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Stígðu inn í heim af óteljandi sögum

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Sony Music Entertainment

Ever wondered why Frasier Crane is such a snob? 
How Tyrion Lannister’s bawdy humour saves him in Game of Thrones? 
What makes Schitts Creek’s Moira Rose a narcissist? 

‘Shrink the Box’ is where actor comedian Ben Bailey Smith and psychotherapist Nemone Metaxas put their favourite fictional characters such Tommy from Peaky Blinders and Sydney from The Bear on the couch - to analyse why their behaviour causes them so much drama. 
 
Nemone and Ben explore why these characters make certain decisions, what would happen if they made different ones and what we can learn from their mistakes. The perfect combination of psychology, self-help and the best TV since the birth of the box-set. 

We would love to hear your theories: shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com 
 
A Sony Music Entertainment production. 
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow us at @sonypodcasts 
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com

Shrink The Box

Looking for love or navigating the modern dating world? We've got just the thing! How to Date is your ultimate guide to the highs, lows, and everything in between of modern romance. Hosted by broadcaster and author Elizabeth Day and relationship expert Mel Schilling, this podcast masterclass dives deep into the complexities of finding connection in today’s world.

Whether you're decoding dating apps, breaking old patterns, or building confidence, Elizabeth and Mel are here to help—with humour, honesty, and expert advice. Featuring candid conversations with fascinating guests, you'll learn how to spot red flags, avoid communication pitfalls, cope with rejection, and even find love that's truly worthy of you. Plus, practical tips and exercises make this a must-listen for anyone looking to date with confidence and self-worth.

After all, the most important relationship you’ll ever have is the one you have with yourself.

A Daylight and Sony Music Entertainment Production.

Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow @sonypodcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing: How to Date

For the last episode of this season, team STB gets real with those pesky inner monologues (as promised in the Carrie: Sex and the City episode). Plus, what's the connection between 80s comedy-thriller Lovejoy and The Matrix? We explore actors who have come back from obscurity with aplomb.

We want to hear about any theories we might have missed, what you’ve thought of the show so far and your character suggestions. Please drop the team an email (which may be part of the show): shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com

Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts.

To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you have a critical inner voice? Plus forgotten actors enjoying a renaissance and your questions answered - SHRINK THE INBOX

In our final character episode of this season, we put Carrie from Sex and the City on the couch. Nemone looks at why Sex and the City hasn’t aged well, and Ben talks about diversity in the privileged, white world of the show. We get into Carrie’s shopping habit, low self-esteem, and why everyone in the show is SO obsessed with relationships, even though the women really have no need for them. We also get a primer on the Bechdel test, and how you can tell if a show is sexist without knowing it. And if you want to check out more on the patriarchy and diversity, have a listen to our episodes on Sydney from The Bear. 

 

We want to hear about any theories we might have missed, what you’ve thought of the show so far and your character suggestions. Please drop the team an email (which may be part of the show): shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com 

Find how to view the shows we’ve talked about here.

 

CREDITS 

We used clips from episodes of Sex and the City. It’s available to watch on NOWTV/SKY. 

Starring: 

Sarah Jessica Parker – Carrie Bradshaw 

Cynthia Nixon – Miranda Hobbs 

Kim Cattrall – Samatha Jones 

Kristin Davis – Charlotte York 

Created by: 

Darren Star 

Candace Bushnell 

Directed by: 

Susan Seidalman 

Nicole Holofcener 

Alison Maclean 

Michael Fields 

Darren Star 

Produced by: 

Darren Star 

Michael Patrick King 

John P. Melfi 

Jenny Bicks 

Sarah Jessica Parker 

Cindy Chupack 

 

We would love to hear your theories: shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com 

A Sony Music Entertainment production. 

Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts. 

To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CARRIE BRADSHAW – How to fight the patriarchy and stop obsessing over relationships – SHRINK THE BOX

Ben and Nemone put Jackson Lamb from Slow Horses on the couch. Gary Oldman’s version of Mick Herron’s character has become household name, and you can see why. A man with many layers, a million secrets, and a lightning rod for other’s emotions – perhaps he is the perfect Freudian analyst. Nemone gives us a crash course in transference and counter-transference, looks at why people mask and create false selves, and what drives people into a career where they hide their true selves from everyone, including themselves. 

