The Sonder Effect
The Sonder Effect
Every person you pass has a life as vivid and complex as your own.
The Sonder Effect dives deep into the human experience, exploring the untold stories, emotions, and connections that make us who we are. Through raw conversations, reflective insights, and thought-provoking narratives, this podcast uncovers the beauty and complexity of ordinary lives—revealing the universal struggles, triumphs, and moments of clarity we all share. Whether it's navigating relationships, mental health, identity, or personal growth, The Sonder Effect invites you to pause, listen, and truly see the world through someone else's eyes.
Because every story matters.
The Sonder Effect
How to Feel Your Feelings (Even When You’d Rather Not)
In this episode of The Sonder Effect, Mariam and Alexa explore a common yet often overlooked pattern in therapy and everyday life: intellectualizing our emotions instead of feeling them. From clients who can name every reason for their pain without ever accessing it, to therapists who inadvertently stay in the safety of cognitive space, they unpack how and why this disconnection happens, and what we can do to come back to ourselves.
They discuss signs of emotional avoidance, the childhood roots of shutting down feelings, and the physical toll of suppressing emotions. Drawing on Internal Family Systems (IFS) and somatic therapy, Alexa and Mariam offer gentle and accessible tools for reconnecting with your emotional self, free from judgment and overwhelm.
Whether you’re a therapist, a client, or just someone trying to feel more human, this episode is an invitation to slow down, notice what’s real, and make space for the emotions that deserve to be felt.