Intersectional Psychology

What makes one a good person – is it our actions or our motivations? 
What happens when someone downtrodden is suddenly given immense power?
Can you really trust a priest called Father Brah? 
And should “Greg Serrano” be a search term on porn sites? 

To answer some of these questions, Snailina Carpenter aka Aurora Brown is joined by Student Clinical Psychologists Jordynne Le Roux and Zabibu Ishimwe. Together they break down the music and mental health themes in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Season 1 Episode 5, titled “Josh and I Are Good People!” 
That’s right, we’re discussing father-daughter love, shame vs. guilt, sexual and emotional infidelity, megalomania, immigration, and office politics.

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⏳ Chapter Timestamps
00:00:00 Short introduction to a psychological analysis of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend S01E05 
00:00:51 Land acknowledgement 
00:01:26 Title credits: Josh and I Have Fragile Egoes! 
00:01:58 Guest introductions and their orientation to Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (CXG) 
00:04:58 Recapping the plot of CXG S01E05 "Josh and I Are Good People!" 
00:06:25 "If you believed it, then somehow I could believe it too." Rebecca v. Josh: Shame v. Guilt 
00:20:18 "My nickname is Mother Teresa Luther King." I'm A Good Person 
00:30:38 "Yeah, it's a weird visual now that I think of it..." I Love My Daughter (But Not in a Creepy Way) 
00:40:35 "These people are such garbage." Paula's power trip 
00:51:03 "Two things are a lot for one brain." The prevailing question: Why Josh? 
01:15:32 Rating CXG S01E05 on the Fanon Test 
01:26:43 "I need to go; my electrolytes are low." Exit stage left 
01:31:20 End credits 

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References
Bloom, R., & Schlesinger, A. (2015, November 9). I'm A Good Person (Reprise). MMXV CBS Studios; Warner Bros. Entertainment. 
Bloom, R., & Schlesinger, A. (2015, November 11). I'm A Good Person [Music Video]. YouTube. 
Bloom, R., Schlesinger, A., & Dolgen, J. (2015, November 9). I Love My Daughter (But Not in a Creepy Way). MMXV CBS Studios; Warner Bros. Entertainment. 
Hitchcock, M. (Writer), & Hardcastle, A. (Director). (2015, November 9). Josh and I Are Good People! (Season 1, Episode 5) [TV series episode]. In R. Bloom, A. Bosh McKenna, & M. Webb (Executive Producers), Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. MMXV CBS Studios; Warner Bros. Entertainment. 

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Is the fastest way to get over someone really to get under someone else? 
Can a relationship ever be successful if one or both of the people in it feel like one of them is settling for the other? 
And when will “bonker balls” be added to the DSM?

To answer some of these questions, Aurora Brown is joined by healthy choices, Clinical Psychologist Nazneen Firfirey and Biodiversity and Conservation Biologist – and musical theatre extraordinaire – Lyle Wilson. Together they break down the music and mental health themes in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Season 1 Episode 4, titled “I’m Going on a Date with Josh’s Friend!” 
That’s right, we’re discussing PAP smears with Mom, sex with a stranger, ideal partner preferences, and fear of intimacy.

Let's get weird. 

More from the guests
Nazneen Firfirey: nazfirefly@gmail.com
Lyle Wilson on Insta: @lylewilson1

🎁 Support the podcast and get exclusive bonus content at Patreon.com/IntersectionalPsychology.

📄 Download a transcript of this episode on IntersectionalPsychology.com.

