Psyched Podcast
80 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 70 ratingsPsychotherapists Kelsey Fyffe and Alexa Shank combine their love of pop culture and mental health to create the Psyched Podcast. In addition to analyzing both real and fictional figures from pop culture, they share some of the lesser-known and more bizarre aspects of the field of psychology. Join them for entertaining conversation and inspired cocktail recipes.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
30. Mini: Clinical Vampirism and Blood Lust
October 31, 2019 11:00 - 23 minutes - 15.9 MBStraight out of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, those who suffer from Renfield’s syndrome are driven to drink blood. We’ll explore the long history of society’s fascination with hematophagy and how this might develop. Clinical vampirism. (n.d.). Retrieved September 13, 2019, from https://psychology.wikia.org/wiki/Clinical_vampirism Clinical vampirism. (n.d.). Retrieved September 13, 2019, from https://www.vampirerave.com/db/entry.php?id=28523 Clinical vampirism. (n.d.). Retrieved September 13, 2019...
29. The Warrens: Demonologists or Masters of Deception?
October 28, 2019 11:00 - 52 minutes - 35.9 MBWe talk about the famous paranormal investigators and consider which theories could explain their belief in all things spooky and demonic. Alan Orenstein. (2002). Religion and Paranormal Belief. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 41(2), 301. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib&db=edsjsr&AN=edsjsr.1388010&site=eds-live Alexander, B. (2013, July 22). The true story behind 'The Conjuring'. USA Today. Retrieved from https://www.usatoda...
28. Mini: Clinical Lycanthropy; why your neighbor may howl at the moon
October 24, 2019 11:00 - 23 minutes - 16 MBYou’ll fear the full moon after you hear the stories behind this disorder. Baird, R. (2015, August 4). Clinical lycanthropy: where psychiatry and mythology collide. The Glasgow Insight into Science and Technology (The GIST). Retrieved from https://the-gist.org/2015/08/clinical-lycanthropy-where-psychiatry-and-mythology-collide/ Blom, J. D. (2014). When doctors cry wolf: A systematic review of the literature on clinical lycanthropy. History of Psychiatry, 25(1), 87-102. https://doi.org/10.11...
27. Charles The Mad Glass King
October 21, 2019 11:00 - 50 minutes - 35 MBWe explore the bizarre world of Charles The Mad, medieval king of France and discuss how his belief in his own fragility earned him this stigmatizing nickname. Historians have argued he was schizophrenic. We argue that might not be the case. Chang, W. C., Lau, E. S. K., Chiu, S. S., Hui, C. L. M., Chan, S. K. W., Lee, E. H. M., & Chen, E. Y. H. (2016). Three-year clinical and functional outcome comparison between first-episode mania with psychotic features and first-episode schizophrenia. Jo...
26. Mini: The Ugly Truth About Truth Serums
October 17, 2019 11:00 - 27 minutes - 18.6 MBA potion so powerful it would have you spilling your innermost secrets?! We explore the history and validity of deception-prevention drugs. References: Bimmerle, G. (1993, September 22). "Truth" drugs in interrogation. Retrieved September 5, 2019, from https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/kent-csi/vol5no2/html/v05i2a09p_0001.htm Dressler, D. (1947). Saturday Evening Post, 220(26), 16. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shi...
25. Michael Jackson: the real Peter Pan
October 14, 2019 11:00 - 53 minutes - 36.8 MBWe’ll discuss how the King of Pop’s childhood made him never want to grow up and how this provided him with a convenient excuse to spend most of his free time with children. Disclaimer: As always when we discuss real individuals, the opinions of the show hosts are purely speculation for the purpose of interesting and entertaining discussion. We are not actually assigning any individuals with a specific diagnosis. Please see the blog for this week's references.
24. Mini: “Curiouser and Curiouser”: The bizarre nature of Alice in Wonderland Syndrome
October 10, 2019 11:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBIn Lewis Carroll’s famous book, the Cheshire Cat says “I’m not crazy. My reality is just different from yours.” We’ll dive into the white rabbit’s hole and see how this quote is a fitting description for the rare disorder. References: Alice in Wonderland Syndrome. (n.d.). Retrieved August 17, 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AliceinWonderland_syndrome#Epidemiology Alice in Wonderland Syndrome and visual migraines. (n.d.). Retrieved August 17, 2019, from https://www.webm...
