S3E8: This week, Josué & Rae talk about inspiration and perseverance gained from anime! Josué has been noticing a trend on his socials' where people are talking about how anime characters inspired them to keep going, to keep fighting, to never give up during hard times. This is by far, most often seen in Shonen series, and Josué & Rae examine classic Shonen tropes such as "leveling up", the "I wanna be" motivations, and the training arcs. Rae embarrassingly struggles to pronounce "Hokage". The hosts compare and contrast Eastern vs Western mythology and storytelling tropes, such as "leveling up" vs "the chosen one" in eastern and western cultures, respectively, with the eastern collectivist "grind culture for the benefit for everyone" culture vs the western "individualistic power and privilege above all" expectation. Josué & Rae explore how these series and characters portray courage, bravery, fear, "doing it scared", and how supporting characters especially grow by recognizing and accepting their limitations and focus on helping their friends through their strengths (which usually doesn't involve literal physical strength). Themes/Topics Discussed:ChangeCultural representationFearFinding Oneself/Identity DevelopmentLeadershipMoral dilemma Power struggleProblem SolvingResilienceStanding up for othersStanding up for oneselfRelatable Experiences:AcceptanceClarity/UnderstandingFear/AnxietyFightingLoss (other than death)New Life Event (New Rules)SeparationGrowth Anime/Characters Mentioned: Deku (My Hero Academia)Goku (Dragon Ball/Dragon Ball Z)Dragon Ball/Dragon Ball Z (series)Naruto (Naruto/Naruto Shippuden)One Piece (series)Roronoa Zoro (One Piece)Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)Jinbei (One Piece)Sanji (One Piece)Nami (One Piece)Nico Robin (One Piece)Silvers Rayleigh (One Piece, mentioned)Sailor MoonShonen (genre)Pokemon (anime)Record of Ragnarok (Netflix)Celestial Dragons (One Piece)Usopp/Sniper King (One Piece)Tony Tony Chopper (One Piece)Franky (One Piece)Krillin (Dragon Ball/Dragon Ball Z)Rock Lee (Naruto)Sasuke (Naruto)Witch Hat Atelier (referenced)Attack on Titan (referenced)Non-Anime Media Mentioned: Batman (DC Comics)Superman (DC Comics)The Flash (DC Comics)Rocky (film)Star Trek: The Next Generation (Best of Both Worlds part I & II)Jean-Luc Picard/Locutus of Borg (Star Trek TNG, Star Trek: Picard)Star Trek: Deep Space NineWorf (Star Trek: TNG and DS9)Jadzia Dax (Star Trek: DS9)Doctor Who (series)The Twelfth Doctor (Peter Capaldi)Mortal Combat (game)Super Smash Bros. (game, referenced)One Piece Live Action (Netflix)SuperBetter: A Revolutionary Approach to Getting Stronger, Happier, Braver, and More Resilient by Jane McGonigal  Contact Us:Join the discussion on the GT Forum at https://forum.geektherapy.org/ and connect with the Geek Therapy Network through the links at https://geektherapy.org/.Check out our other shows on the GT Network: https://network.geektherapy.org/  Join us in the Geek Therapy DiscordFollow Geek Therapy on Bluesky: @GeekTherapy.bsky.social  Conversation Starters:  Which anime characters have inspired you? How have your favorite characters made you more resilient or determined? 

S3E7: This week, Josué and Rae are talking about Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, a beautiful high fantasy story that begins at the adventure's ending. They explore how Frieren (series and character) models a different way to grieve, one that centers on curiosity, reflection, gratitude, and celebration. They both share personal anecdotes about grief- Josué celebrating and recontextualizing his perception of his grandfather, and Rae rediscovering and revisiting her ancestors through family genealogy research. They then discuss the role of gratitude in grief-based practices as well as its role in living with intention fully in the moment and having no regrets in life.   [Producer's note: this was recorded during the first heat wave of July 2026 so our brains were a little more cooked than usual.] Themes/Topics Discussed:DeathFeeling aloneFinding Oneself/Identity DevelopmentGuiltLoveWorking with othersGriefLossBereavement MourningDisenfranchised grief Closure Grief-based practices GratitudeRelatable Experiences:AcceptanceClarity/UnderstandingComing of age/Getting olderDeathLoss (other than death)GuiltMovingSeeking closure with lossLiving with intention/mindfully/fully in the moment to live without regretsRecontextualizing past experiencesAnime/Characters Mentioned: Frieren: Beyond Journey's EndOne PieceNon-Anime Media Mentioned: Lord of the Rings (books and movies)The Hobbit (book & movies)Dungeons & Dragons Contact Us:Join the discussion on the GT Forum at https://forum.geektherapy.org/ and connect with the Geek Therapy Network through the links at https://geektherapy.org/.Check out our other shows on the GT Network: https://network.geektherapy.org/  Join us in the Geek Therapy DiscordFollow Geek Therapy on Bluesky: @GeekTherapy.bsky.social  Conversation Starters:  What stories about grief have been the most impactful in your life? Which stories have helped you through your own grief?  

