Spirit of EQ

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 intelligence, and the choices we make around...

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, emotional intelligence, and helping indi...

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 just stick to rigid roles—everyone h...

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 life.

Steve shares deeply from his o...

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 core beliefs...

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 up about his own journey of self-re...

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 workplace, combined with his training in ...

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. healthcare system—not just looking ...

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 Adidas), Jess stepped out of corporate ...

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-standing habit of “performing” through l...

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 darker side of social media trends,...

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 past our limits.

You’ll hear honest ref...

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 the effects of technology, fear, and...

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 night of beer t...

I’m joined once again by Dr. Ken Yeager for an honest and insightful conversation about healing from trauma. And why it’s so much more than just “moving on.” As a journalist and trauma survivor myself, I know firsthand how deeply these experiences can affect both our bodies and our minds.

In this episode, Dr. Yeager and I dig into the science behind trauma and stress, exploring how unresolved pain and constant fight-or-flight respon...

Triggers and Activators Are More Than Buzzwords: We clarify that “triggers” (or “activators”) are events that alter our nervous system, often deeply rooted in past traumas, not just everyday disappointments.

In this conversation, Jeff shares a personal story about how traumatic events from our past, big or small, can leave lasting marks on our nervous system and influence our emotions well into the future.

Our discussion takes a tho...

We’re talking about a topic that touches so many lives but is still so misunderstood. Trauma and its profound impact on our minds and bodies.

I’m joined once again by Dr. Ken Yeager, a leading expert whose career has been dedicated to understanding trauma, neuroscience, and the power of nervous system regulation.

In this conversation, we unpack what trauma really does to us. Not just emotionally, but neurologically. We explore how a...

Welcome back to Spirit of EQ! In this episode, Eric here.

In this episode, I look into the powerful connection between emotional intelligence and curiosity. I’ve been thinking a lot about how curiosity isn’t just a personality trait—it’s a vital tool that can open the doors to learning, enrich our relationships, and help us truly understand ourselves and others.

Drawing from my own experiences and practical examples, I unpack how c...

I’m Hattie Hawks, and in this very special episode, I’m opening up about my personal journey with complex PTSD—how I discovered it, how it’s shown up in my life, and how it continues to shape my healing process.

I’m joined by Dr. Ken Yeager, the founder of the STAR (Stress, Trauma And Resilience) program at The Ohio State University and an expert in trauma research and recovery.

In this conversation, Dr. Yeager and I talk about what...