than Just an Imaginary Friend – Black Girl Nerds
Things In Drop Dead Fred Only Adults Notice
POP PSYCH CAN`T BRING `DEAD FRED` TO LIFE – Chicago Tribune
Drop Dead Fred: Looking Back On A Cult Classic | Den of Geek
Drop Dead Fred: imaginary friend or mental breakdown? | bloggy balboa
Why Drop Dead Fred Is an Underrated Gem
NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!

Thursday Feb 09, 2023

TRANSCRIPT HERE
Welcome back to a brand new season of Psychocinematic Podcast! We kick off this year with a bang as Steph interviews Clare Verrall, who was a participant of Season 2 of Married At First Sight Australia. Clare talks about her experiences during and the impact of it after, including her mental health journey, gaining a ADHD & ASD diagnosis, and her fantastic work fostering rescue dogs and as a dog behaviourist and trainer. 
If you had icky feelings about Married at First Sight (or MAFS) get ready for them to be validated in spades - or if you didn't, get ready to have them!! (pls check the content warning!!) Clare is a very efficient talker so follow along with the transcript or use your app to slow  the pace down if you need!
CONTENT WARNING: Suicide and suicidal ideation, self harm, domestic abuse & violence, bullying & harrassment, negligence, animal abuse & neglect, we mention Nasser's name. 
HOTLINES: Lifeline: 131114 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
MAKE SURE you follow Clare on instagram @clareverrall and her cute puppas @dutchy_and_hodor. Follow her canine rescue @wildwoodanimalrescue and her highly rated dog training business @wildwooddogtraining if you could do with some puppy schooling!
Watch Clare's season of MAFS here if you must (actually it IS worth it just for Dutchy) and see her appearance on Channel 7's Sunday Night here (MUST watch). And to find out how to complain about something on TV (channel your inner Karen), go to the Australian Communications and Media Authority I'll join you.
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Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram,  Twitter and Tiktok! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com and JOIN OUR PATREON for SO MUCH exclusive content!
NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!

2023 Psychocinematic Trailer

Sunday Feb 05, 2023

Sunday Feb 05, 2023


Welcome to Psychocinematic's 2023 season fam!! Here to get you ready for a fantastic year of dissecting media, is our latest trailer! You'll notice a gorgeously synthpop melody underlaying some of last years' amazing guests, which is our new theme tune by Michael Watson! I love it. I loved the old one too but it's always fun to freshen things up!
New episode of the year comes on Thursday 9th of Feb. Can't wait!
Transcript:
*theme music starts and builds up*
Steph- Welcome to Psychocinematic, a podcast where we analyse depictions of mental illness and disability in popular film and TV
Elise- "She assembled this wonderful team of empathetic and open and talented people and then she invited Dr Phil *laughs*"
Merowyn- "Watching it was like a tsunami hitting me in the face in terms of seeing this deeply ingrained trauma, generational trauma"
Nic- "When we were amoebas in the primordial soup, we were searching for carbon molecules to get high off of. So i think he's *laugh* I think his intent is to say we are humans have the propensity to be addicted to stuff."
Steph- Join psychologist and host Stephanie Fornasier and guests with lived experience as they dissect their favourite films and TV shows
Ash- "I feel like identity crisis comes a lot with any type of disability or mental health, and I feel like in this movie, the whole movie's an identity crisis"
Jordan- "And of course it's the extreme measures that get documented, and those stories absolutely need to be shared, but every story needs to be shared" 
Hannah- "I want people to understandable that disabled people, could be potential romantic partners. Disabled stories matter, disabled stories are interesting" 
Steph - Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all good podcast apps. And subscribe to our Patreon, where you get access to bonus content. 
*music finishes*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Monday Jan 02, 2023


TRANSCRIPT HERE
 
Welcome to our last episode of the year but actually the first of the new year (because, sorry.) Thanks to everyone's contributions to this episode, where we asked you what films you loved and loathed this year - both 2022 releases and all time films.
 
Michael and Steph go through the list and discuss their own entries, with our typical no-filter approach to our own opinions (well mostly Michael). Join us as we get very sarcastic about covid, find out what the E-bert-o-meter says about our films, controversial opinions about the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack, Christopher Nolan, Julia Roberts and reporter films, and try not to yuck anybody's yum. We'll be on hiatus until mid february, so in the meantime, subscribe to our Patreon for all our bonus episodes, where your fee goes to our fundraiser for Djirra!!!
 
Things we mention for some reason:
Strawberries Phone (Spiderman 3)
The Leonardo Dicaprio meme
The Podcast Nobody Asked For
Letterboxd
 
Our ad spot is the exceptional podcast Beyond 6 Seconds with Carolyn Kiel, an absolute must listen if you are neurodiverse, an ally, advocate, or simply someone who cares about diversity and inclusion. Subscribe on all pod apps using the link and follow on insta @beyond6seconds.
 
