AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health
Psychology, Personhood, and the Crisis of Neoliberalism: Jeff Sugarman on Theoretical and Critical Psychology
Mar 19, 2025
Jeff Sugarman, a distinguished scholar in theoretical and philosophical psychology, discusses the impact of neoliberalism on identity and mental health. He critiques how mainstream psychology often reflects market ideologies, reshaping selfhood and relationships. Sugarman emphasizes the necessity for a critical psychology that addresses social justice and inequality. He also explores the philosophical roots of psychology and advocates for integrating the humanities in understanding selfhood, offering fresh perspectives on the role of mental health in society.
53:46
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Jeff Sugarman emphasizes that neoliberalism profoundly impacts individual identity and mental health by framing people as self-interested economic actors in a competitive marketplace.
- The podcast advocates for a transformative shift in psychology towards social justice and political awareness to counteract the negative effects of neoliberal ideology.
Deep dives
Personal and Academic Background
The speaker shares his journey in psychology, starting from his education in Canada, where he initially pursued music before shifting to a master's in counseling psychology. His academic interests evolved significantly due to influential friendships, particularly a partnership with a philosophy student that deepened his understanding of interpretative approaches. This collaboration introduced him to critical philosophical works, notably Charles Taylor's 'Sources of the Self', which explores the historical evolution of what it means to be a person within varying sociocultural contexts. Through these experiences, the speaker's approach to psychology became enriched with philosophical insights, questioning traditional psychological paradigms and prompting a broader exploration of personhood.
Get the Snipd
podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any
moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share
& Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode