This morning on The Morning Cruise, we took a step back from the noise of everyday life to dive into something deeply human - our emotions. And guiding us through that journey was none other than Gregan Opperman, a South African native from the town of Ceres, who recently released a soul-stirring book titled The Notification of Emotion.
From the moment Gregan joined us in studio, it was clear we were in for more than just a book promo. Warm, vibrant, and full of stories from across the globe, Gregan brought a refreshing, down-to-earth perspective on mental health, self-awareness, and the emotional intelligence that threads it all together.
Emotions as Notifications, Not Commands
At the heart of Gregan’s book is a simple but powerful metaphor: emotions are like phone notifications. They don’t control us - they just inform us. “It’s a notification, not a command,” he said, pointing out that when someone throws an insult or life throws a curveball, we don’t need to react on autopilot. We can pause. We can choose. And in that choice lies our power.
From Ceres to the Sea, and Everywhere in Between
Gregan’s journey has taken him far beyond the borders of his hometown. From working at Capitec to sailing the seas on yachts and cruise ships, and even teaching English in Italy, his life reads like a travel memoir mixed with a self-help guide. He’s been to at least 14 countries - including Malta, which he calls a personal favorite - and it’s this exposure to diverse people and perspectives that’s helped shape the emotional depth of his writing.
One of his most pivotal moments came not from a luxury experience, but from a conversation with a monk who had left behind wealth in pursuit of inner peace. That moment sparked a realization: financial success is a tool, not a source of value. “Your emotional intelligence, your ability to inspire - that’s where your real worth lies,” Gregan shared.
The Power of Emotional Intelligence
Gregan’s fascination with emotions started early - at 14, thanks to a probing question from his older brother about emotional intelligence. That seed grew through journaling, conversations with strangers around the world, and moments of reflection during life’s highs and lows.
In one of the book’s chapters, he draws on the ancient symbol of yin and yang to illustrate the balance between joy and struggle. “There’s beauty in the struggle and ugliness in success,” he said, echoing lyrics from J. Cole. That contrast, he believes, is what makes us human - and what makes our emotional awareness so vital.
The Highest Human Act: To Inspire
What sets The Notification of Emotion apart isn’t just its philosophical musings or practical wisdom - it’s Gregan’s insistence that inspiration is the greatest gift we can give each other. “The highest act of humanity is to inspire,” he told us, quoting everyone from Tupac to Shakespeare. Whether you’re in the Cape Flats or halfway around the world, inspiration, he argues, is what sparks change - one person at a time.
And no, Gregan isn’t saying abandon material success. “Make your money,” he laughed, “but don’t be a slave to it.” True poverty, he reminded us, is having nothing but wealth.
A Book for a Scrolling Generation
With attention spans shrinking and screens pulling us in, Gregan admits that writing a book in today’s world is a bold move. But he sees The Notification of Emotion as more than just pages - it’s a modern-day meditation. “When we feel too much, we dive into our phones,” he observed. “But what if, instead, we dove into ourselves?”
A Final Word
As the interview wrapped up, we asked Gregan what he’d say to someone struggling—whether financially, emotionally, or just with the weight of the world. His reply was simple and profound: “Every day above ground is a blessing. And the biggest blessing of life… is life itself.”
You can find The Notification of Emotion on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and just about anywhere you get your reads.
Written by Ryan Growney
Presenters: Ryan Growney, Mkhuseli “Khusi” Veto, Camille De Vos
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