Nerd Therapy Podcast: Exploring fandoms & mental health

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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 t

Otherworld Theatre


    • Sep 1, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 31m AVG DURATION
    • 16 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Nerd Therapy Podcast: Exploring fandoms & mental health

    The Final Frontier

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2023 13:38


    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: Eric@KeystoneMentalHealth.com Natalie Jeung: natalie@skylightcounselingcenter.com www.otherworldtheatre.org

    Lantern Corps, Mental Health, and Values

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2023 18:24


    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: Eric@KeystoneMentalHealth.com Natalie Jeung: natalie@skylightcounselingcenter.com   www.otherworldtheatre.org/    

    Turning Red with Dr. Lucia Cheng

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2023 44:00


    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.  https://www.phoenixprogressivepsychiatricservices.com/  Eric Koll: Eric@KeystoneMentalHealth.com   Natalie Jeung: natalie@skylightcounselingcenter.com   https://www.otherworldtheatre.org/

    Anger and Beef

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2023 37:59


    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: Eric@KeystoneMentalHealth.com Natalie Jeung: natalie@skylightcounselingcenter.com   https://www.otherworldtheatre.org/

    Video/Tabletop Games and Mental Health

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2023 33:25


    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: Natalie@OtherWorldTheatre.org Eric@OtherWorldTheatre.org  

    Author and Game Designer Rick Heinz Talks about TTRPG, LARPING, and mental health

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2023 39:39


    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 .  https://bit.ly/3lEZdYZ Rick's links: https://www.rickheinzwrites.com/ https://www.storytellersforge.com/ www.OtherworldTheatre.org Emails: Eric Koll: Eric@KeystoneMentalHealth.com Natalie Jeung: natalie@skylightcounselingcenter.com

    Gamifying Goals

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2023 30:47


    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:  https://counterfeitcombat.wixsite.com/fight https://www.amazon.com/LoTR-Mental-Health-Journal-Eric/dp/B0BHKZFXDC/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=lotr+journal&qid=1674421624&sr=8-2 https://theherosjournal.co/ https://www.takethis.org/ http://www.rexbox.co.uk/epicwin/ https://habitica.com/static/home https://www.chicagoswordplayguild.com/ https://gametogrow.org/ https://gcxevent.com/ https://letsplaytherapy.org/collections https://www.otherworldtheatre.org/ Emails: Natalie@OtherWorldTheatre.org              Eric @OtherWorldTheatre.org

    New Year's Resolutions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2023 29:36


    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:  www.NerdFitness.com www.otherworldtheatre.org   Emails: Natalie@OtherWorldTheatre.org              Eric @OtherWorldTheatre.org

    Moon Knight and Mental Health

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2022 43:11


    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: https://skylightcounselingcenter.com/jeung/ Eric Koll: www.keystonementalhealth.com   Otherworld Gala: https://www.otherworldtheatre.org/gala2022

    Dr Cheng- Psychiatry, Video Games, and Mental Health

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2022 46:56


    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: https://www.phoenixprogressivepsychiatricservices.com/ Natalie Jeung: https://skylightcounselingcenter.com/jeung/ Eric Koll: https://keystonementalhealth.com/    Here's a fantastic article by Natalie from Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/video-game-health/202201/women-in-gaming-difficult-intersection   Find this and other great content at  www.otherworldtheatre.org

    Actor/Musician Larry Bagby discusses mental health and his career

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2022 51:44


    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: https://www.coolwatersprods.com/ Otherworld Theatre https://www.otherworldtheatre.org Link to Eric's practice: www.keystonementalhealth.com Link to Natalie's practice: skylightcounselingcenter.com/jeung/   Support the Epic Mental Health: Lord of the Rings Journal on Kickstarter today! www.kickstarter.com/projects/2029253271/epic-mental-health-lord-of-the-rings-journal    Here's a fantastic article by Natalie from Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/video-game-health/202201/women-in-gaming-difficult-intersection   Find this and other great content at  www.otherworldtheatre.org

    Epic Mental Health: Lord of the Rings Journal on Kickstarter

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2022 5:49


    Support the Epic Mental Health: Lord of the Rings Journal on Kickstarter today! www.kickstarter.com/projects/2029253271/epic-mental-health-lord-of-the-rings-journal

    Star Trek's Doug Jones discusses mental health and his career

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2022 30:30


    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: https://www.coolwatersprods.com/ Otherworld Theatre https://www.otherworldtheatre.org Link to Eric's practice: www.keystonementalhealth.com Link to Natalie's practice: skylightcounselingcenter.com/jeung/    Here's a fantastic article by Natalie from Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/video-game-health/202201/women-in-gaming-difficult-intersection   Find this and other great content at  www.otherworldtheatre.org

    Discussing mental health during the pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2022 46:19


    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: www.keystonementalhealth.com Link to Natalie's practice: skylightcounselingcenter.com/jeung/    Here's a fantastic article by Natalie from Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/video-game-health/202201/women-in-gaming-difficult-intersection   Find this and other great content at  www.otherworldtheatre.org

    Meet the Hosts

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2022 31:22


    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 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/video-game-health/202201/women-in-gaming-difficult-intersection   Find this and other great content at  www.otherworldtheatre.org

    Nerd Therapy Promo

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2022 0:41


    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  www.otherworldtheatre.org

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