#383: In this episode of GT Radio, Josué is joined by Link Keller, Marc Cuiriz, and Lara Taylor to explore what it means to recognize yourself in media—especially when that media is other people sharing lived experiences online. The conversation focuses on how social media platforms like TikTok have become unexpected mirrors, helping people identify traits associated with ADHD, autism, and broader neurodivergence long before (or even without) formal diagnosis.

Marc shares reflections from reading Unmasking Autism by Devon Price, describing how concepts like masking, people-pleasing, and social chameleon behavior reframed his understanding of his own history. Link talks about encountering late-diagnosed autism content online and slowly realizing that many lifelong experiences—social exhaustion, stimming, echolalia, hyperfixation, and pattern recognition—fit together in ways that trauma or anxiety alone never fully explained. Lara adds a clinical and personal lens, discussing sensory processing differences, social anxiety, and how traits can shift, intensify, or soften across the lifespan.

The group digs into the limitations of the DSM, the value (and risks) of self-diagnosis, and why language matters more than labels for many people. They discuss how diagnostic criteria lag behind lived experience, how systemic barriers make formal assessment inaccessible, and why peer-shared narratives can be both validating and destabilizing. Throughout the episode, they emphasize that these traits aren’t just “quirks”—they exist on an intensity and frequency that meaningfully impacts daily life.

The conversation also touches on specific neurodivergent experiences like masking fatigue, autistic burnout, sensory sensitivities, aphantasia, dyscalculia, face blindness, stimming, echolalia, and the exhaustion of navigating a world not built for neurodivergent minds. While acknowledging that there can be strengths associated with neurodivergence, the hosts push back on overly simplistic narratives like “ADHD is a superpower,” emphasizing that difficulty, disability, and systemic mismatch are central to the lived experience.

Ultimately, this episode is about finding yourself through shared stories, the relief of discovering that you’re not alone, and the complicated emotions that come with reinterpreting your past through a new lens. It’s also an invitation to approach these discoveries with compassion—for yourself and for others—while continuing to advocate for understanding, access, and support.

Characters / Media Mentioned:

• Unmasking Autism (Devon Price)
• TikTok (mental health and neurodivergence content)
• DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)
• The Divergent Mind
• Life on the Spectrum (comic anthology)
• Pokémon
• The Crane Wives (music reference)
• Geek Therapy Network

Themes / Topics Discussed:

• Neurodivergence
• Autism
• ADHD
• Masking and Unmasking
• Late Diagnosis and Self-Diagnosis
• Sensory Processing Differences
• Identity and Language
• Representation vs. Lived Experience
• Diagnostic Systems and Their Limits
• Burnout and Dysregulation
• Social Media as Mental Health Education

Relatable Experiences:

• Feeling “Different” Without Knowing Why
• Discovering Yourself Through Other People’s Stories
• Exhaustion from Social Masking
• Sensory Overload
• Reframing Childhood Memories
• Being Labeled “Shy,” “Gifted,” or “Difficult”
• Struggling to Fit Into Systems Not Built for You
• Finding Relief in Having Words for Your Experience

Join the discussion on the GT Forum at https://forum.geektherapy.org and connect with the Geek Therapy Network through the links at https://geektherapy.org.

Have you ever learned a word that suddenly explained years of experience?
How do you balance self-understanding with the limits of diagnosis and labels?

#382: In this episode of GT Radio, Josué is joined by Lara Taylor and returning guest Kayla Devorak to talk about something deceptively important: office spaces and how we decorate them. What starts as a conversation about geeky decorations quickly becomes a deeper discussion about identity, comfort, professionalism, burnout, and how physical spaces communicate who we are—especially in helping professions.

Kayla shares her experience building out a brand-new office from scratch after a long stretch without a personal workspace. From Star Wars art and LEGO helmets to Vault Boy bobbleheads and Lord of the Rings wall prints, she walks through the intentional choices behind what she displays, how it feels to slowly reclaim a space, and how decorations have already sparked conversations with coworkers and students.

The group reflects on how offices act as extensions of the self, whether you’re working in person, remotely, or in hybrid settings. Josué and Lara share stories from past therapy offices, home offices, and telehealth setups, highlighting how geeky décor can reduce barriers, invite curiosity, and help clients and colleagues feel more at ease. At the same time, they discuss boundaries, overstimulation, and the reality that not every workplace welcomes visible self-expression.

