The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More

By Dr. Andrea Letamendi and Brian Ward

TV & Film

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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Episode 210 "Star Trek V: T...

09.19.2023

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 a ...

The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More episodes:

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 a ...
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 ...
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 ...
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, ...
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 ...
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 a child ...
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 many selves ...
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 bigger ...
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 survive ...
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; ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 through ...
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 ...
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.
10.31.2021 Episode 171 "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" Captain America is living with depression. And that's okay. Take a listen to our analysis of Captain America: The Winter Soldier!
10.18.2021 Episode 170 "Thor: The Dark World" Should this episode be titled Thor: The Dark World? Or Loki: The Dark World? Decide for yourself, after you tune in to hear Drea's ongoing analysis of Loki and his moments of closeness and compassion with members of his family ...
10.03.2021 Episode 169 "Iron Man 3" The seventh film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Iron Man 3, shows a burnt out Tony Stark struggling with the traumatic ramifications of the interdimensional, interplanetary war seen in The Battle of New York (The Avengers). Drea and Brian ...
09.02.2021 Episode 168 "Loki" We wrap up our very first Marvel "season" of the podcast with our enthusiastic review of the Disney+ series, Loki. After covering all six films in Phase I of the MCU, we proceed by following the alternate timeline that plucks ...
08.08.2021 Episode 167 "The Avengers" Knowing how to build a strong team is so important, especially during a crisis. We rewatch the 2012 Marvel film The Avengers and look for psychological tools that could be valuable to us, as our world grapples with its own ...
07.24.2021 Episode 166 "Captain America: The First Avenger" Captain America symbolizes equality, justice, and fairness for all, but he could easily be minimized to a simple ideology. We rewatch the 2011 film CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER and explore/question why so many Marvel fans choose Cap as their ...
07.14.2021 Episode 165 "Thor" In this episode, we welcome the Norse Mythology and Shakespearean overtones that flavor the Marvel movie, Thor (2011)!
06.27.2021 Episode 164 "Iron Man 2" We're reviewing the third film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Iron Man 2 (2010); and discuss the 5 Stages of Grief, as they relate to Tony's impending death by blood poisoning. We also discuss our own "hype songs!" Learn what ...
06.20.2021 Episode 163 "The Incredible Hulk" "You won't like me when I'm angry." But...what if you're just ...excited? We rewatch The Incredible Hulk (2008) from Phase 1 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and discuss the disorders most laypersons and mental health specialists try to assign to ...
06.16.2021 Episode 162 "Iron Man" We begin our dive into the MCU with 2008's IRON MAN. We discuss the personality similarities and differences between Tony Stark and Bruce Wayne; his damaged ego and shift in vision; assess for post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction, and depression; and ...
06.07.2021 Episode 161 "The Snyder Cut" At the request of our loyal Patrons, Dr. Drea and Brian finally take the opportunity to break down the psychology of Zack Snyder's Justice League!

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