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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

Ever wondered why Tony Soprano’s therapist stuck with him? Why Fleabag is obsessed with sex or why Walter White is always in his underpants?
‘Shrink the Box’ is where actor comedian Ben Bailey Smith and psychotherapist Sasha Bates put their favourite fictional characters such as Shiv from Succession, Omar from the Wire and Ross from Friends on the couch to analyse why their behaviour causes them so much drama. Sasha 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.

A Somethin’ Else & 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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing... Shrink The Box

Unravelling the complex (and surprisingly endearing) layers of the OG mobster: Mr Tony Soprano, all roads lead to New Jersey on the first episode of Shrink the Box!

We find out why talking to a therapist is a ‘whackable’ offence, how falling in love with your shrink is not THAT uncommon and why his mother, Livia Soprano could be the real villain of the show. 

Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of The Sopranos to avoid spoilers.

Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email shrinkthebox@somethinelse.com

If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan.

Internationally: https://www.befrienders.org/.

For UK help via talking therapies contact your GP or the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy bacp.co.uk

Shrink The Box is a Somethin’ Else Production with Sony Music Entertainment.

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

1: The Sopranos - Tony Soprano

Sliding on their gloves, and stepping into their Hazmat suits, Ben and Sasha distil one of TV’s most infamous characters: The mighty Heisenburg.

On this week’s Shrink the Box we uncover why Walter White is often in his underpants, how he taps into his ‘shadow side’ and we explore if the ‘Revenge of the Nerd’ is really a thing.

Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of Breaking Bad to avoid spoilers.

Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email shrinkthebox@somethinelse.com

If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan.

Internationally: https://www.befrienders.org/.

For UK help via talking therapies contact your GP or the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy bacp.co.uk

Shrink The Box is a Somethin’ Else Production with Sony Music Entertainment.

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

2: Breaking Bad - Walter White

The often enigmatic chess genius that is Beth Harmon - is the Queen of this week’s episode.

Ben and Sasha explore why Beth feels so compelled to clean up after parties - and how her controlled prowess at the chessboard, becomes utter chaos away from it.

Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email shrinkthebox@somethinelse.com

Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of The Queen’s Gambit to avoid spoilers.

If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan.

Internationally: https://www.befrienders.org/.

For UK help via talking therapies contact your GP or the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy bacp.co.uk

Shrink The Box is a Somethin’ Else Production with Sony Music Entertainment.

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

3: The Queen's Gambit - Beth Harmon

Omar is only Barack Obama's favourite fictional character of all time. And perhaps ours too?

We find out why we're on the side of the gun-toting, duster-coat wearing stick-up badass who robs drug dealers for a living.

Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of The Wire to avoid spoilers.

Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email shrinkthebox@somethinelse.com

If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan.

Internationally: https://www.befrienders.org/

For UK help via talking therapies contact your GP or the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy bacp.co.uk

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

Shrink The Box is a Somethin’ Else Production with Sony Music Entertainment.

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

4: The Wire - Omar Little

Falling in love with a priest - whilst being deathly afraid of intimacy? What’s that about?

Join us as we delve into the world of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag and find out why she is so intent on being quite so ‘naughty’.

Don’t forget to check out Season 1 and 2 of Fleabag to avoid spoilers.

Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email shrinkthebox@somethinelse.com

If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan.

Internationally: https://www.befrienders.org/

For UK help via talking therapies contact your GP or the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy bacp.co.uk

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

Shrink The Box is a Somethin’ Else Production with Sony Music Entertainment.

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

5: Fleabag - Fleabag

Advertising sells - and Don Draper knows how to sell it better than anyone: a product, the American dream, and even himself.

We look at why the ad-men of the ‘60s were so terrified of therapy, how sex is power, and why faking who you are - is actually the hardest sell of all. 

Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of Mad Men to avoid spoilers.
Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email shrinkthebox@somethinelse.com

If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan.

Internationally: https://www.befrienders.org/

For UK help via talking therapies contact your GP or the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy bacp.co.uk

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

Shrink The Box is a Somethin’ Else Production with Sony Music Entertainment.

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

6: Mad Men - Don Draper

Transporting viewers to the idyllic, suburban world of Westview, New Jersey, but all is not how it seems. Despite her otherworldly powers, Wanda experiences grief and loss, just like the rest of us.

Plus a deep dive into the strength of nostalgia, what the mysterious beekeepers mean, and how sometimes, destruction is the only thing that helps us heal.

Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of Wandavision to avoid spoilers.

Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email shrinkthebox@somethinelse.com

If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan.

Internationally: https://www.befrienders.org/

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

For UK help via talking therapies contact your GP or the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy bacp.co.uk

Shrink The Box is a Somethin’ Else Production with Sony Music Entertainment.

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

7: Wandavision - Wanda Maximoff

Black, British and kind of famous, Michaela Coel’s Arabella colours outside of the lines; misses deadlines, and, can’t *quite* remember what happened to her last night?

One woman’s search for the truth raises questions around agency, relationships and whether or not there’s ever such a thing as shades of grey - when it comes to consent.

Don’t forget to check out Season 1 of I May Destroy You to avoid spoilers.

Do you have a character suggestion for us? Get in touch! Please email shrinkthebox@somethinelse.com

If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode: For the UK, call SAMARITANS on 116 123 samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan.

Internationally: https://www.befrienders.org/

For UK help via talking therapies contact your GP or the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy bacp.co.uk

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

Shrink The Box is a Somethin’ Else Production with Sony Music Entertainment.

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

8: I May Destroy You - Arabella Essiedu

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

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