​Note: A talk with the same title was given during the Community Weekend. This workshop is independent of it. You don't need to have attended the talk to join, and if you did, the focus here is different: this is a hands-on, practice-centered session built around exercises rather than a knowledge-oriented discussion.

​Keeping the flame

​In EA, and especially in AI safety, emotions might be overlooked. We see them as sources of bias, or simply find them hard to work with. But emotions aren't just noise. Positive ones sustain motivation through long, uncertain work. Fear, grief, and anger are how we register that something matters. A version of us that felt nothing about x-risks and s-risks wouldn't be doing this work at all.

​The challenge isn't the emotion itself. It's when emotion stops being a signal and becomes a flood. Sustained exposure to existential and suffering risks can leave you anxious, low, or numb, quietly eroding the clarity and stamina the work demands.

​This workshop is about facing reality without being overwhelmed by it, so you can stay clear-headed and motivated over the long run.

​The format

​A 2-hour in-person session, combining emotional regulation skills (drawn from ACT, CBT and behavioral approaches) with habit formation: practical scaffolding so the skills don't stay theoretical.

• ​18:15 to 19:45 — Emotional regulation

• ​19:45 to 20:15 — Habit formation

​Exercises are evidence-based and held in a safe, non-judgmental space. No prior familiarity with emotional regulation is assumed. This is for anyone who wants to explore the topic, whether you've never thought about it before or already have your own practice.

​After 20:15

​Snacks and informal conversation.
Open Q&A welcome on anything that came up during the session, or on broader psychological topics (motivation, mindset, focus, and so on).

​About the facilitator

​Michaël is a work and organizational psychologist and coach. He brings both professional training and over a decade of personal practice to the question of how we work with our emotions.

​Materials

• ​a printed workbook will be provided.

• ​bringing your laptop is a nice complement for those who'd like to extend some exercises with an AI assistant or complete the exercise digitally.

​

​⏰ Day and Time: Tuesday, 6:15 PM – 8:15 PM
📌 Location: Room 301 - Matterhorn at PEAKS office
👲 Host: Michaël Zappalà - [email protected]