Build Emotional Intelligence and Alleviate Physical Pain: Ostertag and Dunn on "Getting My Happy Back"

Podcast Host CJ Miller interviews Dr. Renée Ostertag and Wilene Dunn about their new book, Getting My Happy Back: How to Think and What to Do When Body and Mind Collide. 

In this episode, Dr. Renée and Wilene delve into how their book combines personal stories with pain management techniques and insights into emotional intelligence. They discuss how the nervous system and our thoughts impact our experience of pain and tension, and how understanding this can lead to better self-improvement. 

The discussion includes practical advice on using Mark Brackett's Mood Meter, a tool that maps emotions to a color-coded grid, to help shift our emotional states. Dr. Renee explains that recognizing our physiological states—whether in the red, blue, yellow, or green quadrants—can aid in navigating and alleviating pain more effectively. 

Wilene shares a personal story about throat pain and how Dr. Renée’s World Storytelling Process helps identify and address underlying causes. They highlight that naming and understanding our emotional experiences allows us to shift our states more fluidly, enhancing our mind-body connection. 

The episode also explores how stepping out of familiar comfort zones can be challenging due to chemical dependencies in the nervous system, but underscores the personal growth achievable through emotional and physical transformation. CJ uses his TikTok experience to illustrate how storytelling can reshape perspectives. 

Dr. Renée Ostertag, an award-winning health and wellness speaker, specializes in ergonomics, pain management, resilience, and nervous system regulation. For more information, visit www.greentreemind.com. 

Wilene Dunn, CEO, author, and coach, supports aspiring authors through her site, WritingThatBook.com, offering valuable guidance and support for writing and publishing projects.