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram,  Twitter and Tiktok! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com and JOIN OUR PATREON for SO MUCH exclusive content!
 
NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!
 

Thursday Dec 22, 2022

TRANSCRIPT HERE 
It’s our 3rd annual Christmas film episode ready for your lucky listening ears! Today we have a Psychocinematic first - a sister duo joining us, Emily & Heather McIntyre! Steph, Emily and Heather discuss the iconic new Netflix Christmas film charting Lindsay Lohan’s comeback - Falling for Christmas! Think we won’t have enough content to overanalyse in this one? THINK AGAIN!
Join us as we try to make sense of the films depiction of amnesia, why little Avy is constantly smiling, and why there are so many cheques.
CONTENT WARNING: Major physical accident, acquired brain injury, memory loss, loss of parent.
Follow Emily @ramblingravioli on Twitter, Insta and Tiktok!
Follow Heather @heatherey on Twitter, Insta and HeartbreakHeather on Tiktok - and check her and Niall Horan’s special relationship here.
See our Christmas Rom Com Bingo grid here to follow along with us!
References:
Netflix and Lindsay Lohan’s ‘Falling for Christmas’ Allegory (one of the funniest articles I’ve read in a while)
Lindsay Lohan’s ‘Falling for Christmas’ is Proof of Hollywood’s Dehumanizing Effects | Frieze
Netflix’s Falling For Christmas Has A Brilliant Mean Girls Nod, And It Was Apparently Lindsay Lohan’s Idea | Cinemablend
Falling For Christmas ticks every box in the Netflix algorithm (stylist.co.uk)
Netflix's Falling For Christmas: “Every single thought I had while watching Lindsay Lohan's festive romcom”
'Falling For Christmas' Review: Lindsay Lohan Makes a Cozy Comeback to Rom-Coms - Marvelous Geeks Media
Memories aren't made of this: amnesia at the movies - PMC (nih.gov)
'Falling For Christmas' And Why Rom-Coms Keep Using Amnesia | Cracked.com
Lindsay Lohan's Falling for Christmas on Netflix is cute. Amnesia isn't - Pehal News
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram,  Twitter and Tiktok! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com and JOIN OUR PATREON for SO MUCH exclusive content!
NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!

Thursday Dec 08, 2022


TRANSCRIPT HERE
 
Join Steph and her oldest friend, the gorgeously insightful Annie Ware, as they dissect as much of the psychological meaning behind Netflix's iconic animated series Bojack Horseman, created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg and Lisa Hanawalt. Can a series centring on a toxic male cartoon horse really convey a plethora of mental illnesses with a level of nuance and realism we've not seen before? Find out as we managed to tackle all (most) of its themes in 90 minutes!
 
Follow Annie on @fancyfreshpups on Instagram, to see her incredible grooming work (and the goodest doggos).
 
CONTENT WARNING: Suicide, childhood abuse, alcoholism, self harm behaviour, dementia, death, death anxiety/existentialism
 
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram,  Twitter and Tiktok! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com and JOIN OUR PATREON for SO MUCH exclusive content!
 
REFERENCES:
The Creator of 'Bojack Horseman' on How He Deals With Anxiety | GQ
Lisa Hanawalt, the Artist Behind TV’s Richly Emotional Cartoon Comedies “BoJack Horseman” and “Tuca & Bertie” | The New Yorker
Paul F. Tompkins (Voted #3 Ep of 2011) - The Mental Illness Happy Hour
My Mental Health: How BoJack Horseman helped me accept being on anti-depressants
BoJack Horseman is its own harshest critic - The Verge
The Death of Sarah Lynn Reveals More of Bojack Horseman's True Colors
Let’s Talk About Sarah Lynn. The most misunderstood character in… | by Karin Cho | Follow Your Heart | Medium
Bojack Horseman: Angela Diaz Secretly Causes Bojack's Power Abuses
IGN: Why Bojack Horseman is One of the Best Portrayals of Mental Illness
'Bojack Horseman' and the Nuances of Mental Health Depiction
Bojack Horseman and Mental Health
BoJack Horseman: 10 Real Life Issues The Show Deals With And How It Addresses Them
NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!
 
