Fun
The Shrink Next Door
Dear Ann,
Good golly. Here is a real, live binge-worthy podcast for you. I could not stop listening to it; I plowed through all six episodes plus the update in one long afternoon while knitting a sock. (Cuff-Down, Lichen and Lace in Coral, if you must know.)
With a few exceptions, I prefer a podcast that tells a story over one where two people are yakking about something. Even better if the story is creepy.
The Shrink Next Door is exactly that kind of podcast. As described on the home page: “The Shrink Next Door is the story of one therapist’s psychological manipulation as he crossed lines and defrauded his patients—and he’s still out there.”
I do not want to spoil one bit of it for you. There is a wild twist in the first episode, and then it’s got you.
Adding to my fascination is that some of the settings, in New York City and the Hamptons, are familiar to me. While a lot of this strange stuff was happening, I was a couple miles away, making grilled cheese sandwiches, washing towels, and applying sunscreen to sandy children.
Two Saturdays ago, as niece (and former sandy child) Kristin and I were driving to the gym in Sag Harbor, she told me about this podcast set in the Hamptons. She said that I would love it, and that we had to start listening to it on the way home.
Minutes later, at the gym, I overheard the man next to me say something about “my podcast.” I said, “What’s your podcast?”
The Shrink Next Door. It was Joe Nocera. So now I’ve got one degree of separation from his creeptastic neighbor.
Cue it up, sit back, and listen, while you knit something good.
Love,
Kay
I found out about it from a therapist friend when it first came out, and immediately got hooked. But I had to wait a week for each installment. Agony!
So cool you know the scene.
Yeah, but did he know who YOU are? I mean, come on.
Bingo!
I like the two people yakking about something if I want to fall asleep. Stories are for knitting and driving. Off to find this one.
Wow this is good. Already listened to two segments this morning.
Joe Nocera … that name is familiar either from the NYT or NPR.
He used to write for NYT and earlier maybe Newsweek or for some reason the Village Voice comes to mind.
Can’t find an email address for MDK to ask this question, so asking here – I didn’t get Snippets this morning (Sat., 7/20). I look forward to it every Saturday, so disappointed not to get it. Did others get it? Thanks.
I didn’t get mine either. Was hoping it was a glitch and not a sign of something more serious, so I’m glad to see that someone got theirs.
Yes, I got mine … looks like it hit my In Box at around 2AM.
Thanks for pointing me in the direction of this podcast!! I find out about the BEST STUFF here!!
Oh my gosh, I’ve already listened to this!! You can’t imagine that something like this could really happen. It’s awful and sad and incredible.
Jealous…… My next door neighbors are pig farmers…..and they don’t knit/crochet! ((;
Binge listened to this today, whilst I was sewing. It was fascinating I was gripped.
I loved that podcast! It’s creepy to think there are people out there like the shrink.
wasn’t it crazy! couldn’t stop listening!
If you want a great story-telling podcast, may I recommend Witchever Path? It’s a choose-your-own adventure story where listeners influence the outcome of the tale. I’ts pretty amazing!
Thanks for the recommendation. Have you listened to “Dr. Death”? I live in Tennessee and have a friend that works at the medical school. She recommended it because some of the doctors were talking about listening to it. I couldn’t get through the episodes fast enough. Incredible śtuff.
Thanks for the recommendation – it was gripping. No spoilers here, but when I heard the name of Ike’s famous patient (around Ep. 4?) I actually snorted in disbelief. It’s hard to imagine a worse possible combination of psychiatrist-patient!
Thanks for the tip! I just went and downloaded this series. I love podcasts like this. 🙂
The Shrink Next Door is beyond terrifying. The concept of manipulating a person when they are most vulnerable.
I prefer “What About Bob”