The Pam Carey Show
Each Monday we will dive into ideas big and small: from psychology to philosophy, and from economics to fitness. Each episode is designed to spark curiosity and connection. The goal is to explore alongside like-minded people, as if sharing a conversation over tea. Have a thought on a past episode or an idea for a future one? You’re always invited to leave a voice message or write in at the links below, and I may bring your message into a future episode. Together we’ll unpack the questions and stories that shape how we live, think, and grow.
Leave a voice message here: https://www.speakpipe.com/pamelacarey
Write in here: https://www.pamcarey.com/contact
This podcast is a production of Bounding Husky LLC doing business as Pamela Carey Enterprises
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional or licensed psychologist
The Pam Carey Show
Do you feel very sad after finishing books or shows? On Reclaiming Purpose and Connection in our own Lives- On "Book hangover"
Have you ever finished a book or show and felt an overwhelming wave of sadness—like you’ve just lost a friend or left a world you loved behind? That’s book hangover (which can also happen with TV shows)—an emotional cocktail of grief, longing, and nostalgia that can hit harder than we expect.
In this episode, we explore:
- Why stories leave such a lasting emotional imprint and why they feel so real to our brains
- How living vicariously through fictional worlds can reflect a deeper longing for purpose or meaning in our own lives
- The bittersweet experience of saying goodbye to characters and worlds we grew to love
Whether you’re reeling from a fantasy epic or mourning the end of a favorite series, this episode unpacks the emotional weight of book hangovers and why they resonate so deeply with many.
If you’ve ever felt this way, drop a comment or shoot me a DM or message on my website with the book or show that left you with a story hangover—I’d love to hear your picks!
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Show notes / resources:
article on experience of it and some on the brain: https://www.rd.com/article/book-hangover/
video referenced on "If you feel like something is missing in your life" - a video on purpose - https://youtu.be/G8fe4tpkA2s
Video referenced about how we can each make a contribution even when that feels hard at times: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-uuzUHxUUc
