Nerd Therapy Podcast: Exploring fandoms & mental health

In this monthly podcast produced by Chicago's Otherworld Theatre Company, nerdy therapists Eric Koll and Natalie Jeung explore mental health and wellness through the lens of our favorite genres and fandoms. With guests ranging from practicing therapists to celebrities, The Nerd Therapy Podcast is the geekiest mental health exploration on this side of the quadrant!

The Final Frontier 09/01/2023

The Final Frontier A very special thank you to all our listeners. We’ve greatly enjoyed producing this podcast for you. Don’t forget to take care of your mental health! Have a question for the show? Reach out to use below! Eric Koll: Natalie Jeung: /episode/index/show/9f1cd07a-7073-4e87-867c-c5caf8a3c834/id/27904527

Lantern Corps, Mental Health, and Values 07/28/2023

Lantern Corps, Mental Health, and Values In this episode, I talk about what the Lantern Corps from DC comics can teach us about mental health and values. The values discussed in the episode are as follows: Inclusivity, Friendship, Adventure, Courtesy, Boldness, Health, Generosity, Thoughtfulness, Virtue, Fun, Openness, Security, Intimacy, Loving, Hard work, Authority, Honesty, Passion, Simplicity, Gentleness, Piety, Competency, Dependability, Creativity, Humor, Connection, Loyalty, Genuineness, Community, Discipline, Creation, Contribution, Autonomy, Helpfulness, Nonconformity, Respect, Knowledge, Leisure, Spirituality, Commitment, Growth, Courage, Responsibility, Tradition, Compassion, Challenge, Rationality, Peace, Problem solving, Curiosity, Ecology, Romance, Beauty, Justice Have a question for the show? Reach out to use below! Eric Koll: Natalie Jeung: /episode/index/show/9f1cd07a-7073-4e87-867c-c5caf8a3c834/id/27581400

Turning Red with Dr. Lucia Cheng 06/30/2023

Turning Red with Dr. Lucia Cheng In this episode, Natalie and I are joined by special guest and friend of the show, Psychiatrist Dr. Lucia Chen of Phoenix Progressive Psychiatric Services. Join us as we discuss the movie Turning Red and explore themes of life transitions, coming of age, and Asian American culture. Eric Koll: Natalie Jeung: https://www.otherworldtheatre.org/ /episode/index/show/9f1cd07a-7073-4e87-867c-c5caf8a3c834/id/27334437

Anger and Beef 05/26/2023

Anger and Beef Join Natalie and Eric on a discussion on the Netflix TV series, Beef and how to manage feelings of Anger. Stay tuned at to the end to participate in a special exercise to promote relaxation (Progressive Muscle Relaxation). Eric Koll: Natalie Jeung: https://www.otherworldtheatre.org/ /episode/index/show/9f1cd07a-7073-4e87-867c-c5caf8a3c834/id/26961879

Video/Tabletop Games and Mental Health 04/28/2023

Video/Tabletop Games and Mental Health How do nerdy therapists incorporate the use of video and TTRPGs in a clinical setting? How can games help promote deeper insight, personal growth, and discovery? What can clients do to build more mental resilience using their favorite games? Join our cohosts as they dive into a geek-tastic exploration of mental health and gaming. Resources Mentioned: https://www.snakesandlattes.com/chicago https://www.otherworldtheatre.org/ Emails: [email protected] [email protected] /episode/index/show/9f1cd07a-7073-4e87-867c-c5caf8a3c834/id/26681838

Author and Game Designer Rick Heinz Talks about TTRPG, LARPING, and mental health 02/24/2023

Author and Game Designer Rick Heinz Talks about TTRPG, LARPING, and mental health Join Natalie and Eric as they chat TTRPGs with author and game designer Rick Heinz. Rick is the author of countless game titles, has worked with Geek and Sundry, Nerdist, and is a co-founder of Storyteller's Forge. He is currently running a hugely successful crowdfunding campaign for his amazing adventure: The Black Ballad. Together, we three discuss role-playing games and community, grief, loss, speech impediments, and Larping. We are thrilled to host Rick for this special episode and hope you’ll consider backing his amazing work. Please use this link to support the Black Ballad's Backerkit . Rick's links: Emails: Eric Koll: Natalie Jeung: /episode/index/show/9f1cd07a-7073-4e87-867c-c5caf8a3c834/id/26033025

Gamifying Goals 02/24/2023

Gamifying Goals Eric and Natalie talk about leveling up your life by "gamifying your goals." Learn about some unique tools and activities you can use to max your stats, grow your brain, and get involved in the community in Chicago and nationally. Resources mentioned: Emails: [email protected] Eric @OtherWorldTheatre.org /episode/index/show/9f1cd07a-7073-4e87-867c-c5caf8a3c834/id/26029641

