Spirit of EQ

Choosing Divine Love First: Ester Brooks on Marriage, Family, and Faith This conversation with Ester Brooks was sparked by something I heard her say in a previous interview. That, in her marriage, she realized she needed to put God first and her husband, Arthur Brooks, second. I share my own reflections as someone married for 35 years, and we open up about the challenges and rewards of reprioritiz...

Slow Down and Question the Stories Controlling Your Choices Why Do Stories Take Hold? I start by recalling a high school memory: there was someone I admired from afar but convinced myself was out of reach. The story I told myself then—“she’ll never go out with me”—seemed so logical at the time that I never even tried to ask. This early lesson stuck with me in surprising ways as I got older. It was...

Building Emotional Intelligence to Unlock Everyday Happiness We hear about it all the time, right? Especially that old phrase from the Declaration of Independence: “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” It sounds almost like happiness is this thing at the end of a rainbow—a big quest that we’re all supposed to be on. But here’s my take, and it’s what I spend this episode unpacking: I don’t...

After some time away from the studio, Eric Pennington and Jeff East share personal stories that reignite their appreciation for the small and large wonders around us. Inspired by Andrew Huberman’s thoughts on awe and the importance of focusing both on the minute and the vast, the hosts discuss practices that foster a deeper connection to the world. Jeff East shares the profound experience of holdi...

In this episode, Eric and Jeff hang out with Perry Maughmer—a returning guest and one of their all-time favorite people—for an honest, practical (and sometimes funny) discussion about what it really means to grow as a person and a leader. What’s Inside This Episode? Perry’s New Book: Why He Wrote It for Himself - Perry tells us all about his newest book, The Recurrence Effect . But get this—he wro...

If you’ve ever wondered how AI can be used to deepen emotional intelligence, or you’re searching for practical steps to drive meaningful change in your life, this episode will spark fresh insights and inspiration. Welcome to Spirit of EQ! I’m Eric Pennington, your host, and in this episode, I have the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Teresa Escrig, an expert in artificial intelligence, an entrep...

This is an authentic and thoughtful conversation about leveraging new tools and ancient wisdom to build resilience, emotional health, and deeper connections—whether you’re a longtime believer, just curious, or somewhere in between. Welcome to Spirit of EQ! In this episode, I sit down with Preston Zeller—an inspiring technologist, artist, and committed believer—to explore the fascinating intersecti...

I encourage you to consider how you come to your conclusions, and how practicing EQ can help you build better habits of thought—and even start fresh if you need to. I dig into what it really means to think—not just react. I talk about how our brains handle the countless events we face each day, and why choosing to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively makes all the difference. I share...

Eric Pennington takes us on a deeply personal journey through the themes of empathy and belonging. Reflecting on his recent emotional intelligence assessment and the transformative experience of navigating his son's life-threatening auto accident, Eric Pennington explores how self-empathy and growth in emotional awareness have impacted his relationships and perspective on the world. He also breaks...

Whether you’re a runner, someone tackling a big goal, or just trying to figure out what it means to keep going, I think you’ll find something here to encourage you. Let’s get started. Welcome back to Spirit of EQ! I’m your host, Eric Pennington, and I’m excited to invite you into a powerful episode that goes deep into the emotional journey behind running a marathon—and the life lessons we can pull...

Whether you’re a leader feeling isolated, someone longing for deeper community, or just looking for a fresh perspective on personal growth, this episode is all about finding meaning, creating space for change, and, as Joe DeLoss puts it, “hiking to the beginning” again and again. Welcome to the Spirit of EQ podcast! I’m Eric Pennington, your host, and in this episode, I’m joined by Joe DeLoss—an e...

Whether you’re curious about the emotional side of healthcare, searching for ways to take more ownership of your wellbeing, or interested in holistic approaches to longevity and healing, this episode is packed with wisdom, actionable insights, and heartfelt stories. Eric Pennington is joined by Dr. Mark Sherwood for an eye-opening conversation about the crossroads of healthcare, emotional intellig...

