Psyched To Be With You!

In the 12th and FINAL EVER episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Christopher Leech! Your usual host with the most, Chris is finishing his PhD in Psychology looking at Video Games and Student Mental health. Alongside this, Chris is a Lecturer of Psychology at the University of Brighton, author, editor, presenter, panel host, accessibility consultant AND charity ambassador. This episode covers ALL THIS and more – as Chris and Beth reflect on the Psyched To Be With You journey and prepare to embark on an all new podcast together “Psychology Discography”. Chris wanted his moment say a final farewell to you, the audience and to the show! For the last time – enjoy! Chris can be found here:https://linktr.ee/BlindPsyche Find all the useful links, and how you can follow and support Blind Psyche here: https://linktr.ee/BlindPsyche

In the 11th episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Jess Rutland! Jess is an exceptional human currently working as the Business Development & Marketing Manager at Safe In Our World! Further, they have a background in psychology, neuroscience and data – all linked to video games! As you can imagine, they make an excellent fit for this podcast! I was delighted to host Jess on the show, as a way of me thanking them for their incredible mentorship during the 2024 Limit Break mentorship cycle. This episode is PACKED full of content and not to be missed. It is literally illegal to listen to this episode and not enjoy hearing what Jess has to say! Jess can be found here: Safe In Our World Team Page: https://safeinourworld.org/about-us/jess-rutland-business-development-marketing-manager/ Instagram: @gothkoi https://www.instagram.com/gothkoi/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessrutland13/ Find all the useful links, and how you can follow and support Blind Psyche here: https://linktr.ee/BlindPsyche

Content warning: This episode contains some strong language. Listener discretion is advised. In the 10th episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Radderss! Radderss is a Twitch ambassador, content creator, and accessibility advocate and consultant. In this episode we chat all things content, disability, the problem with what we see online and ask questions like “why aren’t more people kind?”. All this, and so much more as we learn it’s Radderss world, and we’re all just living in it. This episode was a hoot, and if you watch the video you do get a bonus cat feature – well worth checking out. I hope you find Radderss as FANTASTIC as I did. Follow Radderss here: Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/Radderss Twitter: @RadderssGaming https://x.com/RadderssGaming  Instagram: @radderss_ https://www.instagram.com/radderss_/Tik Tok: @radderss https://www.tiktok.com/@radderss Find all the useful links, and how you can follow and support Blind Psyche here: https://linktr.ee/BlindPsyche

In the 9th episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Katie Downey aka GoblinKatie! Katie is TTRPG player & performer, variety streamer, storyteller, mental health advocate, shenanig-ator and all-around DICE GOBLIN! In this episode, we chat all things dice and rolling them. The challenges and triumphs of actual plays – both online and in-person shoots. How your real-world job can help you build better fictional worlds. Some favourite classic PS One games AND SO MUCH MORE! Katie is a wonderfully hilarious, kind and warm person who you couldn’t enjoy listening to. I hope you enjoy this chat! Note: This episode was recorded in February 2024 for listener context. Follow Katie here: Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/Goblinkatie Socials: @GoblinKatie https://twitter.com/goblinkatie Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/Goblinkatie Players And Book Stream: https://twitch.tv/PlayersAndBook D4 VODs: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGVyYuSwhYoo-KXUolVC_ytmwk7E_enJ4&si=uFHhuHKWkdDvZa2W The Velvet Lodge on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGVyYuSwhYorXCpKIX6l4PIceWJqp6mk_ Find all the useful links, and how you can follow and support Blind Psyche here: https://linktr.ee/BlindPsyche

In the 8th episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Jenny Windom! Jenny is a senior influencer manager by title, but in practice works in the art of “video game curation”. We discuss what this means, what it’s like to be part of a monthly video game club, working to your own values, defining cosy and wholesome games AND SO MUCH MORE! I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jenny before, and she is a delight. This conversation could have been a double feature and even then I don’t think it would have been long enough. I hope you enjoy this insightful, wholesome and exceptional chat! Note: This episode was recorded in January 2024 for listener context. At the time of release, Jenny is now Comms & Community Director at Ivy Road Games! Join me in wishing Jenny well in her latest role! Follow Jenny here: Website: https://jennywindom.com/aboutSocials: @kimchica25 https://twitter.com/kimchica25 Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/kimchica/about YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kimchica Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@kimchica   Find all the useful links, and how you can follow and support Blind Psyche here: https://linktr.ee/BlindPsyche