 

This is the PERFECT watching companion to Season 4 of Slow Horses, coming 4th September on AppleTV+! 

And if you want to look at false selves, then listen back to our episode on The Morning Show’s Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. 

We want to hear about any theories we might have missed, what you’ve thought of the show so far and your character suggestions. Please drop the team an email (which may be part of the show): shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com 

 

NEXT CLIENTS ON THE COUCH. Find out how to view here 

Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City (selected episodes) 

 

CREDITS 

We used clips from Season 1 of Slow Horses. It’s available to watch on AppleTV+. 

Starring: 

Gary Oldman - Jackson Lamb 

Jack Lowden - River Cartwright 

Kristin Scott Thomas - Diana Taverner 

Saskia Reeves - Catherine Standish 

Rosalind Eleazar - Louisa Guy 

Christopher Chung - Roddy Ho 

Created by: 

Mick Herron 

Will Smith 

Directed by: 

James Hawes 

Jeremy Lovering 

Saul Metzstein 

Produced by: 

Iain Canning 

Hakan Kousetta 

Jamie Laurenson 

Gail Mutrux et al. 

 

We would love to hear your theories: shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com 

A Sony Music Entertainment production. 

Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts. 

To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

JACKSON LAMB in SLOW HORSES: Do spies make the best therapists? – SHRINK THE BOX

Ben and Nemone put Raymond Holt on the couch. We look at how this trailblazing policeman (the first black, gay police captain in the force) stands out from the rest of the precinct. We learn how family dynamics inform behaviour and what it takes to be a great leader. Nemone looks at a diagnosis of ASD or Asperger’s Syndrome for the captain, and Ben gives a heartwarming tribute to the great actor who played him, André Braugher.

We want to hear about any theories we might have missed, what you’ve thought of the show so far and your character suggestions. Please drop the team an email (which may be part of the show): shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com

NEXT CLIENTS ON THE COUCH. Find out how to view here

Jackson Lamb, Slow Horses (Season 1)

Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City (selected episodes)

CREDITS

We used clips from episodes of Brooklyn 99. It’s available to watch on Netflix.

Starring:

Andy Samberg - Jacob "Jake" Peralta

Stephanie Beatriz - Rosa Diaz

Terry Crews - Terrence "Terry" JeffordsMelissa Fumero - Amy Santiago

Joe Lo Truglio - Charles Boyle

Chelsea Peretti - Regina "Gina" Linetti

Andre Braugher - Raymond Holt

Dirk Blocker as Michael Hitchcock and Joel McKinnon Miller as Norm Scully

Created by:

Dan Goor

Michael Schur

Directed by:

Craig Zisk

Julie Ann Robinson

Troy Miller

Dean Holland

Jason Ensler

Produced by:

Dan Goor

Michael Schur

David Miner

Phil Lord
Christopher Miller (both; pilot)

Luke Del Tredici

David Phillips

We would love to hear your theories: shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com

A Sony Music Entertainment production.

Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts.

To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CAPTAIN HOLT of BROOKLYN 99: Neurodiverse, gay and battling racism – SHRINK THE BOX

Ben and Nemone put Moira Rose on the couch and take a deep dive into her narcissistic tendencies, and what effect that has on the rest of the Schitts. Nemone explains how narcissism is not as easy to spot as its widespread use would have you believe. We also discuss the collection of wigs that Moira keeps in her closet and why they are transitional objects. And if you’re interested in hearing more on narcissism, then check out our episode on Game of Thrones’ Cersei Lannister.

We want to hear about any theories we might have missed, what you’ve thought of the show so far and your character suggestions. Please drop the team an email (which may be part of the show): shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com

NEXT CLIENTS ON THE COUCH. Find out how to view here

Raymond Holt, Brooklyn 99 (selected episodes)

Jackson Lamb, Slow Horses (Season 1)

Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City (selected episodes)

CREDITS

We used clips from episodes of Schitt’s Creek. It’s available to watch on Netflix.

