New Books in Psychology
Marshall Poe
This podcast is a channel on the New Books Network. The New Books Network is an academic audio library dedicated to public education. In each episode you will hear scholars discuss their recently published research with another expert in their field.
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Discover our 150+ channels and browse our 28,000+ episodes on our website: newbooksnetwork.com
Subscribe to our free weekly Substack newsletter to get informative, engaging content straight to your inbox: https://newbooksnetwork.substack.com/
Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky to learn about more our latest interviews: @newbooksnetworkSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/psychology
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 20, 2024 • 37min
Lauren Tober, "Mental Health Aware Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers" (Singing Dragon, 2024)
Dr. Lauren Tober, a clinical psychologist and veteran yoga teacher, discusses her new book on integrating mental health into yoga practice. She emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive atmosphere for students experiencing mental health challenges. The conversation explores the therapeutic benefits of yoga and the urgent need for mental health training among teachers. Ethical considerations around touch in therapeutic yoga are also covered, alongside the profound connection between calming the mind and accessing inner wisdom.
Oct 19, 2024 • 1h 9min
Francisco Aboitiz, "A History of Bodies, Brains, and Minds: The Evolution of Life and Consciousness" (MIT Press, 2024)
Francisco Aboitiz, a prominent professor and director at the Interdisciplinary Center for Neuroscience, delves into the intricate history of life and consciousness. He discusses how the first cells emerged and traces the evolution of complex organisms. Fascinating insights on the hippocampus highlight its role in memory, while the evolution of hearing and language reveals how communication adapted over time. Aboitiz also uncovers the link between cognitive abilities and environmental changes, and examines the implications of technology on our communication and societal structures.
Oct 18, 2024 • 41min
Jennifer Chudy, "Some White Folks: The Interracial Politics of Sympathy, Suffering, and Solidarity" (U Chicago Press, 2024)
Jennifer Chudy, a political science professor at Wellesley College, dives into her new book exploring white racial sympathy toward Black suffering. She discusses how this emotional response shapes opinions on crucial issues like social welfare and criminal justice. Chudy illuminates the complexities of racial sympathy, questioning its impact on political action and broader liberal ideologies. Her insights reveal the limitations of sympathy in driving tangible change and highlight the intricate relationship between race and political engagement.
Oct 17, 2024 • 29min
Beth Blum on Self-Help, Dale Carnegie to Today (JP)
Beth Blum, Assistant Professor of English at Harvard and author of "The Self-Help Compulsion," dives into the fascinating evolution of self-help literature. She traces its journey from Victorian ideals and Dale Carnegie's charm to today's neo-stoics advocating empowerment. The conversation uncovers the tension between personal agency and societal expectations. Blum also highlights how modern stoicism resonates particularly with women navigating emotional labor, and contrasts it with Carnegie’s principles, presenting a fresh perspective on self-improvement.
Oct 16, 2024 • 41min
Psychoanalytic Defense Mechanisms in James Baldwin’s "Tell Me How Long the Train's Been Gone"
The podcast delves into James Baldwin's profound insights on racism, emphasizing the need for truth over simplistic solutions. It explores individual and societal denial, particularly highlighting the struggles of characters like Leo Proudhammer. Baldwin's call for love and freedom as pathways to transformation challenges both Black and white Americans to confront uncomfortable realities. The discussion connects Baldwin's legacy to modern racial issues and the vital role of literature in addressing systemic racism and fostering open communication.
Oct 7, 2024 • 39min
Daniel J. Levitin, "Successful Aging: A Neuroscientist Explores the Power and Potential of Our Lives" (Dutton Books, 2020)
Daniel J. Levitin, a cognitive psychologist and bestselling author, shares transformative insights on aging. He debunks the myth that memory always declines with age, emphasizing the importance of 'health span.' Levitin redefines aging as a unique developmental stage, ripe with opportunities for cognitive enhancement. He discusses how personality traits can change and advocates for maintaining a vibrant life through new experiences. His approach encourages listeners to embrace joy and social connectivity as keys to thriving in later years.
Oct 6, 2024 • 60min
Sandra Buechler, "Psychoanalytic Approaches to Problems in Living" (Routledge, 2019)
Sandra Buechler, a recently retired psychoanalyst and author, discusses her book on the role of values in psychoanalysis. She delves into patients' common struggles, including loss, guilt, and the quest for meaning, illustrating how an analyst's values shape treatment. Buechler intertwines poetry with psychoanalysis to enrich understanding and shares insights from her experiences with her former supervisee, Christopher Bandini. She reflects on the complexities of retirement, emotional health, and the interplay of love and hate in personal growth.
4 snips
Oct 6, 2024 • 40min
Kyle Falcon, "Haunted Britain: Spiritualism, Psychical Research and the Great War" (Manchester UP, 2023)
Kyle Falcon, a historian specializing in the British Empire during the First World War, discusses the haunting aftermath of the Great War on British society. He explores how soldiers coped with trauma through spiritualism, claiming connections with the dead via dreams and séances. Falcon highlights the tension between modernist disillusionment and spiritual experiences, showcasing perspectives like Will Byrd’s that challenged contemporary narratives. He also delves into the intersection of spiritualism and science, revealing how these beliefs provided solace amidst grief.
Oct 5, 2024 • 57min
Neil Vickers and Derek Bolton, "Being Ill: On Sickness, Care and Abandonment" (Reaktion Books, 2024)
Neil Vickers, a Professor of English literature with a keen focus on medicine, and Derek Bolton delve into the complexities of illness, care, and social dynamics. They explore how serious health challenges can reshape interpersonal relationships, emphasizing the isolation felt by both the ill and their caregivers. Drawing on neuroscience and personal narratives, they advocate for communal support systems over individualistic approaches. The conversation highlights the critical role of empathy and connection in fostering resilience during illness.
Oct 2, 2024 • 1h 12min
Naomi Seidman, "In the Freud Closet: Psychoanalysis and Jewish Languages" (Stanford UP, 2024)
Naomi Seidman, a Chancellor Jackman Professor of the Arts at the University of Toronto, dives into the intricate connections between psychoanalysis and Jewish identity. She challenges the popular obsession with Freud's Jewishness, spotlighting the motivations behind this scholarly pursuit. Seidman discusses the role of Hebrew and Yiddish in psychoanalytic literature and examines personal influences on her writing. The conversation also touches on the identity struggles of Jews in the context of Freud's theories, revealing the complexities of assimilation and cultural heritage.
