PSYCHOCINEMATIC

Episode 34: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: a film nerd and psychologist’s literal dream (with Indi Gage)

TRANSCRIPT HERE
Steph has the insightful Indi Gage from Hot Girls Theory podcast to talk about a movie they both adore, Michel Gondry’s Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), written by Charlie Kaufman. We discuss how the film raises questions about our experience of relationships and the way our fallible memory can shape how we see them, as well as how we relate to the character of Clementine and have definitely dated a Joel or two in our time. Also, does Clementine have Borderline Personality Disorder or does she just have contextually significant hair colour?! 
 
Follow Indi on insta here! Listen to Hot Girls Theory here and follow their Instagram here and tiktok here! 
 
Last chance to donate to our Gidget Foundation fundraiser coming up soon!!!! Join our patreon here or donate individually here! 
 
CONTENT WARNING: stalker behaviour (Patrick), childhood trauma, discussion of fat phobia and ableism 
 
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram and Twitter! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com
 
REFERENCES
Charlie Kaufman: 'The world is terrifying and destructive and dehumanising and tragic' | Anomalisa | The Guardian 
This Profile of Charlie Kaufman Has Changed - The New York Times 
Can Charlie Kaufman Get Out of His Head? | The New Yorker
The Gift of Memory: Charlie Kaufman on the Culture of Death  Michel Gondry: 'I wanted to bring out Jim Carrey's sadness' | Television & radio | The Guardian 
Maureen Dowd Talks 'Mare of Easttown' With Kate Winslet - The New York Times 
10 Movies That Got Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms (Mostly) Right
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - NeuroPsyFi 
How Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Dismantles the Gender Objectification of the Manic Pixie Dream Girl Trope
 
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!
Editor: Nic Fornasier, Music: Michael Watson, Artwork: Bronte Poynts

Episode 32: Russian Doll, and trying to stop dying and start living after trauma (with Maz Fornasier)

TRANSCRIPT HERE
Maz and Steph join forces again to discuss the time travel mental illness tale of the modern world, Netflix’s Russian Doll, created and starring our husky queen Natasha Lyonne. We take a deep dive into the depictions of intergenerational trauma (our fave), complex PTSD, OCD and substance use, within a fun and at times hilarious time travel plot. We related more to this one than we realised we would, and it’s not just cos we both wanna be Natasha Lyonne stomping around New York in a trenchcoat, saying ridiculous phrases in a gruff voice. 
 
Stay tuned for a bonus episode with some personal anecdotal outtakes!
 
CONTENT WARNING: Suicidal ideation and behaviour, substance and alcohol use & abuse, childhood neglect and trauma, swearing, use of stigmatizing/ableist descriptors (in context of the show). 
 
Follow Maz’s instagram here! 
 
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram and Twitter! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com! AND our Patreon is here.
 
REFERENCES
 
Schizophrenia: DSM-5 Definition 
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and OCD 
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - symptoms, causes and treatments | healthdirect 
What Netflix's 'Russian Doll' Gets Right (and Wrong) About Mental Illness (still in Steph’s iphone tabs after 2.5 yrs)
Natasha Lyonne explains 'Russian Doll' Season 2 finale, more - Los Angeles Times
In 'Russian Doll,' inherited Holocaust trauma spills through generations -- via time travel – The Forward 
Charlie Barnett Breaks Down Alan's Visits to the Past in 'Russian Doll' Season 2 
'Russian Doll' Star Charlie Barnett Understands The Beauty Of Letting Go | HuffPost Entertainment 
Russian Doll is a weird, wonderful, and necessary exploration of mental health
The Atlantic: Russian Doll , debunking Crazy 
'Russian Doll' season 2 ending explained by Natasha Lyonne
The Cruel Twist of 'Russian Doll' - The Atlantic
Ready Steady Cut: Russian Doll Season 2: Did Nadia cause Nora's mental breakdown 
 
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!
Editor: Nic Fornasier, Music: Michael Watson, Artwork: Bronte Poynts

Episode 31: Human Resources & Perinatal Mental Illness (with Clary Garrett)

TRANSCRIPT HERE
Our lovely guest host Clary Garrett starts off our episode by generously discussing her experience with perinatal depression, anxiety and psychosis, and what it was like to re-visit her experience while filming You Can’t Ask That on ABC. Clary and Steph then get deep into the depiction of postnatal depression on Netflix’s Big Mouth spinoff series, Human Resources. Do we overthink it too much, or just enough? Don’t forget our fundraiser in honour of today’s episode and to watch Clary’s episode! (Links below!)
 
