75 episodes

A podcast analysing depictions of mental illness and disabilities in film and TV. Hosted by a psychologist, Stephanie, with a little help from guest hosts with lived experience. We may ruin your favourite movie, but we promise to do it with fun, humour, and perhaps an important lesson or two.

PSYCHOCINEMATIC Stephanie Fornasier

    • TV & Film
    • 5.0 • 16 Ratings

A podcast analysing depictions of mental illness and disabilities in film and TV. Hosted by a psychologist, Stephanie, with a little help from guest hosts with lived experience. We may ruin your favourite movie, but we promise to do it with fun, humour, and perhaps an important lesson or two.

    The Future of Psychocinematic Podcast

    The Future of Psychocinematic Podcast

    TRANSCRIPT HERE
    Just a little update on the future of Psychocinematic Podcast... 
    Don't worry, it's not all bad news!
    Follow Asiatu on insta and connect with them here
     
    Follow Psychocinematic on insta here. 
    SUPPORT INDIE PODCASTS!

    • 12 min
    Episode 68: Two Backbrace Girls, and Romy & Michele’s Highschool Reunion (with Lauren Edwards)

    Episode 68: Two Backbrace Girls, and Romy & Michele’s Highschool Reunion (with Lauren Edwards)

    TRANSCRIPT HERE 
    Join us for the last episode of the year with the vivacious comedian and musical theatre actor Lauren Edwards. Lauren and Steph bond over their shared experience with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and being backbrace girls in highschool. We go through the limited selection of scoliosis-based media until we get to the beloved comedy film Romy and Michele's Highschool Reunion (1997). Find out what makes the film so iconic and whether its brief but infamous depiction of scoliosis was helpful or harmful!
    Also if anyone needs to make a call, I've got a phone. 
    CONTENT DISCUSSED:
    Deenie by Judie Blume (1973), Looking for Mr Goodbar (1977), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), The House Bunny (2008), Kiss Me (2014).
    CONTENT WARNING: some discussion of ableism and bullying, discussion of Looking for Mr Goodbar which is full of sexual assault, homophobia and sex shaming, sorry!
    FOLLOW LAUREN ON ALL THE THINGS:
    Follow Lauren on Instagram @livelaughlauren__ 
    On TikTok: @livelaughlauren__ 
    And on Twitter @laurenvedwards
    FOLLOW US:
    Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram,  Twitter and Tiktok! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com. Join our PATREON to support us and get cute benefits and bonus content! And check out our WEBSITE! 
    ALL PATREON FEES will be matched and sent to AUSRELIEF for their humanitarian relief in Gaza, until the end of the year. Sign up NOW or Donate Directly at our fundraiser link.
     
    REFERENCES: 
    Curvy Girls Scoliosis
    Scoliosis Australia
    Setting Scoliosis Straight
    Cobb angle | Radiology Reference Article | Radiopaedia.org
    The Blonde Leading the Blonde: An Oral History of ‘Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion’ | Vogue
    Caught Through the Looking Glass: Sarah Polley on Grief, Girlhood, and Scoliosis ‹ Literary Hub
    Looking for Mr. Goodbar (film) - Wikipedia
    Deenie - Wikipedia
    https://www.gawker.com/culture/the-nerdy-curve
    NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!

    • 1 hr 28 min
    Episode 67: Why Santa Claus IS Autistic, and making theatre more inclusive (With Oliver Hetherington-Page)

    Episode 67: Why Santa Claus IS Autistic, and making theatre more inclusive (With Oliver Hetherington-Page)

    TRANSCRIPT HERE
    Happy early Christmas Psychocinemaniacs! It's been a hell of a year, but one thing that brings us joy is the work of disabled creators blazing the trail in inclusivity, such as our guest Oliver Hetherington-Page. Oliver joins us to talk about how he's working to make theatre more inclusive and what that looks like, what he wants to see in autistic depictions on screen & stage, and why musicals are inherently autistic. He tells us all about his show the No Bang Theory and his upcoming show Santa Claus is Autistic, which is Christmas themed but also relevant all year round. 
    To purchase tickets to Santa Claus is Autistic at the PiP theatre, in Milton, QLD (Meanjin) on the 7th, 15th and 23rd of December, click here! 
     
    CONTENT WARNING: some discussion of ableism
     
    FOLLOW OLIVER ON ALL THE THINGS:
     
    Follow Oliver on Instagram @atwistofoliverhp 
    And his show The No Bang Theory @thenobangtheory 
    Follow Oliver on Twitter @atwistofoliver 
     
    FOLLOW US:
    Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram,  Twitter and Tiktok! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com. Join our PATREON to support us and get cute benefits and bonus content! And check out our WEBSITE!
    ALL PATREON FEES will be matched and sent to AUSRELIEF for their humanitarian relief in Gaza, until the end of the year. Sign up NOW or Donate Directly at our fundraiser link.
     
    NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!

    • 1 hr 27 min
    Episode 65: HALLOWEEN SPECIAL: The Haunting of Hill House, or, problems that could be solved by simply talking? (with Braaains Podcast)

    Episode 65: HALLOWEEN SPECIAL: The Haunting of Hill House, or, problems that could be solved by simply talking? (with Braaains Podcast)

    TRANSCRIPT HERE
     
    In a perfect meeting of minds, Steph is joined by Braaains podcast hosts Heather and Sarah Taylor, sisters of podcasting, filmmaking and mental health & disability awareness. Which means of course it’s just a light casual chat about the devastatingly terrifying Mike Flanagan series The Haunting of Hill House. We get deep into what makes this show so affecting, what it says about trauma and family’s tendencies to deal with it in all the wrong ways, and how we see our own family in the triumphantly dysfunctional Crains.
    Happy Halloween Psychocinemaniacs!!!
     
    CONTENT WARNING: suicide, suicidal behaviour and self harm, child abuse (including sexual abuse), death, grief, child death, substance use & addiction, paranormal activity.
     
    FOLLOW SARAH, HEATHER & BRAAAAINS ON ALL THE THINGS:
     
    Check out the Braaains podcast on all good pod apps and at their website
    Braaains socials: Insta @Braaainspodcast Twitter @BraaainsPodcast and TikTok @Braaainspodcast
    Sarah’s socials: Insta @SarahTaylorEditor Twitter @ShiningHappy and Website (including podcast The Editor’s Cut)
    Heather’s socials: Insta @HeatherATaylor Twitter @HeatherATaylor and Website
     
    FOLLOW US:
    Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram,  Twitter and Tiktok! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com. Join our PATREON to support us and get cute benefits and bonus content! And check out our WEBSITE!
     
    REFERENCES
    Netflix Behind the Scenes Featurette 
    Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House is a slow-burn family nightmare - Vox
    Who Are All the Ghosts in 'the Haunting of Hill House'? (insider.com)
    How The Haunting of Hill House conveys the horror of family | Horror (TV) | The Guardian
    Timothy Hutton Will Face “No Charge” From 1983 Sexual Assault Claim – Deadline
    E.T.'s Henry Thomas tells how he had to get past his parents suspicions of Hollywood | Daily Mail Online
    'You' Star Victoria Pedretti on Growing Up in an Abusive Household — Femestella
    The Haunting of Hill House Talks A Lot About Mental Illness, But Says Very Little | by Diana | Medium
    How 'The Haunting of Hill House' Uses Horror As A Metaphor For Mental Health, According To The Show's Cast (bustle.com)
    What The Haunting of Hill House Gets Right About Mental Illness - Meesh Says Things
    Why ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ Is a Perfect Portrayal of Mental Illness (themighty.com)
    Haunting of Bly Manor's Victoria Pedretti On Having ADD | Glamour UK (glamourmagazine.co.uk)
    Bly Manor's Kate Siegel on Why Love—Not Rage—Drives the Lady in the Lake (elle.com)
    Oliver Jackson-Cohen’s Year of Love and Obsession - Film Cred (film-cred.com)
    Actor Gugino feathering her empty nest with roles | Features | postandcourier.com
    The Haunted Mind of Shirley Jackson | The New Yorker
    The Haunting of Hill House Ending’s Message, Explained (vulture.com)
    NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!

    • 1 hr 36 min
    Episode 64: Crohn’s Disease representation in Boldly Go, and Pete Davidson just trying to spread awareness (with Chris Cosgrove)

    Episode 64: Crohn’s Disease representation in Boldly Go, and Pete Davidson just trying to spread awareness (with Chris Cosgrove)

    TRANSCRIPT HERE
     
    Just in time for Invisible Disabilities Week; Steph is blessed to have the talented filmmaker Chris Cosgrove today to discuss all things Inflammatory Bowel Disease and his personal experience with Crohn's disease. Chris takes us through the process of his acclaimed film Boldly Go (watch on ABC Iview here), what IBD and ostomy representation we've seen in the media, and finally how Pete Davidson has become a likely ambassador for Crohns representation, particularly seen in the film King of Staten Island. 
    For support and resources for those experiencing IBD, Chris recommends Crohns and Colitis Australia !
     
    CONTENT WARNING:  medical discussion (including blood, surgery and poo!) - if you're a tad squeamish this may not be your episode, however we do provide a couple of warnings before we go into details.
     
    FOLLOW CHRIS ON ALL THE THINGS:
    Check out Chris' website with his past and upcoming work here 
    Insta:  @cjc_films 
    And don't forget to watch and share Boldy Go on ABC Iview 
     
    FOLLOW US:
    Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram,  Twitter and Tiktok! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com. Join our PATREON to support us and get cute benefits and bonus content! And check out our WEBSITE!
    REFERENCES
    Christopher Cosgrove - Director & Screenwriter
    Boldly Go : ABC iview
    About Crohn’s and colitis – Crohn’s & Colitis Australia (CCA) (crohnsandcolitis.org.au)
    IBD Support Home - IBD Support Australia
    The King of Staten Island (2020) - IMDb
    ibdassist.com/blogs/news/inside-pete-davidsons-life-with-crohns
    What happened to Pete Davidson? Comedian reportedly enters rehab amid mental health struggles | The Independent
    ostomy in movie Archives
    “White Boy Rick”
    Sort by Popularity - Most Popular Movies and TV Shows tagged with keyword "colostomy-bag" - IMDb
    After Harrowing Year, Perfume Genius is Back | Music | sfweekly.com
    NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!

    • 1 hr 28 min
    Episode 63: A Star is Born - love, trauma and addiction in the journey of fame (with Alex Steed)

    Episode 63: A Star is Born - love, trauma and addiction in the journey of fame (with Alex Steed)

    TRANSCRIPT HERE
    Steph is thrilled to be joined by one of her favourite podcasters from one of her favourite podcasts, Alex Steed from You Are Good. He is good! You are Good is good. All goodness all the time.Steph and Alex discuss the 2018 version of an oft told tale, A Star Is Born, where Bradley Coopers fame story is winding down as Lady Gaga’s is just beginning. We discuss the depictions of addiction and treatment; asking the question- should a therapist laugh at a patient’s botched suicide attempt story? Join us as we dissect the supposedly great love story behind the film, the toxicity of the entertainment industry, and whether we can truly separate mental illness from s****y relationship behaviour.
     
    CONTENT WARNING:  suicide and suicidal behaviour, substance abuse and addiction, coercive control, death (parent and partner)
     
    FOLLOW ALEX ON ALL THE THINGS:
    Listen to You are Good with Alex Steed and Sarah Marshall here! And follow You Are Good on insta @YouAreGoodPod
    Insta: @AlexSteed
    Twitter: @AlexSteed
     
    ENTER INTO OUR WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY FUNDRAISER for YELLOW LADYBUGS HERE and WIN GREAT PRIZES!
     
    DON'T FORGET to vote for Psychocinematic in the Listener's Choice category of the Australian Podcast Awards! (If you've already done so, I'm sorry for the spam, and I'm sorry it will continue. Also THANK YOU SO MUCH!)
    Click here: https://voting.australianpodcastawards.com/, search for our name, and check your email to confirm your vote!
    ----more----
    FOLLOW US:
    Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram,  Twitter and Tiktok! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com. Join our PATREON to support us and get cute benefits and bonus content! And check out our WEBSITE!
     
    REFERENCES
    A Star Is Born has a problem with consent - Vox
    A Star Is Born Addiction-Relationship Plot Is Realistic
    A Star Is Born (1937 film) - Wikipedia
    A Star Is Born Seen Through the Eyes of Addiction - VitalThrills.com
    A Star Is Born Shows How Dangerous Tinnitus Really Is
    Lady Gaga emotionally discusses her mental health and the power of kindness
    Lady Gaga emotionally discusses her mental health and the power of kindness
    Bradley Cooper on the difficult journey behind 'A Star Is Born' | Features | Screen
    Bradley Cooper battled cocaine and alcohol addiction before Hangover fame: 'I was so lost' | EW.com
    Bradley Cooper's Battle with Addiction | Ventura Recovery Center
     
    NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!

    • 1 hr 33 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
16 Ratings

16 Ratings

Sashafiercem&m ,

Excellent podcast

Definitely give it a listen if you love film and like to analyse what it means

ZoeLizzo ,

Great Podcast

Intelligent and humorous! Great podcast with great insight.

daz.55 ,

Ep 39: Looking For Alibrandi and Franco Fornasier’s Life in Brisbane - 1956 - 1977

Lived and loved this episode. First met Frank in 1970 and knew Noni very well. Even though she didn’t speak a lot of English we were always able to communicate. She always had a wonderful smile and she loved her Franco. And she loved to cook and worry. In reality there wasn’t much to worry about as we weren’t that wild. Lots of memories came with this episode. Phoebus Street, Upper Mt Gravatt, Church, School, Parties (drinking), Friendships and lots of laughter! We were young and had no idea. We didn’t think about racism, but looking back it was definitely there. We naively believed in the lyrics of Blue Mink’s ‘Melting Pot’ and that racism would one day be a thing of the past. Great work and thanks for the episode. Daz

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