On Our Minds - Social Media, Humor, and Empathy: The Emotional Cost of Chasing Attention

Here's what's been on our minds lately.

We explore the importance of knowing your strengths—or your "wheelhouse"—and the courage it takes to stay true to what you do best, even when outside pressure tempts you otherwise. They dive deep into lessons learned both as musicians and emotional intelligence practitioners, offering real-world stories about confidence, alignment, and growth.

We examine the darker side of social media trends, where humor and pranks sometimes cross the line into harm and disrespect. You'll hear our perspectives on self-awareness, the value of true comedy, and the difference between humor that lifts people up versus that which tears others down.

Finally, we tackle the timely topic of AI’s rapid evolution and its impact on the skills that will matter most in the future—curiosity, emotional intelligence, and our spiritual connections. Whether you’re a leader, creative, or just someone curious about living more authentically, this episode is packed with thoughtful takeaways on how to flourish in a changing world by truly knowing yourself.

Moments

00:00 "Mastering Music Through Confidence"

05:12 Passion vs. Obligation in Work

09:09 "Emotional Intelligence and Self-Discovery"

10:59 Standing Up to Misplaced Expectations

15:28 Embrace Your Expertise Authentically

19:14 Sentinel Island Contact Prohibition

20:36 Controversial Stunt Backfires in Korea

25:22 Online Video "Clowning" Critique

27:45 Winnie the Pooh Moment

33:34 Humor's Personal Boundaries

35:40 Automated Strike Zone Tested in Baseball

37:54 "Reflecting on Self-Seriousness"

42:41 AI Enhancing Motorbike Choices

45:35 AI's Impact on Knowledge and Emotion

50:02 "Building Emotional & Spiritual Muscles"

51:19 "Leaders Ignore Emotional Growth"

Here are our top 3 takeaways for anyone seeking growth, personally and professionally:

Know Your Wheelhouse (and have the courage to honor it):

Understanding what you do best—and more importantly, WHY—allows you to confidently step up for the right opportunities and graciously step aside from those that aren’t a fit. This self-knowledge not only fuels better performance but helps conserve your energy for work that truly resonates.

EQ in Action: Humor, Connection, and Consequences:

From the pitfalls of “prank culture” to the fine line in comedy, Eric and Jeff emphasize the importance of self-awareness and consequential thinking. Is your humor uplifting or potentially harmful? EQ isn’t just a professional asset; it’s essential for authentic human connection and personal responsibility.

EQ as a Competitive Advantage in the Age of AI:

While AI can provide us with instant answers and automate analytical tasks, it can’t replace genuine curiosity, the drive to discover how, or the capacity to connect in meaningful ways. The future belongs to those who cultivate emotional and spiritual intelligence alongside technical savvy.

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 [e-mail], 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...