Spirit of EQ

Eric Pennington and Jeff East

Life is a journey. We help shape and guide the road ahead for individuals, leaders, teams, and organizations wanting to realize their full potential through emotional intelligence. https://spiritofeq.com/

  1. May 20

    Rekindling Wonder - Finding Awe and Appreciation in Everyday Life

    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 holding his great-grandson for the first time, reflecting on the miracle of new life and the possibilities ahead. He juxtaposes this with memories of the Apollo missions and how, as a child, he gazed up at the moon knowing people stood there. These moments evoke an enduring sense of wonder that can easily be lost amid the speed and demands of modern life. The discussion delves into how our constant drive for quick answers and efficiency—exacerbated by digital culture and endless negative news—can dull our sense of awe. Eric Pennington and Jeff East challenge listeners to intentionally carve out moments for wonder, emphasizing that doing so can add richness and positivity, even amidst challenging times. Key Themes and Takeaways The Practice of WonderSmall to Large Perspective: Just as you might zoom in on a single leaf and then out to the entire tree, shifting your perspective can foster awe.Intentional Pausing: Carving out time to notice beauty or creativity changes your mindset and helps counter negativity in daily life.Integrating Wonder Into Routine: You don’t need to give up your responsibilities; small daily moments of appreciation are enough to nourish your spirit. Breaking Through CynicismJadedness Defined: Feeling exhausted, cynical, or indifferent is often a product of overexposure or routine. The antidote is noticing and celebrating what stands out.Practice & Curiosity: Building new neural pathways for wonder requires consistency. At first, your brain may resist, but over time, finding joy and awe becomes more natural. Stories of Personal WonderNature and Creativity: Both hosts reflect on the marvels of spring, the unnoticed beauty of well-known places like Dawes Arboretum, and the creativity in music, highlighting Rush’s Neil Peart as an example of seeing beyond the ordinary.Unexpected Adventure: A spontaneous trip, a quiet moment overlooking a river, or simply enjoying a quirky thrift shop—examples of how adventure and wonder are available to anyone willing to look. Navigating Life’s ChallengesBeyond Control: Even in times of uncertainty or global unrest, focusing on what you can control—your awareness and appreciation—gives you agency.Time as Currency: Be mindful of how you spend your time. Even a small percentage shifted toward wonder can create meaningful change in your outlook. Practical Tips for Rekindling Wonder Check Your Attitude: Are you feeling “meh” or indifferent? Notice when this happens and gently direct attention elsewhere.Pause & Reflect: Take brief pauses to admire something beautiful, creative, or extraordinary in your immediate environment.Be Curious: Ask yourself, “What did I notice today that wasn’t ‘meh’?” Even one moment counts.Persist Through Resistance: Understand that new habits take time. Your brain’s initial resistance is normal.Share the Experience: Discuss moments of wonder with friends or family to reinforce positive neural pathways.Remember Your Agency: No one is too busy to notice something awe-inspiring, even in the smallest way. What sparks a sense of wonder in you?How do you intentionally integrate awe into your daily life?Have you ever brushed past something “ordinary,” only to discover it was extraordinary when you finally paid attention? In each episode, Jeff and Eric will talk about what emotional intelligence, or understanding your emotions, can do for you in your daily and work life. For more information, contact Eric or Jeff at info@spiritofeq.com or visit their website, Spirit of EQ. You can follow The Spirit of EQ Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Android, or on your favorite podcast player. New episodes are available on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays every month! Please review our podcast Music from Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/roo-walker/deeper License code: PEYKDJHQNGSZXDUE https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/ We hope you enjoy the podcast. Hopefully, you're tuning in on a regular basis. We'd love it if you would give us a great review on whatever platform you're listening to the podcast. It's so appreciative and helps us as we try to get more exposure for the work we do and the episodes that we publish. We're grateful to you as a listener. Secondly, our content is for educational purposes only. It's not intended by any stretch to diagnose or treat anything that may be occurring in your life or anyone else's life that you may be connected to through the podcast. And as always, we look forward to the next time that we're together. Take care. Spirit of EQ Mentioned in this episode: Thanks for listening to Spirit of EQ This podcast was created to be a tool to primarily help you to discover and grow your EQ. Science and our own lived experiences confirm that the better we are at managing our emotions, the better we're going to be at making decisions. Which leads to a better life. And that's something we all want. We're glad that you've taken the time today to listen. We hope that something you hear will lead to a breakthrough. We'd really appreciate a review on your podcast platform. Please leave some comments about what you heard today, as well as follow and subscribe to the podcast. That way, you won't miss a single episode as we continue this journey.

