Spirit of EQ Jeff East and Eric Pennington

In this episode of the "Spirit of EQ" podcast, hosts Eric Pennington and Jeff East engage in a deep conversation with guest Jeremy Jensen, the chief of police for the Dubuque Police Department. Jensen's focus on emotional intelligence (EQ) and its impact on law enforcement makes for a compelling discussion about recognizing and managing emotions in high-stress situations, enhancing community interactions, and creating a supportive organizational culture.
Takeaways from this episode:
1. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is crucial for law enforcement officers in recognizing and managing emotional levels, promoting officer wellness, and preventing negative outcomes caused by stress and emotional hijacking.
2. Building trust and safety in the community depends on utilizing EQ when interacting with citizens, including establishing personal connections, showing empathy, and fostering accountability in policing.
3. Mindfulness and EQ practices, such as breath work, can help officers manage stress, stay calm in tense situations, and improve the quality of interactions with the public.
4. Police departments can integrate EQ into their culture and operations, incorporating de-escalation techniques, mindfulness, and EQ assessments into leadership training and hiring processes.
5. EQ impacts how law enforcement interacts with the community, promoting self-awareness, emotional recognition, and positive community interactions.
6. Law enforcement departments should prioritize self-empathy, open conversations, and support networks to help officers cope with traumatic experiences and prioritize mental well-being.
7. Introducing EQ skills in law enforcement should focus on individual skill sets and better communication, aiming to improve community relations without appearing overly formal or "touchy-feely."
8. Recognizing and mitigating conscious thoughts is crucial for managing stress and improving performance in high-stress law enforcement situations.
9. COVID-19 has emphasized the need for government employees, including law enforcement, to prioritize self-awareness and emotional intelligence to better serve the community, improve communication, and address personal issues effectively.
10. Small interactions, personal connections, and improved communication within the community are essential metrics for measuring the success of EQ initiatives in law enforcement and promoting community trust.
Memorable Moments
00:00 Congratulations! Dubuque stands out for emotional intelligence.
04:28 Mindfulness and EQ used in the hiring process.
06:30 Recognizing emotional stress in law enforcement is crucial.
10:15 Curious about police-community interactions in Columbus.
14:07 Police work requires controlled interaction with the public.
18:11 Appreciate integration, accountability, and mindfulness in interactions.
21:26 Senior leader surprises with personal health revelation.
24:56 Focusing on others can help solve issues.
26:20 Creating a safe and impactful community through EQ.
29:58 Recognize and address personal biases in work.
32:41 Inability to manage emotions leads to empathy.
37:46 Empathy for first responders in difficult situations.
39:55 Suppress feelings, speak up, offer support, adapt.
42:28 Advice for police chiefs on EQ adoption.
46:03 Tools to simplify daily challenges, and minimize program mindset.
48:41 Recognize emotions in the organization and use them.
52:00 Road rage leads to deadly freeway shootings.
Jeremy Jensen is a trailblazer in the field of law enforcement leadership training. In 2018, he recognized the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) and made it his mission to incorporate it into law enforcement training. Before this, he had experience in personal empowerment and other areas, but it was...