23. Was Sybil The Real Life Version of Split?
October 07, 2019 05:00 - 58 minutes - 40.2 MBHer sensational story popularized the idea of multiple personality disorder. We’ll discuss the real aspects of her life and expose the fiction behind the famous patient. References: See Blog post on our website:thepsychedpodcast.com for this week's case references.
22. Mini: The Placebo Effect Is Brain Magic
October 03, 2019 11:00 - 26 minutes - 18.3 MBReal or Fake? We examine whether or not people can treat real medical problems by simply believing they are receiving treatment. (Spoiler alert: they can). References: Gerevich, J., Bácskai, E., Farkas, L., & Danics, Z. (2005). A case report: Pavlovian conditioning as a risk factor of heroin 'overdose' death. Harm reduction journal, 2, 11. doi:10.1186/1477-7517-2-11 Marchant, J. (2015, October 7). Placebo effect grows in U.S., thwarting development of pain killers. Scientific American...
21. Heath Ledger: did the Joker kill him?
September 30, 2019 11:00 - 44 minutes - 30.5 MBRumors have run rampant since he passed away about the movie star’s cause of death. We explore what happens when actors get caught up in their roles and whether the Dark Knight took his life. References: The Dark Knight (film). (n.d.). Retrieved August 23, 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TheDarkKnight_(film) 'He was super happy': Heath Ledger film fights perception actor was depressed. (n.d.). The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/apr/25/he-was-super-h...
20. Mini: The "shocking" evolution of electroconvulsive therapy
September 26, 2019 11:00 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MBWe take a look at the development of “electroshock therapy” and how it has been portrayed in the media. We’ll also explore a newer and safer procedure that uses magnets instead of electricity to treat mental illness. References: Braddock, K. (2014). Electroconvulsive Therapy : Clinical Uses, Efficacy and Long-term Health Effects. New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Electroconvulsive therapy. (n.d.). Retrieved August 29, 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroconvulsive_t...
19. Elizabeth Holmes: Turtlenecks and Treachery
September 23, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 44.2 MBWe unravel the massive fraud and deception behind the former billionaire’s rise to the top and eventual downfall. Is she a psychopath? Find out! References: ABC News (Producer). (n.d.). The dropout. Podcast retrieved from https://abcradio.com/podcasts/the-dropout/ Burke, C. (2019, March 19). Christian & Noel Holmes, Elizabeth Holmes' parents: 5 fast facts to know. Retrieved September 5, 2019, from https://heavy.com/news/2019/03/elizabeth-holme-parents-noel-christian/ Carreyrou, J. (201...
18. Mini: Triskaidekaphobia terrifies people worldwide
September 19, 2019 11:00 - 25 minutes - 17.8 MBAre you afraid of the number 13? If so you are not alone! We take a look at the history of this long-standing superstition and detail how the phobia manifests in cultures all over the world. References: Chan, M. (2017, October 13). Why Friday the 13th is a real nightmare for some people. Time. Retrieved from https://time.com/4979595/friday-the-13th-triskaidekaphobia/ Conradt, S. (2017, October 13). 13 Reasons people think the number 13 is unlucky. Mental Floss. Retrieved from http://menta...
17. Walter White: What drove him to break bad?
September 16, 2019 11:00 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MBWas making methamphetamine an inevitable outcome for Walter White? We'll explore how the diagnosis of a terminal illness could lead a conservative and cautious science teacher to transform into a murderous drug lord. References Breaking bad [Television program]. (2008-2013). New York, NY: AMC. Frati, M. (2018, August 10). The road to Hell is paved with blue gold: Breaking Bad 10 years later. Storius Magazine. Retrieved from https://medium.com/ storiusmag/ the-road-to-hel...
16. Mini: Cult mind control and how to avoid it
September 12, 2019 11:00 - 18 minutes - 19.7 MBMost people think they’re too smart to ever be tricked into joining a cult. The reality is, through the use of basic psychological techniques, everyone is vulnerable to mind control. You’ll learn how to determine if you’re being targeted for recruitment and how to put a stop to it. References: Hassan, Steven. Combating Cult Mind Control: The Guide to Protection, Rescue and Recovery from Destructive Cults (p. 279). Freedom of Mind Press. Kindle Edition. How to leave and recovery from a rel...
