Xanyland: Comedians on the Couch

About Xanyland: Comedians on the Couch

Xanyland is a deconstruction of the mental health world, hosted by Alicia Racine Fink, a redhead therapist with a flair for irreverence. This isn’t your typical therapy session—it’s a shrink rap experience where comedians unwind on the couch, dishing the T about their personal mental health journeys. Xanyland pulls back the curtain on the chaos and absurdity of mental health today, offering listeners a fresh perspective on the struggles we all face. Each episode is a mix of hilarious anecdotes and psychoeducation that demystifies therapy and breaks down the stigma around mental health. It’s a space where healing meets humor. Xanyland is about laughing at the mess, all while guiding people toward the resources they need. Oh, and the T? It means a lot of things. Big T and small t trauma for one. It’s the stuff you spill with your therapist. And obviously, it’s the Seinfeldian kind of T too—where the mundane meets the absurd.

Publisher

Alicia Racine Fink

Category

comedy · education · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

5 Feb 2025

Latest episode

12 Aug 2025

Latest episodes

13 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   12 Aug 2025

   012 Katherine Blanford and the Chaos That Made US

   Quite possibly our funniest—and sharpest—episode yet. Comedian Katherine Blanford joins Alicia for a wild ride that starts with a sidestepped Dune II review and spirals into an unfiltered deep dive on boomer culture, Southern family dynamics, and the generational silence around mental health. Katherine’s stories—like her mom “napping” in the woods (spoiler: she wasn’t napping) and the unspoken rules of her father’s house—are laugh-out-loud funny, but also crack open conversations about toxic positivity, generational trauma, and why some careers are really just reactions to childhood chaos. They cover everything from the “grieving dopamine hit” of posting loss online, to comedy’s shift from diced-ham observational bits to raw memoir-style storytelling. Expect riffs on stepmothers, the wish for a gay dad, reincarnation, and why no amount of podcasts or cold plunges can manufacture the drive born in childhood. By the end, it’s clear Katherine carries her late mother’s bold, magnetic energy—and she’s using it to turn family history into fearless comedy. katherine blanford, stand up comedy, southern family dynamics, boomer culture, mental health stigma, toxic positivity, generational trauma, comedy podcast, memoir comedy, reincarnation, childhood chaos, grief humor, dopamine hit, gay dad joke, raw storytelling, fearless comedy, southern humor, comedian interview, dune 2 review

2. 

   22 Jul 2025

   011 Leslie Liao wants your friendships to be less crusty

   You’re Doing Adult Friendships Wrong (and It’s Hurting Your Mental Health) How to keep your friendships alive because your mental health depends on it. Quality time with friends works like Prozac, but your friendships might have gone crusty. In this episode of xanyland, I, Alicia Racine Fink, sit down with comedian Leslie Liao, whose hypnotic voice lulls you in—until her wit snaps you out of it. She gets honest about being crusty, as we all are sometimes, and we talk about what makes adult friendships quietly dry up and what it actually takes to bring them back to life. We talk about why she hates the “catch-up,” how voice memos feel so much more real than texts, and why I’m seriously tempted to get a rotary phone just to bring back the mystery and surprise of picking up a call you actually want to take. I get to play her therapist for a bit as we talk about keeping friendships young and holding onto the same play and depth they had when we were kids. We normalize boring hangs, couch days, and parallel play. We talk about why you need different friends for different parts of yourself, and how diversifying your intimacy can even protect your romantic relationships. We even referenced some of the best books on friendship as we went through real strategies to make your friendships feel as good as Prozac… and summertime. Summertime Prozac. Mmmm. Keywords: adult friendships, friendship advice, mental health, Leslie Lau comedian, Alicia Racine Fink, Xanyland podcast, parallel play, friendship strategies, diversifying intimacy, voice memos, rotary phone, nostalgia, summertime, Prozac

3. 

