Shrink The Nation

Why do we cling to beliefs we know don’t make sense? Why is it so hard to admit when we’re wrong — especially in politics? In this episode, we break down cognitive dissonance: the psychological discomfort of holding contradictory beliefs, and how it’s fueling an identity crisis across American society.From ego and empathy to national pride and political tribalism, the crew explores:Why we double down instead of backing downHow media and social platforms keep us locked in dissonanceWhat cognitive dissonance reveals about our personal and political identitiesHow empathy might be the antidote to ego-fueled delusionThis is more than theory — it’s a real-time diagnostic of a country stuck in contradiction. And we’re not just talking politics. We’re talking identity, connection, and what it takes to stay sane in a fractured culture.🧠 Keywords: cognitive dissonance, psychology, ego, identity, political identity, American society, empathy, national beliefs, contradictions"Got Thoughts? Outrage? A Diagnosis of Your Own? Send us a text"Support the showShrink The Nation is where America lies on the couch — and we pour the bourbon. Hosted by board-certified psychiatrists and mental health pros with backgrounds in military, media, and systems thinking, we break down the psychology behind politics, culture, and public dysfunction. Smart. Funny. Clinically sharp. Slightly buzzed. Subscribe, rate, and share if you’re part of the exhausted middle looking for sanity in the noise. For feedback or hate-listening invitations, hit us at socials@shrinkthenation.com. Follow us everywhere: @shrinkthenation on X, Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky Shrink The Nation — On the Couch With America.

Welcome to the couch. In our official kickoff, the full Shrink The Nation crew of psychiatrists dives into America’s most flamboyant coping mechanism: grandiosity.What happens when a country builds its identity around being “the greatest”? How do narcissism, exceptionalism, and social media shape our politics, culture, and sense of self? And what does it say about us when our leaders aren’t just grandiose — but rewarded for it?In this episode, we explore:The psychological roots of American exceptionalismHow WWII and historical dominance seeded national narcissismWhy social media turned everyone into a brandWhat happens when grandiosity replaces genuine leadershipHow empathy, self-awareness, and therapy can be antidotes to cultural delusionIt’s smart, sharp, bourbon-fueled analysis with just enough gallows humor to keep things grounded.🧠 Keywords: Shrink the Nation, psychiatry, grandiosity, narcissism, American identity, social media, mental health, political discourse, self-awareness, therapy"Got Thoughts? Outrage? A Diagnosis of Your Own? Send us a text"Support the showShrink The Nation is where America lies on the couch — and we pour the bourbon. Hosted by board-certified psychiatrists and mental health pros with backgrounds in military, media, and systems thinking, we break down the psychology behind politics, culture, and public dysfunction. Smart. Funny. Clinically sharp. Slightly buzzed. Subscribe, rate, and share if you’re part of the exhausted middle looking for sanity in the noise. For feedback or hate-listening invitations, hit us at socials@shrinkthenation.com. Follow us everywhere: @shrinkthenation on X, Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky Shrink The Nation — On the Couch With America.

In this inaugural episode, Drs David and Rob crack open a bottle of bourbon and a conversation about what it means to stay sane in a culture that feels like it's unraveling.They dig into:Why this podcast even existsHow political disengagement became the default setting for the exhausted middleThe anxiety ripple effects of AI in healthcareThe weaponization of social media and disinformationAnd why sometimes, pouring a drink is the most human thing you can doThis is part confession, part cultural diagnosis, and all about reconnecting — to our communities, our values, and our ability to think critically in a polarized world.🧠 Keywords: podcast, mental health, bourbon, AI, social media, political engagement, anxiety, healthcare, disinformation, culture"Got Thoughts? Outrage? A Diagnosis of Your Own? Send us a text"Support the showShrink The Nation is where America lies on the couch — and we pour the bourbon. Hosted by board-certified psychiatrists and mental health pros with backgrounds in military, media, and systems thinking, we break down the psychology behind politics, culture, and public dysfunction. Smart. Funny. Clinically sharp. Slightly buzzed. Subscribe, rate, and share if you’re part of the exhausted middle looking for sanity in the noise. For feedback or hate-listening invitations, hit us at socials@shrinkthenation.com. Follow us everywhere: @shrinkthenation on X, Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky Shrink The Nation — On the Couch With America.

In this rebooted pre-launch test episode, the full team of psychiatrists pour the bourbon and open up a wide-ranging conversation on what the hell is happening to America — and why we still believe in the mission of this show.From the symbolism of Superman to the emotional charge behind protests, the crew dissects:The cultural role of bourbon and what it says about our national psycheWhy Americans are craving strong leadership (and what that really means)How media and social platforms shape — and often distort — our identityThe danger of mistaking disagreement for disloyaltyHow cultural narratives like Superman reflect evolving national valuesThere’s humor, depth, disagreement, and real dialogue — exactly the kind of conversation this country needs more of.🧠 Keywords: Shrink the Nation, psychiatry, bourbon, protests, leadership, American identity, social media, dialogue, cultural symbols, politics"Got Thoughts? Outrage? A Diagnosis of Your Own? Send us a text"Support the showShrink The Nation is where America lies on the couch — and we pour the bourbon. Hosted by board-certified psychiatrists and mental health pros with backgrounds in military, media, and systems thinking, we break down the psychology behind politics, culture, and public dysfunction. Smart. Funny. Clinically sharp. Slightly buzzed. Subscribe, rate, and share if you’re part of the exhausted middle looking for sanity in the noise. For feedback or hate-listening invitations, hit us at socials@shrinkthenation.com. Follow us everywhere: @shrinkthenation on X, Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky Shrink The Nation — On the Couch With America.