The episode also explores practical strategies for decorating when options are limited—shared offices, strict workplace rules, or virtual backgrounds—including subtle choices like desk items, mouse pads, hats, mugs, calendars, and even what appears behind you on camera. The conversation touches on how backgrounds, bookshelves, and visual cues can unintentionally send messages, spark assumptions, or invite meaningful dialogue.

Ultimately, the episode emphasizes that decorating your office isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about sustainability, authenticity, and making spaces that support both the people you serve and yourself.

Characters / Media Mentioned:

• Star Wars (Princess Leia helmet, Death Star art, Buddy Jesus comparison)
• Fallout (Vault Boy)
• Spider-Man
• Lord of the Rings
• Baldur’s Gate
• Dungeons & Dragons / TTRPGs
• Batman (1960s TV series, shark repellent Bat-spray)
• Doctor Who (Van Gogh / exploding TARDIS reference)
• Marvel Comics (Cosmic-era print)
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer
• My Little Pony
• Frozen (Arendelle mural)
• Horizon Zero Dawn (Tallneck LEGO set)
• Animal Crossing
• LEGO (sets, minifigs, wall plates)
• Minecraft
• Mass Effect
• Ni no Kuni

Themes / Topics Discussed:

• Identity Expression at Work
• Office Decoration and Self-Disclosure
• Professionalism vs. Authenticity
• Burnout Prevention
• Geek Culture in Helping Professions
• Telehealth Backgrounds and Visual Fatigue
• Conversation Starters and Rapport-Building
• Accessibility and Comfort
• Boundaries in Shared or Restrictive Workspaces
• Environmental Psychology

Relatable Experiences:

• Starting a New Job with a Blank Office
• Feeling Unsure How Much of Yourself to Show at Work
• Using Decor to Feel More Comfortable or Grounded
• Being Curious About What Someone’s Office Says About Them
• Navigating Workplace Rules Around Personalization
• Feeling More “On Your Game” When You Can Be Yourself
• Worrying About Being Too Much—or Not Enough
• Wanting Workspaces to Feel Human, Not Sterile

Join the conversation on the GT Forum at https://forum.geektherapy.org, or connect with the Geek Therapy Network on Discord, Mastodon, and other platforms linked at https://geektherapy.org.

What does your workspace say about you?
Have decorations ever helped you connect with a client, coworker, or student?
What’s one geeky item you’d love to add to your office—or finally take out?

#381: In this episode of GT Radio, Josué, Lara, and Link dig into the increasingly popular idea of cozy games and whether they actually help with emotion regulation—or if the term itself is doing more marketing work than therapeutic work. Sparked by Josué’s search for ways to calm and regulate his nervous system, the conversation explores whether certain games function similarly to meditation, grounding exercises, or flow-state activities.

The team quickly discovers that “cozy” is a slippery concept. While the term often refers to a soft aesthetic, gentle pacing, or low-stakes mechanics, personal experience matters far more than genre labels. Games that calm one person may stress out another depending on context, life circumstances, sensory tolerance, and personal associations. As an example, Josué shares how Unpacking, often described as cozy, became actively distressing while he was preparing for a real-life move.

Throughout the discussion, the hosts compare distraction versus intentional regulation, flow state versus narrative immersion, and low-stakes mechanics versus emotionally heavy themes. They examine how accessibility options, difficulty sliders, and player-controlled pacing can transform a game’s emotional impact. The group also highlights research showing that games can support emotion regulation—but often in ways that depend more on the player than the game itself.

From power-washing simulators to cult management, card games, farming sims, and short narrative adventures, the episode ultimately reframes the question. Instead of asking “What is a cozy game?” the better question becomes “What kinds of games help you feel more regulated, grounded, or restored?”

