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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Why Star Trek: Picard Works Better as a Binge

To understand the power of the Star Trek franchise, binge watch Picard. The time is right.

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Dolores

A gripping history lesson that also sheds light on the methods, risks, and compromises required to organize and sustain a movement.

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WTF: WandaVision Episode 8 “Previously On”

This week’s penultimate episode seemed to move the series back into feature-film territory, with exposition via flashback sequences to fill in the gaps between the movie franchise and the series.

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I Am Greta

Surprising and inspiring, I Am Greta is a testament to the power of one voice — no matter the age.  Watch it with the disenchanted young student in your life.

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The Map of Tiny Perfect Things

This YA love story uses its time-loop premise to explore the human condition and how time defines us in ways we can’t perceive, because we’re too close to it.

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Belgravia

A riveting show that will delight any fan of Downton Abbey, Belgravia marries a gripping story with compelling characters, lush sets, and beautiful costumes, proving that when it comes to costume dramas, Julian Fellowes is simply the best.

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Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father

Though part of traveling is being able to tick off historical sites and iconic landmarks, the other part of it is about who you share it with and how these experiences impact your relationship.

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WTF: WandaVision Episode 7 “Breaking the Fourth Wall”

We’ve reached the present day in terms of television influences, with touches of The Office and Modern Family, both known for the gimmick referred to in the episode’s title.

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Start-Up (Seutateueop)

Every great success starts small. But if you don’t fix the bugs in the source code, they can come back to haunt you later—in life and in start-ups.

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Transport Me: Holiday Movies from Around the World

If you and your family are getting tired of the same old Christmas stories year after year, why not dig a little deeper and try these picks from around the world?

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From SNL to the Director’s Chair: Kyle Mooney Talks Nostalgia, Freestyle Raps & Y2K

He stood out for hilariously awkward and offbeat SNL characters like the eccentric Bruce Chandling and the painfully relatable Chris Fitzpatrick. Whether parodying cringeworthy YouTube personalities or channeling the overly sincere energy of ’80s public access TV, Kyle Mooney’s knack for finding humor in the bizarre and uncomfortable has always set him apart. Beyond SNL,

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Romance Me: Meet Your Holiday Streaming Date

Single this holiday season? Luck-y you. You’re free to binge – and fall for – all the charming, seductive, irresistible protagonists across the streamers. Check out these holiday-themed stories for starters.

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The Holdovers

A cross-generation comedy drama that’s earned five Academy Award nominations, The Holdovers will tug at your heartstrings as it wrestles with themes of grief and loneliness, and it will ultimately nurture hope.

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Dune: Part Two

A mesmerizing immersive experience, Dune: Part Two is a film you won’t quickly forget. From the collective talents of its high wattage ensemble cast to the stunning cinematography, costumes and sound design, its a blockbuster that will stimulate all the senses along with your emotions.

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What to Watch (and Avoid) with Friends and Family over Thanksgiving

What to watch – and what to skip – if you’re spending Thanksgiving with kids, teenagers, older generations, or all of them under one roof? Your 2022 Watercooler Guide to holiday movies.

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Tokyo Vice

On one level, Tokyo Vice is the story of one man’s kamikaze mission to bring down the Yakuza. But it’s also a mesmerizing noir drama that unfolds into a tense thriller — and ultimately serves as an important reminder that freedom of the press is worth fighting for.

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Awards Season Catchup: A Watercooler Guide to Shōgun

An immersive must-watch embraced by critics, the new Shōgun brings a new perspective on the epic historical drama about the battle between East and West in 17th century Japan.

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What the Netflix Hit The Diplomat Can Teach Us All

In the midst of all the hype about a dating show (Love is Blind) and a dark, LA-set comedy (Beef), a complex political drama that requires undivided attention rose to the top of the Netflix chart in 2023.  At its core, The Diplomat is a series about bureaucratic machinations, yet the show ups the ante

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