エピソード

  • Meet Omar – What Most Ambitious Professionals Get Wrong About Success

    Meet Omar – What Most Ambitious Professionals Get Wrong About Success
    2025/06/30
    Meet Omar. He’s sitting in his car during lunch, engine off, sandwich in one hand, doom-scrolling through reels of everyone else winning. Once passionate about recruiting, Omar now feels disconnected, discouraged, and uncertain about what’s next. He’s the Director of Talent Acquisition at a mid-sized tech firm and recently found himself placed on a performance improvement plan. But the expectations are unclear, the support is missing, and the silence between meetings is deafening. His confidence is fading, and the bigger fear isn't just losing his job, it’s losing himself. In this episode, Jay sits down with Julian Placino, a recruiting leader, keynote speaker, and founder of a media production company, to explore what ambitious professionals often get wrong about success. Drawing from his own career setbacks and personal reinvention, Julian shares a powerful three-part framework for getting unstuck: find meaning in the struggle, follow curiosity before clarity, and take action, even if it’s just one step. Together, they unpack how failure can become fuel, why many professionals overthink rather than act, and how reconnecting with purpose starts with play, not pressure. Notable Quotes “Only through the fire of rejection, failure, and setback did I begin to have confidence in my ability.” – Julian Placino “Go play. Follow your curiosity. The clarity will come later.” – Julian Placino“ You don’t need to see the full path. You just need to see the next step.” – Jay Abbasi About Our Guest Julian Placino is a keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and former head of recruiting at a top tech consulting firm. With two decades of experience in talent strategy, Julian now helps professionals and organizations develop leadership through storytelling, content creation, and intentional career design. He’s the host of the Pathways to Success podcast and the founder of a media agency that supports mission-driven brands. Resources and Links Julian Placino Website – https://julianplacino.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianplacino/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/julianplacino/?hl=en Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/julian.placino TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@julianplacino YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@julianplacino/featured The Pathways To Success Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pathways-to-success-with-julian-placino/id1090694563 Jay Abbasi Website – https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thejayabbasi/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Join Us Next Time On Friday, Jay shares a four-step resilience framework inspired by his keynote at Columbia University. Through the story of Arya, you’ll learn how to process challenges, reframe setbacks, and rebuild momentum with clarity and confidence. Stay curious, stay resilient, and stay connected to what truly matters.
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    43 分
  • 10 Books That Changed My Life (Part 2)

    10 Books That Changed My Life (Part 2)
    2025/06/27
    14 分
  • Meet Ellen – How A Federal Prison Sentence Led To A Life Of Purpose

    Meet Ellen – How A Federal Prison Sentence Led To A Life Of Purpose
    2025/06/23
    Meet Ellen. A senior sales manager juggling endless tasks, she’s known for getting results, but lately, her life feels like a pressure cooker. She’s constantly multitasking, saying yes to everything, and silently falling apart. The calendar is full, but her peace of mind is gone. What used to feel like ambition now feels like survival. In this episode, Jay is joined by Rashmi Airan, a nationally recognized speaker and transformation coach who went from top-performing attorney, to serving time in federal prison, and then rebuilding her life with purpose. Rashmi knows what it’s like to fall, face shame, and rise again with humility, self-awareness, and a redefined sense of success. Together, they explore the roots of burnout, the cost of perfectionism, and how to let go of control. Rashmi shares her RISE framework: Reframe, Identify, Surrender, and Evolve, offering a practical path for professionals like Ellen who feel buried by expectations and starved of meaning. Through vulnerability, gratitude, and presence, Rashmi models how breakdowns can lead to breakthroughs and how real leadership starts with letting go. If you're holding it all together on the outside but crumbling on the inside, this conversation will remind you: you don’t have to do it alone. Notable Quotes "Struggle is not a detour. It’s a doorway." — Rashmi Airan "We don’t rise alone. We rise together." — Rashmi Airan "Nobody’s thinking about you as much as you think they are. Let go." — Jay Abbasi About Our Guest Rashmi Airan is a keynote speaker, leadership coach, and founder of the RISE Through It framework. After a high-achieving legal career ended in a federal prison sentence, she chose to rebuild her life through integrity, community, and inner work. She now helps others turn adversity into personal growth, with a message that is raw, relevant, and deeply human. Resources and Links Rashmi Airan Website – https://rashmiairan.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rashmi-airan-15951921/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rashmiairan/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@rashmiairanspeaker Jay Abbasi Website – https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thejayabbasi/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Join Us Next Time On Friday, Jay shares the final five books in his list of top 10 that changed his life. These aren’t your typical recommendations. They’re deeply personal, wildly insightful, and full of ideas you’ll want to apply immediately. Whether you're looking for your next favorite read or a powerful mental reset, this episode will deliver. Stay grounded, stay open, and stay connected to what truly matters.
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    52 分
  • 10 Books That Changed My Life (Part 1)

