L
2 editions on Cue Bookstore

Lisa Feldman Barrett

Lisa Feldman Barrett is a neuroscientist whose research challenges the long-held belief that emotions are universal, hardwired reactions, revealing instead how the brain actively constructs our feelings.

2
editions on Cue Bookstore
Readings on Cue Bookstore

Readings listed below

Cover of Seven and a Half Lessons about the Brain
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Seven and a Half Lessons about the Brain

Beyond the common perception of the brain as a mere processor, Lisa Feldman Barrett's 'Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain' reveals a far more dynamic organ. This episode delves into the revolutionary idea that your brain isn't just reacting to the world; it's actively constructing your reality, emotions, and even your physical well-being through constant prediction and meticulous internal budgeting. We explore how your brain acts as a master predictor, shaping what you perceive before you even experience it, and how emotions are not discovered but rather built in the moment from physiological sensations and learned concepts. Furthermore, we uncover the critical role of allostasis – your brain's hidden energy budget – in every thought and feeling. Understanding these fundamental mechanisms offers profound insights into human experience, offering new perspectives on self-awareness, agency, and empathy in a world shaped by billions of unique, constructed realities.

20 minOpen edition
Cover of How Emotions Are Made
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How Emotions Are Made

We often feel like emotions are just things that happen *to* us, sudden reactions triggered by the world outside. But what if the very feelings we experience are not discovered, but actively *built* by our brains, moment by moment? This challenges the common assumption that emotions are universal, hardwired responses, showing instead that your brain is a master constructor, constantly predicting and making sense of your internal and external world. Consider those days you wake up inexplicably irritable or anxious. It's easy to blame external stressors, but often, your brain is simply signaling a low 'body budget' – a need for rest, hydration, or nourishment. Understanding this hidden architecture of emotion moves us from being passive recipients to active participants, offering a new kind of agency over our inner lives.

19 minOpen edition
Biography

Lisa Feldman Barrett is a neuroscientist whose research challenges the long-held belief that emotions are universal, hardwired reactions, revealing instead how the brain actively constructs our feelings.