Episode Summary: In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Romero sits down with tech entrepreneur and non-profit executive Sean Carr to explore the intersection of mindfulness, artificial intelligence, emotional intelligence, and leadership. Sean details his entry into meditation following a personal crisis, how daily practice anchors his work across multiple ventures, and why emotional regulation is an essential leadership skill. He also offers a practical, balanced take on AI—framing it as a efficiency tool that frees up capacity for genuine human connection rather than a replacement for human relationship.

Key Topics & Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Guest introduction: Tech entrepreneurship, advocacy, and centered leadership.

• 02:00 – Sean’s origin story: Crisis, therapy, and discovering meditation at a Sacramento Buddhist temple.

• 05:50 – Breaking generational stigmas surrounding mental health and emotional vulnerability.

• 09:30 – Emotional intelligence: Recognizing physical responses to anger and practicing emotional regulation.

• 13:00 – Sustainable workflow: Managing multiple ventures through 90-minute work sprints and daily intention-setting.

• 15:10 – Turning pain into agency: Founding the Juneteenth Coalition for cultural and economic empowerment.

• 21:00 – Choosing reframing and perspective over powerlessness and victim mindsets.

• 29:30 – AI in business: Using automation as an administrative assistant while maintaining authentic human touch.

• 38:30 – Recommended mindfulness resources and key takeaways.

• Buddhism for Busy People by David Michie – Recommended by Sean as an accessible entry point to daily practice and intention setting.

• Scale in Motion – Podcast hosted by Sean Carr focusing on business strategy, growth, and leadership.

• Juneteenth Coalition – Non-profit co-founded by Sean Carr dedicated to cultural celebration, youth golf access programs, and community empowerment.

• Blackwater's AI – Entrepreneurial venture specializing in AI consulting and business lead generation.