Best Margaret Kay Podcasts (2024)

1
Love Island, ep.s 22-28 & Bachelorette, ep.1 | Who is in your top 3 to win Jenn's final rose? 55:51

8h ago55:51

55:51

Dr.s Kay & Ray discuss the rest of the fallout from Casa Amor, the new bombshell, & white lady tears, while covering the latest episodes from season 6 of the US version of Love Island. In terms of The Bachelorette, they discuss the first impression rose winner and the sports car fiasco. Psychology concepts include psychosomatic symptoms, dominance,…

1
Researching for fiction with Jon McGregor 48:20

2d ago48:20

48:20

In this episode of The Writing Life podcast, NCW Chief Executive Peggy Hughes is joined by author Jon McGregor to discuss researching for fiction. Jon McGregor is an award-winning author and short story writer. He has been nominated for the Booker Prize for three of his novels, including his 2002 debut If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things, which a…

1
Meet the Jenn Menn! 1:07:27

4d ago1:07:27

1:07:27

Drs. Kay & Ray review the Jenn Menn--the 25 men vying for Bachelorette Jenn Tran's heart & hand! Learn more about the men you noticed at the premiere for some more background info... Check out the PPT they're following, here, which includes the menn's Bachelor Nation bios & photos, their Instagram links, top bios, & top 6 photos! ------------------…

1
Love Island, ep.s 16-23 & Bridgerton, ep.s 4-8 | Psychologist takes on Casa Amor 1:03:11

7d ago1:03:11

1:03:11

Dr.s Kay & Ray discuss Casa Amor in Love Island USA’s latest episodes, including how Kordell didn’t understand the assignment and ultimately missed with Serena & how Aaron’s past experiences likely informed his reaction to Kaylor’s questions. They also discuss Serena’s past relational traumas and the utility of Relational Cultural Therapy. In addit…

1
Award Show | Week of 6/24 | “Jackie is the gatekeeper to Margaret’s Arsenal” 44:50

12d ago44:50

44:50

Dr.s Kay & Ray dispense their 8 awards (all with “test” in their labels) to moments & castmates from all of the realiTV shows they watched this past week. And the TESTosterboned (most patriarchal) award gooooes to… whom? Hint: Dr. Kay’s TESTosterboned award went to someone from Real Housewives of New Jersey (where Jackie & Margaret play), with an h…

1
Love Island US, ep.s 9-15 & Bridgerton, ep.s 1-4 | Tell me you’ve been to therapy without telling me… 1:01:13

13d ago1:01:13

1:01:13

For the “we spotted therapy” segment, Dr.s Kay & Ray discuss castmates whose behavior and language suggested they may have had therapy in the past. For example, in Love Island, JaNa’s use of “acting out” in a non-pejorative manner and her (self-)awareness around emotional expression may suggest prior therapy. What and who else? Dr. Kay & Dr. Ray di…

1
Writing soaps with James McDermott & Stephen Keyworth 48:37

13d ago48:37

48:37

In this episode of The Writing Life, scriptwriters Stephen Keyworth and James McDermott discuss the craft and industry of writing for long-running radio or television serials, commonly known as soaps. Stephen Keyworth is an award-winning director and writer who has worked extensively as a director in theatre and written over 60 hours of television,…

1
Award Show | Week of 6/17 | What would make it a 5/5? If he was naked! 55:52

19d ago55:52

55:52

Dr.s Kay & Ray dispense their 8 awards among all of the realiTV shows they watched this past week! ...and the TESTosterboned (most patriarchal) award goes to… could it be Harry & the Perfect Match men? The Love Island men? The Love Undercover men? Whom would you award it to this week? All of them? Fendi facts! What about the opposite award, the Bec…

1
Perfect Match Finale! & Love Island, ep. 2-8 | Harry: charming, disarming, and alarming! 1:18:32

20d ago1:18:32

1:18:32

SPOILER ALERT: Perfect Match Finale is discussed in some detail. DRINKING GAME: Number of times Dr. Kay uses the word "disturbing" :) Dr. Kay & Dr. Ray finish discussing Perfect Match, season 2, episodes 8-10! They also discuss the first 8 episodes of Season 1 of Love Island US. Dr.s Kay & Ray address the alarming behavior in the Perfect Match fina…

1
Award Show | Week of 6/10 | We don’t live our real lives because there’s a camera... 53:05

25d ago53:05

53:05

“...We live our real lives and then there’s a camera.” as Paige DeSorbo said on part II of the Summer House reunion, in response to West’s confession that he couldn’t commit to Ciara because of the world of female Bravo fans that had opened to him. This, among other moments, ensured Paige won Dr. Kay’s “Bechdel TEST award” for taking up for Ciara! …

