In EP25 the EQ Gents look back on the year where it all started, 2023.

The episode, which marks the last of 2023, is intended to serve as a pause for our co-hosts as they recap 2023 and look forward to what’s to come in 2024. The episode touches on a number of different topics, all resonating around a common theme, the journey of starting a leadership podcast centered around emotional intelligence, and the successes and challenges that came with it.

The conversation explores the themes of authenticity, trust, and emotional intelligence in various contexts, including leadership, parenting, and employee development. In this episode, we discuss the importance of being authentic and trustworthy as leaders, and the potential pitfalls of being overly positive or performative.

David touches on the concept of the arc of justice, which relates to the idea that the arc over time in a relationship will tend towards intimacy rather than anger.

Our workforce is more diverse than ever before. This diversity extends beyond race and religion. As generations converge in the modern workplace, we see a large ideological range and sweeping differences in worldviews. Episode 23 of the Emotional Intelli-Gents Podcast focuses on why leaders must show an active interest in and engage on topics to gain a greater understanding of their team-members as people, beyond the scope of their jobs.

In this episode of the Emotional Intelli-Gents Podcast, hosts Ismail and Sameer delve into the intersection of emotional intelligence and leadership. A key focus is the idea that good leaders are fiercely loyal to their team members, a trait they suggest might be underrated. By showing up for their teams, leaders can build trust, confidence, and a sense of accountability. Topics also covered include recognizing moments for demonstrating loyalty, the dangers of being overly loyal, and the significance of psychological safety within a team. Long-term solutions and mutual commitment underscore their views on successful leadership.

In this Episode, we cover a myriad of really interesting topics with our special guest, Joshua Freedman. The Episode taps into how Joshua’s company, 6 Seconds’, data-driven approach to determine the psyche of today’s workforce.

In this episode, we delve into the complexities of FOPO, a modern-day phenomenon amplifying our innate fears of judgment from others. We explore its evolutionary roots, highlighting the human instinct to seek societal acceptance. We share our personal encounters with FOPO, emphasizing how it has influenced various aspects of our lives, including this very podcast journey as well as discuss the exacerbating role of social media in the age of constant feedback loops and digital validation. This episode touches upon the spectrum of FOPO's impact, from workplace dynamics to individual decision-making. We also offer insights and strategies for listeners to identify, confront, and potentially overcome this looming fear, advocating for self-awareness and genuine self-expression.

Ismail and Sameer are joined by a very special guest on Episode 19 of the Emotional Intelli-Gents Podcast, Mr. Bill Carson.  Bill Carson dives deep into topics that are very near and dear to his life’s work as a resilience coach, emotional and social intelligence coach, and well-being coach.  The podcast episode centers on how employers can meet the demands of today’s workforce with effective upskilling for psychological risk management, and sharing practical ways leaders can implement mental health first aid into their leadership approach.  

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of emotional intelligence with Tara Renze, who is an author, emotional intelligence practitioner, entrepreneur, speaker, blogger, and thought leader. Tara shares her personal journey, the importance of self-awareness, and how to set "butterfly goals" to achieve your dreams. Whether you're looking to improve your leadership skills or simply understand yourself better, this episode is packed with insights that can change your life.

In this episode, Ismail and Sameer sit down with Dr. Kristin Neff, pioneer researcher and renowned expert in the field of self-compassion. Dr. Neff is an associate professor at the University of Texas-Austin, in their Department of Educational Psychology. She is author of several books such as The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook, Fierce Self Compassion and Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself.” Dr. Neff is the co-founder of the non-profit Center for Mindful Self-Compassion and has been credited with the first academic studies on the topic of Self-Compassion. Her TedX talk on the topic of self-compassion has nearly 3 million views on YouTube to date.

In this episode, Ismail and Sameer speak with Jordan Tivers, LCSW, CGP, an individual and group psychotherapist in private practice in Chicago. Jordan shares insights about his clinical practice where he treats primarily other psychotherapists and people in leadership positions, coaching founders, high-venture employees, and new managers to cultivate stronger social and emotional intelligence skills.

Join Ismail and Sameer by tuning into Episode 15 of The Emotional Intelli-Gents Podcast as they discuss how you can master your next difficult conversation. In this episode titled, “Emotional Agility: Harnessing Your Emotions in Difficult Conversations,” our hosts share a ton of valuable insights into how to control your own emotions and the emotions of your counterparts to achieve positive outcomes.