Dealing with Feeling

What if the goal isn't to eliminate anxiety in kids, but to help them feel safe enough to face it? Dr. Eli Lebowitz joins Dr. Marc Brackett on Dealing With Feeling to unpack what childhood anxiety really is, why well-meaning adults can accidentally feed the fear, and what it looks like to support kids without overprotecting them. In this conversation: What childhood anxiety is and what it is not The difference between scary and dangerous Two common parenting traps that keep anxiety in charge How adult responses shape resilience What makes emotional strength possible in kids Whether you are a parent, educator, or mental health professional, this episode offers a practical roadmap for helping kids feel stronger, not smaller. About the guest Dr. Eli Lebowitz is Director of the Program for Anxiety Disorders at the Yale Child Study Center and author of Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD. 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. Visit https://ojilifelab.com and use promo code DEALINGWITHFEELINGS to save 25%.

Dr. Dawn Brooks-DeCosta joins Dr. Marc Brackett on Dealing with Feeling to explore what happens when social and emotional learning is delivered with culture, care, and true community partnership. A longtime educator and Deputy Superintendent in Harlem's District 5, Dawn shares what it takes to build schools where students feel seen, families feel respected, and emotional learning becomes something communities shape together — not something imposed from the outside. In this conversation: What SEL looks like when it's rooted in trust and cultural humility Why delivery matters as much as the curriculum itself How leaders can create emotionally safe school environments during crisis The difference between compliance-based SEL and community-built connection What it means to lead with emotions, not around them About the guest: Dr. Dawn Brooks-DeCosta is Deputy Superintendent in Harlem's District 5 and co-author of The Change You Want to See. Her work focuses on culturally responsive leadership, community-centered SEL, and building school cultures grounded in connection and belonging. Dr. Dawn Brooks-DeCosta's book: https://www.solutiontree.com/the-change-you-want-to-see.html 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%.

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%.

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%.

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%.

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%.