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 [email protected], 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.

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.

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.

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 [email protected], 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.

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.

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 our well-being.

In this episode, Eric and Dr. Sherwood dig deep into the emotional impact of health challenges, the staggering rise in lifestyle-related diseases, and how our everyday decisions—from what we eat to how we respond to stress—shape both our physical and emotional health. Dr. Sherwood shares fascinating perspectives on the Standard American Diet, the addictive nature of certain foods, and the importance of trust and empathy between doctor and patient.

You’ll also learn how Dr. Sherwood and his wife, Dr. Michelle Sherwood, have built an alternative medical practice centered on treating the whole person—spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. Mark offers practical advice for managing healthcare costs, becoming more intentional about your health, and fostering hope and compassion in medical interactions.

Moments

00:00 America's Health Crisis Worsens

05:11 "Processed Foods as Addictive Drugs"

07:34 "Relearning Lifestyle Beyond GLP1"

09:50 Focusing on Positivity First

14:44 Specialist's Approach to Personalized Care

18:46 "Creating Alternative Healthcare Systems"

20:51 "Rethinking Health Savings Systems"

25:17 Webinar for Transparency and Engagement

28:40 Holistic Health and Spiritual Connection

32:05 Freedom to Choose Beliefs

33:50 "Power of the Professional Pause"

37:26 "Patient Recognition and Connection"

40:46 "Lost Personal Connection Today"

44:08 Personalized Medicine for Diabetes

48:14 Women's Health Dismissal Struggles

52:29 "Longevity and Health Optimization"

56:10 "Mark's Inspiring Message Shared"

Here are 3 thought-provoking takeaways:

• Healthcare Is More Than Just Medication and Diagnosis - Dr. Sherwood advocates for a partnership with patients, focusing on trust, empathy, and really listening to their stories. Creating genuine relationships leads to better health outcomes—and patients know when you truly care.
• Lifestyle Choices Account for the Majority of Our Health - The conversation highlights that up to 90% of recurring health conditions are tied to lifestyle, not just genetics or bad luck. Nutrition, sleep, movement, and stress management are critical pillars—and we have more control than we think.
• Treat the Whole Person, Not Just the Symptoms - Mark and Michelle Sherwood’s practice looks at physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual health—helping people feel seen, heard, and valued. It's a reminder that no one is defined by a diagnosis; we are all more than our medical charts.

Mark Sherwood, Naturopathic Doctor (ND) and Michele L. Neil-Sherwood, Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), have a full-time wellness-based medical practice in Tulsa, OK called the Functional Medical Institute where they adopt a whole person approach, which is outcome based looking at each individual’s unique needs. Their goal is to lead people down a pathway of true healing. To that end, there are two purposes: 1. To eradicate all self-imposed, choice driven disease conditions, and 2. To eliminate the usage of unnecessary medications. Through their unique clinic, various diagnostic tests are used, healing and prevention of common disease patterns are the norm. 

The couple has co-authored four Amazon #1 best-selling books, The Quest for Wellness, Fork Your Diet, Surviving the garden of Eatin’, The Narrow Road, Peptides Unlocked, and Hormones Unlocked. Their newest book, Authentic Longevity, will be released in September 2025. They have been seen on national TV, been quoted on CNN, featured on CBN, and are regular contributors to many national publications.  Drs. Mark and Michele appear twice weekly on many TV networks with their show Furthermore. They are also movie producers of the documentary film Fork Your Diet, and other inspirational and faith-based movies: The Prayer List, WWJR, Heaven’s Date, and Holy Flix.  Two more films have just concluded production – The Last POTUS and Wealthy Soul. Both will come out worldwide in 2025. Their most recent production, Forgotten Fortune, which stars Lou Ferrigno and Jimmie “JJ” Walker, is set to release in 2026.

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 [email protected], 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.

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.

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 individuals move from survival mode into clarity, resilience, and purpose. Dr. Hector integrates neuroscience, lifestyle psychiatry, and compassionate clinical insight to support healing at both the individual and relational level. He is especially passionate about working with high-performing, emotionally complex, and often marginalized individuals, and about changing how we understand and care for the human mind and soul.

In this episode, Dr. Rodriguez and I talk about what your brain health can reveal about your emotional intelligence. We explore some powerful ideas, like the concept of the “inner bully” versus the “inner cheerleader” and how the way our brain is wired shapes our self-talk and beliefs.