Starring:

Eugene Levy - Johnny Rose

Catherine O'Hara - Moira Rose

Daniel Levy - David Rose

Annie Murphy - Alexis Rose

Created by:

Daniel Levy

Eugene Levy

Directed by:

Jerry Ciccoritti

Paul Fox

Produced by:

Eugene Levy

Dan Levy

Fred Levy

Andrew Barnsley

Ben Feigin

Kevin White

David West Read

We would love to hear your theories: shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com

A Sony Music Entertainment production.

Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts.

To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SCHITT’S CREEK and Moira Rose: this is narcissism – SHRINK THE BOX

If characters in ‘trapped’ dramas escape, is that the end of the show? Ben and Nemone explore The Handmaid’s Tale and Severance as examples. Plus, Ben reacts to a listener’s ‘constructive’ feedback and Nemone explores Polyvagal Theory to explain why we might react in the way we do from childhood trauma. 

We want to hear about any theories we might have missed, what you’ve thought of the show so far and your character suggestions. Please drop the team an email (which may be part of the show): shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com 

NEXT CLIENTS ON THE COUCH. Find out how to view here 

Raymond Holt, Brooklyn 99 (selected episodes) 

Jackson Lamb, Slow Horses (Season 1) 

Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City (selected episodes) 

Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts. 

To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Explaining addicts' behaviour, ‘trapped’ dramas (Handmaid’s Tale) and your questions - SHRINK THE INBOX

Ben and Nemone discuss The Wire’s ‘Bubbles’ aka Reginald Collins. An informant and heroin user, a man with a fragile support network who finds himself stranded while trying to forge closer bonds with those around him. Nemone tells Ben how unconditional love is the hardest thing to give an addict, and the key to helping them start their journey to sobriety. Plus we hear wisdom from Gabor Maté. Our episode on the Queen’s Gambit has great insights into addiction if you’re looking for even more on this subject. 

 

We talked about AA, Al Anon and Samaritans in the show. Here are links: 

AA: https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/ 

Al Anon: https://al-anonuk.org.uk/ 

Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/ 

We want to hear about any theories we might have missed, what you’ve thought of the show so far and your character suggestions. Please drop the team an email (which may be part of the show): shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com 

NEXT CLIENTS ON THE COUCH. Find out how to view here 

Moira Rose, Schitt's Creek (Season 1) 

Raymond Holt, Brooklyn 99 (selected episodes) 

Jackson Lamb, Slow Horses (Season 1) 

Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City (selected episodes) 

 

CREDITS 

We used clips from Seasons 1 of The Wire. It’s available to watch on NOWTV. 

Starring: 

Dominic West - Jimmy McNulty 

Idris Elba - Stringer Bell 

Lawrence Gilliard Jr. - D’Angelo Barskdale 

Wood Harris - Avon Barksdale 

Deirdre Lovejoy - Rhonda Pearlman 

Wendell Pierce - Detective Bunk 

Lance Reddick - Cpt. Cedric Daniels 

Andre Royo – Reginald Collins, aka Bubbles 

Sonja Sohn - Kima Greggs 

Created by: 

David Simon 

Directed by: 

Clark Johnson 

Peter Medak 

Clement Virgo 

Ed Bianchi 

Gloria Muzo 

Produced by: 

Karen L. Thorson 

Ed Burns 

Joe Chappelle 

George Pelecanos 

Eric Overmyer 

David Simon 

Robert F. Colesberry 

Nina Kostroff Noble 

We would love to hear your theories: shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com 

A Sony Music Entertainment production. 

Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts. 

To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

THE WIRE’S Bubbles: How do you help an addict? – SHRINK THE BOX

Ben and Nemone discuss Helen McCrory’s iconic Poly Shelby from Peaky Blinders. She’s a devout Catholic, but up to her neck in the murky world of bootlegging and murder. Nemone gets into the thorny question of how she might match those up, and reveals how each of us has a ‘silent observer’ inside. We also dive into the history of women’s rights in 1920s England. Look out for some killer lines from our Polly, too. If you like this, you’ll love our look at Cersei Lannister and how to lead violent men using more than physical force, and the toll that takes. 

