Explore every episode of the podcast The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authors Corner with Christian Hurst | 25 Jun 2026 | 00:24:56 | |
We are thrilled to start our new feature called The Authors Corner! The Authors Corner is where the nerds at the Nerdy Psych Book Club get the very exciting chance to interview our favorite fantasy, dystopian and sci-fi authors! Toda's guest is award-winning author, Christian Hurst, who is the author of the Lily Starling series -a YA science-fiction space opera. In this episode, Brandi and Christian chat about the main character Lily and really dive deep to dissect some of the big concepts-like what it means to be a human. It is a great convo-and great books! We love starting at the beginning-and we definitely recommend starting with the Lily Starling and the Voyage of the Salamander! (It's a 4 book series everyone-with the 4th one coming out soon!!!) ............... The Authors Corner is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A. Special Guest: Christian Hurst Editing/Music: Deanna Boys, M.A | |||
| They Both Die at the End: Pt. 4 Post-Traumatic Growth | 23 Jun 2026 | 00:47:26 | |
The Nerdy Psych Book Club gang finishes up their conversation about They Both Die at the End with our friend, Lindsay Armendariz, by talking about Post-Traumatic Growth. "Post-Traumatic Growth" is a concept where after you have experienced a stressful, or traumatic or any type of life-changing event you can experience significant shifts in thinking. We talk about Rufus a lot; we loved him. Throughout the book we really see him going on a journey demonstrating the 5 main domains of Post-Traumatic Growth: appreciation of life, seeking connection to others, a great feeling of self strength, looking for new possibilities, and a spiritual change. We cry-well Deanna does (only took a whole season!), we laugh a lot and have fun at our nerdy little book club. This is book club, not therapy :) *This is our last book of Season 1! We will be taking a break for July and starting back up with Season 2 in August. * Subscribe to us on all of the platforms and follow us on the socials so you can stay connected for next season! ........... Get your books while supporting the podcast and local bookstores! Both season 1 and season 2 are up!! Physical & E-books: https://bookshop.org/shop/thenerdypsychologistbookclub Audiobooks: https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&awinaffid=2879789&platform=dl&ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2F ........... The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A. Special Guest: Lindsay Armendariz, M.S. Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A. Want to be a guest on The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club? Or want us to be a guest on yours? Send Brandi Hawk a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thenerdypsychologistbookclub
| |||
| Episode 11: Sexism in Fable for the End of the World | 21 Apr 2026 | 00:43:23 | |
In this episode of The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club, Brandi and Deanna jump back into the dystopian world of Fable for the End of the World. We set out to tackle sexism in the drowned world of Inesa and Melinoë and this part of the dystopian world is not far from our real world. From benevolent sexism that sounds nice but reinforces inequality, to hostile sexism and outright misogyny, we chat about how these dynamics show up in the book, and obvi in real life. Through the book we explore how power, control, and gender roles shape behavior, relationships, and gender-based violence. We also talk about things like paternalism, gender roles, and heterosexual desire and also about some pretty sad real life things. It would not be a Nerdy Psych Book Club if we did not have our themed cocktail: Don’t Let the Bastards Get You Down, and this one really sneaks up on ya-recipe in Lee's Cocktail Corner in the Patreon. And as always, full video on YouTube. Sexism is everywhere and we don't have an easy answer on how to fix it, but we both think it is important to name it and call it out when you see it-even to your friends!! Because sometimes the best way to understand the world (and survive it) is to name what’s broken and talk about it together. ........... The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A. Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi Original Animation-Foley-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A. Follow us on the socials! Want to be a guest on The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club? Or want us to be a guest on yours? Send Brandi Hawk a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thenerdypsychologistbookclub | |||
| Episode 10: Dealing with Traumatic Memories in the book Fable for the End of the World | 14 Apr 2026 | 00:47:59 | |
*Heavy content warning*-while we are talking about a dystopian fiction novel and fictional characters, some of the concepts we discuss are real-life and can be pretty heavy to listen to. Feel free to come back to this one when you feel ready. In this episode of The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club, Brandi and Deanna dive further into the haunting world of Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid, unpacking the psychological toll of trauma through the lens of one of its most complex characters: Melinoë, the “angel” assassin. We explore how Melinoë copes with the unbearable reality of her role in the brutal Gauntlet: a deadly spectacle where children are hunted to pay off inherited debts. (Brandi says sorry to Deanna for making her read another book where children are k*lled) "Fable" brings up the concepts of “wiping,” and “echoing," and we talk about how these mirror the different ways people attempt to manage traumatic memories. Melinoë’s forced memory erasure sounds a lot like real-life avoidance strategies