Podcast
Friday Feelings
Hosted by Jenelle Friday · EN
Welcome to Friday Feelings, the podcast that dives deep into the heart of human emotions and the power of Emotional Intelligence (EQ).
Hosted by Jenelle Friday, Principal EQ Consultant at LionHeartCS, this weekly podcast is your go-to space for relatable discussions, actionable tools, and transformative insights to help you thrive in every area of your life.
Each episode focuses on a single emotion—fear, joy, anger, vulnerability, and more—exploring how it impacts our daily lives and relationships. Through open, unfiltered conversations with expert guests and real-world stories, Friday Feelings brings a refreshing dose of transparency and authenticity to the EQ conversation.
What makes Friday Feelings unique? It’s tactical. You’ll walk away from every episode with practical tips, tools, or strategies to better understand and manage your emotions, build resilience, and improve your relationships at home and work.
New episodes drop every Friday morning, giving you the perfect boost to end your week with clarity, inspiration, and actionable wisdom.
Whether you’re looking to deepen your self-awareness, navigate complex feelings, or simply learn how to show up as your best self, Friday Feelings is here to guide you—one emotion at a time.
Subscribe now and join us on a journey to unlock the power of your emotions with Tactical EQ!
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Are You Waiting for Change or Choosing It?
Oct 1000:49:04Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode of Friday Feelings, Jenelle Friday sits down with speaker, coach, and podcast host Bob Mathers to ask a simple question with big consequences: Are you waiting for change, or choosing it? Bob shares the two moments that reshaped his life - getting sober after decades of weekend drinking and facing his son’s sudden brain surgery and how those experiences moved him from coasting to living with intention.Together, Jenelle and Bob connect story to science. Jenelle breaks down the amygdala–hypothalamus–prefrontal cortex loop and how fear, habit, and chemistry keep us stuck. Bob shows what interrupting that loop looks like in real time: prioritizing sleep, scheduling “high-energy” work before 11 a.m., and adopting Morning Pages to find his voice onstage, with clients, and online. They also explore the practice of savoring positive moments for about 17 seconds to counter negativity bias, and Bob’s “Cookie Jar” — a simple way to bank proof of past wins so you can act with courage when your brain throws up doubt.If you’ve been feeling the pull to change but don’t know where to start, this conversation gives you a blueprint. You’ll walk away with practical steps to journal without judgment, protect your best creative hours, slow down for small joys, and choose intentional action when the old pattern calls you back.Resources:Connect with Bob on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmathers/)Listen to The Growth Mixtape podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/4yJWl0GtV3wgVGzsoMysq6?si=8149fff0304c4dd5)Explore Bob’s speaking and work: bobmathers.caMorning Pages from The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron (https://a.co/d/1J38SNc)Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins (the “Cookie Jar” concept) (https://a.co/d/2E75Z9f)Quote referenced: “Take responsibility for the energy you bring to this place.” — Oprah WinfreyReferenced ideas and tools:Energy mapping your day to match work with your natural peaksMorning Pages: three handwritten pages first thing in the morning, no editing, no sharingSavoring: linger with a positive moment for ~17 secondsThe Cookie Jar: write past wins on notes and pull one when you need courageWhether you’re rebuilding after a hard season or simply ready to stop running on autopilot, this episode invites you to pause, choose, and lead your life on purpose.
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Is Freedom Just One Breath Away?
