The persistent communication gap between generations presents significant challenges for family relationships and community cohesion, with differences in technology adoption, life experiences, and perspectives creating barriers to understanding. Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, a positive psychologist and award-winning filmmaker, addresses this issue through fiction in her bestselling book 'Conflict And A Bit Of Magic,' which will be available at no charge on Amazon November 19 and 20 at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Barbara-Becker-Holstein/author/B001JXEZ8U.
The book follows a high school freshman navigating relationship disappointments and family tensions who visits her aunt in Minnesota, where a seance reveals mysterious family information, leading to communication breakthroughs with her mother upon returning home. Dr. Holstein's approach avoids preachiness while engaging young readers with relatable scenarios that model improved intergenerational communication.
As a school psychologist and private practitioner, Dr. Holstein has developed tools and techniques to help girls build resilience and self-esteem, including her workbook 'Looking Good, Feeling Good' which achieved bestseller status in Teen and Young Adult Self Esteem eBooks. Her work aims to combat growing anxiety and hopelessness among youth by making positive psychology concepts accessible through various media formats.
Dr. Holstein's multimedia approach includes five bestselling books, self-esteem workbooks for girls, award-winning films, podcasts, and dedicated online platforms. Her workbook 'Secrets' also reached bestseller status in the Teen & Young Adult Nonfiction on Depression category, demonstrating the relevance of her work to contemporary youth challenges.
Her presentations and selfie films are available on multiple platforms including YouTube, Vimeo, and the Roku channel and Amazon Fire TV under 'The Enchanted Self Presents.' Additional resources can be found through her primary website at http://www.enchantedself.com and the Selfie Showcase platform at http://www.selfiefilmmakers.com where users can upload selfie videos and films.
This initiative matters because it addresses the growing fragmentation of families and communities by providing tools that facilitate understanding across generations. By making psychological concepts accessible through fiction and multimedia, Dr. Holstein's work offers practical approaches to building the relationships necessary for open communication, potentially reducing youth anxiety and strengthening community bonds through shared understanding.
