Mind the Force
by Kristine McPartlin
Latest episode
Ep XXXIV - Beilert Valance & Human Identity
Ep XXXIV - Beilert Valance & Human Identity
About this podcast
Welcome to Mind the Force Podcast, where Star Wars fandom meets mental health awareness. Hosted by Kristine McPartlin & James Abbate, we dive into the intersections between the Star Wars universe and real-life mental health journeys, unpacking the wisdom that our favorite characters and stories offer for resilience, healing, and growth. Each episode, we explore themes of trauma, identity, courage, and connection, using these tales from a galaxy far, far away as a lens to discuss mental wellness in a relatable, thoughtful way.
We believe that storytelling has a powerful role in shaping how we view ourselves and our struggles, and Star Wars is a universal language that connects fans from all walks of life. Whether you're a lifelong Jedi, a Sith sympathizer, or somewhere in between, Mind the Force invites you to explore these stories with an open mind and heart.
Join us as we navigate mental health topics with empathy, humor, and hope, celebrating the strength within ourselves and each other. May the Force be with you as we journey together toward greater understanding, insight, and empowerment in both the Star Wars universe and our everyday lives.
Episodes
The newest 20 of 35 episodes
- Ep XXXIV - Beilert Valance & Human Identity · 41 min · Season 1 Episode 34In this episode of Mind the Force, Kristine and James explore the complicated journey of Beilert Valance and his struggle with identity, humanity, and self-acceptance. Through…
- Ep XXXIII - Nomi Sunrider & The Weight of Grief · 38 min · Season 1 Episode 33How do you rebuild your life after unimaginable loss? In this episode of Mind the Force, Kristine and James explore the story of Nomi Sunrider, a Jedi whose journey begins with…
- Ep XXXII: How Myths Make Worlds, Part II: The War Comes Home · 1 h 9 min · Season 1 Episode 32In Part Two of our Star Wars vs. Nolan’s The Odyssey series, Kristine and James explore what happens when survival changes you. From Odysseus returning home after war to Anakin…
- XXXI - The Stories We Inherit: Star Wars vs Nolan’s The Odyssey (Part I) · 51 min · Season 1 Episode 31In Part One of our Star Wars vs. Nolan’s The Odyssey series, we explore how family stories shape identity long before we are old enough to question them. From Telemachus growing…
- Ep XXX: You Had to Be There: Star Wars in Theaters Today · 51 min · Season 1 Episode 30What makes us feel like we need to experience a movie in theaters? In this episode of Mind the Force, Kristine and James look at the psychology behind the theatrical experience…
- Ep. XXIX: Doctor Aphra: Representation Without Perfection · 54 min · Season 1 Episode 29For Pride Month, Kristine and James dive into Doctor Chelli Lona Aphra: rogue archaeologist, tech genius, walking red flag, and one of Star Wars’ most compelling queer…
- Ep. XXVIII: Jar Jar Binks: A Tale of Dehumanization · 35 min · Season 1 Episode 28Jar Jar Binks has spent decades as the butt of the joke, but there is more to him than that. This week on Mind the Force, we look at Jar Jar as an outsider, a disruptor, and an…
- Ep. XXVII - Shmi Skywalker: A Mother's Quiet Power · 40 min · Season 1 Episode 27In this Mother’s Day episode of Mind the Force, we reflect on the quiet power of Shmi Skywalker. Too often remembered only as Anakin’s mother, Shmi deserves to be seen on her own…
- Ep XXVI - The Clones: Personhood in the War Machine · 1 h 2 min · Season 1 Episode 26In Ep. XXVI of Mind the Force, Kristine and James explore the clones not as individual fan-favorite characters but as a collective military body shaped by obedience, war, and…
- Ep. XXV - Dooku: The Clone Wars and the Downfall (Part II) · 33 min · Season 1 Episode 25In Ep XXV of Mind the Force, Kristine and James follow Count Dooku into the Clone Wars. They unpack how Dooku’s need for control turns into strategy, how “necessary” choices…
- Ep. XXIV - Dooku: How Good Intentions Make a Sith Lord (Part I) · 30 min · Season 1 Episode 24In Ep XXIV of Mind the Force, Kristine and James explore Count Dooku’s life before the Clone Wars—starting with his childhood and tracing how he grows from a promising Jedi into…
- Ep. XXIII - Mon Mothma: The Emotional Cost of Doing the Right Thing · 1 h 22 min · Season 1 Episode 23Mon Mothma doesn’t carry a lightsaber; she carries the Rebellion. In Ep XXIII of Mind the Force, Kristine and James take a close look at what Mon’s kind of leadership actually…
- Ep. XXII - Star Wars Holiday Special Featuring an Exclusive Interview with Director Steve Binder · 1 h 6 min · Season 1 Episode 22In this very special episode of Mind the Force, Kristine and James dive headfirst into one of the strangest, most infamous, and most fascinating corners of the Star Wars…
- Ep. XXI - Spaceballs and the Healing Power of Laughter · 51 min · Season 1 Episode 21In this lighthearted episode of Mind the Force, Kristine and James blast off into the world of Spaceballs, Mel Brooks’ hilarious spoof of Star Wars. Along the way, they explore…
- Ep. XX - Mace Windu · 1 h 38 min · Season 1 Episode 20On Ep XX of Mind the Force, Kristine and James explore the emotional and psychological depth of Jedi Master Mace Windu, unpacking how discipline, duty, and emotional suppression…
- Ep. XIX - C-3PO · 1 h 29 min · Season 1 Episode 19In this thought-provoking episode of Mind the Force, host James Abbate teams up with guest host, Lindsay Riso, an industrial engineer and lifelong Star Wars fan, for a deep dive…
- Ep. XVIII - Pregnancy in Star Wars · 1 h 5 min · Season 1 Episode 18In episode XVIII of Mind the Force, Kristine and James explore what it means to be a mother in a galaxy full of war, prophecy, and rebellion! In this deeply personal and…
- Ep. XVII: Jango Fett · 2 h 1 min · Season 1 Episode 17In Episode XVII of Mind the Force, we explore the legacy of Jango Fett—Mandalorian, bounty hunter, and father. Often seen as cold and ruthless, Jango’s story reveals a deeper…
- Ep. XVI - The Psychology of Fandom with Gayle Stever · 1 h 23 min · Season 1 Episode 16In Episode XVI of Mind the Force, Kristine and James are joined by celebrity culture and fandom expert Gayle Stever to explore the fascinating world of fandoms. Gayle shares her…
- Ep XV: Why the Dark Side with Dr Owen Muir · 1 h 21 min · Season 1 Episode 15In Ep XV of Mind the Force Podcast, we delve into the human psychology of the Dark Side with special guest Dr. Owen Muir, a psychiatrist with expertise in trauma, emotional…