Jul 400:50:04Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode of Friday Feelings, Jenelle Friday sits down with transformational speaker and author Sam Kabert to explore a deceptively simple question: Can your breath change your life? The answer, according to Sam and the science he shares is a resounding YES!Sam opens up about the moment breathwork transformed his world from the inside out, despite outward success as a Silicon Valley entrepreneur. He dives into the concept of Soul Life Balance, shares his 6-step BREATH framework, and explains why surrender isn’t about giving up, it’s about letting go of control and finding power in presence. Together, Jenelle and Sam unpack how breathwork can help us confront trauma, regulate emotions, and stop living on autopilot.This powerful conversation bridges the gap between neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and spiritual growth, offering tangible practices like the 90-second rule and the "ninja breath" to help you lead with intention and clarity. Whether you're skeptical or searching for something more, this episode invites you to pause, breathe, and see what's waiting beneath the surface.Resources:Connect with Sam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kabert/Listen to his podcast Soul Seeker: https://open.spotify.com/show/17i3xvuAhNxO80SVARfvnb?si=dc2e0054e30e47b0Check out his website: https://samkabert.com/Grab your copy of his book "Soul Life Balance" here: https://a.co/d/3QE4mwoJoin Sam's Breath Club here: https://samkabert.com/breathclub/Referenced Materials:Hero's Journey by Joseph Campbell: https://a.co/d/2w0zCrz
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Can One Thankful Thought Rewire Your Entire Brain?
Jun 2700:45:53Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode of Friday Feelings, we explore the life-changing power of gratitude. Jenelle is joined by guest Nick Venturella, musician, marketer, father, and creator of the Grow Loop Journal, for an honest and inspiring conversation about how gratitude transforms our mindset, builds resilience, and reshapes how we experience life’s hardest moments.Together, Jenelle and Nick unpack how gratitude works at the level of the brain and body, why it’s a practice (not just a feeling), and how it can be cultivated even in seasons of loss, uncertainty, and survival mode. You’ll hear practical ways to begin building a gratitude habit whether through journaling, breathwork, relationships, or reframing your toughest experiences.This conversation will leave you encouraged, empowered, and ready to embrace one of the most profound tools for emotional intelligence and life transformation: gratitude.ResourcesConnect with Nick! https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickv/Check out his website: https://www.nickventurella.com/The GrowLoop Journal: https://www.lulu.com/shop/nick-venturella/the-growloop-journal/paperback/product-95me2ry.html?page=1&pageSize=4Referenced Material:The Tools by Phil Stutz: https://a.co/d/2CK7ur0The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron: https://a.co/d/gLb9TrDThe Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins: https://a.co/d/99S0dRX
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Are You Emotionally Available For Your Team?
Jun 2000:48:09Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this powerful and thought-provoking conversation, Jenelle welcomes leadership coach and former CS leader Norma Serena to explore an often overlooked but crucial leadership question: Are you emotionally available for your team? Together, they unpack what it truly means to show up for your people, not just in body, but in mind, heart, and presence.From defining the difference between being physically present versus emotionally engaged, to breaking down why so many leaders unintentionally disconnect, Norma and Jenelle dive deep into the reality of today’s hustle-driven workplace culture. They explore practical ways leaders can build trust, foster empathy, and regulate their own nervous system to create safe, empowering environments. The episode also offers tactical advice for individual contributors on how to advocate for their own needs when their leader isn’t emotionally available.Key takeaways include: ✅ Why your team craves emotional presence, not just leadership checklists ✅ Simple practices to regulate your stress before 1:1s and meetings ✅ How reframing your mindset can align work with your personal values ✅ Practical breathwork tools to reset and refocus ✅ Tips for individual contributors navigating absent leadershipWhether you’re a seasoned manager, a new leader, or an individual contributor wanting more from your leadership experience, this episode will inspire you to bring more humanity, awareness, and connection into every interaction. As always, remember: transformation starts from within.ResourcesConnect with Norma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/normaserena/Norma's website: https://intentionalleadership.ca/https://intentionalleadership.ca/#freeResourcesLink to book a 1h reset call with Norma: https://calendly.com/normahogan/intentional-leadership-adhoc-1-1 What people can expect: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/normaserena_if-you-were-looking-for-a-sign-to-take-a-activity-7336395767084982274-I99k)
