The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More

By Dr. Andrea Letamendi and Brian Ward

What's The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More about?

THE ARKHAM SESSIONS, by Dr. Andrea Letamendi and Brian Ward, is a podcast dedicated to the observation and clinical analysis of the characters in BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES.

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The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More episodes:

04.16.2024
Episode 221 "WonderCon 2024: X-amining the X-Men"
For this year's WonderCon, we pulled together some amazing old and new friends to examine the psychology of the X-Men. Included in that list of friends was original X-MEN: THE ANIMATED SERIES showrunner Eric Lewald; X-MEN: TAS writer Julia Lewald; X-MEN '97...
03.17.2024
Episode 220 "X-Men: Slave Island"
A small group of X-Men are captured and taken to labor camps on the island of Genosha. This episode depicts multiple responses to oppressive-related stress, ranging from learned helplessness to psychological fortitude to organized rebellion, and carries a throughline reminiscent...
02.19.2024
Episode 219 "X-Men: Cold Vengeance"
Feeling rejected, Wolverine leaves the X-Mansion on a search to find some inner peace. Meanwhile, the rest of the X-Men are sent by Professor X to investigate the island of Genosha, a seemingly pleasant vacation destination rumored to be welcoming...
01.17.2024
Episode 218 "X-Men: Captive Hearts"
The X-Men discover an underground band of Morlocks, a gang of mutant misfits who perceive themselves as "too unsightly" to live and socialize among non-mutant humans, so they live in the tunnels below the city. With Scott and Jean...
12.25.2023
Episode 217 "Merry Little Batman"
To celebrate the holiday season, The Arkham Sessions takes a detour back to Gotham City! Merry Little Batman (2023), a new animated film by Warner Bros. and DC Studios (but released on Amazon!), is an Elseworld holiday special that takes place on...
12.18.2023
Episode 216 "X-Men: Deadly Reunions"
In "Deadly Reunions," we learn that Professor Charles Xavier (Professor X) uses an incredible superpower involving mind-melding and probing the memories of his students. Though he calls it "therapy," Professor X's methods are uncomfortably invasive, coercive, and arguably unethical. ...
11.27.2023
Episode 215 "X-Men: Enter Magneto"
In the third episode, the X-Men are introduced to the formidable villain, Magneto, a militant idealist who crusades against bigotry and oppression of mutants. His mission is to help mutants replace humans as the dominant species on earth--by any means...
11.13.2023
Episode 214 "X-Men: Night of the Sentinels, Part 2"
Grab your Hot Pocket and Cactus Cooler, it's another 90's X-Men episode! The X-Men are thrown into crisis, collectively grieving the loss of a beloved member, uncertain how to rescue the survivor, and racked with guilt about their decisions on...
10.31.2023
Episode 213 "X-Men: Night of the Sentinels, Part 1"
Debuting just one month after Batman: The Animated Series, the first episode of X-Men: The Animated Series depicts a foster youth, Jubilation Lee--or "Jubilee"--who, like most teens, seeks independence, creative freedom, and the experience of belongingness. Her struggles are amplified when...
10.16.2023
Episode 212 "Star Trek: Generations"
Star Trek: Generations (1994) resurrects familiar, core Trek film themes such as legacy, family, and mortality. Dr. Drea and Brian discuss these themes, as well as the Nexus and its very real philosophical origin. Plus, Brian gets to discuss his...
10.03.2023
Episode 211 "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country"
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) marks the final adventure for the crew of the 1966 incarnation of the franchise. In this episode, we take a look at the Cold War allegory of this film, as well as the characters'...
09.19.2023
Episode 210 "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier"
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989) is an ambitious film depicting a galactic pilgrimage in search of God. But is Spock's half-brother, Sybok, a true ambassador of God? A miracle healer? Or is he a cult leader? Or...
09.05.2023
Episode 209 "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home"
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) doesn't take itself too seriously, but it humbles us by asking us to de-center the human culture and the things we over-value, to recognize the triviality of some of our human norms and the way we...
08.28.2023
Episode 208 "SDCC 2023 - The Psychology of Star Trek: Picard"
In this special episode of the podcast, we take a look at the spectacular third season of Star Trek: Picard with two of its writer/producers, Christopher Monfette and Matt Okumura. This episode was recorded as a panel at San Diego Comic-Con...
07.10.2023
Episode 207 "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock"
