Cinemental

The Jones Brothers
  • 5.0 (5)
  • TV & FILM
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Cinemental is a podcast about mental health and how it’s portrayed in cinema and television. What did they get right? What did they get wrong? And what do YOU need to know about mental health. Hosted by Jeffrey Jones (screenwriter and professor) and his brother Dr. Joshua Jones (psychiatrist), these two brothers tackle and all subjects such as depression, grief, anxiety, schizophrenia, even possession. They’ll discuss the triggers for mental health such as family drama, the role of stress, even mentorship. Cinemental is meant to start the conversation about mental health in a fun and entertaining way to let you know that whatever mental health issue you may be struggling with… you’re not alone.

  1. 076 Free Solo & Taipei 101

    FEB 3

    076 Free Solo & Taipei 101

    In this episode of the Cinemental Podcast, a filmmaker and a psychiatrist break down Free Solo—exploring thrill-seeking behavior, fear, obsession, and the ethics of documentary filmmaking when the stakes are literally life and death. Is something psychologically wrong with Alex Honnold—or are we misunderstanding what extreme focus and risk really look like? We dig into Alex Honnold’s mindset, his climbing ability, how fear works in the brain, and whether thrill-seeking is a sign of depression, disorder, or something else entirely. Along the way, we debate whether Free Solo crossed an ethical line by filming an ascent where a single mistake meant death—and what responsibility filmmakers carry when documenting extreme risk. This conversation goes beyond climbing and into bigger questions about mental health, control, obsession, and why humans are drawn to stories where success and death sit side by side. 02:00 - Topics 03:50 - Sponsor - Pants Pourri 05:13 - Film Summary 06:09 - Psychiatrist's Impressions 07:40 - Filmmaker's Impressions 09:57 - How Good is Alex? 13:52 - Does Alex feel fear? 16:41 - Is Neurodivergence passed down genetically? 19:12 - Can You Measure Fear in an MRI? 22:09 - Train Yourself Away From Fear 25:50 - Is Thrill Seeking A Sign of Depression? 28:50 - What is an Ethical Documentary? 39:22 - Jeff's Ethics 44:03 - Top 5 - Win or Die Movies & TV Shows 49:31 - BONUS Top 5 - Josh's List of Alex' Next Climbs Cinemental is a podcast where movies meet the mind. Each episode dives beneath the surface of pop culture’s most iconic films and characters to uncover the psychology, emotion, and hidden meaning behind what we watch. Hosted by brothers Jeff and Dr. Josh, Cinemental blends film analysis with real-world mental health insight — exploring why stories stick with us, what they reveal about human behavior, and how cinema can help us understand ourselves. It’s part film school, part therapy session, and all heart — where every movie tells us something about being human. Feel free to email us at brothers@cinementalpodcast.com Subscribe on YouTube to never miss an episode, or click below to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts https://linktr.ee/cinemental

