The Brain Candy Podcast - podcast cover

The Brain Candy Podcast

Susie Meister PhD & Sarah Rice AMFTthebraincandypodcast.com

Laugh and learn with Susie Meister PhD & Sarah Rice MFT from MTV's The Challenge as they cover psychology, pop culture, human interest, and science, and make everything from The Kardashians to quantum physics accessible to all.

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Episodes

809: Disney Adults, B Movement, & Snoop Dogg's Promise

Sarah says we need to amend Marie Kondo's guide for decluttering by reminding people of the responsibilities of possession ownership. We hear why Inside Out 2 is committed to representing the interior lives of teenage girls and Sarah tries to claim she is not a full-blown Disney adult. We hear about Harrison Ford going full Indiana Jones when he rescued a boy who was stranded. Sarah describes the "B Movement" in South Korea where women are swearing off men, marriage, and parenthood in protest of...

May 02, 20241 hrEp. 809

808: Orthotics, Bluey, & Space Junk

Sarah wants to get her groove back, so she got some brand new...custom, orthotic insoles. Ma'am wants to get her groove back sensibly, in comfortable, menopausal shoes. Susie talks about the new season of the Jinx, which chronicles the murder confession and conviction of real estate heir, Robert Durst, his origin story, and his downfall. And why the original docuseries changed True Crime documentaries forever. We debate whether the long-awaited and much hyped Bluey special did the viewers dirty ...

Apr 29, 20241 hr 3 minEp. 808

807: Men Behaving Badly, Hip Hop Dance, & Art Heist

Sarah had an unusual live comedy experience at the Demetri Martin special taping, and it took her back to her Real World days. She claims she did badly in her hip hop dance class despite being in the "top 25% of dancers." We learn about Sarah's traumatic and morbid Coachella experience, and we can't believe she's never shared this story before. We are fuming about the men who thought they should destroy a national monument by pushing rocks that are millions of years old off a cliff. A company is...

Apr 25, 202459 minEp. 807

806: Cold Plunge, Good Grief, & Blair Witch Project

Susie wants Sarah to have a Costa Rican tropical getaway, and Sarah agrees, but she is also thinking of going fly fishing and doing cold plunges, so this could go downhill fast. We talk about Charles Shultz, the creator of Peanuts and Charlie Brown, and Susie had an ugly cry watching the documentary about him. We celebrate a man who has the world record for longest marathon time in history (which Susie believes she could top) and boo a man who did a half marathon barefoot on ice wearing next to ...

Apr 22, 20241 hr 3 minEp. 806

805: Octopus Parents, Fun Town, & Music Ban

Sarah wants a dog and Susie thinks it's because Sarah prefers chaos. New York City is trying to curb their rat problem by giving them birth control, but we have some logistical questions. A little boy who is obsessed with octopuses (octopi?) convinced his parents to let him adopt one, but it turned out their little spineless adoptee was with child, well children, 50 of them, and now they have a real aquatic problem on their hands. Martin Short has a new career in politics, and we are very excite...

Apr 18, 20241 hr 3 minEp. 805

804: Totality Awesome, Goat Custody Battle, & Conjoined Twins

We are still recovering from our reunion in Pittsburgh and Philly, and we're sharing our adventures at WrestleCon, seeing the eclipse, and having a girls road trip. Susie talks about an investigation into a little girl who raised a goat for the 4H club, begged to have its life spared from slaughter, and then someone killed it during the investigation. We debate whether she had a right to keep the goat. We learn a new trend sweeping the nation where people collect sticks (yes, sticks) and try to ...

Apr 15, 20241 hr 1 minEp. 804

803: Open Toes, Jail Eclipse, & Liquid Gold

Today we hear about Sarah's experience at a comedy show where she sat next to, ugh, a friendly man. Heaven help her. And Susie got to check another comedy legend off her bucket list of shows to see. Sarah tells us some good news about organ donation as some people would like to incentivize live donation with money, but some people think that's a slippery slope that could have unintended consequences. We debate whether people should wear open toed shoes in the workplace. Some prisoners fought for...

