Drinking Tea with Monsters

On this holiday episode of Drinking Tea with Monsters—the cozy-spooky podcast about OCD, anxiety, and other, less scary monsters—we’re diving into everything festive, comforting, and a little eerie.🎬 Holiday Watchlist: Our Favorite Christmas MoviesWe kick things off with the movies getting us into the holiday spirit. From unexpected Christmas classics like The Godfather to new favorites like Christmas Karma, we share what we’re watching this season and why these films always hit the spot. If you love discovering holiday movies, nostalgic comfort films, or quirky recommendations, you’re in the right place.❄️ Living With OCD During the HolidaysThen we get real about what it’s like to navigate OCD during the holiday season. We unpack common triggers, why this time of year can feel especially overwhelming, and practical strategies to help you find joy, grounding, and peace amid the chaos. If you’re looking for mental-health support, coping tools, or solidarity, come build your holiday toolkit with us.🏚️ Cozy-Spooky Story: The Winchester Mystery HouseLeela closes the episode with a chilling but comforting tale: the Winchester Mystery House. With its endless construction, staircases to nowhere, secret rooms, and haunted history, it’s the perfect spooky story for a winter night.So grab yourself a holiday beverage, a seasonal drink, a comforting concoction, and join us for Drinking Tea with Monsters.I'm, like, totally obsessed with...The Merchants of Joy (Amazon Prime)Godfather (available to watch for free on Pluto, Tubi ; with subscription on Paramount+, Hulu, and Roku)Goodfellas (available to rent)A Bronx Tale (available with subscription on Amazon Prime, Roku, YouTube, AMC+)Christmas karma trailerOCDIOCDFNOCDHow can you deal with OCD during the holidays? (NOCD)How To Manage Holiday Season Stress (NOCD)How to Embrace Joy while Managing OCD This Holiday Season (NOCD)DTWMWinchester Mystery HouseContact UsIG: @drinkingteawithmonsters EMAIL: drinkingteamwithmosters@gmail.com

On this episode of Drinking Tea with Monsters, the cozy-spooky podcast about OCD, anxiety, and all the monsters in our minds, Leela is very aware she’s single!We kick things off with a conversation about single life and why the world often feels built for couples instead of individuals. Le sigh.Next, Leela shares her experience performing at an open mic hosted by the amazing community at OCD Gamechangers, highlighting why supportive spaces matter so much for people with OCD.Then we dive into our main topic: Magical Thinking OCD, what it is, how it overlaps with other OCD subtypes, why it’s not “cute witchy whimsy,” and how it can show up as illogical but overwhelming fears and rituals. If you’ve ever wondered whether magical thinking is “a thing” in OCD, this deep dive is for you.Pri wraps things up with a spooky history segment: the eerie tale of Room 8 at Gadsby’s Tavern, because every episode deserves a little ghostly storytelling.So pour yourself a cup of your favorite tea, settle in, and get ready for curiosity, compassion, and a dash of spooky fun, all in very good company.I'm, like, totally obsessed with...OCD GamechangersOCDIOCDFNOCDMagical Thinking OCD (NOCD)Don't forget about Authentic Connections Counseling webinar on November 20th. Sign up for free today! https://forms.gle/8z25C62ZEhXd6XJE9DTWMGadsby's TavernTangent StuffVideo about the UniverseContact UsIG: @drinkingteawithmonsters EMAIL: drinkingteamwithmosters@gmail.com

