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Choosing Emotions: Finding the Words That Help Us Heal with D. Earl Johnston
In this thought-provoking episode of PTSD and Beyond, Dr. Deb welcomes author, researcher, keynote speaker, and former corporate executive Doug Johnston, author of Choosing Emotions: Thinking with Your Head and Acting with Your Heart. Together, they explore the powerful connection between emotions, language, healing, and human experience.
Doug shares the deeply personal story that inspired his book: a conversation with his teenage daughter during her struggle with depression that led him on a nearly decade-long journey researching emotions and collecting thousands of quotes from philosophers, psychologists, scientists, leaders, and everyday people. What began as a father's desire to help his daughter became one of the most comprehensive consumer-facing resources on emotions.
Throughout the conversation, Dr. Deb and Doug discuss:
• Why emotions are not obstacles to overcome but tools that help us navigate life
• The role of language in healing, self-awareness, and emotional growth
• How finding the right words can help us better understand ourselves and others
• The connection between emotional literacy, emotional coherence, and wellbeing
• Why emotions are foundational to reasoning and decision-making
• The importance of naming experiences, especially trauma, as part of the healing process
• How quotes, journaling, reflection, and storytelling can support emotional growth and recovery
• The difference between being stuck in an emotional experience and learning from it
• Why making friends with our emotions may be one of the most important skills we develop throughout life
Whether you are navigating trauma recovery, personal growth, leadership, emotional wellbeing, or simply looking for a deeper understanding of yourself, this episode offers practical wisdom and meaningful insights into the role emotions play in shaping our lives.
Guest: Doug Johnston
Book: Choosing Emotions: Thinking with Your Head and Acting with Your Heart
Website: Choosing Emotions
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By ptsdandbeyond
5
88 ratings
In this thought-provoking episode of PTSD and Beyond, Dr. Deb welcomes author, researcher, keynote speaker, and former corporate executive Doug Johnston, author of Choosing Emotions: Thinking with Your Head and Acting with Your Heart. Together, they explore the powerful connection between emotions, language, healing, and human experience.
Doug shares the deeply personal story that inspired his book: a conversation with his teenage daughter during her struggle with depression that led him on a nearly decade-long journey researching emotions and collecting thousands of quotes from philosophers, psychologists, scientists, leaders, and everyday people. What began as a father's desire to help his daughter became one of the most comprehensive consumer-facing resources on emotions.
Throughout the conversation, Dr. Deb and Doug discuss:
• Why emotions are not obstacles to overcome but tools that help us navigate life
• The role of language in healing, self-awareness, and emotional growth
• How finding the right words can help us better understand ourselves and others
• The connection between emotional literacy, emotional coherence, and wellbeing
• Why emotions are foundational to reasoning and decision-making
• The importance of naming experiences, especially trauma, as part of the healing process
• How quotes, journaling, reflection, and storytelling can support emotional growth and recovery
• The difference between being stuck in an emotional experience and learning from it
• Why making friends with our emotions may be one of the most important skills we develop throughout life
Whether you are navigating trauma recovery, personal growth, leadership, emotional wellbeing, or simply looking for a deeper understanding of yourself, this episode offers practical wisdom and meaningful insights into the role emotions play in shaping our lives.
Guest: Doug Johnston
Book: Choosing Emotions: Thinking with Your Head and Acting with Your Heart
Website: Choosing Emotions
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