Characters / Media Mentioned:

• A Short Hike
• Unpacking
• Spiritfarer
• Donut County
• Katamari Damacy (series)
• Animal Crossing (series)
• Stardew Valley
• Breath of the Wild
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
• Final Fantasy XVI
• Cult of the Lamb
• Baldur’s Gate 3
• Celeste
• Minecraft (Creative Mode)
• PowerWash Simulator
• Viscera Cleanup Detail
• House Flipper
• Chicory: A Colorful Tale
• Wandersong
• Into the Breach
• Slime Rancher
• Tetris / Tetris Effect
• Pokémon Snap
• TOEM
• Sea of Thieves
• Ni no Kuni

Themes / Topics Discussed:

• Emotion Regulation
• Cozy Games as a Marketing Term
• Distraction vs. Intentional Coping
• Flow State
• Accessibility and Difficulty Options
• Low-Stakes Gameplay
• Narrative as Regulation
• Sensory Overload and Calm
• Music and Sound Design
• Player Context and Lived Experience

Relatable Experiences:

• Looking for Ways to Calm Down After a Long Day
• Feeling More Stressed by Something Meant to Be Relaxing
• Using Games to Distract from Anxiety
• Getting Lost in a Story to Regulate Emotions
• Finding Comfort in Repetition or Routine
• Being Activated by Real-Life Parallels in Games
• Needing Different Coping Tools at Different Times
• Discovering That “Relaxing” Means Different Things to Different People

Join the conversation on the GT Forum at https://forum.geektherapy.org, or connect with the Geek Therapy Network on Discord, Mastodon, and other platforms linked at https://geektherapy.org.

What games help you regulate your emotions—or unexpectedly stress you out?
How do you know when a game is helping you cope versus just distracting you?

#380: In this episode of GT Radio, Marc leads a reflective conversation inspired by God of War (2018) and the moment when Atreus learns he is a god—gaining life-changing knowledge without the maturity or context to understand what it truly means. From there, Josué, Lara, and Marc explore the difference between knowing something and actually understanding it, and how that gap can shape behavior, relationships, and self-perception.

The discussion weaves through personal experiences of learning difficult truths too early—about divorce, incarceration, death, identity, and responsibility—and how that information, without emotional or developmental readiness, can be destabilizing rather than empowering. The hosts reflect on how understanding often only comes later, after lived experience, suffering, reflection, or exposure to stories that offer a new perspective.

Geek media becomes a key lens for this exploration, from prophecy-driven narratives and chosen ones to games that teach mechanics slowly, only revealing their deeper systems after struggle. The group connects these ideas to therapy, grief, parenting, education, and clinical training—highlighting how preparation can help, but never fully replaces experience.

Ultimately, the episode invites listeners to show compassion toward past versions of themselves who “didn’t get it yet,” and to recognize that understanding is often earned through time, mistakes, and meaning-making—not just information.

Characters / Media Mentioned:

• God of War (2018)
• God of War: Ragnarok
• Atreus (Loki)
• Kratos
• Percy Jackson & the Olympians
• Norse Mythology (Odin, prophecy, fate)
• Assassin’s Creed series
  • Black Flag
  • Unity
• Avatar: The Last Airbender
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
• The Midnight Library (Matt Haig)
• The Matrix trilogy
• The Hours
• Virginia Woolf (referenced through The Hours)

Themes / Topics Discussed:

• Knowing vs. Understanding
• The Cost of Premature Knowledge
• Prophecy and Fate
• Grief and Meaning-Making
• Trauma and Development
• Parenting and Protection
• Learning Through Experience
• Media as Perspective-Shifting Tools
• Compassion for Past Selves
• Wisdom, Suffering, and Growth

Relatable Experiences:

• Learning Something Too Early
• Misunderstanding Adult Situations as a Child
• Reinterpreting Childhood Trauma Later in Life
• Feeling Shame About Past Reactions
• Realizing “I Didn’t Know What I Didn’t Know”
• Gaining Clarity Years After an Event
• Being Changed by a Game, Book, or Movie
• Struggling to Accept That Understanding Takes Time

Join the conversation on the GT Forum at https://forum.geektherapy.org, or connect with the Geek Therapy Network on Discord, Mastodon, and other platforms linked at https://geektherapy.org.

What piece of media helped you finally “get” an experience from your own life?
How do you show compassion to past versions of yourself who didn’t know better?

#379: In this episode of GT Radio, Josué, Marc, Link, and Lara explore a familiar and emotionally loaded trope: meeting your younger self—or becoming the older version someone else wishes they could hear from. Sparked by an ongoing inside joke that Marc feels like a younger “variant” of Josué and Lara, the conversation turns into a thoughtful reflection on advice, growth, boundaries, and whether wisdom can actually be transferred across time.