This episode contains some strong language, parental advisory is advised. In the 7th episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Mollie Evens! Mollie is a wonderful and bright human who endeavours to make games more accessible! Being a disabled person herself, Mollie is an accessibility consultant and inclusive gaming host! Beyond this we talk all things arts, event management and what it was like to produce one of the best Disability Pride Month events ever to take place online. Further, we manifest an even more spectacular event in 2024 (Which will be around the time this airs!). I hope you enjoy this one, even one eight of what I did. Enjoy! Note: This episode was recorded in January 2024 for listener context.Follow Mollie here: Website: https://www.mollieevans.com/Socials:  @littlemotac_ https://twitter.com/littlemotac_ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/littlemotac YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/littlemotacgaming Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/littlemotac Find all the useful links, and how you can follow and support Blind Psyche here: https://linktr.ee/BlindPsyche

This episode contains strong language, parental advisory is advised. In the 6th episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Bryn Richards! Bryn is a wiz when it comes to video game marketing, community and social media! This conversion includes info and advice on all those areas and more. This includes: How to play XCOM in the most optimal order, the importance of an inclusive community and how you can make all your working experience count. I had the privilege of being Bryn’s mentee for the 2023 Limit Break Mentorship cycle and it was just a delight. Thank you, Bryn for being amazing. Note: This episode was recorded in January 2024 for listener context.Follow Bryn here: Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/brynmorrichards Socials:  @eatchillis https://twitter.com/eatchillis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brynmor-richards-492739213/Itch.io: https://eatchillis.itch.io/ Find all the useful links, and how you can follow and support Blind Psyche here: https://linktr.ee/BlindPsyche

In the 5th episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Dr Emily Friedman! Dr Emily is an expert in 18th Century (to present) literature, game studies, Narratology and media preservation! This conversation had me ENTHRALLED. We touch on all the subjects above, and many more. Cantering on the way TTRPG’s can be used for educational purposes and the way actual plays function in a broader “content creator” society. I challenge you to walk away from this episode and not learn at least a dozen things! Note: This episode was recorded in December, 2023 for listener context.Follow Dr Emily here: Website: https://www.ecfriedman.com/ Socials: @friede https://twitter.com/friedeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CriticalProfPublications: https://www.ecfriedman.com/research Find all the useful links, and how you can follow and support Blind Psyche here: https://linktr.ee/BlindPsyche

In the 4th episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Laura Dale! Laura is an author, accessibility and queer representation critic and consultant, video game writer and content creator. In this episode we discuss all things video games, writing, accessibility, content creation, queer representation and a wonderful tangent about music. This episode was a treat, and a chat that I enjoyed immensely! I felt like I learned so much from Laura and you will too. An I hope we do end up getting that music podcast soon. Note: This episode was recorded in December, 2023 for listener context.Follow Laura here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LauraKBuzz  Socials: @LaurakBuzz (https://twitter.com/LaurakBuzz)Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/laurakbuzz YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBcTeH9MIsQteTNufpiuxA Check out Laura’s books (wherever you get them from:Gender Euphoria Me and My Dysphoria MonsterWho Hunts the Whale Things I Learned From Mario's Butt Lastly, you can find music by Bedroom Programmer (Laura’s wife) here: https://soundcloud.com/bedroom-programmer Find all the useful links, and how you can follow and support Blind Psyche here: https://linktr.ee/BlindPsyche

In the 3rd episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Doug Cockle! Doug is an actor, streamer, roller of dice and acting teacher. One of Doug’s best-known roles is that of Geralt of Riva in The Witcher video game series. I do indeed ask about being Geralt, but also how Doug became an actor and how he manages to continue doing it. We discuss the importance of learning, challenges in higher education, the all about the new TTRPG live-play Natural Six Doug stars in and SO MUCH MORE. To be quite honest, I can’t believe I can say my words are in the same book as Doug’s words – let alone having the chance to chat with him on the show. This was another fantastic episode and I hope you enjoy as much as I did (although that’ll be hard to do, to be honest). Note: This episode was recorded in December, 2023 for listener context.   Follow Doug here: Website: https://www.dougcockle.com/ Twitter: @DCockle (https://twitter.com/DCockle)Instagram: dougcockle (https://www.instagram.com/dougcockle/)Check out Natural 6 here: https://linktr.ee/NaturalSix Watch Natural 6 here: https://www.youtube.com/@NaturalSix Get your copy of The Psychgiest of Pop Culture: The Witcher - for FREE via PDF, or buy your digital/paperback copy here: https://press.etc.cmu.edu/books/psychgiest-pop-culture-witcher Find all the useful links, and how you can follow and support Blind Psyche here: https://linktr.ee/BlindPsyche

