In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Caroline J. Henry to explore the power of slowing down, reclaiming balance, and integrating cultural traditions into emotional well-being. A passionate educator, humanitarian, and innovator, Dr. Henry has spent nearly two decades reshaping education and fostering emotional resilience.

This conversation unpacks the ways in which society glorifies rush and urgency, often at the expense of our emotional and physical health. Through cultural practices like liming—an informal Caribbean tradition of gathering and unwinding—Dr. Henry highlights how slowing down is not only necessary but deeply ingrained in many cultures.

We also discuss the role of emotional balance in education, how mindfulness exists outside of Western narratives, and why reclaiming time is essential for self-preservation. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the pressure to always be “on,” this conversation will give you tools to slow down and realign with what truly matters. Tap in to listen now.

Key Themes

• The impact of slowing down on emotional well-being

• Cultural approaches to mindfulness and balance

• The role of education in emotional resilience

• Breaking free from the addiction to rush

• How identity, culture, and emotional balance intersect

• The importance of pausing and setting boundaries

Episode Highlights

(00:00) Podcast Introduction.

(00:30) Dido explains Dr. Henry’s background and shares a quick episode summary.

(01:30) Dido introduces Dr. Caroline J. Henry and shares how their collaboration began.

(04:37) The complexity of emotional balance and how our regulated versus dysregulated selves show up differently in life.

(09:44) The power of pausing—practical ways to slow down and reset when overwhelmed.

(16:12) Why modern society prioritizes speed over effectiveness and how to break free from the addiction to rush.

(26:03) The struggle of setting boundaries in a hyper-connected world and navigating expectations around instant communication.

(33:58) Cultural perspectives on balance—how liming in the Caribbean fosters emotional well-being and how these practices can be used to reclaim identity.

(38:54) How finding emotional balance helps us be present and specifically supports mothers in navigating parenthood more successfully.

(43:04) The role of education in emotional well-being and why schools need to integrate emotional balance into learning.

(57:31) Wrapping up—podcast closeout and final remarks.

(58:10) Stay connected—where to find more content.

Episode Links & Resources

• Connect with Dr. Caroline J. Henry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-j-henry-449abb11/

• Read about the concept of ‘Limin’ in Caribbean culture: https://globalvoices.org/2021/09/09/the-origins-of-liming-in-trinidad-and-tobago/ 

• Book mention: Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers by Robert M. Sapolsky

Get in Touch with Dido

• Instagram: @balancedwithballa

• Email: [email protected]