49: Can doing less make Disney feel more magical? In the Happiest Pod’s first shorter episode, Ariel and Stef reflect on how their relationships with Disney and the podcast have evolved. They talk about slower park days, letting go of FOMO, experiencing Disneyland through growing children, and finding Disney community in unexpected places. They also look ahead to live-action Moana, revisit the X-Men, and share how Toy Story 5 became part of Ariel’s wedding weekend. Sometimes loving something more means experiencing it more intentionally. Summary00:00 Episode 49 and trying a shorter format 01:31 Why this season of life calls for smaller episodes 03:03 Slower park days and letting go of Disney FOMO 04:45 How absence made Disneyland feel magical again 05:36 Experiencing the parks through growing children 07:55 Why Disneyland still feels like the “real” park 10:00 Trading Hollywood Studios for Tokyo Disney 11:02 When FOMO becomes anticipation 12:36 Disneyland, Disney World, and the right timeline 13:53 How an EPCOT bachelorette changed group travel 15:18 Expanding the podcast beyond Disneyland 16:37 Finding community through niche fandoms 18:35 Spotting Disney people everywhere, even at CrimeCon 19:45 Upcoming Disney projects and what still feels exciting 21:02 X-Men ’97 and returning to stories that endure 22:30 Live-action Moana, representation, and The Rock’s wig 23:59 Lilo & Stitch and Pacific Islander representation 25:26 Gramma Tala, Disney tears, and fixing it in post 26:43 Toy Story 5 and wedding-weekend synchronicity 28:22 Experiencing fandom more slowly and fully 30:36 A new phase for the Happiest Pod Media/Characters MentionedDisneyland ResortWalt Disney World ResortEPCOTMagic KingdomDisney’s Hollywood StudiosDisney California AdventureTokyo DisneylandTokyo DisneySeaDisney Cruise LineMagic KeyPirates of the CaribbeanHaunted Mansion“it’s a small world”Guardians of the GalaxyMoanaMoana 2Live-action MoanaMoanaMauiGramma TalaDwayne “The Rock” JohnsonBretman RockLilo & StitchLiloStitchThe Lion KingX-Men ’97X-Men: Days of Future PastQuicksilverMystiqueEvan PetersJennifer LawrenceAvengers: DoomsdayDoctor DoomToy Story 5Fast & FuriousHawaii Five-0Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.Jason MomoaCrimeConTopics/Themes MentionedThe evolution of the Happiest PodExperimenting with shorter podcast episodesChanging attention spans and media habitsIntentional content consumptionSlowing down and being presentLetting go of Disney FOMOAnticipation versus fear of missing outChanging relationships with Disney parksEnjoying parks without completing a checklistReturning to Disneyland after time awayExperiencing Disney through growing childrenDisneyland versus Walt Disney WorldFamiliarity, comfort, and a sense of homeCurated experiences and authenticityThe cost and accessibility of Disney tripsGroup travel and Disney bachelorette partiesBuilding community through shared interestsDisney adult stigmaFandom as a source of belongingPolynesian and Pacific Islander representationExpectations for live-action adaptationsRevisiting enduring stories and charactersFriendship, family, and changing seasons of lifeExperiencing fandom more fully rather than expansively Links & Resources Host & Show Links:Instagram: @HappiestPodGTFacebook: @HappiestPodGTAriel on IG: @airyell3000 Geek Therapy Links:Website: www.geektherapy.orgGT IG: @GeekTherapyGT Facebook: @GeekTherapyGT Facebook Group: @GeekTherapyCommunityGT YouTube: @GeekTherapyGT Discord: geektherapy.com/discordGT Forum: forum.geektherapy.com Geek Therapy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that advocates for the effective and meaningful use of popular media in therapeutic, educational, and community practice.

