309. The Language of Emotions with Karla McLaren

Get ready to tap into the power of your emotions, because they hold invaluable wisdom! From guilt to panic and everything in between, each emotion we feel has a story to tell. And who better to guide us through this emotional journey than Karla McLaren, an emotion and empathy expert?

With more than a decade of research under her belt, Karla has mastered the intense power of language in identifying and regulating emotions. Described as an ‘emotional guidebook’ for navigating the highs and lows of your feelings while heightening your intuition, enhancing your relationships, and broadening your self-awareness, we’re here to dissect the latest edition of Karla’s book, The Language of Emotions: What Your Feelings Are Trying to Tell You. 

As we break down anger, envy, forgiveness, anxiety, and even some lesser-known emotions that you might not even realize you're feeling, you'll discover how emotions can be instrumental in healing trauma and why having a negative approach to emotions can be problematic. If you’re looking to have your mind truly blown, join us as we explore the exhilarating world of emotions and learn how to decode them like a pro!

Listen and Learn: 

Between the first and latest editions of Karla’s book, The Language of Emotions, what has changed in the world of our understanding of emotions?

What's the harm in viewing emotions as something that's a problem?

Toxic positivity bias: what is it, and why is it especially problematic in the workplace?

How is Karla’s approach of using emotions to understand ourselves more intricately and channeling them effectively more beneficial?

Why having a valence to emotions can be problematic

How emotions can be useful in healing from trauma

The relationship between the process of forgiveness and anger

The function of shame and how it might actually be a helpful emotion to be aware of

Why does Karla refer to envy as our “interactional radar” and how apathy is a mask for anger?

The confusion between anxiety and panic

Resources: 

Learn more about Karla and her work 

The Language of Emotions: What Your Feelings Are Trying to Tell You

Follow Karla on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube

The Empathy Academy 

Lisa Feldman Barrett

The End of Trauma by George A. Bonanno

About Karla McLaren 

Karla McLaren, M.Ed. is an award-winning author, educator, workplace consultant, and social science researcher. Her work revalues even the most “negative” emotions and opens startling new pathways into self-awareness, effective communication, and healthy empathy. She is the founder and CEO of Emotion Dynamics Inc.

She is also the author of many books, including The Language of Emotions, The Power of Emotions at Work, and Embracing Anxiety, and she is the developer of the online learning site EmpathyAcademy.org. She is online at KarlaMcLaren.com.

Related Episodes: 

183. Permission to Feel: Emotional Intelligence with Marc Brackett

85. Emotion Efficacy with Aprilia West

216. Managing Anger and Irritability, Featuring Russell Kolts 

240. Talking to Kids and Teens with Big Feelings with Adele LaFrance (EFFT Part 1 of 2) 

241. Emotion Coaching Skills for Families with Mindy Solomon (EFFT Part 2 of 2) 

244. What You Feel Is Not All There Is with Aprilia West

265. The Power of Emotions at Work with Karla McLaren

282. Toxic Positivity with Whitney Goodman

304. The Emotional Lives of Teenagers with Lisa Damour 

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