What if anxiety isn't something to eliminate, but a signal calling you forward?

In this episode of Dealing With Feelings, Marc Brackett sits down with psychologist and neuroscientist Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary to rethink anxiety as information — and learn how to work with it instead of fighting it.

In this conversation, we cover:

• Anxiety as uncertainty between present reality and future possibilities
• The difference between everyday anxiety and anxiety disorders
• Why avoidance makes anxiety worse and how facing it builds resilience
• How to leverage anxiety for growth, creativity, and achievement
• Parenting through anxiety with fewer checklists and more presence

About Tracy: Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary is a psychologist, neuroscientist, and author of Future Tense: Why Anxiety Is Good for You (Even Though it Feels Bad).

Links + Resources: Tracy website & Book: https://www.tracydennistiwary.com

Connect with Marc Brackett:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/marc.brackett

X: https://x.com/marcbrackett

Facebook: https://facebook.com/drmarcbrackett

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/drmarcbrackett

Website: https://marcbrackett.com

Dr. Marc Brackett's Books:

• Permission to Feel
• Dealing with Feeling

Explore Marc Brackett's work at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, where he serves as founding director, and learn more about RULER—an evidence-based, systemic approach to SEL developed at Yale that supports leaders, educators, students, and families in building emotional intelligence and creating healthier school climates.

A special thank you to the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence for supporting this webcast. I also want to thank Oji Life Lab for their generous support. Visit https://ojilifelab.com and use promo code DEALINGWITHFEELINGS to save 25%.

Irene's Entropy joins Dr. Marc Brackett on Dealing With Feeling to explore what happens when your identity is built around rules that leave no room for real emotion.

A storyteller, artist, mechanical engineer, and musician, Irene shares her journey of leaving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and rebuilding a life rooted in emotional freedom, creativity, and self-trust.

Her motto is simple: "To learn is to change." This conversation is about what it costs to suppress emotion, and what it takes to come back to yourself.

In this conversation:

• How religious environments can shape anxiety and emotional suppression
• What it feels like when identity collapses and the self has to be rebuilt
• The link between shame, fear, and losing access to your emotions
• How creativity and music can unlock what the body has been holding
• Why naming emotions is not weak, it is a form of reclaiming power
• What "permission to feel" looks like when you are starting over

About the guest: Irene's Entropy is a storyteller, artist, mechanical engineer, and musician who creates work about healing, self-discovery, and emotional freedom. Her story has resonated with hundreds of thousands of people navigating religious trauma, shame, and identity change.

Connect with Irene's Entropy:

Irene's Entropy: https://www.irenesentropy.com/

YouTube: @irenesentropy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irenes.entropy/

Connect with Marc Brackett:

Marc Brackett: https://marcbrackett.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/marc.brackett

X: https://x.com/drmarcbrackett

Facebook: https://facebook.com/drmarcbrackett

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/drmarcbrackett

Dr. Marc Brackett's Books

• Permission to Feel
• Dealing with Feeling

Explore Marc Brackett's work at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, where he serves as founding director, and learn more about RULER—an evidence-based, systemic approach to SEL developed at Yale that supports leaders, educators, students, and families in building emotional intelligence and creating healthier school climates.

A special thank you to the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence for supporting this webcast. We also want to thank Oji Life Lab for their generous support: https://ojilifelab.comTo develop your skills in leadership, emotional intelligence, and more, visit Oji Life Lab and use the promo code DEALINGWITHFEELINGS to save 25%.

Teen anxiety is everywhere right now. But not all distress is danger.

Dr. Lisa Damour joins Dr. Marc Brackett on Dealing with Feeling to talk about what's actually happening to teens in a high-pressure, high-input world, and how parents and educators can support kids without overcorrecting, minimizing, or spiraling.

They break down the difference between discomfort that builds strength and distress that needs intervention, and why the goal isn't to eliminate hard feelings, it's to help teens move through them with more skill and support.

In this conversation:

• Why teen anxiety is rising and what's developmentally normal

• How pressure, social media, and school safety fears shape teen stress

• Why "uncomfortable" doesn't always mean "unmanageable"

• What parents can say and do that actually helps in the moment

• How to build emotional durability without trying to "fix" everything

About the guest:Lisa Damour is a clinical psychologist and New York Times bestselling author specializing in adolescent development. She is the author of The Emotional Lives of Teenagers and co-host of the Ask Lisa podcast, and she's known for translating research into practical guidance for families and schools.

