Podcast Summary: "¿Qué hago con lo que siento?"

Podcast: Psicología Al Desnudo | @psi.mammoliti
Host: Psi Mammoliti (Marina Mammoliti)
Release date: January 22, 2026

Overview

In this episode, clinical psychologist Marina Mammoliti explores the art of emotional management, challenging the myths that surround uncomfortable feelings. She argues that emotions are not the problem—our inability to interpret them is. Through vivid explanations and practical exercises, Marina guides listeners to understand, accept, and work with emotions like fear, sadness, anger, envy, guilt, and shame, transforming them from "enemies" into invaluable guides for a meaningful life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Emotions: Not Enemies, but Guides (00:00 – 04:20)

• Cultural Myths: Marina opens by highlighting pervasive misconceptions about emotions: "Si sentís miedo, sos cobarde. Si sentís tristeza, sos débil... Mentira. Las emociones no son el problema. El problema es que no sabemos leerlas.” (00:05)
• Evolutionary Perspective: Emotions are survival tools dating back to our ancestors—they haven't evolved away because they're essential.
• Dashboard Metaphor: Emotions are likened to car dashboard warning lights—they may be uncomfortable, but they signal something important.

"Cada emoción es una luz específica que se enciende para avisarnos que hay algo a resolver." (03:10)

2. No Such Thing as 'Negative' or 'Positive' Emotions (04:21 – 06:45)

• Emotions are necessary, neither inherently good nor bad. Their value lies in the information they provide.
• Culturally, we applaud some emotions (joy, love) and hide others (fear, envy, sadness), but all are vital.

“No las categorizamos en negativas o positivas porque, en tanto útiles, son todas positivas si sabemos escucharlas y regularlas.” (05:33)

3. Deep Dive: The Six Core Emotions

Each emotion is explored in depth for its function, value, and how we commonly misconstrue or suppress it.

a. Fear – Our Silent Protector (07:00 – 12:15)

• Reframing Fear: Rather than avoiding or "overcoming" fear, we should interpret its signals.
• Protective Function: Fear warns us of genuine danger or prepares us for important tasks—it's our "intelligent handbrake."

"El miedo es la alarma que nos avisa que hay algo importante que tenemos que mirar." (08:10)

b. Sadness – The Emotion of Loss (12:16 – 16:20)

• Purpose: Enables us to process loss and begin to heal.
• Depth: Sadness leads to profound self-reflection and anchors genuine progress.

“Si no podemos contactar con la tristeza, no podemos hacer ningún duelo… hay una energía psíquica que queda congelada en esa pérdida.” (13:33)
“No hay avance verdadero sin haber honrado antes lo que dolió.” (16:10)

c. Anger – The Energy of Boundaries (16:21 – 20:45)

• Function: Anger sets boundaries; to suppress it is to risk becoming passive and losing autonomy.
• Danger of Suppression: Guilt or shame around anger can erode healthy self-assertion.

“El enojo… es energía pura, disponible, lista para ayudarnos a resolver lo que incomoda. El tema es que si no sabemos canalizar esa energía, termina haciendo más lío que dar soluciones.” (17:35)

d. Envy – The Sign of Unmet Desire (20:46 – 26:00)

• Redefining Envy: Not inherently bad—it reveals inner desire and points to what we yearn for.
• Productive Response: Instead of criticism, use envy to clarify and pursue personal goals.

“La envidia nos habla de nuestros deseos más profundos, de lo que admiramos en otros y queremos para nosotros. No es maldad, es tu deseo pendiente hablándote al oído.” (24:25)

e. Guilt – The Voice of Repair (26:01 – 31:10)

• Purpose: Signals when we've crossed our own values, prompting us towards repair.
• Two Guilt Voices: Destructive ("torturadora") guilt immobilizes; reparative guilt motivates constructive change.

“La culpa puede hacernos sentir que somos malas personas, pero no está ahí para castigarnos, aparece para que revisemos lo que hicimos y lo reparemos.” (26:32)

f. Shame – The Signal for Acceptance (31:11 – 36:15)

• Origin: Shame is tied to fear of exclusion and belongs to our evolutionary need for group acceptance.
• Two Faces of Shame: One helps us adapt; the other ("avergonzador interno") becomes toxic by attacking our identity rather than our actions.

“La vergüenza es la prueba viva de que te animaste. ¿Sabés quiénes nunca pasan vergüenza? Los que miran desde la sombra. Los que no intentan.” (35:55)

Practical Segment: Guided Emotional Exercise (36:16 – 43:20)

• Introspective Exercise: Marina invites listeners to close their eyes or focus, then walks through prompts for each of the six emotions, encouraging honest, uncensored responses.
• Key Questions for Each Emotion:
  • Sadness: ¿Qué necesitas soltar?
  • Anger: ¿Qué límite necesitas poner hoy?
  • Fear: ¿Qué decisión te está costando tomar por miedo?
  • Envy: ¿Qué deseo propio te estás negando?
  • Guilt: ¿A quién sentís que lastimaste sin querer?
  • Shame: ¿Qué parte tuya necesita hoy ser vista y abrazada?

“Las respuestas a estas preguntas no son casuales. Probablemente sean puertas que se abrieron hoy para vos.” (41:40)

Memorable Moment:
Marina emphasizes the importance of revisiting these exercises as emotions and needs shift through life:

“Cada vez que vuelvas a hacer este ejercicio van a aparecer cosas diferentes. Porque las emociones cambian, vos cambiás y el ejercicio se va adaptando.” (42:30)

Closing Insights & Empowerment (43:21 – 45:10)

• Rejecting Emotional Myths: The episode closes by repeating that emotions are not flaws but signals to be heard and translated.
• Call to Action: Instead of thinking “¿Qué me pasa que siento esto?” ask “¿Qué me quiere decir esta alarma?”
• Final Reframe: Feeling deeply is not a sign of being 'broken', but of being alive.

“No estás roto porque sentís, estás vivo. No le creas a nadie que te diga que tenés que eliminar tus emociones. Tu tarea es convertirte en alguien que se anima a quedarse cuando duele y que puede regular las emociones.” (44:30)

Key Quotes & Timestamps

• On emotional myths:
  “Mentira. Las emociones no son el problema. El problema es que no sabemos leerlas.” (00:10)

• On the evolutionary purpose of emotions:
  “La naturaleza, sabia maestra… no conserva nada que no sea esencial. Y a las emociones las mantuvo hasta hoy.” (03:38)

• On the role of envy:
  “La envidia… puede señalarnos el norte de nuestro propio deseo.” (25:50)

• On returning to the exercise:
  “Volvé cada tanto a este ejercicio. Tu yo del futuro te lo va a agradecer.” (42:45)

Takeaways

• Emotions are key signals, not mistakes.
• Each emotion, even the unpleasant ones, has a protective or guiding function.
• Emotional management means translating feelings into meaningful action or understanding—not suppressing them.
• Practical introspection can help decode and work with emotions.
• Being emotionally present is a sign of vitality and growth.

Listeners are encouraged to revisit the guided exercise regularly and to seek professional support if needed, reminding them that transformative change arises when knowledge becomes lived experience.