like substance use, overworking, and emotional numbing. We also get in our feelings again when we talk about the portrayal of “echoing” and why this is *not* exposure therapy! We also talk about how and why true healing requires safety, skill-building, and connection with others. As Melinoë begins to recover fragments of her past and share them with Inesa, we see the transformative power of empathy and trust. Shame begins to loosen its grip, and something unexpected emerges: the ability to feel again. We've got our themed mocktail (“The Memory Wipe”), Deanna almost gives a Star Trek reference but stops herself, Brandi describes her actual perfect ending for the next book, and we really really really want you to know it is important to talk to a safe person about your trauma and that "wiping" (blocking things out) really doesn't work for long; something seems to keep those memories coming back. ........... The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A. Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi Original Animation-Foley-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A. Follow us on the socials! Want to be a guest on The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club? Or want us to be a guest on yours? Send Brandi Hawk a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thenerdypsychologistbookclub | |||
| Episode 9: Values-Based Living in the book Fable for the End of the World | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:41:50 | |
Get ready for a sweet and heartfelt kickoff to a brand-new book for the month of April. In this episode of The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club, Brandi and Deanna jump into Fable for the End of the World with their usual mix of banter, side stories, and psychological insight. From mispronounced names to rage over that infuriating ending, our hosts take you on an emotional rollercoaster that mirrors the book itself. At the heart of the discussion is Inesa, a compassionate, “loves-the-unloved” heroine navigating a brutal, dystopian world and what it really means to live in alignment with your values when everything around you says not to. We talk about kindness vs. survival, peer pressure, and those all-too-relatable moments when our actions don’t quite match who we want to be. And oh my gosh, there is enemies-to-lovers scenes-WLW scenes!!! We gush over the cabin scenes, and that devastating ending that had us ready to throw the book (Deanna did actually throw the book)… but also we can't wait for the sequel. Join us as we chat, sip our cocktail-"Drowned World" (and not spill it this time!) giggle, and chat about real-life reflections on compassion, connection, and staying true to yourself; this episode is equal parts therapy session and fangirl meltdown and you won’t want to miss a second. ........... The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A. Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi Original Animation-Foley-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A. Follow us on the socials! Want to be a guest on The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club? Send Brandi Hawk a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thenerdypsychologistbookclub | |||
| Surprise Bonus Episode: Into the Vault with Sunrise on the Reaping | 31 Mar 2026 | 00:08:11 | |
🎉 Surprise Bonus Episode: What Are We Really Reading?! 🦖📚 Surprise!! We just couldn't stay away from you all. In this delightfully silly (pro-tip-this was filmed after 2 drinks....) bonus episode of The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club, Brandi and Deanna take a break from their usual deep dive format and answer the question every book lover secretly waits for: “What else are you reading right now?” Join us for a fun jump back into the vault of our first book Sunrise on the Reaping, and a nice little spiral with Deanna's unexpected (but very passionate) love proclamation of dinosaurs. We also make a quick return to the world of Panem where we swap thoughts on favorite and least favorite characters. From love for fierce, scene-stealing Maysilee to strong feelings (*cough**cough* Drusilla); we think this is just a fun little bumper to get you through your day. It’s cozy, candid, and full of the kind of bookish tangents that make you feel like you’re right there in our clubhouse🖤 ........... The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A. Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi Original Animation-Sounds-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A. Follow us on the socials! Want to be a guest on The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club? Send Brandi Hawk a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thenerdypsychologistbookclub | |||
| Episode 8: Complicated Grief and the Sea of Suffering in the book Heir | 24 Mar 2026 | 00:40:55 | |
We’re wrapping up Heir with one last episode -and this one goes straight into the feels. 💙 Join us (and returning guest Dr. Brandi Liles!) as we unpack the heartbreak, healing, and very real psychology behind Quil and Sufiyan’s journeys through loss and complicated grief. From the chaos of the “Sea of Suffering” (obvi we have our themed cocktail 🍹) to the complexities of trauma, grief, and guilt. We explore what happens when loss isn’t just painful, it’s also just so complicated. We chat about avoidance, coping mechanisms, shame, sadness and loss. Also, how do love, memory, and connection help us move forward even when it hurts? Come for the thoughtful insights, a few laughs (I mean-surprise-surprise we are talking about death again), a spilled drink (literally), and a powerful reminder: grief exists because love does, and feeling it might just be the bravest thing we can do. ✨ Come for the fantasy, stay for the psychology, and leave with a deeper understanding of what it means to be human. ........... The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A. Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi Original Animation-Sounds-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A. Follow us on the socials! Want to be a guest on The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club? Send Brandi Hawk a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thenerdypsychologistbookclub | |||