If you’ve ever wondered how your brain’s inner workings play into your growth, relationships, or resilience—or if you want real, practical tips for building healthier self-talk—I think you’ll find this episode especially meaningful. I’m joined by Dr. Hector Rodriguez, an integrative psychiatrist and founder of The White Butterfly Clinic. His work focuses on trauma-informed care, brain health, emot...

These “small” places can hold big lessons. It’s easy to overlook the little things that truly build culture and connection in the workplace, but this episode is a great reminder that the way teams interact can have a big impact—on each other and on customers. 3 Takeaways from the Diner Experience: Community Over Task: The staff worked together seamlessly, jumping in wherever needed. They didn’t ju...

I sit down once again with Steve Goodner for a heartfelt and practical conversation about the importance of spiritual health. If you heard the first part of our discussion, you’ll remember our focus on emotional intelligence, especially in the context of sales and business. We expand that conversation to explore what spiritual health means—and why it’s essential for a truly abundant and fulfilled...

Unlocking the Subconscious with EMDR: "It's not just eye movement that we now know allows us to get into that subconscious in that way. It's any bilateral stimulation, both sides of the body." - Anita Ritchey I sit down with returning guest Anita Ritchey, MA, LPCC, for a powerful conversation about how our core beliefs shape our emotional health and daily lives. Anita shares her expertise on how c...

We kick things off with an honest, down-to-earth conversation about really getting to know yourself. We chat about how spending time in silence (yes, even those long, quiet car rides) can actually help you figure out what’s going on inside your head—not as scary as it sounds, promise! Jeff shares some personal stories about his travels and what he learned by turning off the radio, while Eric opens...

If you’re looking to sell more effectively, communicate more powerfully, and grow your business without sacrificing your soul, this episode is for you. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Steve Goodner of EQFit to explore the real game-changer in sales: emotional intelligence and mindset. Steve has 40+ years in business, consulting, and coaching. His use of the tools of psychology in the workp...

If you’re a healthcare provider, patient, or just interested in the role of empathy and self-awareness in medicine, you won't want to miss this episode. I'm thrilled to be joined once again by Dr. Mickey Liebowitz—an accomplished endocrinologist, author, and a true champion for bringing emotional intelligence into the world of healthcare. Dr. Liebowitz and I talk about the current state of the U.S...

If you’re ready to rethink what your brand says about you and how it can fuel your next chapter, this is the conversation you need to hear. We welcome Jess Jensen, the founder of Co-pilot Communications, a Portland-based advisory helping bold executives and founders build digital brands that actually sound like them. After 20 years inside Fortune 100 companies (Microsoft, Qualcomm, Nestlé, and Adi...

We look into the often-overlooked “disease” of taking things for granted. Reflecting on personal stories of loss, transformation, and the unexpected challenges life throws our way, we explore how gratitude, mindfulness, and intentional self-reflection can help us appreciate the present moment—and the people and privileges we too often overlook. Eric shares how a family crisis upended his long-stan...

Here's what's been on our minds lately. We explore the importance of knowing your strengths—or your "wheelhouse"—and the courage it takes to stay true to what you do best, even when outside pressure tempts you otherwise. They dive deep into lessons learned both as musicians and emotional intelligence practitioners, offering real-world stories about confidence, alignment, and growth. We examine the...

Elizabeth Wangugi shares eye-opening statistics—like how 77% of employees, including executives, report feeling burned out—and offers her unique perspective on why burnout is more than just a workplace issue. Our discussion journeys through the hidden symptoms of burnout, why many people (especially leaders) fail to recognize it until it’s too late, and the cultural factors that reward pushing pas...

I want to talk about what I believe is one of the most vital—and often overlooked—aspects of personal growth: intrinsic motivation. I’ll be sharing some real examples from my own life to help unpack the difference between the extrinsic pressures we all face—like societal expectations and external rewards—and the powerful, lasting drive that comes from truly knowing ourselves. I’ll also talk about...

Working Across Differences in Politics: "I can work with people, and still it goes back to what we were saying earlier. I can work with people and still disagree with them on things, but maybe I need to." - Scott Schweitzer We sit down with Scott Schweitzer—a longtime political consultant and entrepreneur whose journey bridges the worlds of politics and microbrewing. Scott shares how a simple nigh...