Podcast E6: Woman: Understand Your Feelings
Podcast E6 with Mette Miriam Sloth is about understanding and managing difficult emotions, especially in times of crisis. The podcast focuses on how fear, anxiety, anger, and helplessness can overwhelm us, and it provides concrete tools to regulate these emotions and regain security in a challenging situation.
About this AI Deep Dive: This episode features an AI-generated dialogue based 100% on the original teachings of Mette & Sune Sloth. It transforms our core concepts into an engaging conversation for deeper understanding.
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The Biology of Emotions: The Hand Model and Survival Instincts
The podcast uses Dan Siegel's hand model to illustrate how the brain works in relation to emotions:
The Reptilian Brain: Controls basic functions and survival instincts. Reacts instinctively to danger with adrenaline and cortisol, preparing the body for fight or flight.
The Limbic System: Connected to emotions. Generates an emotional response to the body's reaction.
Neocortex/Prefrontal Cortex: The thinking part of the brain that can inhibit and regulate emotions.
In crisis situations, the prefrontal cortex can "go offline," and we react primarily from our survival instincts. This is natural and has an evolutionary purpose, but it can be problematic in a modern world where threats are often psychological rather than physical.
Helplessness and Emotional Loops
The podcast emphasizes that the worst feeling is helplessness. When we feel trapped in a situation without options, we "feed" the difficult emotions, and we end up in an emotional loop.
This often happens when we try to figure out the emotions with logic or seek information that reinforces the fear. For example, by reading news or participating in discussions on social media.
Being with the Emotions and Creating Opportunities for Action
To manage difficult emotions, we must:
Be with the states: Accept that they are there, and give them space instead of suppressing them or fleeing from them.
Feel the emotions in the body: Focus on the physical sensations instead of the thoughts that keep us trapped in the loop.
Create opportunities for action: Identify areas where we can act, and focus on them instead of the things we cannot control.
Seek support and security: Lean into loving relationships, nature, beauty, spirituality, or other things that give us connection.
Find laughter: Laughter is an antidote to anxiety and can help us regulate the nervous system.
Emotions in the Collective: Contagion and Responsibility
The podcast points out that emotions are contagious. We are affected by the emotions of others, especially online, where negative emotions are often amplified.
Therefore, we have a responsibility to regulate our own emotions before we contribute to the collective. We must be critical of the information we choose to consume, and make sure to protect our own peace of mind in order to act constructively.
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Hey everyone and welcome to our deep dive today. Um it's a bit unusual I guess because we're AI hosts you know just designed to really break down these complex topics right
and today's even more unique because we're taking on this special request
from met to Miriam Sloth and Sune Sloth they created this danish podcast called the Magdalene effect
right
and they want to share their work with a much wider audience an English- speakaking audience and we're the ones to help.
That's right. We're here to do just that. The Magdalene Effect basically it's all about helping women understand and navigate their emotions. Something that I think a lot of you listening might be deeply curious about.
For sure. And they kick things off with this observation that a lot of women actually experience their emotions like way more intensely and on a deeper level than their male partners. It's not just about feeling happy or sad, right? It's about the whole experience of these emotions on this like grander, more fluctuating scale. Like, have you noticed that in your own life?
Oh, absolutely. The podcast does a great job of highlighting this and they even share this funny anecdote. about how some men get completely confused when their partner goes from like a storm of emotions to total calm in a matter of minutes.
Oh yeah.
It's like, wait, what just happened?
So many women out there are totally relating right now. I could just feel it. But it's not just the intensity. It's also how clearly we remember those emotions. Like women almost have this superpower of emotional memory where they can recall past feelings so strongly. It's like they're reliving those moments.
Yeah. And what's fascinating is how this connects to the way our nervous systems work. see highly charged experiences, whether they're incredibly joyful or super painful, they leave a much stronger imprint on our memory.
So those moments that make us feel most alive, the most heartbroken,
you know, they really stick with us,
it makes sense, but it also makes me think,
what happens when those intense emotions get triggered by things that seem small now?
Like the podcast talks about this broken cookie phenomena with kids, you know, where they just totally melt down over something tiny.