⏳ Chapter Timestamps
00:00:00 Short introduction to the representation of mental health in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend S01E04 
00:01:12 Land acknowledgement 
00:01:40 Title credits: I'm Not Ready for a Health Relationship! 
00:02:20 Guest introductions and their orientation to Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (CXG) 
00:06:09 Recapping the plot of CXG S01E04 "I'm Going on a Date with Josh's Friend!" 
00:08:30 "The [kosher] salt in the wound." Rebecca's Mommie Dearest 
00:12:45 "Come back to my place and please don't be a murderer." Sex with a Stranger & a date with a friend 
00:31:04 "If he's your broken condom, I'm Plan B." Settle for Me 
00:45:01 OMG we're heading for middle age: We all love Greg Serrano 
00:51:12 To diagnose or befriend [Rebecca]? 
01:04:45 "I'M SO CHILL!!!" Josh's application to Aloha Tech 
01:11:16 Rating CXG S01E04 on the Fanon Test 
01:23:23 "I can hear your face." Exit stage right 
01:29:27 End credits 

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References 
Bloom, R., & Schlesinger, A. (2015, November 2). Settle for Me (Reprise). MMXV CBS Studios; Warner Bros. Entertainment. 
Bloom, R., Schlesinger, A., & Dolgen, J. (2015, November 3). Settle for Me [Music Video]. YouTube. 
Bloom, R., Schlesinger, A., Dolgen, J., & Patel, S. (2015, November 2). Sex with a Stranger [Music Video]. YouTube. 
Eastwick, P. W., Finkel, E. J., & Joel, S. (2023). Mate evaluation theory. Psychological Review, 130(1), 211–241. https://doi.org/10.1037/rev0000360 
Eastwick, P. W., Luchies, L. B., Finkel, E. J., & Hunt, L. L. (2014). The predictive validity of ideal partner preferences: A review and meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 140(3), 623–665. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032432 
Ehrlich, E. (Writer), & McDonald, S. (Director). (2015, November 2). I'm Going on a Date with Josh's Friend! (Season 1, Episode 4) [TV series episode]. In R. Bloom, A. Bosh McKenna, & M. Webb (Executive Producers), Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. MMXV CBS Studios; Warner Bros. Entertainment. 
Finkel, E. J. (2025). Romantic relationships. In D. T. Gilbert, S. T. Fiske, E. J. Finkel, & W. B. Mendes (Eds.), The handbook of social psychology (6th ed.). Situational Press. https://doi.org/10.70400/NELF6116 
Groves, J. M., & Chan, A. H. (2017). Love in the time of ‘settling’: Forbidden knowledge and modern singles advice. Journal of Sociology, 54(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/1440783317721351 
Spielmann, S. S., MacDonald, G., Maxwell, J. A., Joel, S., Peragine, D., Muise, A., & Impett, E. A. (2013). Settling for less out of fear of being single. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 105(6), 1049–1073. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0034628 
“Settling for less out of fear of being single”: Correction to Spielmann et al. (2013). (2018). Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 115(5), 804. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000227

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How is Rebecca ever going to rekindle her romance with Josh, now that Valencia has warned her to stay away from them both? 
Will we ever learn more about Rebecca’s childhood and the obvious trauma she’s experienced? 
And is this burgeoning relationship between Rebecca and Paula simply a one-way street – or will Rebecca ever do something for Paula? 

To answer these questions, Aurora is joined by her definite friends, Student Clinical Psychologists HuiMei Lu and Darryn Williams. On this episode of the We're All So Broken Inside series, they analyse the representation of mental health and psychology in "I Hope Josh Comes to My Party!", Episode 3 of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. So swallow the barf and press play!

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📄 Download a transcript of this episode on IntersectionalPsychology.com.

⏳ Chapter Timestamps
00:00:00 Short introduction to representation of psychology in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend S01E03
00:01:01 Land acknowledgement
00:01:30 Title credits: I Hope Rebecca Faces Her Real Fears! 
00:02:09 Guest introductions and their orientation to Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (CXG)
00:06:38 Recapping the plot of CXG S01E03 "I Hope Josh Comes to My Party!"
00:09:32 "If you're gonna sweat, can you put down a towel?" The garbage disposal chicken scene.
00:13:48 "You don't understand. This was the worst party of all time." Face Your Fears 
00:27:23 "Not even a revolving barbershop pole revolves around barbershop." Intro to Paula's family
00:38:10 "On it, doin' it, crushin' it, bye." We Have Friends
00:44:49 "Baby, you can kiss all your childhood traumas goodbye." Not Just A Boy Band Made Up of 4 Joshes
01:14:48 Rating CXG S01E03 on the Fanon Test
01:27:12 "Party like it's Weekend Tuesday!" In closing
01:29:46 End credits