Apr 11, 20241 hr 4 minEp. 803

802: Middle Names, Beef Yogurt, & Vegan Donuts

Susie ain't getting any younger and she wants to prepare for the footwear of her future and find out why older gals wear flats. We learn about a man who has made it his job to pick up the excrement left by dogs on a hiking trail and shame their owners. We discuss the Steve Martin documentary and his storied career as a standup comedian and an actor, and debate whether he has some romance issues that need to be sorted. Susie found out another wild fact about her favorite movie and Interstellar an...

Apr 08, 20241 hr 6 minEp. 802

801: New York Punching, Magical Magnet, & Nickelodeon

Susie got injured on the high seas, but she wants everyone to know her injury was due to a rogue wave, not alcohol because she's had some mishaps lately and apparently in there's a name for this in the addiction recovery world. Sarah watched Quiet on Set, so we discuss the abuse allegations, toxic culture, and reasons it wasn't stopped. Sarah discusses the difficult transition from child to adult star. She tells us about a new magnet that can collect microplastics, and Susie is skeptical about i...

Apr 04, 20242 hr 2 minEp. 801

800: Feats of Strength, Hotel Takeover, & Time Travel

Susie watched the Nyad documentary and was inspired, but also was wondering, what makes her different from our friend in the hamster wheel who tried to cross the ocean. Not much. We discuss the woman who completed the 200 mile ultramarathon and described the mental trick she uses to do it called the "pain cave." Are these people self-centered or amazing athletes (or both??). We learn about the man who checked into a Manhattan hotel and never left and then somehow got ownership of the entire buil...

Apr 01, 20241 hr 5 minEp. 800

799: The Death of Babysitting, Prepositional Change, & Horse Dogs

Sarah talks about the history of babysitting, how it's changed, and why it's a thing of the past. Another sinkhole opened up, and this time it swallowed a man in his bed, and now we're traumatized. Sarah is playing video games that act as amazing couples therapy. A preposition with which you end a sentence can now be a preposition you end a sentence with! We discuss how the political identities of men and women are growing further apart as women become more progressive while men do not. Susie wa...

Mar 28, 20241 hr 3 minEp. 799

798: Quiet on Set, Dirty Dumbledore, & Man in the Iron Lung

We discuss the Quiet on Set docuseries recounting the toxicity of Nickelodeon productions in the 90s, the difficulties of child stardom, and why show business lends itself to exploitation. We talk about the totally normal and not suspicious death of the Boeing whistleblower who was testifying against them and why the high road might not be worth the risk. The "man in the iron lung" died recently, so Susie shared his story of polio, miraculous survival, and questionable choice to stay in the lung...

Mar 25, 20241 hr 7 minEp. 798

797: Crime Cover Ups, Trader Joe's Hotel, & Sweet Valley High

The theme of today's episode is "it's not the crime, it's the cover-up,' and we're looking at you Kate Middleton. A hotel had a "chef created" room service menu, but it turns out the chef was Trader Joe. Some cities want Spring Breakers to buzz off, and we don't blame them. Sarah explains why Johnny taking all the money on the Rivals 3 Challenge changed her relationship to money. We debate whether people should be able to buy their way to the front of lines at theme parks, resorts, and other lux...

Mar 21, 20241 hr 5 minEp. 797

796: Over the Rainbow, Rock Hudson, & Quantum Leap

We start with a rummage through the old mail bag with some feedback from listeners about recent episodes. Yikes. We hear why some people think Over the Rainbow was plagiarized, but others think it's similarities are a coincidence. We discuss some famous musical thefts and how all the songs have been written. We learn about the old Hollywood star, Rock Hudson, his life in the closet, death from AIDS, and the controversial love scene he filmed after his infection. Susie describes why telephones we...

Mar 18, 20241 hr 4 minEp. 796

795: Lunar Lunacy, Influencer Inmate, & Evolution Ear

We discuss Ruby Franke, a parenting influencer who was convicted of child abuse, which is a reminder to keep in mind that influencers aren't always what they seem. We learn why the recent moon landing didn't go as planned, and despite our complete lack of understanding about aeronautics, physics, and rocket science, we think we could've done better. We hear about recent changes to sports uniforms that have fans questioning the quality, and women in sports would like you to stop making them wear ...