15. The far right radicalization of Severus Snape
September 09, 2019 11:00 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MBHe’s not just the grumpy potions master from Harry Potter. We’ll examine how his traumatic upbringing, and lonely adolescence, contributed to his eventual involvement in the Nazi group of the wizarding world. References: Copland, S. (2019, May 1). How do you prevent extremism? Retrieved August 1, 2019, from http://www.bbc.com/future/story/ 20190501-how-do-you-prevent-extremism First Wizarding War. (n.d.). Retrieved August 1, 2019, from https://harrypotter.fandom.com/wiki...
14. Mini: Everything you know about the Stanford Prison Experiment is wrong
September 05, 2019 11:00 - 22 minutes - 21.8 MBYou might have heard about the significant effects of this study. But have you heard the REAL story? Kelsey exposes the sinister truth behind one of the most famous research experiments in the field of psychology. References: Blum, B. (2018, June 7). The lifespan of a lie. Retrieved August 1, 2019, from https://medium.com/s/trustissues/the-lifespan-of-a-lie-d869212b1f62 Cockrell, C. (2015, July 8). Professor Emerita Christina Maslach recalls famous prison study, now a movie. ...
13. Gordon Gekko and white collar crime on Wall Street
September 02, 2019 11:00 - 47 minutes - 39.3 MBWhat compels confident, successful, and wealthy businessmen to commit white collar crimes? Is it really as simple as greed? We’ll examine the factors that could have shaped the infamous corporate raider and led to his eventual criminal transgressions. References: Alalehto, T., & Azarian, R. (2018). When white collar criminals turn to fatal violence: The impact of narcissism and psychopathy. Journal of Investigative Psychology & Offender Profiling, 15(2), 215–226. https://doi-org.ezproxy.b...
12. Mini: Cotard Syndrome: The real walking dead
August 29, 2019 11:00 - 16 minutes - 17.9 MBThe Walking Dead isn’t just a great tv show, but in fact a terrifying delusional disorder known as Cotard’s Syndrome. We’ll discuss causes, cures, and even a case where someone actually died from it. Cotard delusion. (n.d.). Retrieved July 30, 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Cotard_delusion Griffiths, M. D. (2014, October 17). Dead strange: A beginner's guide to Cotard's Syndrome [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-excess/2014...
11. Zelda Fitzgerald and her limelight stealing husband
August 26, 2019 11:00 - 47 minutes - 32.8 MBYou’re probably familiar with her husband F. Scott’s writing, but did you know he actually took a lot of his material from Zelda? We’ll take a closer look at the “First American Flapper,” how she shaped the literary world, and how she was ultimately overcome by her mental illness. References: Dean, E. M. (2017, January 27). The myth of Zelda Fitzgerald. Retrieved August 1, 2019, from https://www.theringer.com/2017/1/27/16042476/ zelda-fitzgerald-z-amazon-feminist-icon-af1d7350e...
10. Mini: The Psychology of Celebrity Stalking
August 22, 2019 11:00 - 23 minutes - 23 MBAt what point does an admirer cross the line from fan to stalker? We’ll take a look at the three most prevalent types of celebrity stalking and the traits displayed by these extreme devotees. References: Celebrity worship syndrome. (n.d.). Retrieved July 31, 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebrityworshipsyndrome Davis, J. A. (2016, June 14). Stalking crimes and victim protection [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ crimes-and-mi...
9. Karen Carpenter and the deadly impact of parental favoritism
August 19, 2019 11:00 - 51 minutes - 41.7 MBShe’s often considered to have one of the most unique singing voices in the history of pop music. But, she considered herself to be “just a drummer who sang.” We explore the excitement of her musical career along with the darkness underneath that eventually contributed to Karen’s untimely death at age 32. References: Barrett Singer, A. T., & Weinstein, R. S. (2000). Differential parental treatment predicts achievement and self-perceptions in two cultural contexts. Journal of Family Psycholo...