On this episode of Drinking Tea with Monsters, the podcast about OCD and other, less scary, monsters, we are joined by special guest April Grant, Resident Counselor at Authentic Connections Counseling and Founder of True North Therapy PLLC, specializing in ADHD and OCD.April joins us as we talk about what we’re totally obsessed with this week, the one and only Ms. Rachel, beloved children’s entertainer, advocate, and all-around beacon of positivity.Then April walks us through the ins and outs of the OCD cycle, helps us unpack triggers, and shares thoughtful strategies for responding in both the short and long term.Finally, Leela whisks us away to Paris, summer of 1925, for a haunting tale: The Lonely Musician.So grab your favorite mug, settle in, and get ready to get curious, a little spooky, and maybe even a touch terrified, all in good company.I'm, like, totally obsessed with...Ms. RachelYou can find Ms. Rachel for grown up videos on socials:TikTok @msrachelforlittlesFacebook https://www.facebook.com/msrachelforlittlesInstagram @msrachelforlittlesYouTube OCDApril GrantAuthentic Connections Counseling (Ashburn, VA) - check out their monthly free webinarsSearch for a therapist at Psychology TodayDTWMThe Lonely MusicianContact UsIG: @drinkingteawithmonsters EMAIL: drinkingteamwithmosters@gmail.com

On this episode of Drinking Tea with Monsters, the podcast about OCD and other, less scary, monsters, Pri and Leela take an unexpected plunge into…the world of pants. Don’t ask why. No one really knows.From there, things only get weirder as we uncover the truth behind one of pop culture’s wildest conspiracy theories: Did Avril Lavigne actually die in 2003 and get replaced by her look-alike, Melissa? We debate pop-punk’s legacy, millennial nostalgia, and whether the emo revival train ever actually stopped at the station. Along the way, we compare Avril’s story to similar mysteries surrounding Paul McCartney, Marilyn Monroe, and even Elvis.Next, we explore the hidden side of OCD, the invisible compulsions that live inside the mind. From ruminating and reviewing to reassurance-seeking and avoidance, we unpack how mental rituals can be just as powerful (and exhausting) as the ones you can see.And, of course, we drink tea with monsters. This week’s haunting guest: the ghosts of Himeji Castle, perched high on Mount Himeyama in Japan, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a chilling past.Grab your favorite mug and tune in, it’s time to get curious, a little spooky, and maybe even a bit terrified this season.Tangent StuffStay at home daughter: @daphnimarinaKerrygold: Still the best cheeseAuthentic ConnectionsThe relationship between OCD and ADHD: Are they connected?I'm, like, totally obsessed with...Avril Esta MortaOCDThe International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)OCD Mental Compulsions: When OCD is hidden (NOCD)DTWMHimeji CastleContact UsIG: @drinkingteawithmonsters EMAIL: drinkingteamwithmosters@gmail.com

On this episode of Drinking Tea with Monsters, the podcast about OCD and other, less scary, monsters, we are very lucky to have special guests Dr. Sara Cleto and Dr. Brittany Warman, two folklorists and BFFs who run The Carterhaugh School of Folklore and the Fantastic, a (mostly) online school dedicated to helping people re-enchant their lives through folklore and fairy tales.Together, we deep dive into the things we're totally obsessed with, from Florence and the Machine's upcoming album, Everybody Scream, to the latest season of the Netflix rom-com starring Adam Brody and Kristin Bell, Nobody Wants This, to the what's new in Hallmark Halloween and Christmas fare, Haul Out the Halloween starring Lacey Chabert and the cast of Halloweentown.Brittany shares her lived experience of growing up with OCD, what triggered the onset, how she got help, and the tools she uses to manage it day to day. She shares how Sara has supported her and the co-founders talk about working together to highlight their individual skills.Then we drink tea with fairytale monsters, when Sara and Brittany treat us to a fantastic fairytale, The Boy Who Went Forth To Learn About Fear.Tune in to be truly terrified this spooky season.LINKS TO STUFFI'm, like, totally obsessed with...Everybody Scream by Florence and the Machine - out October 31, pre-order now!Nobody Wants This (Netflix)Haul Out the Halloween (Hallmark)OCDThe International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)DTWMThe Carterhaugh School of Folklore and the FantasticPre-order Fairylore by Brittany Warman and Sara CletoSocials: IG: @carterhaugh.school | Pinterest: @carterhaughschool | YT: @carterhaughschool | FB: @carterhaughschoolContact UsIG: @drinkingteawithmonsters EMAIL: drinkingteamwithmosters@gmail.com

