Exploring Human Desire and the Intersection of Psychotherapy and Storytelling with Maxine Mei-Fung Chung

The Bookshop Podcast

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In this episode, Maxine Mei-Fung Chung shares a glimpse into the psyche's profound influence on creativity and personal growth. I found my own experiences with psychoanalysis echoed in our dialogue, highlighting the transformative power it has on both the canvas, the page, and the mind. Maxine's articulate distinction between psychoanalysis and other therapeutic forms paints a vivid picture of the therapeutic landscape. At the same time, her personal narrative and the profound impact of her beloved childhood librarian provide a rich backdrop to her professional evolution.
Maxine discusses her literary contributions, notably her latest book, What Women Want: A Therapist, Her Patients, and Their True Stories of Desire, Power, and Love, which delves beyond Freud's well-trodden question—what do women want?—to celebrate the authentic needs and desires of women.
Maxine's first novel, The Eighth Girl, was optioned by Netflix and was a most anticipated book from Bustle, The Rumpus, Electric Literature, and LitHub.
In What Women Want, Maxine emphasizes the empathic and advocacy-oriented nature of her writing, inviting readers on a journey of self-discovery. This episode is a tribute to the potency of psychotherapy's intersection with storytelling, an intimate exploration for anyone fascinated by the depths of the human experience.
Maxine Mei-Fung Chung
What Women Want: A Therapist, Her Patients, and Thier True Stories of Desire, Power, and Love, Maxine Mei-Fung Chung
The Eighth Girl, Maxine Mei-Fung Chung
Long Live Our Librarians: An Ode To Mrs. Veal, Maxine Mei-Fung Chung
The Marriage Portrait, Maggie O'Farrell
American Originality: Essays on Poetry, Louis Glück

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1. Exploring Human Desire and the Intersection of Psychotherapy and Storytelling with Maxine Mei-Fung Chung (00:00:00)

2. Exploring Psychoanalysis and Career Paths (00:00:10)

3. Exploring Female Desire and Self-Discovery (00:13:37)