CONTENT WARNING: Discussions of birth trauma, suicidal ideation and self harm behaviour, psychosis, mention of domestic violence. 
 
Watch the episode of You Can’t Ask That featuring Clary on the ABC Wednesday 1st of June at 9pm or stream it on Iview NOW! Follow Clary @clazagain on instagram or tiktok!
 
Fantastic resources for Perinatal Mental Illness:
Gidget Foundation - donate to our campaign through Patreon or directly HERE
PANDA
COPE 
 
REFERENCES: 
Perinatal anxiety and depression: Signs and symptoms | PANDA 
Post-partum psychosis | The Royal Women's Hospital
Netflix's 'Human Resources' is shockingly heartfelt 
Netflix's Human Resources season 1 recap guide: Episodes 1 to 10 - Page 5 
'Human Resources' Review: Netflix's Uneven 'Big Mouth' Spinoff 
'God, I was disgusting!' – Ali Wong on why women's bodies are the last taboo | Comedy | The Guardian
How Ali Wong's Stand-Up Became The 30-Something Woman's 'What To Expect' | HuffPost Entertainment 

Episode 30: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory aka Things Roald Dahl Hated (with Maz Fornasier)

TRANSCRIPT HERE
Who can build a sunrise? Sprinkle it with dew? Not Roald Dahl that’s for sure. Maz Fornasier returns to discuss the 1971 cult movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, based off the 1964 novel by Roald Dahl*. Come with us as we explore the racist origins of the Oompa Loompas, the eccentric character of Willy Wonka, and the themes of fatphobia, classism, and ableism throughout the story on film. We also ask the question - did Roald Dahl actually hate children? 
 
*And no, we will not be talking about the 2005 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, because the world is talking enough about John Depp. 
CONTENT WARNING: Discussion of ableism, racism, antisemitism, body shaming and fatphobia, mention of sexual assault, lots of swears, we both use the terms “dumb” and “stupid” relating to antisemitic comments a few times, apologies.
 
Follow Maz’s instagram here! 
 
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram and Twitter! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com! AND our Patreon is here.
 
REFERENCES
Tessa Dahl: Roald Dahl's daughter on life with her father, the best-selling children's author | Daily Mail Online
Roald Dahl: Inside His Anti-Semitism and Complicated Legacy | Time 
Gene Wilder And His Alzheimer's Secret (forbes.com)
From pygmies to puppets: what to do with Roald Dahl's enslaved Oompa-Loompas in modern adaptations? 
The Oompa Loompas Were African Slaves In The 1964 Book 
'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' Star on Being an Oompa-Loompa (VIDEO) 
My life as an Oompa Loompa: 'Willy Wonka was my first and favourite film' | Movies | The Guardian 
From pygmies to puppets: what to do with Roald Dahl's enslaved Oompa-Loompas in modern adaptations? 
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!
Editor: Stephanie Fornasier
Music: Michael Watson
Artwork: Bronte Poynts

Episode 29: Encanto - Disney Does Intergenerational Trauma (with Heidy White)