8. Mini: Phrenology - The pseudoscience of skull bumps
August 15, 2019 11:00 - 21 minutes - 21.7 MBEver wondered if your brain or the shape of your head made any difference in how smart or talented you are? An entire “science” was created around this idea and became all the rage in the Victorian Era. We’ll explore the lasting impact that measuring bumps on people’s heads had on the fields of psychology and psychiatry. References: Cooter, R. (1976). Phrenology and British Alienists, c.1825–1845. Part II: Doctrine and Practice. Medical History, 20(2), 135-151. doi:10.1017/S002572730002219...
7. The K-Pop industry is bananas
August 12, 2019 11:00 - 54 minutes - 44.2 MBYou may have heard their upbeat music, or seen their precision choreography, but do you know the dark side of the Korean Pop industry? Listen as we reveal the rigorous training, and overwhelming fan base below the surface of these squeaky-clean musical groups. References: Brackett, C. (n.d.). The dark side of the K-pop industry and idol groups. Retrieved from https://www.ranker.com/list/ dark-facts-about-the-kpop-industry/crystal-brackett Chua, J. (2017, January 27). The extr...
6. Mini: Psychopaths and Sociopaths are the same thing
August 03, 2019 05:00 - 15 minutes - 17.2 MBThese two terms are used a lot in today’s culture to describe criminal or manipulative behaviors. Though some researchers try to delineate between the two, both terms refer to the same spectrum of behavior. We dispel commonly held beliefs and dive into the accuracy of these terms. References: History of psychopathy. (n.d.). Retrieved July 31, 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historyofpsychopathy Lilienfield, S. O., & Arkowitz, H. (2007, December 1). What "psychopath" means. ...
5. Blanche Dubois and a streetcar named delusion
August 02, 2019 05:00 - 41 minutes - 34.8 MBEveryone loves to talk about STELLLAAAAAAA!!! But we’re exploring the life of her more melodramatic older sister Blanche. We peel back the veneer of social snobbery, purity and innocence in this character from A Streetcar Named Desire, to expose the lies, promiscuity, and tragedy beneath the façade of the fading southern belle. References: A Streetcar Named Desire (1951 Film). (n.d.). Retrieved July 30, 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AStreetcarNamedDesire(1951_film) Cliffs...
4. Mini: Rotation Therapy - Effective treatment or nauseating torture?
August 01, 2019 05:00 - 13 minutes - 15.9 MBPsychology and Psychiatry have had a pretty disturbing history when it comes to therapeutic treatments. You’ve probably heard about shock therapy or lobotomies, but you probably haven’t heard of rotation therapy. Calming or alarming? You be the judge of this treatment’s effects. References Dickson, S. (2018). Rotation therapy for maniacs, melancholics and idiots: theory, practice and perception in European medical and literary case histories. History of Psychiatry, 29(1), 22–37. ...
3. Kilgrave: Is he really a psychopath?
July 31, 2019 05:00 - 43 minutes - 36.8 MBWhat if you could make people do whatever you wanted them to by simply giving them a command? We discuss the main villain from the series Jessica Jones and how the development of his abilities impacted his mental state. References: Dargis, M., Newman, J., & Koenigs, M. (2016). Clarifying the link between childhood abuse history and psychopathic traits in adult criminal offenders. Personality disorders, 7(3), 221–228. doi:10.1037/per0000147 Jessica Jone...
2. Mini: Koro - the penis panic that swept the nation (just not ours)
July 30, 2019 05:00 - 17 minutes - 18.4 MBPenis panic has been baffling doctors for centuries. We examine this mass hysteria and the variety of theories behind its emergence. References: Davis, J. (2016, January 29). 6 'Penis panics' around the world. Retrieved July 31, 2019, from http://mentalfloss.com/article/72227/ 6-penis-panics-around-world Koro (medicine). (n.d.). Retrieved July 31, 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Koro_(medicine)
1. Winona Ryder: Is she actually crazy?
July 29, 2019 05:00 - 40 minutes - 34.2 MBYou’ve heard the rumors about her, you’ve seen her Hollywood comeback, but do you know her real story? She’s an academy award nominated actress, yet she’s most often remembered for her petite size and her criminal record. We’ll discuss Winona Ryder and how her history of being a cult member and getting bullied shaped the Stranger Things star’s life and career. References: Goodwin, G. (2012, January 23). Winona Ryder's Battle with Anxiety and Depression. Retrieved July 30, 2019, from ht...