Boys and girls of every age, wouldn't you like to see something strange? Come with us and you will see, Season 2's Finale! Join the Damsels of Death as we discuss the classic Nightmare Before Christmas and the lesser known but gorgeous film, Jack and the Cuckoo Clock Heart. Both films feature an unfulfilled guy named Jack, but more importantly show us women that approach the world in very different ways. Learn about the origins of Halloween, Christmas and midwifery, the folly of cultural appropriation as learned by the pumpkin king himself, and the top ten Halloween candies in America.  Happy Hallowmas! SFX & Music provided by Zapsplat.com Links https://www.bloombergquint.com/gadfly/how-washington-irving-influenced-the-modern-christmas-santa https://www.flatlandkc.org/news-issues/birthing-battle-the-struggle-for-equity-in-maternal-health-care/ https://obgynnorth.com/uncategorized/the-history-of-modern-obstetrics-and-gynecology/ https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/12/christmas-holiday-season-shopping-retail-gifts/

Dia De Los Muertos is here! Come with us as we delve into the origins, history, traditions and depictions of a holiday that celebrates death as a part of life. The women of Coco and Book of Life show us the importance of family, strength, music and remembering those that have passed on. Delve into the Aztec and Mayan roots of the holiday, and learn how it became the celebration we know today. From Alibrijes to Xibalba, Mama Imelda to La Muerte--  Feliz Dia De Los Muertos!  Music & SFX provided by Zapsplat.com LINKS https://www.worldhistory.org/Xibalba/ https://www.nps.gov/cham/learn/historyculture/oaxacan-art.htm http://camillesloanarts.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-of-life-mythology.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matriarchy https://gap.hks.harvard.edu/gender-differences-competition-evidence-matrilineal-and-patriarchal-society https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/keep-your-brain-young-with-music

What do Lady Tottington from Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Wererabbit, Jenny Bennett from Monster House, and Elsa Van Helsing from Frankenweenie have in common?  At first glance, not much, except that they are not the leads of their movies. But closer inspection shows us that they are each in a story that halts and stammers and explodes due to mob mentality. Groupthink. Mass delusion. When angry and scared people come together, terrible things can happen. Join us as we give these women their due while exploring what mob mentality is, and how it affects humans. Spoiler alert: It affects us really, really easily. Add in an exploration of Mary Shelley and the creation of Frankenstein, the history of werewolves and wererabbits (yes, there is actual history for the latter,) and a peek into the original Frankenweenie short film, and you've got episode 4 of The Damsel Dialogues Season 2: DAMSELS OF DEATH! Music and SFX by Zapsplat.com Links https://www.wattpad.com/729772698-supernatural-myths-explained https://theconversation.com/the-ancient-origins-of-werewolves-104775 https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/killer-rabbits-in-medieval-manuscripts/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/facing-trauma-together/202101/the-psychology-mob-mentality https://news.miami.edu/stories/2021/01/scholars-examine-the-mob-mentality.html https://drwendyjames.com/the-psychology-of-mob-mentality-and-violence/ https://www.simplypsychology.org/asch-conformity.html https://web.archive.org/web/20210303220008/http://www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/397/sheep_in_human_clothing__scientists_reveal_our_flock_mentality https://arraybc.com/what-is-mob-mentality https://gizmodo.com/how-to-know-whether-your-house-is-occupied-by-demonic-f-791412055 https://www.newportri.com/article/20161025/entertainment/310259989 https://www.wikihow.com/Exorcise-Your-House-or-Dwelling

When this world feels oppressive, mean or cruel (gee, what's that like?) it's tempting to imagine another world to which we could escape. Stories like Coraline and James and the Giant Peach mirror those fantasies in a magical, and sometimes grotesque, way, and allow us to envision what could be. There's the good: Giant insects that demonstrate real friendship, a wise cat guide...And there's the bad: A narcissistic spider witch of Romanian lore who traps her prey using their deepest desires, for example. Come along with us as we explore the mythology and legends behind the women of Coraline and James and the Giant Peach, and imagine what could be behind the portal in your own hidden worlds.  SFX/Music by Zapsplat.com Links https://www.ranker.com/list/coraline-beldam/erin-cody https://www.bustle.com/p/coraline-was-inspired-by-a-folktale-thats-even-creepier-than-neil-gaimans-version-11994869 https://www.mythicalcreaturesguide.com/beldan/ https://weirdfictionreview.com/2011/11/creepy-classic-lucy-cliffords-the-new-mother/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Gaiman https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-uncanny-valley-4846247 www.007.info www.roalddahl.com https://www.learnreligions.com/are-voodoo-dolls-real-95807 https://scaquarium.org/luck-lady-bug/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insects_in_mythology#Symbols,_amulets_and_omens thepleasantdream.com https://www.terriwindling.com/blog/2019/08/cats.html https://basepaws.com/blogs/news/meowgical-mythology-of-cats https://bnr.bg/en/post/101218868/mice-in-folklore-beliefs-and-traditions https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/unexplained-phenomena/water-dowsing.htm

