Cinemental

The Jones Brothers

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. 6d ago

    087 World Cup

    The World Cup may look like a soccer tournament, but it's really a global experiment in identity, loyalty, competition, and collective insanity. In this episode of Cinemental, Jeff and Josh explore the psychology behind sports fandom and the thin line separating passionate support from full-blown fanatcism. Why does watching eleven strangers represent your country feel so personal? Why can a victory create national euphoria, and a loss feel like a genuine emotional betrayal? We discuss how the World Cup transforms healthy competition into tribal identity and why that might not be a bad thing. Why nationalism becomes especially poweful during international sports, and how belonging to a fanbase can give people community, meaning, and permission to behave in ways they never would alone. We also examine the emotional benefits of fandom, the dangers of dehumanizing rival teams and supporters, and why the World Cup can simultaneously bring the entire planet together while reminding everyone exactly how divided we are. Whether you love soccer (like Josh does) or think a low scoring game is ridiculously boring (like Jeff does) or only watch because someone promised there would be penalty, kicks, this episode breaks down why the World Cup matters far beyond the field.

    087 World Cup

  2. Jul 7

    086 Interstellar

    Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar is one of the most powerful science fiction films ever made because it is not really about space — it is about love, sacrifice, survival, and the impossible moral choices parents make for their children. In this episode of Cinemental, we break down why Interstellar works so well as a non-traditional love story between Cooper and Murph, and how Nolan turns the vastness of the universe into one of the most intimate father-daughter stories in modern cinema. We talk about the power of love as the emotional engine of the film, why Cooper’s decision to leave his kids is both heroic and devastating, and the brutal question at the heart of the movie: do you spend your final days with the people you love, or do you abandon them for the chance to save them? We also get into the darker side of Interstellar, including the power of propaganda, the government’s rewriting of history, and the way fear can reshape what a society is willing to believe. Josh also breaks down what he calls the “trust tax” — the hidden cost of lying to your team members, and why even well-intentioned deception can destroy relationships, leadership, and mission success. If you love Christopher Nolan, Interstellar, emotional science fiction, filmmaking, screenwriting, psychology, or stories about parents and children, this episode is for you. Subscribe to Cinemental for more conversations about movies, mental health, storytelling, psychology, and why the films we love hit us so hard. #Interstellar #ChristopherNolan #Cinemental #MatthewMcConaughey #AnneHathaway #JessicaChastain #ScienceFiction #FilmAnalysis #MoviePodcast #MentalHealthPodcast #Screenwriting #Storytelling #Parenting #Psychology #CooperAndMurph #NolanMovies

    086 Interstellar

  3. May 4

    084 The Pitt

    If you're looking for a mental health podcast that actually digs into the hard conversations, this episode of Cinemental breaks down The Pitt Season 2 through the lens of psychology, storytelling, and real-world emotional stakes. We explore suicide ideation, crisis response, and why talking openly—on screen and in life—can make all the difference, while also unpacking what works (and doesn’t) in modern television. This episode gets into “the big S” with honesty and care—looking at how The Pitt handles suicidal thoughts, the warning signs that often go unnoticed, and why conversations with friends can be life-saving. Josh brings the clinical perspective as a psychiatrist, breaking down ideation and crisis response plans, while Jeff connects it all to storytelling—why some shows lose their edge, how tension like Robby’s ticking clock works psychologically, and what makes a premise actually deliver on its promise. We also dive into AI in medicine, the importance of payoff in long-form storytelling, and pitch our top five potential plot lines for where the show could go next. This is one of those episodes that lives right at the intersection of film analysis and real mental health insight—serious when it needs to be, but still grounded, engaging, and honest about the things people don’t always say out loud. If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out to someone you trust or a mental health professional. Talking helps more than you think. 2:20 Topics of the Day 4:30 Talking about The Big “S” 7:00 Why Do Shows Fall Off 11:53 The Big “S” Ideation 15:10 Robby & The Ticking Clock 22:50 Crisis Response Plan 25:50 Link to Great Depression Commercial 27:00 Never Be Afraid To Talk To Your Friends 30:09 AI in Medicine 36:00 The Promise of the Premise 41:08 The Importance of Payoff 47:23 Top Five Potential Plot Lines 52:50 Hollywood’s A Small Town #MentalHealthPodcast #ThePitt #Cinemental #SuicideAwareness #FilmAnalysis #TVBreakdown

