In a world where technology is rapidly advancing, the role of emotional intelligence (EI) is more vital than ever. In this episode of the Always Learning Podcast, we sat down with Michele Nevarez, Founder and CEO of Beyond EI, to discuss how emotional intelligence and practical experience intersect to create meaningful growth, both personally and professionally.
The Power of Embodied Learning
Michele opens the conversation with a powerful idea: “Learning happens when we embody it, not just think about it.” This statement challenges the traditional ways we’ve approached education and training. For Michele, knowledge is not enough — it must be applied and experienced in a way that connects both the mind and body.
Jeremy reflects on this point, explaining, "At Dream See Do, we’ve always believed that learning must be experiential. We have our CPR flywheel learning model, which centers around connection, practice, and reflection." This mirrors Michele’s approach to embodied learning and emphasizes the importance of integrating emotional engagement and hands-on experience into the learning process.
Eliciting Emotional Responses in Learning
One of the most interesting aspects Michele explores is how to elicit emotional responses during learning. She emphasizes that when learning lacks emotional engagement, it often falls flat. “If the learner remains emotionally neutral, the knowledge might stick intellectually, but without a deeper connection, it won’t lead to meaningful action,” Michele explains.
Jeremy supports this by pointing out the systemic challenge of learning environments that rely too heavily on content dissemination without emotional engagement: "Content's great, but if it doesn’t drive an emotional response, it’s not going to land. At Dream See Do, we want learning experiences to go beyond just content; they need to evoke curiosity and personal connection to be truly impactful."
Building Habits and the Conditions for Learning
In her years of experience, Michele has seen that lasting learning requires more than just absorbing information; it requires habit formation. She outlines four key conditions for learning: awareness, attention, embodiment, and iteration. “These are the gateways of agency,” she says, noting that learners need opportunities to practice, reflect, and refine their behaviors over time in order to embody the knowledge they are gaining.
Jeremy ties this back to Dream See Do’s philosophy: "Our CPR learning model—connection, practice, and reflection—was built to foster exactly that. Learning isn’t just about delivering content; it’s about giving learners the space to reflect, practice, and grow in a meaningful way."
Leveraging AI for Personal Growth
AI is another topic that naturally comes into the conversation, particularly its potential to enhance learning experiences. Michele shares her thoughts on using AI not just for efficiency, but to create tailored, immersive learning journeys that respond to individual needs. By combining emotional intelligence with the power of AI, we can democratize access to personal growth and create more effective learning environments.
Jeremy adds, "We’ve been integrating AI thoughtfully at Dream See Do, using it to create compelling experiences that can quickly transform ideas into actions. AI helps us scale the creation of immersive learning experiences, while maintaining the human-centered approach that is core to our philosophy."
Building Learning Communities
Another critical aspect of Michele’s philosophy is the importance of community in learning. She believes that learning is not a solitary endeavor, but a shared experience. “When we learn alongside others, we gain new perspectives and feel supported in our growth,” she says.
Jeremy highlights this alignment with Dream See Do’s focus on communal learning: "Our platform is built around the idea that learning is more powerful when it’s shared. We want learners to connect with others, share their insights, and grow together."
Moving Forward: Creating Lasting Change
Michele leaves us with a lasting message about the future of emotional intelligence and learning: the key to creating real change lies in reflection, practice, and iteration. Learning isn’t a one-time event; it’s an ongoing process of growth and self-discovery.
Jeremy closes with a key takeaway that resonates with Dream See Do’s mission: "At Dream See Do, we’ve always aimed to create learning journeys that unlock emotional connections and facilitate real behavior change. The goal is to design experiences that stick, that move beyond content and engage people at a deeper level."