New Girl: Representation of neurodivergence, & being gifted [Ft. Dr. Matt Zakreski]

Explicit content warning

10/03/24 • 116 min

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Today, we dive deep into the beloved comfort show New Girl with our special guest therapist, Dr. Matt. This cult classic has captured the hearts of millions, many of whom are neurodivergent. We explore the characters' unique quirks and their neurodivergent traits. 🌟📺🧠

Dr. Matt starts by highlighting how characters like Schmidt exhibit traits of being gifted and neurodivergent, struggling with social skills, perfectionism, isolation, frustration, and OCD. He explains the difference between OCD and OCPD and how Schmidt fits the latter, affecting his relationships and growth. 🧹🧼👔

Next, we delve into Winston's character. Known for his imaginative nature, Winston exhibits autistic-like traits and struggles with teaching others. Dr. Matt discusses the challenges of being neurodivergent and gifted, and the difficulty in articulating unique thought processes. 🎶🐾🐱

We then focus on Nick Miller, Dr. Naz's personal favorite. Nick's struggle with expressing emotions and forming meaningful friendships is highlighted, especially within the context of masculinity. Dr. Matt introduces "pebbling," where small gestures of love accumulate into something significant, and how different communication styles can lead to misunderstandings. 🍺👬💬

Finally, we examine Jess and her difficulty in accepting compliments. This scene, while hilarious, resonates with many who feel insecure or undeserving of praise. Dr. Matt and Dr. Naz discuss why some people reject compliments and how this behavior is rooted in deeper feelings of unworthiness. 🎀💔😂

We hope you enjoy this episode and find comfort in the familiar faces of New Girl. If you're seeking support as a neurodivergent individual, consider reaching out to Dr. Matt. His website and Instagram offer valuable resources, including group coaching and therapy. 🌱🌍💖

To find our new guest: Dr. Matt Zakreski

https://www.drmattzakreski.com/

https://www.theneurodiversitycollective.com/

0:00 Attention

0:54 Sponsorship

1:57 Intro

7:23 Scenes

17:36 Discussion

We'd love to hear your ideas for future episodes and connect with you on social media. Find us here: https://linktr.ee/different_spectrums

Don't forget to use our links for discounts with our partner companies:

ONO Roller

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Cat and Raven Designs

https://catandravendesigns.com/differentspectrumspodcast

Toynk

https://toynk.com/DIFFERENTSPECTRUMSPODCAST

Remember, our podcast isn't therapy. If you need help, please seek professional assistance or call an emergency hotline.

I appreciate your interest in our podcast, Different Spectrums. Our mission is to provide engaging and informative content that promotes understanding and normalizes mental health challenges. We are a group of licensed therapists and neurodivergent individuals who use our unique perspectives and experiences to explore emotions portrayed in movies and shows.

#podcast #therapy #psychology #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalillness #mentalhealthmatters #autismawareness #actuallyautistic #autism #neurodiversity #selfcare #selflove #anxietyawareness #depressionawareness #NewGirl #JessDay #ZooeyDeschanel #Schmidt #NickMiller #WinstonBishop #CeceParekh #Coach #LoftLife #ComedyGold #RoommateGoals #QuirkyComedy #TVComedy #Adorkable

Let our sponsor, BetterHelp, connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your home. Visit https://betterhelp.com/dsp and enjoy a special discount on your first month.

To find our new guest: Dr. Matt Zakreski

https://www.drmattzakreski.com/

https://www.theneurodiversitycollective.com/

0:00 Attention

0:54 Sponsorship

1:57 Intro

7:23 Scenes

17:36 Discussion

We'd love to hear your ideas for future episodes and connect with you on social media. Find us here: https://linktr.ee/different_spectrums

Don't forget to use our links for discounts with our partner companies:

ONO Roller

https://onoroller.com?sca_ref=5082016.VIt4Svd8Ng

Bubs Naturals

https://www.bubsnaturals.com/?discount=DSP20

Two Nerds Candle

https://twonerdscandle.com/DSP

Cat and Raven Designs

https://catandravendesigns.com/differentspectrumspodcast

Toynk

https://toynk.com/DIFFERENTSPECTRUMSPODCAST

Remember, our podcast isn't therapy. If you need help, please seek professional assistance or call an emergency hotline.

Previous Episode

Gordita Chronicles: Latinx Women, Immigrants and Racism [Ft. Cynthia Perez]

