Psychologist Barbara Becker Holstein has announced the upcoming release of a new film titled 'I Had An Affair With My Husband' and a new interview available on her Building Resilience And Self Esteem podcast with author Mitch Abrams. The film, scheduled for release in early 2026, explores the dynamics of a married couple, Laura and Larry, whose relationship is revitalized through unexpected circumstances, addressing themes of boredom and renewal in long-term partnerships.
Holstein, known for integrating Positive Psychology into various media formats, developed the film's concept from a personal experience she and her husband, Dr. Russell Holstein, encountered while on vacation. This real-life incident, which involved a stranger entering their lives, formed the basis for a story about overcoming relational stagnation. Dr. Russell Holstein's parallel work focuses on research into insurance limitations affecting mental health care access, highlighting systemic challenges in the field.
The newly announced podcast interview features Mitch Abrams, a psychologist with over 25 years of experience specializing in anger management in sports. Abrams discusses normalizing and harnessing anger to achieve peak performance in various life domains, including goal achievement and relationship optimization. The interview is accessible via Holstein's website at https://www.enchantedself.com/resilience-self-esteem-podcast/.
Holstein's approach involves wrapping psychological concepts in engaging media, a method demonstrated through her six bestselling books, award-winning films, workbooks for youth, podcasts, and stage plays. Her recent workbook, 'Secrets,' achieved bestseller status in the 'Teen & Young Adult Nonfiction on Depression' category, while her book 'Conflict and a Bit of Magic' helps children build self-esteem through narrative identification. Her presentations, including those addressing pandemic-related issues, are available on platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV under the title 'The Enchanted Self Presents'.
A significant aspect of Holstein's work is The Selfie Showcase, a project allowing individuals aged 13 to 18 to create and share selfie videos about subjects that matter to them, such as pandemic-related stress. This initiative aims to provide a platform for young people to express concerns and engage in meaningful dialogue about anxiety. More information about this project is available at http://www.selfiefilmmakers.com, where videos can be uploaded.
Holstein's primary website, http://www.enchantedself.com, offers further resources and has been recognized as one of the best websites in positive psychology. Her work, which spans private practice, media production, and public speaking, continues to focus on making psychological insights accessible and applicable to everyday life, particularly in areas of resilience, self-esteem, and intergenerational communication.