Mar 14, 20241 hr 8 minEp. 795

794: Scandals & Scams, Octopus Murders, & Willy Wonka Experience

Susie is suddenly interested in WWE wrestling and wants to know why they aren't clear about whether it's real or not. But the Dark Side of the Ring docuseries has her wondering if there's a NOT dark side of the sport. Sarah had a bad operatic experience, and she's wondering if the best part of the genre is the costumes. We discuss the Where is Wendy Willams documentary, and how the gossiper became the gossip when she was embroiled in a divorce scandal, addiction issues, and a failed talk show, a...

Mar 11, 20241 hr 6 minEp. 794

793: Rebecca Syndrome, Chiweenie, & Kangaroo Time

People are suing dating apps for trapping them in a loop of doom dating instead of helping them find love. Sarah describes a newly viral phrase called Rebecca Syndrome that refers to retroactive jealousy towards your partner's exes, and she is mad that people are stigmatizing and stereotyping with its use. We discuss the ways culture has been flattened by digital media and young people are reduced to cultural experiences that lack substance, and we consider what would change that. We hear the wi...

Mar 07, 20241 hr 12 minEp. 793

792: McMillions, Vatican AI, and Blue's Clues

Sarah was denied entry to a museum and we are fascinated by the reason. The birding community is psyched out of their mind about a bird that was thought to be extinct reappearing. Susie talks about the McMillions docuseries, which covers the McDonald's Monopoly game scandal and how the people who "won" ended up being the losers. We learn about the Franciscan friar who became the Vatican's "AI guy," and what he is worried about for the future of these technologies and how we can prevent the worst...

Mar 04, 20241 hr 6 minEp. 792

791: Child Poets, Spontaneous Pregnancy, & Fishy Flight

We are celebrating the stingray who became pregnant without a male partner in her tank, and decide intersex folx are pretty much superheroes. Andrew Keegan would like to set the record straight about being a cult leader, and wants us to know he's a hippie not a religious zealot. A teacher sold his students's artwork, and now the parents are taking him to court. Susie and Sarah realized they both participated in and "won" a poetry contest as children, and now they feel exploited because it was cl...

Feb 29, 20241 hr 11 minEp. 791

790: Guy Fieri in Space, Rat Selfies, & Lottery Fail

Have you ever wondered what space smells like? Well, we have the answer, and it makes no sense. We hear why Guy Fieri has infiltrated the skiing world (at long last). We debate whether the lottery should pay a man for an invalid ticket and Sarah explains why she can't handle the emotional quagmire of "scratchers." We discuss the documentary They Called Him Mostly Harmless and how we are baffled by the online sleuthing community and hiking protocols. Susie explains why rats are addicted to taking...

Feb 26, 20241 hr 5 minEp. 790

789: Optimism, Pigeon Spy, & Napping on the Job

Remember when we were optimistic? Well, we do, so Sarah wanted to find out what makes some people optimistic. Susie thinks she's a realist, but that might be code for "pessimistic." But Susie and Sarah have a crazy role reversal today, and we're wondering if Sarah is becoming less emotive in her menopausal era. We learn why some countries are passing laws to help people get out of work. Susie is wound up about people who become complacent or apathetic about the world and their role in it. We are...

Feb 22, 20241 hr 3 minEp. 789

788: Elmo Abuse, Apollo 13, & Guinness World Records

Sarah is in her cranky era since she's dealing with her menopausal symptoms. Susie gives Wil Wheaton a real earful about his ridiculous rant about Larry David's recent bit on a morning show with Elmo. We mourn the loss of Sarah Rice (not our Sarah Rice, a different one). Susie shares the story of Apollo 13 including the reason their mission to the moon was ill-fated, some old gossip about the crew, and why NASA didn't realize the flight was a success for many years. Susie is mad at the Guinness ...

