Good Inside with Dr. Becky

Dealing with Feelings: A Conversation With Dr. Marc Brackett

48 snips
Sep 16, 2025
Dr. Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and author, discusses how to approach emotions differently in parenting. He emphasizes seeing emotions as valuable data and the significance of validating children's feelings. The conversation covers strategies for emotional regulation, fostering resilience, and navigating family dynamics amid chaos. Brackett also shares personal anecdotes illustrating the transformative power of emotional intelligence and the necessity of teaching kids to embrace their emotions.
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ANECDOTE

Saved By One Question

  • Marc Brackett was 11 when his Uncle Marvin asked him, “How are you feeling?” and taught him about feelings.
  • That single summer question transformed his life and set him on a career studying emotions.
INSIGHT

Emotion Skills Are Largely Untaught

  • Most people receive almost no formal emotion education: only about 10% at home and 6–7% at school.
  • Emotion regulation is learned, not innate, so lack of teaching leaves many unprepared.
INSIGHT

Emotions Are Actionable Data

  • Emotions act as information that drive attention, decision-making, relationships, mental health, and performance.
  • Treat feelings as data to inform actions rather than as positive/negative labels to suppress.
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