Were we then and are we now, a culture of fame; intoxicated by popularity to the point that we abandon our safety, intelligence, and reason?

Will Smith leads the narrative through bright, insightful and provocative storytelling. 

Dr. Colleen Mullen and Courtney Calkins, break down the wisdom from this film, about who we are in relation to each other and what people really want out of their lives.

6 Degrees of Separation (1993) and 2 Shrinks

Listen as two relationship therapists have some fun analyzing all things relationships through the lens of popular movies.  We’ll play movie clips and discuss them to educate you while having some fun talking about the scene. We’ll be covering friendships, intimacy, dating, how to fight fair, addictions, parenting, depression, emotion
management, marriage, divorce, grief, joy and really, anything else about relationships we can find!  A new episode launches the last day of each month. You will learn AND have a bit of fun.  Colleen Mullen and Courtney Calkins are licensed Marriage and family Therapists in California.  This show is for entertainment purposes only.

Self-Help

Health

Social Sciences

Science & Medicine

Science

Health & Fitness

This episode features an analysis of the mental heath portrayal depicted the 2019 film Joker.   What can we learn from this movie?   Contact the 2 Shrinks: Dr. Colleen Mullen https://twitter.com/DrColleenMullen Courtney Calkins - QuadFather https://twitter.com/QuadFatherMft Website http://shrink2shrink.com/ Twitter link: https://twitter.com/Shrink2Shrink  Resources cited during this episode:   Consequences of childhood abuse  adults with major depression who experienced abuse as children had poorer response outcomes to antidepressant treatment, especially if the maltreatment occurred when they were aged 7 or younger   Diminished executive functioning and cognitive skills. Disrupted brain development as a result of maltreatment can cause impairments to the brain’s executive functions: working memory, self-control, and cognitive flexibility (i.e., the ability to look at things and situations from different perspectives) (Kavanaugh, Dupont-Frechette, Jerskey, & Holler, 2016). Children who were maltreated also are at risk for other cognitive problems, including difficulties learning and paying attention (Bick & Nelson, 2016).   children who experience abuse or neglect are more likely to develop antisocial traits as they grow up, which can lead to criminal behavior in adulthood    Post Traumatic stress. Children who experienced abuse or neglect can develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is characterized by symptoms such as persistent re-experiencing of the traumatic events related to the abuse; avoiding people, places, and events that are associated with their maltreatment; feeling fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame; startling easily; and exhibiting hypervigilance, irritability, or other changes in mood (Sege et al., 2017). PTSD in children can lead to depression, suicidal behavior, substance use, and oppositional or defiant behaviors well into adulthood, which can affect their ability to succeed in school, and create and nurture important relationships.    Physical consequences Childhood maltreatment has been linked to higher risk for a wide range of long-term and/or future health problems, including—but not limited to—the following (Widom, Czaja, Bentley, & Johnson, 2012; Monnat & Chandler, 2015; Afifi et al., 2016):  Diabetes  Lung disease  Malnutrition  Vision problems  Functional limitations (i.e., being limited in activities)  Heart attack  Arthritis  Back problems  High blood pressure  Brain damage Migraine headaches  Chronic bronchitis/emphysema/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease  Cancer  Stroke  Bowel disease  Chronic fatigue syndrome AND certain regions of the brain may fail to form. 

Joker and 2 Shrinks

Two Marriage and Family Therapists discuss a multitude of topics brought to light through the 2019 Netflix original movie. Marriage Story, Noah Baumbach's incisive and compassionate look at a marriage breaking up and a family staying together.   On Netflix:  https://www.netflix.com/watch/80223779?trackId=14170286&tctx;=2%2C7%2C3dec9a19-9aaf-43fb-9fcb-eb7c5704282c-52612558%2C2062441e-96b4-4596-88e5-147b9e89ab23_30398961X3XX1577199961925%2C2062441e-96b4-4596-88e5-147b9e89ab23_ROOT   Dr. Colleen Mullen https://twitter.com/DrColleenMullen Courtney Calkins - QuadFather https://twitter.com/QuadFatherMft Website http://shrink2shrink.com/ Twitter link: https://twitter.com/Shrink2Shrink  Resources cited during this episode: The Four Horsemen: Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling  https://www.gottman.com/blog/the-four-horsemen-recognizing-criticism-contempt-defensiveness-and-stonewalling/   Marriage.com - Building World's Largest Marriage Resource Divorce10 Most Common Reasons for Divorce    https://www.marriage.com/advice/divorce/10-most-common-reasons-for-divorce/   Research-Based Tips for a Happy and Healthy Relationship Research-Based Tips for a Happy and Healthy Relationship    https://www.gottman.com/blog/3-research-based-tips-for-a-happy-and-healthy-relationship/  

Marriage Story and 2 Shrinks (Netflix 2019)

Modern dating is enhanced by dating apps.  Dr. Colleen Mullen and Courtney Calkins, use their therapy experience to look at the qualities of successful and doomed relationships.  The Black Mirror episode "Hang the DJ" provides the topics for the relationships discussions on this episode.   On Netflix: "Hang the DJ" https://www.netflix.com/watch/80131569?trackId=200257859    Dr. Colleen Mullen https://twitter.com/DrColleenMullen Courtney Calkins - QuadFather https://twitter.com/QuadFatherMft   Website http://shrink2shrink.com/ Twitter link: https://twitter.com/Shrink2Shrink   

Hang The DJ and 2 Shrinks

Starring Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston with Nicole Kidman Themes from this movie which we discuss in this episode: Grief/Loss Depression Anger Acceptance Philip is a disabled billionaire, who feels that life is not worth living. To help him in his day to day routine, he hires Del, a parolee, trying to reconnect with his estranged wife. What begins as a professional relationship develops into a friendship as Del shows his grouchy charge that life is worth living   The 4 Tasks of Mourning https://whatsyourgrief.com/wordens-four-tasks-of-mourning/    10 Tips for managing Anger  https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/anger-management/art-20045434 Real vs Reel http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/upside/ 

The Upside and 2 Shrinks

Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne are the parents we all want in the movie Instant Family. The entire cast with Tom Serura and Tig Notaro and Octavia Spencer and the rest of the cast cast bring humanity to the true story of Sean Anders journey from fostering to adoption.   This couple, wants kids and they decide to adopt siblings from the foster care system, become the foster parents and then become (spoiler alert), their forever family and adopt.

6 Degrees of Separation (1993) and 2 Shrinks

Download our free app to listen on your phone