In this episode, Eric Pennington hosts Rachel Scott, a senior UX designer at Buckeye Innovation. Rachel is also a passionate world traveler who aims to visit every country on the planet. Both Eric and Rachel discuss the importance of embracing adventure, challenging perspectives, and living intentionally in both personal and professional aspects of life.
Top Takeaways
1. Embracing different perspectives: Rachel Scott's extensive travels and exposure to diverse cultures have influenced her design work and thought processes, highlighting the value of embracing different perspectives to foster creative problem-solving and innovation.
2. Challenging societal structures: Rachel and Eric agree that ideas of certainty, safety, and security are illusions and discuss the impact of societal structures as illusions that people buy into, prompting listeners to consider questioning and reevaluating established norms.
3. Personal growth through adversity: Rachel shares experiences of being stranded on Socotra and navigating dangerous trips, emphasizing the transformative power of difficult experiences in building confidence and resilience, offering inspiration for personal growth through adversity.
4. Intentional living and life transitions: Rachel's transformation after a divorce led her to prioritize joy, passion, and intentional living, prompting reflection on how life transitions can inspire individuals to reevaluate their goals and redefine success.
5. Continuous self-challenge: Both Eric and Rachel emphasize the value of continuously challenging oneself and pushing beyond comfort zones, encouraging listeners to seek personal and professional growth through ongoing self-challenge and exploration.
6. Impact of early experiences: Rachel's early exposure to different cultures, including visiting the Dachau concentration camp at a young age, demonstrates the profound impact of early experiences on shaping one's perspective and values.
7. Reevaluating success and fulfillment: Rachel's shift in perspective on Western values and success during her year-long trip prompts reflection on reevaluating personal definitions of success and fulfillment, encouraging listeners to consider broader perspectives beyond societal expectations.
8. Embracing change and uncertainty: Eric and Rachel discuss the inevitability of change and the importance of embracing it, drawing parallels to adapting to fluctuating weather conditions and the suspense of movies, offering a reminder to embrace change as an opportunity for growth.
9. Dispelling misconceptions about "unsafe" places: Rachel's experiences of finding hospitable people in places often labeled as dangerous challenge misconceptions, emphasizing the importance of seeking authentic experiences and reframing perceptions of off-the-beaten-path destinations.
10. Intersecting life and career goals: Rachel's emphasis on aligning her work with her life goals, focusing on serving the community and underserved individuals, offers inspiration for individuals seeking to integrate their professional endeavors with their values and aspirations.
Memorable Moments
00:00 Twist: Discuss travel goals and exotic destinations.
04:42 Nervous about Kabul, interaction with locals limited.
08:49 Adventurous, curious person with an active mind and body.
13:38 Year-long remote work and travel in 12 countries.
17:41 America's competitive mindset and dangerous places are discussed.
18:31 Stranded tourists on disputed Yemen island conflict.
22:44 Pushing beyond comfort for a healthy brain this year.
27:52 Money isn't a motivator. Alignment with life goals is more important.
31:00 Divorce led to self-discovery and travel.
34:43 Reflect on your life and make changes.
37:41 Embracing uncertainty and overcoming challenges with curiosity.
40:27 Preparing for...

Welcome to the Spirit of EQ podcast! In this episode, host Eric Pennington is joined by special guest Ellen Isaacs, a licensed orthopedic physical therapist and nutrition coach.
Ellen shares her inspiring journey from struggling with her own nutrition and eating disorders to becoming a passionate advocate for holistic health.
After years of struggling with her nutrition, Ellen found a nutrition coach who met her at her starting point and guided her through a transformative process of gradually increasing her calorie intake.
Ellen offers valuable insight into the process of setting attainable fitness and nutrition goals, emphasizing the significance of starting with small, sustainable steps.
Key Takeaways
1. Gut microbiome plays a significant role in energy, mood, and mental health, emphasizing the importance of gut health in overall well-being.
2. Nutrition coaching can provide transformative results for individuals struggling with eating disorders and improper nutrition, highlighting the effectiveness of personalized nutrition guidance.
3. Adequate energy intake is crucial for the body's recovery and repair processes, especially for individuals dealing with frequent injuries or chronic pain.
4. Healthcare providers need to consider the holistic well-being of patients, looking at lifestyle factors before resorting to medication or surgery, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to healthcare.
5. Patients play a significant role in their health and should consider educating themselves, asking specific questions, and taking responsibility for their well-being.
6. Starting with small, sustainable steps when setting fitness and exercise goals leads to long-term success and prevents disruption in other areas of life.
7. Nutrition changes should be gradual and sustainable, allowing for indulgences while incorporating nutrient-dense foods to alter cravings over time.
8. The impact of food on overall health, emotional management, recovery, and inflammation is significant and should not be overlooked in healthcare and wellness practices.
9. Nutrition coaching and support can be particularly beneficial for women seeking body composition changes and improved athletic performance, addressing specific needs in health and fitness.
10. Seeking help and understanding that recovery from eating disorders is not linear are crucial steps for individuals struggling with eating disorders, highlighting the importance of support and perseverance in the recovery process.
Memorable Moments
01:22 Started running in high school due to eating disorder, struggled with body image and performance, and continued to struggle in college.
05:11 An Incremental approach to increasing calorie intake helped.
07:54 Exercising depletes body energy, leading to breakdown.
12:01 Trainer shows care by providing snacks for a runner.
15:38 Jump, try, don't waste time, the road to recovery.
17:25 Leap, sit with your fears.
22:18 Clients often expect coaching to work magically, but it requires hard work. Mostly women seek body composition changes.
24:07 Our country's health needs urgent attention.
27:59 Zoom out, ask about symptoms, modify lifestyle.
32:39 Mixed bag of doctor appointments: Some positive.
35:28 Health care system lacks solutions for chronic pain.
37:29 Performance and body composition goals can conflict.
40:32 Set small attainable goals to prevent discouragement.
44:53 Small changes in diet alter cravings.
48:25 Deep dive into gut health and microbiome.
Ellen Isaacs is a former college runner who found her passion for running during her freshman year of high school. However, her running journey began on a difficult note, as she was struggling with an eating disorder at the time. Despite her initial...

