Home | Mind The Force

2025 AMBIES AWARD NOMINATED

BEST DIY PODCAST

WINNER!
2024 BLACK PODCASTING AWARDS

BEST BLERD PODCAST

Where Star Wars meets
Mental Health

Click here for all things Mind the Force

About
Mind the Force Podcast

We do things a little different here..

Welcome to Mind the Force Podcast, where Star Wars fandom meets mental health awareness. Hosted by Kristine McPartlin and James Abbate, we dive into the intersections between the Star Wars universe and real-life mental health journeys, unpacking the wisdom that our favorite characters and stories offer for resilience, healing, and growth. Each episode, we explore themes of trauma, identity, courage, and connection, using these tales from a galaxy far, far away as a lens to discuss mental wellness in a relatable, thoughtful way.

We believe that storytelling has a powerful role in shaping how we view ourselves and our struggles, and Star Wars is a universal language that connects fans from all walks of life. Whether you're a lifelong Jedi, a Sith sympathizer, or somewhere in between, Mind the Force invites you to explore these stories with an open mind and heart.

Join us as we navigate mental health topics with empathy, humor, and hope, celebrating the strength within ourselves and each other. May the Force be with you as we journey together toward greater understanding, insight, and empowerment in both the Star Wars universe and our everyday lives.

Creator & Host

Kristine McPartlin

Kristine McPartlin is a native New Yorker with a love for history, fashion, and fandoms. As the proud dog mom of Yoda and Koda, and a long time boxer, she balances creativity and energy in everything she does. A lifelong fan of Doctor Who (and, of course, Star Wars), Kristine thrives in spaces where storytelling and community come alive.

With a Master’s in Fashion History and a background in musical theatre, Kristine combines her research skills and artistic sensibilities to create meaningful content. Inspired by her own therapeutic journey, she is a passionate mental health advocate, dedicated to sharing what she’s learned in the hope of inspiring and helping others heal.

Mind the Force was born out of Kristine’s love for Star Wars and her commitment to fostering conversations that unite fandom, mental wellness, and personal growth. For her, podcasting is a way to bring light to others, one story at a time.

Screenshot 2025-03-14 at 10.26.20 PM.png

Co-Host

James Abbate

James is a longtime Star Wars fan. He was first introduced to the series with the VHS tapes of the original trilogy, He showed up to his fourth grade Halloween party as Darth Maul, replete with the double-sided lightsaber.

A perennial prequel defender, he loves to see all eras of the Galaxy finally receiving their fair share of recognition in the expanded universe. As a book editor by profession, he looks for the same level of storytelling and world-building in the submissions he reads. And though he speaks basic, he is anything but.

the mind the force newsletter

mindtheforcepodcast@gmail.com

Stay Mindful.

Medical & Mental Health Disclaimer

We are not medical or mental health professionals. Mind the Force podcast is intended for inspirational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Nowhere in this Podcast do I diagnose or treat listeners with any kind of psychological, mental, emotional or physical disorder as might be diagnosed and treated by a personal psychologist or other professional advisor. The content is not intended to be a substitute for working with a therapist or licensed mental health professional.

Legal Disclaimer

Mindtheforce.com and Mind the Force Podcast are not endorsed by Lucasfilm Ltd. Disney, or Twentieth Century Fox and is intended for entertainment and information purposes only. The Official Star Wars site can be found at www.starwars.com. Star Wars, the Star Wars logo, all names and pictures of Star Wars characters, and any other Star Wars related items are registered trademarks and/or copyrights of Lucasfilm Ltd., or their respective trademark and copyright holders. All original content of this site, both graphical and textual, is the intellectual property of Mind the Force LLC., unless otherwise noted.