TRANSCRIPT HERE 
 
We finally did it listeners, we’ve covered our first Disney film! Of course it’s the ridiculously popular Encanto (2021), which no one has stopped singing ever since it turned up mid pandemic. Join Steph and her Disney expert bestie Heidy White as they delve into the themes of intergenerational trauma, family expectation & pressure, and the inevitable resulting variety of mental illnesses.
Sorry but we’re going to be talking about Bruno. A lot.
Follow Heidy on instragram here: @mystgrrlreviews and @3six5beauty. She also reviews restaurants with her partner at @thefoodnomilist.
CONTENT WARNING: Trauma, war, emotional manipulation/abuse.
References:
'Encanto': Therapists ARE talking about Bruno -- and other characters from the movie - CNN
5 mental health lessons in Disney's 'Encanto' - Caring Magazine
Psychology Today: Four Powerful Lessons From Disney's Encanto
Experts Share How We Can Use 'Encanto' to Talk to Our Kids About Mental Health
We Need to Talk About Bruno: Trauma in Encanto | Newport Academy **
Very Well Mind: We Need to Talk About Bruno: What Encanto Tells Us About Intergenerational Trauma
ENCANTO – an Alternative Lens review – Alternative Lens (alternative-lens.com)
Encanto Theory: Each Madrigal either has a mental illness/issue or their character represents one. : DisneyTheories (reddit.com)
What is 'DARVO' and how is it used against survivors of violence? | SBS Voices
**Please note, this article uses Dr Nicole La Pera’s work which we make reference to in the episode (otherwise known as the Holistic Psychologist)- while her Inner Child work is valid, useful work, she has been noted as problematic in other ways (See here: https://www.vice.com/en/article/935zxv/therapists-and-fans-are-turning-against-instagrams-holistic-psychologist )
DISCLAIMER: 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!
Editor: Stephanie Fornasier
Music: Michael Watson
Artwork: Bronte Poynts
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram!: psychocinematicpodcast and Twitter!: twitter.com/psychocinematic or join our facebook group (search for Psychocinematic Podcast) or email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com! AND our Patreon is here.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Episode 28: Crazy Ex Girlfriend, living with Borderline Personality Disorder in musical form (with Dr Elise McGlashan)

TRANSCRIPT HERE 
Welcome to West Covina, California, where manic pixie dreamgirls actually go on to receive appropriate mental health diagnoses. Join Steph with esteemed psychology and sleep researcher Dr Elise McGlashan, as they discuss their very favourite show and try to be impartially critical about its depiction of Borderline Personality Disorder. We talk about how while we do not ourselves have BPD, we heavily see ourselves in some of the journeys taken throughout the show, including diagnosis, therapy and accepting that antidepressants are so not a big deal. 
Note: If it being a musical turns you off watching this show, you will find out that both Elise and Steph don’t typically enjoy musicals - so just watch it!
Follow Elise on Instagram @emcglashan and Twitter: @elisemcglashan
And read some of her research in pop science form here!:
IFL Science: Why Are We Afraid of the Dark?
Triple J Hack: Using your phone at night could make antidepressants less effective
CONTENT WARNING: Suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviour, mental illness stigma, sex, descriptions of dissociation, childhood trauma, psychotropic medication
References:
Why we don’t like Dr Phil: Part One: Dr. Phil Is Even Worse Than You Think And You Probably Think He Sucks - Behind the Bastards | iHeart
'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend': Rachel Bloom Talks Mental Health and Writing a New Theme Song Every Season
'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' Finally Diagnosed Rebecca, And Nailed The Reality Of Living With Mental Illness
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: What It Has Meant to Me This Season
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: an all-singing, all-dancing mental-health masterpiece | TV comedy | The Guardian
Rachel Bloom: Okay, Now I’ll Talk About the OCD Thing | Glamour
Rachel Bloom Details Mental Health Journey in Debut Book: “I’m A Lot Happier Than I Used to Be” – The Hollywood Reporter
How Crazy Ex-Girlfriend's Rachel Bloom Survived the Worst Depression of Her Life | Glamour
'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' Succeeds in Portraying Mental Illness Where So Many Other TV Shows Have Failed | SELF
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: Diversity, Social Responsibility and Mental Health Awareness | by Henrique Porfírio | Medium
Star Vella Lovell Says ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ Season 3's Mental Health Storyline Shows There’s No Wrong Way To Support A Friend (bustle.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!
Host: Stephanie Fornasier
Cohost: Elise McGlashan
Music: Michael Watson
Editor: Nicholas Fornasier
Artwork: Bronte Poynts
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram!: psychocinematicpodcast and Twitter!: twitter.com/psychocinematic or join our facebook group (search for Psychocinematic Podcast) or email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com! AND our Patreon is here.