    28 min

  2. May 6

    The Recurrence Effect with Perry Maughmer

    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 wrote it for himself first, doesn't care if it sells, and purposely didn’t jam it with easy answers. His goal? Help you realize you have what you need already inside, even if that means sitting with the messy stuff and more ambiguity than you’re used to.Why Copying Someone Else's Life Hacks Never Works - Ever get sucked into those “guaranteed” success frameworks online? Perry has zero time for that. He explains that just because a system or trick worked for one person doesn’t mean it’ll fit you. It’s like wearing someone else’s custom suit—a weird fit at best!Leadership: It's a Doing Thing, Not a Title - There’s a super cool take here—Perry doesn’t think “leader” should be a title. It should be about what you do, not who you are. The best leaders care about people, not KPIs. Results follow from that—not the other way around!How Companies Get People Development Wrong - Why do so many places take their top performer and make them a manager? Spoiler: it almost never works out how they hope. There’s some real talk about how real people development takes YEARS of intentional change. No overnight hacks here.Curiosity vs. Judgment (and Why Saying "I Don’t Know" Rocks) - Perry drops wisdom about choosing curiosity over judgment at work. Admitting you don’t know everything actually makes you a better teammate and leader. Seriously—being curious opens up so many more possibilities.AI Is Eating Up Technical Skills—Now What? - Worried robots are taking your job? Perry says the real winners will be people who love to learn, not just people with mad technical skills. The key is staying adaptable and being comfortable with change and surprise.The Real Treasure is Inside - All the themes circle back to one core idea: stop forever searching for solutions outside yourself. Take ownership, look inward (even if it’s scary), and realize you have what you need to keep growing and leading. It’s not a quick fix, but it’s more real. Real Moments & LaughsKicking off with some Bigfoot and Canadian toque jokesHonest opinions about why editing a book is “horrendous” and marketing can feel fakeWhy company learning should be voluntary and nobody should get dinged for “opting out” Featured Book: The Recurrence Effect by Perry Maughmer – Find it on Amazon and wherever you get your books. Get More from Perry: Podcast (he’s starting it up again—no set routine, just genuine thoughts when he has them)Substack newsletter: “Inside the Return” Perry Maughmer is a facilitator, writer, and practitioner, but the center of his work is closer to home. Alongside his wife, Lisa, he actively shapes a life they don’t want to retire from, treating their relationship, choices, and daily rhythms as the primary place where the work is lived, not discussed. He is the author of The Recurrence Effect, which explores how individuals and teams evolve through a rhythm of Explore, Experiment, Evaluate, and Edit. Rather than offering answers, Perry creates space for people to engage their own experience and develop the ability to choose and return to what matters. Join the Conversation! Had any “aha!” moments? Ever felt like you were supposed to have life all figured out—when you really just needed some new questions? We want to hear from you: Have you ever chased outside answers when you maybe needed to look inside?How are you handling all the changes with tech and work? In each episode, Jeff and Eric will talk about what emotional intelligence, or understanding your emotions, can do for you in your daily and work life. For more information, contact Eric or Jeff at info@spiritofeq.com or visit their website, Spirit of EQ. You can follow The Spirit of EQ Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Android, or on your favorite podcast player. New episodes are available on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays every month! Please review our podcast Music from Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/roo-walker/deeper License code: PEYKDJHQNGSZXDUE https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/ We hope you enjoy the podcast. Hopefully, you're tuning in on a regular basis. We'd love it if you would give us a great review on whatever platform you're listening to the podcast. It's so appreciative and helps us as we try to get more exposure for the work we do and the episodes that we publish. We're grateful to you as a listener. Secondly, our content is for educational purposes only. It's not intended by any stretch to diagnose or treat anything that may be occurring in your life or anyone else's life that you may be connected to through the podcast. And as always, we look forward to the next time that we're together. Take care. Spirit of EQ Mentioned in this episode: Thanks for listening to Spirit of EQ This podcast was created to be a tool to primarily help you to discover and grow your EQ. Science and our own lived experiences confirm that the better we are at managing our emotions, the better we're going to be at making decisions. Which leads to a better life. And that's something we all want. We're glad that you've taken the time today to listen. We hope that something you hear will lead to a breakthrough. We'd really appreciate a review on your podcast platform. Please leave some comments about what you heard today, as well as follow and subscribe to the podcast. That way, you won't miss a single episode as we continue this journey.

