Dr. Juli Fraga

Dr. Juli Fraga is a psychologist who’s written for NPR, The New York Times, The Washington Post and VICE. As a creative person, she loves what television shows and movies can teach us about psychological concepts and human behavior. 
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Never Have I Ever

A fresh coming-of-age dramedy, Never Have I Ever depicts how the death of a loved one can impact teens’ mental health, as well as a parent’s wellbeing. Families enduring similar struggles will find relatability and reassurance to know they’re not alone.

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Stepmom

A classic that addresses tough topics like blending families and how to cope with grief, Stepmom can also serve as a kind of road map for how to broach tough topics like a terminal illness.

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Dead to Me (S3)

A form of cinematherapy, Dead to Me’s final season brings a big plot twist, one that can be emotionally provoking as well as a cathartic and entertaining conversation starter.

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In Treatment (2021)

A timely reboot that depicts the vital relationship between a therapist and patient, and the meaningful role it plays in fostering growth and change.

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Maiden

A lesson in surviving childhood trauma, channeling energy into a worthy cause, and fighting to win — even when the majority says victory is impossible.

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Can You Ever Forgive Me?

At first glance a true crime story, the film is actually a look at how poverty, loneliness and imposter syndrome can seduce someone into creating a false reality.

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Inside Out

With so many of us facing unfamiliar, anxiety-ridden situations today, Inside Out can serve as a useful prompt for the entire family to acknowledge our emotional experiences — sparking insight and helping us cope with change.

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Workin’ Moms

When you can’t make it out of the house to attend a support group for new moms, this can be a great substitute. By showing the human side of motherhood, the series helps normalize maternal ambivalence, “mommy guilt,” and the pressure many women feel to be “perfect” moms.

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Serendipity

A lesson in authenticity, the power of friendship, and acting on your gut feeling, even when the odds are against you.

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The Icon Party: The Cast & Producers on Mid Century Modern

A nostalgic tribute to classic sitcoms that adds an envelope-pushing edge, Mid Century Modern is Hulu’s next hit. It follows three gay best friends – played by  Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, and Nathan Lee Graham – who decide to live out their golden years together in Palm Springs after the unexpected death of a close

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Lonely Planet

If you’re starting over after a breakup, facing some midlife questions, or looking for a date night movie that might inspire a romantic vacation, add this Moroccan adventure to your watchlist.

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A Watercooler Guide to Hollywood Satire “The Studio”

A perfectly-timed send-up that is already driving more water cooler talk than the blockbuster movie machines it satirizes, Apple’s star-studded new comedy The Studio just dropped its first two episodes, and the series is sure to be watched and discussed all the way to September’s Emmy awards. Created by one of the most prolific producing

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What to Stream This Weekend: March 21st

From a shocking tabloid story told from different perspectives to the trending murder-in-the-White-House comedy … to a probe into the psyche of an authoritarian leader, our writers picked five of this week’s new releases across streaming to help break your decision paralysis. A Riveting Historical Drama:  Quisling: The Final Days A provocative historical drama that

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What to Watch This Weekend: 5 Watercooler Picks for March 14th

As storms swirl across the hemisphere and winter fatigue sets in, the Watercooler’s writers have picked five of the best new releases for every frame of mind to hunker down with — or to head out for — this weekend. A High Fantasy Escape Watch:  Wheel of Time c. Prime Video More fun and female-centered

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Black Bag

A taut, stylish and steamy take on the high-stakes espionage thriller, Steven Soderbergh’s Black Bag keeps you second-guessing every character’s motives until the very end. The tension, the suspicion, the sense that the walls are closing in? It’s all here.

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Raging Midlife

An over-the-top broad comedy for Gen Xers or older Millennials, Raging Midlife works for fans nostalgic for 80s movies who just want to laugh and de-stress. Wrestling fans will find a special level of joy in the moves.

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How to Die Alone

A good show for anyone who wants to get “unstuck,” How to Die Alone reminds us to embrace vulnerability and take more risks. Mel shows us how to live.

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Grand Theft Hamlet

Grand Theft Hamlet is a testament to the relentless and pure desire to make art– it might not be convenient, it might not make sense, it might not even be well-received, but that’s not going to stop those who want to make it. The result is a touching and funny doc that justifies its experiments

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A Tourist’s Guide to Love

A charming, transporting escape watch for anyone looking for a feel-good romcom that invites you to add Vietnam to your travel bucket list … and to learn to take life, and love, as it comes.

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The Exchange

A smart, unique workplace drama set in wealthy 80s Kuwait, The Exchange drops us into a vibrant world we haven’t seen before and looks at it through the eyes of the only two women working at the Kuwaiti stock exchange.

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A Watercooler Guide to Jump in to Barry

A Watercooler catch up guide to HBO’s dark comedy, Barry, including the need to know on the characters, previous seasons, and what to expect for the fourth and final season.

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Beef

The filet mignon of stories about pettiness and hostility, Beef takes a darkly comedic look at how anger can be a source of motivation and creativity when channeled properly. It works as a vicariously vent for our own frustrations: nasty yet somehow therapeutic.

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Tiny Beautiful Things

Tiny Beautiful Things promises small and delivers big — one woman’s life refracts into universal ponderings about love, death, and parenting. Come for Kathryn Hahn’s magnetic performance, and stay for the series’ delightful and relatable particularity.

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What to Watch Next? April Highlights

From the hotly anticipated to the sneaker hit, and a hotly anticipated hit about sneakers (forgive me), this weekend is filled to the brim with worthy premieres. The Affleck/Damon duo is back, musical theater lovers are well-fed with Schmigadoon’s return, and a deserving band gets a deserving tribute. Let us help you sort out your weekend

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A Grammy Salute to the Beach Boys

A stirring all-star tribute concert honoring the Beach Boys, who brought love and joy for so many in their commercial peak of the Sixties, and received it back from talents like John Legend, Brandi Carlisle, Charlie Pluth – and so many more.

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Jon Stewart and the Evolution of Satire

“Evolution of Satire is traditionally the weapon of the powerless against the powerful.”— Molly Ivins Comedy has the potential to be the great equalizer. And no one has wielded the power of humor as compellingly as Jon Stewart. The godfather of righteous outrage, the former MTV host was instrumental in bringing investigative comedy to mainstream

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Schmigadoon! is Back! A Broadway (and American) History Refresher

It’s time to get some corn puddin’ and freshen up your Broadway history, because Schmigadoon! has returned, Apple TV+’s toe-tapping parody show. The send-up of classic musicals was a favorite pick for SNL and theater buffs, but it also works as a kind of cultural history lesson, taking us through the fantasy lands created by

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