Xanyland: Comedians on the Couch

Alicia Racine Fink
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Xanyland is a deconstruction of the mental health world, hosted by Alicia Racine Fink, a redhead therapist with a flair for irreverence. This isn’t your typical therapy session—it’s a shrink rap experience where comedians unwind on the couch, dishing the T about their personal mental health journeys. Xanyland pulls back the curtain on the chaos and absurdity of mental health today, offering listeners a fresh perspective on the struggles we all face. Each episode is a mix of hilarious anecdotes and psychoeducation that demystifies therapy and breaks down the stigma around mental health. It’s a space where healing meets humor. Xanyland is about laughing at the mess, all while guiding people toward the resources they need. Oh, and the T? It means a lot of things. Big T and small t trauma for one. It’s the stuff you spill with your therapist. And obviously, it’s the Seinfeldian kind of T too—where the mundane meets the absurd.

  1. 012 Katherine Blanford and the Chaos That Made US

    08/12/2025

    012 Katherine Blanford and the Chaos That Made US

    Quite possibly our funniest—and sharpest—episode yet. Comedian Katherine Blanford joins Alicia for a wild ride that starts with a sidestepped Dune II review and spirals into an unfiltered deep dive on boomer culture, Southern family dynamics, and the generational silence around mental health. Katherine’s stories—like her mom “napping” in the woods (spoiler: she wasn’t napping) and the unspoken rules of her father’s house—are laugh-out-loud funny, but also crack open conversations about toxic positivity, generational trauma, and why some careers are really just reactions to childhood chaos. They cover everything from the “grieving dopamine hit” of posting loss online, to comedy’s shift from diced-ham observational bits to raw memoir-style storytelling. Expect riffs on stepmothers, the wish for a gay dad, reincarnation, and why no amount of podcasts or cold plunges can manufacture the drive born in childhood. By the end, it’s clear Katherine carries her late mother’s bold, magnetic energy—and she’s using it to turn family history into fearless comedy. katherine blanford, stand up comedy, southern family dynamics, boomer culture, mental health stigma, toxic positivity, generational trauma, comedy podcast, memoir comedy, reincarnation, childhood chaos, grief humor, dopamine hit, gay dad joke, raw storytelling, fearless comedy, southern humor, comedian interview, dune 2 review

    47 min
  2. 011 Leslie Liao wants your friendships to be less crusty

    07/22/2025

    011 Leslie Liao wants your friendships to be less crusty

    You’re Doing Adult Friendships Wrong (and It’s Hurting Your Mental Health) How to keep your friendships alive because your mental health depends on it. Quality time with friends works like Prozac, but your friendships might have gone crusty. In this episode of xanyland, I, Alicia Racine Fink, sit down with comedian Leslie Liao, whose hypnotic voice lulls you in—until her wit snaps you out of it. She gets honest about being crusty, as we all are sometimes, and we talk about what makes adult friendships quietly dry up and what it actually takes to bring them back to life. We talk about why she hates the “catch-up,” how voice memos feel so much more real than texts, and why I’m seriously tempted to get a rotary phone just to bring back the mystery and surprise of picking up a call you actually want to take. I get to play her therapist for a bit as we talk about keeping friendships young and holding onto the same play and depth they had when we were kids. We normalize boring hangs, couch days, and parallel play. We talk about why you need different friends for different parts of yourself, and how diversifying your intimacy can even protect your romantic relationships. We even referenced some of the best books on friendship as we went through real strategies to make your friendships feel as good as Prozac… and summertime. Summertime Prozac. Mmmm. Keywords: adult friendships, friendship advice, mental health, Leslie Lau comedian, Alicia Racine Fink, Xanyland podcast, parallel play, friendship strategies, diversifying intimacy, voice memos, rotary phone, nostalgia, summertime, Prozac

