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The Happiest Pod on Earth

The Happiest Pod on Earth

By: Geek Therapy Network
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 Geek Therapy's Disney-Themed Podcast
Episodes
  • All the Feels in Inside Out 2

    All the Feels in Inside Out 2
    Jul 1 2024
    47: Join Ariel, Stef, and special guest Helen Garcia from Yellow Chair Collective for a heartfelt, hilarious, and insightful discussion on Inside Out 2 and the emotional rollercoaster that is adolescence. This episode unpacks how the film portrays anxiety, perfectionism, and identity shifts with surprising nuance, and why so many of us saw our younger (and current) selves in Riley’s journey. Whether you cried, cringed, or left the theater texting your therapist, this episode holds space for it all! Summary 00:00 Hosts and guest intros01:10 Inside Out 2, its massive marketing push, and what got left behind04:00 Spoiler warning and movie synopsis06:00 Anxiety’s debut and the anatomy of a panic attack09:00 When Joy can’t reach Anxiety—symbolism of helplessness11:00 Emotion combos, Internal Family Systems theory, and dynamic identity14:00 The evolving sense of self and grounding techniques17:00 Cultural misattunement during puberty (e.g., immigrant family dynamics)20:00 Why Riley’s experience didn’t feel universal for everyone22:00 Cultural TikToks reimagining emotions: Wu Ting, Honor, Filial Piety24:00 Core belief shifts: “I’m not enough” and perfectionism27:00 Visual art therapy and naming personal narratives30:00 Complexity vs. affirmation-only approaches32:00 Revisiting Joy, Sadness, and emotional integration34:00 Classroom tools for building identity through the school year37:00 Changing education systems and honoring the whole child39:00 Perfectionism as a survival response in racialized and immigrant communities42:00 Reflections on gamification, experiential learning, and emotional literacy47:00 Symbolic meanings in control boards and character design51:00 Are we all driven by one dominant emotion?54:00 The fragility of identity and metaphor of the belief system design56:00 Ice skating, burnout, and overachievement culture58:00 Sports as metaphor for identity, connection, and drive59:00 Where to find Yellow Chair Collective and final thoughts Transcription Speaker 1 0:00Shrink wrap radio, number 300 on the neuroscience of dreaming with Robert Haas. Speaker 2 0:07Shrink wrap radio, all the psychology you need to know, and just enough to make it dangerous. It’s all in your head. And now here’s your host, Dr Dave music. Speaker 1 0:27My return guest today, after a long absence, is Robert J Haas and we’ll be discussing recent developments in the neuroscience of dreaming. Robert Haas MS is author of the book Dream language. He’s also a director and past president of the International Association for the Study of dreams. He’s on the faculty at Hayden Institute for Dream leadership training and a former adjunct faculty for Dream studies at such institutions as Sonoma State University, Richland College and Scottsdale College, a former corporate executive scientist and researcher with training in Gestalt and humanistic psychology, he now devotes his skills to dream studies for which he has been a frequent guest on radio and TV and an internationally acclaimed lecturer and instructor for over 30 years. His unique, simple but powerful dream work approach is based on his training in Gestalt therapy and background in Jungian studies the neurobiology of dreaming, plus his pioneering research on the significance of color in dreams. Now here’s the interview. Bob Haas, welcome back to shrink wrap radio. Well, thank you. It’s great to be back. Yeah, it’s been five years since you were here, back on episode number 90, announcing the 2007 dreams conference and speaking about the language of dreams. Now this is going to be episode number 300 and you can help me celebrate, yeah, you can help me celebrate our 300th shrink wrap radio. And of course, after our interview, I’ll ask you to say a few words about the upcoming 29th annual iasd conference. That’s the International Association for the Study of dreams. But before we get into that, I understand you’ve been doing some work on recent developments in the neuroscience of dreaming. Speaker 3 2:27Yes, there’s a tremendous amount of interesting stuff going on now, particularly since over the last decade, certain researchers have been able to use brain scan equipment, PET scans, MRI, things of that sort, or fMRI, to understand what Saturn’s of the brain are active and inactive during the dreaming. Tremendous amount of research out there, and I basically just been kind of compiling it and reporting on it. Yeah, Speaker 1 2:57yeah. And you’ve done a terrific job. You sent me a couple of articles that that you’ve written, and very impressive. So what are some of the more exciting things that neurological research has discovered about the dreaming brain? Speaker 3 3:10Well, just just kind of going into past history, way back in 1952 the discovery of REM occurred, and at that point in time, we suddenly realized that we dream a great deal of our evening two hours, or roughly for adults, about 24% of our sleep time is spent in in ...
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Magical Ink