The group discusses how painful it can be to watch someone repeat mistakes you recognize from your own past, especially when you know you wouldn’t have listened either. From there, they unpack why advice often fails, why data sometimes works better than directives, and how people learn differently—through experience, observation, or repetition.

The hosts examine how this dynamic shows up in therapy, particularly in trauma work, parts work, and re-parenting approaches, where the “future self” metaphor becomes a powerful way to offer compassion and understanding to past versions of ourselves. They also talk about the limits of hindsight, the importance of boundaries, and how values—not just outcomes—shape who we become.

Throughout the episode, geek culture provides a shared language for these ideas, with time travel, variants, and alternate timelines offering metaphors for growth, regret, and possibility. Ultimately, the conversation lands on a hopeful note: even if we can’t go back and change the past, we can still decide who we are now—and what lessons we carry forward.

Characters / Media Mentioned:

• Zathura: A Space Adventure
• Jumanji
• X-Men: Days of Future Past (Professor X / Charles Xavier)
• Spider-Man: No Way Home
• Danny Phantom
• The Fairly OddParents (Channel Chasers)
• Paper Girls (comic series)
• Steven Universe (“Steven and the Stevens”)
• Avatar: The Last Airbender
• What Remains of Edith Finch
• Dragon Ball Z (Future Trunks)
• Dragon Ball Super
• Terminator franchise
• Back to the Future (referenced conceptually)

Themes / Topics Discussed:

• Advice and Resistance
• Time Travel and Alternate Timelines
• Personal Growth and Regret
• Boundaries and Burnout
• Learning from Experience vs. Observation
• Mentorship and Modeling
• Trauma, Re-parenting, and Parts Work
• Values vs. Outcomes
• Identity Across Time
• Compassion for Past Selves

Relatable Experiences:

• Ignoring Advice You Later Wish You’d Taken
• Watching Someone Repeat Your Mistakes
• Feeling Embarrassed by Your Past Self
• Being Proud You Survived Hard Periods
• Struggling with Boundaries
• Learning the Hard Way
• Wanting a “Strategy Guide” for Life
• Feeling Conflicted About Who You’ve Become

Join the discussion on the GT Forum at https://forum.geektherapy.org, or connect with the Geek Therapy Network on Discord, Mastodon, and other platforms linked at https://geektherapy.org.

If you met your younger self, what would you want them to know?
What would your past self think of who you are now?
Which stories helped you make sense of growing older and changing paths?

#378: In this episode of GT Radio, Josué, Link, and Lara dig into the unsettling feeling of realizing you’re back in a place you thought you had already outgrown. Framed by the eerie similarities between 2020 and 2024—and sparked by revisiting familiar anime like Trigun and Rurouni Kenshin—the conversation explores what it means to fall back into old habits, relationships, systems, and emotional patterns.

The hosts reflect on how this experience often comes with a painful meta-awareness: not just that things are hard again, but that they’re hard in a way that feels familiar. Lara brings a clinical lens to the discussion, normalizing relapse into old patterns and emphasizing that falling back doesn’t erase growth—it simply reminds us that change is not linear. If you’ve gotten out once, you can get out again.

Link shares how this theme shows up powerfully in media, especially stories involving time loops, fate, and cycles of suffering. From JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean to The Matrix Resurrections, the group examines how systems, comfort, and familiarity can keep people stuck—even when something feels deeply wrong. They discuss how breaking out often requires awareness, support, sacrifice, and sometimes confronting the part of ourselves that benefits from staying put.

The episode also weaves in therapeutic perspectives, including parts work (IFS), DBT’s idea of holding two opposing truths at once, and the challenge of separating personal responsibility from structural limitations. Across examples from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Baldur’s Gate 3, The Truman Show, Barbie, Supernatural, and Doctor Who, the hosts return to a central question: what does it actually take to break the loop?

Ultimately, this episode is an invitation to reflect—not with shame, but with curiosity—on why we sometimes end up back where we started, and what might help us move forward this time.