| Episode 7: Invalidation and Validation with the book, "Heir" | 17 Mar 2026 | 00:51:00 | |
In our latest episode of The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club, hosts Brandi Hawk and Deanna Boys are joined by fellow psychologist Dr. Brandi Liles to talk more about the rich and twisty world of Heir by Sabaa Tahir. With humor, honesty, and a fun themed cocktail (Blood Oath!), and our trio breaks down the psychology behind their favorite characters from the book. We get real nerdy this time with our favorite-Sirsha-with her fierce attitude and guarded heart-we just love her. Her story is one of rejection and a ton of invalidation from her family and community. Blending real-world clinical insight with fantasy storytelling, this episode breaks down concepts like emotional validation, shame, and behavioral change in a way that’s both relatable and thought-provoking. The hosts also share practical takeaways on how to navigate invalidating environments, build self-compassion, and find your people. This episode is one that’s equal parts book club, therapy-adjacent reflection, and nerdy fun. ✨ Whether you’re here for the fantasy, the psychology, or the character drama, you’ll leave seeing both the story and yourself a little differently. ........... The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A. Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi Original Animation-Sounds-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A. Follow us on the socials! | |||
| Episode 6: How a "Hero" becomes a "Villain" With the book "Heir" | 10 Mar 2026 | 00:43:30 | |
What really makes someone a villain? Is it ignorance, manipulation, or the moment we knowingly choose the wrong path? In this episode of The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club, hosts Brandi Hawk and Deanna Boys continue their discussion about Heir by Sabaa Tahir and tackle one of the book’s most fascinating and frustrating characters: Aiz. With their signature mix of humor, psychology, and bookish enthusiasm (plus a spicy margarita-style drink called “Tragic Consequences”), Brandi and Deanna talk about the psychological forces behind Aiz’s transformation (Brandi says Aiz was a hero....Deanna is not so sure). They break down concepts like belief perseverance, confirmation bias, and ego defense to explain how people can cling to beliefs, even when the evidence clearly shows they’re wrong. Listen or watch along to hear some deep thoughts, fun book club banter, memorable quotes from the novel, and real-life reflections about how these same mental patterns show up in everyday relationships, belief systems, and even the way we consume information online. Grab your drink, bring your curiosity, and get ready for a lively book club conversation with your favorite nerdy psychologists. ............ The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A. Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi Original Animation-Sounds-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A. Follow us on the socials! | |||
| Episode 5: What does it mean to be an "Heir" with the book "Heir" | 03 Mar 2026 | 00:43:55 | |
This month we are starting a brand-new Nerdy Psych book club pick! We are picking apart and diving real deep into Heir by Sabaa Tahir. Set roughly 20 years after the Ember in the Ashes series, Heir follows three unforgettable characters: Aiz, an orphan forged by the brutality of the slums and fueled by vengeance. Sirsha, a sharp-tongued tracker bound by blood oath and battling her own complicated legacy. Quil, the reluctant crown prince who fears inheriting not just a throne, but the corruption that comes with it. With our themed cocktail called Desire & Sacrifice in hand, we explore what it really means to be an heir. Is it just about crowns and kingdoms—or is it about the expectations, belief systems, and family pressures we all inherit? If you love: ✨ Big, immersive fantasy worlds ✨ Morally complex characters ✨ Psychology meets YA/adult fantasy then this episode is your perfect entry into our Nerdy Psychologist Book Club! Grab your copy of Heir, brace yourself for spoilers, and get ready to question what you’ve inherited… and what you’re willing to become. ............ The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A. Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi Original Animation-Sounds-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A. | |||
| Episode 4: The Illusory Truth in Sunrise on the Reaping | 24 Feb 2026 | 00:41:00 | |
What if everything you believed about peace… was just really good marketing? In this episode of Nerdy Psychologist Book Club, we finish up our discussion Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins with our fun themed cocktail in hand, and dive into the psychology of propaganda and the illusory truth effect. With “Peacekeepers” who definitely do not keep peace, and Panem residents being fed the consistent message of “No Hunger Games, No Peace,” we talk about why the more you hear something, the more you believe it (even when you know it’s false). We unpack:
It’s dystopia. It’s trauma psychology. It’s Broadway references with a bit of cognitive dissonance and a side of mimosas. Cheers. 🥂 ............ The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A. Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi Original Animation-Sounds-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A. Find us on the socials and our patreon! Youtube (watch full videos and shorts!)
