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?

S3E4: Josué's time to shine has arrived in this episode of Otaku Ryoho. Josué and Rae discuss the first series, Mobile Suit Gundam from 1979, the most recent series at time of recording, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX from 2025, and many, many other series and adaptations in between that fall under the vast Gundam franchise umbrella. They talk about how Mobile Suit Gundam, as well as most of the franchise as a whole, doesn't shy away from showing the true cost of war, intentionally portrays major players in a morally grey light, and boldly illuminates the role of corporate corruption and influence over politics, power, and oppression. Josué connects the timeless themes in Gundam with current events and they reflect on how war becomes generational trauma. Rae notices a pattern of Japanese storytellers often restarting and retelling the same stories over and over in different forms and adaptations, and wonders if this is a metaphor for the cyclical nature of generational trauma. Or maybe it's just capitalism ruining the party again.  Themes/Topics Discussed:ChangeConsequencesDeathLeadershipPower struggleResilienceStanding up for othersStrong female role modelsStanding up for oneselfSacrifice for othersWorking with othersWarFreeing groups from oppressionSurvivalIndependenceGrey morality in war and politicsHorrors and reality of warCorporate influence and corruption in politics, healthcare, and warCapitalism and corruptionChild soldiers Relatable Experiences:AcceptanceClarity/UnderstandingComing of age/Getting olderDeathFear/AnxietyFightingMaking Others WorryLoss (other than death)TraumaWarGenerational TraumaLiving in a dystopia Anime/Manga/Characters Mentioned: Mobile Suit GundamOne PieceMobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuXAmuro Ray (Mobile Suit Gundam)Fraw Bow (Mobile Suit Gundam)Bright Noah (Mobile Suit Gundam)Char Aznable (Mobile Suit Gundam)Mobile Suit Zeta GundamMobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack (film)Neon Genesis EvangelionSD Gundam ForceMobile Fighter G GundamGundam: Requiem for Vengeance (Netflix anime)Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway (movie trilogy)Yoshiyuki Tomino (Gundam creator)The Man Who Created Gundam (manga)Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron Blooded OrphansMobile Suit Gundam 00Gundam Build FightersMobile Suit Gundam Eight (manga)Gundam SEEDMobile Suit Gundam ZZ (Zeta Zeta)Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the PocketMobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS TeamMobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from MercuryGUNPLA (model kits)Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (manga)Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam (manga)SlayersOne Piece: Party (manga)One Piece School (manga) Non-Anime Media Mentioned: Toonami programming blockStar Wars/The Phantom MenaceStar Fox 64Star TrekPacific RimBand of BrothersSaving Private RyanDungeons & Dragons (D&D)Josué's TAGGS presentation: Making Miniatures Mindfully Rae's TAGGS presentation: The Straw Hat Jolly Roger: How This Symbol Brings Hope and Empowerment During the Darkest Timeline "What If?" Series in Marvel ComicsAbsolute Universe in DC comicsBatman (various series) 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:  Many different types of media portray generational trauma- but which ones focus on ending the cycle? How can you draw inspiration from it and apply it to your work/life?