Unstuck with Jay Abbasi

AI is moving fast. The real question is, can we keep up as humans? In this solo episode, Jay breaks down how leaders can navigate rapid technological change without losing the human connection that drives performance, trust, and culture. While AI continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, Jay explains that human psychology has not changed nearly as quickly, and that gap is where leadership matters most. Drawing from his keynote work and real-world experience, Jay introduces a simple three-step framework to help leaders guide their teams through uncertainty, fear, and disruption. By acknowledging emotions, asking better questions, and channeling energy into positive action, leaders can build adaptability while maintaining strong, human-centered relationships. Notable Quotes “Day by day, machines are gaining ground on us. Day by day, we are becoming more subservient to them.” — Samuel Butler “People need to feel heard. People need to feel understood.” — Jay Abbasi “Questions are the most powerful tool that you can use to help people to be adaptable.” — Jay Abbasi “Energy is not something we should be suppressing. It’s something we should be leveraging.” — 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 Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on the show? Submit it through the link below and Jay may highlight it in a future episode, offering personalized insights to help you move forward. Submit Your Story Join Us Next Time On Monday’s episode, you’ll meet Raj, a senior leader in renewable energy who feels disconnected and unfulfilled despite leading a high-performing team. Jay is joined by Bernie Borges, founder of Fulfilled at Work Academy, to explore how leaders can reconnect with purpose, reignite engagement, and rediscover what meaningful work truly feels like.

What happens when the host becomes the guest… and nothing goes as planned? Meet Jay… from a completely different perspective. This time, the questions aren’t coming from him. They’re coming from Alexandra, his wife, who flips the script and takes over the podcast. What follows is an unscripted, honest, and hilarious conversation that pulls back the curtain on Jay’s story, from the origin of his name to his early days in sales, a short-lived rap career, and the moments that shaped his transition into speaking and personal development. But beyond the laughs and stories, this episode reveals something deeper: the human side behind the work. The habits, quirks, values, and relationship dynamics that don’t usually make it into a keynote or a polished talk. Notable Quotes “I made a decision on the kind of work I wanted to do long term.” — Jay Abbasi “I love using language to shift how people think.” — Jay Abbasi About Our Guest Alexandra Preziosi is a real estate professional and entrepreneur known for her authentic, relatable approach to content and client relationships. In this special episode, she brings a fresh, unfiltered perspective as she steps into the host role, creating a candid and engaging conversation that reveals a different side of her husband, Jay. Resources & Links Alexandra Preziosi Website – https://alexpreziosirealestate.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrapreziosi/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070492525113 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/alexpreziosi_real_estate/ Jay Abbasi Website – https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on the show? Submit it through the link below and Jay may highlight it in a future episode, offering personalized insights to help you move forward. Submit Your Story Join Us Next Time On Friday, Jay dives deeper into a conversation around AI and leadership. Rather than exploring how to use AI, this episode will be about how to lead humans through the AI disruption. If you’re a leader who sees how AI is impacting how people are showing up, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Distraction isn’t new, but there are evidence-based ways to cultivate greater focus. In this solo episode, Jay breaks down the real reason we struggle with focus and attention, and why distraction is not a modern problem caused by technology, but a deeply human trait that once helped us survive. Drawing from neuroscience and research, he explains how attention actually works and why trying to “fight distraction” often leads to frustration. Jay introduces practical tools to help you regain control of your attention, including understanding what your mind prioritizes, asking yourself powerful awareness questions, and building the habit of mindfulness training. If you’ve ever felt scattered, unfocused, or overwhelmed by distractions, this episode gives you a clear path to sharper focus and greater presence. Notable Quotes “Attention is the flashlight that illuminates your life. Learn to hold it steady and everything changes.” — Dr. Amishi Jha “Your attention will go to what you deem is most important.” — Jay Abbasi “You could be missing so much of your life because your attention is on something else.” — 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 Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on the show? Submit it through the link below and Jay may highlight it in a future episode, offering personalized insights to help you move forward. Submit Your Story  Join Us Next Time On Monday’s episode, Jay hosts a special and lighthearted conversation as his wife, Alex, takes over the podcast and interviews him. From his background in music to their relationship, favorite shows, and personal insights, this episode offers a fun and refreshing break from the usual format.

