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She Saw What Therapy Was Missing, And Built Something Better; Her Comeback with Dr. Barbara Holstein
Episode Summary- https://hercomebackpodcast.com/
What happens when a psychologist looks around her field and realizes something essential is missing? For Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, the answer changed the trajectory of her entire career—and the lives of countless women. In this rich conversation with host Michelle Thompson, Dr. Holstein shares how she pioneered what we now call positive psychology decades before it had a name, why she built her practice around the concept of the “Enchanted Self,” and how her journey from classroom teacher to published author, playwright, filmmaker, and podcaster is proof that reinvention doesn’t have an age limit.
Whether you’re carrying the weight of what went wrong, wondering if it’s too late to pursue a forgotten dream, or simply ready to see yourself through a new lens—this episode will remind you that your potential never disappeared. It’s been waiting for you to come back to it.
What You’ll Discover in This Episode
• How Dr. Holstein noticed what traditional therapy was getting wrong—and what she did about it, starting with 19 volunteer interviews over two years.
• The unexpected near-fall at a conference that led to her first book being published—and why she calls it an absolute miracle.
• What “the Enchanted Self” actually means in practice, and the beautiful shifts that happen when women begin to reclaim their potential.
• Why women today still face many of the same internal barriers as generations before—and what it looks like to move beyond them.
• How to use your past as a resource rather than a wound, including how understanding your ancestors’ story can reframe your own.
• The childhood memories that unlock energy and self-belief—and why going back to age 8 or 10 can open a secret door within you.
• What held Dr. Holstein back in her own journey—and how she kept moving forward anyway, choosing impact over income.
• Why her coming-of-age films put young women’s voices at the center, and what we all gain when we stop and listen.
• The simple, daily “Recipes for Enchantment” that create moments of joy, connection, and aliveness.
About Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein is a positive psychologist, author, filmmaker, and the creator of The Enchanted Self—a philosophy and practice centered on helping women recover the best of who they are. A pioneer in strength-based therapy long before positive psychology became mainstream, Dr. Holstein has authored multiple books including her landmark first publication on women’s potential, the beloved children’s book I’m a Girl, I’m Smart and I Know Everything, Recipes for Enchantment, and her most recent work, Women’s Freedom. Her coming-of-age short films have been honored hundreds of times at festivals worldwide.
Connect with Dr. Holstein
Website: enchantedself.com
Email: [email protected]
Enjoyed This Episode?
Subscribe to Her Comeback on your favorite podcast platform and follow Michelle on YouTube at Michelle Thompson – Life Coaching for more encouragement, real talk, and stories of women who refused to let their setback be their final chapter.
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By Michelle ThompsonEpisode Summary- https://hercomebackpodcast.com/
What happens when a psychologist looks around her field and realizes something essential is missing? For Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, the answer changed the trajectory of her entire career—and the lives of countless women. In this rich conversation with host Michelle Thompson, Dr. Holstein shares how she pioneered what we now call positive psychology decades before it had a name, why she built her practice around the concept of the “Enchanted Self,” and how her journey from classroom teacher to published author, playwright, filmmaker, and podcaster is proof that reinvention doesn’t have an age limit.
Whether you’re carrying the weight of what went wrong, wondering if it’s too late to pursue a forgotten dream, or simply ready to see yourself through a new lens—this episode will remind you that your potential never disappeared. It’s been waiting for you to come back to it.
What You’ll Discover in This Episode
• How Dr. Holstein noticed what traditional therapy was getting wrong—and what she did about it, starting with 19 volunteer interviews over two years.
• The unexpected near-fall at a conference that led to her first book being published—and why she calls it an absolute miracle.
• What “the Enchanted Self” actually means in practice, and the beautiful shifts that happen when women begin to reclaim their potential.
• Why women today still face many of the same internal barriers as generations before—and what it looks like to move beyond them.
• How to use your past as a resource rather than a wound, including how understanding your ancestors’ story can reframe your own.
• The childhood memories that unlock energy and self-belief—and why going back to age 8 or 10 can open a secret door within you.
• What held Dr. Holstein back in her own journey—and how she kept moving forward anyway, choosing impact over income.
• Why her coming-of-age films put young women’s voices at the center, and what we all gain when we stop and listen.
• The simple, daily “Recipes for Enchantment” that create moments of joy, connection, and aliveness.
About Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein is a positive psychologist, author, filmmaker, and the creator of The Enchanted Self—a philosophy and practice centered on helping women recover the best of who they are. A pioneer in strength-based therapy long before positive psychology became mainstream, Dr. Holstein has authored multiple books including her landmark first publication on women’s potential, the beloved children’s book I’m a Girl, I’m Smart and I Know Everything, Recipes for Enchantment, and her most recent work, Women’s Freedom. Her coming-of-age short films have been honored hundreds of times at festivals worldwide.
Connect with Dr. Holstein
Website: enchantedself.com
Email: [email protected]
Enjoyed This Episode?
Subscribe to Her Comeback on your favorite podcast platform and follow Michelle on YouTube at Michelle Thompson – Life Coaching for more encouragement, real talk, and stories of women who refused to let their setback be their final chapter.