Guest links: Dr. Lisa Damour: https://drlisadamour.com

The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: https://drlisadamour.com/books/the-emotional-lives-of-teenagers/

Connect with Marc Brackett:

Marc Brackett: https://marcbrackett.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/marc.brackett

X: https://x.com/drmarcbrackett

Facebook: https://facebook.com/drmarcbrackett

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/drmarcbrackett

Dr. Marc Brackett's Books

• Permission to Feel
• Dealing with Feeling

Explore Marc Brackett's work at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, where he serves as founding director, and learn more about RULER—an evidence-based, systemic approach to SEL developed at Yale that supports leaders, educators, students, and families in building emotional intelligence and creating healthier school climates.

A special thank you to the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence for supporting this webcast. I also want to thank Oji Life Lab for their generous support: https://ojilifelab.com. Oji Life Lab is the leader in mastery-centered learning for the workplace. To develop your skills in leadership, emotional intelligence and more, visit oji life lab dot com or click the link in the description of this video and use the promo code DEALINGWITHFEELINGS to save 25%.

Dr. Dacher Keltner joins Dr. Marc Brackett on Dealing with Feeling to explore a surprising question: What if awe—not control—is one of our most powerful tools for easing anxiety?

They unpack how everyday moments of wonder can soften stress, reconnect us to others, and reshape how we relate to difficult emotions. From micro-practices you can try immediately to deeper reflections on moral beauty, community, and meaning, this conversation rethinks what emotional well-being actually looks like in a busy, overwhelmed world.

In this conversation:

• How awe interrupts anxiety and creates perspective
• Why small "micro-practices" can have outsized emotional impact
• What it really means to give yourself permission to feel
• How movement, music, and shared experiences regulate emotions
• Why recognizing everyday goodness can restore hope and connection

About the guest: Dacher Keltner is a professor of psychology at UC Berkeley, founding director of the Greater Good Science Center, and a leading researcher on awe, compassion, and emotional expression. He is the author of Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life and a scientific advisor for Pixar's Inside Out.

Connect with Marc Brackett:

Marc Brackett: https://marcbrackett.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/marc.brackett

X: https://x.com/drmarcbrackett

Facebook: https://facebook.com/drmarcbrackett

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/drmarcbrackett

Dr. Marc Brackett's Books

• Permission to Feel
• Dealing with Feeling

Explore Marc Brackett's work at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, where he serves as founding director, and learn more about RULER—an evidence-based, systemic approach to SEL developed at Yale that supports leaders, educators, students, and families in building emotional intelligence and creating healthier school climates.

A special thank you to the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence for supporting this webcast. I also want to thank Oji Life Lab for their generous support: https://ojilifelab.com. Oji Life Lab is the leader in mastery-centered learning for the workplace. To develop your skills in leadership, emotional intelligence and more, visit oji life lab dot com or click the link in the description of this video and use the promo code DEALINGWITHFEELINGS to save 25%.

Fitness coach Marco Jimenez wasn't looking for an inspirational arc—he was trying to function through anxiety and panic attacks. In this episode of Dealing with Feeling, he and Dr. Marc Brackett talk about what actually helped (and what didn't) as he rebuilt resilience.

Marco shares his personal journey, the tools he once dismissed, and why curiosity (not perfection) became the turning point for both his emotional and physical resilience.

In this conversation

• What panic and anxiety took from Marco—and what helped him get it back
• Why curiosity beats "quick fixes" when you're trying to change your life
• How to reframe setbacks and stay connected to your purpose
• The small, repeatable shifts that build resilience over time

About the guest: Marco Jimenez is a fitness coach and founder of Marco Jimenez Fitness. He works at the intersection of physical training and emotional resilience.

Marco Jimenez: https://www.marcojimenezfitness.com/

Marco on Instagram: https://instagram.com/marcojimenez9

Connect with Marc Brackett:

Website: https://marcbrackett.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/marc.brackett

X: https://x.com/drmarcbrackett

Facebook: https://facebook.com/drmarcbrackett

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/drmarcbrackett

Dr. Marc Brackett's Books

• Permission to Feel
• Dealing with Feeling

Explore Marc Brackett's work at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, where he serves as founding director, and learn more about RULER—an evidence-based, systemic approach to SEL developed at Yale that supports leaders, educators, students, and families in building emotional intelligence and creating healthier school climates.