Dr. Rodriguez unpacks the science behind self-awareness and negativity bias, shares practical strategies for rewiring our thought patterns, and guides us through how both major traumas and smaller, everyday micro-traumas impact who we are.

We also talk about the true roots of psychiatry—as the management of the soul—and why that perspective matters more than ever. Our conversation touches on everything from loneliness and connection to the role of technology in our lives and the essential human need for genuine bonds.

Moments

00:00 "Bully and Cheerleader Brain Concept"

05:07 Silencing Your Inner Critic

07:09 "Identifying and Addressing Negative Thoughts"

10:45 Internal Bully vs. Cheerleader

15:05 Reframing Mental Health Perspectives

18:28 Openness to Soul Beyond Religion

22:20 Emotional Block and Vulnerability

24:39 Building Trust Over Time

29:08 Overthinking Disrupts Sleep

30:23 Nervous System's Hidden Impact

36:36 "Urgent Help Needed for Injury"

37:06 Avoiding Mental Health Attention

41:55 "Life Isn't a Football Game"

43:47 "The Connection Issue"

49:56 Loneliness and OnlyFans Impact

51:33 AI Companions and Mental Health

54:44 "Insight on Family and Perception"

59:09 Improving and Seeking Help

01:00:32 "Dr. Hector's Info & Updates"

3 Key Takeaways:

1. You can retrain your brain: Through daily practices and conscious reframing, it’s possible to move from automatic negative thoughts to self-supportive beliefs.
2. Emotional intelligence is rooted in brain health: Being self-aware isn’t just a soft skill—it’s physically mapped in the brain, and can be strengthened like a muscle.
3. True connection matters: Human bonding and authentic relationships are essential for mental and emotional health—no app or artificial substitute can replace the brain’s need for real connection.

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 [email protected], 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.

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.

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 helped out, which created a real sense of community (and made the place run like clockwork).
• Empathy & Intrinsic Motivation Matter: Genuine care for each other and pride in their work were obvious, regardless of pay or job title. These “softer” skills—empathy and motivation—were crucial to a positive environment and high performance.
• Customer Experience is Energy: Because the workforce felt connected, customers left their phones in their pockets and engaged with each other—and even strangers. The result was more than just a meal; it was a feeling of belonging and genuine connection.

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 [email protected], 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.

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.

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.

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 own spiritual journey, making it clear that when we talk about “spiritual health,” it’s not about specific religions or rituals, but about nurturing that inner core, regardless of background or beliefs. Using the analogy of a target, Steve explains how our spirit is at the very center of who we are, influencing our emotions, knowledge, behaviors, and ultimately, the outcomes of our lives. He emphasizes that many of the issues we encounter—whether personal or professional—can often only be addressed by attending to our spiritual wellbeing.

We also discuss the growing prominence of AI in our lives and why building our spiritual and emotional strengths is more important than ever in an age of rapid technological change. Steve offers insights into the differences between “change” and true “transformation,” sharing practical strategies for personal growth, such as becoming aware of self-limiting habits and intentionally working to rewire our brains.

Throughout the conversation, we talk about the benefits of spiritual health, including increased joy, fulfilment, and the ability to set healthy boundaries and priorities. Steve also talks about his new mastermind groups and other resources he's created to help people grow in leadership, sales, and ministry.

If you’re looking for actionable advice on strengthening your spiritual health and transforming the way you live and lead, you’ll find lots of wisdom in today’s episode. All of Steve’s resources and links are in the show notes—reach out to him for a conversation, it could be your first step towards positive transformation.

Moments

00:00 "Spiritual Growth and New Book"

04:36 Address Emotional Issues Spiritually

07:10 AI's Impact on Emotional Growth

11:44 Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Fulfillment

14:32 Inner Beliefs and Self-Talk

17:43 "Rewiring Faith and Self-Perception"

23:52 "Developing a Growth Mindset"

26:59 Embrace Growth, Reject Limits

29:07 Self-Imposed Limits on Opportunities

33:40 "Assessing Habits: Productivity vs Counterproductivity"

35:30 Powerful Support System Investment

40:41 12-Week Mastermind Transformations

44:10 Leadership Transformation Ripple Effect

46:17 Upcoming Book Launches and Themes

Here are my top 3 takeaways:

Spiritual Wellbeing is Foundational: Steve likened our spiritual self to the bullseye at the center of a target, with our emotions, intellect, and actions radiating outward. True transformation starts at the core—addressing the spirit influences everything else.

