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 info@spiritofeq.com, or go to their website, Spirit of...

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 info@spiritofeq.com, or go to their website, Spirit of EQ.

You can follow The Spirit of EQ Podcast on Apple Podcasts,

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 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!

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