Content Warning: This episode features some discussion of body image, weight, and fitness that could be triggering to some. Please ensure you take time and space for yourself, and if you need to access resources they can be found at https://www.takethis.org/mental-health-resources/ In the 2nd episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Owen Trett! Owen is a video editor, and part of the team at Poncle (the studio behind Vampire Survivors)! We talk all things creative media skills, the role of higher education in the gaming industry, producing a video for a Nintendo Direct and discuss body image and self-identity. All this AND so much more including things like the Limit Break mentorship scheme of which Owen was on the committee in 2023. Owen was a fantastic guest and I really enjoyed speaking with them. I hope you enjoy it too!Note: This episode was recorded in November, 2023 for listener context.   Follow Owen here: Lintr.ee: https://linktr.ee/owentrettPortfolio: https://owentrett.wixsite.com/websiteSocial: @Owen_Trett (https://twitter.com/Owen_Trett) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJqGqW4NDLqFT_6Ty-9QyeQ - Video essay mentioned in episode. Check out Vampire Survivors here: https://linktr.ee/vampiresurvivors Find all the useful links, and how you can follow and support Blind Psyche here: https://linktr.ee/BlindPsyche

Large Spoiler Warning for all things The Witcher – you’ve been warned! In the 1st episode of season 4 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Dr Amelia Herbst! Dr Amelia is a therapist, specialising in all things gaming and nerd related. Alongside this an avid gamer, panellist at conventions and a fellow writer. In this episode we tackle each of those areas in turn as well as a special tangent, nee episode figure point on the legendary Witcher character Regis! Be warned we essentially spoil the whole of The Witcher! All that and the usual shenanigans you expect from the show. I couldn’t think of a better way to kick off Season 4 of the show – it’s fantastic! Note: This episode was recorded in November, 2023 for listener context. Follow Dr Amelia here: Website: https://www.wanderingshrink.com/Social: @wanderingshrink (https://twitter.com/wanderingshrink) Read The Psychgiest of Pop Culture (FREE PDF) The Witcher (and share the love of Regis here): https://press.etc.cmu.edu/books/psychgiest-pop-culture-witcher Find all the useful links, and how you can follow and support Blind Psyche here: https://linktr.ee/BlindPsyche

In the 12th and final episode of season 3 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Arevya! Arevya is a streamer, content creator, accessibility consultant and disability advocate! In this episode, we touch on all things disability, identity, accessibility in life and in gaming, mental health and SO MUCH MORE. This was one of those episodes I feel could have lasted a lifetime. I hope you enjoy this episode even one iota as much as I did because it was an exceptional way to end season 3. Follow Arevya here: Website: https://www.arevya.tv/ Social: @arevya (https://twitter.com/arevya) Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/arevyaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/arevyaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arevyagaming Find all the useful links, and how you can follow and support Blind Psyche here: https://linktr.ee/BlindPsyche

In the 11th episode of season 3 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Dr Hannah  Slack! Dr Slack is a post-doctorate researcher at Kings College London working on the U-Belong project. Researching areas on student loneliness, mental health, agency and more. Alongside all this, we tackle a number of issues from moving beyond a PhD, to making your own wedding dress for a textiles exam and so much more! This was a wonderful chat, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!   Follow Dr. Slack here: Website: https://hannahslack.com/ Social: @HannahRSlack (https://twitter.com/HannahRSlack) The U-Belong Project: https://www.u-belong.uk/ The project on Twitter: @UBelongProject (https://twitter.com/UBelongProject) Dr Slack’s Kings College profile: https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/persons/hannah.slack Find all the useful links, and how you can follow and support Blind Psyche here:   https://linktr.ee/BlindPsyche

In the 10th episode of season 3 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Dr Elizabeth Kilmer! Dr Elizabeth is a lichened clinical therapist, qualitative researcher, Author, and ADHD panel designer and advocate. In this episode we talk about the challenge of working multiple jobs, the therapeutic value of TTRPG’s, research AND so much more! Dr Elizabeth is one of the coolest people I know, this was a fantastic chat and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Follow Dr Elizabeth here: Website: https://www.elizabethkilmer.com/ Socials: @DoctorKilmer (https://twitter.com/DoctorKilmer) Buy Elizabeth’s book: Therapeutically Applied Role-Playing Games - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1032251859?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_6ETHYKH2442BYVXVHD52 Take This: https://www.takethis.org/ Dr Elizabeth on How To ADHD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixJ4r3zxPOo The Anti-Planner: https://anti-planner.com/shop/the-anti-planner-how-to-get-sht-done-when-you-dont-feel-like-it/ Find all the useful links, and how you can follow and support Blind Psyche here: https://linktr.ee/BlindPsyche

