the Mentally Oddcast

Tamara Thorne and Alistair Cross are two fine authors who write together and separately. We laugh through an entire episode as we talk about sources of trauma, Christopher Moore, collaborative process, family hoosefudge, what to do when your artistic heros turn out to be MAGA assholes, and why Elon Musk sucks for stealing Grok from its rightful place. 

Also a MadLib and a really cool story at the end. 

This week, two passionate political activists (Wednes and Michael) talk about what's happening in America. And most of it is not very nice. We talk Ai in D&D, Bezos, Kaepernik, space aliens, and why disabled people often feel like a burden to those they love. We parse how peasants were convinced to go fight for their feudal lords, and how we determine the monetary worth of a human (spoiler alert: you don't). Also horror, scifi, a MadLib, and I accuse Elon Musk of some stuff everybody already knows he did. 

This week, Rhiannon and Wednes discuss the what happens when fascists buy up all the good TV, parasocial relationships, and whether Ryan Murphy is losing his shine for even us die-hards. Also Etsy, killer bees, Jenny Gump, and the dangers and possible benefits of humanizing murderers. Also VJs, adult diagnoses, trauma copes, and when to call it "domestic violence."
TW for discussions on Domestic Violence, gun violence, and sexual assault. 

This week, we talk with Carolyn, a fellow ND podcaster and creative. We talk about the how and why (and maybe why NOT) of getting a diagnosis in adulthood. We parse authentic personality vs masking, why readers have more empathy, and how psychology has been failing women for generations. Also music and a capella, trump camps, solo singing vs ensembles, a mad lib, and some kickass music after the outro. 

This week, Bob Pondillo discusses screenwriting and novelisations, the horrors of Catholicism, and media history from radio to TV and the Hayes Code to cartoon skirts on animals. We talk depression and work output, the socratic method vs the woke mind virus, and why it's important to speak your mind on big issues. Also film production, offense in media, jobs as identity, and why well-meaning people sometimes miss the memo. 

This week, we talk Daddy Doms, House Eternum, and what you might not suspect is true of the kink community. Millicent the dog makes an unplanned appearance, and we explain what's going on with the Dexter franchise. Also what it's like to be disabled or to need mental health care when you're American and not rich--and how those things might be even more difficult when you're any sort of minority. We discuss why people living authentically are more kind than those who aren't, and Wednes learns a whole bunch about modern gaming. Also Nerdery, the fash, pet play, and a MadLib. 

TW: Discussion of self-harm
CW: adult content. 

This week, Wednes talks sleep disorders with painter, sculptor, and dream curator Brian MacGregor. We parse whether ocean creatures only seem alien because we're on land, and whether or not art ought to be confrontational all the time. Also, Geiger, Dragon's Lair, Pet Sematary 2, and trigger warnings.

While we avoided most political talk, we did parse whether having quiet conversations with our opponents is more helpful than the alternatives. Plus insomnia and sleep studies, why creatives hate working in the service industry, and all about using dreams in art. 

This week, Patrick Freivald and Wednes parse whether neurodivergence as a concept is even real--or if we're all on a spectrum of one sort or another. We discuss anthropology and how ND conditions may increase one's value to the tribe. Also fight-or-flight, writing and publishing, Rod Serling, why celebrating differences is essential, and city horror versus country horror.

This week, we talk international travel, music, and autism with Mimi U. She's a self-proclaimed pop-idol with a love of anime, J-pop, and smiling. We discuss whether autism can be a gift, a superpower, or a PitA. Also tips for living with intrusive thoughts, media portrayals of autism, and how anime and horror both have problematic fans. 

The Mentally Oddcast returns for a sixth season with Rev Josh Hosler. We talk religion and society, and why a god can be a source of mockery and doubt as well as hope and community. We parse whether depression and anxiety are really 'disorders' or logical reactions to a world that sucks. Also familial estrangement, the art of listening, and Josh's history in music, radio, and being a youth counselor without nefarious intent.