New Year's Resolutions 01/27/2023

New Year's Resolutions Welcome back! After a brief break, Nerd Therapy Podcast is excited to help you welcome 2023 and all the changes this year presents. Join Natalie and Eric as they share a therapist's view of New Years Resolutions, learn how you can think like a therapist around identifying goals, setting habits, and how to make lasting changes. Come back next month for an extended conversation on how to gamify your goals. Resources mentioned: Emails: [email protected] Eric @OtherWorldTheatre.org /episode/index/show/9f1cd07a-7073-4e87-867c-c5caf8a3c834/id/25742109

Moon Knight and Mental Health 09/22/2022

Moon Knight and Mental Health Join Natalie and Eric as they explore Marvel's Moon Knight. They explore the (often controversial) Dissociative Identity Disorder as well as a deep conversation on how survivors of trauma try to protect themselves from future pain. Stay tuned at the very end for a pair of mental health interventions based on Moon Knight! Natalie Jeung: Eric Koll: Otherworld Gala: /episode/index/show/9f1cd07a-7073-4e87-867c-c5caf8a3c834/id/24463287

Dr Cheng- Psychiatry, Video Games, and Mental Health 08/26/2022

Dr Cheng- Psychiatry, Video Games, and Mental Health Eric and Natalie talk with special guest psychiatrist, Dr. Cheng of Phoenix Progressive Psychiatric Services about video games and mental health. Dr. Cheng discusses her passion for video games and her advocacy to destigmatize gaming in the psychiatric community. They discuss how to tell healthy vs unhealth gaming habits. Our co-hosts then share some thoughts on both celebrating gaming culture but also getting to the root of problematic patterns for those who may use video games to “hide” from underlying symptoms. Dr Cheng: Natalie Jeung: Eric Koll: Here's a fantastic article by Natalie from Psychology Today Find this and other great content at /episode/index/show/9f1cd07a-7073-4e87-867c-c5caf8a3c834/id/24142704

Actor/Musician Larry Bagby discusses mental health and his career 07/22/2022

Actor/Musician Larry Bagby discusses mental health and his career Natalie and Eric interview Larry Bagby live at Otherworld Theater in front of a live audience. Larry discusses how he develops characters, some of his mental health journey, and how he brings his real life to the characters he plays. To book Larry Bagby, contact: Otherworld Theatre https://www.otherworldtheatre.org Link to Eric's practice: Link to Natalie's practice: Support the Epic Mental Health: Lord of the Rings Journal on Kickstarter today! Here's a fantastic article by Natalie from Psychology Today Find this and other great content at /episode/index/show/9f1cd07a-7073-4e87-867c-c5caf8a3c834/id/23820806

Epic Mental Health: Lord of the Rings Journal on Kickstarter 07/12/2022

Epic Mental Health: Lord of the Rings Journal on Kickstarter Support the Epic Mental Health: Lord of the Rings Journal on Kickstarter today! /episode/index/show/9f1cd07a-7073-4e87-867c-c5caf8a3c834/id/23711936

Star Trek's Doug Jones discusses mental health and his career 06/24/2022

Star Trek's Doug Jones discusses mental health and his career Natalie and Eric interview Doug Jones live at Otherworld Theater in front of a live audience. Doug discusses how he develops characters, some of his mental health journey, and how he brings his past to the characters he plays. To book Doug Jones, contact: Otherworld Theatre https://www.otherworldtheatre.org Link to Eric's practice: Link to Natalie's practice: Here's a fantastic article by Natalie from Psychology Today Find this and other great content at /episode/index/show/9f1cd07a-7073-4e87-867c-c5caf8a3c834/id/23524715

Discussing mental health during the pandemic 05/27/2022

Discussing mental health during the pandemic Natalie and Eric discuss how they have dealt with the pandemic and offer advice to maintain your mental health while in lockdown. Otherworld Theatre https://www.otherworldtheatre.org Link to Eric's practice: Link to Natalie's practice: Here's a fantastic article by Natalie from Psychology Today Find this and other great content at /episode/index/show/9f1cd07a-7073-4e87-867c-c5caf8a3c834/id/23214359

Meet the Hosts 04/22/2022

Meet the Hosts Meet Eric and Natalie, your guides through the world of nerd-based therapy. In this monthly podcast produced by Chicago's Otherworld Theatre Company, nerdy therapists Eric Koll and Natalie Jeung explore mental health and wellness through the lens of our favorite genres and fandoms. With guests ranging from practicing therapists to celebrities, The Nerd Therapy Podcast is the geekiest mental health exploration on this side of the quadrant! Here's a fantastic article by Natalie from Psychology Today Find this and other great content at /episode/index/show/9f1cd07a-7073-4e87-867c-c5caf8a3c834/id/22872779

Nerd Therapy Promo 04/19/2022

Nerd Therapy Promo Meet Eric Koll, a licensed clinical social worker with Keystone Mental Health and Natalie Jeung, a licensed professional counselor at Skylight Counseling Center. They are your hosts for this podcast that is boldly exploring fandoms and mental health! Find this and other great content at /episode/index/show/9f1cd07a-7073-4e87-867c-c5caf8a3c834/id/22846115

Nerd Therapy Podcast: Exploring fandoms & mental health

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