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Quieting the Noise: What I Learned in Nine Months Without Alcohol
Jun 1300:45:34Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this deeply personal and transformative episode of Friday Feelings, host Jenelle Friday sits down with Jay Nathan, a respected tech leader and founder of Baloa Solutions, to explore a rarely discussed topic in the professional world: the emotional roots of alcohol dependency.Jay vulnerably shares his story of giving up alcohol, not for a challenge or a cleanse, but to reclaim his peace, identity, and purpose. What started as a glass to take the edge off evolved into a daily crutch that masked anxiety, insecurity, and a deeper emotional disconnect. Together, Jay and Jenelle unpack how vices often stem from unmet emotional needs and what happens when we stop avoiding and start healing.This episode is a raw look at what it means to step away from numbing and step into emotional intelligence, radical self-awareness, and sustainable life change.Key Takeaways:Why dependency is often a symptom of deeper emotional woundsHow business culture normalizes drinking and how to opt out without shameJay’s tactical tools: therapy, consistency, habit stacking, and coachingThe role of identity, faith, and community in long-term changeResources:Connect with Jay on LinkedIn: Jay’s Newsletter: chiefcustomerofficer.ioResources Mentioned:Program: Celebrate Recovery: https://celebraterecovery.com/Book: Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://a.co/d/e3o7e2QBook: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk: https://a.co/d/fYOZW4wTrigger Warning: This episode includes sensitive content related to addiction and mental health.
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What Happens When Hope Knocks at Your Darkest Hour?
Jun 6, 202500:54:55Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this vulnerable and unforgettable episode of Friday Feelings, Jenelle Friday sits down with Chaz Horn, founder of Mastery of B2B Sales, to explore the intersection of despair, healing, and transformation. Chaz shares the harrowing story of the night he nearly took his own life and the knock on the door that saved him.From the depths of shame, loss, and self-doubt to a life of intentional biohacks, faith-based healing, and purpose-driven leadership, this conversation is more than inspiration, it's a guide for reclaiming your life when it feels lost. Chaz's story is raw, powerful, and soaked in resilience. He offers actionable tools, including neuroscience-backed strategies and faith-based reflections, for anyone struggling to move forward.This episode includes sensitive content related to suicide. Please listen with care.Key Takeaways:How suppressed emotion manifests physically and emotionallyBiohacks and daily habits that promote healing and brain healthThe science of thought patterns, neuroplasticity, and emotional intelligenceThe power of community and the spiritual revelation of identityFaith, resilience, and the decision to live on purpose ResourcesConnect with Chaz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaz-horn/Grab your copy of Chaz's book: https://chazhorn.com/the-b2b-blueprint-to-predictable-salesReferenced Material:Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl: https://a.co/d/bE4rc0vLiving Fearless by Jamie Winship: https://a.co/d/eR25m2k 📞 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 988 or visit 988lifeline.org
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Creating Collaborative & Inclusive Environments - HOW do you do that?
May 30, 202500:57:16Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this raw and revealing episode of Friday Feelings, host Jenelle Friday welcomes guest Rijuta Bhagwat, Customer Success leader and founder of CX Factor Advisory. They explore the human side of collaboration from confronting deeply embedded biases to bridging cultural divides in the workplace, Jenelle and Rijuta dive deep into how Emotional Intelligence serves as the foundation for building truly inclusive and high-performing teams.With stories ranging from childhood conditioning to workplace alienation, this episode uncovers the powerful role of self-awareness, curiosity, and intentional communication. You'll walk away with tactical tools like reframing emotional emails, using inclusive language like “help me understand,” and the surprising effectiveness of rotating leadership roles in meetings.Whether you lead a team or you're just learning how to show up better for your peers, this episode reminds us: the key to psychological safety and productive collaboration lies in choosing to care.Key Takeaways:How subconscious biases impact communication and inclusionWhy curiosity and clarity are cornerstones of collaborationTactical EQ tools for inclusive leadership and effective communicationThe emotional cost of toxic environments and how to shift the cultureResourcesConnect with Rijuta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rijutabhagwat/Learn more: cxfactoradvisory.comReferenced MaterialThe Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni (https://amzn.to/4mH4YAr)The anti-CEO playbook, TED talk by Hamdi Ulukaya (https://www.ted.com/talks/hamdi_ulukaya_the_anti_ceo_playbook?language=en)
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Is Your Inner Critic Running the Show, and What Can You DO About It?