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), though not as well executed as Star Trek II, successfully carries its big emotional moments, from the shocking murder of Kirk's son to the heart-crushing destruction of the Enterprise. Loss after loss, the...
06.26.2023
Episode 206 "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan"
In our analysis of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, we join Admiral James T. Kirk and his Starfleet friends as they are once again pulled into a risky adventure. Since his infamous attempted coup on the Enterprise 15...
06.13.2023
Episode 205 "Star Trek: The Motion Picture"
When the survival of the whole planet is at stake, how much do purpose, logic, wisdom, and emotion matter? Do we rely on gut instincts or unfiltered logic to make critical decisions? The original cast of Star Trek reunite to...
05.15.2023
Episode 204 "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker"
The last film in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, The Rise of Skywalker (2019), seems to ret-con or reduce plot points in the previous film; and serves insights about the core theme of intergenerational trauma!
04.20.2023
Episode 203 "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"
In one of the most divisive Star Wars films to date, The Last Jedi (2017) serves an unapologetic tale of the embittering consequences and casualties of perpetual war, reminding audiences that there are no true winners; just power grabs. Those...
04.03.2023
Episode 202 "WonderCon 2023: Mask of the Phantasm with Eric Radomski & Ashley V. Robinson"
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm with its co-director, Eric Radomski; and our very special guest, podcaster and comic writer Ashley Victoria Robinson (Geek History Lesson)! To vote on what we're covering after the nine Star Wars films,...
03.13.2023
Episode 201 "Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) resurrects a familiar uphill battle against the merciless and oppressive power of the second uprising of the Empire, the First Order. However, as Star Wars is more about relationships than politics, The Force Awakens...
01.30.2023
Episode 200 "Batman Forever"
We're celebrating our 200th episode by presenting our live Discord episode, which followed a shared screening of Batman Forever! Join us, as we chat about the questionable ethics of Dr. Chase Meridian; the differences between experiencing trauma as...
01.02.2023
Episode 199 "Return of the Jedi"
Return of the Jedi (1983), the final film of the classic Star Wars space opera trilogy, is packed with psychology, layering in lessons on family systems theory, Oedipal themes, social obedience, and human violence. We learn about our...
12.26.2022
Episode 198 "The Empire Strikes Back"
Set after the events that take place in Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back (1980) continues the saga between the evil Empire and the determined, scrappy resistance fighters in the Rebel Alliance. Although this chapter is just as adventurous as...
11.25.2022
Episode 197 "Star Wars: A New Hope, Part 2"
We're continuing our analysis of the original Star Wars (1977) film and weigh in on the utility of the "Hero's Journey" literary paradigm as it relates to whimsical space fantasy.
10.31.2022
Episode 196 "The Long Halloween" Special
Happy Halloween, Gothamites! In this very special episode, we're breaking down the animated adaptation of Jeph Loeb's and Tim Sale's iconic THE LONG HALLOWEEN!
10.31.2022
Episode 195 "Star Wars: A New Hope"
In part one of this two-part analysis, we discuss the framework of Joseph Campbell's "Hero's Journey" and map the characters, plot line, and relationships to this universal monomyth. We focus on Luke Skywalker, the inexperienced, sheltered farmboy seeking something...
10.04.2022
Episode 194 "Andor, Eps. 1-4"
The new Star Wars series, ANDOR, serves us a mature drama without the wholesomeness of lightsabers, Jedi wizards, and baby Yoda. Cassian Andor is a marginalized laborer in a small mining town who uses his resourcefulness and tenacity to...
08.30.2022
Episode 193 "Star Wars: Rogue One"
In our discussion about Star Wars: Rogue One, Dr. Drea discusses how both American history and psychological research point to non-violence as the most effective approach to sustainable social change; but nothing about an equal rights fight is ever truly,...
08.23.2022
Episode 192 "SDCC 2022: Creating Stories with Mental Health in Mind"
We has such an amazing time at San Diego Comic-Con, and were so thankful to have some very special guests join us for our panel. Melissa Flores is the writer of the brand-new comic, The Dead Lucky, from Image Comics; Livio...
07.25.2022
Episode 191 "Obi-Wan Kenobi"
Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) is a series that takes place 10 years after the uprising of the Sith, and the birth of Darth Vader. When Kenobi faces his old apprentice--now, an unrecognizable masked, dark figure--he searches for a connection with Anakin.
07.11.2022
Episode 190 "Solo: A Star Wars Story"
In the ambitious 2018 film, Solo: A Star Wars Story, there's some familiarity about this younger version of Han Solo. But is it necessary? And did we learn anything new about this original trilogy's character?
