Shrink Tank Podcast

By ShrinkTank.com

Society & Culture TV & Film Social Sciences

What's Shrink Tank Podcast about?

If psychology and pop culture had a baby, you’d get the Shrink Tank Podcast. Each episode of the Shrink Tank Podcast features mental health professionals discussing news in pop culture through the lens of psychology. Our panel features host Dr. Dave Verhaagen, joined by Dr. Frank Gaskill, Dr. Emma Kate Wright, and Jonathan Hetterly, LPC.

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Shrink Tank Podcast episodes:

04.21.2020
Why Do We *Need* John Krasinski’s ‘Some Good News’? Analyzing the Psychology of Positivity
Why Do We *Need* John Krasinski's 'Some Good News'? Analyzing the Psychology of Positivity If there's one thing that has made quarantine better, it's been viewing John Krasinski's Some Good News— his smash-hit YouTube show highlighting happy moments as news segments. So,...
04.10.2020
Your Mindset Determines How You’re Coping with the Pandemic
Your Mindset Determines How You're Coping with the Pandemic If you're struggling with coping with the Pandemic, take a look at your mindset. Sometimes just a shift in your own perspective can have the greatest impact. Take, for example, our podcast speakers. Have...
03.26.2020
How to Maintain your Emotional Health During a Pandemic
How to Maintain your Emotional Health During a Pandemic Dr. Dave Verhaagen shares practical tips to maintain your emotional health during a pandemic. Due to COVID-19, the Shrink Tank Podcast has made the decision that our mental health experts, as well as...
03.13.2020
HBO’s McMillions: How Do Regular People Get Wrapped up in Organized Crime?
HBO's McMillions: How Do Regular People Get Wrapped up in Organized Crime? Imagine if the only thing standing between you and a million dollars was a small ticket on the french fries you just bought for lunch. If you knew you...
03.06.2020
Billie Eilish is Paving the Way for Gen Z to Open up About Mental Health
Billie Eilish is Paving the Way for Gen Z to Open up About Mental Health In the music industry, Billie Eilish is known as the somewhat creepy, still cool girl who is one of the staple pillars for the niche genre...
02.28.2020
Is Coronavirus Increasing Cultural Anxiety? Mental Health Experts Discuss the Psychology of Fear
Is Coronavirus Increasing Cultural Anxiety? Mental Health Experts Discuss the Psychology of Fear Fever. Cough. Shortness of breath. This doesn’t sound too scary, if anything, it sounds like a typical respiratory infection. When you find out these symptoms are associated with...
02.21.2020
Dwyane Wade & Zaya Wade: How His Open Support for Trans Daughter Causes Shockwaves for Activism
Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union are inspiring many with their recent public support of the transgender community after their daughter Zaya publicly identified as transgender. This support and acceptance of parenting a transgender child have inspired us to discuss how...
02.14.2020
What John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch Highlights about Childhood Anxiety
What John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch Highlights about Childhood Anxiety John Mulaney is a quirky comedian, so it's no surprise that John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch is just as eclectic. While the Netflix special felt odd at times,...
02.07.2020
Best Mental Health Depictions in Oscar-Nominated Films
Best Mental Health Depictions in Oscar-Nominated Films With the Oscar’s premiering this Sunday, we thought we’d stray from the usual “predictions” and have a little fun in the realm of psychology. In today's episode of the Shrink Tank Podcast, our mental health...
01.24.2020
What Went Wrong in ‘Marriage Story’? Mental Health Experts Answer
What Went Wrong in 'Marriage Story'? Mental Health Experts Answer Both Adam Driver and Scarlett Johannsson's performances in Marriage Story have so much to offer about the human experience in relationships and how to finding hope in tragic circumstances. In today's episode...
01.17.2020
Why Haven’t We Cancelled The Academy Yet? Analyzing the Sexist, Racist, and Elitist Process in Selecting Oscar Nominees
Why Haven't we Cancelled The Academy Yet? Analyzing the Sexist, Racist, and Elitist Process in Selecting Oscar Nominees This year’s Academy Awards are causing headlines—yet again—for the fact that not a single female director was recognized in the Best Director category....