    084 The Pitt

  4. Apr 24

    082 The Martian

    If you’re searching for a breakdown of The Martian that goes beyond the science and into the psychology, this episode of Cinemental has you covered. Starring Matt Damon and directed by Ridley Scott, we explore why The Martian works not just as a survival story, but as a study in resilience, adaptability, and the mental frameworks that keep someone alive when they’re completely alone. From Watney’s humor to NASA’s real-world astronaut criteria, this episode is packed with insights for film lovers, aspiring writers, and anyone fascinated by human endurance. We dive into Mark Watney’s mindset—how humor becomes a survival tool (5:28), what it really means to be both a botanist and an astronaut (9:48), and whether humans can truly adapt to extreme, life-threatening environments (12:47). We also break down the five traits NASA looks for in astronauts (16:30) and discuss the psychological toll of isolation aboard the ship (19:20). As the stakes rise, we analyze the leadership and impossible decisions faced by characters like Teddy Sanders (24:25), the iconic slingshot maneuver (34:20), and Watney’s breaking point (36:13), showing how tension and character are built simultaneously. Later in the episode, we zoom out to explore the bigger picture—Hollywood’s global influence and China’s role in filmmaking (40:08), how The Martian compares to Project Hail Mary (45:32), and the moral weight of leaving Watney behind (47:35) versus going to extraordinary lengths to save a single life (52:48). We wrap with a fun Top 5 on books that deserve better movie adaptations (54:27), tying it all back to what makes The Martian such a standout example of story, science, and character working in perfect harmony. #TheMartian #Cinemental #MattDamon #RidleyScott #Screenwriting #MentalHealth #SciFi 0:00 Introduction 2:22 Topics of the Day 3:19 Sponsor: Me-Ces Fertilizer 5:28 Watney’s Use of Humor 9:48 Botanist & An Astronaut? 12:47 Can You Adapt to Danger? 16:30 5 Things NASA Look for in an Astronaut 19:20 Mental Health Aboard The Ship 24:25 Jeff Daniels & Hard Choices 31:35 Psychological Closing 34:20 Slingshot Maneuver 36:13 Watney’s Breaking Point 40:08 China’s Involvement In Hollywood 45:32 Martian Versus Hail Mary 47:35 They Left Mark Watney Behind 52:48 Let’s Go To Great Lengths to Save Everyone 54:27 Top Five Books that Need a New Movie

    082 The Martian

  5. Apr 8

    081 Jurassic Park

    What does Jurassic Park reveal about ethics, anxiety, and humanity’s obsession with control—and why does Jurassic Park still define how we think about science in cinema? In this episode of Cinemental, a writer and a psychiatrist break down the psychological, philosophical, and filmmaking legacy of one of the most influential movies ever made—and how Rebirth stacks up. We kick things off with our topics of the day before diving into a parody sponsor you won’t forget: The Live Virus Experience. From there, we unpack a legendary Jeff Goldblum quote about ethical responsibility and explore the tension between impulse control and moral decision-making. We also dig into the difference between medical ethics and scientific ethics, and ask the real question: Would we actually build Jurassic Park if we could? As the episode unfolds, we connect the film’s themes to real-world psychology—using the Monopoly privilege metaphor to explain power, breaking down the T-Rex as a symbol of stress responses, and exploring when anxiety actually kicks in. We also talk about why Wayne Knight became one of the most hated characters in film history, and why complex systems—no matter how controlled—are never truly safe. From chaos theory to anxiety, from raptors to cinematic legacy, we ask: Did Jurassic Park change movies forever? And more importantly—does Jurassic Park Rebirth understand what made the original so powerful? If you love film analysis, screenwriting insights, and the psychology behind great movies, this is the episode for you. Topics Covered: 0:00 Intro 2:45 Topics of the Day 3:45 Sponsor: The Live Virus Experience 5:45 Jeff Goldblum on Ethics 7:43 Impulse Control vs Ethical Responsibility 11:00 Medical vs Scientific Ethics 13:40 Would We Build Jurassic Park? 17:15 The Monopoly Privilege Metaphor 20:00 T-Rex & Stress Responses 23:00 When Stress Kicks In 26:45 Why Wayne Knight Was Hated 27:20 Complex Systems Are Never Safe 29:00 Chaos & Anxiety 37:45 The Raptor Hunter 39:15 Did Jurassic Park Change Cinema? 44:10 Jurassic Park vs Rebirth #JurassicPark #FilmAnalysis #Screenwriting #Cinemental #MoviePodcast

    081 Jurassic Park

  6. Mar 24

    080 Weapons

    What went wrong with Weapons—and what does it reveal about storytelling, trauma, and the monsters we choose to ignore? In this episode of Cinemental, a filmmaker and a psychiatrist break down why the title Weapons fails the movie, how communities actually recover from devastating events like mass shootings or disappearances, and why the film’s multi-perspective structure works better than you might think. We dive into the psychology of collective grief and what real healing looks like for a town in crisis, then pivot into craft—exploring how multiple POV storylines can still follow tight, satisfying structure when done right. And finally, we make the case for one of the most underutilized horror archetypes in modern cinema: the succubus. Why has such a psychologically rich monster been left behind—and what could filmmakers do with it today? If you’re into film analysis, screenwriting, horror storytelling, and the psychology behind movies, this one’s for you. 🎬 In this episode: Why Weapons is a weak title (and what a better one might’ve been) How towns realistically respond to tragedy and mass trauma Multi-POV storytelling that still feels clean and structured Why succubi might be horror’s most wasted villain 🧠 About Cinemental: A filmmaker and a psychiatrist break down movies through the lens of storytelling and mental health—what works, what doesn’t, and why it matters.