Family Expectations can truly be kooky, spooky, and altogether ooky, and even the most fantastical families have their issues. Join us for Episode 2 of Season 2, as we use The Addams Family and Hotel Transylvania to explore family dynamics. Learn about the history of vampires, goth culture and 1960’s television, while answering the question, “What is normal, anyway?” Wednesday, Morticia and Mavis are this week’s Damsels of Death, and they are dying for you to join us.  SFX provided by Zapsplat.com  Pods Used as Ref:  Mythology & Fiction Explained - Ep. 22: Vampires: A Brief History of Obsession  Weird History Podcast - Ep. 103: How Gothic Got Goth  Links:  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/life-smarts/202004/parental-expectations-the-helpful-and-the-harmful https://www.melbournechildpsychology.com.au/blog/6-ways-reassurance-can-actually-make-childrens-anxiety-worse/ https://blogs.psychcentral.com/psychology-self/2018/09/childhood-toxic-shame/  https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-lifespandevelopment/chapter/family-life-and-parenting-styles/ https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/psp-pspp0000079.pdf  https://filmschoolrejects.com/spooky-relevance-addams-family/  https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/cultural-history-addams-family-180973315/  https://m.imdb.com/title/tt1620981/trivia/?ref_=tt_trv_trv https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.7227/CST.2.1.5

A ghost is said to be stuck on this mortal plane due to that ubiquitous phrase, "Unfinished Business." They are trapped, unable to move into the next phase because of something that happened while they were alive. Come with us in our inaugural episode of Season 2, The Damsels of Death, as we explore the unfinished business of Emily in The Corpse Bride, and Aggie Prendergast in Paranorman. Learn about the real origins of witches and zombies, and explore how film has used and changed these concepts to create the pointy hat wearing cacklers and lurching corpses we now know so well. Dig under the surface with us as we learn both Victorian and Jewish death rites, and enjoy the lighter side as we swap fun facts about the production of these two delightful Halloween movies. Welcome to Season 2 of The Damsel Dialogues! Music and SFX by Zapsplat.com Links: https://filmschoolrejects.com/witches-on-screen/ http://www.angelpig.net/victorian/engagement.html https://stacker.com/stories/13619/history-zombie-movies http://websites.umich.edu/~engl415/zombies/zombie.html https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/judaism https://www.verywellhealth.com https://www.victorianlondon.org/cassells/cassells-35.htm https://www.funeralbasics.org/do-funerals-still-matter/ https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/59550/era-body-snatchers https://www.fxguide.com/quicktakes/the-tech-behind-paranorman/ https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2016/02/160211-victorian-hair-art-work-jewelry-death-history/ www.arthistory.net/victorian-jet-jewelry/ https://www.history.com/news/post-mortem-photos-history https://victorianmonsters.wordpress.com/victorian-funerary-practices/ www.amazon.com/Murder-Magic-Medicine-John-Mann/dp/0198507445 Instyle.com

Disney really stepped up their game in 2021 when they produced an entire animated feature from home, in quarantine, during a worldwide pandemic. For our final episode of season one, we are discussing Raya and the Last Dragon, a tale of learning to trust again after betrayal, and the absolute need humans have to rely upon each other in order to grow and live freely. These lessons are always relevant, but even more keenly so in the midst of the turmoil we are all experiencing. Join Sarah as she delves one last time into the origins of a princess and the production of her film, and continue on with Jessica as she explores what it means to trust again when trust has been shattered. Raya and Namaari are our final princesses, and what a pair help us finish off season one.  SFX Provided by Zapsplat.com Historical Links: https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/making-history-while-making-raya-and-the-last-dragon/ https://d23.com/disney-animation-makes-womens-history-while-making-raya-and-the-last-dragon/ https://www.techradar.com/news/raya-and-the-last-dragon-how-disney-made-its-latest-animated-movie-in-lockdown https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raya_and_the_Last_Dragon https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2021/03/10346209/raya-the-last-dragon-kumandra-based-on-southeast-asia Psychological Links: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-ties-bind-us/202106/disneys-raya-and-the-economics-trust-examining-how-trust-facilitates https://www.moralrevolution.com/blog/3-steps-to-restoring-trust-after-betrayal https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/healing-sexual-trauma/202010/can-you-trust-again-after-being-betrayed https://psychcentral.com/blog/healing-the-wounds-of-betrayal#:~:text=Blaming%20and%20accusing%20is%20a,they%20hope%20to%20repair%20trust.

