Mind the Force

About Mind the Force

Welcome to Mind the Force Podcast, where Star Wars fandom meets mental health awareness. Hosted by Kristine McPartlin & James Abbate, we dive into the intersections between the Star Wars universe and real-life mental health journeys, unpacking the wisdom that our favorite characters and stories offer for resilience, healing, and growth. Each episode, we explore themes of trauma, identity, courage, and connection, using these tales from a galaxy far, far away as a lens to discuss mental wellness in a relatable, thoughtful way. We believe that storytelling has a powerful role in shaping how we view ourselves and our struggles, and Star Wars is a universal language that connects fans from all walks of life. Whether you're a lifelong Jedi, a Sith sympathizer, or somewhere in between, Mind the Force invites you to explore these stories with an open mind and heart. Join us as we navigate mental health topics with empathy, humor, and hope, celebrating the strength within ourselves and each other. May the Force be with you as we journey together toward greater understanding, insight, and empowerment in both the Star Wars universe and our everyday lives.

Publisher

Kristine McPartlin

Category

health & fitness · tv & film

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Oct 2023

Latest episode

30 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

33 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Sept 2026

   Ep XXXII: How Myths Make Worlds, Part II: The War Comes Home

   In Part Two of our Star Wars vs. Nolan’s The Odyssey series, Kristine and James explore what happens when survival changes you. From Odysseus returning home after war to Anakin, Obi-Wan, and the clones carrying the effects of conflict, we look at trauma, control, isolation, and the challenge of reintegrating into ordinary life. At the center is one question: when the danger is over, how do you learn to live beyond the version of yourself built to survive? Hosts: Kristine Smith & James Abbate Produced by: Press Record Studios www.pressrecordstudios.com (http://www.pressrecordstudios.com/) Mind the Force Website: ⁠https://mindtheforce.com/ (https://mindtheforce.com/)⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mindtheforce/ (https://www.instagram.com/mindtheforce/)⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/mindtheforce (https://www.facebook.com/mindtheforce) BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mindtheforce.bsky.social (https://bsky.app/profile/mindtheforce.bsky.social) Substack: https://substack.com/@mindtheforce (https://substack.com/@mindtheforce) Mental Health Disclaimer We are not medical or mental health professionals. Mind the Force podcast is intended for inspirational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Nowhere in this podcast do we diagnose or treat listeners with any kind of psychological, mental, emotional, or physical disorder as might be diagnosed and treated by a personal psychologist or other professional advisor. The content is not intended to be a substitute for working with a therapist or licensed mental health professional.

2. 

   9 Sept 2026

   XXXI - The Stories We Inherit: Star Wars vs Nolan’s The Odyssey (Part I)

   In Part One of our Star Wars vs. Nolan’s The Odyssey series, we explore how family stories shape identity long before we are old enough to question them. From Telemachus growing up in the shadow of Odysseus to Luke Skywalker discovering the truth about Anakin, we look at absent fathers, inherited expectations, family roles, and the fear of becoming the people who came before us. From intergenerational trauma to understanding vs excusing our parents, how much of who we are is truly ours and how much is a story we inherited? Hosts: Kristine Smith & James Abbate Produced by: Press Record Studios www.pressrecordstudios.com (http://www.pressrecordstudios.com/) Mind the Force Website: ⁠https://mindtheforce.com/ (https://mindtheforce.com/)⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mindtheforce/ (https://www.instagram.com/mindtheforce/)⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/mindtheforce (https://www.facebook.com/mindtheforce) BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mindtheforce.bsky.social (https://bsky.app/profile/mindtheforce.bsky.social) Substack: https://substack.com/@mindtheforce (https://substack.com/@mindtheforce) Mental Health Disclaimer We are not medical or mental health professionals. Mind the Force podcast is intended for inspirational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Nowhere in this podcast do we diagnose or treat listeners with any kind of psychological, mental, emotional, or physical disorder as might be diagnosed and treated by a personal psychologist or other professional advisor. The content is not intended to be a substitute for working with a therapist or licensed mental health professional.

3. 

   19 Aug 2026

   Ep XXX: You Had to Be There: Star Wars in Theaters Today

   What makes us feel like we need to experience a movie in theaters? In this episode of Mind the Force, Kristine and James look at the psychology behind the theatrical experience and what it means for the future of Star Wars on the big screen. From nostalgia and fandom identity to spectacle, FOMO, and shared cultural moments, we explore why some movies become events while others struggle to pull audiences away from home. As Star Wars enters a new theatrical era, we ask what it will take to make the galaxy far, far away feel unmissable again. Hosts: Kristine Smith & James Abbate Produced by: Press Record Studios www.pressrecordstudios.com (http://www.pressrecordstudios.com/) Mind the Force Website: ⁠https://mindtheforce.com/ (https://mindtheforce.com/)⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mindtheforce/ (https://www.instagram.com/mindtheforce/)⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/mindtheforce (https://www.facebook.com/mindtheforce) BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mindtheforce.bsky.social (https://bsky.app/profile/mindtheforce.bsky.social) Substack: https://substack.com/@mindtheforce (https://substack.com/@mindtheforce) Mental Health Disclaimer We are not medical or mental health professionals. Mind the Force podcast is intended for inspirational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Nowhere in this podcast do we diagnose or treat listeners with any kind of psychological, mental, emotional, or physical disorder as might be diagnosed and treated by a personal psychologist or other professional advisor. The content is not intended to be a substitute for working with a therapist or licensed mental health professional.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Contact Mind the Force

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.