#366 Marc, Lara, and Josué discuss the webcomic UnOrdinary, and other examples of characters trying to process past traumatic experiences. They relate these examples to how people avoid, ruminate, and attempt to process their own difficult emotions and unexpected triggers.
Characters / Media Discussed:
UnOrdinary by Uru-chan (2016-ongoing, webtoon)
Down to Earth by Pukki Senpai (2020-ongoing, webtoon)
Let's Play by "Mongie" Leeanna M. Krecic (2016-2022, webtoon)
My Hero Academia
Advice Not Given: A Guide to Getting Over Yourself by Mark Epstein (2018)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
La La Land (2016)
New Moon by Stephanie Meyer (2006)
doesthedogdie.com
Shrinking (2023-ongoing)
Zuko / Avatar the Last Airbender (2005-2008)
Themes, Topics, and Relatable Experiences Discussed:
* Change
* Consequences
* Difficult emotions
* Fear
* Feeling alone
* Finding Oneself/Identity Development
* Guilt
* Love
* Moral dilemma
* Power struggle
* Resilience
* Redemption
* Taking responsibility for one’s actions
* Working with others
* Abuse
* Acceptance
* Breakup
* Clarity/Understanding
* Coming of age/Getting older
* Depression
* New Life Event (New Rules)
* Trauma
Questions? Comments? Discuss this episode on the GT Forum.
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Links / Social Media
Check out the GT Network: network.geektherapy.com
GT Forum: forum.geektherapy.org
GT Discord: geektherapy.com/discord
GT Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/geektherapy
Find us at GeekTherapy.org | @GeekTherapy | Lara: @GeekTherapist | Link: @CHICKENDINOSAUR | Josué: @JosueACardona
Ask us anything through the Question Queue and we’ll answer on the show: geektherapy.org/qq
Join the Conversation!
Traditionally there would be an engagement question here, but I (Link) think it's a travesty that my team failed to mention the very aptly named video game Getting Over It With Bennett Foddy (2017) which is a perfect mechanical exploration of perseverance when faced with disappointing set-backs.
#393: In this episode, the GT Radio crew takes a deep, spoiler-filled dive into I Saw the TV Glow, unpacking why this film lingers long after the credits roll. What starts as a discussion of vibes, nostalgia, and genre quickly becomes an exploration of identity, agency, fear, and decay. The hosts wrestle with whether the story is literal or metaphorical, how much choice Owen truly has, and why the film’s bleakness feels both devastating and honest. Through conversations about trans allegory, existential horror, static as a symbol, and the terror of recognizing truth without being able to act on it, the group reflects on how media captures experiences of suffocation, stagnation, and longing. The episode closes with a thoughtful debate about sequels, ambiguity, and whether some stories are more powerful when left unresolved.
Characters / Media Mentioned
Themes / Topics Discussed
Relatable Experiences Discussed
Want to continue the conversation? Join the GT community and share your thoughts on I Saw the TV Glow, its ending, and what it stirred up for you emotionally.
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Did you believe Maddie, and why or why not?
Do you see Owen’s story as one of choice, powerlessness, or something in between?
What piece of media has captured the feeling of being stuck or “decaying” for you the way this film does?
#392: In this episode, Josué and Marc take a critical look at A Man Called Otto (2022), focusing on how the film portrays grief, suicidality, autonomy, and community. While the movie presents itself as a comedy-drama about a grumpy widower finding new meaning after loss, the conversation digs into whether its treatment of suicide is thoughtful or deeply trivializing. The hosts explore how repeated suicide attempts are played for interruption and humor, how the film avoids explicitly naming suicide, and whether Otto’s desires and autonomy are respected at all. Drawing from clinical experience, personal loss, and ethical questions around dignity and end-of-life choice, they debate whether the movie opens space for meaningful discussion or reinforces harmful narratives about suffering, help, and “finding reasons to live.”
Characters / Media Mentioned
Themes / Topics Discussed
Relatable Experiences Discussed
Want to continue the conversation? Join the GT community and share your thoughts on A Man Called Otto, its portrayal of suicide, and whether it resonated—or missed the mark—for you.
Connect with the Geek Therapy Network:
Did the film feel heartwarming, preachy, or both to you?
How do you feel about suicide being portrayed indirectly or avoided entirely in media?
What responsibility do movies have when depicting grief and suicidal behavior?
