In this episode of Emotionally Balanced with Dido Balla, we explore the universal experience of emotions and the deeply personal nature of emotional regulation with Sarah Asem, a globally recognized personal development coach and emotional intelligence expert.

Sarah has worked worldwide—including in Romania, China, Ukraine, Poland, and Spain—helping individuals and organizations navigate emotions in diverse cultural, personal, and professional contexts. She has lectured at Emerson College, co-authored an SEL workbook for children, and spoken at the Wellbeing 360 Conference in Mexico.

Together, we dive into how culture, gender, and societal norms influence the emotions we are "allowed" to express and how we can break free from restrictive expectations. From exploring the differences in emotional expression between men and women to discussing the power of co-regulation in parenting and relationships, this episode is packed with practical insights and tools you can apply in your daily life.

💡 Listen now to gain powerful insights into understanding, managing, and expressing emotions in a way that truly works for you.

Key Themes

Emotions are universal, but finding balance is deeply personal
How culture and upbringing shape emotional expression
The ways men and women are conditioned differently to regulate emotions
The duality of anger in men—why it's encouraged externally but discouraged in relationships
The role of co-regulation in relationships, families, and emotional health
How self-awareness and emotional intelligence help us navigate cultural and personal expectations

Episode Highlights

00:00 - Welcome to Emotionally Balanced – Podcast introduction 00:28 - Meet Sarah Asem – Her background in emotional intelligence and global SEL work 03:45 - Why Culture Matters – How cultural background shapes the way we experience and express emotions 12:19 - The Role of Empathy – Why understanding others is key to emotional regulation 16:04 - Men vs. Women: Emotional Expectations – How gender shapes the emotions we're allowed to express 19:21 - The Confusing Message About Male Anger – Society's mixed signals about when men can and can't express anger 27:14 - The Unspoken Rules for Men's Emotions – What emotions men experience but aren't encouraged to show 35:44 - How Women Express Emotion Differently – The expectations and double standards women face 41:19 - Why Co-Regulation Matters – How we influence each other's emotions and nervous system 49:25 - Parenting with Emotional Intelligence – How to model emotional regulation for children 55:33 - Final Thoughts & Takeaways – Key lessons on emotional balance 58:03 - Wrapping Up – Podcast closeout and final remarks

Episode Links and Resources

Connect with Sarah Asem on Instagram: @Sarah_Asem_Coach

Stay Connected with Dido Balla

📲 Instagram: @BalancedWithBalla 📧 Email: info@balancedwithballa.com

🎧 New episodes drop weekly—listen now to start your journey toward emotional balance!