1
Perfect Match ep.s1-3 & The Valley Finale | Liquor, Lust, and Love Island 38:39

27d ago38:39

38:39

Dr. Kay & Dr. Ray start discussing Perfect Match, season 2, episodes 1-3! They also discuss the finale of Season 1 of The Valley and episodes 1-2 of Season 3 of Love Island USA. They explore what producers, if they were psychologists, might have done differently, liquor-fueled interactions at Jax’s new bar–including Janet’s use of her pregnancy–Ari…

1
Writing narrative non-fiction with Dan Richards & Edward Parnell 58:02

27d ago58:02

58:02

In this episode of The Writing Life, we’re joined by writers and NCW Academy tutors Dan Richards and Edward Parnell to discuss the process of researching, writing, and publishing narrative non-fiction books. Dan Richards is a writer and journalist who specialises in travel, memoir, and culture. He has taught at Bristol University, and currently tut…

1
MHCU 7: The Women of Summer House & The Central Relational Paradox 26:45

1M ago26:45

26:45

Have you ever wished you could put your walls down completely and love wholeheartedly, but feared you’d get your heart broken? Maybe going slowly and cautiously into a relationship, like Gabby & Ciara in Summer House? Have you ever felt like you were better off single, because you’ve been burned one too many times? Or maybe you wonder if you’ve sta…

1
MHCU 6: Gray Rocking & Love Bombing 7:14

1M ago7:14

7:14

In this Mental Health Check-Up (MHCU), the 6th installment, Dr. Ray discusses the popular relational terms of gray rocking and love bombing, offering definitions, examples, and recommendations! Remember when Ariana referred to herself as Gray Rocking in response to Sandoval’s narcissistic behaviors? This is what she was talking about! If you're fin…

1
Award Show | Week of 5/27 | You just said the F word. On national television. To me. 1:05:58

1M ago1:05:58

1:05:58

What reality tv moments & castmates did we dole out our awards to this week? As a part II regarding the week’s reality television, Dr. Kay & Dr. Ray awarded a smörgåsbord of awards to moments and castmates from all of the reality television they watched! Awards include castmates who show the most or least growth (TEST results), give the best confes…

1
VPR Reunion pt.3 & The Valley ep.11 | All of this inappropriate disclosure of others' mental health & sexual activities?? 1:06:29

1M ago1:06:29

1:06:29

No, thanks! Dr. Kay & Dr. Ray discuss the third and final portion of the reunion for Vanderpump Rules (VPR) Season 11, and episode 11 of The Valley season 1. They examine castmate jealousy over Ariana’s newly-granted power, which seems much stronger than potential jealousy over her recent financial developments. This jealousy seemingly manifested a…

1
How to be a craftivist with Sarah P Corbett 50:31

1M ago50:31

50:31

In this episode of The Writing Life podcast, NCW Chief Executive Peggy Hughes is joined by author and professional campaigner Sarah P Corbett to discuss craftivism, a form of activism and collective empowerment that is centered on practices of craft. Sarah P Corbett is an activist, author, speaker, and the founder of Craftivist Collective. She is k…

1
Award Show | Week of 5/20 | Who is the most or least grown? 39:23

2M ago39:23

39:23

Hint: Kristen Doute is on The GOAT on Amazon Prime–did she get an award for most or least growth? As a part II regarding the week’s reality television, Dr. Kay & Dr. Ray dispense awards to moments and castmates from all of the reality television they watched! Awards include castmates who show the most or least growth (TEST results), give the best c…

1
VPR Reunion pt.2 & The Valley ep.10 | The cage of patriarchy, indefinitely strengthened by hegemonic masculinity! 48:55

2M ago48:55

48:55

Dr. Kay & Dr. Ray discuss the second portion of the Vanderpump Rules (VPR) Season 11 reunion, and episode 10 of The Valley season 1, including the effects of the cage built around us all by patriarchy, strengthened indefinitely by hegemonic masculinity. These negative effects of patriarchy harm all of us, regardless of gender, as evident on The Val…

1
Award Show | Week of 5/13 | Amanda & all significant others are entitled to their own sense of purpose! 43:40

2M ago43:40

43:40

As a part II regarding the week’s reality television, Dr. Kay & Dr. Ray dispense awards to moments and castmates from all of the reality television they watched! Awards include moments that are meanest (proTEST this mess!), the biggest fail (you’re TESTing me!) and the most mysterious (conTESTable). Whom/which moments won these awards from your per…