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References 
Bloom, R. (Writer), Brosh McKenna, A. (Writer), & Davis, T. (Director). (2015, October 26). I Hope Josh Comes to My Party! (Season 1, Episode 3) [TV series episode]. In R. Bloom, A. Bosh McKenna, & M. Webb (Executive Producers), Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. MMXV CBS Studios; Warner Bros. Entertainment. 
Bloom, R., & Schlesinger, A. (2015, November 1). Not Just A Boy Band Made Up of Four Joshes [Music Video]. YouTube. 
Bloom, R., Schlesinger, A., Dolgen, J., & Patel, S. (2015, October 29). Face Your Fears [Music Video]. YouTube. 
Bloom, R., Schlesinger, A., & Hitchcock, M. (2015, October 30). I Have Friends [Music Video]. YouTube. 

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Can Rebecca freely admit that she moved to West Covina for Josh, now that Paula has discovered her secret? 
What is Paula's damage, that she is encouraging Rebecca to pursue Josh? 
What type of codependent relationship will develop between these women? 
And speaking of types, what type is Josh's girlfriend? 

To answer these questions, Aurora is joined by her "cazh buds" Counselling Psychologist Rekha Kangokar and Student Clinical Psychologist Cailen Jonker. On this episode of the We're All So Broken Inside series, they analyse the representation of mental health and psychology in "Josh's Girlfriend Is Really Cool!", Episode 2 of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. So ready your resting Maggie Smith face and press play!

More from the guests
Learn about Rekha's practice on her website: https://harmonyunbound.co.za/
Cailen is on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cailen-jonker-3683a02b8/

🎁 Support the podcast and get exclusive bonus content at Patreon.com/IntersectionalPsychology.

📄 Download a transcript of this episode on IntersectionalPsychology.com.

⏳ Chapter Timestamps
00:00:00 Short introduction to representation of psychology and mental health in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend S01E02
00:01:10 Land acknowledgement
00:01:37 Title credits: Rebecca's Ex-Boyfriend Is Really Manipulative! 
00:02:17 Welcome and guest introductions 
00:03:33 Content note
00:03:54 Orientation to Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (CXG)
00:11:26 Recapping the plot of CXG S01E02: "Josh's Girlfriend Is Really Cool!"
00:13:42 "She's so broken inside." The Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Season One theme song. 
00:18:25 "I'm just watching my ex-boyfriend make out with the hottest girl I've ever seen." The supermarket scene. 
00:29:15 "I've never met anyone in my life who lies to themselves as much as you do." The relationship between Rebecca and Paula. 
00:36:12 "I'm so much better than you." I'm So Good At Yoga.
00:55:13 "Wanna own you and consume you." Feeling Kinda Naughty.  
01:06:27 Rating CXG Season 1, Episode 2, "Josh's Girlfriend is Really Cool!" on the Fanon Test. 
01:21:57 "Pursued by a bear." In closing.
01:24:20 End credits

Stay connected
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References
Bloom, R. (Writer), Brosh McKenna, A. (Writer), & Scardino, D. (Director). (2015, October 19). Josh's Girlfriend Is Really Cool! (Season 1, Episode 2) [TV series episode]. In R. Bloom, A. Bosh McKenna, & M. Webb (Executive Producers), Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. MMXV CBS Studios; Warner Bros. Entertainment. 
Bloom, R. Dolgen, J., & Schlesinger, A. (2015, October 21). Feeling Kinda Naughty [Music Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHoopcEz_IU 
Bloom, R., Schlesinger, A., Dolgen, J., Gregor, D., & Wauchope, A. (2015, October 21). I'm So Good At Yoga [Music Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFUk79fBOiQ
Schlesinger, A. (2015, October 31). Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Season 1 Theme Song [Music Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzY3EaJTuJk 