Characters / Media Mentioned:

• Trigun (2023)
• Rurouni Kenshin (2023)
• JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean
• The Matrix series (especially The Matrix Resurrections)
• Groundhog Day
• Supernatural (time loop episode)
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer (including “Once More, With Feeling” and Season 6 arcs)
• Baldur’s Gate 3 (Astarion, Shadowheart)
• The Truman Show
• Barbie (2023)
• Doctor Who (Heaven Sent)

Themes / Topics Discussed:

• Repeating Life Patterns
• Time Loops and Cycles
• Personal Growth vs. Relapse
• Trauma and Habit Formation
• Systems and Structural Pressure
• Choice, Agency, and Responsibility
• Parts Work (IFS)
• Breaking Cycles of Abuse
• Comfort vs. Change
• Hope and Meaning in Repetition

Relatable Experiences:

• Feeling Like You’ve “Failed” Because You’re Back in the Same Place
• Falling Back Into Old Habits or Relationships
• Revisiting the Same Emotional Struggles
• Feeling Trapped by Systems or Circumstances
• Wanting Change but Fearing the Cost
• Beating Yourself Up for Not “Knowing Better”
• Needing Support to Break a Pattern
• Realizing Growth Doesn’t Mean You’ll Never Struggle Again

Join the discussion on the GT Forum at https://forum.geektherapy.org, or connect with the Geek Therapy Network on Discord, Mastodon, and other platforms linked at https://geektherapy.org.

Have you ever realized you were “back in the loop”?
What stories help you make sense of repeating patterns in your life?
What would it look like to break the cycle—or to stay and choose differently?

#377: Marc finally gets his moment to celebrate Percy Jackson, one of his favorite franchises, as the team dives into the Disney+ series Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Season 1). The discussion begins with Marc’s deep personal connection to the books and how his experiences with the earlier movie adaptations shaped his expectations for the show. Josué and Lara—new to the world of Percy Jackson—share their reactions to the series, raising questions about adaptation, emotional fidelity, and personal resonance.

The episode explores how adaptations can succeed or fail depending on what they retain or change—whether it's plot structure, emotional tone, or thematic consistency. Marc reflects on how the show initially felt underwhelming due to deviations from the book but grew on him upon reflection and a fresh read of The Lightning Thief. Lara and Josué provide outsider perspectives on the storytelling, and the group considers whether having prior knowledge of the source material enhances or hinders the viewing experience.

Other examples of adaptations (like Final Fantasy VII Remake, The Last of Us, Game of Thrones, and Scott Pilgrim) come up as comparisons, leading to a broader conversation about how different versions of beloved stories—remixes, reboots, and retellings—can evoke strong emotions, challenge expectations, and renew appreciation for the original works.

The conversation wraps with Marc sharing how Percy Jackson helped him accept himself during a difficult time in high school, and how the core themes of identity, belonging, and self-acceptance continue to resonate with him today. Lara and Josué reflect on the show's emotional beats and character dynamics and contemplate diving into the books now that the show has left them wanting more.

Characters / Media Mentioned:

• Percy Jackson and the Olympians (book series by Rick Riordan)
• Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Disney+ series)
• Percy Jackson (film adaptations)
• Assassin’s Creed (video game series)
• Final Fantasy VII Remake
• The Last of Us (HBO series and video game)
• His Dark Materials (book and HBO series)
• Scott Pilgrim (graphic novel, film, game, and Netflix series)
• Game of Thrones (TV and book series)
• Dragon Ball Super
• Neon Genesis Evangelion / Rebuild of Evangelion films
• The Flash (2023 film)
• A Merry Little Batman
• Othello by Shakespeare
• Never Let Me Go (book and film)
• UnOrdinary (webtoon)
• Journey to the West (film adaptation by Stephen Chow)

Themes / Topics Discussed:

• Adaptation and Remakes
• Belonging
• Identity
• Expectations vs. Reality
• Fandom Experience
• Faithful Adaptation vs. Creative Liberties
• Personal Growth through Media
• Found Family
• Coming of Age
• Self-Acceptance

Relatable Experiences:

• Feeling Misunderstood
• Disappointment in Media Adaptations
• Escaping into Stories During Difficult Times
• Rediscovering Stories from Childhood
• Struggling with Expectations and Letdowns
• Revisiting Nostalgic Media as an Adult

Discuss this episode with us on the Geek Therapy Forum, or connect through our Discord, Mastodon, and other social links at geektherapy.org.

What changes in a book-to-screen adaptation bother you—or pleasantly surprise you?
Have you ever loved a book so much that you feared watching its adaptation?
Which version of Percy Jackson (books, movies, show) means the most to you—and why?

