*Heavy content warning*-while we are talking about a dystopian fiction novel and fictional characters, some of the concepts we discuss are real-life and can be pretty heavy to listen to. Feel free to come back to this one when you feel ready.

In this episode of The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club, Brandi and Deanna dive further into the haunting world of Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid, unpacking the psychological toll of trauma through the lens of one of its most complex characters: Melinoë, the “angel” assassin. We explore how Melinoë copes with the unbearable reality of her role in the brutal Gauntlet: a deadly spectacle where children are hunted to pay off inherited debts. (Brandi says sorry to Deanna for making her read another book where children are k*lled)

"Fable" brings up the concepts of “wiping,” and “echoing," and we talk about how these mirror the different ways people attempt to manage traumatic memories. Melinoë’s forced memory erasure sounds a lot like real-life avoidance strategies like substance use, overworking, and emotional numbing. We also get in our feelings again when we talk about the portrayal of “echoing” and why this is *not* exposure therapy! We also talk about how and why true healing requires safety, skill-building, and connection with others. As Melinoë begins to recover fragments of her past and share them with Inesa, we see the transformative power of empathy and trust. Shame begins to loosen its grip, and something unexpected emerges: the ability to feel again.

We've got our themed mocktail (“The Memory Wipe”), Deanna almost gives a Star Trek reference but stops herself, Brandi describes her actual perfect ending for the next book, and we really really really want you to know it is important to talk to a safe person about your trauma and that "wiping" (blocking things out) really doesn't work for long; something seems to keep those memories coming back.

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The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A.

Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi

Original Animation-Foley-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens

Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A.

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Want to be a guest on The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club? Or want us to be a guest on yours? Send Brandi Hawk a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thenerdypsychologistbookclub

Get ready for a sweet and heartfelt kickoff to a brand-new book for the month of April. In this episode of The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club, Brandi and Deanna jump into Fable for the End of the World with their usual mix of banter, side stories, and psychological insight. From mispronounced names to rage over that infuriating ending, our hosts take you on an emotional rollercoaster that mirrors the book itself.

At the heart of the discussion is Inesa, a compassionate, “loves-the-unloved” heroine navigating a brutal, dystopian world and what it really means to live in alignment with your values when everything around you says not to. We talk about kindness vs. survival, peer pressure, and those all-too-relatable moments when our actions don’t quite match who we want to be.

And oh my gosh, there is enemies-to-lovers scenes-WLW scenes!!! We gush over the cabin scenes, and that devastating ending that had us ready to throw the book (Deanna did actually throw the book)… but also we can't wait for the sequel.

Join us as we chat, sip our cocktail-"Drowned World" (and not spill it this time!) giggle, and chat about real-life reflections on compassion, connection, and staying true to yourself; this episode is equal parts therapy session and fangirl meltdown and you won’t want to miss a second.

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The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A.

Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi

Original Animation-Foley-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens

Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A.

Follow us on the socials!

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Want to be a guest on The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club? Send Brandi Hawk a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thenerdypsychologistbookclub

🎉 Surprise Bonus Episode: What Are We Really Reading?! 🦖📚

Surprise!! We just couldn't stay away from you all. In this delightfully silly (pro-tip-this was filmed after 2 drinks....) bonus episode of The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club, Brandi and Deanna take a break from their usual deep dive format and answer the question every book lover secretly waits for: “What else are you reading right now?”

Join us for a fun jump back into the vault of our first book Sunrise on the Reaping, and a nice little spiral with Deanna's unexpected (but very passionate) love proclamation of dinosaurs.

We also make a quick return to the world of Panem where we swap thoughts on favorite and least favorite characters. From love for fierce, scene-stealing Maysilee to strong feelings (*cough**cough* Drusilla); we think this is just a fun little bumper to get you through your day.

It’s cozy, candid, and full of the kind of bookish tangents that make you feel like you’re right there in our clubhouse🖤

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The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A.

Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi

Original Animation-Sounds-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens

Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A.

Follow us on the socials!

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Want to be a guest on The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club? Send Brandi Hawk a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thenerdypsychologistbookclub

We’re wrapping up Heir with one last episode -and this one goes straight into the feels. 💙 Join us (and returning guest Dr. Brandi Liles!) as we unpack the heartbreak, healing, and very real psychology behind Quil and Sufiyan’s journeys through loss and complicated grief.

From the chaos of the “Sea of Suffering” (obvi we have our themed cocktail 🍹) to the complexities of trauma, grief, and guilt. We explore what happens when loss isn’t just painful, it’s also just so complicated. We chat about avoidance, coping mechanisms, shame, sadness and loss. Also, how do love, memory, and connection help us move forward even when it hurts?

Come for the thoughtful insights, a few laughs (I mean-surprise-surprise we are talking about death again), a spilled drink (literally), and a powerful reminder: grief exists because love does, and feeling it might just be the bravest thing we can do.

