In this episode of This Mother Means Business, Laura sits down with emotional intelligence expert Hiba Tanvir to unpack what EQ really is, why it matters in entrepreneurship and motherhood, and how to build it. From “downstairs vs. upstairs brain” to the pause–paraphrase–pivot method, they explore practical tools for responding (not reacting), raising emotionally intelligent kids, and leading with compassion in an AI-driven world.

In this episode you will hear:

00:00 – Why Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Matters Now

00:31 – Meet Our Guest: Hiba Tanvir

01:23 – Hiba’s Work: EQ Strategist with Unconventional Tools

02:36 – What Is Emotional Intelligence? A Simple Definition

04:13 – “Emotions Are Not Fluff”: Reuniting Emotion + Intelligence

05:35 – The Four Pillars of EQ: Self/Social Awareness & Management

08:14 – Do the Inner Work Before You Lead Others

10:46 – In the Age of AI, EQ Is the Real Intelligence

12:48 – Empathy vs. Compassion (And Why Empathy Isn’t Enough)

16:41 – From Reacting to Responding: Where to Start

21:03 – Downstairs vs. Upstairs Brain: Name It to Tame It

23:23 – Coaching Kids (and Ourselves) Through Big Feelings

24:49 – Raising Emotionally Intelligent Children

27:51 – Boundaries, Safe Outlets, and Returning to Repair

29:10 – Modeling Vulnerability at Home

32:00 – The Invitation to Repair (Not Time-Out, Time-In)

34:45 – Why Lack of Repair Becomes Adult Shame

36:43 – Closing Gratitude & Next Episode Tease

Hiba's Links: 

Website: https://www.htcompassion.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ht_compassion

Join This Mother Means Business : www.thismothermeansbusiness.com

Laura's Links:
• Website
• Laura's Instagram
• LJSocial Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• TikTok