Cat Perlson, Leadership Development Corporate Trainer
We have an engaging conversation with Cat Perlson. We talk about the profound impact of trauma on mental health, advocating for the validation of emotions and resilience after traumatic experiences.
Here are the key takeaways from our discussion:
1. Embracing Vulnerability and Seeking Support: Cat Perlson's courageous journey emphasizes the importance of seeking help, being vulnerable, and addressing mental health challenges. By sharing her experience with anxiety, depression, and PTSD, she encourages openness and seeks to destigmatize seeking medical assistance for hormonal changes affecting mental health.
2. Psychological Safety and Empathy: We explore the significance of creating psychologically safe environments, validating others' feelings and traumas, and using empathy to understand diverse experiences. Cat's emphasis on understanding and accepting one's emotions contributes to fostering positive workplace cultures and personal growth.
3. Self-Compassion and Growth Mindset: Cat Perlson's inspiring message of hope and personal growth after traumatic experiences resonates with the concept of a growth mindset and the significance of self-compassion. She advocates for the use of dialectical behavioral therapy to balance emotions and logic, promoting the extension of grace to oneself and others.
Memorable Moments:
02:36 Discussing the impact of trauma on relationships.
10:01 Struggled, found purpose in teaching, learned a lesson.
14:15 Witnessed miracles watching children with disabilities thrive.
18:05 Acknowledging past pain and seeking help.
25:30 The Anxiety bobblehead makes me seek help.
30:56 Concerned about culture lacking noble goals in life.
35:29 Believing and empathy are essential in storytelling.
41:21 Supporting brain health: tangible, straightforward actions.
45:20 Yearning for hugs now cherishes solitude.
52:35 Understanding the chemical side of mental health.
53:11 Focus on women's hormonal and thyroid issues.
01:03:13 Excited about holidays, art, family, life, facilitation.
01:03:57 The Proudest moment is being here, still fighting.
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 go to 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 2nd and 4th Wednesdays every month!
Please review our podcast on iTunes. Click on the link for an easy, step-by-step tutorial.


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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...

