These days, the word "triggered" gets tossed around to describe almost any emotional reaction. But in doing so, pop culture has blurred an important psychological distinction hidden in the word itself. A trigger isn't just any reaction—it's a pre-loaded emotional response set off by a specific cue, much like how pulling a gun's trigger sets off a chain reaction to fire a bullet that was previously installed. In this episode, we use relatable, real-world examples to unpack the difference between a natural emotional response and an emotional trigger. While both are valid and healthy, a trigger often unleashes feelings that were stored away in the past—and aren't really about the present moment at all. You'll also learn a simple, surprisingly effective trick to tell whether you're experiencing a genuine emotion in the now, or if something old just got triggered. Spoiler: the architecture of how this works is weirdly fascinating. Chapters:     00:00:05 Understanding Triggers in Emotional Reactions    00:02:40 The Mechanics of Emotional Triggers    00:07:34 The Impact of Past Experiences    00:12:48 Distinguishing Healthy Reactions from Triggers    00:17:16 The Long-Term Effects of Emotional Protection