On this episode of Drinking Tea with Monsters, the podcast about OCD and other, less scary, monsters, Pri dives deep into the world of Roy Kent, aka Brett Goldstein in Ted Lasso. We explore Brett's earlier work like SuperBob (celebrating its 10th anniversary) and his newest project, All of Us.Next, Pri shares her journey supporting a loved one with OCD. The girls discuss what's worked for them and what they've learned along the way. What shouldn't you say to someone with OCD? Why you have to take care of your own mental health while being a supporter? And what are the best ways to support someone in a flair?Finally, Leela brings the chills with the ghostly tale of Belcourt Castle in Rhode Island, from its opulent Gilded Age roots to its haunted, thrifted antiques. Can secondhand treasures carry spirits? Tune in for a story that blends history and the paranormal.LINKS TO STUFFI'm, like, totally obsessed with...Brett Goldstein and all of his worksSuperbob (Amazon, Roku, & Tubi)All of You (Apple TV)Ted Lasso (Apple TV)Shrinking (Apple TV)OCDIf you are suicidal or in emotional distress, consider using the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.Call or text 988 or start a chat online  to connect with a trained crisis counselor. The Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.Living with someone with OCD: How to help and support them (NOCD)Living With Someone Who Has OCD. Guidelines for Family Members (IOCDF)Families: “What Can I Do to Help?” (IOCDF)Helping someone with OCD (MindUK)DTWMBelcourt CastleContact UsIG: @drinkingteawithmonsters EMAIL: drinkingteamwithmosters@gmail.com

This week on Drinking Tea with Monsters, the podcast about OCD and other, less scary monsters, we take a deep dive into the world of late night comedy, covering the careers, scandals, and recent cancellations of hosts like Colbert, Kimmel, and Conan. And, we get real about Fallon!Think OCD is just being “super neat”? Think again. We challenge common misconceptions like:“I’m so OCD”“You probably like your OCD though, right?”“Why can’t you just stop thinking about it?”Then we walk through how to open up a conversation about OCD with your support network.Finally, Pri shares the eerie true story of the Fox Sisters, 19th-century mediums who helped ignite the Spiritualism movement. Were they frauds, or just finely tuned to the other side?LINKS TO STUFFI'm, like, totally obsessed with...Romantic Comedy by Curtis SittenfeldLive from New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live by Tom Shales and James Andrew MillerStudio 60 on the Sunset StripOCDInternational OCD Foundation (IOCDF)IOCDF on InstagramSign-up for the webinar on ADHD, OCD, and Anxiety by Authentic Connections Counseling on October 17thDTWMThe Fox SistersContact UsIG: @drinkingteawithmonsters EMAIL: drinkingteamwithmosters@gmail.com

This week on Drinking Tea with Monsters, the podcast about OCD and other, less scary monsters, Leela and Pri give their very necessary take on Taylor Swift’s new album drop, The Life of a Showgirl. Are we the last people on Earth to share our take on TS12? Probably! Do we still have hot takes? Absolutely.Then we lace up our sneakers for One Million Steps for OCD, a walk and community-building event by the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). Leela and Pri share why community is essential in the healing journey with OCD, and how you can get involved.Later, Leela recounts her spooky Sunday evening with Profs & Pints and The Carterhaugh School of Folklore and the Fantastic, diving into the eerie idea of haunted houses as characters in folklore and ghost stories.And finally, Pri takes us across the pond to Strawberry Hill House in England, the whimsical gothic castle that inspired The Castle of Otranto, the first-ever gothic novel by Horace Walpole. Learn how this quirky estate gave birth to gothic literature as we know it.LINKS TO STUFFI'm, like, totally obsessed with...Lauren Graham's Walk of Fame Ceremony.The Life of a Showgirl by Taylor SwiftOCDInternational OCD Foundation (IOCDF)One Million Steps for OCDTangentThe Carterhaugh School of Folklore and the Fantastic! Profs and PintsDTWMStrawberry Hill HouseThe Castle of Otranto by Horace WalpoleContact UsIG: @drinkingteawithmonsters EMAIL: drinkingteamwithmosters@gmail.com