| |||
| Episode 3: Cognitive Dissonance in Sunrise on the Reaping | 17 Feb 2026 | 00:44:48 | |
It can be difficult to understand a character like Effie. How can she keep working for the Games despite all she knows? The answer is she's just like us, and we all struggle with cognitive dissonance. Join Brandi Hawk and Deanna Boys as they explore how cognitive dissonance shapes our beliefs and our behaviors through Effie Trinkett and what that means for us in real life. OH! And also find out why Deanna had nightmares reading this book! ............ The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A. Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi Original Animation-Sounds-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A. | |||
| They Both Die at the End: Part 3 Avoidance | 18 Jun 2026 | 00:42:12 | |
In They Both Die at the End, Mateo spends his entire life avoiding anything that could potentially mean his untimely demise. Delilah avoids the reality that her death cast call was real and not a prank by her ex Victor. Andrea, a Death Cast employee who avoids feeling feelings or processing any of the sadness that surrounds her. And Vic does it too-but we just want to avoid thinking he was even in the book ugh. We talk with our friend, Lindsay Armendariz about the ways avoidance shows up in this book and in our lives. And while avoidance can be helpful sometimes, too much will keep us from really enjoying the things that make us happy. This is book club, not therapy :) *This is our last book of Season 1! We will be taking a break for July and starting back up with Season 2 in August. * Subscribe to us on all of the platforms and follow us on the socials so you can stay connected for next season! ........... Get your books while supporting the podcast and local bookstores! Both season 1 and season 2 are up!! Physical & E-books: https://bookshop.org/shop/thenerdypsychologistbookclub Audiobooks: https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&awinaffid=2879789&platform=dl&ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2F ........... The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A. Special Guest: Lindsay Armendariz, M.S. Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A. Want to be a guest on The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club? Or want us to be a guest on yours? Send Brandi Hawk a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thenerdypsychologistbookclub
| |||
| Episode 2: Power and Control in Sunrise on the Reaping | 10 Feb 2026 | 00:54:08 | |
We might not be in a relationship with President Snow, but many unhealthy relationships share some of the same power and control dynamics he uses with Haymitch. Join Brandi Hawk, Deanna Boys and special guest Dr. Brandi Liles as they dive deeper into the world of Sunrise on the Reaping to explore the creepy power dynamics used by President Snow on all of the citizens of Panem. ............ The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A. Special Guest: Brandi Liles, Ph.D. Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi Original Animation-Sounds-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A.
If you would like to support the show and see some cool resources and videos, check out our Patreon We are on the socials too: Watch us on Youtube | |||
| Episode 1: Trauma Responses in Sunrise on the Reaping | 10 Feb 2026 | 00:44:59 | |
Our first book is Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, and in our first episode, we discuss the many ways Haymitch responds to traumatic events. Join Brandi Hawk and Deanna Boys and their special guest, Dr. Brandi Liles as they talk about fight, flight, freeze, appease and tend and befriend and how it comes up in the character of Haymitch. ............ The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A. Special Guest: Brandi Liles, Ph.D. Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi Original Animation-Sounds-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A.