Let our sponsor, BetterHelp, connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your home. Visit https://betterhelp.com/dsp and enjoy a special discount on your first month. Cynthia starts by examining the term "gordita." In the Dominican Republic, it's a term of endearment, but in the U.S., it translates to "fat girl," which can be deeply hurtful. This duality impacts mental health, self-esteem, and can lead to eating disorders. We discuss the added challenges of being neurodivergent or having ADHD and the feeling of being marginalized. 🧠💔 We see how the character Cucu vows to stop speaking Spanish to avoid trouble, marking the beginning of losing her cultural identity. This resonates with many Latino Americans and other immigrants who give up their mother tongue to fit in. We discuss the shame and the long-term impact of losing one's native language and cultural roots. 🌍🗣️ Cynthia shares her experiences with her children in school, highlighting how their unique needs weren't met, leading her to homeschool them. This reflects the broader challenges of being Brown and neurodivergent in systems not designed to accommodate diverse minds. 📚✨ One poignant scene involves the father being mistaken for a janitor despite being the Vice President of Marketing and Sales for the Latino population. This moment highlights the pervasive racism many face, being seen for their ethnicity rather than their achievements. We discuss how common this is and the emotional toll it takes. 🏢👔 Lastly, we see the father helping his wife ground herself during her homesickness and anxiety. He recreates familiar Dominican sights and sounds in the car, reminding us of the importance of cultural connections and support. 🚗🌴 We hope you enjoy this insightful and often hilarious podcast. Please check out Cynthia's website for free resources on working with Latinx communities and support her amazing work. We love and appreciate her contributions and invite you to show your support as well. 💕🌐 To find our new guest: Cynthia Perez https://rootedinreflection.org/links/ https://www.instagram.com/rooted_in_reflection/ 0:00 Attention 0:54 Sponsorship 1:57 Intro 9:53 Scenes 19:27 Discussion We'd love to hear your ideas for future episodes and connect with you on social media. Find us here: https://linktr.ee/different_spectrums Don't forget to use our links for discounts with our partner companies: ONO Roller https://onoroller.com?sca_ref=5082016.VIt4Svd8Ng Bubs Naturals https://www.bubsnaturals.com/?discount=DSP20 Two Nerds Candle https://twonerdscandle.com/DSP Cat and Raven Designs https://catandravendesigns.com/differentspectrumspodcast Toynk https://toynk.com/DIFFERENTSPECTRUMSPODCAST Remember, our podcast isn't therapy. If you need help, please seek professional assistance or call an emergency hotline. I appreciate your interest in our podcast, Different Spectrums. Our mission is to provide engaging and informative content that promotes understanding and normalizes mental health challenges. We are a group of licensed therapists and neurodivergent individuals who use our unique perspectives and experiences to explore emotions portrayed in movies and shows. #podcast #therapy #psychology #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalillness #mentalhealthmatters #autismawareness #actuallyautistic #autism #neurodiversity #selfcare #selflove #anxietyawareness #depressionawareness #GorditaChronicles #HBOMax #FamilyComedy #ComingOfAge #LatinaRepresentation #80sNostalgia #Heartwarming #MustWatchTV #CultureAndFamily #RelatableStories #YoungCucu #CubanAmerican #LatinoHeritage #FeelGoodShow #ComedySeries

Next Episode

Heavyweights: Discussing Fatphobia Diet Culture [Ft. Kayla Stansberry]

Let our sponsor, BetterHelp, connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your home. Visit https://betterhelp.com/dsp and enjoy a special discount on your first month.

In today’s episode, we dive into the 90s Disney comedy Heavyweights with our special guest, therapist Kayla Stansberry, a fat-positive therapist focused on fat liberation and trauma education. 🌟 We explore various issues faced by people living in larger bodies, particularly in how society views and often dehumanizes them. We’ll discuss the harmful ways society pushes weight loss, and how those who lose weight can sometimes become the harshest critics of others who are still fat. 🧠

We’ll break down scenes from Heavyweights, starting with a camp leader who, despite being a larger man, is portrayed as incompetent and lacking confidence—a common trope in media. 🎥 We also touch on the problematic nature of restrictive eating, the harm of weight-shaming, and how these practices can reset your weight, leading to further weight gain later on. 🍔

One key discussion revolves around how former fat individuals, after losing weight, often become bullies to those still living in larger bodies, projecting their internalized shame onto others. We’ll also explore the toxic culture surrounding fat camps, particularly the pressure to lose weight and the shame associated with failing to meet weight loss goals. 😔

Kayla sheds light on the damaging cycle of dieting and weight gain, and how this cycle often leads to eating disorders. We even discuss how the stigma of living in a larger body can make simple activities—like going on rides at theme parks or flying on airplanes—sources of intense shame and isolation. ✈️🎢

Lastly, we reflect on a scene where the characters binge-eat after being starved, a common but harmful response to extreme dieting. Kayla emphasizes the importance of addressing disordered eating and rejecting diet culture, especially during the New Year when diet pressures are at their peak. 🎉

We’re honored to have Kayla on the show to help shed light on these issues, and we hope this conversation brings some insight and humor to a topic that deeply affects many. If you’re looking for support, therapy, or coaching, Kayla’s information will be linked in our post and podcast. 💬 Reach out for help or just to connect with more body-positive, affirming content.

To find our new guest: Kayla Stansberry LCPC, IEC

https://linktr.ee/fatpositivetherapist

https://www.instagram.com/fatpositivetherapist/

0:00 Attention

0:54 Sponsorship

1:57 Intro

5:53 Scenes

18:41 Discussion

We'd love to hear your ideas for future episodes and connect with you on social media. Find us here: https://linktr.ee/different_spectrums

Don't forget to use our links for discounts with our partner companies:

ONO Roller

https://onoroller.com?sca_ref=5082016.VIt4Svd8Ng

Bubs Naturals

https://www.bubsnaturals.com/?discount=DSP20

Two Nerds Candle

https://twonerdscandle.com/DSP

Cat and Raven Designs

https://catandravendesigns.com/differentspectrumspodcast

Toynk

https://toynk.com/DIFFERENTSPECTRUMSPODCAST

Remember, our podcast isn't therapy. If you need help, please seek professional assistance or call an emergency hotline.

#podcast #therapy #psychology #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalillness #mentalhealthmatters #autismawareness #actuallyautistic #autism #neurodiversity #selfcare #selflove #anxietyawareness #depressionawareness #Heavyweights #CampHope #TonyPerkis #BenStiller #90sComedy #DisneyClassic #SummerCamp #ChildhoodFavorites #UnderdogStory #ComedyGold #FeelGoodMovie #CampMovies #FitnessCamp #90sNostalgia #HeavyweightsFans