   1 Jul 2025

   010 This Is Not a Love Story: Julia and Her Narcissists

   In this revealing episode of Xanyland, Alicia Racine Fink sits down with comedian Julia Jasunas to unravel the complexities of narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). They explore the crucial distinctions between narcissistic traits and NPD, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the severity of true clinical diagnoses. Alicia introduces the concept of the echoist, the empathic counterpart to the narcissist, and Julia shares personal anecdotes about navigating relationships with narcissists. She offers practical red flags to watch for and tips on how to break free from these dynamics, while also reflecting on her own role as an echoist. Julia cathartically weaves these experiences into her comedy, bringing humor and insight to her healing journey. Alicia makes a powerful assertion that even those with personality disorders, like NPD, have the potential to heal with the right support and willingness. Together, they delve into the roots of narcissism, the interplay between narcissists and echoists, and the journey toward greater self-awareness and healing. Topics: narcissistic abuse · attachment wounds · long-term therapy · emotional manipulation · identity loss and repair · comedy and trauma · trusting your instincts · relational patterns · gaslighting and control · healing through self-awareness

4. 

   17 Jun 2025

   009 Laughter and Life Lessons with Drew Dunn

   Comedian Drew Dunn discusses the impact of family and loss on his comedy, his approach to balancing life's complexities, and how becoming a parent has shifted his perspective in an interview with Alicia Racine Fink.

5. 

   27 May 2025

   008 Couples Therapy: Courtney Maginnis and Casey Salengo Show Up for the Work

   Comedian couple Courtney Maginnis and Casey Salengo discuss active listening, communication breakdowns, and relationship maintenance with Alicia Racine Fink, normalizing the struggles of partnership through humor and intention in this interview.

6. 

   13 May 2025

   007 Feeding the Beast, Saving your Sanity with Andrew Orolfo

   This episode delves into the intersection of mental health and social media. Cool guy comedian Andrew Orolfo shares his personal experiences with the pressures of maintaining an online presence, especially as someone who pursued comedy for the love of it. He came into this work to write jokes and perform them, not to edit reels and monitor engagement. Hosted by therapist Alicia Racine Fink, the conversation gets into how overwhelming it can feel to keep up with the algorithm, the toll it can take on mental well-being, and how Andrew’s learned to handle online feedback with humor and resilience. The episode also touches on therapy, emotional growth, and how parents can help protect kids from the chaos of the internet. It’s a laid-back conversation with signature chill vibes—just like Andrew. We cover how social media messes with your brain, what it means to clap back without losing yourself, and we end again with why therapy is the biggest take-home point.

7. 

   29 Apr 2025

   006 Inviting Mania to Tea with Gracie Canaan

   Comedian, boxer, writer, dancer, and illustrator, Gracie Kanan doesn’t just live with bipolar disorder—she has turned it into an art form. In this raw and uplifting episode, Gracie shares her decade-long mental health quest (not to be confused with journey), from hospitalization to healing, and how she learned to invite all her parts—manic Gracie, depressed Gracie, every messy, brilliant version of herself—in for tea. She gets real about what she’s learned along the way—from actionable tools like phone lockboxes and high-yield savings accounts to navigating an alternative lifestyle that includes living with her ex (one of her best friends), whose new girlfriend—fatefully—is also named Grace. She talks about building a life that works for her, on her terms, with humor, ferocity, and a whole lot of heart. As Gracie says, “the truth is more interesting, but nobody wants to hear it.” In this episode, we do.

8. 

   8 Apr 2025

   005 Tommy Brennan: Say Her Name (It’s Cheryl)

   In this episode of Xanyland, comic Tommy Brennan brings the laughs and the feels as he opens up about therapy, bombing, and building a name in comedy without losing his mind—or his stylistic integrity. From the raw chaos of bombing a set to the existential dread of “How do I look on stage?”—Tommy and Alicia go deep on what it means to find your voice when you're one of eight siblings and the only one doing stand-up. They unpack why choir is basically crack for young boys, why a “dream job” at LinkedIn can be a creative death sentence, and why therapy only works if you actually do it right. Alicia confesses to falling in love with her therapist’s husband (without knowing it), and Tommy gives a loud and proud thank-you to his therapist, Cheryl—who maybe shouldn’t come to his shows. Whether you’re a comic, a creative, or just curious about how therapy and self-presentation collide, this episode is for you. Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your T.

