Are you ready to receive more peace, joy, and happiness in your life? Anyone else ready for more calm over the holidays and in 2025? Well, today is your lucky day. I have an expert on the podcast today who studies “Joy & Happiness” unlike anyone I know. His name is Andrew Cannon and he’s on a mission to make the world a much happier and healthier place — especially for kids. Andrew is the founder of EQ Joy, an organization that’s helping children and adults alike harness the power of emotional intelligence and joy. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this one!

Andrew brings over 30 years of experience in market research and insights to his work with EQ Joy, but it’s his personal journey that really makes his message so impactful. After struggling with depression, Andrew discovered the fundamental truth that strong self-love and authentic belonging are key building blocks to a life filled with joy. Now, through EQ Joy, he’s empowering kids to develop emotional intelligence and helping adults unlock more joy in their daily lives.

In this conversation, Andrew and I dive into some heavy statistics that really hit home. Did you know that 1 in 10 high school students (grades 9-12) in the U.S. attempted suicide in 2021? That’s nearly 2 million kids. This statistic is absolutely heartbreaking, and it’s something we need to address — especially when we consider that many of these kids just don’t know how to navigate their emotions.

But it’s not all heavy. We also talk about how we can actively choose joy every single day and build a toolkit for mental and emotional well-being — for ourselves and for the children in our lives.

Here’s what we cover:

• The importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) and how it can help kids build
  resilience, self-worth, and emotional awareness.
• Simple, practical strategies for cultivating joy in your own life — every single day.
• How EQ Joy is making an impact and how you can get involved, whether that’s
  through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the message.
• And one of my personal favorite topics: micro-moments of joy — those small but powerful experiences that happen every day if we just stop and notice them.

One thing Andrew said really stuck with me: "The more joy you bring into the world, the more you’ll create in your own life." I love that, and it’s something we can all take to heart.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why asking for help isn’t a weakness — it’s a chance for others to be of service and find joy themselves.
• How to create an environment of joy and emotional resilience for kids, especially
  in a post-pandemic world.
• The power of emotional intelligence to change lives — and how you can cultivate
  it in both your own life and the lives of the kids around you.
• Practical ways to add more joy to your day (without overthinking it!).

If you’re passionate about spreading joy — or if you want to bring more joy into your own life — this episode is for you. Andrew shares some truly powerful insights that can help us all take steps toward a more joyful, fulfilling life.

If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love for you to share it with your friends, family, or anyone who could use a little more joy and positivity in their life. It’s time to spread the message and help make a real impact on kids’ mental health.

Give us a like, comment, & share and don't forget to tag us:
IG: @todddurkin
Also here’s where you can find Andrew Cannon, 

• Visit the website: eqjoy.org
• LinkedIn: Andrew Cannon
• EQJOY Co (@eqjoy_org) on Instagram
• www.theartandscienceofjoy.com
• The Art and Science of Joy (@theartandscienceofjoy) on Instagram

How You Can Get Involved with EQ Joy:

• Financial Support: Donations are always needed to help impact more kids and bring emotional intelligence to the masses.
• Spread the Word: Help amplify the message by sharing this podcast or connecting Andrew with someone who might be a good partner or ambassador.
• Volunteer: Whether you’re in a kids’ group, school, or church, there are plenty of ways to help bring EQ Joy to your local community.
• Fundraising Opportunities: Host a fundraiser or partner with EQ Joy to help get materials into the hands of kids who need them.

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Andrew Cannon is the founder of EQJOY and the Art and Science of Joy. With a background of 30 years working in the market research / insights sector advising decision-makers on making customer-centric decisions, over the last few years Andrew has used his understanding of people, values, attitudes, and behaviors, to dive deep into the drivers of and the barriers to joy. His own struggle with depression taught him the fundamental truth that strong self-love and authentic belonging are crucial building blocks for a joy-filled life. Through the charity EQJOY, Andrew is currently on a dual mission to empower children to develop emotional intelligence and to empower adults to harvest more joy in their lives. Find out more and connect with Andrew on LinkedIn.