    1 hr
  3. 010 This Is Not a Love Story: Julia and Her Narcissists

    07/01/2025

    010 This Is Not a Love Story: Julia and Her Narcissists

    In this revealing episode of Xanyland, Alicia Racine Fink sits down with comedian Julia Jasunas to unravel the complexities of narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). They explore the crucial distinctions between narcissistic traits and NPD, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the severity of true clinical diagnoses. Alicia introduces the concept of the echoist, the empathic counterpart to the narcissist, and Julia shares personal anecdotes about navigating relationships with narcissists. She offers practical red flags to watch for and tips on how to break free from these dynamics, while also reflecting on her own role as an echoist. Julia cathartically weaves these experiences into her comedy, bringing humor and insight to her healing journey. Alicia makes a powerful assertion that even those with personality disorders, like NPD, have the potential to heal with the right support and willingness. Together, they delve into the roots of narcissism, the interplay between narcissists and echoists, and the journey toward greater self-awareness and healing. Topics: narcissistic abuse · attachment wounds · long-term therapy · emotional manipulation · identity loss and repair · comedy and trauma · trusting your instincts · relational patterns · gaslighting and control · healing through self-awareness

    57 min
  4. 009 Laughter and Life Lessons with Drew Dunn

    06/17/2025

    009 Laughter and Life Lessons with Drew Dunn

    Find out why Alicia doesn't think Drew needs therapy! In this heartwarming episode of Xanyland, Alicia Racine Fink sits down with the incredibly relatable comedian Drew Dunn, and talks about mental health, comedy, trauma, and holding joy and grief at the same time. From winning local comedy competitions to opening for big names like Dane Cook, Drew shares his journey into comedy and the importance of staying true to the craft of making people laugh. They dive into how Drew's comedy is shaped by his belief in nuance and seeing the world in shades of gray, a perspective enriched by his experiences and interactions with everyday people. The conversation also touches on the power of a solid support system, as Drew reflects on the role his family and his wife’s family have played in his journey, and how the loss of his mother-in-law deeply impacted them all. As new parents, Drew and Alicia explore how having a baby changes everything, from the way you approach life to how you manage a career in comedy. The episode is a beautiful blend of humor and vulnerability, offering insights into the balancing act of pursuing your passion while navigating life’s complexities. Drew’s everyman charm and down-to-earth wisdom make this episode a must-listen! Topics: grief, parenting, comedy and mental health, fatherhood and loss, stand-up, coping through comedy and trauma.

    1h 2m
  5. 008 Couples Therapy: Courtney Maginnis and Casey Salengo Show Up for the Work

    05/27/2025

    008 Couples Therapy: Courtney Maginnis and Casey Salengo Show Up for the Work

    If you’re struggling with your partner, come normalize the ride with comedian couple Courtney Maginnis and Casey Salengo. In this episode of Xanyland, I (Alicia Racine Fink—therapist, host and proud wearer of the Beyoncé concert tee Courtney immediately clocked) sit down with two of the funniest, most lovable comedians you’ll ever hear process their relationship on mic. They’re in couples therapy again—but this time it’s just a tune-up. Courtney and Casey talk about active listening, ADHD, communication breakdowns, and their mysterious new couples therapist “Ron,” whose real name remains unclear. From the start, it’s chaos in the best way. Courtney and Casey kick things off with a story about the taxidermied fox Courtney brought to decorate the set of Casey’s Comedy Central special, Welcome to the Jungle, which he thought would feature a majestic wall of dead animals. Turns out, it was just the one fox—and also a perfect metaphor for how communication works (or doesn’t) in relationships. Casey, who shifts accents and characters faster than you can say “attachment style,” rebrands every therapy modality into Disney villain lore. When we mention Imago therapy? “Is that the bird from Aladdin?” (It’s Iago, Casey.) When Gestalt therapy comes up? “Isn’t that the guy from Beauty and the Beast?” (Gaston. But close.) Courtney just stole our hearts and my husband can’t stop quoting her… “booked and busy!” We also veer gloriously off-topic toward the end—into ageism, where it’s noted the double standard has flipped and men now “look like old socks pulled from a lake,” and gender gaps. Courtney and Casey remind us that love is maintenance, and that just showing up—with intention and humor—is the work. 🎧 New episodes of Xanyland drop Tuesdays on all platforms—but we’re taking a baby vacation break. Catch us back here Tuesday June 17 with our next guest. In the meantime, follow, rate, and share the show.