#391: In this episode, the GT Radio team explores how media can help people understand, recognize, and talk about intimate partner violence. Starting with a client’s experience using Interview with the Vampire to explain a past abusive relationship to their partner, the conversation expands into how fiction, fantasy, memoir, television, film, music, and games can make patterns of abuse more visible and easier to discuss. The hosts examine why metaphor and exaggeration (like vampires and supernatural power dynamics) can sometimes feel safer and more accessible than realistic depictions, while also addressing the risks of romanticizing, trivializing, or mis-marketing abuse in media. Along the way, they discuss representation, accountability, marketing ethics, cultural narratives, and why naming abuse matters for survivors and for the people trying to support them.
Characters / Media Mentioned
Themes / Topics Discussed
Relatable Experiences Discussed
Want to continue the conversation? Join the GT community and share the media that helped you recognize, understand, or talk about abuse—whether personally, professionally, or with someone you care about.
Connect with the Geek Therapy Network:
What piece of media helped you understand an unhealthy or abusive relationship more clearly?
How do you feel about fantasy or metaphor being used to depict real-world abuse?
Where do you draw the line between starting conversations and trivializing harm in media?
#390: In this episode, the GT Radio team dives into how the language we use to talk about media can either build connection or shut it down. Using recent reactions to Deadpool & Wolverine, longtime fandom debates, and a painfully honest story about Ready Player One, the hosts explore how personal taste, rejection sensitivity, authenticity, and power dynamics intersect when we share opinions. The conversation looks at why “objective” criticism can feel dismissive, how negative reactions hit harder than positive ones, and why curiosity matters more than being right—especially in therapeutic, educational, and close personal relationships. Ultimately, the episode reframes media discussions as opportunities to understand people better, not score points or assert dominance.
Characters / Media Mentioned
Themes / Topics Discussed
Relatable Experiences Discussed
Want to keep the conversation going? Share your experiences with being judged for your taste—or catching yourself yucking someone else’s yum—in the GT community.
Connect with the Geek Therapy Network:
When was the last time someone reacted strongly to something you loved?
How do you usually respond when someone dislikes a piece of media that’s meaningful to you?
What language helps you feel understood rather than judged when talking about media you care about?
#389: In this episode, the GT Radio crew explores the Avatar: The Last Airbender novel series, focusing on the stories of Kyoshi, Yangchen, and Roku. Through a deep, spoiler-light discussion, the hosts unpack how each Avatar wrestles with identity, values, balance, and overwhelming responsibility. The conversation examines what it means to step into a role you didn’t choose, how personal values collide with political and spiritual demands, and why no version of justice is ever truly neutral. Drawing parallels to real-world experiences—like public pressure, burnout, and being judged by past selves—the episode highlights why the Avatar mythos continues to resonate as a powerful lens for understanding growth, power, and selfhood.
Characters / Media Mentioned
Themes / Topics Discussed
Relatable Experiences Discussed
Want to continue the discussion? Join the GT community and share your thoughts on the Avatar books, your favorite Avatar, and how you interpret justice, balance, and responsibility in these stories.
Connect with the Geek Therapy Network:
Which Avatar’s struggles resonated most with you, and why?
How do you balance your personal values with the roles others expect you to fill?
Do you think true justice is possible for someone with absolute power, like the Avatar?
#388: In this episode of GT Radio, Josué, Link, and Lara take a deep dive into queer films of the 1990s (and the very edge of the 2000s), reflecting on what these movies meant at the time and how they land today. The conversation explores how queer representation shifted from subtext and stereotypes to more explicit, varied stories, shaped by cultural pressures, censorship, the AIDS crisis, and who was allowed to “hold the camera.” From cult classics and comedies to documentaries, anime, and mainstream Hollywood films, the hosts unpack questions of respect, fetishization, tolerance versus acceptance, and how queer characters have moved from being the punchline to simply being part of the story. Along the way, they reflect on personal viewing experiences, generational differences, family reactions, and how much (and how little) has changed.
Characters / Media Mentioned
Themes / Topics Discussed
Relatable Experiences Discussed
Want to continue the conversation? Join the GT community and share your experiences with queer films—whether you watched them in the ’90s or discovered them years later.
Connect with the Geek Therapy Network:
Which queer films from the ’90s were formative for you, and how do you see them differently now?
Do you think queer representation is better today, or just different?
What movies helped you understand yourself—or others—when you were younger?
#387: In this episode, Josué, Link, and Marc explore why they keep returning to sandbox and survival-style games like The Sims, Terraria, and Minecraft—especially during times of stress, burnout, or major life changes. What starts as a joking callout about control quickly becomes a thoughtful conversation about agency, structure, creativity, and comfort. The hosts reflect on how building persistent worlds, setting self-directed goals, and engaging with familiar systems can meet psychological needs that real life often fails to satisfy. Drawing on personal experiences with job loss, burnout, and instability, they unpack how these games offer a sense of control, consistency, and safety—without the same stakes, costs, or unpredictability of the real world.
