Unlearning Shame

How We Can Reject Self-Blame Culture and Reclaim Our Power

By: Devon Price PhD

Narrated by: Devon Price PhD

Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Learn to identify—and combat—Systemic Shame, the feeling of self-hatred and disempowerment that comes from living in a society that blames individuals for systemic problems, with this invaluable resource from the social psychologist and author of Unmasking Autism.

Systemic Shame is the socially engineered self-loathing that says we are solely to blame for our circumstances. It tells us that poverty is remedied by hard-working people pulling themselves up by their bootstraps, that marginalized people are personally responsible for solving the problem of their own oppression, and that massive global crises like climate change can be solved with individual action. Feeling overwhelmed? That’s your problem, too. The more we try and ultimately fail to live up to impossible societal standards of moral goodness, the more shame we feel—and the more we retreat into isolation and despair.

Social psychologist Dr. Devon Price knows firsthand the destructive effects of Systemic Shame; he experienced shame and self-hatred as he grappled with his transgender identity, feeling as if his suffering was caused by his own actions rather than systems like cissexism. And it doesn’t just end with internal feelings of anguish. It causes us to judge other people the same way we fear being judged, which blocks us from seeking out the acceptance and support we need and discourages us from trying to improve our communities and our relationships.

In Unlearning Shame, Dr. Price explores how we can deal with those hard emotions more effectively, tackling the societal shame we’ve absorbed and directed at ourselves. He introduces the antidote to Systemic Shame: expansive recognition, an awareness of one’s position in the larger social world and the knowledge that our battles are only won when they are shared. He provides a suite of exercises and resources designed to combat Systemic Shame on a personal, interpersonal, and global level through rebuilding trust in yourself, in others, and in our shared future.

By offering a roadmap to healing and a toolkit of actionable items, Unlearning Shame helps us reject hopelessness and achieve sustainable change and personal growth.

* This audiobook edition includes a downloadable PDF which contains exercises, tools, and prompts from the book.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Devon Price (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“With the authentic voice I’ve grown to expect from Devon, he raises an issue that could not be more timely. This book articulates a feeling that has lurked in the dark corners of so many minds and brings it into the light where it can be faced, embraced, and, ultimately, healed. Stop doomscrolling and read this book. You’ll feel better, I promise.”—Celeste Headlee, journalist and bestselling author

Another life-changing title from Dr. Devon Price

Every time he publishes a book Devon Price, PhD manages to speak to exactly what I need to hear. My relationship to work needed to be shaken when he published Laziness Does Not Exist. Unmasking Autism was a personal awakening for me that can’t be understated. And now he has given me an answer for the unbearable angst I feel as I oscillate between self-important saviorism and frustrated nihilism. If he happens to read this review, I would want him to know that his work is has been so meaningful to me. Thank you for your books.

Unbelievably great book

Recommending to anyone who cares too much just about everything in this world🩷 I love this book so much. There is so much packed information and practical advise and real real compassion. You will love it!

An injection of hope

I love all of Dr. Price’s work and this book stood out as especially comforting and hopeful exactly when that is needed in our culture. It’s full of relevant examples of people working to change systemic problems and has suggestions for the kinds of roles we can play to help the collective movements we desire to support.

Dr. Price delivers another banger

This is my 3rd purchase of books by Devon Price, though technically the 6th because after the audible versions, I bought the physical books. I always appreciate when audiobooks have label d chapters and a PDF, so also a win.

This book is incredibly reaffirming, wherever you’re at. If you’re die-hard consumer activist, read this. If you’re like me and held the “no ethical consumption under capitalism” belief… read it. It’s great if you’re struggling to prioritize your efforts, find where you fit in the community, or even want to take comfort in knowing that your existence in any capacity matters… read it.

I am so thankful to have the opportunity and spare cash to surround myself with love and knowledge he has throughout every brilliant chapter.