It's a perfect analogy because for adults, this kind of reaction often points to unresolved trauma. See, past experiences, not even just from this life, potentially from previous lives or inherited through epigenetics. They can leave pockets of emotion that are just unprocessed in our energy field.
Wow. So, imagine you're in a work meeting and someone's giving you constructive criticism.
Not even harsh, but you have this completely over-the-top reaction. And it might be because that criticism is echoing something from your past, maybe even from childhood, where you were silenced or shamed.
Exactly. And that brings us to this whole complicated world of relationships. The podcast really emphasizes this paradox that relationships are where we find nourishment and connection. But they're also where we tend to get triggered the most, especially with partners, children, and parents.
It's true. Those close relationships, they hold up a mirror to our deepest wounds and insecurities.
And sometimes you encounter people with these rigid worldviews which are often rooted in their own fear. That can be super triggering.
Yeah. The podcast describes it as these individuals trying to force others into their own mold almost like it makes them feel safer.
It's not about blaming them, but it is about recognizing that sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is step back from those relationships.
Yeah, you can wish them well. You can acknowledge that you're just not compatible, but you don't have to stay stuck in those dynamics that are draining you. It's powerful reminder that setting boundaries isn't selfish. It's about protecting your own emotional well-being.
Exactly. And that leads to one of the core messages of the Magdalene effect. Instead of being afraid of your triggers or trying to avoid them, you can actually reframe them as opportunities for self-discovery and healing.
Now, this is where things get really interesting. The podcast talks about this idea of emotional homework. What is that all about?
It's about taking time to really reflect on the situations that trigger you. Pay attention to how the emotion feels in your body and just breathe into it. Allow that energy to flow and you might be surprised by what it reveals.
So, you're like an emotional detective looking for clues in your own body. I Love it. But how do you actually do that?
So, let's say you're feeling triggered. First, ask yourself, where do I feel this in my body? Maybe it's tightness in your chest or not in your stomach. Focus on those sensations. Breathe into them. Don't judge them. Just observe.
Through that process, you start to see the difference between your own personal wounds being triggered and someone actually violating your boundaries. It's huge.
Absolutely. It allows you to respond from a more conscious and empowered place. You go from just reacting to thoughtfully responding. Okay, I'm starting to see how all of this fits together, but let's switch gears a bit. The podcast also talks about this tendency toward perfectionism in women, and they say it's often tied to this deep-seated fear of failure and making the wrong choice, which can lead to complete decision paralysis.
It's fascinating because this fear might actually be connected to women's evolutionary history. For centuries, the choices that women made, especially about relationships and raising children, had huge e lifealtering consequences.
So, it's like we're carrying the weight of all those experiences even if we're not aware of it. And in today's world with so many options that fear can get even more intense leading to overwhelm and inaction.
Totally. And the Magdalene effect suggests a really powerful way to overcome that paralysis. Take small steps toward what you want. Even if you don't have the whole path figured out.
So break down those big scary decisions into smaller, more manageable chunks. You don't need all the answers. You just need to take action. Even a tiny step forward.
Exactly. Shift from I need to know everything before I start to I can figure it out as I go. That consistent movement even in small increments keeps the energy flowing and builds confidence.
Those small steps can actually lead to unexpected opportunities and open up new paths you couldn't have even imagined. It's like each step reveals the next.
It's about trusting the process and having faith in your ability to navigate the unknown one step at a time.
No, we can't talk about emotional well-being without addressing that little voice in our heads, the inner critic. You know, the one that supposed to chime in after we make a mistake or feel like we've fallen short.
That inner critic can be so powerful, fueled by self-doubt and even self-hatred. And if you let it take over, it can really spiral into those feelings of worthlessness.
It's like having this little gremlin on your shoulder constantly whispering the worst things about yourself, making you second guessess everything you do.
So, how do you deal with that?
The Magdalene effect suggests a really practical technique. Use that initial burst of energy from the critic to actually fix the situation. So, let's say you spill something. Instead of beating yourself up, you say, "Okay, that was clumsy. I'll clean it up." Lesson learned.
So, acknowledge the mistake. Take action to correct it. But then consciously refuse to give that critic any more air time.
