Chasing Excellence Raise | Of the 272 Emotions, Most Parents Only Know 12 (w/ D. Earl Johnston)
Apr 20, 2026
Doug Earl Johnston, author of Choosing Emotions and creator of the Emotionary, catalogs hundreds of emotion words to expand how we name feelings. He discusses why most adults know only a dozen emotions. Short, practical segments cover choosing responses over reacting, teaching precise emotional vocabulary to kids, and simple tools like pausing, naming, and reframing.
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Emotions Are Numerous And Constant
- Emotions are far more numerous and constant than most people realize.
- Doug Earl Johnston compiled 272 emotions from 8,000 quotes to show emotions occur all day and shape how we live, not just rare events.
College Bowl Led To A Daughter's Depression Question
- Johnston invented "College Bowl" dinners to connect with his daughter and encountered her question about depression.
- He researched quotes, texted survivors' lines, and discovered subjective quotes helped his daughter feel seen and cry in relief.
Emotions Come Before Reason
- Emotions are foundational to reason, not inferior to it.
- Johnston uses the OS/operating system metaphor: emotions process inputs and enable choices, meaning we can intentionally choose emotions to guide action.