06.28.2022
Episode 189 "Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith"
The final film of the Star Wars prequel trilogy, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005), shows us the final deterioration of Jedi Anakin Skywalker and his fall to the Dark Side.
06.13.2022
Episode 188 "Star Wars: Attack of the Clones"
Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2002) takes place ten years after Anakin Skywalker was rescued from slavery by the Jedi community and taken in as an apprentice. But he is increasingly angry, frustrated, and embittered, and his impatience and...
05.30.2022
Episode 187 "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace"
Enough criticism has been voiced about "the prequels," but what does Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) offer in lessons of personal, relational, and spiritual well-being?
05.24.2022
Episode 186 "Avengers: Endgame"
Avengers: Endgame (2019) is heavy and full of heartache. The "snap," the massive extermination of billions of people, amounts to the kind of interpersonal trauma not yet seen in the MCU, but certainly one we can relate to now.
05.03.2022
Episode 185 "Captain Marvel"
Brian and Drea rewatch Captain Marvel with the explicit intention of picking up on its problems and check their own biases, perspectives, and expectations. How does a story of resilience--one that shows the power of endurance, grit, and self-confidence--fall so flat?
04.18.2022
Episode 184 "Ant-Man and the Wasp"
In this episode, we talk about Ant-Man and the Wasp, but really focus our attention on Ghost and Janet Van Dyne, the two characters who are clearly suffering the most. Or, at least, should be.
04.11.2022
Episode 183 "WonderCon 2022: The Psychology of The Batman"
We hit our very first in-person WonderCon in three years! And we couldn't be more thankful to be able to speak about the psychology of Matt Reeves's new movie The Batman with our very special guests, History of the Batman's Londyn...
04.04.2022
Episode 182 "Avengers: Infinity War"
The inevitable is here. It's time for INFINITY WAR, so we're discussing Thanos and the Dark Triad!
03.21.2022
Episode 181 "Black Panther"
The Marvel film Black Panther (2018) marks a turning point in the comic book cinematic landscape of predominantly white superheroes. The film highlights real global tensions such as the national hoarding of resources and gatekeeping of outsiders; at its core,...
03.07.2022
Episode 180 "Thor: Ragnarok"
Once again, Drea gets the chance to analyze Loki! But, in addition to this fan favorite, we also take a close look at Hulk; Scrapper-142; Odin's firstborn, Hela; and, of course, Thor himself! Plus, we discuss the erasure of Asgard's...
02.28.2022
Episode 179 "Spider-Man: Homecoming"
Spider-Man: Homecoming is a celebration of youthhood, an invitation to find gratitude for our younger days, and to remember what it was like before things got ...complicated. Dr. Drea points out that some early life experiences do accelerate a teenager's psychosocial growth and maturity, including...
02.14.2022
Episode 178 "Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2"
Bounding several fictional planets across the far-reaching expanse of space, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 (2017) is a journey very close to home. The film handles serious topics such as family violence, abuse, child trafficking, and abandonment...
01.24.2022
Episode 177 "Doctor Strange"
Doctor Strange ascends as a master of the mystic arts, but he also demonstrates the importance of the growth mindset - our mental openness, flexibility, and curiosity. Join us, as we explore Dr. Stephen Strange's fall from grace and rise...
01.10.2022
Episode 176 "Black Widow"
At the Black Widow's core is the question of what's real or not real. Natasha's family, though forced together under subterfuge, became meaningful, interconnected, bonded. "Family" is the people around us who give us comfort, connection and belongingness and who...
12.25.2021
Episode 175 "Captain America: Civil War"
In this MEGA holiday episode, which focuses on Captain America: Civil War, we discuss the reality and morality of various "registration acts," and the fictional and real-life elements of brainwashing.
12.12.2021
Episode 174 "Ant-Man"
We're taking a look at the MCU's 2015 installment of Ant-Man, starring the ever-charming and never-aging Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, and Evangeline Lilly. It's a fun romp; but does it fall flat emotionally? Listen in to find out!
11.28.2021
Episode 173 "The Avengers: Age of Ultron"
In Avengers: Age of Ultron, Earth's mightiest heroes face off with an A.I. gone wild; Ultron evolves past his original programming and becomes a formidable, violent robot seeking to destroy humans so that his super-sentient army of bots can take over...
11.22.2021
Episode 172 "Guardians of the Galaxy"
Through Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, we learn the power of family, whether it's our origin families or the ones we find along the way.