If you would like to support the show and see some cool resources and videos, check out our Patreon We are on the socials too: Watch us on Youtube | |||
| Episode 0: The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club Trailer (audio) | 28 Jan 2026 | 00:01:14 | |
Coming Tuesday February 10th, a new weekly podcast where psychology experts Brandi Hawk & Deanna Boys explore trauma and questionable choices in YA fantasy and dystopian fiction. Join them as they armchair diagnose fictional characters, talk about what that means for us in the real world, drink fancy book-themed cocktails and have very nerdy conversations. (audio version!) | |||
| They Both Die At The End: Part 2: Me and My Anxiety | 10 Jun 2026 | 00:53:05 | |
Are you anxious? Does having to send an email send you into a cold sweat? Do you ever wonder if your anxiety is preventing you from living your full life? This book (They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera) and episode (of the Nerdy Psych Book Club) is for you! We are joined by friend of the podcast, Dr. Brandi Liles who is an expert in anxiety both in lived experience and work expertise. We talk about the sweet Mateo (Deanna has decided he is a Pisces), and how his anxiety prevented him from really living a full life. But on his last day on earth-with the help of his new love Rufus, he pushes past his anxiety and learns to live his life to the fullest he can....before he dies. Come along with us where we talk about different ways you can get your hands and feet to move forward when anxiety keeps you stuck. *This is our last book of Season 1! We will be taking a break for July and starting back up with Season 2 in August. * Subscribe to us on all of the platforms and follow us on the socials so you can stay connected for next season! ........... Get your books while supporting the podcast and local bookstores! Both season 1 and season 2 are up!! Physical & E-books: https://bookshop.org/shop/thenerdypsychologistbookclub Audiobooks: https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&awinaffid=2879789&platform=dl&ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2F ........... The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A. Special Guest: Brandi Liles, Ph.D. Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A. Want to be a guest on The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club? Or want us to be a guest on yours? Send Brandi Hawk a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thenerdypsychologistbookclub | |||
| They Both Die At The End: Part 1-Talking About Death | 02 Jun 2026 | 00:54:37 | |
Our June book of the month starts off with a bang as we parse apart the book, "They Both Die At The End" by Adam Silvera. We start off real strong-much to Deanna's annoyance, talking about death and the importance of talking about death for our collective mental health. The spoiler is right in the name there so you already know the ending, but the cool thing about this book is that, that is not really the message. Spoiler alert for that and for our conversation- we think the real message is that while we all will die one day; we think it is important to talk about how we can get to living and not let the fear of death overcome our ability to live a full life. Come along and listen-it’s a hoot. *This is our last book of Season 1!* We will be taking a break for July and starting back up with Season 2 in August. Subscribe to us on all of the platforms and follow us on the socials so you can stay connected for next season! ........... Get your books while supporting the podcast and local bookstores! Both season 1 and season 2 are up!! Physical & E-books: https://bookshop.org/shop/thenerdypsychologistbookclub Audiobooks: https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&awinaffid=2879789&platform=dl&ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2F ........... The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A. Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A. Want to be a guest on The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club? Or want us to be a guest on yours? Send Brandi Hawk a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thenerdypsychologistbookclub | |||
| So Let Them Burn: Pt 4-"The gods are liars" | 27 May 2026 | 00:49:55 | |
We finish our discussion of So Let Them Burn by talking about the psychology of leadership and specifically talk about this with how the gods treat Faron in the book. Faron is powered up with god-like strength and is on speed dial with the gods, but they definitely do not trust her as far as they can throw her (and they try!). Throughout the book, the gods withhold important life altering information, give her half-truth answers to her questions and then when things start falling into place that maybe there is more to the story for Faron, they demand that she kill her sister (be a team player Faron)! Sound a little like your boss? Well, maybe not the killing your sister part, but kinda right? Come along with us as we have a good venting session about the book, the leaders that have let us down in the past...AND how we can be better leaders than these lying gods. ........... Get your books while supporting the podcast and local bookstores! Physical & E-books: https://bookshop.org/shop/thenerdypsychologistbookclub Audiobooks: https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&awinaffid=2879789&platform=dl&ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2F ........... The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A. Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A. Want to be a guest on The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club? Or want us to be a guest on yours? Send Brandi Hawk a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thenerdypsychologistbookclub | |||
| So Let Let Them Burn: Pt 3-"If you go, I go" -The Reeve Episode | 19 May 2026 | 00:41:21 | |
