Movie House Sport Psychology

“I will leave at my leisure, but I am flattered by your desire to trap me.”
I talk with former athlete and current mental health startup founder Emily Huston about the film Poor Things. Although the movie contains multitudes, we focused on how Bella Baxter’s (Emma Stone) journey as a reanimated corpse with a baby brain mirrors the journey of an athlete. (I know what you’re thinking, but hear us out before judging!)
We discuss Bella’s challenges in gaining mastery over her body and navigating emotional development. We also explore how her decision to leave home represents a transition into a new stage of life, similar to athletes transitioning out of sport. Along the way, we talk about the inevitable shedding of old identities and the reclaiming of personal power.
You’re a creature of free will. Don’t let polite society stop you from checking out this episode.

Check out Emily's community of athletes and healthcare providers:
https://www.hometeamgo.com/
Follow her on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilymhuston/

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https://www.drjasonvonstietz.com
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https://bsky.app/profile/cbtsportpsych.bsky.social
https://www.instagram.com/cbtsportpsych

“I don’t know the right words. Ought to be a septon here. You were a true knight.”
I talk with athletic mental health and performance counselor and lifelong nerd, Braun Inslee, LMHC, about the HBO series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. We meander through our shared history of loving fantasy (and confirm that, yes, wizards are cool).
We explore the difference between the image of a knight and what it actually means to be a “true knight.” We’re looking at you, Jaime Lannister! Along the way, we raise awareness about the dangers of “thinky-ness” and take a deeper dive into value-driven behavior.
We also break down a bit of fight analysis and try to answer the question: “What’s going on with this Ser Arlen guy?”
If you think our cause is true, check out this episode!

Find Braun on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/braun-inslee-225a5515b/

Check out my website!
https://www.drjasonvonstietz.com
Follow me on social media!
https://bsky.app/profile/cbtsportpsych.bsky.social
https://www.instagram.com/cbtsportpsych

“Oak and iron, guard me well.”
I talk with psychologist and certified mental performance consultant Dr. Tim Herzog about the first season of the HBO series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. We tackle important questions like whether Dunk was actually knighted and whether the lords at the tournament were lying about not remembering Ser Arlen. Then, we turn to a case conceptualization and treatment plan for the young up-and-comer, Ser Duncan the Tall.
We explore Dunk’s unassuming nature and compare his experience to that of a high school athlete thrust into the big leagues. Along the way, we offer sport psychology recommendations, including: “Maybe leave out the ‘or else I’m dead and doomed to hell’ part of the old knightly adage.”
Check it out!

Check out Dr. Tim Herzog on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/reachingahead/
Follow his sport psychology adventures on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/reaching-ahead/
Follow him on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/reachingahead1
Check out his website:
https://reachingahead.com/

Check out my website!
https://www.drjasonvonstietz.com
Follow me on social media!
https://bsky.app/profile/cbtsportpsych.bsky.social
https://www.instagram.com/cbtsportpsych

“I told you to bring tights.”
“Do I look like I own tights?”
I talk with friend of the show, Caitlin Broadwell, APCC, the Athletic Case Manager at Long Beach State, who helps student-athletes connect to resources and, when the time comes, transition out of sport.
We dive into the early-aughts dance cult classic Step Up (2006). This movie is about more than Channing Tatum’s character, Tyler, and his fear of proper dance attire. We tackle important questions like, “Why are they forcing a teenager to work as a school janitor?” and “Where is the adult supervision at this school?”
We also explore the character dynamic between Tyler and Nora as they team up to achieve a shared goal. He’s a ward of the state from the wrong side of the tracks. She’s constrained by her life of privilege. Who would have guessed there’d be chemistry between this unlikely pair?
Along the way, we discuss gifted athletes dropping out of sport, adolescent males making mistakes, and more.
Check it out!
Check out her book!
https://www.amazon.com/Hanging-Jersey-Guide-Athletes-Transitioning/dp/B0FHBBJPXK
Contact Caitlin Broadwell, APCC at her private practice!
https://www.mndfltherapy.com/our-psychologists
Check out Caitlin's podcast and follow her on social media!
https://www.instagram.com/hangingupthejersey/
Check out my website!
https://www.drjasonvonstietz.com
Follow me on social media!
https://bsky.app/profile/cbtsportpsych.bsky.social
https://www.instagram.com/cbtsportpsych

“We’re not in the office anymore, Bradley.”

I sit down with the Doctor of Horror herself, Dr. Taylor Neff, to discuss the Sam Raimi vehicle Send Help. As both a psychologist and an admitted White Lady, she is uniquely qualified to weigh in on Rachel McAdams–related moral dilemmas.

We dive into office politics and corporate dynamics, including tuna sandwich etiquette. We tackle age-old questions like: Are corporate executives psychopaths? And, If I’m trapped on a deserted island with my boss, should I get him before he gets me?

We explore the mystery of why people keep suffering fatal “accidents” around Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams). We even break down a bit of fight analysis.

Find a spot on the beach and take a listen. You might just start thinking you should never leave.

Check out Dr. Taylor Neff's Psychology Today profile:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/taylor-neff-monterey-ca/1689159

Follow her on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drtaylorneff/

Check out my website!
⁠https://www.drjasonvonstietz.com⁠

Follow me on social media:
Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/cbtsportpsych⁠
Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/cbtsportpsych.bsky.social