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Aurora Brown is joined by Registered Counsellor and Student Clinical Psychologist HuiMei "Lulu" Lu and award-winning actor, singer, director, and vocal coach Richard White to kick off We're All So Broken Inside -- a deep dive into the portrayal of mental health and psychology in the CW musical dramedy Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Together, they unpack the pilot episode, in which Rebecca Bunch quits her high-powered New York law firm and moves across the country to reconnect with a summer camp ex -- a decision that is, on paper, a terrible idea, and yet somehow completely compelling. So weird, right?!

The episode closes with the panel's first Fanon Test ratings for the series, scoring Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Season 1, Episode 1 across all five scales. The verdict? A surprisingly strong opener -- with a few notable caveats. 

Connect with Richard on Instagram at @RichardLloydWhite, and check out his LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/richardlloydwhite

🎁 Support the podcast and get exclusive bonus content at Patreon.com/IntersectionalPsychology.

📄 Download a transcript of this episode on IntersectionalPsychology.com.

⏳ Chapter Timestamps
00:00:00 Short introduction to representation of psychology and mental health in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend S01E01
00:01:18 Land acknowledgement
00:01:47 Title credits: Glitter Just Happened to Explode Inside of Me! 
00:02:29 Welcome and guest introductions  
00:04:48 Content note
00:05:10 "SO WEIRD, RIGHT?!" Orientation to Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (CXG)
00:10:58 Recapping the plot of CXG S01E01: "Josh Just Happens to Live Here!"
00:14:45 "In that moment it was like everyone was my mom." Summer camp scenes 
00:24:46 "When was the last time you were truly happy?" New York City scenes 
00:33:31 "I'm hopelessly, desperately in love with..." West Covina 
00:36:40 "This is where I live. Yay for me." Office and Home Base scenes 
00:47:07 "Ass blood!" The Sexy Getting Ready Song 
01:01:33 "To broken people." The party scenes 
01:10:21 Rating CXG S01E01 on the Fanon Test 
01:30:25 Conclusion: "This is that time to obey the ticking clock of destiny."  
01:36:31 End credits

Stay connected
🔗 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
📮 Got feedback or questions? Reach out at @IntersectionalPsychology or IntersectionalPsychologyPod[@]gmail.com
🌈 If this episode resonates, please share it, rate the show, and send us your thoughts. 

You can contribute to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund at https://www.pcrf.net/ 

References
Bloom, R. (Writer), Brosh McKenna, A. (Writer), & Webb, M. (Director). (2015, October 12). Josh Just Happens to Live Here! (Season 1, Episode 1) [TV series episode]. In R. Bloom, A. Bosh McKenna, & M. Webb (Executive Producers), Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. MMXV CBS Studios; Warner Bros. Entertainment. 
Bloom, R., Dolgen, J. & Geier, M. (2015, October 6). Sexy Getting Ready Song [Music Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky-BYK-f154
Bloom, R. & Kurtenbach, J. (2015, October 23). West Covina [Music Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92538NJ0lbE  
Bloom, R. & Kurtenbach, J. (2015). West Covina Reprise [Song]. On Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: Original Television Soundtrack (Season 1 - Volume 1). WaterTower Music.  
Brogan, C. (2020). "That's a sexist term!": how Crazy Ex-Girlfriend flips mental illness and misogyny. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7, 396–397. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30160-7
Shine, J. (2020). "I'm on My Own Path": Musical Development of the Musical in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015–2019). Music and the Moving Image, 13(3), 15–26. https://doi.org/10.5406/musimoviimag.13.3.0015 
Veilleux, J. (2025). The psychology lessons of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. University of Arkansas. https://tempt.uark.edu/the-psychology-lessons-of-crazy-ex-girlfriend/ 

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