DIRECTOR'S CUT: Therapist Reacts to SOUL

I plan to read "The Purpose Code" after listening the author talk about it on a podcast. He says we should look for "purpose" not "Purpose" with a capital P. Pursue the things that bring you joy. I've also heard that purpose is about the future and meaning is about the past. You can have a Purpose, but that doesn't give you meaning. It's the result that gives it meaning.

My "parent says the wrong thing" moment was different, at about the same age. It came from my stepmom and it affected me. It kind of helped push me into the expectancy fallacy of being what others expect me to be. My dad also once told me, "Don't make me choose between you and my wife. You will not win." (Note, he didn't say lose.) I kind of made the choice for him and eventually chose to live with my mom. I never harbored any ill will toward my dad. I understood it, and maybe I was trying to make him choose. I don't know. But I do think he was right. No choice had been made and he wasn't going to be forced. Years later, I was thinking about these and other things. I forgave my stepmom. We had always gotten along, more so after I moved out. But there was still just that little niggling problem. The forgiveness wasn't for her, it was for me. By forgiving her, I was letting it go. I loved her and that's what mattered. Then, years later, she said out of the blue, "I am sorry for how I treated you. I only had one daughter and didn't know how to raise a boy* and I made a lot of mistakes. As your brother grew up, he did all the same things you did. I realized that there wasn't anything wrong with you, you were just normal." Extending that forgiveness to her, I let her know that there was nothing left to forgive. Now, my biological parents have passed away. My stepmom is still a major part of my life, so I'm not without a parent. She frequently jokes about being the wicked stepmom, and I like that. Humor is a good tool. She brags quite often about me as well as my wife and our daughter. To me, family isn't blood, it's formed. I "find" people and choose to make them family. To me, you can choose your friends, you can choose your family, you can't choose your relatives. I respect "found family," I just call it "formed family," usually without saying 'formed.' * Ignore the avatar, it's from an incomplete project. I'm trying to become an author and Cinema Therapy is very helpful to me for it. Also, CT is just great.

Have been watching Cinema Therapy for years and, after the Breakfast Club episode, finally took the step to join the patreon. Been #cryingwithalan for this one not only as an artist still figuring out how to meaningfully pursue their creativity but also as a person with a whole mix of mental health issues and neurodivergence trying to find their spark for life, and furthermore as a woman who is honestly so grateful to see men being open, vulnerable, loving and communicative in the public eye. Just super grateful to have this show in my life, makes me feel more positive about everything. Thank you!

I was too young to truly understand what soul is about when it first comes out but watching it now it really hits hard and is a fantastic movie

I have a soft spot in my heart for trombonists. They are usually the jokesters of the band, and my first crush played trombone. One time in college marching band our professor said to the trombones “I want you guys to try something. It might look really cool or really stupid.” Then one of the trombone players right away just says, “Well, those are our two spectrums.” 🤣

Watching this made me think of About Time with Bill Nighy, Rachel McAdams ABD Domhnall Gleeson. The romance is amazing and I love it but the family and especially the father/ son relationship is so incredibly funny and healthy! I would love you guys to comment on it!

My son and I watched Soul on the big screen last month. It was the third time for me and second time for him since Sept 2021 when he saw it the first time on Disney+. So good in a movie theater with surround sound and the gigantic screen in front of us. It helped jolt both of us out of our ruts at the time, and hit deeper than the first time we watched it. Such a good movie. Thanks for crying with us Alan, and letting us know it’s okay to cry 🤗

New life goal unlocked: Meet professional filmmaker Alan Seawright and hug him (if he is okay with that) and tell him how proud you are of him. I love you both. thank you for doing what you are doing.

Jurassic Park was that movie for me too. I knew then what I wanted to do way back then. I've wasted 29 years frozen in fear, chasing the 9-5 so I can pay the rent and put breakfast on the table. I hear this, and feel this very deeply.

I am so surprised you guys did not talk about the scene where 22 gets stuck in the negative part of the zone. When Joe's words mirrored 22's fears. It was a very good representation of how powerful words are and how they can be amplified.

William. T. Riker. Best tromboner in the galaxy. Also, sexy as hell. Just sayin. 😅

You're not Steven Spielberg, but you are and are going to be Alan Seawright. I look forward to seeing what you do next. And if you ever have any doubts about what you are type "alan se" into Google and let autocomplete tell you.

I'm not crying, you're crying! 😭

Alan, I need to meet you, shake your hand and tell you thank you for this episode. Your honesty, vulnerability, and passion make me want to change. I can't wait for ANYTHING you make!