Thrive with EQ Leadership's Playbook!

“AI is not just a technology. It is another brain. And if we don't treat it that way, we risk intellectual decay.” In this blunt and necessary episode of the Thrive with EQ Leadership Playbook , Nadja breaks down why the "AI Checkbox" approach is failing businesses in 2026. If you are upskilling your software but down-skilling your people’s critical thinking, you aren't innovating—you’re creating...

Statistics show a startling divide: 70% of major corporations have successfully implemented AI, while only 29% of small businesses have done the same. Why the gap? While many cite "limited resources," host Nadja El Fertasi argues that the real barrier isn’t your bank account—it’s your culture. In this milestone 50th episode of Thrive with EQ , Nadja draws on her 20-year career at NATO—leading high...

In a world driven by data and defined by disruption, how do leaders sustain human focus and drive transformation without burning out their teams—or themselves? Welcome to Thrive with EQ, the podcast that provides the essential tools to lead with emotional intelligence in the digital age. This week, host Nadja El Fertasi, founder of Thrive with EQ, dives into the EQ Leadership Playbook for navigati...

A deepfake can cost $1.33 to create, but the projected economic loss from this technology is already hitting a trillion dollars. The threat is no longer theoretical—it's a $25 million wire transfer in Hong Kong, triggered by a sophisticated deepfake video. As leaders, we've invested heavily in technological defenses, but we’ve overlooked the real target: human emotion. Deepfakes and social enginee...

In a world obsessed with artificial intelligence, your greatest competitive advantage is emotional intelligence. Welcome to the relaunch of Thrive EQ , the podcast dedicated to giving you the human tools to lead in the digital age. Host Nadja El Fertasi is back, and this season is all about one thing: giving you the EQ Leadership Playbook . The conversation around AI is polarized. One camp promise...

Your team doesn't need another manager; they need a coach for the future. In Thrive with EQ, former NATO executive Nadja El Fertasi hands you the actionable tools to become that coach.  Leveraging nearly three decades of experience in high-stakes crisis management and emotional intelligence, she helps you move beyond the buzzwords of AI and cybersecurity to focus on the one thing that truly drives...

In this episode of the Thrive with EQ Podcast, Founder Nadja El Fertasi, emotional intelligence thought leader and coach, breaks down why emotional clarity is the most overlooked — yet essential — strategy in AI adoption. From the hidden dangers of FOMO-fueled decisions to the silent burnout caused by unresolved inner conflict, Nadja explores how the Kubler-Ross Change Curve reveals the emotional...

Welcome to the Thrive with EQ Podcast, where emotional intelligence meets the digital age. Hosted by Nadja El Fertasi, emotional intelligence coach, speaker, and trainer, this podcast equips leaders and teams with actionable strategies to navigate uncertainty, build psychological safety, and foster resilience in the era of AI. In this episode of Thrive with EQ, we dive into the psychological warfa...

AI is transforming businesses, but ethical adoption remains a major challenge. How can leaders ensure AI is implemented responsibly while balancing innovation, transparency, and governance? In this episode, Nadja El Fertasi, Founder Thrive with EQ, explores how emotional intelligence (EQ) is the key to bridging the gap between AI ethics and real-world application. Discover how EQ-driven leadership...

Deepfake scams are evolving fast—weaponizing trust, urgency, and emotions to manipulate individuals, businesses, and even democracy itself. How can we defend ourselves when AI-generated deception is indistinguishable from reality? In this episode of Thrive with EQ, we expose real-world deepfake fraud cases, break down how these scams hijack human emotions, and reveal practical Emotional Intelligen...

Welcome to the Thrive with EQ Podcast, where emotional intelligence meets the digital age. In this episode, Nadja El Fertasi, emotional intelligence coach, speaker, and trainer, explores why soft skills are the hardest to automate in an AI-driven world. As artificial intelligence reshapes industries, emotional intelligence has become a critical skill for leaders, teams, and organizations to naviga...

Welcome to the Thrive with EQ Podcast, where emotional intelligence meets the digital age! In this episode, Nadja El Fertasi, founder of Thrive with EQ, dives into the unique challenges HR leaders face in the AI era—particularly navigating generational diversity and overcoming resistance to change. As AI transforms the workplace, HR leaders must move beyond administrative functions to become strat...

