The Severance Podcast: "The Science of Severance"

With Ben Stiller & Adam Scott featuring Karen Aldridge, Dr. Kim Hellemans, and Mike Lang
Date: September 4, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ben Stiller and Adam Scott dive deep into the science and psychology behind "Severance," exploring both fictional and real-world influences that shaped the Emmy- and Peabody-winning workplace thriller. With a special focus on the neuroscience of memory, trauma, and identity—themes central to the series—they’re joined by:

• Karen Aldridge (Dr. Asal Regabi on Severance)
• Dr. Kim Hellemans (Neuroscience Professor & Host of "Minding Your Brain" Podcast)
• Mike Lang (Mailman, military veteran, and Severance superfan with lived experience of PTSD)

The episode offers behind-the-scenes acting stories, scientific insights about how memory works, and a deeply personal discussion on trauma and the show's real-life resonance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Science as an Influence in "Severance"

• Adam's Scientific Upbringing: Adam’s dad was a biology professor; Ben, conversely, had little exposure to science growing up (05:08–07:51).
• Portraying Scientists On-Screen: Both discuss the joy and challenges of playing scientists (08:01–09:23).
• Seguing to Guests: Ben introduces the importance of their episode’s guests in grounding the show’s scientific aspects (09:32).

2. Acting, Character, and 'Grounding' Science Fiction

Guest: Karen Aldridge ("Dr. Asal Regabi")
(10:05–19:12)

• Role Demands: Karen discusses the challenge of playing a character that must balance heavy exposition with intense action.
  • “You had to really ground it and explain it.” – Adam (10:35)
• Acting Approach: Karen emphasizes "play" and instinct, bringing unpredictability and humanity to her role, forged by her theater background.
  • “I like to play...I try to find [laughter] in every little part that I do, and I just live it.” – Karen (14:09)
• Improvisation and Comedy: Ben and Adam recount the development of comedic rhythms between Mark and Regabi, welcomed improvisation on set, especially during absurd scenes (12:01–14:01).
  • Memorable Quote:
    “Are you trying to burn a message to your Innie into your retinas because your computer told you that was a brilliant idea?” — Regabi/Karen (12:47)
• Technical Authenticity: Karen worked with the show's medical consultant for realism in handling props and 'surgical' actions (16:33–17:10).
• Character Motivation: Regabi is characterized as a “total scientist”—more concerned with the experiment than with saving lives (18:47–19:00).

3. The Real Neuroscience of Memory and Trauma

Guest: Dr. Kim Hellemans (22:31–44:45)

A. Neuroscience and Severance Procedure (23:09–25:03)

• Realistic Depictions: The surgical “halo,” keeping patients awake during brain surgery, and implant placement in the show all align with actual neuroscience.
  • “I was like, wow, this is actually pretty realistic…that’s pretty spot on.” – Dr. Hellemans (23:09–24:38)
• Hippocampus as Memory Center:
  • “It’s the hippocampus.” – Dr. Hellemans (24:55)

B. The Role of Memories in Identity (25:03–28:00)

• Proustian Themes: Memories define identity, echoed both in neuroscience and acting methodologies.
  • “We are but a collection of our memories. That is who…our identity.” – Dr. Hellemans (26:22)
• Sense Memory: Ben relates acting exercises to the show’s emotional themes.

C. Trauma, Addiction, and Suppression (28:00–34:23)

• Lasting Impact of Traumatic Memories: Early trauma imprints on the brain via strong emotional associations; the amygdala and hippocampus are deeply involved.
  • “The brain lights up like a Christmas tree…all the different parts are activated at the same time.” – Dr. Hellemans (29:00)
• Addiction as Escape: The show reflects real attempts to “deaden the pain,” whether by substance use or the severance procedure.
  • “You can suppress and suppress and suppress, but you can't ever make that pain go away.” – Ben (30:58)
• Through, Not Around, Trauma:
  • “The only way through is through…if we avoid the trauma…it might temporarily relieve it…but…the only way…is [to] do the hard work through that difficulty.” – Dr. Hellemans (31:24)

D. Ethics and Limits of 'Turning Off Pain' (32:05–33:41)

• Severance as a Shortcut: Severance appeals because it erases pain, but also erases opportunities to heal and grow.
  • “Is Mark removing the opportunity…to grow through that pain?” – Dr. Hellemans (32:27)
  • “What if you see something, the healing, what's on the other side of that healing?” – Dr. Hellemans (32:37)

E. Human Need for Stimulation (34:23–36:20)

• Sensory Deprivation: Real sensory deprivation experiments show that when starved of stimuli, the brain invents its own. Severed floor perks—however petty—become meaningful.
  • “Their minds are going to do it for them…they create relationships, they create stakes, because the human mind needs more stimulus…” – Adam (34:45)

F. Memory, Smell, and Reintegration

• Power of Triggers: Both joy and trauma can “break through” via sensory triggers, like smell.

