How to Control Your Inner Voice & Increase Your Resilience | Dr. Ethan Kross

In this episode, my guest is Dr. Ethan Kross, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of Michigan, director of the Emotion & Self-Control Laboratory, and author of the bestselling book Chatter. We discuss the purpose of the inner voice in your head and its impact on emotional well-being and motivation. We also explore practical tools to manage negative internal chatter and eliminate intrusive thoughts. Topics include how music, exercise, mental distancing techniques, and expressive writing can help rescript your inner dialogue to be self-encouraging and effective in creating outward behavioral changes. Dr. Kross explains why venting to others is self-defeating and offers better alternatives. Throughout the episode, he provides research-supported, actionable protocols to help you shift your internal dialogue and accompanying emotional state, fostering greater happiness and resilience. Access the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Pre-order Andrew's new book, Protocols: protocolsbook.com Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Dr. Ethan Kross 00:02:45 Sponsors: ExpressVPN & Eight Sleep 00:05:38 Inner Voice & Benefits 00:10:33 Music & Emotions 00:15:09 Shifting Emotions, Emotional Congruency, Facial Expressions 00:20:25 Resistance to Shifting Emotion; Tool: Invisible Support, Affectionate Touch 00:27:16 Tool: Expressive Writing; Sensory Shifters 00:30:41 Sponsors: AG1 & Joovv 00:33:27 Inner Voice Benefits, Thinking vs. Writing, Tool: Journaling 00:44:01 Decision Making, Individualization; Tool: Exercise 00:50:24 “Chatter,” Trauma, Depression, Anxiety 00:54:37 Sponsor: Function 00:56:25 Tool: Combating Chatter, Mental Distancing; Distraction & Social Media 01:04:30 Tools: 2 AM Chatter Strategy, Mental Time Travel; Venting 01:13:41 T