What's The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More episodes:

Episode 221 "WonderCon 2024: X-amining the X-Men"

Episode 220 "X-Men: Slave Island"

Episode 219 "X-Men: Cold Vengeance"

Episode 218 "X-Men: Captive Hearts"

Episode 217 "Merry Little Batman"

Episode 216 "X-Men: Deadly Reunions"

Episode 215 "X-Men: Enter Magneto"

Episode 214 "X-Men: Night of the Sentinels, Part 2"

Episode 213 "X-Men: Night of the Sentinels, Part 1"

Episode 212 "Star Trek: Generations"

Episode 211 "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country"

Episode 210 "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier"

Episode 209 "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home"

Episode 208 "SDCC 2023 - The Psychology of Star Trek: Picard"

Episode 207 "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock"

Episode 206 "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan"

Episode 205 "Star Trek: The Motion Picture"

Episode 204 "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker"

Episode 203 "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"

Episode 202 "WonderCon 2023: Mask of the Phantasm with Eric Radomski & Ashley V. Robinson"

Episode 201 "Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Episode 200 "Batman Forever"

Episode 199 "Return of the Jedi"

Episode 198 "The Empire Strikes Back"

Episode 197 "Star Wars: A New Hope, Part 2"

Episode 196 "The Long Halloween" Special

Episode 195 "Star Wars: A New Hope"

Episode 194 "Andor, Eps. 1-4"

Episode 193 "Star Wars: Rogue One"

Episode 192 "SDCC 2022: Creating Stories with Mental Health in Mind"

Episode 191 "Obi-Wan Kenobi"

Episode 190 "Solo: A Star Wars Story"

Episode 189 "Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith"

Episode 188 "Star Wars: Attack of the Clones"

Episode 187 "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace"

Episode 186 "Avengers: Endgame"

Episode 185 "Captain Marvel"

Episode 184 "Ant-Man and the Wasp"

Episode 183 "WonderCon 2022: The Psychology of The Batman"

Episode 182 "Avengers: Infinity War"

Episode 181 "Black Panther"

Episode 180 "Thor: Ragnarok"

Episode 179 "Spider-Man: Homecoming"

Episode 178 "Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2"

Episode 177 "Doctor Strange"

Episode 176 "Black Widow"

Episode 175 "Captain America: Civil War"

Episode 174 "Ant-Man"

Episode 173 "The Avengers: Age of Ultron"

Episode 172 "Guardians of the Galaxy"