    49 min
  6. 007 Feeding the Beast, Saving your Sanity with Andrew Orolfo

    05/13/2025

    007 Feeding the Beast, Saving your Sanity with Andrew Orolfo

    This episode delves into the intersection of mental health and social media. Cool guy comedian Andrew Orolfo shares his personal experiences with the pressures of maintaining an online presence, especially as someone who pursued comedy for the love of it. He came into this work to write jokes and perform them, not to edit reels and monitor engagement. Hosted by therapist Alicia Racine Fink, the conversation gets into how overwhelming it can feel to keep up with the algorithm, the toll it can take on mental well-being, and how Andrew’s learned to handle online feedback with humor and resilience. The episode also touches on therapy, emotional growth, and how parents can help protect kids from the chaos of the internet. It’s a laid-back conversation with signature chill vibes—just like Andrew. We cover how social media messes with your brain, what it means to clap back without losing yourself, and we end again with why therapy is the biggest take-home point.

    42 min
  7. 006 Inviting Mania to Tea with Gracie Canaan

    04/29/2025

    006 Inviting Mania to Tea with Gracie Canaan

    This episode is about bipolar disorder, identity, and building a life that works on your terms. Comedian, boxer, writer, dancer, and illustrator Gracie Canaan doesn’t just live with bipolar disorder—she has turned it into an art form. In this raw and uplifting episode, Gracie shares her decade-long mental health quest (not to be confused with journey), from hospitalization to healing, and how she learned to invite all her parts—manic Gracie, depressed Gracie, every messy, brilliant version of herself—in for tea. Hosted by therapist Alicia Racine Fink, the conversation gets real about what Gracie’s learned along the way—from actionable tools like phone lockboxes and high-yield savings accounts to navigating an alternative lifestyle that includes living with her ex (one of her best friends), whose new girlfriend—fatefully—is also named Grace. She talks about building a life that works for her, on her terms, with humor, ferocity, and a whole lot of heart. As Gracie says, “The truth is more interesting, but nobody wants to hear it.” In this episode, we do.

    52 min
  8. 005 Tommy Brennan: Say Her Name (It’s Cheryl)

    04/08/2025

    005 Tommy Brennan: Say Her Name (It’s Cheryl)

    In this episode of Xanyland, comic Tommy Brennan brings the laughs and the feels as he opens up about therapy, bombing, and building a name in comedy without losing his mind—or his stylistic integrity. Hosted by therapist Alicia Racine Fink, this episode explores everything from the raw chaos of bombing a set to the existential dread of “How do I look on stage?” Tommy and Alicia go deep on what it means to find your voice when you're one of eight siblings and the only one doing stand-up. They unpack why choir is basically crack for young boys, why a “dream job” at LinkedIn can be a creative death sentence, and why therapy only works if you actually do it right. Alicia confesses to falling in love with her therapist’s husband (without knowing it), and Tommy gives a loud and proud thank-you to his therapist, Cheryl—who maybe shouldn’t come to his shows. Whether you’re a comic, a creative, or just curious about how therapy and self-presentation collide, this episode is for you. Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your T.

    55 min
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About

Xanyland is a deconstruction of the mental health world, hosted by Alicia Racine Fink, a redhead therapist with a flair for irreverence. This isn’t your typical therapy session—it’s a shrink rap experience where comedians unwind on the couch, dishing the T about their personal mental health journeys. Xanyland pulls back the curtain on the chaos and absurdity of mental health today, offering listeners a fresh perspective on the struggles we all face. Each episode is a mix of hilarious anecdotes and psychoeducation that demystifies therapy and breaks down the stigma around mental health. It’s a space where healing meets humor. Xanyland is about laughing at the mess, all while guiding people toward the resources they need. Oh, and the T? It means a lot of things. Big T and small t trauma for one. It’s the stuff you spill with your therapist. And obviously, it’s the Seinfeldian kind of T too—where the mundane meets the absurd.

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