✨ Come for the fantasy, stay for the psychology, and leave with a deeper understanding of what it means to be human.

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The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A.

Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi

Original Animation-Sounds-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens

Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A.

Follow us on the socials!

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Want to be a guest on The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club? Send Brandi Hawk a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thenerdypsychologistbookclub

In our latest episode of The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club, hosts Brandi Hawk and Deanna Boys are joined by fellow psychologist Dr. Brandi Liles to talk more about the rich and twisty world of Heir by Sabaa Tahir. With humor, honesty, and a fun themed cocktail (Blood Oath!), and our trio breaks down the psychology behind their favorite characters from the book.

We get real nerdy this time with our favorite-Sirsha-with her fierce attitude and guarded heart-we just love her. Her story is one of rejection and a ton of invalidation from her family and community.

Blending real-world clinical insight with fantasy storytelling, this episode breaks down concepts like emotional validation, shame, and behavioral change in a way that’s both relatable and thought-provoking. The hosts also share practical takeaways on how to navigate invalidating environments, build self-compassion, and find your people.

This episode is one that’s equal parts book club, therapy-adjacent reflection, and nerdy fun.

✨ Whether you’re here for the fantasy, the psychology, or the character drama, you’ll leave seeing both the story and yourself a little differently.

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The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A.

Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi

Original Animation-Sounds-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens

Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A.

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What really makes someone a villain? Is it ignorance, manipulation, or the moment we knowingly choose the wrong path?

In this episode of The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club, hosts Brandi Hawk and Deanna Boys continue their discussion about Heir by Sabaa Tahir and tackle one of the book’s most fascinating and frustrating characters: Aiz.

With their signature mix of humor, psychology, and bookish enthusiasm (plus a spicy margarita-style drink called “Tragic Consequences”), Brandi and Deanna talk about the psychological forces behind Aiz’s transformation (Brandi says Aiz was a hero....Deanna is not so sure). They break down concepts like belief perseverance, confirmation bias, and ego defense to explain how people can cling to beliefs, even when the evidence clearly shows they’re wrong.

Listen or watch along to hear some deep thoughts, fun book club banter, memorable quotes from the novel, and real-life reflections about how these same mental patterns show up in everyday relationships, belief systems, and even the way we consume information online.

Grab your drink, bring your curiosity, and get ready for a lively book club conversation with your favorite nerdy psychologists.

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The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A.

Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi

Original Animation-Sounds-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens

Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A.

Follow us on the socials!

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This month we are starting a brand-new Nerdy Psych book club pick! We are picking apart and diving real deep into Heir by Sabaa Tahir.

Set roughly 20 years after the Ember in the Ashes series, Heir follows three unforgettable characters:

Aiz, an orphan forged by the brutality of the slums and fueled by vengeance.

Sirsha, a sharp-tongued tracker bound by blood oath and battling her own complicated legacy.

Quil, the reluctant crown prince who fears inheriting not just a throne, but the corruption that comes with it.

With our themed cocktail called Desire & Sacrifice in hand, we explore what it really means to be an heir. Is it just about crowns and kingdoms—or is it about the expectations, belief systems, and family pressures we all inherit?

If you love: ✨ Big, immersive fantasy worlds ✨ Morally complex characters ✨ Psychology meets YA/adult fantasy

then this episode is your perfect entry into our Nerdy Psychologist Book Club!

Grab your copy of Heir, brace yourself for spoilers, and get ready to question what you’ve inherited… and what you’re willing to become.

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The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A.

Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi

Original Animation-Sounds-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens

Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A.

What if everything you believed about peace… was just really good marketing?

In this episode of Nerdy Psychologist Book Club, we finish up our discussion Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins with our fun themed cocktail in hand, and dive into the psychology of propaganda and the illusory truth effect. With “Peacekeepers” who definitely do not keep peace, and Panem residents being fed the consistent message of “No Hunger Games, No Peace,” we talk about why the more you hear something, the more you believe it (even when you know it’s false).

We unpack:

• How repetition turns lies into “truth”
• Why Haymitch never really had a chance to not let them "paint his poster"
• How edited reality, yes, even like House Hunters, shapes what we accept as fact
• And why “implicit submission” might be the Capitol’s most effective weapon

It’s dystopia. It’s trauma psychology. It’s Broadway references with a bit of cognitive dissonance and a side of mimosas.

Cheers. 🥂

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The Nerdy Psychologist Book Club is produced by Brandi Hawk, Ph.D. and Deanna Boys, M.A.

Photography-Lighting-Audio Mixer: Matthew Kadi

Original Animation-Sounds-Bartender/Mixologist: Lee Klemens

Original Music-Editing: Deanna Boys, M.A.

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