    080 Weapons

  7. Mar 16

    Bugonia

    What happens when movies collide with mental health, conspiracy thinking, and delusion? In this episode of the Cinemental Podcast, filmmaker Jeff and psychiatrist Josh dive into the psychology behind delusional disorders, conspiracy theories, and the way films shape how we understand reality. Using the film Bugonia as a jumping-off point, the conversation explores the difference between Delusional Disorder and Schizophrenia, the role of fixed false beliefs, and whether movies themselves can sometimes reinforce dangerous or irrational ideas. Along the way, Jeff and Josh debate everything from Autism Spectrum Disorder and obsessive personalities to whether Flat Earthers are actually delusional — and what it really means to treat someone struggling with a distorted perception of reality. They also tackle one of the most misunderstood topics in psychology: the link between mental illness and violence, breaking down common misconceptions often reinforced by film and media. Later in the episode, the conversation shifts to filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos, the craft of acting, and the difference between actors who transform into characters versus those who bend characters to their own persona. And because this is Cinemental, the episode ends with a fun twist: a Top Five list of the silliest conspiracy theories ever invented. If you love movie analysis, psychology, and deep conversations about how storytelling shapes our understanding of the mind, this episode is for you. ⏱ Episode Breakdown 01:37 – Delusional Disorder vs Schizophrenia 07:39 – Jeff might have an obsessive personality 08:39 – Autism Spectrum Disorder 13:30 – Was Aidan Delbis taken advantage of? 18:54 – The Ending of Bugonia 21:45 – Can movies encourage delusional thinking? 23:46 – Michelle’s the Alien 27:13 – Are CEOs trained in kidnapping? 28:32 – How to treat someone with Delusional Disorder 30:14 – Are Flat Earthers delusional? 33:06 – The problem of free will 36:46 – Fixed False Belief explained 40:49 – Misconceptions about mental illness and violence 45:39 – Let’s talk about Yorgos Lanthimos 48:25 – There are two types of actors 52:57 – Top Five silliest conspiracy theories ever 🎬 About Cinemental Cinemental is a podcast where a filmmaker and a psychiatrist break down movies through the lens of psychology — exploring mental health, human behavior, and the deeper themes hiding inside the films we love. If you enjoy film analysis, psychology, storytelling, and thought-provoking movie discussions, make sure to subscribe. #Bugonia #oscarwinner #ConspiracyTheories

    Bugonia

  8. Mar 2

    078 F1: The Movie

    In this episode of Cinemental, we break down F1 as both a high-octane spectacle and a character-driven study of ambition under pressure. From its immersive racing sequences and razor-sharp sound design to its use of competition as thematic spine, we ask the big filmmaking question: does the craft support the character arc — or does the spectacle outrun the story? We analyze how the film structures rivalry, mentorship, and recovery after a crash not just as plot beats, but as thematic statements about identity and performance. Because this is Cinemental, we don’t stop at cinematography and editing rhythms. We explore how the movie dramatizes healthy vs. unhealthy competition, how it visualizes the elusive flow state, and whether its worldview is zero-sum or growth-oriented. Is the protagonist chasing mastery — or running from himself? When does “loving your edge” become self-destruction? We look at how elite performance films often double as psychological portraits, and whether F1 earns that depth beneath its IMAX-scale adrenaline. We also debate whether F1 is actually a good movie — structurally, thematically, and emotionally — and close with our Top 5 spectacle films that SHOULD have won Best Picture, celebrating cinematic experiences that delivered craft and impact but were overlooked by the Academy. If you love conversations about: • Theme vs. plot in sports films • Character want vs. moral need • Visual storytelling in action cinema • The psychology of high performance • Mentorship arcs in screenwriting • Oscar snubs and spectacle bias …this episode is for you. This is movies first. Craft always. But through the lens of what great films reveal about how we compete, fail, recover, and grow. 02:12 Topics of The Day 3:40 Healthy Competition 5:55 Unhealthy Competition 10:15 Was F1 A Good Movie 15:00 Exploration of Theme 17:30 The Flow State 22:00 Recovering From a Crash 26:00 Loving Your Edge 28:25 Mentorship 34:15 Crabs In A Bucket 36:41 The Zero Sum Game 43:31 Top 5 Spectacle Films that SHOULD Have Won An Oscar #F1Movie #FilmAnalysis #SportsFilms #Screenwriting #Cinematography #FilmPodcast #MovieDiscussion #FlowState #HighPerformance #OscarSnubs

    078 F1: The Movie
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 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
    82
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Cinemental