When keynote speaker and emotional intelligence expert Rich Bracken was let go from a job he loved, while doing great work, it could’ve been the end of his story. Instead, it became the beginning of something bigger.

In this episode, J.R. talks with Rich about the moment that changed everything: losing security, rebuilding confidence, and learning how to manage emotions instead of being ruled by them. From anxiety-driven hustle culture to the myth of “always on,” they explore what it really means to lead with EQ, and why kindness, awareness, and self-reflection might just be the ultimate competitive edge.

Key topics:

• How emotional intelligence transforms setbacks into growth

• Why rejection is often redirection

• Managing self-doubt in high-performance environments

• The danger of hustle culture and the myth of constant motion

• The role of empathy in leadership and life

Learn more about Rich:🌐 Website: www.richbracken.com💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rich-bracken

Listen if you’ve ever felt the storm, and needed to remember that sometimes the rain is what makes you grow.