Welcome to the Thrive with EQ Podcast, where emotional intelligence meets the digital age! In this episode, Nadja El Fertasi, founder of Thrive with EQ, explores the critical challenges leaders face in the age of AI—particularly loneliness at the top. As organizations adopt AI and automation, the human connection often gets overlooked. This episode delves into how emotional intelligence can help l...

Turning Human Vulnerability into Strength: Building Safety as a Culture in the Age of AI Welcome to the Thrive with EQ Podcast, where emotional intelligence meets the digital age. In this first episode, we dive into Safety as a Culture and explore how to reframe human vulnerability into a strength that empowers organizations to thrive. Discover how emotions shape behaviors in the face of cybersecu...

Welcome to another episode of the EQ Elevator Podcast. I'm your host, Nadja El Fertasi, CEO and founder of Thrive with EQ. In today's digital age, cyber threats are evolving faster than ever, and over-reliance on technology is no longer enough. Join me as we explore how integrating emotional intelligence can strengthen your organization's defenses against social engineering attacks. Discover pract...

In this episode of the EQ Elevator podcast, host Nadja El Fertasi, founder of Thrive with EQ, explores a new paradigm for cybersecurity that places the human factor at the center. As digital challenges increasingly impact organizational culture, leadership skills, and individual well-being, Nadja discusses how emotional intelligence can empower business leaders to navigate the complexities of the...

Welcome to *The EQ Elevator*, where we elevate your emotional intelligence to navigate the digital age. In this episode, host Nadja El Fertasi is joined by Dr. Abbie Maroño, a leading expert in social engineering and human behaviour. Dr. Maroño brings a wealth of knowledge from her work with elite units such as the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, U.S. Secret Service, FBI, and the Depa...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of hosting Dr. David Bray, a distinguished fellow and leadership expert celebrated for his ability to drive transformative change at the intersection of technology, data, and people. Named one of "24 Americans Changing the World" by Business Insider, David has tackled some of the most complex challenges of our time. In our discussion, we dive deep into the world...

In this episode of the EQ Elevator Podcast, I sit down with Ryan Palmbaum, founder of Dabbl Discovery, an innovative platform that's revolutionizing the educational landscape. Ryan’s mission is to create a trusted space where learning is guided by vetted experts, ensuring that the next generation is equipped with the knowledge and skills they need in a rapidly evolving digital world. Join us as we...

Join us for an engaging episode of the EQ Elevator podcast. We delve into the world of social engineering with expert Chris Hadnagy. Chris Hadnagy is the President and CEO of Social-Engineer, Inc. He has spent the last 16 years in security and technology, specializing in understanding the ways in which malicious attackers are able to exploit human weaknesses to obtain access to information and res...

Join Nadja El Fertasi, the founder of Thrive with EQ and a former NATO cyber expert, as she discusses the critical role of emotional intelligence (EI) in bolstering cybersecurity from the top down. In this LinkedIn Live session, Nadja delves into how C-suite leaders can use their character strengths and EI tools to establish a proactive, resilient cyber defense culture. Understand why a vigilant c...

Join Nadja El Fertasi, founder of Thrive with EQ and former NATO cyber expert, as she explores the critical role of emotional intelligence (EI) in enhancing cybersecurity frameworks within higher education. This episode delves into why universities are prime targets for cyber threats and how integrating EI can reduce vulnerabilities linked to human error and stress-induced decisions. Nadja will sh...

Welcome to "Building Safer Financial Spaces," where emotional intelligence and cyber hygiene converge to redefine the landscape of financial security. In this series, we delve into the crucial role that emotional intelligence plays in strengthening cybersecurity within financial institutions. Each episode brings you expert insights, real-life stories, and practical advice on integrating emotional...

Join us on "Defending Care," where we delve into the critical role of emotional intelligence in strengthening cybersecurity within the healthcare sector. Each episode, we explore how emotional firewalls can protect sensitive data and patient information against escalating cyber threats. Featuring insights from cybersecurity experts, healthcare leaders, and emotional intelligence advocates, this se...

During this LinkedIn Live session, Nadja dives deep into how board members can leverage the power of emotional intelligence to fortify their cybersecurity strategies. Discover actionable insights and practical tips on integrating EQ components like self-regard, empathy, and stress management into cybersecurity governance. Stay Connected Find me on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadja-elfer...