1
VPR Reunion pt.1 & The Valley ep.9 | Note Ariana not joining in the victim-blaming... plus, projection & grooming 44:00

2M ago44:00

44:00

Dr. Kay & Dr. Ray discuss the first portion of the Vanderpump Rules (VPR) Season 11 reunion, and episode 9 of The Valley season 1, including topics such as projection, victim-blaming, and grooming--both the standard definition & colloquial use! While the official definition specifies children or young people as the victims, the colloquial use of th…

1
Writing for performance with HighTide 43:23

2M ago43:23

43:23

In this episode of The Writing Life, Holly is joined by Colchester-based playwright and HighTide/Peggy Ramsay Foundation writer in residence Nicola Werenowska and Norwich-based folk musician Georgia Shackleton to discuss writing for performance. Nicola and Georgia were central to the development of Suffolk-based theatre company HighTide’s touring s…

1
Award Smörgåsbord | Week of 5/6 | Jax is the one who brought it up to Kristen! 1:02:53

2M ago1:02:53

1:02:53

As a part II regarding the week’s reality television, Dr. Kay & Dr. Ray dispense awards to moments and castmates from all of the reality television they watched! Awards include moments that are most patriarchal (TESTosterboned), feminist (Bechdel TEST), and cringe/embarrassing (doing the mosTEST). Which moments/castmates would you give these awards…

1
Vanderpump Finale & The Valley ep.8 | Run Ariana, Run! 42:45

2M ago42:45

42:45

Dr. Kay & Dr. Ray talk the FINALE of Vanderpump Rules season 11, and episode 8 of The Valley season 1, including therapy-related content, sociopolitical themes, and Sandoval making everything worse again! What do you make of Ariana's finale exit? We stan. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------…

1
Award Smörgåsbord | Week of 4/30 | Who got atTESTable (besTEST of friends) and deTESTable (worsTEST of friends)? 48:57

2M ago48:57

48:57

Hint: Summer House, VPR, and Survivor were in the mix! As a part II regarding the week’s reality television, Dr. Kay & Dr. Ray dispense awards to moments and castmates from all of the reality television they watched! Awards include moments we proTEST, deTEST, atTEST to, and conTEST, among many others. Which moments/castmates would you give these aw…

1
Vanderpump ep.14, The Valley ep.7 | The Power of Grayrocking and Women's Rage 46:39

2M ago46:39

46:39

Dr. Kay & Dr. Ray talk episode 14 of Vanderpump Rules season 11, and episode 7 of The Valley season 1, including instances of and references to therapy, sociopolitical moments, and how the shows might look different if the producers were psychologists! How come everyone finds every reason to tear down Kristen, while not blinking when Jesse is assau…

1
Writing poetry with Martin Figura 45:21

2M ago45:21

45:21

In this episode of The Writing Life, NCW Chief Executive Peggy Hughes is joined by award-winning poet Martin Figura to discuss the process of writing poetry, and how things make their way into his poetic imagination. Martin Figura was born in Liverpool and lives in Norwich. His collections include The Little Book of Harm (Firewater Press, 2000), Ah…

1
MHCU 5: Bi+ Sexual Identities 10:20

2M ago10:20

10:20

In this Mental Health Check-Up (MHCU), Dr. Ray discusses the spectrum of bisexuality identities! Interested in learning more about what Ariana means when she says she's bisexual? Or what Katie might mean by saying she's "fluid"? Well, we don't know for sure, either, without asking for their specific ways of understanding their own identities, but t…

1
Award Smörgåsbord | Week of 4/23 | TESTosterboned or Bechdel TEST? 1:00:03

2M ago1:00:03

1:00:03

As part II for the week’s (4/23) reality television, Dr. Kay & Dr. Ray dole out a smörgåsbord** of awards to moments and castmates from all of the reality television they watched! …With reduced, renamed, and roadTESTed awards, including “ProTEST this mess” (biggest fail), “TESTosterboned” (most patriarchal), “Bechdel TEST” (most feminist), among ma…

1
VPR ep.13 & The Valley ep.6 | Can we give Kristen a break, too? 55:36

2M ago55:36

55:36

Dr. Kay & Dr. Ray discuss episode 13 of Vanderpump Rules season 11, and episode 6 of The Valley season 1, as they discuss various psychology and mental health concepts. They discuss where they saw a sociopolitical influence, as well as what they think no one will be mentioning in the wake of these episodes, among other topics! —--------------------…