9. 

   25 Mar 2025

   004 RyDoon or Ryan Muldoon: From Comedian to Therapist to Comedian-Therapist

   Ryan Muldoon—aka RyDoon, Vine OG and stand-up comic—was once the guy who could make millions laugh in six seconds. In this episode of Xanyland, Ryan gets honest about what it really took to survive himself: getting sober, digging deep into AA and Al-Anon, screaming along to Nine Inch Nails, and surrendering to the power of hypnotherapy. Now a practicing therapist who’s funnier than ever (and yes, back on stage), he opens up about rage, recovery, and how becoming a therapist made his comedy more connected. This episode is for anyone who’s ever used humor to keep it together—and is finally ready to fall apart just enough to heal.

10. 

    11 Mar 2025

    003_Late Onset Autism With Baron Vaughn

    Comedian, actor, and all-around brilliant mind Baron Vaughn joins us to talk about something deeply personal—his journey of self-discovery after his son’s autism diagnosis. In this episode, Baron generously shares what it’s like to question your own neurodivergence as an adult, the compassion he’s learning along the way, and what “being a person” even means when you start seeing yourself through a whole new lens. The best part? He’s mid-journey—thoughtful, educated, and honest, but still figuring it out. And fun fact: Baron and Alicia were both at the Boston University College of Fine Arts Acting Program. If you don’t know him as an epic stand-up, you might recognize him from Grace and Frankie. This episode could help a lot of people accept themselves in a new way. Share it, comment, and let’s keep the conversation going.

11. 

    25 Feb 2025

    002_Feeling Better? Thank Your SSRIs, Not the Universe. Join us with Jessica Michelle Singleton.

    If your meds are working, maybe don’t ghost them. In this episode, stand-up comedian Jessica Michelle Singleton shares the story of her mom quitting her meds cold turkey (it was a ride). We also talk about her journey with ADHD meds, while Alicia Racine Fink’s husband, Mike, spills on his medication adventures—including multiple rounds in an oxygen chamber. Holistic approaches, meds, supplements, exercise—we’re here for all of it. And if meds make your brain a nicer place to live? Keep taking them. Everyone deserves help, treatment, and a brain that isn’t trying to ruin their life.

12. 

    11 Feb 2025

    001 Jordana Lilly Wants Her Therapist to Shame Her

    For the very first episode of Xanyland, I’m joined by comedian, actress, and singer Jordana Lilly—who I met doing improv at Groundlings (so you already know this will be fun). We’re diving into the surprisingly tricky world of finding a therapist: where to look, how to figure out what you actually need, and how to get the most out of it once you're there. We’ve packed in some buzzy, useful terms, kept it educational, and did our best not to turn this into a therapy session—though there is a surprise diagnosis at the end. If you’re a visual learner, catch the full video on YouTube. Please follow, rate, review, and share—because mental health info should be easier to access. Follow @xanylandpodcast and @iamjordanalilly on Instagram!

13. 

    5 Feb 2025

    Welcome to Xanyland an exploration of mental health and comedy!

    Welcome to Xanyland, a deconstruction of the mental health world, hosted by Alicia Racine Fink, a redhead therapist with a flair for irreverence. This isn’t your typical therapy session—it’s a shrink rap experience where comedians unwind on the couch, dishing the T about their personal mental health journeys. Xanyland pulls back the curtain on the chaos and absurdity of mental health today, offering listeners a fresh perspective on the struggles we all face. Each episode is a mix of hilarious anecdotes and psychoeducation that demystifies therapy and breaks down the stigma around mental health. It’s a space where healing meets humor. Xanyland is about laughing at the mess, all while guiding people toward the resources they need. Oh, and the T? It means a lot of things. Big T and small t trauma for one. It’s the stuff you spill with your therapist. And obviously, it’s the Seinfeldian kind of T too—where the mundane meets the absurd.

Who has been a guest on Xanyland: Comedians on the Couch

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Drew Dunn
• Courtney Maginnis
• Casey Salengo

Reach and audience

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

YouTube views

56,334

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

17 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 45 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

42

Social presence

0

YouTube

72

Engagement

51