In this episode, we continue our conversation on So Let Them Burn, focusing on the character Reeve and his role as a supportive friend to both Elara, but more specifically to Faron. Reeve’s strength lies in his quiet presence. He consistently “shows up” for others, especially Faron and doesn't try to fix her or tell her she is being too much, or leaves her alone. Instead, he meets her where she is emotionally, allowing her to feel anger, pain, and confusion without judgment. We talk a little bit about colonization, Deanna brings up Star Trek again and we talk about the crumbs of "spice" we were given with the one kiss scene between Faron and Reeve! We drink our themed cocktail-"The Ally" and have fun chatting about how Reeve is such a good model for how to show up for our friends and family members when they have been through something scary or traumatic. ........... Get your books while supporting the podcast and local bookstores! Physical & E-books: https://bookshop.org/shop/thenerdypsychologistbookclub Audiobooks: https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&awinaffid=2879789&platform=dl&ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2F ........... The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A. Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi Original Animation-Foley-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A. Follow us on the socials! YouTube Want to be a guest on The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club? Or want us to be a guest on yours? Send Brandi Hawk a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thenerdypsychologistbookclub | |||
| So Let Them Burn Pt 2: People Pleasing | 12 May 2026 | 00:48:14 | |
Episode 14: So Let Them Burn Pt. 2: People Pleasing In this episode of the Nerdy Psychologist Book Club, we welcome back our friend and colleague, licensed marriage and family therapist Shayla Allen for a continuation of So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole; this time, focusing on the character Elara and the psychology of people pleasing. We explore Elara’s role as the dependable older sister living in the shadow of her divinely chosen sibling, Faron, and how her self-sacrificing nature reflects classic people-pleasing patterns: overcommitment, fear of disappointing others, and postponing her own needs in the hopes of approval and stability. Well...we used her as a starting point to talk about our own people pleasing tendencies. So, actually, we are now the recovering people pleasers book club. All people pleasers welcome; no worries if not, whatever works best for you! Join us as we unpack our own issues a tiny bit, drink our fun drink, "The People Pleaser" and find out what happens when people stop being polite and start being real....with themselves. (You know we had to get that real world reference in there!). ........... The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A. Special Guest: Shayla Allen, LMFT Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi Original Animation-Foley-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A. Follow us on the socials! Want to be a guest on The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club? Or want us to be a guest on yours? Send Brandi Hawk a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thenerdypsychologistbookclub | |||
| So Let Them Burn Pt 1: Egocentrism | 05 May 2026 | 00:52:41 | |
In this episode of The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club, we are joined by our friend and colleague Shayla Allen LMFT to start our conversation about So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole. So Let Them Burn is a fun fantasy novel with dragons, magic, and teenagers going to war imbued with god like power-it is a pretty cool story. We pick apart the main character, Faron, who has a direct line to the gods, can channel their power but also starts making risky and dangerous choices. With Faron as our representative of the book, we talk about a very big part of adolescent development: Egocentrism. We explain about two big parts of egocentrism: the “imaginary audience,” and the “personal fable.” We talk about our own risky teen behaviors, the current impact of social media, parenting dynamics, and the challenge of forming identity during adolescence. We also explore deeper themes of truth, shame, and accountability, questioning what it means to “live in your truth” when you’ve been shaped by conflicting narratives. Come along with us while we sip our themed cocktail, "The Expert Liar" and chat with us about the psychology of growing up, making mistakes, and learning who you are. Oh! And Deanna did finish the book in time-just barely though! ........... The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A. Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi Original Animation-Foley-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A. Follow us on the socials! Want to be a guest on The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club? Or want us to be a guest on yours? Send Brandi Hawk a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thenerdypsychologistbookclub | |||
| Episode 12: How can a parent do that? In Fable for the End of the World | 28 Apr 2026 | 00:48:45 | |
In our final installment on Fable for the End of the World, the Nerdy Psychologist Book Club explores one of the story’s most frustrating characters: Inesa’s mother. In Fable for the End of the World, Inesa's mother, Janina is the one that racks up so much debt that she puts her own daughter into the Gauntlet to be hunted down by the Angel assassins. Brandi and Deanna talk about some of the reasons why a parent would do such a thing to their child. Deanna gets stuck on The Betrayal of it all (our themed cocktail!) and Brandi uses her clinical expertise to try to get Deanna to empathize with Janina –just a tiny bit. We talk about the whys (society, personal history and mental illnesses) that contribute to making a villain like Janina. And we touch on why it is important to get to know more about why villains do what they do but we can and should hold both empathy and accountability at the same time (dialectical thinking!) PS-next month we are reading "So Let Them Burn" by Kamilah Cole! We are excited to get that going in May. (PPS-Find out whether Deanna was able to finish the book in time for filming! Come join us next time!) *Explicit language warning-we do cuss a little ;) * ........... The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A. Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi Original Animation-Foley-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A. Follow us on the socials! YouTube Want to be a guest on The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club? Or want us to be a guest on yours? Send Brandi Hawk a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thenerdypsychologistbookclub
| |||