Episode:
26
guest episode
March 27, 2025
Dr. Marc Brackett: Emotional Intelligence as a Civic Imperative
Mental Health Education
Teacher Well-being
Emotional Intelligence in Education
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In this episode, the conversation delves into the life and work of Dr. Marc Brackett, who shares his journey from a challenging childhood marked by trauma to becoming a leading voice in emotional intelligence. The discussion highlights the importance of mentorship, particularly the influence of his uncle Marvin, and how it shaped his understanding of emotions. Marc reflects on his academic path, the pressures faced by students today, and the need to redefine success in education. The episode also introduces Marc’s RULER model, which emphasizes the skills necessary for emotional intelligence. In this conversation, Marc, Gina, and Jason explore the complexities of emotional intelligence, particularly in the workplace and in education. They discuss the importance of understanding and regulating emotions, the need for emotional education in schools, and the vision for integrating emotional intelligence into curricula. The conversation also touches on the challenges of emotional dysregulation and the hope for future generations to develop these essential skills for navigating life.
About The Guest
Dr. Marc Brackett
As the founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, Dr. Marc Brackett is professor in the Child Study Center at Yale, and author of the best-selling book, Permission to Feel , which has been translated into 25 languages.
An award-winning researcher for 25 years, Marc has raised over $100 million in grant funding and published 175 scholarly articles on the role of emotional intelligence in learning, decision making, creativity, relationships, physical and mental health, and workplace performance.
Marc is the lead developer of RULER, an evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning (SEL) that has been adopted by over 5,000 schools across the globe, improving the lives of millions of children and adults. RULER infuses the principles and skills of emotional intelligence into school systems, enhancing how administrators lead, educators teach, students learn, and families parent. It has been proven to boost academic performance, decrease school problems like bullying, enrich classroom climates, reduce teacher stress and burnout, and enhance teacher instructional practices.
Marc is featured regularly in popular media outlets such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Good Morning America, and The Today Show. He serves on the board of directors for the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), the nonprofit that founded the SEL field and he’s on the program board for the Mental Health Coalition, founded by Kenneth Cole and the Rare Beauty Mental Health Council, founded by Selena Gomez. Marc has been the keynote speaker at over 700 conferences around the world, including the White House, U.S. Departments of Education and Defense, Surgeon General’s office, New York Times, Aspen Institute, the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and dozens of fortune 500 companies. Marc regularly consults with large companies such as Google, Amazon, and Microsoft on best practices for integrating the principles of emotional intelligence into training and product design and is co-founder of Oji Life Lab, a corporate learning firm that develops innovative digital learning systems for emotional intelligence. In 2022, with Pinterest co-founder Ben Silbermann, Marc and his team co-created HowWeFeel, a free Apple award- winning app designed to teach emotion skills and enhance well-being.
An award-winning researcher for 25 years, Marc has raised over $100 million in grant funding and published 175 scholarly articles on the role of emotional intelligence in learning, decision making, creativity, relationships, physical and mental health, and workplace performance.
Marc is the lead developer of RULER, an evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning (SEL) that has been adopted by over 5,000 schools across the globe, improving the lives of millions of children and adults. RULER infuses the principles and skills of emotional intelligence into school systems, enhancing how administrators lead, educators teach, students learn, and families parent. It has been proven to boost academic performance, decrease school problems like bullying, enrich classroom climates, reduce teacher stress and burnout, and enhance teacher instructional practices.
Marc is featured regularly in popular media outlets such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Good Morning America, and The Today Show. He serves on the board of directors for the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), the nonprofit that founded the SEL field and he’s on the program board for the Mental Health Coalition, founded by Kenneth Cole and the Rare Beauty Mental Health Council, founded by Selena Gomez. Marc has been the keynote speaker at over 700 conferences around the world, including the White House, U.S. Departments of Education and Defense, Surgeon General’s office, New York Times, Aspen Institute, the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and dozens of fortune 500 companies. Marc regularly consults with large companies such as Google, Amazon, and Microsoft on best practices for integrating the principles of emotional intelligence into training and product design and is co-founder of Oji Life Lab, a corporate learning firm that develops innovative digital learning systems for emotional intelligence. In 2022, with Pinterest co-founder Ben Silbermann, Marc and his team co-created HowWeFeel, a free Apple award- winning app designed to teach emotion skills and enhance well-being.
Partnership with the Mental Health Summit and Episode Introduction
Redefining Success and Emotional Fulfillment
Emotional Development in Schools and Introduction of Guest
Welcoming Guests and Locations
Marc Brackett’s Current Work and Book
Childhood, Family, and Emotional Roots
Trauma and Impact of Abuse
Origins of “Permission to Feel” and Uncle Marvin’s Influence
Struggles in School and Emotional Impact on Learning
Path to Academia and Emotional Intelligence
Meeting Peter Salovey and Jack Mayer
Martial Arts and Influence on RULER
Humility in Teaching and Elevating Others
Student Preparedness and Fixed Mindsets
Anxiety in High Achieving Students
Redefining Success in Education
Nonlinear Career Paths and Life Learning
Discussion on “Death of a Salesman”
Intro to RULER and Emotional Intelligence Skills
Facial Expressions and Emotional Recognition
Understanding, Labeling, and Expressing Emotions
Cultural Norms and Regulation
Importance of Emotional Regulation
Quick Fixes vs. Acceptance of Emotions
Unexplained Anxiety and Curiosity
Emotions vs. Physical Needs
Meta-Emotions and Self-Judgment
How Parents and Teachers Can Support RULER
Mood Meter and School Implementation
Education System Reform Vision
Practical Implementation in Schools
Adult Understanding and Role Modeling
Concerns About Listening and Judgment
Hope for an Emotion Revolution
Documentary: America Unfiltered
Episode Closing and Credits
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