12.27.2019
What is the Psychology of Classism? Analyzing ‘Parasite’, ‘Knives Out’, and ‘Us’
What is the Psychology of Classism? Analyzing 'Parasite', 'Knives Out', and 'Us' The year's films Parasite, Knives Out and Us all explored how classism impacts our day to day life. In today's episode of the Shrink Tank Podcast, our panel of Shrinks discuss...
12.20.2019
Analyzing ‘The Mandalorian’: How Trauma and Attachment Impact our Identity
Analyzing 'The Mandalorian': How Attachment Impacts our Identity The Mandalorian explores how an individual's moral development — or moral code — fosters their decision making and personal identity. The show follows lead character Mando as he puts himself in the crossfire of...
12.13.2019
Analyzing ‘Watchmen’: Reverse Racism, Reparations, and Morality
Analyzing 'Watchmen': Reverse Racism, Reparations, and Morality Watchmen is an American superhero drama television series, which serves as a continuation of the 1987 DC Comics limited series of the same name created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The HBO drama is...
12.06.2019
Greta Thunberg: The Psychology of Teenage Activism
Greta Thunberg: Psychology of Teenage Activism Greta Thunberg is a 16-year-old Swedish environmental activist on climate change whose campaigning has gained international recognition. Every Friday, Thunberg would skip school in order to sit outside the Swedish parliament to call for stronger action...
11.29.2019
Jeopardy! Host Alex Trebek Is Teaching Us An Important Lesson Through His Battle with Cancer
Jeopardy, Alex Trebek, Cancer, and Positive Psychology Alex Trebek, the longtime host of Jeopardy! has been a pop culture staple since the show’s revival in 1984. Apart from being a beloved icon of public television, he’s made waves this year for how...
11.22.2019
Is Tom Hanks the Mister Rogers of Today’s Time?
Is Tom Hanks the Mister Rogers of Today's Time? Tom Hanks has one of the most long-standing careers in Hollywood, yet has remained one of the kindest individuals in the industry. Tom Hanks' portrayal of Mister Rogers in It's a Beautiful...
11.15.2019
Psychology of Fetishes: How Do We Think About Fetishes in a Sex-Positive Culture?
Psychology of Fetishes: How Do We Think about Fetishes in a Sex-Positive Culture? With an ever-changing culture on the way we talk about sex, our panel of Shrinks wanted to approach the subject of fetishes. How do fetishes start? Are fetishes...
11.08.2019
JoJo Rabbit: Is it Okay to Use Hitler as a Punch Line?
JoJo Rabbit: Is it Okay to Use Hitler as a Punch Line? JoJo Rabbit, the latest film from Taiki Waititi, follows a lonely German boy who discovers that his single mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their attic. Aided only...
11.01.2019
Should Student-Athletes Be Paid? Where Moral Psychology Comes into Play
Should Student-Athletes Be Paid? Where Moral Psychology Comes into Play In September of this year, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a measure that allows players to receive endorsement deals, despite the NCAA calling the move “unconstitutional.” When asked about the...
10.25.2019
How ‘Misbehavin’ was Born: Interviewing Righteous Gemstones Composer, Joseph Stephens
How Misbehavin' was Born: Interviewing 'The Righteous Gemstones' Composer, Joseph Stephens In today's special edition of the Shrink Tank Podcast, panelist Jonathan Hetterly sits down with the composer of The Righteous Gemstones, Joseph Stephens. Joseph Stephens is an American multi-instrumentalist, film...
10.18.2019
Why Joker is so Polarizing, Explained by Psychology
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Joker. Why Joker is so Polarizing, Explained by Psychology Joker, the latest film starring Joaquin Phoenix, has been the catalyst of numerous discussions regarding its depiction of mental health, toxic masculinity, and the correlation of mental illness...
10.11.2019
Breaking Down Righteous Gemstones: A Comedic Take on Megachurch Culture and Family Dysfunction
Righteous Gemstones & Megachurch Culture Danny McBride’s latest HBO creation, The Righteous Gemstones, is a satirical take on a Southern megachurch, following the dysfunctional lives of the Gemstone family. Megachurches and televangelism can vary in regard to delivering their spiritual messages. While...
10.04.2019
The Psychology of Brad Pitt