Exactly. You starve it of attention. The podcast emphasizes that this inner critic is something we all experience. Learning to quiet it takes practice and most importantly, self-compassion.
It's not about beating yourself up for having those negative thoughts. It's about learning to recognize them. acknowledge them and then choose not to engage. It sounds easier said than done, though.
It definitely takes practice. The more you do it, the better you become at observing your thoughts without being consumed by them. Think of it like watching clouds drift by. You see them, but you don't try to catch them or hold on to them.
So, we've talked about intensity of emotions triggers the inner critic. But how do we actually reclaim joy and pleasure amidst all this inner work?
It's a great question. The Magdalene effect points out this common societ conditioning, especially for women, that prioritizes doing over being. We get so caught up in taking care of everyone else, meeting deadlines, striving for perfection, that we forget to make space for our own needs and pleasure.
We're so busy doing that we forget to just be.
Yeah.
So, how do we break free from that cycle?
It starts with reclaiming pleasure, not just because it feels good, but because it's so deeply connected to finding meaning in life.
So, making time for the things that let you up, the things that make you feel truly alive.
Exactly. The podcast encourages exploring what brings you joy. Whether it's dancing, painting, spending time in nature, or even just savoring a cup of coffee in a beautiful mug.
I love that. It doesn't have to be something grand or time-consuming.
It's about finding those small moments of pleasure and weaving them into everyday life.
And it's not just about finding the activities. It's about making time for them. Even if it's just a few minutes each day, you deserve it.
It's about giving yourself permission to just be to enjoy the present moment, to reconnect with your senses and experience how rich life can be. And it's about letting go of the guilt that often comes with putting yourself first.
This also connects to the cyclical nature of women's energy, especially the need for withdrawal and introspection, particularly during the menstrual cycle. The podcast really stresses how important it is to communicate this need to your loved ones so they understand what you're going through and can support you in honoring your own rhythms.
That's such an important point. So often we try to push through, pretend everything's fine, and then end up feeling completely depleted and resentful.
It's about recognizing that your needs are valid. Your cycles are a source of power and communicating openly with those around you can create a much more supportive and understanding environment.
And by honoring your own needs, you're actually better equipped to show up for others in a more authentic and sustainable way. It's not selfish. It's about recognizing that self-care is essential for overall well-being.
This has been so insightful. It feels like we've already uncovered so much.
We've only just scratched the surface. Join us for part two where we'll dive even deeper into the power of emotional awareness and explore practical strategies for navigating your inner landscape with more clarity and resilience.
Welcome back to our deep dive into the Magdalin effect.
I'm still processing all the wisdom from part one. It's incredible how much we uncover when we really start paying attention to our emotional landscape. It's like a whole new world.
It really is. It's like we've been given this incredibly powerful tool, our emotions. Yeah.
But no one ever taught us how to use it effectively.
Exactly. And the Magdalene effect is like the user manual for that helping us understand and harness that power.
One of the keys to doing that is learning to recognize and honor those different phases in our emotional cycles. You mean like how our energy es and flows throughout the month, especially for those of us who experience menstrual cycles?
Precisely. Our emotional experiences have this natural rhythm to them and understanding that rhythm can be so empowering.
Instead of fighting against those natural fluctuations, we can learn to work with them, anticipate them, and create space for the different needs that come up during each phase.
Exactly. And that includes communicating those needs to our loved ones. It's about creating a more supportive environment where we feel safe to express ourselves without fear of judgment or rejection.
So, for example, if you, you know, you tend to need more solitude and introspection during a certain part of your cycle, you can let your partner know in advance. That way, they're not surprised or hurt if you're not as social or outgoing as usual.
And you can use that time for self-care, whether it's journaling, connecting with your intuition, or anything else that helps you recharge and replenish your energy.
It's like giving yourself permission to honor your own inner rhythms, to listen to the wisdom of your body, and to create space for the different aspects of yourself to emerge.
And by doing so, you're not only taking care of yourself, but you're also creating a more balanced and harmonious dynamic in your relationships.
