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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