What happens when the life that once excited you… no longer fits? Meet Emma. After 30 years in real estate, she’s built a successful career, but lately even picking up the phone feels heavy. The routines that once energized her now feel exhausting. She doesn’t want to quit, but she knows something has to change. In this episode, Jay sits down with Heike Yates, midlife fitness expert, author of Pursue Your Spark, and creator of the Spark Framework. Together, they explore what it really takes to reinvent yourself when your current path no longer feels aligned. From letting go of safety to rebuilding self-trust, Heike shares practical strategies for navigating change without overwhelming yourself, and why progress comes from small, consistent steps, not overnight transformation. Notable Quotes “Leaving safety is gutsy.” — Heike Yates “Progress takes work, effort, consistency, and follow through.” — Heike Yates “You don’t have to jump all at once. Take small steps.” — Heike Yates About Our Guest Heike Yates is a midlife fitness expert, author, and coach with over 35 years of experience in fitness, nutrition, and mindset. Through her Spark Framework, she helps individuals rebuild energy, confidence, and direction when their current routines no longer align with the life they want to live. Resources & Links Heike Yates Pursue Your Spark book – https://heikeyates.com/midlife-mindset-book-pursue-your-spark/ Website – https://heikeyates.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/heike-yates/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQIeOesGLGAOD5RhI2KYjcA Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/heikeyates/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pursueyourspark X – https://x.com/Heike__Yates Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/heikeyates/ Jay Abbasi Website – https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on “Unstuck”? Submit your story through the link below, and Jay may choose to highlight your story on a future episode and offer you personalized advice on how to overcome any challenge. Submit Your Story  Join Us Next Time On Friday, Jay dives into the science of attention and why most people misunderstand how focus actually works. He shares research-backed insights and practical techniques to help you reduce distractions, strengthen concentration, and direct your attention toward what matters most.

What if the way you see your challenges is the problem, not the challenge itself? In this solo episode, Jay introduces a simple yet powerful framework to help you reframe stress, overwhelm, and adversity in real time. Drawing from neuroscience, personal experience, and insights from working with leaders across industries, he challenges the idea that we need to reduce or cope with stress, and instead offers a more effective approach. Through the ABC framework, Jay walks you step-by-step through how to acknowledge what you’re feeling, become curious about your perspective, and channel that energy into meaningful action. If you’ve ever felt stuck in negative thought loops or overwhelmed by challenges, this episode gives you a practical tool to shift your mindset and move forward with clarity. Notable Quotes “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” — Abraham Lincoln “The original perspective that we have does not serve us.” — Jay Abbasi “You have to acknowledge whatever’s coming up in you.” — Jay Abbasi “Channel that energy into something positive.” — 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 Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on “Unstuck”? Submit your story through the link below, and Jay may choose to highlight your story on a future episode and offer you personalized advice on how to overcome any challenge. Submit Your Story  Join Us Next Time On Monday’s episode, you’ll meet Emma, a real estate agent in the later stages of her career who feels stuck, unfulfilled, and unsure of her next step. Jay is joined by Heike Yates, midlife fitness expert and author of Pursue Your Spark, to explore how professionals can reconnect with purpose, rebuild energy, and take meaningful steps toward their next chapter.