"I have crossed the horizon to find you. I know your name. They have stolen the heart from inside you. But this does not define you. This is not who are you are. You know who you are." These lyrics and the entirety of Moana illustrate the importance and beauty of truly seeing someone for who they are. Whether in regards to the island of Motunui seeing Moana's true gifts and destiny, or Moana being able to see the truth behind Te Ka's anger, this gorgeous movie holds up empathetic connection as true heroism. Join Sarah as she explores the true myths of the god Maui, and the inspiring production behind Moana, and then come with Jessica as she explores the way this film deals with trauma, truth and connection.  SFX Provided by Zapsplat.com Historical Links: https://www.familysearch.org/blog/en/where-is-moana-from/ http://www.keliiskayak.com/legend-of-maui/ https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/moana-directors-reveal-how-story-changed-950468/ https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/11/moana-oceanic-trust-disney-controversy-pacific-islanders-polynesia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moana_(2016_film) Psychological Links: https://bust.com/movies/193300-moana-feminized-heroism.html https://www.anewhopetc.org/post/moana#:~:text=If%20Moana%20went%20to%20therapy%2C%20she%20would%20have%20the%20chance,is%20hers%20and%20hers%20alone.&text=Moana%20has%20to%20process%20her,be%20by%20her%20own%20accord. https://medium.com/@sarah01890/cw-sexual-assault-db1207b57c3

GLITTER! HUGS! DANCING! Those are the things that create happiness, right? Well, they are if you ask Princess Poppy, the unwaveringly perky princess in today's episode. Come bop your way through the history of Troll Dolls and the production of the 2016 film, and contemplate with Sarah and Jess what exactly happiness IS. Harvard has some things to say about it! Poppy may be a little much, but she is a great example of resilience in the face of fear, in stark contrast to Justin Trollberlake, also known as Branch. Also, WHICH POP SONG FITS FOR THE MOST AWKWARD AND DANGEROUS SITUATIONS THERE ARE? Get excited for game time. Can't Stop the Feelin'! Historical & Production Links https://trolls.fandom.com/wiki/Trolls https://www.thevintagenews.com/2016/09/09/priority-back-1959-fisherman-couldnt-afford-buy-christmas-gift-daughter-carved-doll-imagination-troll-doll/ www.wikipedia.com https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/colorful-history-troll-doll-180974634/ https://nique.net/entertainment/2016/10/28/director-shares-production-magic-behind-trolls/ https://3dtotal.com/news/general/pursuit-happiness-the-making-of-trolls-by-trevor-hogg-dreamworks-animation-cg-movie#article-be-happy https://expertworldtravel.com/norwegian-troll-folklore-mythology/ Psychology Links https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/serious-research-on-happiness https://apnews.com/article/6dab1e79c34e4514af8d184d951f5733

For the First Time in Forever, we are doing TWO princesses in ONE episode. If you have a problem with that, just Let it Go. Ok, I'm done. If you haven't guessed already, this week's episode features Elsa and Anna from the absolute juggernaut of princess movies: FROZEN! Come learn about how Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen" inspired the film, and the majestic level of work and time and technology that went into this film, particularly the scene in which Elsa builds her ice fortress. Then join us as we explore how birth order among siblings affects their psychology, and the way attachment styles do the same. Maybe when someone is "cold," they are actually self-protective and scared. Elsa and Anna give us so much to talk about psychologically that it could be a whole other podcast! But for today, join us as we find true sisterly love with the ladies from FROZEN. SFX & Music by Zapsplat.com Historical & Production Links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frozen_(2013_film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Snow_Queen https://andersen.sdu.dk/vaerk/hersholt/TheSnowQueen_e.html https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/movies/a30682/15-frozen-facts-making-of-documentary/ https://andersen.sdu.dk/vaerk/hersholt/TheSnowQueen_e.html https://www.thegamer.com/disney-30-details-behind-making-frozen-ridiculous-words/ https://www.movieviral.com/2013/10/07/50-things-you-may-not-know-about-disneys-frozen/ Psychology Links: https://www.fandom.com/articles/psychology-frozen-2-elsa https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-matters-most/201508/healthy-vs-unhealthy-coping-imitate-anna-not-elsa https://birthorderguy.com/parenting/how-birth-order-affects-personality/ https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-263B-2546 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzlRCtQ5W8A&ab_channel=CinemaTherapy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9oaURvpEo