G. Brain vs. Mind vs. Soul (36:37–40:51)

• Mind=Product of the Brain:
  • “The mind is the product of the brain. The brain is the hardware…and the mind is the outcome.” – Dr. Hellemans (36:51)
• Split-Brain Studies: Inspiration for the show’s dual selves. Describes patients who literally experience two minds in one brain (38:09–40:32).
  • “So this, to me, is Severance.” – Dr. Hellemans (40:29)

H. Unanswered Questions & Rapid Fire Science (41:16–44:22)

• Mythbusting:
  • “We only use 10% of our brain”—False. We use all regions, mostly in inhibited states. – Dr. Hellemans (41:30–42:47)
• Brain Food:
  • “Sardines. Anything with omega fatty acids.” – Dr. Hellemans (43:44)
• Funny Moment: Ben’s disgust at sardines as “perk food” (44:05).

4. Personal Connections: Severance, Trauma, and Real Life

Guest: Mike "Mailman" Lang – Veteran and Superfan (47:57–65:59)

A. Discovering Severance, Fan Connection (48:02–49:13)

• Mike met Ben at Comic-Con after asking a poignant question about PTSD and trauma in Severance, sparking a friendship.

B. Trauma Representation in the Show (50:02–53:33)

• Deep Resonance: Mark’s (Adam's character) car-crying scene in S1 directly mirrored Mike’s breakdown while deployed (50:03).
  • “I sat in a shipping container and I bawled my eyes out…then went back to doing my job like nothing happened.” – Mike (50:03)
• Severance expresses the wish for a break from relentless traumatic stress.

C. Severance as Technology and Metaphor (53:33–56:59)

• Desire for Relief: Severance represents a “cheat code”—instant reprieve without the challenge of therapy (53:33).
• Compartmentalization: Living with trauma requires "severing" oneself from pain just to function.

D. Triggers, Memory, and Coping (55:45–56:59)

• Power of Smell: “A smell can set me off…all of a sudden I am back there.” (55:45)
• Hard-won understanding: now can identify triggers; therapy helps but trauma lingers.

E. The Show’s Realism and Metaphor (59:25–61:27)

• Depictions of self-medicating, addiction, and using work as numbing echo real veteran experiences.

F. Visiting Set & Spoilers (61:40–64:10)

• Mike recounts his set visit and inadvertently witnessing a massive spoiler during filming.

G. Advice and Resources for Veterans (64:10–65:34)

• Recommendations: Use VA resources, private therapists, or start with journaling; he also suggests "The Things They Carried" by Tim O’Brien.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Karen Aldridge on Playing Regabi:
  “Absurd is a good word in my world… laughter in such grief or heartache—where it doesn’t belong.” (14:09)

• Dr. Kim Hellemans on Memory & Identity:
  “We are but a collection of our memories. That is…our identity.” (26:22)

• On Trauma & Addiction:
  “You can…suppress and suppress…but you can’t ever make that pain go away. It’s always going to be there somewhere.” – Ben (30:58)

• Split Brain Studies:
  “Her left hand would reach out to grab a red shirt, and her right hand would smack it away and pick out a blue shirt…this, to me, is severance.” – Dr. Hellemans (40:07–40:29)

• Mike Lang on PTSD and Watching Severance:
  “If I could have just not experienced this, I wouldn’t be who I am now.… Severance is like the cheat code.” (53:33)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:31 | Science as a core influence for Severance | | 10:05 | Interview with Karen Aldridge | | 12:46 | Iconic Regabi/Mark season 2 scene reenactment | | 22:31 | Interview with Dr. Kim Hellemans | | 23:09 | Neuroscience of memory and brain surgery accuracy in Severance | | 28:00 | Trauma, learning, and brain imprint | | 32:27 | Ethics of using science to “turn off” pain | | 38:09 | Split-brain studies—two minds in one brain | | 41:30 | Rapid-fire brain science myths debunked | | 47:57 | Interview with Mike Lang | | 50:03 | Mike’s experience with trauma mirrored in Severance’s Mark | | 64:10 | Mike’s advice and resources for veterans with PTSD |

Tone & Takeaways

• Warm, candid, often humorous exchange between Ben and Adam, even when venturing into heavy topics.
• Authentic and emotional when discussing trauma; thoughtful engagement with science and lived experience.
• Deep admiration and gratitude for their guests, who bring both professional authority and personal vulnerability.

For New & Existing Fans

This episode is a must-listen for those interested in:

• How science and acting intersect in storytelling
• The real neuroscience underpinning memory, trauma, and identity
• The power of TV to resonate with real-world experiences, especially for veterans and those with trauma
• Unique behind-the-scenes stories and a peek into the cast and crew’s thought processes

If you are new to "Severance," this episode will give you insight into the thoughtfulness and realism underpinning its storytelling, and why the show’s themes matter so deeply to its creators, audience, and people in the real world alike.