Episode 27: Special, one person’s journey of life with Cerebral Palsy - emphasis on one (with Peta Hooke)

TRANSCRIPT HERE 
 The world of disability representation was on Ryan O'Connell's shoulders when Netflix gave him a deal to create a series based on his memoir of life with Cerebral Palsy. So how do we rate it? Join Steph with Peta Hooke, disability activist and creator of the I Can't Stand Podcast, as we dissect the two part series. 
Follow Peta on insta at @petahooke
Listen to Peta's podcast I Can't Stand here: https://www.icantstandpodcast.com/
CONTENT WARNING: Ableism, sex and sex work.
REFERENCES:
Cerebral palsy - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Ryan O'Connell on Special, Gay Culture, and Cerebral Palsy
Netflix's "Special" Packs a Punch | Meriah Nichols
Special Season 2 Review: The Subversive Netflix Series Ends in its Prime
Masala: Punam Patel on What Makes Netflix’s 'Special' … Special - Character Media
Newcomer Buck Andrews on 'Special' Season 2: 'It's My Coming Out Party' (tvinsider.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!
Host: Stephanie Fornasier
Cohost: Peta Hooke
 Music: Michael Watson
Editor: Nicholas Fornasier
Artwork: Bronte Poynts
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram!: psychocinematicpodcast and Twitter!: twitter.com/psychocinematic or join our facebook group (search for Psychocinematic Podcast) or email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com! AND our Patreon is here.

Episode 25: Atypical, and how autism representation has and hasn’t progressed since Rain Man (with Eric Michael Garcia)

TRANSCRIPT HERE
Our 25th episode has the brilliant Washington DC based journalist, author and autism advocate Eric Michael Garcia joining Steph to discuss Netflix’s extremely polite series Atypical (2017-2020). We drag it just as politely, and discuss what it does well, what it neglects, and what promising ideas it doesn’t really flesh out. We also discuss the problems with autism parenting culture, and whether we should like Zahid or not (But we should definitely love Casey).
Check Eric’s work out at his website http://www.ericmgarcia.net/. Follow him on Twitter @EricMGarcia  where he occasionally pisses off Kathy Griffin, and Instagram @ericmgarcia14 . Order his book ‘We’re Not Broken’ here!
Listen to You’re Wrong About and You Are Good (formally Why Are Dads) too.
Content Warning: ableism, physical violence, abusive behaviour, discussion of cancer.
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!
Host: Stephanie Fornasier
Cohost: Eric Garcia
Editor: Nicholas Fornasier
Music: Michael Watson
Artwork: Bronte Poynts
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram!: psychocinematicpodcast and Twitter!: twitter.com/psychocinematic or join our facebook group (search for Psychocinematic Podcast) or email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com! AND our Patreon is here.
REFERENCES
Neurotribes, The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman | 9780399185618 | Booktopia
‘Atypical’ Creator Robia Rashid on Depicting Autism on TV (vulture.com)
How Season 2 of ‘Atypical’ Improves the Show’s Depictions of Life as an Autistic Person - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Growing Up With Autism, She Never Saw Herself On TV. Now On ‘Atypical,’ She Strives To Show Others With Disabilities ‘Characters They Can Relate To.’ (forbes.com)
Autistic Voices, Community Members, And Experts Look Back (And Forward) At Autism Representation On TV | Decider
Here's what Netflix's Atypical gets right (and not so right) about autism - ABC News
Atypical: A Novel Portrayal of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder | American Journal of Psychiatry Residents' Journal (psychiatryonline.org)
michelle dean – A Is For Aoife Not Autism
What Netflix comedy Atypical gets right and wrong about autism | US television | The Guardian
Why Netflix's Atypical Fell Short as Autistic Representation | Time
'Atypical' Season 4: What Netflix show got right about autism - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)
‘Atypical’ Cast Autistic Peer Group Actors to Increase Representation | The Mighty

