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The emotions you’ve felt but never named with John Koenig

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Mar 4, 2025

Guest

John Koenig

Join John Koenig, a creative mind behind "The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows," as he introduces fascinating concepts like 'sonder'—the realization that everyone has a rich inner life. He and Adam dive into the bittersweet feeling of finishing a great book and the dread of chasing dreams. They explore the art of inventing words to express complex emotions, shedding light on how language fosters connection and empathy. Get ready to expand your emotional vocabulary and appreciate the nuances of human experiences!

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INSIGHT

The Book Lover's Sorrow

"Looseleft" is the feeling of loss when finishing a good book.
Readers race through, then slow down, dreading leaving the world and characters behind.

insights

INSIGHT

The Pain of Pursuing Dreams

"Zealschmertz" is the dread of pursuing a lifelong dream.
The anticipation and process can be more appealing than the actual achievement.

insights

INSIGHT

The Desire to Detach

Liberosis is the desire to care less about things.
It involves relaxing your grip on life and approaching it with playfulness.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

The Art of Creating Language and Emotion

09:32 • 2min

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The Language of Emotion

11:11 • 14min

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Navigating the Landscape of Memories and Loss

25:31 • 3min

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Emotions Unpacked: Navigating Vulnerability and Connection

28:54 • 7min

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Playful Banter and Sponsor Spotlights

36:07 • 3min

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The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

John Koenig

John Koenig's "The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows" is a unique collection of newly coined words that explore the complexities of human emotions. Each word is meticulously crafted to capture subtle feelings and experiences often lacking adequate expression in the English language. The book delves into the nuances of sadness, joy, and everything in between, offering readers a fresh perspective on the emotional spectrum. Koenig's work has resonated with many, providing a vocabulary for feelings previously unnamed and fostering a sense of shared human experience. The book's innovative approach to language and emotion has made it a popular and thought-provoking read.

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Women Who Think Too Much

Susan Nolan Hoeksma

Susan Nolan Hoeksma's "Women Who Think Too Much" delves into the pervasive issue of overthinking among women. The book explores how excessive thinking patterns contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. Hoeksma provides practical strategies and techniques to help women manage their thoughts and emotions effectively. The book emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and acceptance in the process of overcoming overthinking. It offers a supportive and empowering approach to help women break free from negative thought cycles and cultivate a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Have you heard of the word sonder? It’s the realization that each “random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.” John Koenig introduced it in his book The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows—a compilation of new words aiming to capture the nuance and complexity of emotions that can be hard to put a finger on. In this vocabulary-expanding episode, John and Adam explore the sense of loss upon finishing a great book or movie, the dread of chasing a dream, and the awe of human existence. They discuss John’s method and motivation for inventing new words and consider the profound capacity for language to show people that they’re not alone.

For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

ReThinking is produced by Cosmic Standard. Our Senior Producer is Jessica Glazer, our Engineer is Aja Simpson, our Technical Director is Jacob Winik, and our Executive Producer is Eliza Smith.

For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/rethinking-with-adam-grant-transcripts

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