    57 min
  2. K-Pop Demon Hunters

    FEB 2

    K-Pop Demon Hunters

    What do K-pop idols, demon hunters, and shame have in common? In this episode of the Cinemental Podcast, we break down Netflix’s K-Pop Demon Hunters to explore how pop music, storytelling, and mental health collide. From character psychology and theme to shame, trauma, and why songs like “Golden” hit so hard, this episode digs into why this film works emotionally—and when it maybe pushes too hard. We explore the lie the characters believe, how shame shows up in almost every frame, and why exposing your truth can feel more dangerous than fighting literal demons. Along the way, we talk about comedy, tone, Mr. Bean as an unexpected reference point, and whether there are any original stories left—or if it’s all about execution. We also unpack Josh’s theory around generational trauma, why anger is a secondary emotion, and what it actually looks like to act opposite of what shame is compelling you to do. Whether you’re a filmmaker, songwriter, therapist, or just obsessed with K-pop and genre storytelling, this episode uses K-Pop Demon Hunters as a lens to talk about shame, identity, masculinity, mental health, and storytelling craft—with laughs along the way. 01:38 - Topics covered in today's podcast 03:15 - The power of Theme 07:05 - The LIE the character believes 08:35 - The power of the lyrics to the final song 09:44 - When should a film be heavy handed? 12:25 - The comedic characters and tone 14:22 - Mr Bean 15:09 - Songs, 'What it sounds like' vs 'Golden' 16:05 - Shame is present everywhere 19:26 - There are no original stories 21:14 - Josh's theory could be SA generational trauma 24:31 - What do you do about your shame? 27:35 - What are typical things people feel shame about 31:27 - Quick Recap 31:37 - Act Opposite of what your shame is compelling you to do 33:02 - Exposing your shame will not always be easy 36:15 - Is it ok to hide your truth to keep your tribe? 40:29 - Men still struggle with this shame 42:55 - Anger is a 2ND emotion 46:12 - What about the DEMONS? 50:30 - TOP 5 things you should be ashamed about Cinemental is a podcast where movies meet the mind. Each episode dives beneath the surface of pop culture’s most iconic films and characters to uncover the psychology, emotion, and hidden meaning behind what we watch. Hosted by brothers Jeff and Dr. Josh, Cinemental blends film analysis with real-world mental health insight — exploring why stories stick with us, what they reveal about human behavior, and how cinema can help us understand ourselves. It’s part film school, part therapy session, and all heart — where every movie tells us something about being human. Feel free to email us at brothers@cinementalpodcast.com Subscribe on YouTube to never miss an episode, or click below to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts https://linktr.ee/cinemental

    1 hr
  3. 074 One Battle After Another

    JAN 21

    074 One Battle After Another

    One Battle After Another is a brutal reminder that resilience isn’t something you have—it’s something you train. In this episode of Cinemental, we break down the psychology of endurance, what it means to keep showing up when life keeps swinging, and why the real theme of One Battle After Another is that the fight doesn’t “end”… you just get better at staying in it. We dig into what resilience actually looks like in real life: how it’s built, why it matters, and why “winning” isn’t always the point—sometimes survival is the victory. From there we get into the filmmaking side: what makes a director truly great, and why certain directors don’t just make movies—they shape the way you see conflict, identity, and human behavior. We also go into an important discussion around racism—specifically why racism is not pathological, and why framing it that way can become a way of dodging accountability. And because we’re us… we close the episode with a completely unnecessary but wildly satisfying debate: Jeff’s Top 5 actors/actresses he can’t stand… even though they’re undeniably great at what they do. If you’ve ever felt exhausted by life feeling like one nonstop challenge after another… this one’s for you.

  4. 073 Severance

    JAN 19

    073 Severance

    Severance isn’t just one of the best TV shows of the decade — it’s a masterclass in high-concept screenwriting and modern anxiety. In this episode of the Cinemental Podcast, we break down how Severance uses a razor-sharp “what if?” premise to explore work/life balance, trauma, and the psychological cost of survival in corporate systems. We dive into the idea of indentured servitude through a modern lens, asking what it really means to give pieces of ourselves away just to function. From the power of “what if” questions in jump-starting great screenwriting ideas, to the ways people compartmentalize pain in order to keep going, this conversation connects storytelling craft with real mental-health insights. Severance doesn’t just ask who we are at work versus at home — it asks what happens when we fracture ourselves to endure trauma, and whether healing means integration… or escape. 🎧 Cinemental Podcast explores mental health through cinema and television — where story, psychology, and humanity collide. Topics include: • The power of “What if?” in screenwriting • Work / life balance as psychological survival • Indentured servitude in modern systems • Trauma, compartmentalization, and endurance • Why Severance could only work as a TV series #Severance #Cinemental #Screenwriting #Storytelling #MentalHealth #WorkLifeBalance #TVAnalysis #WhatIf #Trauma

