Every October, we invite darkness in. We wear masks, summon monsters, and laugh in the face of things that should terrify us. But beneath the costumes and candy, there's something ancient happening - a psychological ritual that's been keeping us sane for thousands of years.
In this episode, The Brink explores Halloween as a kind of collective therapy session - where ancient tradition meets modern psychology. From the Celtic fires of Samhain to the neon glow of suburbia, we trace how humanity has always needed one night to dance with fear.
Drawing on the ideas of Carl Jung, Ernest Becker, and contemporary researchers like Coltan Scrivner and Margie Kerr, we uncover how fear, death, and darkness help us stay emotionally alive.
🕯️ In this episode:
The ancient origins of Halloween - and what they reveal about human anxiety
Why fear feels good: the science of "benign masochism" and safe scares
Jung's "shadow self" and how wearing the monster helps us make peace with it
The strange neuroscience of why fear connects us instead of isolating us
Why Halloween might be our last surviving ritual for dealing with death
🎭 It's not just about horror - it's about honesty.
This is a story about the ghosts we carry, and the strange comfort of realizing we're not alone in the dark.
Listen now on The Brink - where psychology meets culture, and the shadows finally get to speak.