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:

• How repetition turns lies into “truth”
• Why Haymitch never really had a chance to not let them "paint his poster"
• How edited reality, yes, even like House Hunters, shapes what we accept as fact
• And why “implicit submission” might be the Capitol’s most effective weapon

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!

Patreon

Youtube (watch full videos and shorts!)

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.

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

Facebook

Instagram

Reddit

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

Facebook

Instagram

Reddit

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!)