Fear isn’t just about the chills—it’s about what our minds, bodies, and cultures do with it.

In this episode of Wit and Reason, licensed clinical social worker Alex and community psychologist Dr. Alexis unpack the psychology of fear through strange encounters and cultural stories. From childhood trauma mistaken for ghost sightings to Tesla tech glitches misread as hauntings, they explore how fear shapes memory, perception, and resilience.

Why do some people love horror for the thrill, while others can’t escape the weight of terrifying memories? Alex and Dr. Alexis break down the science, the folklore, and the impact on our mental health—while reminding us that the goal isn’t to prove or disprove the paranormal, but to process fear in ways that keep us safe, validated, and curious.

Disclaimer: This episode contains discussions of trauma, hallucinations, psychosis, and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

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Performers do more than entertain. Whether comedians, musicians, theater artists, or athletes, they challenge the status quo, spark joy, and reflect the struggles we all face. In this episode of Wit and Reason with Alex & Dr. Alexis’ Therapy or Trash series, we dive into the psychology of touring, the resilience of live performers, and the ways audiences benefit from their courage to show up on stage.

Through stand-up comedy, indie theater, music, and even BMX stunts, we reveal how performers help us laugh, think, and connect more deeply with ourselves and each other.

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From viral TikToks calling every guy a narcissist to comment sections telling strangers to “leave him now,” the internet is full of armchair therapists handing out diagnoses without context. In this episode of Therapy or Trash, Dr. Alexis Moreno and therapist Alex Honigman dissect the rise of the “Diagnostic Divas” — people with no credentials making sweeping judgments about relationships based on a single clip. They break down the psychology of online overreactions, the dangers of DIY diagnosing, and why these trends can damage real relationships. Along the way, they react to some of the wildest posts and comments, explain how real clinicians assess behaviour, and share practical ways to protect your relationships from bad advice.

Listen in for the expert insights, laugh-out-loud reactions, and myth-busting truths you won’t get from your feed.

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Adult friendships can be lifelines—or emotional sinkholes. But when a friendship starts feeling more draining than supportive, do you walk away, set boundaries, or push for deeper connection?

In this episode of Wit and Reason’s Therapy Or Trash series, Dr. Alexis Moreno and Alex Honigman react to viral videos on friendship, vulnerability, neurodivergence, and emotional intelligence. They dig into whether ghosting, redefining boundaries, or fighting for closeness is healthy and therapeutic… or toxic and trash.

From ADHD distraction guilt to the grief of outgrowing one-sided relationships, they unpack the neuroscience, psychology, and emotional cost of changing how—and who—you connect with as an adult. Along the way, they validate the “strong friend,” challenge outdated social rules, and push for intentional friendships built on equity, reciprocity, and care.

If you’ve ever wrestled with whether to hold on or let go, this conversation will help you see friendship through a sharper, more compassionate lens.

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A group called Return to the Land (RTTL) is creating a whites-only settlement in the Ozarks, requiring members to prove “European ancestry,” identify as straight, Christian, and exclude Jewish people, Black people, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ individuals. This isn’t just racism—it’s an organized attempt to build a high-control community using legal loopholes, cult-like psychology, and social fear.

In this episode of Wit and Reason, therapist couple Alex Honigman, LCSW and Dr. Alexis Moreno, Clinical Community Psychologist, break down viral videos responding to RTTL and use peer-reviewed psychological and sociological research to explain:

• What motivates people to join exclusionary groups
• How identity threats, fear, and authoritarianism shape extremist movements
• Why RTTL may meet many of the criteria for cults and high-control groups
• The dangers of pseudo-legal structures like PMAs (Private Membership Associations)
• How racism, patriarchy, and paranoia form social engineering projects

Whether you're curious, concerned, or confused—this episode explains why this movement is dangerous and what it reveals about the deeper mental health and cultural fractures in America today.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special re-release, Dr. Alexis and Alex revisit their powerful conversation with Freddie Bell, founder of A Gift from Glenn, recorded just days after the January 2025 LA wildfires began.

Freddie shares raw insights from the frontlines of disaster response—from distributing aid to realizing mental health was the missing emergency service. This episode is a reflection on trauma, grief, vicarious exhaustion, and what community healing really demands.

Whether you’re just learning about the fires or still recovering months later, this conversation holds space for real talk and real recovery.

🔗 Support Freddie’s nonprofit: agiftfromglenn.org

🔗 Mental Health First Aid & Resilience Training: witandreason.com

🎧 Reflect. Rebuild. Reconnect.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.