Emotions can shape how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us.

In this episode, Lora and Jeff explore what emotions really are, how they differ from feelings and states, and why some emotions stay with us long after the moment has passed. We unpack why we get stuck in certain emotional patterns, how culture and upbringing shape our emotional expression, and how we can begin to shift our emotional states with awareness, care, and compassion.

We explore:- The difference between emotions, feelings, and nervous system states- How emotions can become “stuck” and turn into longer-term patterns- Why emotional granularity (naming what we feel) matters- How we’re taught to suppress or favor certain emotions- What emotional regulation really means (it’s not just being calm)- Tools to shift or interrupt emotional states—without bypassing real pain.

Our adventurer arrives on a strange island where his words echo back as distorted emotions. Confused and unsettled, he meets a curious crane who explains that the island reflects not what he says, but what he feels. As the Traveler begins to listen inward, the echoes shift, becoming clearer. By the time he leaves, he carries with him a deeper trust in his emotions—and in his ability to face them.

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Chapters00:00 Storytime: The Island of Echoes02:34 What Are Emotions?06:58 Feelings vs. Emotions vs. States10:45 Naming What We Feel (Emotional Granularity)15:11 How Emotions Get Stuck20:22 Cultural and Familial Messages About Emotion26:37 Learning to Tolerate Joy and Peace33:20 Shifting Emotional States with Intention#SoWhatWhoCares #SoWhatWhoCaresPodcast #LoraMcCarville #JeffKalasky #Emotions #EmotionalIntelligence #SelfAwareness #MentalHealth #EmotionalRegulation #HealingJourney #MindfulnessMatters #EmotionalGranularity #Compassion #FeelToHeal #TheIslandOfEchoes