Psychology By Bravo

Maddy Arch

We won't just mention it all—we psychoanalyze it all. I'm your host, Maddy, a licensed therapist & Bravo maven. Each episode, I'll use my clinical lens to unpack the psychology behind our favorite Bravo moments. We'll explore concepts like attachment styles, defense mechanisms, trauma responses, protective parts (IFS) and more—all through the lens of the Bravo universe. Whether you're a Bravo superfan, a fellow therapist, or simply fascinated by human behavior, this podcast will emotionally fulfill you... know that. Disclaimer: PBB is for entertainment & educational purposes only.

Episodes

  1. Aug 17

    Ep 4, Dysfunctional Family Roles: The Mcbees & Stassi Schroeder's Family of Origin

    Every dysfunctional family has a cast—and everyone has a role. 👀 We’re using The McBee Family and Stassi Schroeder’s family of origin to unpack the psychology of dysfunctional family systems. We’re getting into: The Roles: Golden children, scapegoats, lost children, clowns & caretakers Why kids develop these roles to maintain connection and survive their family system How emotionally immature parents can fuel sibling competition & triangulation How the traits that protected us as kids—perfectionism, humor, hyper-independence, people-pleasing—can become painful in adulthood How EMDR, psychodynamic, relational & somatic therapy can help us finally step outside the roles we were assigned Because maybe you really are ambitious, funny, independent or nurturing. The question is: how much of it is who you are—and how much is who you learned you had to be? 🎙️ Psychology by Bravo is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health treatment. The psychological concepts discussed are applied to publicly available information, statements, and behavior shown on television/media. They reflect my opinions and interpretations as a therapist and viewer and are not diagnoses of any individual discussed. I do not have a therapeutic relationship with any cast member mentioned TIMESTAMPS: 0:00-1:30s: Intro & Disclaimer 1:31s-4:00s: Intro to dysfunctional family systems 4:01s-8:00s: The Roles 8:01s-18:00s: The Mcbees 18:01s-25:00s: Stassi's Family 25:01s-34:46: Therapeutic Approach

  2. Aug 10

    Ep 3, The Psychology of Lying: Jax Taylor, Tom Sandoval, Kyle Richards & More

    Why do some people lie to manipulate… while others lie because they're terrified of being rejected? In this episode, we unpack the psychology behind deception and explore why not all lies come from the same place. Using examples from across the Bravo universe, we'll distinguish between malignant lying (used for power, exploitation, or personal gain) and benevolent lying (used to protect ourselves or others from shame, vulnerability, or abandonment). We'll discuss: Why people learn to lie in the first place How childhood attachment experiences shape our relationship with honesty Why lying often creates the very disconnection we're trying to avoid How therapy helps people build the safety to become more authentic Featured Bravo case studies include: Jax Taylor, Tom Sandoval  (Vanderpump Rules) Jen Shah, Meredith Marks, Heather Gay (RHOSLC) Kyle Richards (RHOBH) Rulla (RHORI) Nia Sanchez Booko from (The Valley) Whether you've struggled with honesty yourself or you've loved someone who lies, this episode explores the deeper emotional needs that often live beneath deception—and how genuine connection begins with authenticity. 🎙️ Follow Psychology by Bravo wherever you get your podcasts. Follow for more:@psychologybybravo on IG, TikTok + Youtube!  Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute therapy or mental health treatment. The psychological concepts discussed are based on publicly available information, alleged events portrayed on television, and my opinions as a licensed therapist and viewer. I do not diagnose any individual featured on the show.

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

We won't just mention it all—we psychoanalyze it all. I'm your host, Maddy, a licensed therapist & Bravo maven. Each episode, I'll use my clinical lens to unpack the psychology behind our favorite Bravo moments. We'll explore concepts like attachment styles, defense mechanisms, trauma responses, protective parts (IFS) and more—all through the lens of the Bravo universe. Whether you're a Bravo superfan, a fellow therapist, or simply fascinated by human behavior, this podcast will emotionally fulfill you... know that. Disclaimer: PBB is for entertainment & educational purposes only.