Psychologist Andrew Nicholson and video game actor Adolyn H. Dar explore the intersection of VIDEO GAMES and MENTAL HEALTH, trying to answer the age old question - are video games the hero or the villain?
Video Games and Mental Health: Have we learned anything yet?!
Calgary psychologist Andrew Nicholson and his best friend and actor Adolyn H. Dar summarize the first run of episodes of the podcast, talking about what they learned, what surprised them, and directions they want to go in the future. They answer each other's skill testing questions, and debate once more whether video games are the HERO or the VILLAIN for mental health.Editing: Gurvir MinhasIntro Animation: Marco PerriMusic: Alexander Smith
26 May 2026
Queer Theory and Video Games
Calgary psychologist Andrew Nicholson and his best friend and actor Adolyn H. Dar are joined by Derritt Mason, an author and associate professor at the University of Calgary, to talk queer theory and video games. They discuss queer representation in games, how these themes overlap with mental health, and the intersection with coming of age stories.
Editing: Gurvir Minhas
Intro Animation: Marco Perri
Music: Alexander Smith
19 May 2026
Neurodivergent Gaming: Coping Skills & Cozy Games
Calgary psychologist Andrew Nicholson and his best friend and actor Adolyn H. Dar sit down with Mira Maschmeyer to talk about neurodivergent gaming. Mira shares about her experience with cozy gaming, what that means to her, and why it is an important coping tool for her diagnosed autism spectrum disorder.
Editing: Gurvir Minhas
Intro Animation: Marco Perri
Music: Alexander Smith
12 May 2026
Game Developer Dilemmas: How to represent mental health in video games
Calgary psychologist Andrew Nicholson and his best friend and actor, Adolyn H. Dar, sit down with local Calgary game developer Keith Mitchell to talk about all things gaming and mental health related, including ideas and challenges for representing mental health in video games, behind the scenes knowledge on game development, and exploring the responsibility of game developers.
Editing: Gurvir Minhas
Intro Animation: Marco Perri
Music: Alexander Smith
5 May 2026
Female Perspectives of Online Gaming
Do gamers who identify as female have a unique experience of video games and how they impact their mental health?
Calgary-based psychologist Andrew Nicholson and his best friend and actor Adolyn H. Dar sit down with Andrea Fong, who has completed research on this exact topic. She shares both her academic knowledge, as well as her own personal journey, in an episode that explores the female perception and experience of gaming online.
Editing: Gurvir Minhas
Intro Animation: Marco Perri
Music: Alexander Smith
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/levelingupmentalhealth/
28 Apr 2026
Is Video Game Addiction Real?
Is video game addiction real? Does playing for 10 hours a day automatically mean you’re addicted? Or can video games play a large and still healthy role in our lives?
Andrew and Adolyn sit down with Calgary-based psychologist, Michaela Rebus, who works with addiction of all kinds, including video game addiction. She shares her experience and knowledge exploring these important questions.
Editing: Gurvir MinhasIntro Animation: Marco PerriMusic: Alexander Smith
Resources:
Recovery Alberta Addiction Helpline (24/7): 1-866-332-2322
Adult Addiction Services (Calgary): 403-367-5000
Digital Wellness Lab: https://digitalwellnesslab.org (https://digitalwellnesslab.org/)
Calgary Distress Centre: 403-266-4357
For immediate distress or emergencies: 9-1-1
21 Apr 2026
Gender Violence and Video Games - Can games be used for violence prevention?
Do violent games increase violence in society? Calgary psychologist Andrew Nicholson and his best friend and actor Adolyn H. Dar interview Kenzie Gordon, a social worker and PhD Candidate whose research examines the intersections of gender-based violence and video games. Enjoy a fascinating conversation on representations of violence in mainstream games and the positive use of games to prevent violence.
Editing: Gurvir MinhasIntro Animation: Marco PerriMusic: Alexander SmithResources:
Connect Domestic Violence & Abuse Helpline (Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter): 403-234-7233
Alberta ONE LINE for Sexual Violence: 1-866-403-8000
Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA): 403-237-5888
Calgary Distress Centre: 403-266-4357
For immediate distress or emergencies: 9-1-1
14 Apr 2026
Are Video Games the HERO or the VILLAIN for MENTAL HEALTH?
LEVELING UP MENTAL HEALTH is all about examining the intersection of VIDEO GAMES and MENTAL HEALTH.
In the premiere episode, Calgary psychologist Andrew Nicholson and his best friend and actor Adolyn H. Dar interview each other about their lifelong love of video games, the impact of games on their mental health, and how video games saved their friendship.
Editing: Gurvir Minhas
Intro Animation: Marco Perri
Music: Alexander Smith
9 Apr 2026
Leveling Up Mental Health: TRAILER
Leveling Up Mental Health is a podcast exploring the intersection of VIDEO GAMES and MENTAL HEALTH. Calgary-based psychologist Andrew Nicholson co-hosts with his best friend, actor Adolyn H. Dar, to try and answer the age old question - are video games the HERO or the VILLAIN?
The first run of episodes include interviews with guests who offer expertise on video game addiction, video games and violence, and the perspective of a local game developer.
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