    1h 16m
  5. 072 Cinemental Year End

    JAN 5

    072 Cinemental Year End

    This year-end episode of Cinemental looks ahead to 2026 by exploring mental health, movies, and the cultural shifts shaping how we care for ourselves—and the stories we tell. From New Year’s resolutions to the future of entertainment, Josh and Jeff reflect on what we’ve learned and what comes next. We start by unpacking why New Year’s resolutions often fail, and why mental health conversations belong next to movies—not separate from them. From there, the conversation turns serious: concerns around mental health funding in 2026, what individuals can do right now to protect their well-being, and why having a crisis safety plan matters more than ever. Josh also weighs in on medication, the realities of waiting for treatment to work, and his skepticism of the modern “wellness movement.” On the creative side, we zoom out to examine the future of film and television—why fewer new shows may be made, how legacy content is reshaping the industry, and why creators need to think differently about ownership. We close the episode by reflecting on what Josh and Jeff learned from each other this year, and by teasing the mental-health-focused movies coming in 2026 that we can’t wait to discuss. Whether you’re thinking about your mental health, your creative future, or how stories shape the way we understand ourselves, this episode is our way of closing the year with honesty—and opening the next one with intention. 🎬 Topics include: • Why New Year’s resolutions don’t work • Mental health funding concerns in 2026 • Crisis safety planning • Medication, wellness culture, and realistic expectations • The future of film, TV, and creator ownership • Top mental health movies coming in 2026 00:01:31 - TOPICS FOR TODAY 00:02:24 - Why Josh hates New Year Resolutions 00:03:35 - NY RESOLUTIONS 00:03:43 - Why do we talk about Mental Health and Movies together? 00:14:09 - Mental Health funding concerns in 2026? 00:17:19 - What can you do in 2026 to support your Mental Health? 00:20:29 - Have a crisis safety plan. 00:21:57 - Other concerns with Mental Health Care and RFK JR in 2026. 00:23:28 - Let's talk about medication... while Josh avoids saying brand names. 00:29:53 - What to do while you wait for medications to take effect 00:30:55 - Josh's take on the current "Wellness Movement" 00:32:54 - What's the future hold for Entertainment Creators in 2026 and beyond? 00:36:24 - TV taking a hit in amount being created because of old shows resurfacing. 00:37:48 - Let's start a movement of ownership of TV and FILM 00:40:57 - What Jeff learned from Josh this year on CineMental Podcast. 00:42:49 - What Josh learned from Jeff this year on CineMental Podcast. 00:44:20 - TOP 5 Josh's Mental Health Movies COMING in 2026 00:49:46 - Jeff's Honorable Mentions for the TOP 5 Cinemental is a podcast where movies meet the mind. Each episode dives beneath the surface of pop culture’s most iconic films and characters to uncover the psychology, emotion, and hidden meaning behind what we watch. Hosted by brothers Jeff and Dr. Josh, Cinemental blends film analysis with real-world mental health insight — exploring why stories stick with us, what they reveal about human behavior, and how cinema can help us understand ourselves. It’s part film school, part therapy session, and all heart — where every movie tells us something about being human. Feel free to email us at brothers@cinementalpodcast.com Subscribe on YouTube to never miss an episode, or click below to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts https://linktr.ee/cinemental

    54 min
  6. 071 The Grinch

    JAN 1

    071 The Grinch

    Great storytelling isn’t just about plot — it’s about perception, self-image, and emotional truth. In this episode of Cinemental, we break down Illumination's "The Grinch" to explore what it teaches writers about character psychology, unreliable self-narration, and how emotional wounds shape the stories we tell. This isn’t really a story for adults — it’s a story we need to understand as storytellers. We talk about why The Grinch isn’t meant for you so much as it’s meant for your kids, and how that changes the way we interpret its message. What if the Grinch isn’t actually green — what if that’s just how he sees himself? And what if that same distortion shows up in the characters we write… and the way we judge ourselves? We explore how characters (and people) protect themselves after being let down — how emotional armor forms, how isolation becomes survival, and how self-judgment can turn into a false villain narrative. For writers, this episode is a masterclass in understanding defensive behavior, miscast villains, and why the most powerful character arcs aren’t about becoming “good,” but about realizing you were never as bad as you thought. If you want to become a better storyteller, this episode will change how you think about character empathy, audience perspective, and the emotional lies characters tell themselves to survive. 🎧 Topics We Explore: Why The Grinch story isn’t really for adults — it’s for children learning emotional language How self-perception can distort identity in storytelling Why great characters think they’re worse than they are Emotional protection after betrayal and disappointment Writing characters who are “miscast” as villains Using empathy to deepen character arcs Cinemental is a podcast where movies meet the mind. Each episode dives beneath the surface of pop culture’s most iconic films and characters to uncover the psychology, emotion, and hidden meaning behind what we watch. Hosted by brothers Jeff and Dr. Josh, Cinemental blends film analysis with real-world mental health insight — exploring why stories stick with us, what they reveal about human behavior, and how cinema can help us understand ourselves. It’s part film school, part therapy session, and all heart — where every movie tells us something about being human. Feel free to email us at brothers@cinementalpodcast.com Subscribe on YouTube to never miss an episode, or click below to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts

