This episode is part of a series where we answer your questions.

Today's question:

"I grew up in a house where 'emotions' meant you either yelled or you left. Now I'm in my 30s trying to figure out what I actually feel, but the words don't come. I freeze - total shut down. I feel like I don't have the vocabulary or the skills to maintain relationships in a healthy way. I feel like I need a course on 'Feelings 101' because I never got the starter kit."

To address this question, Lora and Jeff discuss the complexities of emotions, particularly focusing on individuals who struggle with emotional expression due to their upbringing. We discuss the importance of understanding and articulating feelings, the impact of emotional shutdown, and ways to become more comfortable putting words to your emotions. Vulnerability and self-awareness are key components in our emotional landscapes, and can help us improve our interpersonal connections.

We discuss:

- Emotional shutdown can stem from childhood experiences.

- Building emotional vocabulary is essential for healthy relationships.

- Emotions are often misunderstood and require attunement.

- Practicing self-awareness can help in recognizing emotions.

- Vulnerability is crucial in expressing feelings to others.

- Emotions are transient and can be processed without storytelling.

- Using tools like a feelings wheel can aid in emotional expression.

- It's important to approach emotions with compassion and curiosity.

- Understanding the relational nature of emotions can enhance connections.

- Deconstructing familial patterns can lead to personal growth.

Want to join the conversation?

If you've got something you'd like us to unpack - big or small - send it our way. Your curiosity fuels these conversations.

Connect with So What Who Cares

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mail.sowhatwhocares@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠So What Who Cares Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find Lora McCarville at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.loramccarville.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Listener Engagement

02:04 Understanding Emotional Shutdown

04:43 Navigating Emotions and Relationships

09:05 The Nature of Emotions

12:39 Challenging Personal Narratives

16:36 Building Emotional Vocabulary and Vulnerability

In this guided meditation, Lora invites you to repair your emotional screens - the subtle filters that help protect and nurture your well-being. Through grounding, breathwork, and visualization, we can create an inner sanctuary where only what truly nourishes you can enter.

This practice isn't about shutting out the world - it's about filtering it with clarity, compassion, and strength.

What You'll Experience:

- Grounding & Breathwork - simple techniques to bring calm awareness

- Emotional Sanctuary Building - guided imagery to create a safe inner space

- Filtering & Clarity - practices to release external noise and strengthen your emotional resilience

- Deep Relaxation - a felt sense of peace and clarity that you can return to anytime

Ideal For:

- Empaths

- Anyone feeling emotionally overloaded or drained by outside influences

- Listeners wanting to deepend mindfulness and self-awareness through meditation

- Those seeking practical tools for emotional resilience and mental well-being

Connect with So What Who Cares

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mail.sowhatwhocares@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠So What Who Cares Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find Lora McCarville at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.loramccarville.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

#sowhatwhocares #sowhatwhocarespodcast #loramccarville #jeffkalasky

#meditation #mindfulness #selfcare #mentalhealth #wellness #innerpeace #personalgrowth #selfawareness #healingjourney #guidedmeditation #mindbodysoul #emotionalhealth #relaxation #mentalwellbeing #mindset

*THIS IS AN AUDIO ONLY EPISODE* (Sorry - the camera died)

This episode is part of a new series where we answer your questions.

Today's question:

"I don’t think I have a ‘deep self.’ Everyone always says, ‘go inward,’ but I’m like… to what? It’s just noise in there. Is that normal? What do you do when there’s no essence to find?"

For this episode, Lora and Jeff dive into the experience of searching for a "deep self" and only finding noise. We explore what essence might really mean - and how the language around it doesn't always land for everyone. From neurodivergent perspectives to moments of flow and everyday presence, we unpack different way of experiencing the self without forcing it or shaming yourself for not feeling it right away.

We discuss:

• Why “go inward” isn’t always the most helpful cue

• How essence can show up in flow states, memory, and everyday presence

• The role of language and neurodivergence in shaping inner experience

• Why resistance deserves curiosity, not pressure

• Community, teachers, and patience as antidotes to pop-psychology shortcuts

Want to join the conversation?

If you've got something you'd like us to unpack - big or small - send it our way. Your curiosity fuels these conversations.

Connect with So What Who Cares

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mail.sowhatwhocares@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠So What Who Cares Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sowhatwhocarespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find Lora McCarville at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.loramccarville.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Chapters
00:00 The Traveler and the Young Man’s Question
01:46 Listener Question: “No Deep Self?”
03:54 Essence, Noise, and Neurodivergent Perspectives
15:18 Finding Flow and Everyday Presence
28:45 When Resistance Shows Up
41:47 Teachers, Language, and Community
1:21:41 Closing Reflections by the Fire

#sowhatwhocares #sowhatwhocarespodcast #loramccarville #jeffkalasky #selfdiscovery #essence #mindfulness #selfawareness #mentalhealth #neurodivergent #healingjourney #growthmindset #resistance #presence #relationships #traumahealing #innerwork #compassion #community #podcastcommunity