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The best podcasts about Representation in Film & TV

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Who am I?

I'm a psychologist and podcaster, living in Naarm (Melbourne) Australia, working in disability inclusion and education. With my own lived experience of mental illness, I am passionate about inclusion and breaking stigma around mental illness and disabilities. I'm a huge movie and TV series fan, and love deeply dissecting themes and messages in film, hence the creation of my podcast Psychocinematic. It's podcasts like The Bechdel Cast which really inspired me to use my passion and professional experience in mental illness & disability, combined with my love of film, to start my own. As I navigated life with a mental illness, and went on to study psychology, I was constantly reminded of the representations of mental illness, treatment and therapy, that I saw in movies & tv shows I watched growing up. As I spent much time working in the disability community, and learnt how to be a useful disability ally and support, I couldn't help but notice all the terrible tropes and negative messaging around disability we saw in the media (not just fictional but non-fictional). This led to starting Psychocinematic, and seeking out more and more dissection of depictions of these communities, issues and professions - as well as advocating for more appropriate representation.

My Show

What is my podcast about and/or how does it relate to the playlist topic you chose?

My podcast analyses depictions of mental illness and disability in popular movies and TV shows. We delve into a range of mental illness diagnoses, treatments, disabilities, and chronic illnesses. Good, bad and somewhere in between, we assess whether a depiction meets the mark, in terms of accuracy, having lived experience in its creation, subverting usual stereotypes, and being a helpful depiction. In our early days I had my husband, a medical doctor who went to film school, to bounce ideas off, but we were able to grow enough to invite guests with lived experience onto the podcast, from all different backgrounds. We continue to grow and learn a new perspective and fact with each episode we release.

What is my podcast playlist about?

I picked the 5 (of many) podcasts that also set out to analyse media depictions of various representations - 4 independent pods that I love and admire, ending with the one that sparked the idea for mine, the Bechdel Cast. If you love film, you're interested in psychology, and care about better representation of intersectional issues in the media, these are must listen podcasts.

The podcasts I picked and why

1. Braaains

Why this podcast?

Braaains is a fantastic podcast that shares the same ethos as Psychocinematic - it aims to unpack and educate how our brains work by dissecting relevant film & TV depictions. Hosts Heather & Sarah Taylor interview mental health professionals, scientists, and other experts with lived experience, around the topic of a TV or movie representation. It's educational, super interesting, empowering and brilliantly done.

Braaains

Braaains

Braaains Podcast

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5.0

A podcast exploring the inner workings of our brains, mental health, & disabilities and how film & television portray them. Each episode, hosted by sisters Heather & Sarah Taylor, has an expert talk about a specific facet of our brains. Guests include therapists, scientists, and those with lived experiences and they share facts, insights, and how-tos with our listeners. We then discuss TV series and films that capture this specific aspect of our brains and tell it as it really is. Please follow/subscribe on your favorite podcast app, listen to new episodes biweekly on Tuesdays (every two weeks), and let us know your thoughts about the show. If you enjoy Braaains, please take a moment to rate the show 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ For more information or to suggest a topic, please visit: https://www.braaainspodcast.com.

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3 Listeners

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2. Autism Through Cinema

Why this podcast?

Autism Through Cinema is a podcast which was developed through a research project from the University of London. It explores the representation, presence and expression of autism in popular and underground cinema and TV. They aim to find the answers to the questions: where can we trace autistic influence on film as an art form and a cultural product? What are the ethics of depicting autistic and neurodivergent characters in certain ways? And might we consider the cinematic camera as an autistic mode of expression? Autism is a representation that we often talk about on our podcast with our fantastic guests, so if you want to learn much more about autistic representation this is the podcast you need to listen to.

Autism Through Cinema

Autism Through Cinema

Autism Through Cinema

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5.0

Investigating autistic presence and expression on film and TV. We push beyond the obvious and seek out autistic themes and concerns in films from across the cinematic spectrum. We consider the ethics of performing autism, while also celebrating the autistic pleasures offered by the camerawork and the soundscapes. We delve into the works of cult directors who have hit upon an autistic way-of-seeing, perhaps without ever intending to. We entertain new possibilites for re-thinking beloved films in a neurodivergent light. Join regular contributors Janet Harbord, Georgia Bradburn, John-James Laidlow, David Hartley and Alex Widdowson for their fascinating and diverting discussions of a whole suite of suprising and challenging films. This podcast is brought to you by the Autism Through Cinema project, based at Queen Mary, University of London and funded by the Wellcome Trust. For further information on the wider project, visit our website at autism-through-cinema.org.uk and follow us ...

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2 Listeners

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3. Should They Watch It?

Why this podcast?

As a new mum, I came across Should They Watch It on instagram one day and felt I had struck gold. Voice actor Kara Edwards (and previously, play therapist Laura Orr) delve into children's films and TV series, discuss the themes, messages and representations in them, and ask themselves the question: Should our kids watch it? Kara is a brilliant host and uses her own experience and a lot of humour to discuss each show/movie, with a range of wonderful guest hosts. They focus on children's content new and old, so if you're wanting an opinion on your kids' favourite things, check it out.

Should They Watch It?
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5.0

Before you commit to what could be your child's next favorite TV show, we’ll break down the good, the bad, and the downright annoying of the many TV programs available to your little ones.

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3 Listeners

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4. Two Shrinks Pod

Why this podcast?

Two Shrinks Pod is a brilliant informative podcast for people in the Psychology field but also anyone interested in psychology, that has sadly closed its books recently. It describes itself as such: "Two Shrinks Pod is podcast all about nerding out psychology and psychological theory. The focus is mainly on clinical issues, the kind of topics and issues that come up in psychological therapy such as anxiety, depression and personality disorders. It is a chance to listen to and understand how psychologists think about problems, how they attempt to resolve them, and what their everyday work can entail. The intent is to present discussions that are at a level that psychologists have, rather than dumbed down content that is found elsewhere. " My favourite episodes are their discussions of psychology in film, including therapy, psychological diagnoses and general issues. Check out their episodes Psychs on Film, Diagnosing the Skywalkers, Harry Potter & the Pathological Personalities, and their guests spots on the School of Movies podcast.

Two Shrinks Pod

Two Shrinks Pod

Dr Hunter Mulcare & Amy Donaldson

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Australian psychologists Amy & Hunter nerd out about all things psychology, from Star Wars to Social Anxiety.
Listen in for an independent pod with great chemistry between therapists working in oncology (Hunter) & child psychology (Amy). Each episode focuses on a psychological issue, therapy or simply provides an outlet to overanalyse our favourite tv & film characters.
@twoshrinkspod

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5. The Bechdel Cast

Why this podcast?

The Bechdel Cast is essential listening for intersectional feminists everywhere, who want to know if their favourite movie passes the Bechdel Test - that is, does the movie have appropriate female representation? It uses the test as a jumping off point rather than the solo criteria, so as a result lots of different representations get discussed, including race, culture, sexuality and disability. Hosted by hilarious, often deadpan, and witty Los Angeles–based comedians Caitlin Durante and Jamie Loftus, this is the podcast that inspired me to try podcasting - and taking the idea of dissecting a film or TV show through a mental illness and disability lens. Jamie and Caitlin have covered so many of my favourite movies, and putting on their podcast is very much like joining on your two best friends' conversation and laughing along with them.

The Bechdel Cast

The Bechdel Cast

iHeartPodcasts

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4.9

The Bechdel Cast is a podcast about the portrayal of women in movies hosted by Caitlin Durante and Jamie Loftus.

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12 Listeners

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