#376: In this episode of GT Radio, Josué, Lara, and Marc tackle a deceptively simple idea: time is both very real and completely made up. From there, the conversation unfolds into a deeply personal and geeky exploration of how people remember their lives—not by calendars or dates, but by movies, games, shows, and shared fandom moments.

The hosts reflect on how media becomes an anchor for memory, especially when traditional timelines feel unreliable. Josué shares how Police Academy is permanently tied to the day his mother died, while Lara talks about how Disney movies help her remember years and family milestones. Marc traces major chapters of his life through Assassin’s Creed, Call of Duty, and other games that marked moments of connection, change, and identity formation.

The episode also explores gaps in memory—particularly childhood years that feel blurry or inaccessible—and how geek culture can sometimes act as scaffolding to fill those gaps. The group discusses human memory’s unreliability, how trauma (both painful and joyful) “stamps” experiences into our brains, and how shared media moments can reconnect relationships, including Josué’s story of Smallville helping him reconnect with his father after years of not speaking.

Ultimately, the conversation highlights why geek culture matters: not just as entertainment, but as a framework for meaning, connection, healing, and remembering who we were at different points in our lives.

Characters / Media Mentioned:

• Police Academy
• The Lion King
• Pocahontas
• World of Warcraft (Mists of Pandaria)
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
• Star Wars Angry Birds
• Assassin’s Creed series
• Percy Jackson
• Harry Potter
• League of Legends
• Minecraft
• Prince of Egypt
• Dracula 2000
• Captain America: The First Avenger
• Captain America: Civil War
• Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (3D release)
• Titanic (3D re-release)
• Disney+
• Who Framed Roger Rabbit
• Xbox 360
• PlayStation 5
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
• Stardew Valley
• Super Mario Odyssey
• Star Trek: Discovery
• Smallville
• WrestleMania (Hulk Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior)

Themes / Topics Discussed:

• Time Perception
• Memory and Meaning
• Grief and Remembrance
• Trauma and Emotional Imprints
• Nostalgia
• Identity Development
• Family Relationships
• Media as Emotional Anchors
• Human Memory and Its Limits
• Geek Culture as a Coping Tool

Relatable Experiences:

• Losing Track of Time and Dates
• Remembering Life Events Through Media
• Associating Games or Movies with Loved Ones
• Memory Gaps in Childhood
• Reconnecting Through Shared Interests
• Feeling Shocked by How Much Time Has Passed
• Using Nostalgia to Cope with Grief
• Apologizing for “Geeky” Ways of Explaining Feelings

Join the conversation on the GT Forum at https://forum.geektherapy.org, or connect with the Geek Therapy Network on Discord, Mastodon, and other platforms linked at https://geektherapy.org.

What piece of media helps you remember a specific time in your life?
Which release dates feel like personal milestones for you?

#375: In this episode of GT Radio, Josué, Link, Lara, and Marc explore the idea that therapy works a lot like a roguelike—or roguelite—video game. Using games such as Hades, Rogue Legacy, The Binding of Isaac, Cult of the Lamb, and God of War: Ragnarok – Valhalla, the group breaks down how repeated “runs,” procedural generation, and permanent upgrades mirror the experience of doing therapeutic work over time.

Josué introduces the history of the roguelike genre and explains the distinction between roguelikes (where each run resets completely) and roguelites (where players gain permanent upgrades). From there, the conversation turns toward therapy: revisiting the same issues repeatedly, gaining insight that doesn’t disappear, sometimes feeling stronger, and other times feeling like progress has stalled.

The discussion deepens with a focus on God of War: Ragnarok – Valhalla, where Kratos’ journey is explicitly framed as “The Work.” The group reflects on how narrative-driven games can represent trauma processing, emotional breakthroughs, support systems, and the idea that growth doesn’t always look linear. They also discuss how therapy can involve both skill-building (CBT, DBT, behavioral strategies) and deeper trauma work that leads to lasting internal change.

Throughout the episode, the hosts examine whether therapy is more like a roguelike, a roguelite, or a blend of both—and how reframing therapy in this way can reduce frustration with repetition and help normalize setbacks as part of the process.