Growth is an Ongoing Journey: Transformation is not a one-time event. Steve stresses the importance of a growth mindset and continuous, inside-out change, emphasizing that self-improvement requires as much commitment as any work project.

Practical Steps Matter: Insight is key, but so is action. Steve recommends starting with validated self-assessments and investing in your personal development, just like you would with any big decision—because the ROI on you is always worth it.

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 [email protected], 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.

Music from Uppbeat

https://uppbeat.io/t/roo-walker/deeper

License code: PEYKDJHQNGSZXDUE

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Spirit of EQ

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:

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.

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.

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 are formed—starting from infancy and early childhood through experiences, observations, and what we’re taught. We explore how these often subconscious beliefs impact behavior, relationships, and self-worth well into adulthood.

We talk about the importance of examining and challenging longstanding beliefs, especially when they no longer serve us. Anita explains how therapy, including approaches like EMDR, can help us uncover, process, and even rewire these deep-seated patterns—offering hope and practical insight for anyone looking to grow, heal, and understand themselves better.

Whether you’re just starting to think about your own core beliefs or you’re well along that journey, this episode is full of relatable stories, clinical wisdom, and a reminder of the power of self-awareness. If you’re curious about why you react the way you do—or if you’ve ever wondered where certain feelings come from—this conversation will resonate.

Moments

00:00 Early Childhood Memory Formation

04:15 "Perceived Beliefs About Dog Danger"

07:47 Childhood Observations Shape Beliefs

13:01 Challenging Core Beliefs

14:58 Core Beliefs in Relationships

18:33 Therapy: Growth and Self-Discovery

22:27 Rewiring the Brain Takes Effort

26:00 EMDR and Subconscious Clarity

27:48 "EMDR: Enhanced REM for Stress Processing"

32:24 Positive EMDR Outcomes Discussed

34:15 Rising Demand for EMDR Therapy

37:42 Exploring EMDR for Emotional Distress

43:20 Unresolved Childhood Trauma's Adult Impact

44:50 Emotional Intelligence and Retirement Concerns

49:28 Pros and Cons of AI Therapy

51:50 "Music's Emotional Impact Explored"

Here are 3 key takeaways from our conversation:

• Core beliefs start young and run deep. Most of our core beliefs are formed in childhood—often before the age of 7—through what we’re taught, what we observe, and how we interpret our experiences. These beliefs get “written into” our subconscious and influence adult relationships, work, and self-worth.
• Awareness leads to growth. Re-examining those early beliefs isn’t just about fixing problems; it’s about ongoing self-discovery. Whether things are going “fine” or you’re feeling stuck, proactively reflecting on core beliefs (with a counselor or through journaling) helps you identify outdated narratives and sparks personal growth.
• There are effective tools for change. Techniques like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can help address distress from past traumas and beliefs that hold us back. Anita shared how EMDR facilitates healing by unlocking and reprocessing those deeply stored memories—something an AI chatbot just can’t replicate.

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 [email protected], 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.

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:

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.

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.

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-reflection and why talking to yourself doesn’t mean you’re losing it. There’s even a fun little experiment they try out on air to show just how tricky—and important—self-knowledge can be.

Plus, we look at making mistakes, letting go of perfection, and how emotional intelligence tools can make navigating life’s ups and downs a whole lot easier.

Memorable Moments

00:00 Unintentional Radio Silence

04:54 Starting Small: Building Self-Reflection

06:58 "Talking to Ourselves Helps"

12:41 Baseball: Hitting into Bad Luck

15:04 Imagined Acquaintance Reflection

16:30 Musician's Disney Connection Revealed

22:12 Self-Validation Over External Approval

26:31 Optimism and Empathy as Growth Tools

30:40 "Curiosity Over Judgment: Parental Challenges"

31:39 Reconsidering "Toxic" Relationships Advice

36:05 "Prioritize Curiosity Over Judgment"

Here are three key takeaways for anyone looking to strengthen their emotional intelligence:

Embrace Silence as Self-Discovery

Sometimes the best way to get to know yourself isn’t through books or podcasts, but by simply sitting in silence and observing your own thoughts. Jeff shares how driving in silence helped him become comfortable with himself and do some important self-inventory.

Curiosity Over Judgment

When reflecting on our actions or beliefs, approach with curiosity—not criticism. As we discussed, being curious about your reactions and beliefs (instead of immediately judging yourself) leads to growth and healthier self-understanding.