    1h 2m

  3. Apr 22

    Using AI as a Mirror for Growth with Teresa Escrig

    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 entrepreneur, and a spiritual practitioner. Our conversation explores the fascinating intersection of AI and human consciousness, revealing how tools like ChatGPT can serve as powerful mirrors for our self-discovery and growth. Teresa Escrig shares her innovative “mirror method,” which is built around four key pillars: awareness, alignment, boundaries, and empowered decision-making. As we break down some common misconceptions about spirituality, we discuss the challenges of setting healthy boundaries, taking responsibility for our lives, and the ways technology can both amplify our strengths and reflect our struggles. This is a thought-provoking conversation connecting science, spirit, and everyday personal growth. Moments 00:00 Integrating AI and Consciousness 06:56 AI & Human Ascension Dialogue 11:55 "Authenticity as Personal Value" 16:55 "Alignment: Value, Purpose, Direction" 26:04 "Demystifying Clarity and Focus" 32:13 "Self-Knowledge for Life's Path" 37:10 "Discovering Tools Within" 39:50 "Transformation: Tools and Process" 43:44 "Human Regression, AI Advancement" 49:06 Rejecting Divisiveness for Positivity 58:27 "Brain Makes Best-Guess Decisions" 01:00:26 Rewiring Mindset for Positivity Here are my top 3 takeaways: AI as a Mirror for Growth: Teresa introduces the concept of using AI chatbots as a "mirror method"—a way to reflect on our own behaviors and patterns, helping us gain invaluable self-insight. When we interact intentionally, AI can amplify our awareness and support clearer, healthier decision-making. Four Pillars for Aligned Decision-Making: Teresa shares her four-pillar method (awareness, alignment, responsibility, and decision-making) that guides users to interact with AI (and people!) in ways that are consistent with their deepest values and goals. Empowerment Through Integration: Rather than viewing technology as something that divides or diminishes us, Teresa encourages us to integrate it into our self-development practices. When used mindfully, AI can accelerate both our emotional intelligence and spiritual evolution. In each episode, Jeff and Eric will talk about what emotional intelligence, or understanding your emotions, can do for you in your daily and work life. For more information, contact Eric or Jeff at info@spiritofeq.com or visit their website, Spirit of EQ. You can follow The Spirit of EQ Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Android, or on your favorite podcast player. New episodes are available on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays every month! Please review our podcast Music from Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/roo-walker/deeper License code: PEYKDJHQNGSZXDUE We hope you enjoy the podcast. Hopefully, you're tuning in on a regular basis. We'd love it if you would give us a great review on whatever platform you're listening to the podcast. It's so appreciative and helps us as we try to get more exposure for the work we do and the episodes that we publish. We're grateful to you as a listener. Secondly, our content is for educational purposes only. It's not intended by any stretch to diagnose or treat anything that may be occurring in your life or anyone else's life that you may be connected to through the podcast. And as always, we look forward to the next time that we're together. Take care. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/ Spirit of EQ Mentioned in this episode: SEQ Development Report The SEQ Development Report is an innovative tool that combines emotional intelligence with one's spiritual life, distinct from religious contexts. The report helps individuals understand their connections with themselves, others, and their surroundings. It aims to identify areas in their lives that may need improvement and highlight their strengths, ultimately facilitating better navigation through life. To obtain the report, individuals need to contact Spirit of EQ via email at info@spiritofeq.com and complete an online assessment that takes about 15 to 20 minutes. After the assessment, a debrief session is required to review the comprehensive information provided in the report. Spirit of EQ also offers further coaching to support individuals in their personal development journey. Thanks for listening to Spirit of EQ This podcast was created to be a tool to primarily help you to discover and grow your EQ. Science and our own lived experiences confirm that the better we are at managing our emotions, the better we're going to be at making decisions. Which leads to a better life. And that's something we all want. We're glad that you've taken the time today to listen. We hope that something you hear will lead to a breakthrough. We'd really appreciate a review on your podcast platform. Please leave some comments about what you heard today, as well as follow and subscribe to the podcast. That way, you won't miss a single episode as we continue this journey.