Episode 24: Touched With Fire, aka the non-hollywood Bipolar movie (with Jossie Williams)

TRANSCRIPT HERE
Join Steph and the vibrant Jossie Williams as they dissect the indie Paul Dalio film Touched With Fire. Jossie takes us through her own journey of diagnosis, treatment and life with bipolar disorder and how it compares to the depiction in the movie. We also rag on Silver Linings Playbook a little, soz. Could this be the film that finally fully passes the Psychocinematic test? Does it have to be one that's almost impossible to find on streaming sites goddammit!?
Jossie Williams is a Psychology personal assistant, counselling student, mental health advocate, writer, and all round rad and highly fashionable babe. Follow her on instagram at @shehasafaceforradio.
Access bulk billed online counselling from anywhere in Australia here:  Lysn | Online psychology counselling by qualified psychologists. (welysn.com)
CONTENT WARNING: **Major suicide content warning, discussion of suicidal behaviour, ideation and self harm** abortion, description of mania, description of depression, panic attack, drug use and misuse.
Host: Stephanie Fornasier
Cohost: Jossie Williams
Editor: Nicholas Fornasier
Music: Michael Watson
Artwork: Bronte Poynts 
 
REFERENCES:
Bipolar (sane.org)
Bipolar disorder - Information & Resources - Black Dog Institute
Katie Holmes and Luke Kirby Are All Fired Up (honeysucklemag.com)
'Touched with Fire' finds drama, beauty in mental illness | MPR News
Katie Holmes, Luke Kirby Premiere Bipolar Drama 'Touched With Fire' - Variety
Katie Holmes Touched With Fire - Katie Holmes Wants to Humanize Mental Illness (elle.com)
Katie Holmes tackles mental illness in ‘Touched With Fire’ – Orange County Register (ocregister.com)
Ask the Actor, Luke Kirby: How did you and Katie Holmes prepare to star in “Touched With Fire”? | Watch | The Take (the-take.com)
Touched with Fire Is an Offensive Cartoon of Mental Illness - Movies & TV - Portland Mercury
Bipolar Disorder and Anger: Why It Happens and How to Cope (healthline.com)
Kay Redfield Jamison - Wikipedia
 
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Episode 21: Clueless, and why Cher Horowitz, like, totally has ADHD (with Maz Fornasier)

TRANSCRIPT HERE
On our last main episode of the year, Maz and I dive far more deeply than most would into the most iconic highschool mid 90’s movie, Clueless (1995) directed by Amy Heckerling and starring the almost-forgotten Alicia Silverstone. We discuss why Cher definitely has ADHD and why her plight is so relatable to Maz (although not because she has a crush on her ex-step-sibling). Does Clueless’ inspiration, Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’ also have ADHD? And does anyone use the term 'cake boy' in real life?
Apologies for Steph's gnarly vocal fry today!
See the tiktok that inspired us here: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSefXmhE7/
CONTENT WARNING: discussion of ableist/harmful attitudes towards ADHD, brief discussion of the 'r word'. That's kind of it though, phew!
 
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!
Host: Stephanie Fornasier
Cohost: Maz Fornasier
Music and artwork: Michael Watson
Editor: Nicholas Fornasier
Don’t forget to follow us on insta (@psychocinematicpodcast),  tiktok (@psychocinematic), or join our facebook page!! Email us with any suggestions at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com! Join our patreon for our upcoming BONUS EPISODE and your fees go to People With Disability Australia! 
 
REFERENCES:
Actually ADHD • Hi! I was wondering what ADHD symptoms Emma from... (tumblr.com)
Cause of Jane Austen's death not universally acknowledged | Jane Austen | The Guardian
Don't 'diagnose' fictional characters | Books | The Guardian (we vehemently disagree)
Alicia Silverstone: 'I probably behaved not as well as I could have' | Film | The Guardian
15 Things You Never Knew About Clueless | Vogue
Movies About ADHD: ADD Film Characters We Love (additudemag.com)
Symptoms and Diagnosis of ADHD | CDC