The Psychology of Brad Pitt Brad Pitt’s latest movie, Ad Astra, follows his character on a space mission to remedy a cosmic threat to all human life, as well as to search for his missing father. Similarly, the famed Hollywood actor has...
09.27.2019
The Psychology of Jennifer Lopez
The Psychology of Jennifer Lopez Jennifer Lopez is a modern-day Hollywood icon. Her latest movie, Hustlers, has been killing it at the box office, so we were inspired to have a discussion about the psychology of Jennifer Lopez, and her long and...
09.20.2019
The Psychology of Joaquin Phoenix
The Psychology of Joaquin Phoenix Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of The Joker in the upcoming film is bringing talks of Oscar buzz. The Joker’s complex characteristics have us wanting to dive deeper into a psychological look at Joaquin Phoenix, including a rocky...
09.13.2019
Are Emotional Support Animals Encouraging Dependent Behavior?
Are Emotional Support Animals Encouraging Dependent Behavior? Pets can do wonders for our mental health, so it's no surprise that emotional support animals are growing in popularity. In increasingly stressful times, the increased use of emotional support animals says a lot...
09.06.2019
History Repeats Itself: The Psychology of Why We Never Learn
Why don't we learn from history? Early in the month of August, an explosion at a Russian missile testing site last week killed at least seven people and caused widespread fears of a radiation leak. This fear is completely sensible, considering...
08.30.2019
Jeffrey Epstein’s Deviant Behavior, Analyzed by Therapists
Jeffrey Epstein's Deviant Behavior, Analyzed by Therapists The recent scandal and death of Jeffrey Epstein has brought an onslaught of public speculation. On today's episode, we're discussing the psychological structure of Jeffrey Epstein, the numerous conspiracy theories related to the death of...
08.23.2019
What Makes Taylor Swift So Fascinating? Psychology Explains Why Everyone Loves – Or Loves to Hate Her
Why Does Everyone Love - Or Love To Hate - Taylor Swift? In light of the new Taylor Swift album Lover, our panel of Shrinks tackles the country-pop crossover star. On today's episode, our panel of Shrinks will be discussing transformations which...
08.16.2019
Do You Take Astrology Seriously?
Do You Take Astrology Seriously? Whether you believe in astrology or not, chances are that you’ve read your horoscope at least once before in your life. So, do you take astrology seriously? Let us know in the comments below! Our panel of...
08.09.2019
Psychology of Guns: Why is it So Difficult for Americans to find Common Ground?
Due to recent events, this episode tackles the psychology of guns, gun control, and why Americans can't seem to find common ground about the topic. In today's podcast, our panel of Shrinks discusses why people are interested in guns, why guns...
08.02.2019
On Immigration: Therapists Talk on the Mental Health Crisis at the Border
With the current border crisis, it's impossible to avoid the discussion of immigration. In today's podcast, our panel of Shrinks discusses the historical parallels between the Japanese internment camps after Pearl Harbour versus the current border crisis, the psychology of...
07.26.2019
I Love You, Now Die: Why Hasn’t Borderline Personality Disorder Been Mentioned?
I Love You, Now Die has one glaring problem: no one has mentioned the potential element of Borderline Personality Disorder. HBO’s docuseries I Love You, Now Die explores the real-life trial of Michelle Carter, the teenager who was tried in court...
07.19.2019
Stranger Things 3: Each On-Screen Relationship, Analyzed by Psychologists
Stranger Things 3 is riddled with relationships, both platonic and romantic. In today's podcast, our panel of Shrinks is breaking down some of the psychology of this season, in particular, analyzing the relationship dynamics found in the show. Listen to the psychology of...
07.12.2019
Pro-Life or Pro-Choice: The Psychology of Abortion
The Psychology of Abortion The recent Alabama abortion bill has introduced a debate: should the government dictate what is best with an individual's health? This Alabama abortion bill was signed into law on May 15, 2019, and it made nearly all abortions...
06.28.2019
Therapists Analyze Wondery’s The Shrink Next Door Podcast