    1h 10m

  4. Apr 8

    Thoughtful Technology for Every Learner with Preston Zeller

    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 intersection of faith, technology, and emotional intelligence. Preston shares the story behind Psalm Log, an app he created to deliver personalized biblical advice, using AI technology to help people navigate both their spiritual and emotional journeys. Together, we discuss the role artificial intelligence is playing in faith practice today, discussing its ethical implications, potential pitfalls, and how it can actually support reflection and personal growth—no matter your religious background. We also talk about Preston’s moving experience with grief and creativity, highlighted by his award-winning documentary, “The Art of Grieving.” Preston reveals how artistic expression can serve as a powerful outlet for healing, and why embracing creativity isn’t just for artists, but for anyone seeking to work through life’s toughest challenges. Moments 04:09 AI-Assisted Journaling for Growth 06:22 "Faithful AI Alliance Initiative" 12:18 AI Adoption: Categories and Insights 15:02 Navigating Uncertainty in Information 17:49 "The Value of Authentic Writing" 20:30 Sunday Christians and Spiritual Stagnation 25:41 "Finding Hope Amid Struggles" 29:02 "Psalm Log: Grief in Art" 30:52 "Painting Grief into Mosaic" 35:46 "Navigating Loss and Connection" 36:40 "Grief, Discipline, and Healing" 40:19 "Creative Expression for Healing" 45:56 "Creativity Opens New Possibilities" 47:02 "Grief, Emotions, and Healing" 50:37 Approaching Gospel with Nonbelievers 55:38 "Less Can Be More" 57:07 Faithful AI and Biblical Guidance Here are 3 key takeaways: AI as a Tool for Reflection & Growth: Preston emphasized that Psalm Log uses AI responsibly to supplement personal and spiritual reflection, not replace it. Technology can facilitate deeper self-awareness and biblical guidance, but it shouldn’t override the human side of processing and agency. Creativity & Grief as Catalysts for Healing: Preston’s documentary, The Art of Grieving, explores how creativity can be a powerful outlet in navigating loss. Whether through art, music, or journaling, giving emotions their “mic” leads to genuine healing and growth. Inclusivity & Impact Beyond Belief: While Psalm Log is inspired by biblical wisdom, its benefits aren’t limited to Christians. Preston noted the app is designed to help anyone—regardless of faith background—find encouragement and tools for emotional wellness. Preston Zeller sits at an unusual intersection: faith-tech founder, growth executive, documentary filmmaker, and abstract artist. As founder of Psalmlog, he's building an AI-powered biblical guidance app that helps believers access relevant Scripture for any life situation—addressing the universal Christian challenge of knowing God's Word has answers but not knowing where to look. His approach is informed by proprietary research with 200+ Christians and 15 years scaling companies from $25M to $300M ARR. As Chief Growth Officer at BatchService, he oversaw the GTM teams, leading to two successful exits. He previously led digital marketing and growth at A Cloud Guru (acquired by Pluralsight for $2B) and ZoomInfo (IPO’d). Preston brings equal depth to creative work. His documentary The Art of Grieving (2022) follows his year-long project of painting daily after his 35-year-old brother Colin died suddenly from a fentanyl overdose. The film explores grief through personal narrative, art therapy, and cultural history. It's available on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and Tubi, and has won Best Documentary at the LA Film Awards, Bridge Film Fest, and Love Wins International Film Festival. In each episode, Jeff and Eric will talk about what emotional intelligence, or understanding your emotions, can do for you in your daily and work life. For more information, contact Eric or Jeff at info@spiritofeq.com or visit their website, Spirit of EQ. You can follow The Spirit of EQ Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Android, or on your favorite podcast player. New episodes are available on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays every month! Please review our podcast Music from Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/roo-walker/deeper License code: PEYKDJHQNGSZXDUE We hope you enjoy the podcast. Hopefully, you're tuning in on a regular basis. We'd love it if you would give us a great review on whatever platform you're listening to the podcast. It's so appreciative and helps us as we try to get more exposure for the work we do and the episodes that we publish. We're grateful to you as a listener. Secondly, our content is for educational purposes only. It's not intended by any stretch to diagnose or treat anything that may be occurring in your life or anyone else's life that you may be connected to through the podcast. And as always, we look forward to the next time that we're together. Take care. Spirit of EQ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/ Mentioned in this episode: Thanks for listening to Spirit of EQ This podcast was created to be a tool to primarily help you to discover and grow your EQ. Science and our own lived experiences confirm that the better we are at managing our emotions, the better we're going to be at making decisions. Which leads to a better life. And that's something we all want. We're glad that you've taken the time today to listen. We hope that something you hear will lead to a breakthrough. We'd really appreciate a review on your podcast platform. Please leave some comments about what you heard today, as well as follow and subscribe to the podcast. That way, you won't miss a single episode as we continue this journey. SEQ Development Report The SEQ Development Report is an innovative tool that combines emotional intelligence with one's spiritual life, distinct from religious contexts. The report helps individuals understand their connections with themselves, others, and their surroundings. It aims to identify areas in their lives that may need improvement and highlight their strengths, ultimately facilitating better navigation through life. To obtain the report, individuals need to contact Spirit of EQ via email at info@spiritofeq.com and complete an online assessment that takes about 15 to 20 minutes. After the assessment, a debrief session is required to review the comprehensive information provided in the report. Spirit of EQ also offers further coaching to support individuals in their personal development journey.

