
Emotional Intelligence: Can It Be Taught?
From What Fresh Hell: Parenting, Relationships, and Making Life Better, with Two Funny Moms by Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson
April 22, 2026 · 44 min · Episode 465
About this episode
This episode explores the concept of emotional intelligence, its importance, and how it can be taught to both adults and children.
What is emotional intelligence, exactly? Is it the yin to IQ's yang? Is it equally crucial to our success and well-being? In this episode we talk about what EQ (or EI, depending on who you're asking) actually means, why it matters, and whether it can be taught to both adults and kids. We discuss: The four core components of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship skills (plus what's been taken off the list) Why emotional intelligence is morally neutral Why neurodivergent kids may experience emotional intelligence differently Practical ways to help kids build emotional intelligence Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode: Suzanne Ross for The Explainer: What is emotional intelligence and why do you need it? Crystal Ott for Ohio University Extension: What is Emotional Intelligence? Daniel Goleman on LinkedIn: The Four Domains of Emotional Intelligence Adam Grant for Medium: The Dark Side of Emotional Intelligence Peg Rosen for Understood.org: Emotional intelligence: What it means for kids Brigham Young University: Study visually captures hard truth: Walking home at night is not the same for women…
People in this episode
Hosts: Margaret Ables, Amy Wilson
Topics covered
- emotional intelligence
- parenting
- self-awareness
- neurodiversity
- relationship skills
- social awareness
Keywords
- emotional intelligence
- EQ
- self-management
- social awareness
- relationship skills
- neurodivergent kids
- parenting tips
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Ohio University Extension, Brigham Young University, University of Cambridge Judge Business School
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