Characters / Media Mentioned
Themes / Topics Discussed
Relatable Experiences Discussed
Want to continue the conversation? Join the GT community and tell us about the games you return to when life feels overwhelming.
Connect with the Geek Therapy Network:
What games do you return to when you’re feeling overwhelmed or out of control?
Do you gravitate toward building, exploration, or structured objectives—and why?
What needs do games meet for you that real life sometimes doesn’t?
#386: In this episode of GT Radio, Marc dives into Die Hart, a Kevin Hart action-comedy film that tackles the idea of typecasting—both in Hollywood and real life. The team explores how Hart's struggle to redefine himself beyond the comedic roles people expect mirrors the roles we often get stuck in within relationships, careers, or cultural expectations. From school labels like “the smart kid” or “the therapy friend” to societal assumptions about race, gender, or profession, the episode reflects on the ways people are boxed in—and the cost of breaking out.
Lara, Marc, and Josué share personal stories of resisting expectations, struggling for self-definition, and pushing back against the limits others try to impose. Along the way, they reflect on actors like Jim Carrey, Robin Williams, Daniel Radcliffe, and Robert Pattinson, whose careers have involved reshaping public perception.
The episode also touches on how media like Doctor Who, Irredeemable, Incorruptible, and Quiz Lady explore similar themes, and how such stories can be powerful therapeutic tools. Whether you’ve ever been told to “just do the thing you’re good at” or felt trapped in a role that no longer fits, this conversation offers space to consider the value—and consequences—of change.
Characters / Media Mentioned in the Episode:
Themes / Topics Discussed:
Relatable Experiences Discussed:
Continue the Discussion:
Join us on the GT Forum, or connect with us through the Geek Therapy Discord and social media. Share your stories, reflections, or media that helped you navigate your own roles and expectations.
What roles have others expected you to play in life?
Have you ever tried to redefine yourself, and what challenges came with that?
Can you think of a movie, game, or show where a character broke out of expectations in a way that resonated with you?
#385: In this episode of GT Radio, Josué, Link, and Marc unpack the massive 2024 hip hop feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. Josué recounts the timeline of the diss tracks, from “Like That” to “Not Like Us,” and explains why the beef captivated pop culture. The hosts explore hip hop as storytelling, competition, and cultural commentary—contrasting Drake’s commercial pop success with Kendrick’s lyrical depth and cultural grounding. Along the way, they share personal experiences with hip hop, mixtape nostalgia, and how music connects identity, belonging, and authenticity. The conversation expands into how audiences engage with public rivalries, catharsis through art, and the tension between art and marketing in modern media.
Characters / Media Mentioned
Themes / Topics Discussed
Relatable Experiences
Join the Discussion
Share your thoughts on the Kendrick vs. Drake beef and what it says about authenticity in art. Who do you think “won,” and why does this cultural moment matter?
Join the conversation on the Geek Therapy Forum or connect with us on:
What role has music played in shaping your own identity or community?
#377: Marc finally gets his moment to celebrate Percy Jackson, one of his favorite franchises, as the team dives into the Disney+ series Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Season 1). The discussion begins with Marc’s deep personal connection to the books and how his experiences with the earlier movie adaptations shaped his expectations for the show. Josué and Lara—new to the world of Percy Jackson—share their reactions to the series, raising questions about adaptation, emotional fidelity, and personal resonance.
The episode explores how adaptations can succeed or fail depending on what they retain or change—whether it's plot structure, emotional tone, or thematic consistency. Marc reflects on how the show initially felt underwhelming due to deviations from the book but grew on him upon reflection and a fresh read of The Lightning Thief. Lara and Josué provide outsider perspectives on the storytelling, and the group considers whether having prior knowledge of the source material enhances or hinders the viewing experience.
Other examples of adaptations (like Final Fantasy VII Remake, The Last of Us, Game of Thrones, and Scott Pilgrim) come up as comparisons, leading to a broader conversation about how different versions of beloved stories—remixes, reboots, and retellings—can evoke strong emotions, challenge expectations, and renew appreciation for the original works.
The conversation wraps with Marc sharing how Percy Jackson helped him accept himself during a difficult time in high school, and how the core themes of identity, belonging, and self-acceptance continue to resonate with him today. Lara and Josué reflect on the show's emotional beats and character dynamics and contemplate diving into the books now that the show has left them wanting more.