    1h 3m

  5. Mar 25

    The Art of Thinking

    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 what I’ve learned from neuroscience, especially the idea that our minds often operate on best guesses based on past experiences, and why that matters when we’re absorbing information in today’s media-driven world. I challenge you—and myself—to blend critical thinking with emotional intelligence, and to be willing to reflect, question our assumptions, and admit when we get something wrong. It can be tough, especially with all the bias and team-like mentalities out there, but it’s essential for healthier decision-making. In this episode, let’s dive in and start thinking in a way that’s true, reflective, and uniquely our own. Moments 00:00 "Patience, Perception, and the Brain" 05:50 "Bias and Critical Thinking" 10:19 "Facing Loss and Truth" 14:19 Embracing Discipline Over Blind Ambition 17:34 "Embracing Healthy Selfishness" 18:26 "Optimism Amid Life's Urgency" Here are three key takeaways: Our Brains Run on Best Guesses: Our life experiences “write the script” for how our brains interpret events. But thanks to neuroplasticity, we can intentionally develop new ways of thinking—especially about topics or situations we’ve previously only reacted to.Admitting We’re Wrong Is Strength, Not Weakness: Culturally, we’re conditioned to avoid “losing,” but owning our mistakes or lack of information only helps us grow—and fosters respect with others.Emotional Intelligence Is Your Ally: Practicing EQ means blending thinking and feeling, regulating our responses, and being willing to say, “I don't know” when we don’t have all the info. This genuine approach helps us stand out, even if it feels awkward or uncomfortable. In each episode, Jeff and Eric will talk about what emotional intelligence, or understanding your emotions, can do for you in your daily and work life. For more information, contact Eric or Jeff at info@spiritofeq.com or visit their website, Spirit of EQ. You can follow The Spirit of EQ Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Android, or on your favorite podcast player. New episodes are available on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays every month! Please review our podcast Music from Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/roo-walker/deeper License code: PEYKDJHQNGSZXDUE https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/ We hope you enjoy the podcast. Hopefully, you're tuning in on a regular basis. We'd love it if you would give us a great review on whatever platform you're listening to the podcast. It's so appreciative and helps us as we try to get more exposure for the work we do and the episodes that we publish. We're grateful to you as a listener. Secondly, our content is for educational purposes only. It's not intended by any stretch to diagnose or treat anything that may be occurring in your life or anyone else's life that you may be connected to through the podcast. And as always, we look forward to the next time that we're together. Take care. Spirit of EQ Mentioned in this episode: Thanks for listening to Spirit of EQ This podcast was created to be a tool to primarily help you to discover and grow your EQ. Science and our own lived experiences confirm that the better we are at managing our emotions, the better we're going to be at making decisions. Which leads to a better life. And that's something we all want. We're glad that you've taken the time today to listen. We hope that something you hear will lead to a breakthrough. We'd really appreciate a review on your podcast platform. Please leave some comments about what you heard today, as well as follow and subscribe to the podcast. That way, you won't miss a single episode as we continue this journey.