1
Award Smörgåsbord | Week of 4/15 | What gets your juiciest moment award this week? 56:47

3M ago56:47

56:47

Afterwards, awards! Join us for this part II about reality television from the week of 4/15, as Dr. Kay & Dr. Ray give awards to moments and castmates from all of the reality television they watched! The Award Smörgåsbord** we have prepared includes the juiciest moment, the best & worst producer moments, and the most cringe, among many others! Whic…

1
Vanderpump Ep.12 & The Valley Ep.5 | Danny took a Dive & Divorce isn't a Dirty Word! 45:10

3M ago45:10

45:10

Dr. Kay & Dr. Ray continue their new approach to covering the week’s reality tv! They answer prompts such as, “if my client said this to me, I would say…”, “if producers were psychologists…”, “a psychotherapy model that would best address this would be…,” and many more, while discussing episode 5 of season 1 of The Valley and episode 12 of season 1…

1
MHCU 4: Is this term, used on The Valley, problematic? 18:07

3M ago18:07

18:07

Dr. Kay provides a brief Mental Health Check-Up (MHCU), to check in on a term used in last week's episode 4 of The Valley... this term for sex and pregnancy is commonly used and yet publicly debated, due to its racist sociohistorical context and common use. NOTE: There is mention, although not graphic, of slavery, enslaved women, and rape in this e…

1
Reintroducing Harriet Martineau with Stuart Hobday & Gaby Weiner 51:43

3M ago51:43

51:43

In this episode of The Writing Life, NCW Chief Executive Peggy Hughes is joined by writers and members of The Martineau Society Stuart Hobday and Gaby Weiner to discuss their new book Reintroducing Harriet Martineau: Pioneering Sociologist and Activist, which explores the innovative, sociological approach adopted by Harriet Martineau in her efforts…

1
Award Smörgåsbord | Week of 4/8 | Who gets biggest turn on/off this week? 1:16:15

3M ago1:16:15

1:16:15

As a part II to the episode of segments on VPR & The Valley, Dr. Kay & Dr. Ray give a smörgåsbord** of awards to moments and castmates from all of the reality television they watched this week! Awards include best and worst relationship moments, biggest turn on and turn off, funniest moment, saddest moment, and most vulnerable and therefore most po…

1
VPR ep.11 & The Valley ep.s 3-4 | That Paintballing Gear & Dinner Jacket, tho 1:13:15

3M ago1:13:15

1:13:15

Dr. Kay & Dr. Ray try out a new approach to covering the week’s reality tv. They answer prompts such as, “if my client said this to me, I would say…”, “if producers were psychologists…”, “a psychotherapy model that would best address this would be…,” and many more, while discussing episodes 3-4 of season 1 of The Valley and episode 11 of season 11 …

1
Vanderpump Ep.10 | Allow & Appreciate Anger for Ariana and us All! 56:13

3M ago56:13

56:13

Dr. Kay & Dr. Ray discuss episode 10 of Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules. They talk about the first two events for which Ariana had to share a small space with Tom Sandoval: the water tasting and the beach. Ariana’s justified anger is met with distaste from her “friends”, despite her almost losing a second dog, this time at the hands of Tom, rather th…

1
The Valley Ep.s 1-2 | Jax's foot has a 40yr mortgage for his mouth house! 27:15

3M ago27:15

27:15

Dr. Kay & Dr. Ray discuss episodes 1-2 of Season 1 of The Valley. Jax's mouth house is his foot's forever home! And also this is your friendly neighborhood PSA: pantsing & nipple twisting, without consent, is sexual assault, regardless of the gender of either party involved, and regardless of locker room/rough & tumble/boys will be boys stuff. Dr.s…

1
Crafting identity in fiction with Michael Donkor 49:26

3M ago49:26

49:26

In this episode of The Writing Life, NCW Head of Programmes & Creative Engagement Holly speaks with novelist Michael Donkor about crafting identity in fiction. Michael Donkor was born in London to Ghanaian parents. He studied English at Wadham College, Oxford, followed by a Masters in Creative Writing at Royal Holloway. His first novel, Hold, was l…

1
Vanderpump Rules Ep.s 7-9 | Emotional O's & Breathwork B's! 1:23:21

3M ago1:23:21

1:23:21

After his emotional orgasm, Tom has “a friend here"--but it’s not a breathwork boner. We feel you, Lala, we're not jazzed about how people are moving, either. -------------------------------- Dr.s Kay & Ray discuss episodes 7-9 of Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules. In addition to the usual faves, they talk about Jo and Jax, as well as Ann and Sandy. Du…