Feb 19, 20241 hr 1 minEp. 788

787: Cupcake Kisses, Voices that Care, & Pez Outlaw

Sarah shares some of the things she watched during her recovery and what kinds of things she found soothing (and relatable). We discuss American Nightmare, a documentary that describes the abduction of a woman that the media and law enforcement concluded was a hoax that was actually not, and how these mistakes can happen due to problems in the system and human psychology. We hear why the group Insane Clown Posse was investigated by the FBI and why their art is not a reflection of the artists or ...

Feb 15, 20241 hrEp. 787

786: Biscuits & Gravy, Candyland, & Moth to Flame

Sarah makes her triumphant return to today's show, and we are so glad she's on the mend. We hear some of the details form her surgery and recovery and what she learned through it all. She describes how she feels like she's a wise old woman now and suddenly has a new food obsession. We learn what her happy place looks like and how it was inspired by her childhood. We discuss the ways that people find comfort during difficult life events and how sometimes it can just be in the form of a yummy dess...

Feb 12, 20241 hr 2 minEp. 786

785: Diaper Spa, Ruby Slippers, & Chowchilla

We have a guest co-host today and it's one of Susie's infamous "lezes"! Kelly fills in for Sarah as she heals from her surgery. We discuss the documentary Chowchilla, which is about 26 children who were abducted from a school bus and how their experience changed the way we see childhood trauma and raises questions about justice. We debate whether a man who opened a plane's emergency door and walked on the wing is a lunatic, criminal, or hero. We hear about a new spa made especially for the diape...

Feb 08, 20241 hr 7 minEp. 785

784: Hockey Heroines, Sarah's Closet, & Stanley Tumblers

Sarah shares the science on puberty and the reasons people are experiencing it earlier. We hear how Billie Jean King intervened in women's hockey and helped it succeed. Sarah discusses the popularity of Stanley tumblers and how they became the "must have" items for women, but Susie reveals how despite women being the engine behind their success, a man is getting all the credit. Sarah admits to how many sweatshirts she owns and why her overalls obsession is becoming a problem. Plus we hear advice...

Feb 05, 202457 minEp. 784

783: Participation Trophies, Naming Apartments, & Gendered Hobbies

It's Sarah's birthday month and she wants you to know about it, but not think of her as one of those 'birthday month" kind of gals. We discuss the Subject documentary, which chronicles the consequences and benefits of appearing in a documentary, and we debate whether documentary subjects should be paid or not. We learn why ESPN was caught up in a Emmy scandal, and how it confirms that the same people who worry about participation trophies might want to receive one. We learn how apartment buildin...

Feb 01, 202456 minEp. 783

782: Method Acting, Calm Down, & Garbage Stars

Sarah is keeping her 2024 resolution of stretching, but she doesn't want you to get any ideas, she is not going to be doing "the splits" or even a split for that matter. That would be too much of a good thing. We are wound up about method actors and the fact that it is a quirk reserved for white, male actors. If you ever wondered why there are no skeletons in the Titanic, Sarah's got the answer. We discuss the history of marathons and Susie just wants everyone to stop with all this running nonse...

Jan 29, 20241 hr 3 minEp. 782

781: Cryptic Code, Newton's Scandal, & Love Darts

Sarah is still a heckler magnet, and she had to endure another one again. We debate the virtues of crowd work comedians vs. traditional sets. Susie talks about a documentary that features a child predator who admits their crimes. We discuss why these people often don't admit the harm they do to others. A silk dress from the 1800s had a secret code in its pocket and, after many years of lots of people attempting to decode it, someone finally figured out the message and it was...shocking. Newton's...

Jan 25, 20241 hr 34 minEp. 781

780: Swim-spiration, Tetris Champ, & Steamboat Willy

Sarah is all worked up over a movie she watched that made her want to take on the world and beat her boyfriend in a swimming competition. But it made us wonder what makes one person's persistence in sports inspiring and another person's doggedness seem like an addiction. We are starting to think Chat-GPT might actually be too woke after it tried to avoid explaining a fact about women that was less than flattering. We're celebrating the kid who reached his goal of winning Tetris, and hear how he ...

Jan 22, 202459 minEp. 780
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