    22 min

  6. Mar 11

    Empathy and Belonging

    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 down the Spirit of EQ development model, illustrating how strengthening domains like awareness and belonging can ripple out positively into our broader lives. Listen for candid insights, practical wisdom, and encouragement to foster emotional growth—both within yourself and those around you. 00:00 Life-Changing Impact of Trauma 04:05 "Embracing Change and Growth" 07:39 "Empathy, Awareness, and Belonging" 11:09 Self-Care Reminder 5 Keys You’ll Learn in This Episode: Empathy is a Two-Way Street: Discover what it means to not only show empathy to others, but also to yourself.Dealing with the Inner Critic: Eric talks about learning to quiet the inner critic and how self-empathy can be dramatically increased.Healing and Growth After Trauma: You’ll hear a moving story on how a personal crisis—like a family emergency—can spark transformative change.The SEQ Model in Action: Learn about the three domains—awareness, belonging, and insight—and how strengthening these muscle groups improves not just our personal lives but ripples out into the world.Letting Go of Control: Get practical wisdom on focusing on what you’re actually responsible for—and letting the rest go. In each episode, Jeff and Eric will talk about what emotional intelligence, or understanding your emotions, can do for you in your daily and work life. For more information, contact Eric or Jeff at info@spiritofeq.com or visit their website, Spirit of EQ. You can follow The Spirit of EQ Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Android, or on your favorite podcast player. New episodes are available on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays every month! Please review our podcast Music from Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/roo-walker/deeper License code: PEYKDJHQNGSZXDUE Spirit of EQ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/ We hope you enjoy the podcast. Hopefully, you're tuning in on a regular basis. We'd love it if you would give us a great review on whatever platform you're listening to the podcast. It's so appreciative and helps us as we try to get more exposure for the work we do and the episodes that we publish. We're grateful to you as a listener. Secondly, our content is for educational purposes only. It's not intended by any stretch to diagnose or treat anything that may be occurring in your life or anyone else's life that you may be connected to through the podcast. And as always, we look forward to the next time that we're together. Take care. Mentioned in this episode: Thanks for listening to Spirit of EQ This podcast was created to be a tool to primarily help you to discover and grow your EQ. Science and our own lived experiences confirm that the better we are at managing our emotions, the better we're going to be at making decisions. Which leads to a better life. And that's something we all want. We're glad that you've taken the time today to listen. We hope that something you hear will lead to a breakthrough. We'd really appreciate a review on your podcast platform. Please leave some comments about what you heard today, as well as follow and subscribe to the podcast. That way, you won't miss a single episode as we continue this journey.

