The Science of Emotion with Lisa Feldman Barrett

Emotions are often seen as mysteries of the heart, but Lisa Feldman Barrett reminds us they are also the language of the brain. A professor of psychology and neuroscience at Northeastern University, she has dedicated her work to decoding how emotions shape our human experience, from the joy that uplifts us to the anxiety that unsettles us.

In this conversation, Barrett explores the hidden architecture of feelings: why emotions exist, what functions they serve, and how uniquely each of us experiences them. She challenges the idea that our emotions are universal templates, showing instead that they are constructed, influenced by our biology, our past, and even by something as simple as whether we’re hungry, dehydrated, or sleep-deprived.

Expect insights into what actually happens in an anxious brain, how to distinguish stress from signal, and how to rebuild your psychological resilience after periods of strain. At its core, this is a reminder that emotions are not just storms to weather, but tools to understand, and with that understanding comes the power to manage them with more clarity and compassion.

Listen to Lisa and Chirs chat about human emotion. You will be surprised at what you hear.

Below is Lisa's 18 minute Ted talk.