S3E6: [SPOILERS FOR END OF WANO ARC IN ONE PIECE] Josué comes out swinging with an open discussion about the trait of openness and novelty-seeking, and how anime largely dominates the market for truly unique concepts and interesting new spins on genre or well-known tropes. They shift into a discussion about positive and negative bias and potential harm from negative media or anime bias in a clinical setting. Rae speaks about best practices with gathering potential clinical data from favorite media, hobbies, and interests using the Geek Therapy model. Both hosts share personal stories and experiences living with ADHD and how ADHD impacts what they find interesting, their struggles with engaging with certain hobbies, and how ADHD heavily influences their love of anime. Rae shares about how she reclaimed her love of reading and touches on ADHD coping strategies. Josué shares two anime that made him feel extremely seen and how this media representation encapsulates the internal experience of ADHD, contrasting it with negative clinical bias discussed previously.  Themes/Topics Discussed:ADHDBurnoutChangeFinding Oneself/Identity DevelopmentMental Health ServicesProblem SolvingResiliencePositive and negative biasesBest practices in clinical settingsOpenness and noveltyPersonality Relatable Experiences:Clarity/UnderstandingComing of age/Getting olderDisabilityFear/AnxietyTraumaLate-diagnosed ADHDAnime/Characters Mentioned: One PieceMy Hero AcademiaGundam (referenced)Undead UnluckMarriage ToxinSpy x FamilyDeath NoteIsekai (genre)The Master of Killing TimeLove, Chunibyo, and Other Delusions Non-Anime Media Mentioned: Looney TunesBehind Your Touch (K-Drama)Chicken Nugget (K-Drama)Avatar: The Last AirbenderInvincible (comic and animated show)Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (film)The Mask (film)Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (film)South ParkRick & MortyTransformers (referenced)Lisa Frank (referenced)Rainbow Bright (referenced) Kill Bill (films)Chronicles of NarniaAlice in WonderlandThe Wizard of Oz Contact Us:Join the discussion on the GT Forum at https://forum.geektherapy.org/ and connect with the Geek Therapy Network through the links at https://geektherapy.org/.Check out our other shows on the GT Network: https://network.geektherapy.org/  Join us in the Geek Therapy DiscordFollow Geek Therapy on Bluesky: @GeekTherapy.bsky.social  Conversation Starters:  What anime-specific tropes are you most drawn to? What does that say about your personality, if anything? 

S3E5: COME ABOARD AND BRING ALONG ALL YOUR HOPES AND DREAMS!! It's time to talk about One Piece! Rae and Josué discuss the overall themes of One Piece and how it's important to not judge this manga by it's cover, per se. They discuss the setting and worldbuilding, examine the factions that make up this world, explore the values of various pirate crews/captains, and explore the nuance and role of neutrality, morality, and propaganda in this story. They then talk extensively about the main character, Monkey D. Luffy, his strengths, relatability, how he inspires and empowers others, and how his nuanced and balanced character fits in amongst other iconic Shonen protagonists. This episode is meant as an introductory episode for One Piece and will likely be the first of many more to follow. Themes/Topics Discussed:FREEDOMFound familyAuthenticityLiberationSelfish vs. selflessFinding Oneself/Identity DevelopmentMaking new friendsMoral dilemmaPower struggleResilienceStanding up for othersStanding up for oneselfRelatable Experiences:Following your dreamsRejecting the things that don't serve youSelf-care and balanceDetermination and ambitionSeeing the best in everyoneEmpowerment and inspirationAcceptanceDeathFightingAnime/Characters Mentioned: One PieceMonkey D. Luffy (character)Gundam (franchise) Dragon Ball Super/ZGoku (character) NarutoNon-Anime Media Mentioned: One Piece Live Action Contact Us:Join the discussion on the GT Forum at https://forum.geektherapy.org/ and connect with the Geek Therapy Network through the links at https://geektherapy.org/.Check out our other shows on the GT Network: https://network.geektherapy.org/  Join us in the Geek Therapy DiscordFollow Geek Therapy on Bluesky: @GeekTherapy.bsky.social  Conversation Starters:  Are you as dedicated to your pursuits as Luffy? What could you learn from his character and his ambition, and how could you apply it to your pursuits?