    Magical Ink
    Jun 28 2024
    46: Ariel and Stef are joined by Dr. Jinxi Caddel for a heartfelt and art-filled dive into the world of tattoos, identity, and Disney fandom. From full Alice in Wonderland back pieces to tiny churro flash tats, this episode celebrates how ink becomes a personal archive of memory, culture, and connection. Jinxi shares her journey from tattoo publishing to mental health, co-owning a tattoo shop, and running a private practice for those who color outside the lines. Together, they unpack stigma, nostalgia, and the healing power of self-expression—through Disney and beyond. Whether you’re tattooed, tattoo-curious, or just love a good Dole Whip, this one’s for you. Summary 00:00 Hosts and guest introductions02:00 Childhood Disney memories and first tattoos04:00 Jinxi’s journey from tattoo publishing to psychology08:00 Stigma, acceptance, and professional visibility13:00 Tattoos in families and intergenerational storytelling16:00 Favorite Disney tattoos—characters, quotes, and food!20:00 Fandoms in ink: Star Wars, Marvel, and park icons24:00 Flash tattoos and memory markers28:00 Permanent makeup and cultural ties32:00 Tattoos as affirmations and emotional touchstones35:00 Therapeutic meaning behind body art40:00 Building safe, expressive spaces in education and therapy46:00 Final reflections and where to find Jinxi’s work Transcription 00:00:03:20 – 00:00:05:01Hello, everyone. 00:00:05:01 – 00:00:07:01Welcome to the Happiest Pod on Earth. 00:00:07:01 – 00:00:07:18I’m Stef 00:00:07:18 – 00:00:09:12I’m an educator who uses passions 00:00:09:12 – 00:00:10:09and fandoms to help 00:00:10:09 – 00:00:11:15my students grow 00:00:11:15 – 00:00:12:19and learn about themselves 00:00:12:19 – 00:00:14:07and the world around them. 00:00:14:07 – 00:00:16:01And I’m Ariel, a licensed therapist 00:00:16:01 – 00:00:17:20who uses clients passions and fandoms 00:00:17:20 – 00:00:18:15to help them grow 00:00:18:15 – 00:00:19:11and heal from trauma 00:00:19:11 – 00:00:21:19and mental and wellness. 00:00:21:19 – 00:00:23:14And I am Jinxi 00:00:23:14 – 00:00:25:19and I’m a mental health therapist 00:00:25:19 – 00:00:27:12and a book publisher. 00:00:27:12 – 00:00:29:10And the tattoo shop owner, 00:00:29:10 – 00:00:31:11in Eugene, Oregon. 00:00:31:11 – 00:00:33:01I have a practice called Black 00:00:33:01 – 00:00:33:20Sleep Therapy, 00:00:33:20 – 00:00:36:20where, I like to help people who, 00:00:36:22 – 00:00:39:02like to color outside the lines. 00:00:39:02 – 00:00:40:09That might be black sheep 00:00:40:09 – 00:00:43:05or unicorns themselves. 00:00:43:05 – 00:00:45:02So I’m happy to be here. 00:00:45:02 – 00:00:46:04Wonderful. 00:00:46:04 – 00:00:47:11And here at Happiest Pod, 00:00:47:11 – 00:00:48:19we dissect Disney mediums 00:00:48:19 – 00:00:50:05So the critical lens. Why? 00:00:50:05 – 00:00:51:15Because we are more than just fans, 00:00:51:15 – 00:00:53:06and we expect more from the mediums 00:00:53:06 – 00:00:54:07we consume. 00:00:54:07 – 00:00:56:15So, what are we talking about today? 00:00:57:21 – 00:00:59:09Well, we have another very 00:00:59:09 – 00:01:01:04special guest on our podcast. 00:01:01:04 – 00:01:03:04Welcome, Dr. Jinxi Right? 00:01:03:04 – 00:01:04:05It is. 00:01:04:05 – 00:01:05:17Thank you so much. 00:01:05:17 – 00:01:06:11I appreciate it, 00:01:06:11 – 00:01:08:09but I’m so happy to be here. 00:01:08:09 – 00:01:09:15Yeah, absolutely. 00:01:09:15 – 00:01:11:22And we’re we have a really fun topic 00:01:11:22 – 00:01:12:15to talk about. 00:01:12:15 – 00:01:13:18And, 00:01:13:18 – 00:01:16:11we talk about Disney art on many levels, 00:01:16:11 – 00:01:18:09but I think this is a level of Disney 00:01:18:09 – 00:01:20:21art that we haven’t quite talked about, 00:01:20:21 – 00:01:23:14which is body art and tattoos. 00:01:23:14 – 00:01:24:13And, 00:01:24:13 – 00:01:26:11I think with the recent, 00:01:26:11 – 00:01:28:14I think resurgence of tattoos 00:01:28:14 – 00:01:29:17and the accessibility 00:01:29:17 – 00:01:30:19to getting tattoos 00:01:30:19 – 00:01:33:15has been widely seen and respected. 00:01:33:15 – 00:01:35:17And, we just love 00:01:35:17 – 00:01:36:19especially going to the parks 00:01:36:19 – 00:01:37:15and seeing different 00:01:37:15 – 00:01:40:00interpretations of Disney art. 00:01:40:00 – 00:01:40:16And also, 00:01:40:16 – 00:01:40:21you know, 00:01:40:21 – 00:01:42:17we were really curious for you, 00:01:42:17 – 00:01:44:02Dr. Jinxi 00:01:44:02 – 00:01:47:02you’re kind of journey into your 00:01:47:02 – 00:01:49:17amazing life, I think, as a therapist 00:01:49:17 – 00:01:51:02and as an artist. 00:01:51:02 – 00:01:52:18I think it’s a very unique, 00:01:52:18 – 00:01:54:01perspective 00:01:54:01 – 00:01:55:10that not many people know about. 00:01:55:10 – 00:01:57:11Yeah. Well, thank you so much. 00:01:57:11 – 00:02:00:11I, you...
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Queer Cheer: Disney Dreams & Rainbow Realness