Characters / Media Mentioned:
Themes / Topics Discussed:
Relatable Experiences:
Discuss this episode with us on the Geek Therapy Forum, or connect through our Discord, Mastodon, and other social links at geektherapy.org.
What changes in a book-to-screen adaptation bother you—or pleasantly surprise you?
Have you ever loved a book so much that you feared watching its adaptation?
Which version of Percy Jackson (books, movies, show) means the most to you—and why?
#371: In this reflective episode of GT Radio, Marc shares a recent personal experience of "platinuming" two video games—Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Assassin’s Creed Mirage—and how completing them offered a rare sense of fulfillment and stress relief amidst the chaos of work, school, and life. What begins as a conversation about video game achievements evolves into a deeper discussion about motivation, goal setting, and how we define success both in games and in life.
Josué and Laura join Marc in exploring how they approach gaming—whether as completionists, story seekers, or somewhere in between—and the psychological parallels between gameplay goals and real-life challenges. The group unpacks topics like burnout, the dopamine of anticipation, and the disappointment (or satisfaction) that comes at the end of a long journey.
They also dig into the difference between doing something for fun versus doing something because you feel you have to, and how we can sometimes make hard things easier by adjusting our goals or skipping the metaphorical filler content.
From struggling through boring grad school assignments to skipping fights in One Piece, this episode offers rich insights into how we pursue fulfillment and why the way we approach goals—both big and small—matters.
Characters / Media Mentioned in the Episode
Themes / Topics Discussed
Relatable Experiences Discussed
Continue the Conversation
Join us on the GT Forum to share your thoughts on this episode. You can also connect with us on social media through the Geek Therapy Network.
What about you?
#370: In this heartfelt episode of GT Radio, the GT Crew sets sail with season two of Our Flag Means Death, diving into the rich emotional depth, queer representation, and mental health themes woven into the show’s comedy and chaos. Link brings pages of notes, and together with Josué, Lara, and Marc, they unpack everything from grief and self-loathing to found family and meaningful personal growth—pirate style.
The crew explores how Our Flag Means Death sets itself apart as a show where expressing your emotions is not only encouraged, it's essential. Characters like Blackbeard (Ed), Stede Bonnet, Izzy Hands, and Lucius all grapple with trauma, identity, and healing in deeply personal and often humorous ways. Whether it's the symbolism of the "gravy basket," using drag and music as therapy, or making up fake holidays like Calypso’s Birthday to help the crew bond, the show embraces creative, community-centered approaches to emotional processing.
From serious moments of dissociation, suicidal ideation, and toxic self-beliefs to the joyful messiness of queer relationships, the GT Crew celebrates how Our Flag Means Death makes space for it all—while staying genuinely hilarious. They also reflect on how the show’s depiction of community healing, narrative reframing, and personal transformation mirrors themes in therapy and real-life mental health journeys.
This episode is an ode to queer joy, chosen family, and why sometimes all you need is a safe spaceship, a fake holiday, or a little whittled shark to begin healing.
Characters / Media Mentioned in the Episode:
Themes / Topics Discussed in the Episode:
Relatable Experiences Discussed:
Continue the Discussion:
Tell us what resonated with you from this episode or Our Flag Means Death. Visit the GT Forum, connect on the Geek Therapy Discord, or find us on social media. We want to hear your favorite characters, scenes, or takeaways—and whether you've thrown a Calypso’s Birthday party of your own.
What do you think makes Our Flag Means Death so emotionally resonant and unique?
Which characters or storylines did you relate to the most—and why?
Have you ever created your own “safe spaceship” or community for healing like the crew did?
How do you use humor, storytelling, or creativity to process difficult experiences?
If you were a pirate, what would your ship be called—and what kind of crew would you build?
#369: In this episode of GT Radio, Lara shares her experience running a Dungeons & Dragons game for the first time—after years of playing but holding back from DMing due to nerves and self-doubt. The GT Radio crew reflects on what it takes to try something new, the emotional weight of stepping into unfamiliar roles, and how to make those transitions easier by building in support, safety, and flexibility.
Josué and Link join Lara in a thoughtful discussion on the benefits and challenges of easing into new experiences, including how motivation, timing, and context all affect our willingness to grow. Lara discusses how DMing a one-on-one game with her wife helped her overcome fears, and why that structure made all the difference. They also explore how past experiences—as players, clients, learners—inform our approach to leadership and creativity, especially when flipping roles.
From playing TTRPGs to building models, taking up crochet, or learning guitar, this episode dives into how geeky hobbies can serve as opportunities for emotional development and self-discovery. Whether you're a veteran player thinking about DMing or someone considering trying anything new, this episode is for you.