    15 min

  7. Feb 25

    Marathons and Life Lessons with J.A. Dava

    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 from it. I’m joined once again by my good friend and guest, J.A. Dava, who many of you might remember from his incredible insights on sales during his last visit. Today, though, we’re shifting from business to the marathon course, and trust me, the parallels to life are striking. J.A. is a multi-marathon runner, and in our conversation, he opens up about his life-altering heart attack, what it really feels like to hit “the wall” at mile 22, and how the support of others—sometimes even complete strangers—makes all the difference. We talk honestly about the tough moments, the battles with ego, those humbling setbacks, and what it means to rely on community. I share my own observations—like watching my son-in-law run his first marathon and reflecting on how life sometimes feels exactly like those endurance miles: full of hope early on, then testing you when you least expect it. We cover the importance of rest, the power of discipline over motivation, and why your “why” matters for whatever marathon you’re running—on the road, or just in everyday life. Moments 00:00 "Life-Saving Health Wake-Up Call" 06:54 "Marathon Missteps: Food & Hydration" 13:24 "Reflections on Marathons and Life" 17:23 "Mile 13: Keep Going" 21:09 Running Without Proper Training 31:21 Marathon Reflections and Achievement 32:20 "Persistence and Emotional Triumph" 42:14 Empathy Struggles and Growth 48:00 Success Requires Support & Preparation 49:23 "What Do I Really Want?" 57:28 "Prioritization Over Training Costs Result" 01:00:42 "Walking Away and Reflecting" 01:07:12 "Overcoming the Fear of Starting" 01:14:48 What's It Take to Be You? 01:18:20 "Evaluate Your Inner Circle" Here are 3 takeaways you can apply to your journey—whether you’re chasing fitness goals or professional ones: 🔹 Progress Is Built Step by Step J.A. Dava reminds us that success, whether in running or life, isn't about focusing only on the 26th mile or the “finish line.” Break big goals into smaller actions and celebrate the mile 3s and 5s along the way. 🔹 Know Your WHY The “why” behind your journey matters more than the title, achievement, or even the bling. J.A. Dava ran his marathons not just for medals, but as a commitment to health and in service to causes he cares about. 🔹 Community Carries Us Forward Whether it’s an EMT helping you off the course or the supporters who rally when things don’t go to plan, we never truly “run alone.” The people around us—not just our grit—help us cross the finish line, in races and in life. Coach J.A. Dava is a leadership coach, speaker, and co-founder of Latreia Coaching & Consulting, where he helps leaders, sales professionals, and business owners grow not only in performance, but in spiritual, relational, physical, mental, and philanthropic well-being. With more than two decades in the mortgage and real estate industries, J.A. built his reputation by developing people, strengthening relationships, and helping professionals thrive in changing markets. Today, he challenges individuals and organizations to move beyond transactional success and pursue wholistic growth that produces lasting impact. His life has been shaped by resilience, faith, and hard-earned lessons through adversity. By the grace of God, those experiences now fuel his passion for serving others, encouraging men and women to lead with courage, live with purpose, and stay grounded in what matters most. In each episode, Jeff and Eric will talk about what emotional intelligence, or understanding your emotions, can do for you in your daily and work life. For more information, contact Eric or Jeff at info@spiritofeq.com or visit their website, Spirit of EQ. You can follow The Spirit of EQ Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Android, or on your favorite podcast player. New episodes are available on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays every month! Please review our podcast Music from Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/roo-walker/deeper License code: PEYKDJHQNGSZXDUE https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/ We hope you enjoy the podcast. Hopefully, you're tuning in on a regular basis. We'd love it if you would give us a great review on whatever platform you're listening to the podcast. It's so appreciative and helps us as we try to get more exposure for the work we do and the episodes that we publish. We're grateful to you as a listener. Secondly, our content is for educational purposes only. It's not intended by any stretch to diagnose or treat anything that may be occurring in your life or anyone else's life that you may be connected to through the podcast. And as always, we look forward to the next time that we're together. Take care. Spirit of EQ Mentioned in this episode: SEQ Development Report The SEQ Development Report is an innovative tool that combines emotional intelligence with one's spiritual life, distinct from religious contexts. The report helps individuals understand their connections with themselves, others, and their surroundings. It aims to identify areas in their lives that may need improvement and highlight their strengths, ultimately facilitating better navigation through life. To obtain the report, individuals need to contact Spirit of EQ via email at info@spiritofeq.com and complete an online assessment that takes about 15 to 20 minutes. After the assessment, a debrief session is required to review the comprehensive information provided in the report. Spirit of EQ also offers further coaching to support individuals in their personal development journey. Thanks for listening to Spirit of EQ This podcast was created to be a tool to primarily help you to discover and grow your EQ. Science and our own lived experiences confirm that the better we are at managing our emotions, the better we're going to be at making decisions. Which leads to a better life. And that's something we all want. We're glad that you've taken the time today to listen. We hope that something you hear will lead to a breakthrough. We'd really appreciate a review on your podcast platform. Please leave some comments about what you heard today, as well as follow and subscribe to the podcast. That way, you won't miss a single episode as we continue this journey.