Music Michael Watson
Artwork: Bronte Poynts
Editor: Steph Fornasier

Thursday Dec 01, 2022


TRANSCRIPT HERE
In an incredible first for Psychocinematic, we interview an actor who stars in the media we are talking about! Hannah Diviney talks to Steph about the brand new show Latecomers on SBS TV, created by and starring disabled actors. 
Hannah plays the lead role of Sarah alongside Angus Thompson who plays Frank, and tells us all about how she got involved, what it's like being part of groundbreaking disability representation, and her experience calling out mega popstars for their ableist lyrics. Hannah is a powerhouse; a dynamic and brilliant disability advocate, wise beyond her 23 years, and it was such a delight to interview her. 
Watch Latecomers on SBS TV on Saturday 3rd of December at 8.30pm or catch it on SBS On Demand!!
Follow Hannah and her amazing work on her website, check out her important female led publication Missing Perspectives, and follow her on Twitter @hannah_diviney and Instagram @hannahthewildflower 
AND HAPPY INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES on the 3rd of December- which is, and should be, every day, really. 
CONTENT WARNING: Sex, discussion of ableism
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram,  Twitter and Tiktok! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com and JOIN OUR PATREON for SO MUCH exclusive content!
 
Music Michael Watson
Artwork: Bronte Poynts
Editor: Nicholas Fornasier

Thursday Nov 24, 2022


TRANSCRIPT HERE
 
Jordan Bastian, film and artistic genius, joins Steph as we tackle the chaotic wonder that is Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022), by eccentrically amazing duo Daniels. Does the film not just depict undiagnosed adult ADHD, but embody what it’s like to live with it? Does it hold up as an indie form of the wave of immigrant American intergenerational trauma films (e.g. Turning Red)? And is it okay to laugh at Hot Dog fingers?
 
Follow Jordan Bastian and her incredible designs on insta here and purchase via Society6! And go and see SISSY in cinemas today!
 
CW: Trauma, intergenerational trauma, body shaming, brief mention of suicide.
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram,  Twitter and Tiktok! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com and JOIN OUR PATREON for SO MUCH exclusive content!
 
REFERENCES:
How ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ Helps to Heal Generational Trauma - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Everything Everywhere All at Once review – nothing nowhere over a long period of time | Film | The Guardian
Everything Everywhere All At Once Ending Explained (collider.com)
‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ Review: It’s Messy, and Glorious - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Everything Everywhere All At Once Movie Review: If Insanity Was An Insanely Beautiful Film; The Real Multiverse Of Madness (koimoi.com)
Everything Everywhere All At Once's Real Meaning Explained (screenrant.com)
The Essential Explanation of EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE - Colossus (filmcolossus.com)
Everything Everywhere: What Does the Everything Bagel Mean? | Den of Geek
Everything Everywhere All At Once review: Multiverse sci-fi adventure | New Scientist
The Daniels on the ADHD theory of "Everything Everywhere All at Once," paper cuts and butts | Salon.com
Everything Everywhere All At Once Takes Viewers on a Journey Inside the Multiverses of a Neurodivergent Mind - Respect Ability
I am everything, everywhere, all at once | by Sally Turbitt | Medium
Everything Everywhere All At Once: An Interview With Directing Duo Daniels : Short Wave : NPR
Reel Thoughts: On feeling nothing after watching ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ and performative representation Reel Thoughts: Good acting can’t fix ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once' (dailynorthwestern.com)
 
NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!
 
Music Michael Watson
Artwork: Bronte Poynts
Editor: Nicholas Fornasier

Thursday Nov 10, 2022


TRANSCRIPT HERE
 
Our second focus on the auteur who loves to lightly and heavily traumatise us, Darren Aronofksy- is a deep swan dive into 2010's Black Swan starring Natalie Portman. Joining us is Ash Roberts*, Hot Girl's Theory Podcasts' other half! Ash shares her history of, in her words her 'spicy mental health cocktail', and how her experience of Autism and Bipolar Disorder has parallels with Nina (Natalie Portman)'s experience in the film. 
Listen to Hot Girls Theory here: HOT GIRL'S THEORY PODCAST (hotgirlstheory.com)
Follow Ash on insta here! And Hot Girls Theory on insta here!
*Apologies as Steph introduce her as Ash Robertson not Roberts (and Ash is too kind to correct me!)
CONTENT WARNING: Self harm and suicide, sexual assault, child abuse, disordered eating, psychosis, drug use, physical violence.
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram and Twitter! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com and JOIN OUR PATREON for SO MUCH exclusive content and for your September fees to go to MINUS18!
REFERENCES:
See Steph's deep dive into Frances Farmer's autobiography "Will There Really Be A Morning" on Instagram highlights
'Black Swan's' psychological spin - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com
Virgin and Whore in Black Swan | HuffPost Entertainment
Interesting Movie Theory: What Is Going On Between Nina And Her Mom In 'Black Swan'? (slashfilm.com)
'Black Swan': Psychiatrists Diagnose Ballerina's Descent - ABC News (go.com)
"Black Swan": Mental Health Conditions Of Ballet Dancers (mindingtherapy.com)
Movies 4 - Psychology of a Psychotic Break - Black Swan (psychedonlife.com)
Movies in the Classroom: Black Swan | aapp.org

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