Why You Should Stop Labeling Emotions Good or Bad with Dr. Susan David

The Anxious Achiever

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We’re often taught to push away grief, sadness, anxiety, or anger, but what if those emotions aren’t the enemy, but the key to resilience? In this episode, Harvard psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Susan David explains why emotions aren’t good or bad, positive or negative. She breaks down the groundbreaking concept of emotional agility, the skill set that allows us to face our thoughts and feelings with curiosity, compassion, and courage, and then move forward guided by our values. We also talk about why toxic positivity is so damaging, how difficult emotions signpost what matters most, and why learning to “hold anxiety in one hand and courage in the other” changes the way we work, lead, and live. Tune in to learn how to stop letting your emotions dictate your actions and start using them as valuable data.

In this Episode, You Will Learn

00:00 Why emotions are not good or bad.

05:00 How toxic positivity and “forced optimism” hurt leaders and organizations.

09:45 Why suppressing emotions leads to burnout, conflict, and emotional leakage.

13:00 How emotional agility differs from rigidity.

17:00 How anxiety and fear can actually point you to your values.

19:45 Why connecting to your values protects against burnout.

23:00 The cost of sidelining emotions in schools, workplaces, and culture.

27:00 How uncertainty and discomfort are the price of admission to a meaningful life.

31:00 Why grief is “love looking for its home” and how to honor it.

34:00 Listener story about grief, caregiving, and professional identity after loss.

42:00 What organizations can do to support employees navigating caregiving and grief.

Resources + Links

Learn more about Dr. Susan David’s work HERE!

Grab your copy of Dr. Susan David “Emotional Agility” HERE!

Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever

Watch the podcast on YouTube

Find more resources on our website morraam.com

Follow

Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

Follow Dr. Susan David: on LinkedIn @susanadavidphd

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