Crazy Together

Marcus and Esme made a mistake. In the span of three weeks they put out two episodes about the evils of dehumanization (and the cruelty that comes along with it), and one episode in which they unironically called Epstein and all of his buddies “monsters.” You might be surprised to learn that this glaring inconsistency went unnoticed by the couple until earlier this week. 

So, Marcus and Esme clarify their stance on dehumanization (...

In honor of Black History Month, Marcus and Esme have two fascinating stories to share about people who helped reshape history. 

Esme kicks things off with the story of Mamie Phipps Clark and Kenneth Clark, two black psychologists whose famous “doll tests” revealed how segregation shaped the self‑perception of Black children; and later provided the scientific rationale that helped the Supreme Court conclude separate educational fac...

Epstein was a monster; there’s no doubt about that. But he wasn’t alone. 

It’s important to note that no one has been charged with any crimes yet (and with the current administration in place, it might be a while), so it’s still difficult to separate actual evidence of guilt from noise. Nevertheless, the contents of the most recent release(s) of Epstein files paint a picture of a wealthy and interconnected network of monsters who e...

In this week’s Hyperfocus Bonus, Marcus leads the listeners on a journey that is equal parts aquatic and an algorithmic, as he describes how he went from watching placidly peaceful underwater footage from scuba divers, to quick-cut video mash-ups of weekend sea captains submerging their expensive party boats before they can even get out on the open water. 

Esme counters with her own hyperfocus detour into the world of mobile strate...

In this follow‑up to last week’s episode on cruelty and dehumanization, Marcus and Esme try to figure out what happens after people buy into systems built on division, fear, and the promise of in‑group protection. Spoiler alert: those systems almost always turn on the very people who empower them.

Drawing on historical examples from American slavery, the Confederacy, and Nazi Germany, the episode traces a pattern that repeats acros...

In this episode, Marcus and Esme try to answer the question, “how is it that people are capable of being so cruel to one another?” Drawing on philosopher David Livingstone Smith’s groundbreaking work, they explore how political leaders, military institutions, and propagandists have learned to tap into some of our most primal instincts to overcome our sense of compassion and empathy through the process of dehumanization. Smith shows...

In this week’s Hyperfocus Bonus, Esme shares an observation from a recent classroom experience and links it to memories from her past. Marcus, sadly, jumps to offering solutions where none were requested. For his part, Marcus explains how an offhand reference in last week’s Hyperfocus Bonus has lingered in his mind and taken on a life of its own. Will he be able to set these thoughts aside, or will he follow them all the way to Bro...

In this episode, Marcus and Esme explore the concept(?), practice(?), theory(?) of mindfulness. What is it? Why can it be a helpful tool for regulating heightened nervous systems? They discuss its roots as part of the Noble Eightfold Path in the Buddhist religion, how it became popular in Western culture, and then dive into what might be considered the darker side of “Mindfulness”—the co-opted capitalist version that uses it as a l...

In this week’s Hyperfocus Bonus, Marcus and Esme celebrate the dawn of a new era where Irish actors get to use their own accents in sci-fi/fantasy movies and tv shows. Also, Esme shares an update about her own adventures in the real world.

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Marcus and Esme dive into one of the most misunderstood—and emotionally loaded—topics in mental health: going no contact. What is it? Why do people do it? And why is everyone from Oprah to your uncle suddenly talking about it like it’s a generational crisis?

Esme opens up about her own experiences, while she and Marcus break down the difference between self‑isolation and no contact, explore the many forms it can take (from low cont...

In this week’s Hyperfocus Bonus, Marcus and Esme tell the story of Milli Vanilli, a R&B/Eurodance duo who took the world by storm in the late 80s/early 90s, only to lose it all when it was revealed they couldn’t actually sing. Is it a tale of avarice and deception, or a parable about the importance of proportionate accountability? Oh, wait. I’m just now reading the title. Got it – it’s the second one. You should still listen to...

In this episode, Marcus and Esme scratch the surface of AI’s impact on mental health: the wedge of isolation it’s driving between individuals (particularly children) and their families/friends in the name of engagement; the impact of its parroted empathy; its unregulated pervasiveness in our culture; and the risks it poses as a possible “tool” in the mental health space. They reflect on their own past mental health crises, and posi...

In this week’s much delayed Hyperfocus Bonus, Esme is out with a stomach bug, and Marcus details his heroic efforts tending to his sickly wife and daughter. He also proposes a simple solution for freeing up some of the federal funding needed to create a better health care system.

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While the future is unknown, one thing seems pretty clear - 2026 is going to be a weird, wild, and, quite possibly, very stupid year. To help them manage their own anxious feelings about the near future, Marcus and Esme decided to practice some “positive anticipation” strategies in an effort to have some things to look forward to in 2026. They also share some tips and tricks that can help you identify your own list of things to loo...

In this week's episode, Marcus and Esme celebrate the holiday season by replaying a holiday -themed fan favorite from earlier in the year (episode 9: Gratitude, but not in a woo-woo kind of way). They also share some updates and issue a few corrections related to last Friday’s episode. Are the updates related to biker-gang activity in Delco during the 70s? There’s only one way to find out.

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In this week’s Hyperfocus Bonus, Marcus and Esme pay tribute to Rob Reiner. They discuss how unfortunate it is that we often don’t take time to appreciate the impact some artists have on us while they’re still alive, and they reflect upon how the peak of Reiner’s career aligned so perfectly with their formative years. 

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It’s time for another Movie Night! Marcus and Esme, having recently rewatched the romantic-ish comedy Punch-Drunk Love (2002), sit down to discuss its depiction of mental illness and social anxiety. They also attempt to answer the question, “What happens when a fancy pants director (Paul Thomas Anderson – Magnolia, There Will Be Blood, One Battle After Another) joins forces with an actor (Adam Sandler) who, at the time, seemed bett...

In this week’s Hyperfocus Bonus, Marcus and Esme bemoan the time management and merchandising requirements imposed upon them by a seasonal decorative item. Marcus explains how having a BA in English often interferes with one’s ability to just enjoy things, and Esme shares a few more examples of sanity-saving content she turns to when the news gets too heavy.

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