    1h 27m

  8. Feb 11

    Transforming Leaders at Baker Road with Joe DeLoss

    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 entrepreneur many of you might know from Hot Chicken Takeover, but today he’s here to share something entirely new and deeply personal: Baker Road. As Joe DeLoss and I talk, you’ll hear how he’s moved beyond just building businesses to cultivating a mission-driven community space that reconnects people with themselves and with nature. Baker Road isn’t about productivity for its own sake, but about creating restorative spaces where individuals and teams can find clarity, stillness, and genuine connection—something we all need in our fast-paced, achievement-focused world. In this conversation, Joe DeLoss opens up about what drew him to this work—a journey that started with a rite of passage experience for a friend’s son and grew into a vision for transformative retreats. We also explore why so many of us feel nature is out of reach, how slowing down can spark huge personal breakthroughs, and why cultivating safe, authentic spaces—especially for men—matters so much right now. Join us for a thoughtful, honest dialogue about what it takes to get back to ourselves and each other. Joe DeLoss is a serial entrepreneur and servant leader focused on building transformational experiences and businesses for the betterment of everyone involved. He’s best known for a Midwest restaurant chain he built and exited called Hot Chicken Takeover. The business gave Joe the privilege of leading nearly 1,000 people impacted by adversity, ranging from incarceration to addiction to bouts of homelessness.HCT earned critical acclaim as a break-out brand in the industry and garnered national attention, enabling Joe to encourage and coach countless other entrepreneurs and leaders towards impact. He continues this legacy of HR innovation through a fractional culture practice he co-founded called HRT Systems. Currently, Joe’s pulling a new thread of personal and professional development by launching Baker Road, a retreat center andguide-service based in rural Ohio. Baker Road offers venues and experiences for individuals, teams, and leaders to truly retreat, allowing them to re-enter life and business from refreshed vantage points. From backcountry experiences to boardrooms, Joe is demonstrating the transformational power of hospitality, wildness, and grounded support. Joe’s work been highlighted by The Today Show, Forbes, Harvard Business School, Politico, The Rachael Ray Show and manyothers. He lives adventurously and abundantly on a farm in Knox County, Ohio with his wife and two wild daughters. When not serving as a “dirtbag concierge” to Baker Road guests, he spends time training for endurance races, advising entrepreneurs, and dreaming up new adventures. Moments 00:00 "Crafting Transformative Experiences" 07:56 "Noticing the Overlooked" 12:03 "Nature, Rest, and Clarity" 16:34 Facing Fear Brings Clarity 22:28 "Designing Transformative Retreat Experiences" 26:39 "Finding Growth Through Letting Go" 34:59 "Redefining Masculinity Through Vulnerability" 38:21 "Presence and Overcoming Small Burdens" 45:29 "Fostering Growth Without Destination" 49:34 "Unspoken Truths in Relationships" 58:18 "Guides, Not Gurus" 01:02:30 "Guide, Not Guru: Your Path" 01:04:47 "Gratitude and Future Talks" 3 key takeaways you can apply to your life and leadership: Nature is a Tonic: As Joe shares, time in nature isn’t just restorative—it can offer clarity and valuable perspective that we rarely find in our busy, achievement-driven lives. False Summits Are Real: Just like hiking a mountain, our professional and personal lives are filled with “false summits”—those moments we think we’ve “arrived,” only to realize there’s more journey ahead. Embracing that can keep us humble and open to growth. Leaders Need Safe Spaces, Too: Even (and especially) high-impact leaders need places where they can be seen and supported as humans—not just by their titles and achievements. In each episode, Jeff and Eric will talk about what emotional intelligence, or understanding your emotions, can do for you in your daily and work life. For more information, contact Eric or Jeff at info@spiritofeq.com or visit their website, Spirit of EQ. You can follow The Spirit of EQ Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Android, or on your favorite podcast player. New episodes are available on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays every month! Please review our podcast Music from Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/roo-walker/deeper License code: PEYKDJHQNGSZXDUE https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/ We hope you enjoy the podcast. Hopefully, you're tuning in on a regular basis. We'd love it if you would give us a great review on whatever platform you're listening to the podcast. It's so appreciative and helps us as we try to get more exposure for the work we do and the episodes that we publish. We're grateful to you as a listener. Secondly, our content is for educational purposes only. It's not intended by any stretch to diagnose or treat anything that may be occurring in your life or anyone else's life that you may be connected to through the podcast. And as always, we look forward to the next time that we're together. Take care. Spirit of EQ Mentioned in this episode: Thanks for listening to Spirit of EQ This podcast was created to be a tool to primarily help you to discover and grow your EQ. Science and our own lived experiences confirm that the better we are at managing our emotions, the better we're going to be at making decisions. Which leads to a better life. And that's something we all want. We're glad that you've taken the time today to listen. We hope that something you hear will lead to a breakthrough. We'd really appreciate a review on your podcast platform. Please leave some comments about what you heard today, as well as follow and subscribe to the podcast. That way, you won't miss a single episode as we continue this journey. SEQ Development Report The SEQ Development Report is an innovative tool that combines emotional intelligence with one's spiritual life, distinct from religious contexts. The report helps individuals understand their connections with themselves, others, and their surroundings. It aims to identify areas in their lives that may need improvement and highlight their strengths, ultimately facilitating better navigation through life. To obtain the report, individuals need to contact Spirit of EQ via email at info@spiritofeq.com and complete an online assessment that takes about 15 to 20 minutes. After the assessment, a debrief session is required to review the comprehensive information provided in the report. Spirit of EQ also offers further coaching to support individuals in their personal development journey.

    1h 10m
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About

Life is a journey. We help shape and guide the road ahead for individuals, leaders, teams, and organizations wanting to realize their full potential through emotional intelligence. https://spiritofeq.com/

Information

  • Creator
    Eric Pennington and Jeff East
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    176
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Spirit of EQ
  • Show Website
    Spirit of EQ