Strong Relationships Start Within

The better we know ourselves, the better equipped we are to nurture and sustain healthy relationships with others. Self-knowledge makes us less reactive and more responsive, which is vital for personal and professional growth.

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 [email protected], 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.

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.

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 neuroscience and emotional intelligence, has allowed him to create assessments, methodologies, and proven practices that have been adopted and validated.

After spending years in sales and sales management, earning President's Club (top 5%) with two different organizations and Sales Manager of the Year with another, he began Goodner Strategic Consulting LLC, dba EQFIT®, with a focus on emotional intelligence. The skills of emotional intelligence directly correlate with growth and success in every aspect of life and work.

Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just getting started, you’ll want to listen in as we explore why traditional sales tactics often miss the mark—and how approaching sales as an authentic, problem-solving partnership can completely transform your results.

Steve and I talk about the emotional challenges that come with being an entrepreneur or salesperson—everything from nerves and anxiety to the dreaded impostor syndrome. We look into practical, neuroscience-backed strategies for building self-trust, creating a sense of safety for your clients, and tapping into the emotional drivers that influence over 70% of all buying decisions.

You’ll pick up actionable tips for staying authentic, making deep connections, clarifying your messaging, and using tools like CRMs and AI to structure your follow-ups without losing the human touch. We also talk about why extrinsic motivation can lead you astray, and how building your business is as much about personal growth as it is about revenue.

This is a heartfelt, illuminating discussion that might just change the way you see sales—and yourself!

EQ Moments

00:00 Entrepreneurial Nerves and Salesmanship

10:27 Building Trust and Overcoming Bias

13:53 Authentic Connections Drive Sales

18:27 Intrinsic Motivation Beats Materialism

26:00 "Top Salespeople's Mindset Secrets"

27:56 Entrepreneurial Mindset and Adaptability

35:27 Managing Sales Opportunities Spreadsheet

42:20 Compelling Story vs. Credentials

46:24 "Empowering Life and Work"

53:22 "Emotionally Intelligent Living Series"

58:30 Raising Prices Through Fewer Clients

59:56 "Prioritize Clients for Better Focus"

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 [email protected], 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.

Music from Uppbeat

https://uppbeat.io/t/roo-walker/deeper

License code: PEYKDJHQNGSZXDUE

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Spirit of EQ

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:

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.

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.

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 at the advancements in medicine and technology, but focusing on something that’s often overlooked: the human connection between doctors and patients. Together, we discuss how easy it is for that critical relationship to become transactional with the ongoing pressures of the business side of medicine, and why that matters for both patients and practitioners.

Dr. Liebowitz shares some powerful stories from his decades of experience that really drive home just how important emotional intelligence is in creating trust, hope, and better outcomes. We also discuss his brand new book, "The EQ Prescription," and his concept of the Emotional Intelligence Zone—a tool that can help both professionals and patients foster real, meaningful connections in healthcare.

We share real-life scenarios, practical advice, and the reasons why optimism and the willingness to change can make such a difference in our health journeys.

Mickey Lebowitz, originally from Brooklyn, New York, is a graduate of SUNY-Oswego (magna cum laude and student athlete of the year) and Upstate Medical University and a board-certified endocrinologist/diabetologist (Fellow, American College of Endocrinology). He has worked in a physician-owned practice, as an employed physician in the VA system, and currently as an endocrine hospitalist.

He spent seven years as a hospital-based senior medical quality director and is currently a chief medical officer at a healthcare transportation company. He's an educator, serving as the medical director of a physician assistant program in upstate New York, and an author whose first book, Losing My Patience, was published in 2009. Through Six Seconds, he is a certified assessor, practitioner, facilitator, and coach in emotional intelligence (EQ), coaching clinicians, nurses, and healthcare students on leadership, professionalism, and interpersonal relationships.

He has given countless presentations and workshops on EQ locally and nationally, and is in the process of publishing his research on the impact of EQ on his PA program's students.

He has been on the list of Best Doctors in America, is an honoree of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (Breakthrough TID), and has received awards for preceptor and resident teaching, community service for educating health-care professionals on wellness and burnout, dedication and loyalty to the medical profession, and excellence in health-care education, as well as the NYSSPA Physician Advocate of the Year award.

Spirit of EQ

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 [email protected], 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.

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.

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.

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.