Host Dr. Marcus C. Shepard breaks down what emotions are and how framing rules, feeling rules, surface acting, deep acting, emotional intelligence, and emotional competence shape the way we feel and express ourselves. He offers practical guidelines for owning feelings, using specific language, and creating a supportive climate for emotional conversations.The episode closes with an Ask Dr. Shepard segment on dating fatigue, offering concrete online-dating rules and strategies—like setting response limits, having a sell-by date for app conversations, and prioritizing assertive communication—to avoid feeling jaded and communicate more authentically.