LEGACY HOUR EXPLORES WHAT AI can never replace:
Monica Lenches Brings Together Experts for an Intimate Conversation on Emotional Intelligence,Authentic Connection, and the Wisdom Within
What if the greatest threat of Artificial Intelligence is not that machines become more powerful… but that humans slowly forget how to feel?
That question lingered in the air long after the latest Legacy Hour officially ended.
Guests remained gathered around tables nearly an hour later, deep in conversation. Some stayed for dinner. Others continued unpacking the emotions, revelations, and personal breakthroughs sparked throughout the evening. Questions flowed freely. So did vulnerability.
That was exactly the point.
When Monica Lenches envisioned May's Legacy Hour, she didn't want another networking event — the kind where conversation stays surface-level and connection feels transactional. She wanted to create something meaningful. Something vulnerable. Something human. And perhaps no topic could have been more timely.
“The risk of AI is not that it’s inherently bad,” Monica explains. “It’s that AI does not care and cannot feel for you. And our ability to experience, express, and identify our feelings is the very heart of emotional intelligence (EI).”
Monica, a veteran Realtor®, social entrepreneur, community builder, and producer/host of the Legacy Hour, founded A Kinder World of Commerce over five years ago. The educational campaign is dedicated to raising awareness throughout Santa Barbara about the importance of supporting local, socially responsible organizations — and inspiring others to become forces for good in our community.
This Legacy Hour, held on May 19th, tackled a thought-provoking and emotionally charged topic: The Intersection of Emotional Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence: Reclaiming What AI Can Never Replicate.
Monica shared that in preparation for the event, she repeatedly asked herself the same question:
“What is most needed now for the highest and best good of our community?”
Each time, she says, the same answer surfaced: concern over the growing trend of people turning to AI for therapy — and the risk of losing their connection to their own inner knowing.
That concern runs deep for Monica. Thirty years ago, she enrolled in a coaching program not because she wanted to change careers, but because she describes herself at the time as emotionally overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, and lost.
“It was strictly out of self-preservation,” Monica shares.
The program, led by Dr. Cherie Carter-Scott, often referred to as the Mother of Coaching, transformed her life. It introduced her to emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and the profound importance of feelings as the gateway to the Authentic Self—the place where our deepest truths, purpose, and answers reside.
That experience ultimately became one of the foundations that led her to create A Kinder World of Commerce.
To explore the EI/AI topic from multiple perspectives, Monica assembled an impressive panel of experts whose backgrounds span psychology, leadership, human development, relationships, health, and conscious business practices. She credits and thanks the panelists for deepening the conversation and creating an atmosphere where guests felt safe enough to engage honestly and vulnerably.
Dr. Jenn Kennedy, founder of Riviera Therapy, explored the mind-body connection and the impact of EI and AI on our physical health.
“The danger is not that AI becomes more human,” Dr. Jenn shared. “The danger is that humans become less embodied. As we become more reliant on technology for answers, we can lose touch with our internal signals. The body often speaks through symptoms—migraines, insomnia, digestive issues, chronic tension, fatigue, and even changes in desire—when stress, grief, or emotional overwhelm have not been fully acknowledged. Emotional intelligence begins by learning to listen.”
Barbara Edeston Peterson, internationally recognized motivational speaker, author, sports psychologist, and 10-time XTERRA world champion, spoke about emotional intelligence and the importance of cultivating a healthy relationship with both ourselves and others.
“Nothing can replace a life force,” Barbara shared. “Finding a positive relationship with our unique life force is a profound discovery.”
She also spoke candidly about protecting emotional well-being and making space for inner reflection.
“Going inside is very important to me, and it takes time,” Barbara added. “I’ve been known to spend a Saturday battling with dark feelings until I’m clear and free to feel happy and energized. Our inner life translates to our life force. I consider that precious and worth protecting.”
Peter Matthies, founder of the Conscious Business Institute, whose work has impacted more than 70,000 professionals across 172 countries, addressed emotional intelligence in leadership, organizational culture, and purpose-driven work.
“Anything we do — anything we create — is guided by our inner world, our emotional system,” Peter explained. “That makes emotional intelligence our inner compass. AI can create incredible things, but they will steer us away from what we truly want if they’re not aligned with our inner compass.”
The evening itself was intentionally interactive with guests participating in guided meditation, reflective journaling exercises, breakout pod discussions, and audience Q&A sessions - each designed to help attendees reconnect with their own emotional awareness and authentic desires.
The event also highlighted businesses and individuals committed to conscious leadership and socially responsible commerce, including sponsors Frank Tabar of SB Trust Company, Peter Matthies with Uniphi/Conscious Business Institute, and Cindy Feinberg with Stroll Hope Ranch Magazine.
Guests interested in February's topic also received copies of Regenerative Economics, co-authored by Legacy Brand member Faye Cox and sponsored by Teana David.
For Monica, one thing became abundantly clear through the panel discussion:
“While AI offers the appearance of answers at breakneck speed, its seductive design quietly undermines our inner knowing and authentic power," she says. "Our health, our relationships, our sense of purpose — these are too precious to surrender to something outside of ourselves."
And judging by the conversations still unfolding long after the evening ended, it was an evening that clearly resonated — and one that many weren't quite ready to leave behind.
