What Leaders Can Learn from SEL in Schools with Dr. Jessica Hoffmann, Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence

In this episode of the CivilTalk Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Jessica Hoffmann, Assistant Professor at the Yale Child Study Center and Director of Research at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. Jessica leads groundbreaking research on how social and emotional learning (SEL) shapes school climate, student creativity, and the well-being of both students and educators.

We talk about the science behind Yale’s two high school initiatives, RULER and inspirED, and explore how teaching emotional skills at an early age builds healthier, more creative, and more resilient communities. Jessica also shares her insights on emotion regulation, the role of peers in shaping emotional development, and why SEL isn’t just for students — it’s a foundation for life.

If you’re curious about how em ...