In this episode of the Spirit of EQ podcast, host Luke Cavanagh welcomes Giovanni Leoni as they discuss the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on human experience and organizations. Giovanni, the head of business strategy and development at Credo AI, highlights the importance of aligning AI with human values, while Luke emphasizes the need to approach technological change with a positive mindset.
Top Takeaways
1. The Impact of AI and Chat GPT Technology: The discussion sheds light on the significant impact of AI and Chat GPT technology on human experiences and organizations, addressing both the potential benefits and challenges associated with their widespread adoption.
2. Fundamental Shift in Various Areas: With the adoption and integration of AI technology, there will be a fundamental shift in various areas such as customer interactions, marketing, sales, and internal organizational mechanics.
3. Automation of Customer Interactions and Marketing: It is predicted that within 3 to 5 years, customer interactions and marketing will largely be automated, significantly impacting retail, marketing, sales, and communication roles.
4. Shift in Sectors with High Workforce Involvement: The use of generative AI is anticipated to lead to a fundamental shift in sectors with high degrees of workforce involvement, impacting the nature of work and roles within these sectors.
5. Prioritizing the Human Element: Despite the advancements in technology, there is an emphasis on the importance of prioritizing the human element in organizations amidst the push for hyper-efficiency and advanced technology.
Memorable Moments
00:00 20 years of deep involvement in AI, and ethics.
04:19 AI's ethical use, positive business change.
07:04 AI's influence grows; organizations slow to adopt.
11:25 Technology must meet human needs to succeed.
16:17 Generative AI allows nuanced, scalable shifts in workplaces.
18:22 Millions facing work changes due to AI.
23:29 Waiting for change leads to negative consequences.
25:25 Successful adoption and adaptation amidst technological challenges.
28:42 Key point: Bringing people along, value delivery, change.
32:54 Efficiency and adaptability are crucial in the supply chain.
38:15 Connecting with others, understanding context, and adaptation.
40:35 Reiterating good points on human connection in AI.
46:09 Leaders prioritize efficiency over psychological safety and collaboration.
47:17 Change management must prioritize human involvement first.
52:16 CEO prioritizes and supports employees' personal growth.
Giovanni Leoni is the Head of Business Strategy & Development at Credo AI, one of the global leaders in operationalizing Responsible AI across all industries. Up until recently, he was Global Head of Algorithm and AI Ethics at Inter IKEA Group, responsible for developing, implementing, and leading the operationalization of responsible analytics across the Inter IKEA Group, encompassing all algorithmic processes, including administrative processes, operational processes, analytics, and AI. He is an active contributor to the global AI ethics community, engaging in legislative industry consultations and various forums and bodies, among them being on the Board of Advisors for Ethical Artificial Intelligence Governance Group, Board Member for Transparency International Sweden, Nordic Ethical AI Expert Group member for Nordic Innovation, an organization under The Nordic Council of Ministers and The Nordic Council and also a Member of the Responsible Applications & Transformation Working Group at the World Economic Forum. For more than 20 years he has been active across multiple sectors, private and public, driving the development of...

In this episode of the Spirit of EQ podcast, hosts Eric Pennington and Jeff East explore the intricacies of navigating change.
Key Takeaways
1️⃣ Embracing Change: Change can be unsettling, but having a noble goal and evaluating if we're still following our true north helps us navigate through doubts. Recognizing patterns, reflecting on past experiences, and practicing self-empathy are crucial in adjusting to change.
2️⃣ Failure as a Pathway to Success: Mistakes and failures are inevitable in the change process. Rather than being discouraged by them, we should embrace them as opportunities for learning and growth. Recognizing patterns, refocusing, and seeing the value in mistakes help us pivot and move forward.
3️⃣ Healthy Mindset: Life is not always positive, and that's okay. It's important to acknowledge that ups and downs are part of life's journey. By embracing both elated and disappointing moments, we avoid challenges in relationships and other pursuits. Evaluating our coping mechanisms and ensuring they move us forward is vital for a healthy mindset.
Memorable Moments
00:00 Change can be a catalyst for emotion.
03:50 Creating clothing art, exploring danger, and brain chemistry.
06:48 Acknowledge and address fears, don't run.
09:51 Prefrontal brain function allows rational decision-making.
14:32 Assess change and its long-term effects.
18:50 Identify emotional literacy for healthy change.
20:11 Transitioning to entrepreneurship means embracing failure.
24:55 Increased sympathy and empathy are important goals.
27:41 Navigating with hope, recognizing patterns, staying realistic.
29:01 Accepting reality makes managing problems more efficient.
Recognizing Patterns mentioned in this episode.
Navigating Emotions mentioned in this episode.
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.
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 go to 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 2nd and 4th Wednesdays every month!
Please review our podcast on iTunes. Click on the link for an easy, step-by-step...