This is the first episode of season 5!!

And, it's the one in which we check out the status of our democracy.    Hint: it's not good. 

FYI - When you listen to this one (and future season 5 episodes), you'll hear our new music which is called Cheerfulness and it's by Reveille. We purchased a license to use it on Soundstripe, in case you're interested in where to find such things. 

The one in which we discuss the disturbing increase in road rage incidence, particularly ones that end in death. So not worth it to get into a life threatening hassle with a random person on the road. 

The one in which we explore the troubling state of teen mental health in our country. 

The one in which we follow up the episode on managing our fear with this episode on finding hope. Finding hope is one way to manage fears. Just like looking for the helpers; it's always important to find the hope. 

The one in which we talk about how to manage our fear, given all of the scary stuff going on in the world around us such as political polarization, COVID, monkeypox, racial trauma, climate change, and Roe v Wade being overturned.

The one in which we talk about the state and fate of same-sex marriage, 8 years after it was finally fully recognized as a right. Verdict: Love wins.

The one in which we discuss the disturbing trend of the majority of Americans being ruled by a minority: a minority of mostly older, Christian, straight, white cis-men. 

The one in which we explore what we can do about gun safety and reform, when the NRA is so powerful.

The one in which we explore all the ways our fair and safe elections are under attack . 

This is also our 200th episode!!

It's us - the Shrinks - but After Hours as always on the last Tuesday of the month. A few weeks ago we talked about Society's weight obsession. In this episode we're kicking back and talking about how society's obsession translates into a personal obsession with weight for many of us, especially women.