A special thank you to the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence for supporting this webcast. I also want to thank Oji Life Lab for their generous support: https://ojilifelab.com. Oji Life Lab is the leader in mastery-centered learning for the workplace. To develop your skills in leadership, emotional intelligence and more, visit oji life lab dot com or click the link in the description of this video and use the promo code DEALINGWITHFEELINGS to save 25%.

Dr. Becky Kennedy joins Dr. Marc Brackett on Dealing With Feeling to rethink what parenting can look like when the goal isn't to "fix" feelings—but to build connection and emotional resilience.

They explore co-regulation, emotional presence, and how to respond to outbursts and difficult behavior in a way that strengthens the parent-child relationship, supports long-term emotional development, and helps kids move through big emotions without shame.

In this conversation:

• Why "fixing" emotions backfires—and what to do instead
• How co-regulation helps kids build real emotional resilience
• What to say during meltdowns, defiance, and emotional outbursts
• How to hold boundaries while staying connected

About the guest: Becky Kennedy is a clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and the founder of Good Inside.

Good Inside (Dr. Becky's work): https://www.goodinside.com

Connect with Marc Brackett:

Website: https://marcbrackett.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/marc.brackett

X: https://x.com/drmarcbrackett

Facebook: https://facebook.com/drmarcbrackett

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/drmarcbrackett

Dr. Marc Brackett's Books

• Permission to Feel
• Dealing with Feeling

Explore Marc Brackett's work at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, where he serves as founding director, and learn more about RULER—an evidence-based, systemic approach to SEL developed at Yale that supports leaders, educators, students, and families in building emotional intelligence and creating healthier school climates.

A special thank you to the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence for supporting this webcast. I also want to thank Oji Life Lab for their generous support: https://ojilifelab.com. Oji Life Lab is the leader in mastery-centered learning for the workplace. To develop your skills in leadership, emotional intelligence and more, visit oji life lab dot com or click the link in the description of this video and use the promo code DEALINGWITHFEELINGS to save 25%.

Dr. Heidi Brooks joins Dr. Marc Brackett on Dealing with Feeling to explore how emotionally wise leadership transforms workplace culture—and why the "human side of work" is often the missing ingredient in performance, feedback, and well-being.

They discuss everyday leadership, emotional wisdom, and how human connection shapes the workplace. Together, they explore what it takes to build environments where learning is normalized, collaboration is more courageous, and anxiety doesn't become the default.

In this conversation:

• How emotionally wise leaders shape group dynamics in everyday moments
• Why "head down" productivity can quietly increase workplace anxiety
• What it means to lead in public—and how vulnerability supports growth
• How feedback, learning, and failure can be redesigned to help people thrive

About the guest: Heidi Brooks is a Senior Lecturer in Organizational Behavior at Yale School of Management.

Connect with Marc Brackett:

Website: https://marcbrackett.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/marc.brackett

X: https://x.com/drmarcbrackett

Facebook: https://facebook.com/drmarcbrackett

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/drmarcbrackett

Dr. Marc Brackett's Books:

• Permission to Feel
• Dealing with Feeling

Explore Marc Brackett's work at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, where he serves as founding director, and learn more about RULER—an evidence-based, systemic approach to SEL developed at Yale that supports leaders, educators, students, and families in building emotional intelligence and creating healthier school climates.

A special thank you to the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence for supporting this webcast. I also want to thank Oji Life Lab for their generous support: https://ojilifelab.com. Oji Life Lab is the leader in mastery-centered learning for the workplace. To develop your skills in leadership, emotional intelligence and more, visit oji life lab dot com or click the link in the description of this video and use the promo code DEALINGWITHFEELINGS to save 25%.

Dr. Jessi Gold joins Dr. Marc Brackett on Dealing with Feeling to explore why so many people feel overwhelmed right now—and how burnout can masquerade as anxiety in a high-pressure world.

They discuss how to tell the difference between burnout and anxiety, why emotion regulation matters for long-term mental health, and what practical strategies can help you navigate stress at work and at home without powering through at the cost of your well-being.

In this conversation:

• How burnout can look and feel like anxiety
• The difference between overwhelm, stress, and anxiety
• Why emotion regulation is a skill, not a personality trait
• Practical strategies for building resilience in demanding environments

About the guest: Jessi Gold is a psychiatrist and wellness expert, and the author of How Do You Feel?

