In this rebooted pre-launch test episode, the full team of psychiatrists pour the bourbon and open up a wide-ranging conversation on what the hell is happening to America — and why we still believe in the mission of this show.

From the symbolism of Superman to the emotional charge behind protests, the crew dissects:

• The cultural role of bourbon and what it says about our national psyche
• Why Americans are craving strong leadership (and what that really means)
• How media and social platforms shape — and often distort — our identity
• The danger of mistaking disagreement for disloyalty
• How cultural narratives like Superman reflect evolving national values

There’s humor, depth, disagreement, and real dialogue — exactly the kind of conversation this country needs more of.

🧠 Keywords: Shrink the Nation, psychiatry, bourbon, protests, leadership, American identity, social media, dialogue, cultural symbols, politics

"Got Thoughts? Outrage? A Diagnosis of Your Own? Send us a text"

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Shrink The Nation is where America lies on the couch — and we pour the bourbon.
Hosted by board-certified psychiatrists and mental health pros with backgrounds in military, media, and systems thinking, we break down the psychology behind politics, culture, and public dysfunction.
Smart. Funny. Clinically sharp. Slightly buzzed.

Subscribe, rate, and share if you’re part of the exhausted middle looking for sanity in the noise.

Send us your questions (or your defense mechanisms): socials@shrinkthenation.com
Follow us everywhere: @shrinkthenation on X, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and TikTok

Shrink The Nation — On the Couch With America.