In the first of its kind, a miniature episode of the podcast you know and love “A Little Psyched To Be With You” is a deep dive on a specific topic. Returning guest Dr Rachel Kowert joins me to discuss her recent book The Psychgeist of Pop Culture: The Witcher. An edited collection of chapters with psychological analysis of characters from The Continent. This is an editor behind the scenes as we go through the book chapter by chapter to learn about the contents, the authors and how some of the chapters came to be. This episode is NOT TO BE MISSED for Witcher fans of the books, games or Netflix show. Read the book for FREE digitally here: Or purchase your own paperback copy: Want to learn more about Dr Rachel Kowert? Psyched To Be With You – Dr Rachel Kowert: https://youtu.be/4yLymx1eZX8 - Or listen wherever you find your podcasts! Season 2 Episode 3. Twitter: @DrKowert (https://twitter.com/DrKowert) Website: https://www.rkowert.com/ YouTube: @Psychgeist https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2wWdpJ8CQaulB44RLZ4gWw Find all the useful links, and how you can follow and support Blind Psyche here: https://linktr.ee/BlindPsyche

Content Warning: This episode contains strong language some viewers may not like. In the 9th episode of season 3 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Matt Storm (aka Stormageddon)! Matt is an amazing podcaster (hosting and producing) and occasional DJ! Matt currently works on a number of podcasts and I couldn’t wait to talk to a true professional about the craft! This was a fantastic chat and includes podcast pro-tips, gaming for work and for fun, being a celebrity/para-social relationships and so much more! It was a pleasure to speak with Matt, they are fantastic, insightful and hilarious. Truly a kindred spirit for me. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. Follow Matt here: All Matt’s Links: https://linktr.ee/dj_stormagedddonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dj_stormageddon/Fun and Games Podcast on Twitter: @funandgamespod https://twitter.com/funandgamespod Find all the useful links, and how you can follow and support Blind Psyche here: https://linktr.ee/BlindPsyche

In the 8th episode of season 3 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Adam Clarke! Adam is currently working in games marketing - everything from press releases to full marketing campaigns for games. Adam was wonderful to chat to, and as such this episode has pretty much everything you can imagine! Discussions of living in Ireland, history, games, being a carer, privilege, marketing great games, a love of bears and so much more! Adam is really passionate about creating spaces for inclusion and access to the games industry both locally in Ireland and for others from underrepresented groups. This episode was a delight, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Follow Adam here: Twitter (or X I guess?): https://twitter.com/GaeilgeBear Social Link: https://twitter.com/SocialLinkGames Find all the useful links, and how you can follow and support Blind Psyche here: https://linktr.ee/BlindPsyche

Content warning: This episode contains discussion of mental health challenges. This includes mentions of disordered eating, self-harm, suicide, and depression. These are, by and large in passing but some listeners may find this triggering. Access resources at https://www.takethis.org/mental-health-resources/  In the 7th episode of season 3 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Mxiety (Marie Shanley)! Mxiety is someone who personally inspired me in my streaming journey, and it was a pleasure to be joined by her on the show. Mxiety is a mental health blogger, author, and combined variety talk show host/streamer. This episode discusses all things mental health advocacy, the benefit of consuming trash for your brain (including smut), Kingdom Hearts/nerd points and some incredible conversation about why being a mental health advocate is important! This episode had me feeling all the feels, with one of the most excellent people. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did! Find Mxiety here: Website:  https://mxiety.com/Twitter (@Mxiety): https://twitter.com/mxiety?lang=enTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mxiety  Find all the useful links, and how you can follow and support Blind Psyche here: https://linktr.ee/BlindPsyche

Content warning: This episode contains mentions of spoilers, puzzles with themes viewers may find unsettling and the passing mention of the use of a firearm. Access resources at https://www.takethis.org/mental-health-resources/ In the 6th episode of season 3 – I am Psyched To Be With You, Mairi Nolan! Mairi is a puzzle game designer and helps to craft those tricky puzzles that leave you scratching your head in though. From escape rooms, and puzzle games to puzzling video games this episode discusses them all! Learn how puzzles are crafted, how Mairi got to designing puzzles and HOW TO BECOME A PUZZLE MASTER! All this and much more! If you enjoyed it as much as I did, make sure to follow Mairi and check out her portfolio! Find Mairi here: @mairispaceship (On all socials): https://twitter.com/mairispaceship Mairi’s portfolio: https://www.mairispaceship.com/ Find all the useful links, and how you can follow and support Blind Psyche here: https://linktr.ee/BlindPsyche