In this episode of Between the Sessions, we close out Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett with a deep dive into Chapters 10–11: Emotions at Work, and the book’s final call to action: Creating an Emotion Revolution.

We explore why emotions are the most powerful—yet most ignored—force shaping workplaces, leadership, and burnout. From emotional contagion and disengagement to compassionate leadership and organizational culture, this episode breaks down what the research shows and why pretending emotions don’t belong at work is costing people their health, creativity, and sense of purpose.

This conversation isn’t about being “nice” or avoiding hard conversations. It’s about emotional intelligence as infrastructure—the unseen system that determines whether teams thrive, fracture, or quietly burn out.

We also zoom out beyond the workplace to ask a bigger question:

What would change if emotion skills were treated as essential as technical skills—in leadership, education, healthcare, and service-based professions?

If you’ve ever felt drained by a work environment, struggled under emotionally unaware leadership, or wondered why “toughing it out” keeps failing people who serve others—this episode is for you.

This midweek offering is a brief detour from our usual book review.

Instead of analysis or instruction, this episode offers a simple mental load reset - built from everyday habits people already use when weeks get heavy.

It’s not a lesson, method, or medical advice. Just a quiet pause to help you set something down for a moment, narrow your attention, and move through the rest of the day with a little more space.

Between the Sessions is a podcast offering short moments of reflection and reset- not the whole conversation, just a place to pause.

We’ll return to the book review next time.

This episode of Between the Sessions is a quiet walk through Chapter 9 of Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett.

Chapter 9 focuses on what happens when emotions are ignored, dismissed, or left unnamed—and how that disconnect slowly shows up in our bodies, our relationships, and our work.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why avoiding emotions doesn’t make them disappear

• How unprocessed feelings often surface as tension, burnout, or numbness

• The cost of “pushing through” without checking in

• What it looks like to pause, notice, and name what you’re carrying

This isn’t about fixing yourself.

It’s about making space—between the noise, between the expectations, between the sessions.

If you work in service, caregiving, uniformed roles, or are simply carrying more than you let on, this episode is for you.

🎧 New episodes drop Wednesdays and Fridays.

🤍 Learn more about recovery-based care through MilFirst at https://www.givesendgo.com/MilFirst

Before moving into the next season of Between the Sessions, this episode serves as a pause.

A moment to acknowledge where the podcast is now, reflect on what has taken shape so far, and set direction for what’s ahead ,without rushing or recapping.

Thank you to everyone who has listened along the way. Your time and attention matter.

This podcast exists alongside MilFirst, a nonprofit supporting recovery for military members, first responders, and their families.

• Instagram: @milfirst.npo (DMs always welcome)

• Support the work: https://www.givesendgo.com/MilFirst

If you choose to support MilFirst, it helps fund real recovery sessions for those who serve.

And even if you never visit Instagram or we never see a donation — your presence as a listener is still worthwhile.

New season episodes continue soon.

We didn’t start this podcast in January. We started it when it needed to start.

In this year-in-review episode, I reflect on why Between the Sessions began in October, what these first few months have taught me about burnout, permission, recovery, and why quiet conversations matter.

No highlight reel.

No big promises.

Just an honest look at the beginning-and what I’m carrying forward.

This space exists as a pause between the demands.

A place to notice what we’re holding before it hardens into something heavier.

In this MW episode of Between the Sessions, we continue our walk through Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett, focusing on Chapter 8: Emotion Regulation.

Emotion regulation isn’t about shutting feelings down or “handling it better.” It’s about understanding what emotions are asking of us — and responding with intention instead of reaction.

In this episode, we explore:

• What emotion regulation actually means (and what it doesn’t)

• Why regulation is a skill, not a personality trait

• How stress, service, and constant responsibility affect our ability to regulate

• Practical reflections for first responders, veterans, and anyone carrying a heavy load

These MW episodes are meant to be short resets — moments to pause, reflect, and build emotional awareness that lasts beyond the week.

🎧 Between the Sessions is a podcast about recovery, readiness, and real conversations — because recovery is not weakness, it’s preparation.

🔗 Support recovery for those who serve: https://www.givesendgo.com/MilFirst

Between the Sessions is where we explore the quiet work that happens before healing is ever visible.

In this episode, I sit down with Lori, an educator who helps shape future massage therapists at the very start of their journey. We talk about what it really means to teach—not just techniques, but awareness, curiosity, responsibility, and respect for the stories bodies carry.

This conversation dives into:

• What students really need before they ever touch a client

• The responsibility educators carry in shaping safe, thoughtful therapists

• Why curiosity matters more than confidence

• How education sets the tone for long-term care and recovery

At MilFirst, we believe recovery is readiness—and that kind of care starts long before someone is on the table. It starts with people willing to teach it well.

🎧 If this episode resonated with you, share it, subscribe, or support community-funded recovery for those who serve at:

🔗 https://www.givesendgo.com/MilFirst

Recovery is not weakness. It’s preparation.

New episodes weekly. Short resets on Wednesdays. Full conversations on Fridays.

n this episode of Between the Sessions, we dive into Chapter 7 of Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett and explore an idea: Expressing Emotion.

So often,especially in high-stress roles like military service, first response, healthcare, and caregiving—we’re taught to push through, diagnose quickly, or shut emotions down. But emotions are information. When we slow down enough to understand what we’re feeling, we gain clarity, resilience, and choice.

This conversation connects emotional literacy to recovery, readiness, and real-world application—both on and off the massage table.

Between the Sessions is a podcast about the moments between effort and rest—where real recovery happens.

If this episode resonates and you want to support recovery for those who serve, you can help fund therapeutic sessions for military members and first responders here:

🔗 https://www.givesendgo.com/MilFirst