I'm not as angry as I used to be. But I can get in touch with

Host: The evening has fallen softly around the city, and the streetlights cast a warm, golden hue over the quiet café. The air outside is crisp, hinting at the shift toward winter, but inside, the mood feels different. Jack sits at the window, his brow furrowed slightly as he watches the distant lights of the city shimmer. The table before him is littered with napkins, an untouched cup of coffee sitting idly as his mind churns. Jeeny, across from him, watches the world through the glass as well, but her eyes seem softer, less burdened. The two of them sit in silence, waiting for something to shift.

Jack: He finally speaks, his voice a little rough, as if the words have been building up for some time. “You ever feel like you’re just... one thing away from snapping? Like, you’ve got everything under control, but then something small happens, and all that anger just comes rushing back?”

Jeeny: She looks at him carefully, her fingers tracing the rim of her cup. “You mean, like when someone crosses the line, or when you feel disrespected?”

Jack: “Yeah, exactly.” His voice is low, almost gravelly, as he leans forward, his tone a little more intense. “It’s like I’m not as angry as I used to be. But the second someone pushes me, I can feel that anger rising again. It’s like it’s always there, waiting to be triggered.”

Host: The air in the café seems to thicken for a moment, the tension between them rising like an invisible cloud. Jeeny shifts slightly, her eyes focused on him now, as if she’s trying to understand the depth of what he’s saying. The sound of the rain outside has become a steady backdrop, the patter against the windows steady and rhythmic.

Jeeny: “I think it’s part of being human, Jack. The anger—it’s a reaction to feeling invaded or treated unfairly. We all have that space we don’t want anyone to cross, and when it’s crossed, all that frustration and anger just spills out.”

Jack: He rubs his forehead, his expression tightening. “But I hate that it still gets to me. I mean, I’ve worked on it, right? I’m not this angry guy I used to be. But when someone crosses that line... it’s like I can’t control it. And I don’t know if I like that.”

Jeeny: She sighs, her voice gentle, almost as if she’s speaking from experience. “It’s hard, though, right? To let go of something like that. It feels like you’re losing control over a part of yourself. But maybe it’s not about getting rid of the anger. Maybe it’s about managing it, recognizing when it’s triggered, and choosing not to let it control you.”

Jack: “Easier said than done.” His lips curl into a small, self-deprecating smile, but there’s an edge to it, as if the anger is still just beneath the surface. “Sometimes, it’s like I can’t help but feel like I deserve a little respect. And when I don’t get it, that old feeling just comes rushing back.”

Host: The mood in the café has shifted slightly, the exchange between them growing more intimate. Jeeny places her cup down carefully, her gaze steady, and her words are calm, yet firm, like she’s speaking from a place of deeper understanding.

Jeeny: “I get that. You’ve worked hard for respect, Jack. And when you don’t get it, it feels like everything you’ve worked for is being dismissed. But I think the real test is not letting that anger take over. Not letting someone else dictate your emotions.”

Jack: He looks down at his hands, fingers tapping lightly against the table, his thoughts racing. “I don’t want to be that guy, you know? The one who blows up over every little thing. But sometimes, I feel like if I don’t stand up for myself, I’ll just be pushed around.”

Jeeny: Her eyes soften as she watches him. “Standing up for yourself doesn’t mean you have to react with anger. You can assert your boundaries without losing your composure. Anger doesn’t always have to be the answer, Jack. It’s about knowing when to fight back with words, not just emotion.”

Host: The rain outside has become heavier now, but it’s a background hum to the intensity of the conversation inside. Jack’s posture softens, his earlier tension giving way to a quieter reflection. The energy between them feels like it’s shifted into a calmer space, but it’s still charged, as if they both understand the deep undercurrents of what’s being discussed.

Jack: “I think... I think I’ve always used anger as a shield, you know? It’s like, if I’m angry, at least I’m in control. At least I’m not letting anyone get too close. But I’m starting to realize that maybe that anger just keeps me from really dealing with things.”

Jeeny: She nods slowly, her voice soft but full of insight. “Exactly. Anger is a defense mechanism. But the more you let it take over, the more it controls you. Maybe it’s time to learn to set your boundaries without letting it rule your every move.”

Host: The café feels still, almost serene now, as the rain continues to drum against the windows, steady and rhythmic. Jack sits back, his gaze distant but more calm, the weight of his own emotions beginning to feel more manageable, more like a thought he can now control rather than something that controls him.

Jack: “You know, maybe I can’t ever get rid of that anger completely. But maybe it’s not about that. Maybe it’s about recognizing when it’s not helpful, and stepping back before I let it ruin everything.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. It’s about knowing when to hold your ground, but also knowing when to let go. Anger is just a reaction, but how you respond to it—that’s what defines you.”

Host: The air in the room feels lighter now, the tension that had once filled the space between them now replaced with a quiet understanding. Jack sits back, his fingers resting on the table, no longer tapping anxiously. He’s quiet, reflective, but there’s a calmness in his eyes now that wasn’t there before.

The city outside hums with the soft buzz of life, while inside the café, there’s a shared moment of peace—a recognition that anger, like all emotions, is only as powerful as you allow it to be.