The Shadows Podcast | Emotional Intelligence and Personal Growth

🎙️ Shadows Podcast – Chris Ferrell: Resilience in the Face of Adversity

In this powerful episode, we sit down with United States Air Force veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Chris Ferrell. From his early days answering the call to serve, to the life-altering blast that changed everything, Chris opens up about his journey through trauma, recovery, and the rediscovery of purpose.

This episode is more than a military story—it’s about ...

🎙️ Episode 182: Gridiron Gang & Leadership

What does Gridiron Gang teach us about leadership, emotional intelligence, and second chances? In this powerful episode of The Shadows Podcast, Miguel Estrella steps up for his first solo breakdown, using the story of Coach Sean Porter (played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) and his juvenile football team as a blueprint for leadership under pressure.

Through the lens of four “downs,” Migu...

🎙 New Episode: “Any Given Sunday – Inches of Emotional Intelligence”

What can a late-90s Oliver Stone football classic teach us about leadership, ego, and self-care? A lot more than you think. In this Audible Series installment of The Shadows Podcast, we break down the Emotional Intelligence lessons buried in the chaos, drama, and famous locker room speeches of Any Given Sunday.

🏈 Play #1 – The Leadership Balancing Act
When your...

🎙️ Episode 180: Rocky Bleier – You Couldn’t Script This

What happens when life calls an audible you never saw coming?

In this powerful kickoff to our Audible series, we’re joined by one of the NFL’s most inspirational figures—Rocky Bleier. A 4x Super Bowl Champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers, a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient, and a national champion at Notre Dame, Rocky’s story goes far beyond the field.

📍 From being drafte...

Why does being left on read trigger you?
Why do you feel drained after “just five minutes” of scrolling?
And why do you compare your real life to someone else’s filtered highlight reel?

This isn’t just another episode about social media—it’s an emotional intelligence wake-up call.

In this episode, we break down:

• The emotional impact of being unfollowed

• The grip of comparison culture

• The cycle of doomscrolling

• The silent weight ...

This isn’t a wrestling story.
It’s a story about you.
About the expectations others place on us.
The roles we’re told to play.
And the emotions we bury just to keep going.

In this episode of The Shadows Podcast, we take a powerful, emotionally intelligent look at the legacy of the Von Erich family—not through the lens of tragedy, but through the pressure of persona.

We explore:

• The danger of conditional love and perfor...

This week on The Shadows Podcast, we rewind to one of the most controversial acts in music history — Milli Vanilli — but through a very different lens: Emotional Intelligence.

They were global superstars… until they weren’t.
Vilified for lip-syncing, stripped of awards, and mocked by the same public that once praised them.
But here’s the twist:
Everything they were crucified for in the early ‘90s — carefully curated image, polished per...

🎙️ Iron Man and Emotional Intelligence
📅 Episode 175 | The Shadows Podcast
🧠 PERSONa Month Series

Who has higher emotional intelligence: Tony Stark or Iron Man? 🤔 Suit up for an in-depth emotional intelligence breakdown of one of the most complex heroes in the Marvel Universe.

In this episode, host Tripp Bodenheimer takes you on a journey from the cave to the gauntlet—exploring how Tony Stark transforms from a narcissistic billiona...

🎙️ EP175 - Emotional Intelligence in Labyrinth: Lessons from the Goblin King’s Maze

This week on The Shadows Podcast, we step into the glittery, twisted, and emotionally rich world of Jim Henson’s Labyrinth. What looks like an ‘80s fantasy cult classic with goblins, puppets, and David Bowie’s glam-rock charisma is actually packed with timeless emotional intelligence lessons.

Through Sarah’s surreal journey to rescue her baby brother...

Is Donnie Darko just a cult classic—or a psychological case study in emotional intelligence?

In this episode of The Shadows Podcast, we explore the emotional layers of Richard Kelly’s 2001 mind-bender, Donnie Darko. We break down how emotional intelligence (EQ) plays a critical role in the film’s characters and choices—highlighting Donnie’s rage, Frank the Rabbit’s symbolism, and Jim Cunningham’s manipulative fear-based philosophy. ...

“Life is like a box of chocolates… you never know what you're gonna get.” 🍫

But what if that unpredictability is the point?
In our latest episode of The Shadows Podcast, we break down Forrest Gump through the lens of emotional intelligence—from grief and loyalty to presence and empathy.

Forrest may not claim to be a smart man, but emotionally? He teaches us more than most leadership books ever could.

🎧 Stream it now on Spotify, Apple...

🎙️ Episode 172 – "Remember Who You Are: Emotional Intelligence Lessons of The Lion King"

In this episode of The Shadows Podcast, we explore the powerful emotional intelligence (EQ) lessons hidden within Disney’s The Lion King.

From grief and guilt to identity and leadership, Simba’s story is more than a classic movie—it’s a masterclass in emotional growth.

🎧 You’ll learn:

• The 5 components of emotional intelligence (self-awareness...

🎙️ Greed is Good? Why Positional Power Triggers Us

Ever felt like just a number to a boss or authority figure? In this episode, we’re breaking down one of the most frustrating emotional triggers—positional power misuse. From the micro-managers to the mini-monarchs who let their title define them, we dive into why these dynamics drive us crazy and how they impact our emotions and productivity.

Joined by my co-host, Miguel, we explore...

The Fast & the Frustrated
Why does driving bring out the worst in us? In this episode of The Shadows Podcast, Tripp Bodenheimer, Noble Gibbens, and Miguel Estrella break down the psychology and emotional triggers that turn everyday drivers into road rage warriors. From misplaced anger to a lack of emotional control, the crew shares insights, personal stories, and tools like emotional jiu-jitsu and mindfulness to help you sta...

🎙️Ginger Snaps
🟠 What My Dog Taught Me About Perspective and Emotional Intelligence

In this deeply personal episode of The Shadows Podcast, host Tripp Bodenheimer shares the emotional story of his family's final day with Ginger, his beloved 17-year-old dog. What should have been a peaceful goodbye turned into a traumatic moment—one that left physical scars, but also revealed powerful lessons about empathy, emotional control...

🎙️ As we start filling out our brackets for the 2024 NCAA Tournament, get ready for an electrifying episode of the Shadows Podcast: Rebound Series! 🎉 We’re thrilled to welcome the legendary Sidney Moncrief to our annual Rebound Series! 🏀

Join hosts Tripp and five-time NBA All-Star and the first ever NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Sidney Moncrief as they dive deep into the journey of one of the NCAA and NBA's all-time grea...

Join us this week on the Shadows Podcast for an exhilarating episode featuring an ACC Basketball legend, Len Elmore! As the sole player in Maryland basketball history to achieve 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, Len brings a wealth of experience to our Rebound Series.

Joined by special cohost Ricky Price, Tripp Bodenheimer delves into Len's remarkable journey from his humble beginnings to his unforgettable tenure at Marylan...

In this week's episode of the Shadows Podcast, we delve into the captivating story of Jeff Ruland, a true basketball legend. Join us for another thrilling installment of our March Madness inspired series, the Rebound series season four!

We're honored to have Jeff Ruland, a member of the original McDonald's All-American team, two-time NBA All-Star, and former head coach at Iona, sharing his remarkable journey with u...

In this special episode of the Rebound Series, prepare to be captivated as we sit down with former NBA assistant coach, Dean Cooper, for an unforgettable journey through basketball history and coaching brilliance! 🏀 With nearly two decades of experience coaching at the highest level, Coach Cooper brings a unique perspective shaped by encounters with legends of the game.

Join us as Coach Cooper shares riveting anecdotes from h...