In most cases, relationship between a therapist and their client is built on the foundation of trust, vulnerability, and good intentions. The Shrink Next Door, the latest podcast from Wondery, exposes a story where this was not the case. In today's podcast,...
06.21.2019
LGBTQ+ Pride Month: The Psychology of Support, Celebration, and Acceptance
LGBTQ+ Pride Month is a month to celebrate gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and asexual people, plus all other sexual orientations and genders. Pride Month features marches around the country, educational and awareness events, and parties to celebrate the members...
06.14.2019
Rocketman is a Colorful Insight into the Psychology of Elton John
In the latest musical biopic, Rocketman, audiences are taken through the rise, fall, and subsequent rise again of Elton John (Taron Egerton). In this week's podcast episode, our panel of Shrinks is analyzing the film's psychology, including its portrayal of...
06.07.2019
What’s With All the Disney Live-Action Remakes? Psychology Explains.
With the surge of Disney live action films, we're discussing the psychology behind the trend of remakes. Is it a lazy money-grab? An act of nostalgia? A chance to re-define outdated tropes? Our panel of Shrinks discuss this and more...
05.24.2019
Run, Hide, Fight: The Psychology of School Shootings
With the sudden increase in school shootings, our panel of Shrinks is discussing the psychology of school shootings, including the impact of active shooter trainings on mental health, gun control, and our culture’s changing response to this event. Listen in below...
05.17.2019
A Psychological Perspective of Howard Stern
Following the release of Howard Stern's autobiography, Howard Stern Comes Again, our panel is discussing the psychology of the radio superstar. Howard Stern's iconic career is marked by his personal transformation through therapy. Listen in to our panel of Shrinks discuss the...
05.10.2019
The Psychology of Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves is a household name in Hollywood, but not for the typical reasons of the famous lifestyle. Ahead of the release of John Wick 3, our panel of Shrinks are discussing the psychology of the actor, his career, past...
05.03.2019
Psychology Behind Avengers: Endgame
Avengers: Endgame is a metaphor for coping with major life changes and loss. We're only going to solve the world's problems if we find a way to put aside our own traumas and differences. Our panel of Shrinks is discussing the...
04.26.2019
The Psychology of the Tech Titans of our Generation
Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos are some of the powerhouse names that come to mind when you think of this generations industry of Tech Titans. Are these individuals the modern-day Vanderbilts, Carnegies and Rockefellers? Our panel of Shrinks is...
04.19.2019
Anti-Science Movement: The Psychology Behind the Deadly Trend
With the rise of anti-vaxxers and flat-earthers, it's apparent that there is a current trend in our society to be anti-science. Our panel of Shrinks is discussing the idea of cognitive dissonance, the role of media, confirmation bias, and how...
04.12.2019
In Game of Thrones is it Adaptive to be a Psychopath? Therapists Answer.
Game of Thrones is a world completely ruled by corrupt power. How do you make it by? Our panel of Shrinks unpack the psychological elements of GoT, such as psychopathy, attachment, trust and vulnerability. Listen in below or anywhere you find...
04.05.2019
Jordan Peele’s Us: Therapists Analyze Duality, Division, and Classism
Jordan Peele's latest thriller Us is rich with psychology. Our panel of Shrinks unpack the film's motifs, themes, and discuss: how do we rectify the things that we like and dislike about ourselves? Listen in below or anywhere you find podcasts. we all...
03.29.2019
How the Jussie Smollett Case Exposes the Erosion of Trust in Media
Editor's note: This podcast was recorded prior to the news of the Jussie Smollett charges being dropped. Is biased media impacting the way people receive and accept information? Today's podcast is discussing the psychology of liberal media bias. On the heels of...
03.22.2019
College Admissions Scandal: The Psychology of Privilege
Earlier this month, news broke of one of the biggest college admissions scandal in history. These wealthy and privileged families buy their children's way into elite schools including Yale, Georgetown and Stanford universities. Chief executives and even Hollywood actresses (Lori...