Characters / Media Mentioned in the Episode:
Themes / Topics Discussed in the Episode:
Relatable Experiences Discussed:
Continue the Discussion:
Join the conversation on the GT Forum, the Geek Therapy Discord, or follow us via social media to share your own story of trying something new, running your first game, or using TTRPGs in your personal or professional life.
Have you ever wanted to try something new but felt nervous to start?
What helped you finally make the leap—or what’s still holding you back?
How do you support others when they're trying something for the first time?
Have you used role-playing games in your mental health work, and how did you get started?
#368: What happens when the things we want to enjoy feel impossibly large? In this episode, the GT Radio crew talks about overwhelming fandoms—anime with thousands of episodes, decades-long comic book universes, sprawling book series, and ever-expanding cinematic franchises. Starting with Josué finally diving into One Piece, the conversation explores why these massive bodies of media can feel intimidating, how fans find creative entry points, and what strategies actually help people get started. Along the way, the hosts draw parallels between navigating fandoms and navigating real life: breaking big goals into smaller steps, asking for help, finding motivation through community, and letting go of the idea that there’s only one “right” way to begin.
Characters / Media Mentioned
Themes / Topics Discussed
Relatable Experiences Discussed
Want to continue the conversation? Join the GT community and tell us about the fandoms you’ve avoided, the ones you finally tackled, or the shortcuts that helped you get started.
Visit the GT Forum and connect with us across the Geek Therapy Network:
What fandom felt too big for you to start, and what finally helped (or stopped) you from jumping in?
How do you decide whether to start at the “beginning” or find an easier entry point?
What strategies from geek culture have helped you tackle overwhelming real-life tasks?
#365 Josué, Marc, and Link discuss Pokémon Sleep and other bio-tracking apps. Are they accurate? Are they helpful? Can a tracking app even be fun? What we can all agree on, is Pokémon are very cute.
Characters / Media Discussed:
Pokémon Sleep (2023)
Pokémon Go (2016)
Pokémon SoulSilver/HeartGold (2009)
Poké Walker - pedometer (2009)
Pokémon Diamond/Pearl (2006)
Poké Ball Plus - controller (2018)
Structured.app - daily planner app (2020)
Pokémon Sword/Shield (2019)
Pokémon Sun/Moon (2016)
Pikmin Bloom (2021)
Street Fighter Duel (2023)
SuperBetter - app (2012)
Themes, Topics, and Relatable Experiences Discussed:
* Change
* Consequences
* Difficult emotions
* Shame
* Mental Health Services
* Problem Solving
* Resilience
* Clarity/Understanding
* Coming of age/Getting older
* Depression
* Disability
* Fear/Anxiety
* Health (Physical)
* Guilt
* Accessibility
Questions? Comments? Discuss this episode on the GT Forum.
—
Links / Social Media
Check out the GT Network: network.geektherapy.com
GT Forum: forum.geektherapy.org
GT Discord: geektherapy.com/discord
GT Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/geektherapy
Find us at GeekTherapy.org | @GeekTherapy | Lara: @GeekTherapist | Link: @CHICKENDINOSAUR | Josué: @JosueACardona
Ask us anything through the Question Queue and we’ll answer on the show: geektherapy.org/qq
Join the Conversation!
Have you ever used a bio-tracking app? What was your experience like?
#367: Spooky season sparks a deep and personal conversation as the GT Radio crew explores ghosts—not just as horror tropes, but as stories we tell to make sense of grief, loss, memory, and meaning. Inspired by Force ghosts in Star Wars and Josué’s experience of losing his mother, the group unpacks what ghosts are supposed to be, whether they believe in them, and why ghost stories are so common across cultures. From residual energy and unfinished business to “ghost winks” and comforting coincidences, the discussion moves between skepticism, belief, culture, religion, trauma, and therapy. Along the way, the hosts reflect on how reframing stories about death and loss can be grounding rather than delusional, and how geek media gives us language to explore mortality in ways that feel safer, more playful, and sometimes even healing.
Characters / Media Mentioned
Themes / Topics Discussed
Relatable Experiences Discussed
Want to keep the conversation going? Join the GT community and tell us where you land on ghosts, spirituality, and the stories that help you cope with loss.
Visit and connect with us across the Geek Therapy Network:
Do you believe in ghosts, or do you see them as stories we tell ourselves?
Have you ever experienced a “ghost wink” or meaningful coincidence after losing someone?
What piece of media has helped you think differently about death, grief, or the afterlife?