    10 Books That Changed My Life (Part 1)
    2025/06/20
    In our last episode, we met Taylor, a Scrum Master struggling to unify her team. Alongside expert Nisha Joshi, we uncovered the invisible dynamics behind team breakdowns and what it takes to rebuild trust. In this solo episode, Jay takes a different turn, sharing the first half of his personal list of the 10 books that changed his life. From neuroscience to poetry to business parables, these aren’t just popular reads. These are the books he returns to again and again, the ones he recommends most often to clients, friends, and leaders navigating high-stakes environments. In this Part 1, Jay counts down numbers 10 through 6 and shares not just the titles and authors but the reasons why each book made the list. You’ll hear what stood out, what stuck with him, and how the key ideas have shaped his mindset, leadership, and daily life. If you’re looking for fresh inspiration, thought-provoking insights, or your next must-read, this episode is packed with timeless recommendations. Notable Quotes “There is no friend as loyal as a book.” — Ernest Hemingway “Don't take anything personally” — Jay Abbasi To love life through labor is to be intimate with life’s inmost secret.” — Khalil Gibran Resources and Links Jay Abbasi Website: https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejayabbasi YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Join Us Next Time In Monday’s episode, Jay introduces Ellen, a Senior Sales Manager at a SaaS company in Illinois. She’s divorced with two kids and can’t seem to slow down. Always pushing. Always proving. But now, she’s running on empty. Jay sits down with Rashmi Airan, a nationally recognized speaker and transformation coach, to explore how Ellen and leaders like her can turn adversity into purposeful growth. Rashmi shares powerful tools to help professionals realign with their values and find their way back to purpose and peace of mind. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation.
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    15 分
  • Meet Taylor - How To Fix A Broken Team

    Meet Taylor - How To Fix A Broken Team
    2025/06/16
    Meet Taylor. As a Scrum Master, she’s responsible for leading a product team through tight deadlines and ever-changing priorities. But lately, things are falling apart; missed timelines, finger-pointing, and growing tension have fractured trust and stalled progress. She’s stuck wondering how to reconnect the team and rebuild momentum. In this episode, Jay is joined by Nisha Joshi, a leadership coach, Agile delivery expert, and host of The Delivery Space podcast. Nisha works with teams around the globe to help them communicate better, lead with empathy, and build high-performing cultures rooted in clarity and connection. Together, they unpack what it takes to repair a broken team, from unspoken assumptions and emotional undercurrents to the systems and rituals that help teams recover. If you’ve ever led a group that just can’t seem to get on the same page, this episode offers a roadmap back to trust, alignment, and performance. Notable Quotes "What voices are shaping your decisions, and which ones are shaping your silence?" — Nisha Joshi "You're not there to rescue the team. You're there to reveal the system." — Nisha Joshi "The price of not aligning your team is higher than the time it takes to do it." — Jay Abbasi About Our Guest Nisha Joshi is a leadership coach, Agile delivery consultant, and co-host of The Delivery Space podcast. With a background in tech transformation and team dynamics, she helps organizations build strong communication, inclusive leadership, and team cultures that deliver results. Known for blending empathy with execution, Nisha empowers leaders to turn struggling teams into collaborative, high-performing ones. Resources and Links Nisha Joshi LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishajoshi1/ The Delivery Space Podcast – https://open.spotify.com/show/2HW2Ni2ZAetmzUnqXFbZzD?si=3731707545e748fc Jay Abbasi Website – https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thejayabbasi/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Join Us Next Time On Friday, Jay shares his personal list of the top 10 personal development books that changed his life. In part one of this two-part series, you’ll hear books 10 through 6, with a summary of each, why they made the list, and how they’ve shaped Jay’s mindset and work. If you're looking for powerful reads that actually deliver on transformation, this episode is for you.
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    51 分
  • How I Stopped Being A Slave To My Phone

    How I Stopped Being A Slave To My Phone
    2025/06/13
    In our last episode, we met Chris, a senior advisor drowning in digital overload. Alongside guest Dr. Mary Donohue, we explored how screen saturation affects our brains and behaviors and how to reset. In this solo episode, Jay shares his personal story of how he broke free from reactive phone habits that left him drained and distracted. After years of constantly responding to dings, buzzes, and notifications, Jay made a series of small but powerful changes to reclaim control of his attention and energy. You’ll hear how a few simple rules transformed the way Jay uses his phone and how you can apply the same principles to reduce digital stress and increase presence in your everyday life. If you've ever felt like your phone owns you more than you own it, this episode will help you build a healthier relationship with your device and reconnect with what matters most. Notable Quotes “The phone is not deciding when I look at it. I am.” — Jay Abbasi “You don’t need to be buzzed, dinged, and notified into submission. You get to choose.” — Jay Abbasi “Your phone can replace your calendar, your alarm clock, even your camera. But it can’t replace your family.” — Jay Abbasi Resources and Links Jay Abbasi Website: https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejayabbasi/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Join Us Next Time In Monday’s episode, Jay introduces Taylor, a Scrum Master struggling to lead a team that’s missing deadlines and breaking down in communication. Jay meets with Nisha Joshi, LinkedIn Top Voice and expert in agile delivery and business transformation, to unpack how empathy, clarity, and collaboration can rebuild trust and drive results. Don’t miss this inspiring and practical conversation!
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    10 分
  • Meet Chris - How To Avoid Digital Overload