May 23, 202500:34:36Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this raw and empowering episode of Friday Feelings, host Jenelle Friday sits down with customer success leader and speaker Taylor Hodges to tackle the voice we all know too well: the inner critic. Whether it whispers self-doubt or shouts imposter syndrome, this inner voice can sabotage both our personal lives and professional growth.Taylor shares her deeply personal journey on how her inner critic showed up during a career comeback, a toxic relationship, and even in the tiny, everyday moments like reading a typo. Together, Jenelle and Taylor unpack the neuroscience behind negative self-talk, the psychology of self-compassion, and tactical Emotional Intelligence tools to quiet that relentless inner judge.This conversation goes far beyond business. It’s about healing, resilience, and learning how to treat yourself with the same kindness you offer everyone else. Get ready for grounding exercises, brain-training tips, and a powerful reminder: you’re not alone, and your inner critic doesn’t get the final word.ResourcesConnect with Taylor! https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylorhodges/Referenced MaterialPositive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine (https://amzn.to/43sBflZ)
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How Do You Manage and Navigate Disappointment?
May 16, 202500:40:27Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailCan Disappointment Become Your Greatest Teacher?Join Jenelle Friday on Friday Feelings for a raw and inspiring conversation with Nisha Baxi, a professional who’s turned setbacks into stepping stones. From failing to make her high school cheerleading squad to missing her dream job at Google and navigating a heartbreaking breakup, Nisha shares how she faced disappointment head-on. With emotional intelligence and neuroscience as her guides, she learned to name her emotions, breathe through pain, and even embrace doing nothing to hear the universe’s wisdom. Packed with tools like box breathing, journaling, and micro-goals, this episode offers hope for anyone feeling stuck in letdown. Tune in to discover how disappointment can spark growth, resilience, and a brighter path forward.ResourcesConnect with Nisha! https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishabaxi/Referenced MaterialBook: Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves (https://amzn.to/4jTZhxa)Podcast: The Happiness Lab by Dr. Laurie Santos (https://open.spotify.com/show/3i5TCKhc6GY42pOWkpWveG?si=34df6be41dee4e87)TED Talk: The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown (https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare)Tool/Concept: Emotions Wheel (Feelings Wheel)(https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jx2fGEGgUgS5imWQW2jlhEjkvtODpGyI/view?usp=sharing)
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How Do You Keep Going When Life Completely Falls Apart?
May 9, 202500:42:32Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWhat happens when life shatters emotionally, physically, and spiritually, and you have to rebuild from ground zero? In this deeply moving episode of Friday Feelings, Jenelle sits down with Leah Russo, a powerhouse of resilience, to unpack the messy, non-linear journey of surviving personal devastation. From walking away from a 10-year marriage with no safety net to enduring five major spinal surgeries, Leah shares the raw truth of what it really takes to keep going when your world breaks wide open.You’ll hear tactical ways to reclaim agency when everything feels out of your control, how to reframe fear as an opportunity, and why micro-steps matter more than motivation. Jenelle also unpacks the neuroscience behind thoughts and emotions, how what we believe literally rewires our brain and body for transformation.If you’ve ever stood in the storm and wondered if you could survive, this episode is your reminder: Yes, you can.Resources:Connect with Leah! https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahrusso/https://www.novaragtm.com/Referenced Materials:Feelings Wheel (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jx2fGEGgUgS5imWQW2jlhEjkvtODpGyI/view?usp=sharing)Tool/Concept: Agency List - a strategy taught by a community member to reclaim power in overwhelming moments, listing actions she can control (e.g., using a heating pad, watching birds).Reach out to Leah directly if you'd like to learn more about this!
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