Speaking of relationships, we touched on boundaries earlier, but I think it's such a crucial topic for emotional well-being that it deserves more attention. I agree. Setting boundaries is essential for protecting your energy and maintaining healthy relationships. It's about recognizing what you're willing to tolerate and what you're not and communicating those limits clearly and respectfully.
But it's not always easy, is it? Especially for women who have been conditioned to be people pleasers, to put others needs before their own, and to avoid conflict at all costs.
That's where the emotional homework we talked about in part one comes in. By taking time to reflect on your triggers, you can Start to identify patterns in your relationships where your boundaries are being crossed.
That makes sense. Yeah.
So, once you've identified those patterns, how do you actually start setting boundaries?
It's about shifting from I should be able to handle this to I deserve to be treated with respect and I'm going to speak up for myself. You have the right to protect your emotional well-being.
Sometimes that might mean saying no to requests that drain you, even if it feels uncomfortable or you're afraid of disappointing someone.
It's about recognizing that your time and energy are precious resources and You have the right to choose how you spend them. No one else can make that decision for you.
And by setting those boundaries, you're not only protecting yourself, but you're also teaching others how you want to be treated. It sets the standard for future interactions.
Exactly. It's about creating a more balanced and respectful dynamic where everyone's needs are acknowledged and honored.
Now, the podcast also delves into the importance of intuition, especially for women. What role does intuition play in navigating our emotional landscape?
Your intuition is this incredible inner compass. It guides you towards what's right for you, even if you can't always explain it logically. It's that gut feeling that tells you if something feels right or wrong.
I know exactly what you mean. It's like that little voice inside that whispers, "Go for it," or "Stay away," even if you don't have all the facts.
Exactly. And for women who are often more in tune with their emotions and their bodies, that intuition can be incredibly powerful. But it can also be a challenge to listen to and trust.
So true. We're often told to prioritize li magic and reason over our feelings. So, how do we start to cultivate that trust in our intuition?
The Magdalene effect encourages us to cultivate a deeper connection with our intuition through practices like mindfulness, listening to our bodies, and paying attention to dreams and synchronicities. It's about tuning into those subtle cues and messages that our intuition is constantly sending us.
I've heard that journaling can be a really helpful tool for tapping into intuition. Have you found that to be true?
Absolutely. Journaling can be a powerful way to access access your inner wisdom. It allows you to bypass your rational mind and connect with your deeper knowing.
So, it's about becoming more aware of those whispers of intuition and learning to trust them, even if they don't always make logical sense.
Exactly. And the more you trust your intuition, the more reliable it becomes, guiding you in all areas of your life, from your personal life to your career to your relationships.
That's amazing. It's like unlocking a superpower that's been within you all along.
It really is. And as you become more attuned to your intuition, you'll find that it steers you towards choices and decisions that align with your highest good even if you don't always understand why at the time.
Now the Magdalene effect also explores the concept of emotional release which I think is crucial for processing and integrating our experiences.
Absolutely. We touched on this earlier with the idea of emotional homework. But it goes beyond simply reflecting on our emotions. It's about finding healthy ways to release that energy that's trapped in our bodies.
So it's not enough to just think about our feelings. We need to actually feel them and let them move through us.
Exactly. Whether it's through movement, dance, creative expression, or simply allowing yourself to cry or scream, emotional release helps us move through our experiences and come out the other side feeling lighter and more empowered.
It's like clearing out the emotional clutter that's been weighing us down, creating space for new energy and possibilities to flow in. What are some specific ways people can practice emotional release?
There are so many options. It's about finding what works best for you. Some people find relief through physical activities like running, dancing, or yoga. Others express themselves through writing, painting, or playing music. And sometimes a good cry or scream can be incredibly cathartic.
I love how the Magdalene effect emphasizes that there's no one-sizefits-all approach. We each have to discover what resonates with us and allows us to move through our emotions in a healthy way.
Exactly. The key is to find what helps you process and release the emotion from your body so you can return to a state of balance and well-being.
And sometimes that might mean in seeking support from a therapist or a trusted friend who can hold space for you as you process those emotions.
That's right. It's important to remember that you don't have to go through this alone. Asking for help is a sign of strength and self-awareness, not weakness.
