Ordinary Unhappiness

Dive into the intricate world of Freud’s case history of Elisabeth von R. Discover the fascinating city metaphor that illustrates psychic life. Explore how familial dynamics shape personal narratives and individual symptoms. The discussion reveals the complex interplay between real-life experiences and the formation of psychological injuries. Uncover the distinct gender roles within Elisabeth’s family and her personal fantasies amid turmoil. It's a profound look at how we navigate suffering through the lens of psychoanalysis.

In this insightful conversation, Sarah Miller, a talented writer from Nevada City, delves into her essay, "Pirates of the Ayahuasca." She shares her transformative and harrowing journey from wildfire-ravaged California to the Peruvian Amazon, exploring themes of climate grief and the pressures of psychedelic tourism. Sarah vividly recounts intense visions and emotional struggles during ayahuasca ceremonies while reflecting on the ethics of Westerners seeking indigenous healing traditions. The discussion opens up a critique of capitalism in the wellness industry, leaving listeners with much to ponder.

Dr. Dan Karlin, a psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer at MindMed, dives into the fascinating world of LSD's therapeutic potential for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety. He discusses the challenges of integrating neurobiology and subjective experiences in psychiatric treatment. Karlin highlights how psychedelics, unlike traditional medications, can reorganize mental patterns, offering new hope for those facing mental health struggles. He also addresses the cultural stigma surrounding LSD and its potential to foster deeper connections and understanding.

Discover the intricacies of femininity and self-presentation in the analysis of a new film featuring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley. Explore how the male gaze shapes perceptions of women’s statements, and delve into themes of aging and body horror. Abby and Dan question societal standards for intelligence and beauty, connecting them to a foundational essay on femininity and power. The discussion offers a thought-provoking look at the impact of gendered experiences and expectations in modern culture.

In this discussion, Nick Peim, an experienced academic in education, and Nick Stock, a postdoctoral researcher, unpack the complexities of teaching through a Lacanian lens. They explore how teachers’ narratives shape their identities and how these fantasies often lead to disillusionment. The conversation dives into concepts of desire, lack, and the pleasures intertwined in educational practices. Ultimately, they advocate for a deeper theoretical understanding of teaching, revealing how knowledge itself is often elusive and inherently unstable.

Delve into the poignant case of Fräulein Elisabeth von R, where the ordinary intersects with deep psychological insight. Explore how family dynamics shape personal identity and the impact of familial expectations on individual growth. Discover the complexities of desire and the constraints families impose on forming new connections. Abby and Patrick discuss the role of therapy in navigating these challenges, highlighting the nuanced relationship between one's past and therapeutic change. A reflective journey into the psyche awaits!

Unlocked Patreon episode. Support Ordinary Unhappiness on Patreon to get access to all the exclusive episodes. patreon.com/OrdinaryUnhappinessAbby, Patrick, and Dan discuss and apply Julia Kristeva’s concept of abjection. It’s an influential and powerful idea in its own right, but it also generates clarifying insights into our present cultural and political moment. To get there, the three first do some necessary ground-clearing on reading Kristeva’s notoriously complex style, the broader status of language in French poststructuralist thought, and the etymology and connotations of “abjection” and the “abject” themselves. As they discuss, abjection does more than describe an object or a state of being – it also describes a set of experiences, a fundamentally embodied suite of affects, and, above all, an ongoing set of processes that simultaneously consolidate and threaten our most taken-for-granted ideas about subjectivity, the body, other people, and political life. From trans bathroom panics to misogyny to abortion to immigration to Alligator Alcatraz and beyond, the three show how the work of abjection runs through a panoply of reactionary programs; how the continual creation of abjected, “revolting” populations and the conjuring of feelings of revulsion against them works to subvert revolutionary possibilities; and how abject groups have sought to both name and resist their oppression and to reclaim and redeploy its terms.References include: Julia Kristeva, “Approaching Abjection” in Powers of HorrorNoëlle McAfee, Fear of Breakdown: Politics and PsychoanalysisRyan Thorneycroft, Reimagining Disablist and Ableist Violence as AbjectionEyo Awara. The Psychic Life of Horror: Abjection and Racialization in Butler’s ThoughtDarieck Scott, Extravagant Abjection: Blackness, Power, and Sexuality in the African American Literary ImaginationKelly Oliver, Reading Kristeva: Unravelling the Double Bind.Mark Miller. Cast Down: Abjection in America, 1700-1850Imogen Tyler, Revolting Subjects: Social Abjection and Resistance in Neoliberal BritainCalvin Thomas, Masculinity, Psychoanalysis, Straight Queer Theory: Essays on Abjection in Literature, Mass Culture, and FilmA podcast about psychoanalysis, politics, pop culture, and the ways we suffer now. New episodes on Saturdays. Follow us on social media: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/OrdinaryUnhappiness Twitter: @UnhappinessPod Instagram: @OrdinaryUnhappiness Patreon: patreon.com/OrdinaryUnhappiness Theme song: Formal Chicken - Gnossienne No. 1 https://open.spotify.com/album/2MIIYnbyLqriV3vrpUTxxO Provided by Fruits Music

Delve into the fascinating world of group dynamics with writer Lily Scherlis. The conversation explores how projection and transference transform from abstract ideas into tangible experiences in group settings. Discover the complexities of group relations compared to individual analysis. There’s a playful take on early group dynamics and the sensation of sizing each other up. Language is highlighted as a vital tool to articulate overwhelming emotions. Finally, ponder why some group experiences feel almost paranormal yet offer profound insights.

Patrick Blanchfield, a cultural critic and co-host of the Ordinary Unhappiness podcast, dives deep into the televised memorial for Charlie Kirk, exploring its theatrical elements and political ramifications. He discusses how biblical texts and martyrdom narratives are manipulated to create a powerful political spectacle. The conversation highlights the normalization of evangelical rhetoric in mainstream politics, the role of grief in mobilizing communities, and the broader implications of selective mourning in America. Patrick's insights bridge theology, politics, and emotional performance.

Michael Clune, an insightful writer and academic known for his memoirs and critical works, joins the hosts to explore his novel, Pan. The narrative follows Nick, a 15-year-old grappling with panic attacks and life’s complexities. Clune discusses how gaming shaped his childhood and the imaginative landscapes in his writing. The conversation touches on adolescence's intensity, the impact of 1990s culture, and how panic can alter perception. They delve into the connections between myth, consciousness, and the transformative experience of growing up.