Dr. Jessi Gold's book: https://shorturl.at/Scm8b

Connect with Marc Brackett:

Website: https://marcbrackett.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/marc.brackett

X: https://x.com/drmarcbrackett

Facebook: https://facebook.com/drmarcbrackett

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/drmarcbrackett

Dr. Marc Brackett's Books:

• Permission to Feel
• Dealing with Feeling

Explore Marc Brackett's work at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, where he serves as founding director, and learn more about RULER—an evidence-based, systemic approach to SEL developed at Yale that supports leaders, educators, students, and families in building emotional intelligence and creating healthier school climates.

A special thank you to the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence for supporting this webcast. I also want to thank Oji Life Lab for their generous support: https://ojilifelab.com. Oji Life Lab is the leader in mastery-centered learning for the workplace. To develop your skills in leadership, emotional intelligence and more, visit oji life lab dot com or click the link in the description of this video and use the promo code DEALINGWITHFEELINGS to save 25%.

Dr. Jonathan Haidt joins Dr. Marc Brackett on Dealing With Feeling to unpack what's really happening to kids and teens in a screen-dominated world — and what parents, educators, and leaders can do about it.

They explore the core ideas behind The Anxious Generation, how social media shapes attention, relationships, and self-worth, and why building emotional skills through social-emotional learning (SEL) can be a protective factor in a culture built for comparison and constant stimulation.

In this conversation:

• Why screens and social media hit youth differently than adults
• The "comparison trap" and what it does to self-worth
• What resilience actually looks like in a digital world
• How SEL can support emotion skills that last (not quick fixes)

About the guest: Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist at NYU's Stern School of Business and the author of The Anxious Generation.

Connect with Marc Brackett:

Website: https://marcbrackett.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/marc.brackett

X: https://x.com/drmarcbrackett

Facebook: https://facebook.com/drmarcbrackett

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/drmarcbrackett

Dr. Marc Brackett's Books

• Permission to Feel
• Dealing with Feeling

Explore Marc Brackett's work at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, where he serves as founding director, and learn more about RULER—an evidence-based, systemic approach to SEL developed at Yale that supports leaders, educators, students, and families in building emotional intelligence and creating healthier school climates.

In this episode, Dr. Marc Brackett sits down with Dr. Jenny Wang, a licensed psychologist, founder of @asiansformentalhealth community on Instagram and author of "Permission to Come Home." Dr. Wang shares her unique approach to mental health, blending Eastern and Western perspectives, and offers valuable insights into emotion regulation, particularly within the Asian-American community.

Together, they explore the transformative power of understanding and regulating emotions, with a focus on cultural influences and the impact of emotion suppression.

What To Expect From This Episode:

🌍 Gain insights into the impact of cultural influences on emotional well-being and the implications of societal challenges.

🤝 Explore the concept of creating a world where individuals have healthy strategies to deal with their emotions, fostering compassion, grace, and healthy conflict resolution.

📚 The significance of feelings mentors and the impact of gratitude and reframing on emotional regulation.

👥The importance of addressing and de-stigmatizing mental health issues in culturally sensitive ways.

Key Takeaways:

-The importance of understanding the role of culture and family in emotion regulation, as highlighted by Dr. Jenny Wang.

-The episode encourages moving away from the shame associated with mental health struggles and embracing the necessity of addressing emotional pain.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Marc Brackett:

Follow Dr. Brackett on social media for additional insights, behind-the-scenes content, and updates:

-Instagram:   / marc.brackett  

-Twitter:   / marcbrackett  

-Facebook:   / drmarcbrackett  

-LinkedIn:   / drmarcbrackett  

-Website: https://marcbrackett.com

Let's embark on this journey of emotional growth and resilience together! #DealingWithFeelings#EmotionRegulation#EmotionalIntelligence#EvidenceBasedStrategies#GuestInterviews#drmarkbrackett

A special thank you to the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence for supporting this webcast. I also want to thank Oji Life Lab for their generous support: https://ojilifelab.com. Oji Life Lab is the leader in mastery-centered learning for the workplace. To develop your skills in leadership, emotional intelligence and more, visit oji life lab dot com or click the link in the description of this video and use the promo code DEALINGWITHFEELINGS to save 25%.