Characters / Media Mentioned:

• Rogue (1980)
• The Binding of Isaac
• Hades
• Rogue Legacy
• Cult of the Lamb
• Sky Force
• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: The Forgotten Saga
• God of War series
• God of War: Ragnarok
• God of War: Ragnarok – Valhalla
• The Work (documentary)
• The Legend of Zelda
• Super Mario Bros.
• Vikings (TV series)
• Percy Jackson

Themes / Topics Discussed:

• Therapy as a Process
• Roguelikes vs. Roguelites
• Procedural Generation
• Trauma Processing
• Narrative Therapy
• Skill-Building vs. Insight
• Repetition and Growth
• Support Systems in Healing
• Nonlinear Progress
• Metaphors in Mental Health

Relatable Experiences:

• Feeling Frustrated by Revisiting the Same Issues
• Experiencing a Breakthrough That Doesn’t “Fix Everything”
• Losing Momentum or Skills Over Time
• Practicing Coping Skills Inconsistently
• Gaining Insight That Changes Perspective
• Depending on Support Systems
• Comparing Progress to Games or Training
• Feeling Strong One Week and Stuck the Next

Join the conversation on the GT Forum at https://forum.geektherapy.org or connect with the Geek Therapy Network on Discord, Mastodon, and other social platforms linked at https://geektherapy.org.

What games best capture what therapy feels like for you?
Do you see therapy as more of a roguelike, a roguelite, or something else entirely?
What feels like a “permanent upgrade” in your own growth?

#374: In this episode of GT Radio, Josué, Lara, and Marc kick off the new year by exploring the power of epilogues and prologues—in both storytelling and real life. Josué shares a deeply personal reflection on being laid off and how reframing his experience through the lens of narrative structure (specifically the epilogue) helped shift his mindset from one of defeat to one of acceptance and possibility.

The conversation highlights how epilogues in games like Red Dead Redemption 2, Steven Universe Future, and God of War: Ragnarok offer moments for reflection, closure, and emotional processing. In contrast, prologues—seen in Vinland Saga, Assassin’s Creed III, and Rogue One—set the stage for new beginnings, often providing the foundation for major change and growth.

The team draws parallels between these story mechanics and real-life transitions: breakups, career changes, graduation, moving, and even therapy itself. They explore how recognizing the end of a chapter can bring clarity, and how naming the moment you’re in—whether an epilogue, a prologue, or a messy in-between—can make a big emotional difference.

They also touch on how games often reset your powers in sequels (Metroid, Final Fantasy, Assassin’s Creed) and how frustrating—or motivating—that can be. Marc and Lara bring in clinical insights on how these narrative frames can be useful tools in therapy, especially when helping clients understand the cyclical nature of life and identity.

From Titanic to Baldur’s Gate 3, from emotional epilogues to hopeful prologues, this episode invites listeners to ask themselves: “Where am I in my story?”

Characters / Media Mentioned:

• Red Dead Redemption 2
• Red Dead Redemption
• Steven Universe
• Steven Universe Future
• God of War (2018)
• God of War: Ragnarok
• Assassin’s Creed series (including Brotherhood, Revelations, Rogue, III, Unity)
• Honkai: Star Rail
• Vinland Saga
• The Locked Tomb series (Tamsyn Muir)
• Titanic (film)
• Free Run: Beyond Journey's End (anime)
• Baldur’s Gate 3
• Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
• Final Fantasy VII Remake
• Littlewood (game)
• Metroid series
• Hozier (song featured in God of War: Ragnarok)
• Stardew Valley (mentioned by comparison)

Themes / Topics Discussed:

• Life Transitions and Reframing
• Endings and New Beginnings
• Storytelling as a Coping Tool
• Closure and Acceptance
• Identity and Self-Discovery
• Narrative Therapy
• Structure and Meaning in Chaos
• Power Loss and Growth in Games
• Grief and Letting Go
• Hope and Anticipation for the Future

Relatable Experiences:

• Losing a Job and Feeling Stuck
• Moving Often and Seeking Stability
• Struggling with Life Structure After College
• Missing Closure After a Major Life Change
• Using Stories and Games to Process Emotions
• Feeling Powerless or “Reset” in Life
• Therapy as a Space for Story Rewriting
• Reflecting on the Past Before Starting Something New

Discuss this episode with us on the Geek Therapy Forum, or connect through our Discord, Mastodon, and other social links at geektherapy.org.

Where are you in your story right now—an epilogue, a prologue, or something else?
What game or show helped you reflect on a life transition?
Do you prefer endings that give closure, or ones that leave space for something more?