    1h 1m
  7. 070 House of Dynamite

    12/30/2025

    070 House of Dynamite

    There are four involuntary stress responses: Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn. All four are perfectly demonstrated in the Netflix movie A House of Dynamite. Listen in as Dr. Josh details these responses but also how to master them. And just for funsies, Filmmaker Jeff clues you in on the REAL villain in ALL movies. SPOILER ALERT... It's time. We start with a spoiler-light synopsis before digging into first impressions, the film’s central question, and why this story feels uncomfortably relevant right now. As the clock ticks, we analyze the Pentagon’s response, the psychology of urgency, and why modern films are increasingly obsessed with pressure, escalation, and impossible choices. From there, the conversation widens. Jeff explores a provocative conspiracy-style theory about narrative control and why “the villain” in so many films isn’t a character at all—it’s time itself. Josh then grounds the discussion in psychology, breaking down the four stress responses—fight, flight, freeze, and fawn—and how each one shows up in both the movie and real life. We walk through each response in detail, unpack what happens when stress overwhelms the body, and discuss what a healthy response actually looks like when the stakes are high. We wrap things up with a lighter—but revealing—Top Five, imagining what the next “F” stress responses might be. This episode is for anyone interested in film analysis, psychology, stress, anxiety, decision-making, and how movies reflect the way we break—or adapt—under pressure. Cinemental is a podcast where movies meet the mind. Each episode dives beneath the surface of pop culture’s most iconic films and characters to uncover the psychology, emotion, and hidden meaning behind what we watch. Hosted by brothers Jeff and Dr. Josh, Cinemental blends film analysis with real-world mental health insight — exploring why stories stick with us, what they reveal about human behavior, and how cinema can help us understand ourselves. It’s part film school, part therapy session, and all heart — where every movie tells us something about being human. Feel free to email us at brothers@cinementalpodcast.com Subscribe on YouTube to never miss an episode, or click below to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts https://linktr.ee/cinemental

    56 min
  8. 069 Moneyball Continued

    12/11/2025

    069 Moneyball Continued

    00:02:07 - Billy Bean was driven by anxiety 00:02:49 - Excitement equal Anxiety? 00:04:14 - SHORT End 00:12:56 - How to overcome anxiety to pursue innovation. 00:14:59 - Is Anxiety a bad emotion? 00:19:06 - How to adapt a book into a screenplay. 00:21:31 - How to create visuals for a book that is mostly internalized thought? 00:25:15 - Minor details tell the audience more about a character without words. 00:27:00 - Baseball Movies that are NOT baseball movies 00:28:22 - TOP 5 Sports Movies that are NOT Sports Movies

    38 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Cinemental is a podcast about mental health and how it’s portrayed in cinema and television. What did they get right? What did they get wrong? And what do YOU need to know about mental health. Hosted by Jeffrey Jones (screenwriter and professor) and his brother Dr. Joshua Jones (psychiatrist), these two brothers tackle and all subjects such as depression, grief, anxiety, schizophrenia, even possession. They’ll discuss the triggers for mental health such as family drama, the role of stress, even mentorship. Cinemental is meant to start the conversation about mental health in a fun and entertaining way to let you know that whatever mental health issue you may be struggling with… you’re not alone.

Information

  • Creator
    The Jones Brothers
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Cinemental