Episode Details

Doug Earl Johnston joins The Expert Method to explore a deceptively simple idea: emotions are not just things that happen to us. They are part of the system we use to navigate life — and with greater awareness, we can become more intentional about which emotions shape our actions.

Doug is the author of Choosing Emotions, a book built from years of research into 272 emotions and thousands of quotes from thinkers across history. In this conversation, we unpack why emotions are foundational to reason, how naming an emotion can help create distance from it, and what it actually means to “choose” your emotional response instead of simply reacting.

We also explore the role emotions play in leadership, decision-making, self-talk, and personal growth — including why fear can be a reaction while courage is a decision, how different emotions act like different “gears” for different moments in life, and why learning to work with your emotions may be one of the most useful meta-skills you can develop.

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Doug’s Links:

- Website: https://choosingemotions.com

Choosing Emotions: Thinking with Your Head and Acting with Your Heart:
https://a.co/d/0RfeFnn

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Download the Program Execution System Toolkit:

https://implementgpts.com/pestoolkit

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- My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-gatzke/

- Schedule Free Blueprinting Call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/implement-ai-blueprinting

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Highlights:

0:00 Episode Highlight

0:33 What Emotions Really Do

1:42 The Three Myths About Emotion

6:32 Emotions Help Us Navigate Life

8:22 Emotion Comes Before Reason

14:14 Fear Reacts, Courage Chooses

18:22 How to Choose Your Emotions

20:48 Name It to Tame It

24:08 Put Your Feelings Into Words

29:20 Build Emotional Awareness

34:10 Expand Your Emotional Vocabulary

38:59 Choose Inspiration Over Anger

41:30 Wisdom Is Seeing Emotions Clearly

48:41 Emotions Are Energy in Motion

58:03 Be Your Own Best Friend