The Constructed Awareness Podcast
Episode 5: Constructing Emotions
Episode Summary
In this episode, Tyler Orr speaks with Phil Stillman, LCSW, PhD, about how emotion is constructed from moment-to-moment experiences. They explore the theory of constructed emotion, the historical and cultural roots of emotional concepts, and how Constructed Awareness (CA) uses the three building blocks—thought, sensation, and external perception—to support deep therapeutic work. Together, they reflect on the differences between classical and constructed models of emotion, the role of language and culture in shaping emotions, and how CA offers a nonviolent, awareness-based approach to therapy.
Episode Notes
- 00:00 — Introduction to the episode and guest
- 02:00 — Phil’s academic and clinical background
- 05:00 — Tyler explains the three core principles of CA
- 08:30 — Mental, sensation, and external orientations explained
- 12:00 — What is an emotion? Constructed vs classical views
- 15:00 — The Schachter–Singer experiment and the two-factor theory
- 18:00 — How CA’s third building block emerged from clinical work
- 21:00 — Cultural differences in emotion (e.g., awe, loneliness)
- 24:00 — Snake story: a real-world example of building block activation
- 28:30 — CA’s nonviolence: not trying to change clients' emotions
- 31:45 — The “noise gate” metaphor and sensory cutoff
- 34:45 — Social, historical, and political forces that shape orientation
- 36:45 — Orientation and empathy: what we can and can’t control
- 39:55 — Emotions as concepts: storm and spaghetti metaphors
- 43:30 — Emotion history: Shakespeare, grief, and evolving language
- 47:00 — Fear vs curiosity and how breaking emotion into parts helps
- 50:00 — CA’s contribution: naming the building blocks, not just the concept
- 53:00 — Limitations of existing theories of emotion
- 55:30 — Final reflections on the evolving language of emotion
- 1:02:45 — Closing thoughts: There’s more to emotion than a word
- 1:04:00 — Where to learn more about CA and connect with the guests