Podcasts
A curated collection of podcast episodes and shows that explore alexithymia, emotional awareness, and related topics. These recommendations provide valuable insights for individuals seeking to understand emotions and improve emotional intelligence.
Featured Episodes
The Science of Happiness: "Understanding Your Emotions"
Host: Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center
Episode: "The Hidden World of Emotions" (Season 6, Episode 12)
Duration: 28 minutes
Key Topics: - The neuroscience behind emotional recognition - How alexithymia affects daily life and relationships - Practical strategies for developing emotional vocabulary
Why Listen: Features Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett discussing how our brains construct emotions and why some people struggle with emotional awareness.
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
On Being: "Lisa Feldman Barrett — You Aren't at the Mercy of Your Emotions"
Host: Krista Tippett
Guest: Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett
Duration: 52 minutes
Key Topics: - How emotions are made in the brain - The relationship between language and emotional experience - Cultural differences in emotional expression
Why Listen: Dr. Barrett, a leading emotion researcher, explains how our brains predict and construct emotions, offering crucial insights for understanding alexithymia.
Listen: On Being Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Unlocking Us with Brené Brown: "The Call to Courage"
Host: Brené Brown
Episode: "Emotional Granularity and the Stories We Tell Ourselves"
Duration: 45 minutes
Key Topics: - The importance of emotional granularity - How to expand your emotional vocabulary - The connection between vulnerability and emotional awareness
Why Listen: Brené Brown explores how being specific about emotions helps us understand and regulate them better—directly relevant for those with alexithymia.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts
The Hilarious World of Depression: "Emotional Intelligence"
Host: John Moe
Guest: Dr. Marc Brackett
Duration: 38 minutes
Key Topics: - The RULER method for emotional intelligence - Recognizing emotions in yourself and others - Tools for emotional regulation
Why Listen: Dr. Brackett, director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, provides practical frameworks for developing emotional skills.
Listen: APM Podcasts | Apple Podcasts
Hidden Brain: "The Emotional Lives of Animals and Humans"
Host: Shankar Vedantam
Episode: "When Did You First Realize You Had Feelings?"
Duration: 25 minutes
Key Topics: - The development of emotional awareness in childhood - How trauma can affect emotional processing - The spectrum of emotional sensitivity
Why Listen: Explores how emotional awareness develops and what happens when this process is disrupted, providing context for understanding alexithymia.
Listen: NPR | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Ongoing Shows Worth Following
Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris
Regular episodes on mindfulness, emotional regulation, and mental health with expert guests.
Website | Apple Podcasts
The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast
Dr. Joy Harden Bradford discusses mental health topics including emotional awareness and expression.
Website | Apple Podcasts
Speaking of Psychology (APA)
The American Psychological Association's podcast featuring research on emotions, mental health, and psychological well-being.
APA Website | Apple Podcasts
How to Use These Resources
For Individuals with Alexithymia: - Start with shorter episodes (20-30 minutes) to avoid overwhelm - Take notes on new emotional vocabulary you encounter - Listen with a trusted friend or therapist to discuss insights
For Family and Friends: - These episodes provide valuable context for understanding alexithymia - Focus on episodes about emotional development and recognition - Use insights to improve communication and support
For Professionals: - Episodes featuring researchers offer evidence-based perspectives - Consider sharing relevant episodes with clients (with appropriate context) - Use content to stay current on emotion research and therapeutic approaches
Have a podcast recommendation? Contact us to suggest additions to this curated list.