THE ARKHAM SESSIONS, by Dr. Andrea Letamendi and Brian Ward, is a weekly podcast dedicated to the observation and clinical analysis of the characters in BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES and DOOM PATROL.
A small group of X-Men are captured and taken to labor camps on the island of Genosha. This episode depicts multiple responses to oppressive-related stress, ranging from learned helplessness to psychological fortitude to organized rebellion, and carries a throughline reminiscent of real-life liberation movements led by civil rights leaders: "knowledge is power."
 
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Direct download: The_Arkham_Sessions_Episode_220_X-Men_Slave_Island.mp3
Category:Pop Culture Psychology -- posted at: 9:00pm PDT

Feeling rejected, Wolverine leaves the X-Mansion on a search to find some inner peace. Meanwhile, the rest of the X-Men are sent by Professor X to investigate the island of Genosha, a seemingly pleasant vacation destination rumored to be welcoming to mutants. Both quests raise tensions related to ingroup and outgroup relationships.
 
Dr. Drea also revisits the practice of "trigger warnings" and whether those disclaimers are necessary or effective. 
 
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Direct download: The_Arkham_Sessions_Episode_219_X-Men_Cold_Vengeance.mp3
Category:Pop Culture Psychology -- posted at: 9:00pm PDT

The X-Men discover an underground band of Morlocks, a gang of mutant misfits who perceive themselves as "too unsightly" to live and socialize among non-mutant humans, so they live in the tunnels below the city. With Scott and Jean captured, the X-Men set out to rescue them, but must also address their own safety, specifically, psychological safety.
Direct download: The_Arkham_Sessions_Episode_218_X-Men_Captive_Hearts.mp3
Category:Pop Culture Psychology -- posted at: 9:00pm PDT

To celebrate the holiday season, The Arkham Sessions takes a detour back to Gotham City! Merry Little Batman (2023), a new animated film by Warner Bros. and DC Studios (but released on Amazon!), is an Elseworld holiday special that takes place on the night before Christmas. Bruce Wayne has retired to focus his attention on raising his son, Damian, in what has been a crime-free Gotham. However, little Damian's obsession with becoming a superhero lands him into a lot of trouble--and triggers the resurgence of the city's most contemptible villains.

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Direct download: The_Arkham_Sessions_Episode_217_Merry_Little_Batman.mp3
Category:Pop Culture Psychology -- posted at: 9:00pm PDT

In "Deadly Reunions," we learn that Professor Charles Xavier (Professor X) uses an incredible superpower involving mind-melding and probing the memories of his students. Though he calls it "therapy," Professor X's methods are uncomfortably invasive, coercive, and arguably unethical.
 
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Direct download: The_Arkham_Sessions_Episode_216_X-Men_Deadly_Reunions.mp3
Category:Pop Culture Psychology -- posted at: 9:00pm PDT

In the third episode, the X-Men are introduced to the formidable villain, Magneto, a militant idealist who crusades against bigotry and oppression of mutants. His mission is to help mutants replace humans as the dominant species on earth--by any means necessary. 
 
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Direct download: The_Arkham_Sessions_Episode_215_X-Men_Enter_Magneto.mp3
Category:Pop Culture Psychology -- posted at: 9:00pm PDT

Grab your Hot Pocket and Cactus Cooler, it's another 90's X-Men episode! The X-Men are thrown into crisis, collectively grieving the loss of a beloved member, uncertain how to rescue the survivor, and racked with guilt about their decisions on the battleground.

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Debuting just one month after Batman: The Animated Series, the first episode of X-Men: The Animated Series depicts a foster youth, Jubilation Lee--or "Jubilee"--who, like most teens, seeks independence, creative freedom, and the experience of belongingness. Her struggles are amplified when she is captured by the Sentinels and subsequently rescued by the X-Men, a mutant superhero team led by the avuncular telepath Charles Xavier. Professor X's School for the Gifted is a sanctuary for mutants, complete with institutional curriculum, advisors, and adult supervision. But is Jubilee ready to accept help from society's number one enemy?

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Star Trek: Generations (1994) resurrects familiar, core Trek film themes such as legacy, family, and mortality. Dr. Drea and Brian discuss these themes, as well as the Nexus and its very real philosophical origin. Plus, Brian gets to discuss his take on the Nexus and how it might continue to affect the Trek universe...even to this day.
 
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Direct download: The_Arkham_Sessions_Episode_212_Star_Trek_Generations.mp3
Category:Pop Culture Psychology -- posted at: 9:00pm PDT

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) marks the final adventure for the crew of the 1966 incarnation of the franchise. In this episode, we take a look at the Cold War allegory of this film, as well as the characters' arcs since our "introduction" to them in Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

Plus, Dr. Drea completes her ranking of these films! Will you be surprised?

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