    Queer Cheer: Disney Dreams & Rainbow Realness
    Jun 19 2024
    Join Ariel, Stef, and their guests Jodie Anders and Shalom (aka Boy Venus) for an honest, colorful, and insightful episode that celebrates queer identity through the magic (and mess) of Disney. The conversation spans nostalgic awakenings, media analysis, cultural critique, and the affirming power of telling your story—your way. Jodie, author of Queer Cheer, shares how travel and diverse narratives helped her discover her own queerness. Shalom, a young activist and indie musician, reflects on the power of subtext in media like Luca and Frozen, and how art has been central to their self-exploration. Together, this group celebrates Pride, critiques tokenism, and envisions a future where queer stories aren’t subplots—they’re the main event. Summary Summary of HPOE 45: 00:00 Hosts and Guests Introduction00:50 Pride Month focus and framing queer media through Disney02:00 Progress or performative? Disney’s track record on LGBTQ+ representation06:00 Nostalgic queer awakenings: crushes, princesses, and games10:00 Queer coding in villains: Ursula, Jafar, and beyond13:30 Explaining the Hays Code and its legacy in queer subtext15:00 Highlights from Disney’s official Pride Night18:00 Emotional weight of safe spaces at theme parks20:00 Critiques of Disney’s capitalist allyship22:00 Centering joy: queer characters beyond coming-out stories24:30 Luca and fan interpretations as liberation28:30 Elsa, headcanons, and intersectional readings31:00 The power of dynamic identities in evolving characters33:00 Queering Spider-Man and self-discovery through metaphor36:00 Labels, fluidity, and growing into new identities38:00 Demisexuality and the importance of representation40:00 Jodie on travel, storytelling, and affirming queer youth43:00 Affirmations that actually work46:00 Shalom on community building and queer history50:00 Spotlighting queer media: Punks, Watermelon Woman, indie music54:00 Real allyship: more than rainbows—listen, uplift, include59:00 Final thoughts and where to find Queer Cheer and Boy Venus’s music Transcription 00:00:00:00 – 00:00:08:18 00:00:08:18 – 00:00:35:00 Unknown Hello, everyone. Welcome to the happiest pot on Earth. I’m Steph. I’m an educator who uses passions and fandoms to help my students grow and learn about themselves and the world around them. And I’m Ariel, a licensed therapist who uses clients passions and fandom to help them grow and heal from trauma and mental and wellness. Hey everyone, I’m Jodi Anders, I am a Jewish bisexual creator and I focus on creating diversity and promoting youth empowerment. 00:00:35:02 – 00:01:01:01 Unknown I currently serve as the publicity and communications director for a youth nonprofit in California, and I’ve spent over two decades mentoring teens in confidence and leadership skills. I’m the coauthor author of Queer Cheer Activities Advice and Affirmations for LGBTQ Plus Teens, and I also produce a podcast. Let’s talk about leadership, service, and Sisterhood, which is a podcast for teens by teens. 00:01:01:01 – 00:01:25:12 Unknown Hi. My name is Shalom. As a student, I’ve been involved in many campaigns and community organizing organizations, working with youth organizers in the San Fernando Valley to fight for the rights of Filipino migrant workers, justice and visibility for displaced ethnic communities abroad, and have worked to create, support and educate members of the Residents of Color community through the creation of my ever growing coalition. 00:01:25:14 – 00:01:51:16 Unknown California State University, Northridge is Queer Students of Color Club. I’m also a queer indie musician, producing music under the name Boy Venus. Check me out on SoundCloud if you’re interested. Specifically working within the electronic genre to make music reminiscent of games like Pokemon Legends of Zelda, Undertale, while also using techniques from artists like Rebecca Sugar, Ivy Tran and Stephen Filemon. 00:01:52:00 – 00:02:08:14 Unknown beautiful. And here at Happiest Pod, we dissect Disney Medium. So the critical lens. Why? Because we are more than just fans and we expect more from the mediums we consume. So, what are we talking about today? As you both heard these wonderful introductions from our exceptional guests today we have Jodi and Shalom. 00:02:08:15 – 00:02:38:08 Unknown Welcome to the happiest Pod on Earth. We are so thrilled that you are here to talk about all things LGBTQ representation. In honor of Pride Month and we’re really excited to really dive in, and, see the world and see the Disney World from Euro Isles lens. So yeah, welcome to the podcast. So to be here, I’m curious, you know, we have heard about representation in general in the media. 00:02:38:08 – 00:02:59:20 Unknown And when it comes to Disney, do you feel or believe that they’re increasing LGBTQ plus representation, and if so, when do you think they’ve done it? And are there opportunities they missed or were they just like ...
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    1 hr and 3 mins
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