Bestselling author and psychologist Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein has announced that her latest film, 'I Had An Affair With My Husband,' has been named a semi-finalist in the Filmonaco 2026 online film contest. The film, which had a special screening on July 1 at Basie Center Cinemas Theatre in Red Bank, New Jersey, received rave reviews for its clever and emotionally rewarding premise.
The story explores a unique dynamic between a married couple, where the wife finds herself falling in love with a new voice her husband has developed. This leads to an improved intimate life but also triggers intense jealousy in the husband toward his own voice. The narrative follows their journey as they navigate these unusual feelings, eventually seeking help from a therapist to address the disconnect between the husband's persona and this new 'identity.' Ultimately, the couple reaches an honest understanding, realizing that while the voice is a fantasy they can occasionally enjoy—and perhaps even expand upon with other personas—their real love for one another remains the foundation of their relationship. The film is a lighthearted romp that uses an unusual scenario to explore real themes of honesty and fantasy within a marriage.
Dr. Holstein expressed excitement about the film's progress, stating, 'I'm so excited about our film. I'm excited to make it available soon.' She noted that an earlier version of the story is available on Vimeo. As a psychologist, her interest in love and relationships is central to her work. She also mentioned another film, 'Can Dreams Come True?,' which focuses on a couple who fight, feel awful, and then come around to better times. That film has been in film festivals and received honorable mention several times, and is also available on Vimeo.
In addition to the film news, Dr. Holstein announced that the ebook version of her book 'Women's Freedom, Unfinished Love Stories, 2nd Edition' will be available at no charge on July 27 and 28 from Amazon. The book explores the struggles and desires of young women in the 1960s, delving into the complexities of sexuality, identity, and self-discovery. Dr. Holstein introduces readers to three college students navigating the intricacies of their sexual energies and their paths to the future. Their journeys mirror the experiences of women throughout history, highlighting universal longings and challenges that have shaped previous generations.
Dr. Holstein is known for wrapping Positive Psychology concepts in forms of media that people find engaging, relatable, and inspiring. Her work includes six bestselling award-winning books, four self-esteem workbooks for girls aged 8 and up, award-winning films, podcasts, dedicated websites, stage plays, and TED-style talks. As a school psychologist and in private practice, she has helped many children and parents develop life skills in decision-making, recognition of talents, and courage. Her last book, 'Conflict and a Bit of Magic,' helps kids build self-esteem through reading a journal and identifying with the protagonist, achieving bestseller status in the multi-generational families category. Her latest workbook for kids, 'Secrets,' achieved bestseller status in the 'Teen & Young Adult Nonfiction on Depression' category.
Dr. Holstein's cutting-edge presentations can be found on YouTube, Vimeo, and on the Roku channel and Amazon Fire TV under 'The Enchanted Self Presents.' She also created The Selfie Showcase, a project emerging from The Selfie Project, which allows young people aged 13 to 18 to voice their opinions on subjects that matter to them, including the pandemic, by creating selfie videos or films using a smartphone. More information about the Selfie Showcase is available at selfiefilmmakers.com.
The film 'I Had An Affair With My Husband' is set for release later in 2026. Dr. Holstein's work continues to focus on relationships, self-esteem, and positive psychology, offering audiences and readers insights into the human experience.