This deep dive has been so insightful. I'm sure our listeners are eager to hear more about the practical tools and techniques that the Magdalene Effect offers.
Absolutely. In part three, we'll explore specific practices for cultivating emotional awareness, managing your energy, and navigating relationships with greater ity and resilience. Don't miss it.
Welcome back to the final part of our deep dive into the Magdalene effect. It feels like we've been on this incredible journey, you know, exploring the depths of women's emotional lives. We've talked about the intensity, the triggers, that inner critic, reclaiming pleasure. It's a lot.
It is. And the Magdalene effect doesn't just want us to understand all of this like intellectually. It's about giving women the tools to actually use e these insights in their everyday lives.
So, less theory, more action. I like it. What tools do they offer to make this practical?
One of the most powerful practices they talk about is mindful awareness. It's about bringing your full attention to the present moment, noticing your thoughts, your feelings, your sensations, but without judging them.
This sounds a lot like meditation. Is that what they're suggesting?
Mindfulness can definitely be cultivated through meditation. But it's also about bringing that same awareness to everything you do. Noticing how sunlight feels on your skin. Savoring every bite of food. Truly listening to someone without letting your mind wander. Those are all ways to practice mindfulness.
So, it's about slowing down, tuning in, and really experiencing the richness. Yeah.
Of right now.
I can see how that would be helpful in managing those intense emotional waves we talked about.
Exactly. When you're more present, you're less likely to get swept away by your emotions or just react without thinking. You create space between the trigger and your response, which gives you the power to choose how you want to respond.
Makes sense.
Yeah.
What about when you do Dio get triggered? You know, when that wave of anger or sadness just cracks es over you. What do you do then?
The Magdalene effect emphasizes the importance of emotional regulation. And that starts with recognizing the physical sensations that come with your emotions.
You mean like noticing that your heart is racing when you're anxious or your stomach feels tight when you're angry?
Exactly. We often try to ignore or suppress those physical sensations. But the key is to actually lean into them. Breathe into them. Allow yourself to feel them fully without resisting.
That seems counterintuitive. Isn't the goal to get a rid of the those uncomfortable feelings.
It might seem that way, but when you resist your emotions, you're actually giving them more power. When you allow yourself to feel them, fully acknowledge them, give them space, they often begin to just dissipate on their own.
It's like you're making room for that emotional energy to move through you instead of getting stuck.
Exactly. And another powerful technique for emotional regulation is movement. Whether it's going for a run, dancing, doing yoga, or even just shaking your body, movement helps to release that pentup energy and shift your emotional state.
So when in doubt, move it out. Sometimes a good dance session is all I need to shake off a bad mood.
Exactly. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Just move your body in whatever way feels good.
We've talked a lot about individual emotional well-being, but the Magdalene effect also emphasizes relationships.
Yeah, relationships, they're the source of our greatest joys. A and D are our greatest challenges. Learning to navigate them with awareness and skill is so essential for our overall happiness.
And like we talked about before, that often means setting boundaries, communicating our needs clearly, and learning to tell the difference between our own emotional triggers, and someone actually violating our boundaries. What else do they suggest for relationships?
The Magdalene effect encourages us to approach relationships with curiosity and compassion. Remember that everyone is on their own journey. Try to see things from their perspective.
So even when we disagree with someone or they trigger us, we can try to understand where they're coming from and be empathetic.
Exactly. That doesn't mean you have to condone their behavior or let them mistreat you. It just means you're choosing to respond with understanding instead of just reacting.
This has been such a rich and insightful deep dive. What's the final takeaway you want to leave our listeners with?
Women's intense emotional experiences. They're not a witness. They're actually a powerful source of information and growth. By cultivating awareness, self-compassion, and the courage to explore their inner world, women can reclaim their power, live more authentically, and navigate relationships. with more clarity and resilience.
That's beautiful. And I'd add that by honoring and integrating our emotions, we're not just enriching our own WN lives, but also contributing to a more compassionate and understanding world. Thanks for joining us on this deep dive into the Magdalene effect. We hope you found it as insightful and empowering as we did.
