In this engaging discussion, Susan David, a Harvard psychologist and author of 'Emotional Agility', shares profound insights on navigating life's uncomfortable emotions. She emphasizes that feelings like anxiety and anger are a natural part of being alive. David introduces four essential skills for emotional agility, advocates for emotional 'granularity', and urges listeners to treat emotions as valuable data rather than directives. Practical tips on self-acceptance and small shifts can lead to meaningful personal growth and resilience.
Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life
Susan David, Ph.D
In 'Emotional Agility,' Susan David provides a roadmap for real behavioral change by teaching readers how to become more emotionally agile. Drawing on her extensive research, international consulting work, and personal experiences, David shares four key concepts that enable individuals to acknowledge uncomfortable emotions while detaching from them. This approach helps readers align their actions with their core values, leading to a life of growth and fulfillment. The book emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance, clear-sightedness, and an open mind in navigating life’s twists and turns[1][2][5].
Emotional Intelligence
Why It Can Matter More Than IQ
Daniel Goleman
In 'Emotional Intelligence,' Daniel Goleman presents a compelling argument that emotional intelligence (EI) is crucial for success, happiness, and virtue. Drawing on research in psychology and neuroscience, Goleman explains how EI, which includes self-awareness, self-discipline, and empathy, shapes our destiny. The book details five key skills of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, managing emotions, motivation, recognizing emotions in others, and social skills. Goleman shows how these skills can be nurtured and strengthened throughout adulthood, benefiting our health, relationships, and work performance[2][3][4].
The velveteen rabbit
Todd Hatlem
New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers.
---
It’s completely natural when dealing with anxiety, depression, anger, shame, or any other unpleasant emotion, to just want it to go away.
Guest Susan David says that these discomforts are the price of admission to being alive and offers an approach called emotional agility as a way to navigate them.
Susan David, Ph.D. is a psychologist at Harvard Medical School and author of a book called Emotional Agility. Her TED Talk on the subject has been viewed more than eight million times.
In this episode we talk about:
Her definition of emotional agility
The four skills of emotional agility
Why she says our emotions are data, not directives
How to move skillfully through a world that “conspires against us seeing ourselves”
How to avoid emotional “fusion”
The power of tiny tweaks
And “emotional granularity”— what it is, why it matters and how to practice it
10% Happier with Dan Harris 