What is your anger trying to tell you? Meet Annabelle. At home, she swallows her frustration to keep the peace. At work, she watches others get recognized while her effort goes unseen. The anger keeps building, but instead of expressing it, she turns it inward. What if that anger is trying to tell her something needs to change? In this episode, Jay sits down with Alyse Maslonik, founder and CEO of RedefinED School Advancement and a TEDx speaker whose life was shaped by poverty, abuse, and the power of education. Together, they explore how anger can become fuel for grit, purpose, and meaningful change when it is understood instead of suppressed. Notable Quotes “The truth is the truth no matter how many people believe it.” — Alyse Maslonik “Anger is neither good nor bad. It’s simply a signal.” — Alyse Maslonik “If you can believe it, you can become it.” — Alyse Maslonik About Our Guest Alyse Maslonik is the founder and CEO of RedefinED School Advancement, a mission-driven organization that helps schools grow enrollment and increase access for underserved students. A TEDx speaker and advocate for educational opportunity, Alyse draws from her own lived experience of poverty and abuse to help others turn adversity into impact, purpose, and change. Resources & Links Alyse Maslonik Website – https://alysemaslo.com/ RedefinED Website – https://redefiningeducation.org/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/redefiningeducation/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/alyse.victoria.7 Jay Abbasi Website – https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on “Unstuck”? Submit your story through the link below, and Jay may choose to highlight your story on a future episode and offer you personalized advice on how to overcome any challenge. Submit Your Story  Join Us Next Time On Friday, Jay shares a new three-step framework for handling adversity without suppressing emotions or losing momentum. If you want to stay focused, resilient, and effective when life gets chaotic, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

The fastest way to build confidence is not what most people think. In this solo episode, Jay breaks down three practical and proven ways to build confidence in the shortest amount of time. Drawing from his own journey as a speaker, coach, and entrepreneur, he explains why confidence is often overcomplicated and why the most effective formula is also the simplest. From taking messy action and reflecting on your progress to priming your mind through visualization and affirmation, Jay shares a clear roadmap for building real confidence, not just temporary motivation. If you have been waiting to feel more ready, more certain, or more capable, this episode will help you move forward now. Notable Quotes “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage.” — Dale Carnegie “You have to fail over and over and over and over and over again.” — Jay Abbasi “You want to be confident? You need to give evidence to your subconscious mind.” — Jay Abbasi “When it’s paired with taking the action and reflecting on your success, you are now building up what I would say is even unwavering confidence.” — 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/@jayabbasipodcas Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on “Unstuck”? Submit your story through the link below, and Jay may choose to highlight your story on a future episode and offer you personalized advice on how to overcome any challenge. Submit Your Story  Join Us Next Time On Monday’s episode, you’ll meet Annabelle, who is struggling with anger, frustration, and the tendency to suppress what she is really feeling in order to keep the peace. Jay is joined by Alyse Maslonik, founder and CEO of Redefined School Advancement and TEDx speaker, to explore how anger can be understood, channeled, and used in a way that leads to growth and positive change.

How many times have you told yourself you’d change… and didn’t? In this episode, we revisit the story of Trevor, an oncologist who has built a career on precision, compassion, and service, yet feels exhausted, empty, and increasingly disconnected from himself. Beneath the long hours, self-doubt, and lack of boundaries is a deeper issue: he no longer trusts himself to follow through on the things he says matter. This Unstuck Classics episode revisits a powerful conversation with Leon Thurston Jr., speaker, coach, and author, about confidence, discipline, standards, and the hidden damage caused by the lies people tell themselves every day. Together, Jay and Leon explore how burnout, comparison, and weak boundaries chip away at self-trust, and what it takes to rebuild it. Notable Quotes “You’re the only person who’s ever heard every lie that you’ve ever told.” — Leon Thurston Jr. “When you look at the root word of confidence, the root word is confide.” — Leon Thurston Jr. “Discipline means that you’re a follower, a disciple.” — Leon Thurston Jr. “If you don’t have any standards set, you won’t be able to follow anything.” — Leon Thurston Jr. About Our Guest Leon Thurston Jr. is a speaker, coach, and author whose mission is to help people get unstuck and become their greatest solution. Through his coaching, speaking, and the University of Unstuck, Leon helps leaders, athletes, and professionals move from self-doubt to self-mastery by building stronger standards, confidence, and ownership. Resources & LinksLeon Thurston Jr. Website – https://www.universityofunstuck.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-thurston-jr-2b635355/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@leejuniorunstuck Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/lee.junior.50?ref=bookmarks Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/leejuniorunstuck/ Jay Abbasi Website – https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on “Unstuck”? Submit your story through the link below, and Jay may choose to highlight your story on a future episode and offer you personalized advice on how to overcome any challenge. Submit Your Story  Join Us Next Time On Friday, Jay takes a deeper dive into three specific ways to build confidence, especially during seasons of change, uncertainty, and self-doubt. If confidence has been wavering lately, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