We want to hear about any theories we might have missed, what you’ve thought of the show so far and your character suggestions. Please drop the team an email (which may be part of the show): shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com 

 

NEXT CLIENTS ON THE COUCH. Find out how to view here

Reginald "Bubbles" Cousins, The Wire (Season 1) 

Moira Rose, Schitt's Creek (Season 1) 

Raymond Holt, Brooklyn 99 (selected episodes) 

Jackson Lamb, Slow Horses (Season 1) 

Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City (selected episodes) 

 

CREDITS 

We used clips from Seasons 1&2 of Peaky Blinders. It’s available to watch on BBC iPlayer. 

Starring: 

Tommy Shelby - Cillian Murphy 

Polly Gray - Helen McCrory 

Arthur Shelby - Paul Anderson 

Ada Shelby - Sophie Rundle 

Finn Shelby - Harry Kirton 

Lizzie Shelby - Natasha O'Keeffe 

Linda Shelby - Kate Phillips 

Created by: 

Steven Knight 

Directed by: 

Otto Bathurst 

Tom Harper 

Colm McCarthy 

Produced by: 

Katie Swinden 

Laurie Borg 

We would love to hear your theories: shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com 

EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/take Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!

 

A Sony Music Entertainment production. 

Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts. 

To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

PEAKY BLINDERS’ Polly Shelby: the silent observer in all of us – SHRINK THE BOX

Ben and Nemone discuss Tasha Jefferson, aka Taystee, from Orange is the New Black. We get fascinating insights into child states and how difficult they are to escape; attachment theory and why prison can be a better alternative to living in the outside world. Expect to laugh and cry while reliving one of the early bingeable series on Netflix. And if you’re interested in looking further into issues of adoption and racism, check out our episode on The Queen’s Gambit, from Season 1. 

 

We want to hear about any theories we might have missed, what you’ve thought of the show so far and your character suggestions. Please drop the team an email (which may be part of the show): shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com 

 

NEXT CLIENTS ON THE COUCH. Find out how to view here 

Polly, Peaky Blinders (seasons 1&2) 

Reginald "Bubbles" Cousins, The Wire (Season 1) 

Moira Rose, Schitt's Creek (Season 1) 

Raymond Holt, Brooklyn 99 (selected episodes) 

Jackson Lamb, Slow Horses (Season 1) 

Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City (selected episodes) 

 

CREDITS 

We used clips from Season 1 of Orange is the New Black. It’s available to watch on Netflix. 

Starring: 

Taylor Schilling as Piper Chapman 

Laura Prepon as Alex Vause, 

Michael Harney as Sam Healy 

Michelle Hurst as Miss Claudette Pelage 

Kate Mulgrew as Galina "Red" Reznikov 

Jason Biggs as Larry Bloom 

Uzo Aduba as Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren 

Danielle Brooks as Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson 

Natasha Lyonne as Nicky Nichols 

Taryn Manning as Tiffany "Pennsatucky" Doggett 

Selenis Leyva as Gloria Mendoza 

Adrienne C. Moore as Cynthia "Black Cindy" Hayes 

Dascha Polanco as Dayanara "Daya" Diaz 

Created by: 

Jenji Kohan 

Directed by: 

Michael Trim 

Andrew McCarthy 

Uta Briesewitz 

Jodie Foster 

Matthew Penn 

Produced by: 

Jenji Kohan 

Sara Hess 

Tara Herrmann 

Lisa Vinnecour 

Neri Kyle Tannenbaum 

Mark A. Burley 

 

We would love to hear your theories: shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com 

 

A Sony Music Entertainment production. 

Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts. 

To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK’S “Taystee”: Adoption, Child States and Attachment Theory – SHRINK THE BOX

Ben’s close encounter with an obsessive fan. Plus we ask why writers create good-looking psychopaths and we explore your character suggestions in this special bonus edition.

EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/shrink Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!

Shrink The Box is a Sony Music Entertainment production.

We'd love to hear your comments and guest suggestions on the show. Email: shrinkthebox@sonymusic.com

Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts

To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

27: Shrink the Inbox

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