Worklife with Adam Grant The emotions you’ve felt but never named with John Koenig
291 snips
Mar 4, 2025 
In this engaging conversation, John Koenig, author of 'The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows,' introduces fascinating concepts like 'sonder,' the realization that every passerby has a rich inner life. He and Adam Grant discuss the emotional nuances of finishing a great book, the dread of pursuing dreams, and the power of language to connect us. John shares his creative process for inventing new words, shedding light on how naming emotions can deepen our empathy and improve our connections in a complex world.
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Sonder: Sorrow and Joy
- Sonder is the realization that every passerby lives a life as vivid and complex as your own.
- It's a sorrow because you miss out on so much story, but also a joy for how much exists.
Sonder's Origin
- John Koenig often gets inspired to write at 3 AM.
- Sonder originated from reflecting on brief encounters with strangers on the highway.
Sonder and Compassion
- Recognizing others' complexity through Sonder fosters compassion.
- Sonder can combat binary bias, which fuels division by flattening human complexity.
