New Books in Psychoanalysis

In this insightful discussion, Olya Khaleelee, a corporate psychologist, and Leila Djemal, an organizational psychologist, delve into their book, "Sitting on a Suitcase: Psychoanalytic Stories." They explore complex themes such as Jewish identity and intergenerational trauma, shedding light on how personal histories shape their work in psychology. The metaphor of 'Sitting on a Suitcase' symbolizes readiness for change and the emotional journeys stemming from cultural experiences. The conversation also touches on the impact of antisemitism and the resilience found in storytelling.

In his classic essay on the fear of breakdown, Donald Winnicott famously conveys to a patient that the disaster powerfully feared has, in fact, already happened. Taking her cue from Winnicott, Noëlle McAfee’s Fear of Breakdown: Psychoanalysis and Politics (Columbia University Press, 2019), explores the implications of breakdown fears for the practice of democracy.Democracy, as you may dimly recall, demands the capacity to bear difference, tolerate loss, and to speak into the unknown. Meanwhile we have come to live in a world where, if my clinical practice and personal life are any indication, people often prefer writing to speaking. Patients who want to make a schedule change--never a neutral event in psychoanalysis—write me. I say, addressing the resistance, “This is a talking cure. Get your money’s worth. Speak!” Among intimates, bad news is something I too often read about. I surmise that in speaking desire or conveying pain, a fantasized recipient is sought, an ideal listener, who, like a blow up doll lover can be invoked, controlled and then deflated at will.Circling back to difference and loss, ideas that do not mirror our already existing thoughts find themselves batted out of the park to an elsewhere not worth enunciating. Cultivating a protective bubble—such a heartbreak right?  It seems there is something about democracy that frightens the shit out of us.Deploying the work of Winnicott, Klein, Green and Kristeva, Mcafee reminds us of our original loss—what she calls “plenum”. That loss, to the degree it is recognized, initiates our undoing. Mother’s other—be it her lover, her piano lessons, a visit to the dentist for a cavity—tears a hole in our emotional shield. In her wake, we cling to seemingly strong leaders, a father, or failing that potent ideologies reeking of misogyny, all the while hoping for compensation for an unfathomable loss.Embedded within democracy lies the demand that we see other than ourselves. This demand challenges the thin-skinned among us. And all of us are thin-skinned from time to time. How to manage?Mcafee adds her voice to the popular chorus of those practicing applied psychoanalysis and suggests we embrace mourning. It is an inarguable position yet also nice work if you can get it! Of course, with the original disaster elided, like sleepwalkers in our night fog, we will helplessly seek it out; worse, we will make it manifest, with a vengeance. What is not remembered gets repeated. Trapped in America, as I am, one wonders about democracy. What might lure us to revisit the sight of the disaster, “the thing itself’,” to quote Adrienne Rich, “and not the myth?” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/psychoanalysis

In this engaging discussion, Joseph S. Reynoso, a psychoanalytic clinical psychologist, and Jack Black, an expert on sport and media, delve into their book on the connections between sport and our subconscious. They reveal how athletic competition mirrors personal fears and societal challenges. The conversation explores complex themes like identity, emotional ties in football, and the darker sides of sports such as corruption. Listeners gain insights into how sporting experiences reflect deeper human desires, shaping both individual psyches and collective cultures.

David P. Celani, a retired psychologist and adjunct professor at the Object Relations Institute, delves into Ronald Fairbairn's innovative contributions to Object Relations Theory. He discusses the impact of childhood trauma and the mother’s role on personality development, challenging traditional Freudian concepts. Celani explores dissociation, repression, and their effects on adult relationships, particularly regarding battered women. He emphasizes the therapeutic journey of integrating traumatic memories, framing therapists as vital 'good objects' in healing.

"Princeton University Press is thrilled to share news of a major new initiative: the publication of The Critical Edition of the Works of C. G. Jung. As the longtime publisher of the Collected Works of C. G. Jung in North America, PUP is honored to be global publisher of the Critical Edition, having recently secured world language rights and the support from the Foundation of the Works of C. G. Jung in Zürich, who will be facilitating and guiding access to documents and letters and providing its expertise to this major undertaking based on family archives. Led by general editor Sonu Shamdasani, an esteemed historian of psychiatry and psychology and a preeminent expert on Jung, this ambitious, multi-year undertaking will result in 26 volumes of material, all newly translated by Caitlin Stephens, that will bring the Swiss psychologist’s formidable work to new life for a new generation of readers. Astrid Freuler, an independent professional translator, will provide proofreading for the translations. Volumes will feature a scholarly apparatus, including historical introductions, contextual annotations that will draw heavily on Jung’s unpublished correspondences, and variorum presentations of works that went through multiple editions, noting revisions. Alongside the general editor, Jung historians Gaia Domenici, Martin Liebscher, and Christopher Wagner will serve as volume editors." -From Princeton University Press' announcement Sonu Shamdasani is a professor at University College London, co-director at the health humanities center, and recognized as one of the world’s most renowned scholars of psychologist, Carl Jung. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/psychoanalysis

The discussion delves into the impactful concept of misogynoir, highlighting its unique influence on Black women, particularly in authority roles. It examines how psychoanalysis reveals societal biases through mechanisms like projective identification and repression. The nuances of envy and criticism, illustrated by public figures such as Kamala Harris and Beyoncé, underscore the complex dynamics of cultural representation. The podcast emphasizes resilience and the vital importance of teaching future generations about identity and empowerment against systemic devaluation.

Jane Elizabeth Dougherty, a Professor at Southern Illinois University, dives into the evolution of Irish female narratives from 1916 to 2018. She explores how societal changes and key female writers have shaped these stories, often framing maturation as disordered and complex. Dougherty highlights the role of historical events and literary figures like Joyce and O'Brien in redefining female identity. The discussion also introduces the 'queer avuncular' concept, offering fresh perspectives on traditional narratives and emphasizing the ongoing struggle for gender equality in literature.

Jan Borowicz, a cultural studies scholar and psychotherapist from the Institute of Polish Culture, shares his insights on Holocaust memory and Polish bystanders. He discusses the indifference to violence and its psychoanalytic implications, drawing parallels between historical and current humanitarian crises. Borowicz explores the complexities of denial and memory and how they shape Polish identity amid transgenerational trauma. He emphasizes the importance of confronting painful histories to foster empathy and prevent societal indifference.

Delve into America’s educational battlegrounds as psychoanalysts explore the psychological forces behind the conflicts over race and history. Discover how denial functions as a defense mechanism, masking the painful truths of systemic racism. The discussion examines projective identification and splitting, highlighting their roles in shaping group identities. Educational censorship and cultural shifts reveal a struggle for knowledge, emphasizing the need for diverse perspectives to foster critical thinking and intellectual freedom in classrooms.

Join Gohar Homayounpour, an acclaimed psychoanalyst and author, as she delves into the intersections of mourning and identity in her book, weaving personal loss with Persian cultural narratives. She provocatively characterizes psychoanalysis as a subversive art form for dreamers, embracing disturbance and absence. Topics include the complexities of maternal influence, the significance of the color blue, and the playful aspects of therapeutic relationships. Homayounpour also critiques modern practices, advocating for empathy over mimicry, highlighting the emotional intricacies of life's choices.