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.
Doctor Strange ascends as a master of the mystic arts, but he also demonstrates the importance of the growth mindset - our mental openness, flexibility, and curiosity. Join us, as we explore Dr. Stephen Strange's fall from grace and rise to potential Sorcerer Supreme!
Direct download: The_Arkham_Sessions_Episode_177_22Doctor_Strange22.mp3
Category:Pop Culture Psychology -- posted at: 9:00pm PST
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At the Black Widow's core is the question of what's real or not real. Natasha's family, though forced together under subterfuge, became meaningful, interconnected, bonded. "Family" is the people around us who give us comfort, connection and belongingness and who see us for who we are. Connectedness, not heredity, has the power to counterbalance adversity.
 
Direct download: The_Arkham_Sessions_Episode_176_22Black_Widow22.mp3
Category:Pop Culture Psychology -- posted at: 9:00pm PST
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In this MEGA holiday episode, which focuses on Captain America: Civil War, we discuss the reality and morality of various "registration acts," and the fictional and real-life elements of brainwashing. 
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We're taking a look at the MCU's 2015 installment of Ant-Man, starring the ever-charming and never-aging Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, and Evangeline Lilly. It's a fun romp; but does it fall flat emotionally? Listen in to find out!

Direct download: The_Arkham_Sessions_Episode_174_22Ant-Man22.mp3
Category:Pop Culture Psychology -- posted at: 5:00pm PST
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In Avengers: Age of Ultron, Earth's mightiest heroes face off with an A.I. gone wild; Ultron evolves past his original programming and becomes a formidable, violent robot seeking to destroy humans so that his super-sentient army of bots can take over as Earth's more suitable occupants. We evaluate Ultron's plan - is Ultron a global terrorist, or just saving earthlings from their own natural course of destroying one another through warfare, genocide, and terrestrial destruction?  The debate, best illustrated by Cap and Tony, is one of control and self-determination.
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Through Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, we learn the power of family, whether it's our origin families or the ones we find along the way. 

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Captain America is living with depression. And that's okay. Take a listen to our analysis of Captain America: The Winter Soldier!

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Should this episode be titled Thor: The Dark World? Or Loki: The Dark World? Decide for yourself, after you tune in to hear Drea's ongoing analysis of Loki and his moments of closeness and compassion with members of his family to understand the concept of Family Systems Theory.

Direct download: The_Arkham_Sessions_Episode_170_22Thor_The_Dark_World22.mp3
Category:Pop Culture Psychology -- posted at: 5:00pm PST
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The seventh film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Iron Man 3, shows a burnt out Tony Stark struggling with the traumatic ramifications of the interdimensional, interplanetary war seen in The Battle of New York (The Avengers). Drea and Brian first examine the sociopolitical context of Iron Man 3, which places a backdrop of intensified ideas around middle eastern terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, and a singular disconcerting extremist leader (in this case, the Mandarin). Then, they discuss the signs and possibility that Tony Stark has PTSD from the near-death experience and life-threatening events of the Battle of New York.

Direct download: The_Arkham_Sessions_Episode_169_22Iron_Man_322.mp3
Category:Pop Culture Psychology -- posted at: 6:00pm PST
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We wrap up our very first Marvel "season" of the podcast with our enthusiastic review of the Disney+ series, Loki. After covering all six films in Phase I of the MCU, we proceed by following the alternate timeline that plucks Loki out of the Endgame timeline and propels him toward his quest for self-discovery and, of course, glorious purpose!

Direct download: The_Arkham_Sessions_Episode_168_22Loki22.mp3
Category:Pop Culture Psychology -- posted at: 7:00pm PST
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