1
The Bachelor Finale | Finally, an Asian lead gets her own Lizzie McGuire moment! 1:05:49

4M ago1:05:49

1:05:49

Dr.s Kay & Ray discuss the finale of Joey Graziedei’s season (Season 28) of The Bachelor! They talk about the final dates, the proposal, and the new bachelorette! Producers didn’t need to try so hard for us to be all in on Jen–here’s to The Bachelor finally making an Asian-American (Vietnamese-American, in this case) woman their leading lady! Dr.s …

1
Vanderpump Rules Ep.s 1-6 | Producers need to give Ariana a break 1:18:51

4M ago1:18:51

1:18:51

Dr.s Kay & Ray discuss themes from the first six episodes of Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules. They talk about all of the main castmates and their relationships with one another. At the end, Dr. Ray offers the second Mental Health Check-Up (MHCU) segment about narcissism. Reality testing is when we check an emotion or thought we’re having against obje…

1
Bachelor Ep.s 7-10 | There's a Disney song in The Bachelor! ....through WTA 2:09:34

4M ago2:09:34

2:09:34

Dr.s Kay & Ray discuss episodes 7-10 of Joey Graziadei’s season (season 28) of The Bachelor. They talk about Toronto, hometown dates, fantasy suites, and the women tell all. At the end, Dr. Kay offers the first Mental Health Check-Up (MHCU) segment, about the connection between anger and depression, as well as a little bit about sleep. ------------…

1
Bachelor Ep.s 3-6 | All men are allowed to like sausage in their face 1:48:16

4M ago1:48:16

1:48:16

Dr.s Kay & Ray discuss episodes 3-6 of Joey Graziadei’s season (season 28) of The Bachelor. They talk about the pageant date, pool party, Malta, Andalusia, and Montreal. Reality testing is when we check an emotion or thought we’re having against objective reality. So, here in Reality Test, we’re going to be testing the thoughts, emotions, interacti…

1
Writing subversive women with Naomi Wood 59:08

4M ago59:08

59:08

In this episode of The Writing Life, former NCW Communications Assistant Molly speaks with author Naomi Wood about writing subversive women. Naomi Wood is the award-winning author of three novels, including the bestselling Mrs. Hemingway. Her stories have been published in the Mid-American Review, Washington Square Review, Joyland and Stylist, and …

1
Bachelor Episodes 1-2 | Smoochie-poos to you! 1:45:56

4M ago1:45:56

1:45:56

In this episode, Dr.s Kay & Ray discuss the first two episodes of Joey Graziadei’s season (season 28) of The Bachelor. They also tell you a little bit about themselves, since this is their first episode, so you have a sense of the blindspots and biases that may inform their opinions. Smoochie-poos to you! Reality testing is when we check an emotion…

1
Reality Test: Trailer 2:06

4M ago2:06

2:06

Check out our new pod! Psychologists talk RealiTV on Reality Test! Next Monday, we're dropping multiple episodes to jumpstart our brand new pod--we have Vanderpump Rules, we have Bach, and we have fun! Join us for a conversation between licensed psychologists as we unpack some of the societal oppression, marginalization, and privilege that show up …

1
Virtual residencies with Nur-El-Hudaa Jaffar, Sim Wai-chew and Tse Hao Guang 59:40

4M ago59:40

59:40

In this episode of The Writing Life, writer and translator Daniel Hahn speaks with three former virtual residents Nur-El-Hudaa Jaffar, Sim Wai-chew and Tse Hao Guang about the quirks of virtual residencies, and how their expectations compared to reality. We were delighted to host them from June to December 2023, in a virtual residency generously su…

1
Writing the grotesque body with Heather Parry 49:57

5M ago49:57

49:57

In this episode of The Writing Life podcast, NCW Senior Communications and Marketing Manager Steph speaks with author Heather Parry about writing the grotesque body. Heather Parry was born in Rotherham and lives in Glasgow. She has won the Bridge Award for an Emerging Writer, Cove Park's Emerging Writer Residency and the Laxfield Literary Launch Pr…

1
Writing and chronic illness with Polly Atkin 40:32

5M ago40:32

40:32

In this episode of The Writing Life, NCW Emerging Translator Mentorships Programme Manager Annie speaks with author Polly Atkin about writing with a chronic illness. Polly Atkin is a multi-award-winning writer, essayist and poet. She is the author of the poetry collections Basic Nest Architecture, which won a Northern Writers' Award, and Much With …

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