It’s about time our dynamic duo crossed over into one of our favorite shows, Supernatural. What better excuse than Halloween? Emilia shares a clinical psychologist’s perspective on Dean’s return to ‘normal’ life after literally going through hell, discussing the difference between acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as relating Dean’s experiences to military life and the struggle to cope with moral injury. Meanwhile, Keeden relates to Sam’s religious struggle when Sam meets real-life angels and discovers that they aren’t as angelic as he had believed.

Is there anything more intimidating than being a superhero without superpowers? Oh, that’s right, you could ALSO be Batman’s sidekick, constantly comparing yourself to the very best and getting a lot of… “constructive” criticism. Talk about a situation that would leave most anybody feeling like a fraud. We delve into Dick Grayson’s experience as the first Robin and how he overcomes the inevitable imposter syndrome to become a capable superhero in his own right.

To learn more: Imposter Phenomenon & Environmental Effects Affecting Imposter Syndrome

Remember when we talked about Batgirl: Year One? One of the authors listened and loved it! We talked with Scott Beatty about another comic he co-authored, Nightwing: Year One. Scott Beatty has written several hundred comic book stories for DC Comics and other publishers including CrossGen Entertainment, Dark Horse Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, and IDW Publishing. His most notable releases include Robin: Year One, Batgirl: Year One, Nightwing: Year One, Batman: Gotham Knights, Joker: Last Laugh, Gen13, Number of The Beast, Ruse, Buck Rogers, The Last Phantom, and many others.

Get to know more about Scott here:

• X: @Scott_M_Beatty
• Threads: scottmbeatty
• Instagram: scottmbeatty
• Websites:
  • https://scottbeatty.blogspot.com/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Beatty
  • https://www.amazon.com/stores/Scott-Beatty/author/B00JJDIS3K?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1727738848&sr=1-2&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

We delve into the research on how much a person’s income affects their happiness. Hear why our friendly neighborhood clinical psychologist believes that Tobey Maguire’s version of Peter Parker wouldn’t be a happy billionaire. And why she thinks Bruce Wayne would be just as happy if he earned $100,000 a year.

To learn more: Money & Happiness Studies

What’s it like to be a superhero…and be poor? How similar are the effects of Venom to a manic episode (bipolar disorder)? Is it really possible that a superhero could lose their powers because of a psychological struggle? Who is worse / more annoying, Mary Jane or Peter Parker? Listen to find out!

As a clinical psychologist specializing in severe and persistent mental illness, Emilia has a lot to say about what Arkham Asylum should be. We explore the complicated history of United States psychiatric hospitals and deinstitutionalization through the fictional representation of Gotham and its superpowered criminals.

Want to learn more? https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510377/lost-patients

We nerd out with Dr. Schirripa about Bruce Wayne’s path to Batman and answer questions like… Do certain Gotham criminals really belong in Arkham Asylum? How can someone do treatment with the Joker and avoid falling for him like Dr. Harleen Quinzel? Dr. Michael Schirripa is a distinguished Adelaide-based psychiatrist with over two decades of experience, in both forensic and private practice settings. His debut novel, MINDHUNT, is the only psychological thriller to be written by an actual forensic psychiatrist!

Check him out at https://michaelschirripa.com/ or buy his book, Mindhunt, here: https://a.co/d/i5q9TDl

Tom King’s Batman #12 explores a whole new perspective on Bruce Wayne, age 10 and struggling with the pain of seeing his parents’ deaths. We explore this version of Bruce Wayne as a way to talk about Suicide Prevention Month.