What does infidelity say about a marriage? How can honesty in the face of money laundering keep a family together, and what sort of mother is Wendy? We learn how a wholesome American mum holds her nerve (and maybe even thrives) against a cartel. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan. Internationally: https://www.befrienders.org/ For UK help via talking therapies contact you...
Jun 20, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 21
With special guest Kiell Smith-Bynoe who plays Mike in hit BBC comedy ‘Ghosts’. Ben and Sasha ask: is sharing your partner with a group of ghosts a metaphor for partnerships and what’s it like to act next to dead people? Plus, they take a look at why it's not just our upbringing that shapes us, but also the time we come from. Recorded Live at The Podcast Show in London. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org...
Jun 13, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 20
What’s an anxious ruminator? What happens when self-blame is a way of life and how stationery can be lethal? We learn that there’s a little bit of George in all of us and how to keep it at bay. Our top ten George episodes (available on Netflix) Season 2, episode 4: The Phone Message Season 4, episode 10: The Contest Season 4, episode 15: The Shoes Season 5, episode 14: The Marine Biologist Season 5, episode 21: The Opposite Season 7, episode 19: The Calzone Season 7, episode 22: The Invitation S...
Jun 06, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 19
How anger can be a force for good, are we misusing the word ‘trigger’ and what happens when a birthday party turns into a domestic. We deep dive into the police sergeant’s life to see how she copes (or not). If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan. Internationally: https://www.befrienders.org/ For UK help via talking therapies contact your GP or the British Association for Co...
May 30, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Ben and Sasha break down how the Schitt’s Creek siblings are fuelled differently, the different flavours of wine, and why quality time with the ones who love us most, trumps all. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan. Internationally: https://www.befrienders.org/ For UK help via talking therapies contact your GP or the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy b...
May 23, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Ben and Sasha ask why do some people behave like big babies (and why is it more obvious in wealthy people); why can trying to hold on to someone mean you actually push them away, and how can we learn to spot terrible mistakes heading in our direction? If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan. Internationally: https://www.befrienders.org/ For UK help via talking therapies conta...
May 16, 2023•51 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Ben & Sash explore what makes a successful confidence trickster, and how Jimmy McGill is full of contradictions: criminal and yet kind. Plus, how it’s difficult not to slide back into old habits without the right support. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan. Internationally: https://www.befrienders.org/ For UK help via talking therapies contact your GP or the British Asso...
May 09, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Ben Bailey Smith and Sasha Bates delve into the Shrink the Box emails to answer questions, discuss new character suggestions and pick each other’s brains. This week: they muse on whether the Roy Family (Succession) could really do a group therapy session and Ben asks Sasha whether she ever dislikes her clients (and other tricky therapist conundrums). If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/con...
May 02, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Ben and Sasha delve into the Shrink the Box emails to answer questions, discuss new character suggestions and pick each other’s brains. This week: they wonder whether analysing a fictional character means you are analysing the writer too. Plus what it would be like to have a werewolf on the couch. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan. Internationally: https://www.befriende...
Apr 25, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Siobhan Roy has it all: a high flying career, a man who adores her, and a private jet at her disposal. And still it’s not enough. This week we explore the most dysfunctional of family dynamics, how power is mistaken for love, and why the need for parental approval... never quite goes away. Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of Succession to avoid spoilers. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-he...
Apr 18, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 12
We look at the Geller siblings: Ross and Monica. We explore why Monica said “If I could choose my parents, I’d choose yours” to her brother and whether her obsessive neatness is a problem. Plus, we ask why Ross’ intellectualism is a defence mechanism and how friends really can be your support network. Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of Friends to avoid spoilers. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-...
Apr 11, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Thrills, state secrets, and international assassins. Eve Polastri has always been wanted to be a MI6 spy. When she stumbles across Villanelle, she gets just that. We explore what happens when a romantically charged obsession goes too far and what happens when people start to want different things out of a relationship. Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of Killing Eve to avoid spoilers. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 1...
Apr 04, 2023•51 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Meet the Rayburn’s. They are upstanding pillars of the community, hugely admired, and entirely dysfunctional. We delve into why Danny is actually the scapegoat, what the sympathetic ghost signifies, and just how sticky familial roles can be. Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email [email protected] Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of Bloodlines to avoid spoilers. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call...
Mar 28, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Black, British and kind of famous, Michaela Coel’s Arabella colours outside of the lines; misses deadlines, and, can’t *quite* remember what happened to her last night? One woman’s search for the truth raises questions around agency, relationships and whether or not there’s ever such a thing as shades of grey - when it comes to consent. Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of I May Destroy You to avoid spoilers. Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email shrinkthebox@som...
Mar 21, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Transporting viewers to the idyllic, suburban world of Westview, New Jersey, but all is not how it seems. Despite her otherworldly powers, Wanda experiences grief and loss, just like the rest of us. Plus a deep dive into the strength of nostalgia, what the mysterious beekeepers mean, and how sometimes, destruction is the only thing that helps us heal. Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of Wandavision to avoid spoilers. Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email shrinkt...
Mar 14, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Advertising sells - and Don Draper knows how to sell it better than anyone: a product, the American dream, and even himself. We look at why the ad-men of the ‘60s were so terrified of therapy, how sex is power, and why faking who you are - is actually the hardest sell of all. Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of Mad Men to avoid spoilers. Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email [email protected] If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed i...
Mar 07, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Falling in love with a priest - whilst being deathly afraid of intimacy? What’s that about? Join us as we delve into the world of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag and find out why she is so intent on being quite so ‘naughty’. Don’t forget to check out Season 1 and 2 of Fleabag to avoid spoilers. Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email [email protected] If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on ...
Feb 28, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Omar is only Barack Obama's favourite fictional character of all time. And perhaps ours too? We find out why we're on the side of the gun-toting, duster-coat wearing stick-up badass who robs drug dealers for a living. Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of The Wire to avoid spoilers. Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email [email protected] If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 sam...
Feb 21, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 4
The often enigmatic chess genius that is Beth Harmon - is the Queen of this week’s episode. Ben and Sasha explore why Beth feels so compelled to clean up after parties - and how her controlled prowess at the chessboard, becomes utter chaos away from it. Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email [email protected] Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of The Queen’s Gambit to avoid spoilers. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episo...
Feb 14, 2023•41 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Sliding on their gloves, and stepping into their Hazmat suits, Ben and Sasha distil one of TV’s most infamous characters: The mighty Heisenburg. On this week’s Shrink the Box we uncover why Walter White is often in his underpants, how he taps into his ‘shadow side’ and we explore if the ‘Revenge of the Nerd’ is really a thing. Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of Breaking Bad to avoid spoilers. Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email [email protected] I...
Feb 07, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Unravelling the complex (and surprisingly endearing) layers of the OG mobster: Mr Tony Soprano, all roads lead to New Jersey on the first episode of Shrink the Box! We find out why talking to a therapist is a ‘whackable’ offence, how falling in love with your shrink is not THAT uncommon and why his mother, Livia Soprano could be the real villain of the show. Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of The Sopranos to avoid spoilers. Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email...
Jan 31, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Ever wondered why Tony Soprano’s therapist stuck with him? Why Fleabag is obsessed with sex or why Walter White is always in his underpants? ‘Shrink the Box’ is where actor comedian Ben Bailey Smith and psychotherapist Sasha Bates put their favourite fictional characters such as Shiv from Succession, Omar from the Wire and Ross from Friends on the couch to analyse why their behaviour causes them so much drama. Sasha and Ben explore why these characters make certain decisions, what would happen i...
Dec 16, 2022•2 min
