Once Upon a Session

Vanessa & Nareesa

Once Upon a Session is a podcast where two therapists bring their love for books, storytelling, and emotional insight together. Each session explores a theme — attachment, grief, love, trauma, healing — through the lens of fictional characters and real-life growth. It’s cozy, funny, heartfelt, and deeply human.

  1. 2D AGO

    Session 12: Best Friends

    Some friendships feel bigger than the story itself. In this episode of Once Upon a Session, we explore the psychology behind deep friendship, loyalty, and the people who become part of our identity through connection. From Ron and Harry in Harry Potter to the Padavano sisters in Hello Beautiful, we unpack what makes certain relationships feel unbreakable—and what happens when love, jealousy, grief, and growing up begin to complicate those bonds. Because sometimes the relationships that shape us most aren’t romantic at all. Disclaimer: We’re licensed therapists, but not your therapists. This podcast is for reflection and conversation, not a substitute for therapy. ✨ Follow Once Upon a Session for new episodes exploring stories, psychology, and healing.

    1h 18m

  2. MAY 10

    Session 11: Mommy Issues

    Why do maternal relationships shape us so deeply—and why are they so hard to untangle? In this episode of Once Upon a Session, we break down the psychology behind “mommy issues”—the ways early maternal dynamics influence identity, attachment, and the relationships we find ourselves in later. From Little Fires Everywhere to The Plated Prisoner, we explore how love can blur into control, how protection can impact autonomy, and why these early bonds leave such a lasting imprint. Because sometimes the way we were loved… becomes the blueprint for everything that follows. Disclaimer: We’re licensed therapists, but not your therapists. This podcast is for reflection and conversation, not a substitute for therapy. ✨ Follow Once Upon a Session for new episodes exploring stories, psychology, and healing.

    1h 21m

  3. MAY 4

    Why We Love Star Wars: The Psychology Behind the Obsession

    In this special episode of Once Upon a Session, Vanessa and Nareesa break down the emotional and psychological layers behind some of the most iconic characters in Star Wars. From complicated parent-child dynamics to identity, loss, and the pull between light and dark, nothing is off-limits. Because let’s be honest… this isn’t just a space opera. It’s trauma, attachment, and generational patterns in a cloak. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just here for the chaos, this episode brings clinical insight, relatable moments, and just enough banter to keep things grounded. Because even in a galaxy far, far away…the patterns still follow. Disclaimer: We’re licensed therapists, but not your therapists. This podcast is for reflection and conversation, not a substitute for therapy. ✨ Follow Once Upon a Session for new episodes exploring stories, psychology, and healing.

    1h 9m

  4. APR 24

    Session 10: Sidekicks in the Spotlight

    Why do side characters so often become the ones we love most? This week on Once Upon a Session, Vanessa and Nareesa explore the psychology behind fan-favorite supporting characters and why the people in the background sometimes leave the biggest impact. Featuring Ruhn Danaan (Crescent City) and Manon Blackbeak (Throne of Glass), we unpack loyalty, hidden depth, resilience, identity, and the emotional complexity that makes certain characters impossible to ignore. From the quiet protector to the underestimated powerhouse, this episode looks at why side characters often feel more relatable, more layered, and sometimes more unforgettable than the main character. Because sometimes the best character was never the lead. Disclaimer: We’re licensed therapists, but not your therapists. This podcast is for reflection and conversation, not a substitute for therapy. ✨ Follow Once Upon a Session for new episodes exploring stories, psychology, and healing.

    1h 16m

  5. APR 17

    Session 9: Forbidden Love

    Some love stories are easy to root for. Others… make you pause. In this episode of Once Upon a Session, Vanessa and Nareesa explore the psychology behind forbidden love — the pull toward relationships that exist between desire and consequence. Why do we want what we can’t have? And when does love cross the line from exciting to harmful? Tune in as we break down the emotional, psychological, and relational dynamics behind the love stories we can’t look away from. Disclaimer: We’re licensed therapists, but we’re not your therapists. Everything shared here is for conversation, reflection, and entertainment. ✨ Follow Once Upon a Session for new episodes exploring stories, psychology, and healing.

    1h 11m

  6. APR 11

    Session 8: Plot Twists & Emotional Whiplash

    Why do plot twists hit so hard—and why do we kind of love them? In this episode of Once Upon a Session, we break down the psychology behind emotional whiplash—those shocking, unpredictable moments in books and relationships that leave you reeling. From The Housemaid to The Perfect Marriage, we explore how twists create emotional intensity, why unpredictability can feel addictive, and what it says about how we connect, attach, and stay invested. Disclaimer: We’re licensed therapists, but not your therapists. This podcast is for reflection and conversation, not a substitute for therapy. ✨ Follow Once Upon a Session for new episodes exploring stories, psychology, and healing.

    1 hr

  7. APR 4

    Session 7: Hard to Love- When Empathy Gets Complicated

    Some characters are easy to love. Nesta Archeron and Jaime Lannister aren’t. In this episode, we unpack what it really means when someone is labeled “hard to love”—and how trauma, shame, identity, and self-protection can push people away from the very connection they need most. Because sometimes… the people who seem the hardest to love are the ones hurting the most. Disclaimer: We’re licensed therapists, but not your therapists. This podcast is for reflection and conversation, not a substitute for therapy. ✨ Follow Once Upon a Session for new episodes exploring stories, psychology, and healing.

    1 hr

  8. MAR 27

    Session 6: Quest For Closure

    Closure… we talk about it like it’s something we’re owed. Like if we just get the right conversation, the right apology, the right ending everything will finally make sense. But what if closure isn’t something we receive… What if it’s something we create? In this episode, we explore the psychology behind our need for closure through the lens of storytelling and complex characters. We unpack why we chase resolution, how unresolved experiences stay with us, and what it actually looks like to move forward when the ending we wanted never comes. Because sometimes the real shift isn’t getting answers. It’s learning how to live without them. Disclaimer: We’re licensed therapists, but we’re not your therapists. Everything shared here is for conversation, reflection, and entertainment. ✨ Follow Once Upon a Session for new episodes exploring stories, psychology, and healing.

    55 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Once Upon a Session is a podcast where two therapists bring their love for books, storytelling, and emotional insight together. Each session explores a theme — attachment, grief, love, trauma, healing — through the lens of fictional characters and real-life growth. It’s cozy, funny, heartfelt, and deeply human.

Information

  • Creator
    Vanessa & Nareesa
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Once Upon a Session
  • Show Website
    Once Upon a Session