What's Shrink Tank Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Shrink Tank Podcast episodes:

Why Do We *Need* John Krasinski’s ‘Some Good News’? Analyzing the Psychology of Positivity

Your Mindset Determines How You’re Coping with the Pandemic

How to Maintain your Emotional Health During a Pandemic

HBO’s McMillions: How Do Regular People Get Wrapped up in Organized Crime?

Billie Eilish is Paving the Way for Gen Z to Open up About Mental Health

Is Coronavirus Increasing Cultural Anxiety? Mental Health Experts Discuss the Psychology of Fear

Dwyane Wade & Zaya Wade: How His Open Support for Trans Daughter Causes Shockwaves for Activism

What John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch Highlights about Childhood Anxiety

Best Mental Health Depictions in Oscar-Nominated Films

What Went Wrong in ‘Marriage Story’? Mental Health Experts Answer

Why Haven’t We Cancelled The Academy Yet? Analyzing the Sexist, Racist, and Elitist Process in Selecting Oscar Nominees

What is the Psychology of Classism? Analyzing ‘Parasite’, ‘Knives Out’, and ‘Us’

Analyzing ‘The Mandalorian’: How Trauma and Attachment Impact our Identity

Analyzing ‘Watchmen’: Reverse Racism, Reparations, and Morality

Greta Thunberg: The Psychology of Teenage Activism

Jeopardy! Host Alex Trebek Is Teaching Us An Important Lesson Through His Battle with Cancer

Is Tom Hanks the Mister Rogers of Today’s Time?

Psychology of Fetishes: How Do We Think About Fetishes in a Sex-Positive Culture?

JoJo Rabbit: Is it Okay to Use Hitler as a Punch Line?

Should Student-Athletes Be Paid? Where Moral Psychology Comes into Play

How ‘Misbehavin’ was Born: Interviewing Righteous Gemstones Composer, Joseph Stephens

Why Joker is so Polarizing, Explained by Psychology

Breaking Down Righteous Gemstones: A Comedic Take on Megachurch Culture and Family Dysfunction

The Psychology of Brad Pitt

The Psychology of Jennifer Lopez

The Psychology of Joaquin Phoenix

Are Emotional Support Animals Encouraging Dependent Behavior?

History Repeats Itself: The Psychology of Why We Never Learn

Jeffrey Epstein’s Deviant Behavior, Analyzed by Therapists

What Makes Taylor Swift So Fascinating? Psychology Explains Why Everyone Loves – Or Loves to Hate Her

Do You Take Astrology Seriously?

Psychology of Guns: Why is it So Difficult for Americans to find Common Ground?

On Immigration: Therapists Talk on the Mental Health Crisis at the Border

I Love You, Now Die: Why Hasn’t Borderline Personality Disorder Been Mentioned?

Stranger Things 3: Each On-Screen Relationship, Analyzed by Psychologists

Pro-Life or Pro-Choice: The Psychology of Abortion

Therapists Analyze Wondery’s The Shrink Next Door Podcast

LGBTQ+ Pride Month: The Psychology of Support, Celebration, and Acceptance

Rocketman is a Colorful Insight into the Psychology of Elton John

What’s With All the Disney Live-Action Remakes? Psychology Explains.

Run, Hide, Fight: The Psychology of School Shootings

A Psychological Perspective of Howard Stern

The Psychology of Keanu Reeves

Psychology Behind Avengers: Endgame

The Psychology of the Tech Titans of our Generation

Anti-Science Movement: The Psychology Behind the Deadly Trend

In Game of Thrones is it Adaptive to be a Psychopath? Therapists Answer.

Jordan Peele’s Us: Therapists Analyze Duality, Division, and Classism

How the Jussie Smollett Case Exposes the Erosion of Trust in Media

College Admissions Scandal: The Psychology of Privilege

Why Do We Need John Krasinski’s ‘Some Good News’? Analyzing the Psychology of Positivity