    Meet Chris - How To Avoid Digital Overload
    2025/06/09
    Meet Chris. He’s a senior advisor at a global consulting firm. A calm leader in high-stakes environments. But lately, Chris has been dragging himself through his days. Zoom fatigue. Slack overwhelm. Sleepless nights. The more time he spends in front of a screen, the less motivated he feels to show up at all. His brain feels scrambled, his emotions frayed. Chris isn’t lazy or uncommitted. He’s digitally overloaded. In this episode, Jay is joined by Dr. Mary Donohue, digital psychologist, TEDx speaker, and founder of The Digital Wellness Center. Together, they explore the neurological effects of digital communication and how screen saturation rewires the brain’s ability to connect, regulate, and recover. Dr. Mary introduces the science behind mammalian brain overload, revealing why modern professionals are struggling to lead and communicate—even when they care deeply. You’ll learn how digital environments trigger ancient survival responses, why your nervous system might be misfiring, and how to build digital safety through behavioral design. If you’ve ever found yourself exhausted by the very tools meant to keep you productive, this episode is your permission slip to reset—and reclaim your clarity. Notable Quotes “We are more productive when we take breaks because digital doesn’t have breaks.” — Dr. Mary Donohue “What most people don’t realize is we’re suffocating ourselves digitally.” — Dr. Mary Donohue “It’s important for us to take back our humanity.” — Jay Abbasi About Our Guest Dr. Mary Donohue is a digital psychologist, communication strategist, and founder of The Digital Wellness Center. With a research focus on how screen time impacts brain function and emotional safety, she’s worked with Fortune 100 companies and international organizations to redefine how we lead in digital environments. Her TEDx talk and book Message Received offer practical tools for improving communication and lowering stress in today’s hyperconnected world. Resources and Links Dr. Mary Donohue Website – https://thedigitalwellnesscenter.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmarydonohue/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/drmarydonohue?igsh=cDNwbjNtazF1em0z Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/share/1ExErVEtGJ/ Message Received: 7 Steps to Break Down Communication Barriers at Work: https://a.co/d/3UNzmkp Jay Abbasi Website – https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thejayabbasi/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Join Us Next Time On Friday, Jay shares a personal reflection on how he went from being controlled by his devices to reclaiming his attention and energy. Inspired by this week’s conversation with Dr. Mary Donohue, he’ll walk you through the practices and mindset shifts that helped him set healthier digital boundaries. If you’ve ever felt like your phone has more control over your day than you do, this episode will offer simple but powerful steps to take that control back.
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    52 分
  • Why Positive Thinking Isn’t the Answer

    Why Positive Thinking Isn’t the Answer
    2025/06/06
    In our last episode, we met Alina, a high-performing leader burning out from over-functioning and under-recovering. Alongside resilience expert Anne Grady, we explored how to reclaim energy by rewiring our mindset. In that conversation, Anne introduced a powerful concept: neutral thinking. In this solo episode, Jay takes a deeper dive into why neutral thinking works better than positive thinking, especially under pressure. Drawing on the research of sports psychologist Trevor Moawad, Jay explains how negative thoughts are 4 to 7 times more powerful than positive ones, and even more so when spoken aloud. While positive thinking may seem helpful, it often backfires when it feels forced or disconnected from reality. Instead, Jay introduces neutral thinking as a more grounded and effective mindset. He shares a relatable analogy from the football field, showing why great leaders don’t deny reality, they face it with clarity and focus. Jay then outlines three simple yet powerful strategies to help you shift into neutral thinking in your daily life: Mental Rehearsal – Use visualization to mentally prepare for stress with a clear, neutral mindset. Pattern Interrupts – Create phrases or questions to pause spirals and reset your attention. Mindful Associations – Pair routine habits (like walking through a doorway or sipping water) with the practice of tuning into your body. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by pressure or disillusioned by forced optimism, this episode offers a science-backed approach to stay centered and take purposeful action—no toxic positivity required. Notable Quotes “Whatever happened, happened. Whatever happens next has nothing to do with that.” — Trevor Moawad “If your core doesn’t believe the thought is true, repeating it won’t help.” — Jay Abbasi “Neutral thinking is accepting whatever is happening in the present moment and accepting whatever happened in the past.” — Jay Abbasi Resources and Links Jay Abbasi Website – https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thejayabbasi YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Join Us Next Time In Monday’s episode, Jay introduces Chris, a senior advisor at a global consulting firm who’s battling digital overload and emotional exhaustion. He works remotely, leads a team, and struggles to feel motivated—even to get out of bed. Jay will meet with Dr. Mary Donohue, a digital psychologist and CEO of the Digital Wellness Center, to explore how screens affect our mood, motivation, and human connection—and how leaders like Chris can reclaim clarity, presence, and purpose in a screen-saturated world. Don’t miss this practical and timely discussion!
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    12 分