What if the most important advice you ever received was the advice you gave yourself? In this special continuation of Jay’s birthday reflection series, he shares the five most impactful lessons he would give his twenty-year-old self. These principles are rooted in lived experience and designed to help you build a fulfilling career, meaningful relationships, and a deeper sense of purpose. From priming your mind through visualization to learning from disruptive emotions, speaking with greater presence, practicing self-observation, and ultimately learning how to “lose yourself” in service of something bigger, this episode invites you to turn insight into daily practice. If you’re looking for direction, resilience, and clarity as you grow, these lessons offer a powerful guide. Notable Quotes “We don’t grow from knowledge. We grow from training, from practice, from application.” — Jay Abbasi “Understanding what you feel frees you from what you feel.” — Jay Abbasi “Pay attention to paying attention.” — Jay Abbasi “Learn how to say more with less.” — Jay Abbasi “Stay connected to something bigger than yourself.” — 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 Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on “Unstuck”? Submit your story through the link below, and Jay may choose to highlight your story on a future episode and offer you personalized advice on how to overcome any challenge. Submit Your Story  Join Us Next Time On Monday’s episode, Jay revisits an Unstuck Classic and shares highlights from one of the most impactful guest conversations since the podcast began. It’s a chance to reflect on timeless lessons and reconnect with ideas that continue to resonate.

What if the reason you feel stuck… is because you’re trying to heal too fast? Meet Tony. He’s an account manager  at a chemical manufacturer under constant pressure to hit quota, but lately something feels off. Some weeks he’s unstoppable. Other weeks he can barely open his laptop. The harder he tries to push through, the heavier everything feels.  In this episode, Jay speaks with Johnny Crowder, mental health entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and founder of CopeNotes. Together they explore why healing and personal growth rarely happen through a single breakthrough moment. More often, they happen through small shifts, repeated consistently over time. Notable Quotes “The habits that took you 30 years to learn, you’re not going to unlearn in 30 minutes.” — Johnny Crowder “Recovery isn’t one big breakthrough. It’s a lot of tiny steps in the right direction.” — Johnny Crowder “You can feel a feeling all the way to the end of it.” — Johnny Crowder “Sometimes the best thing you can do with discomfort is simply sit with it.” — Johnny Crowder About Our Guest Johnny Crowder is a mental health entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and founder of CopeNotes, a global mental health platform that sends supportive text messages designed to interrupt negative thought patterns and build healthier habits. Drawing from his own lived experience with severe mental illness, Johnny helps people develop practical coping skills and resilience through education, compassion, and small daily actions. Resources & Links Johnny Crowder Cope Notes website – https://copenotes.com/ Website – https://johnnycrowder.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnycrowder Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/johnnycrowderlovesyou Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/johnnyxcrowder YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@johnnycrowder Jay AbbasiWebsite – https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on “Unstuck”? Submit your story through the link below, and Jay may choose to highlight your story on a future episode and offer you personalized advice on how to overcome any challenge. Submit Your Story Join Us Next Time On Friday, as Jay celebrates his birthday, he will also share the five lessons he would give his younger self if he could go back 20 years. These are practical, actionable strategies for building resilience, happiness, fulfillment, and balance in everyday life. If you’re looking for clear steps to help you move forward with greater clarity and purpose, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

“If you could go back 20 years, what advice would you give yourself?” In this special birthday episode, Jay reflects on turning 40 and shares the first half of a two-part series: ten lessons he would give his 20-year-old self. These insights are not abstract ideas, but practical principles shaped by experience, adversity, growth, and years of studying personal development. In Part 1, Jay explores five actionable lessons that can help anyone build resilience, deepen relationships, and live with greater clarity and purpose. From cultivating relentless curiosity to embracing discomfort and rethinking how we treat both ourselves and others, these lessons offer guidance not just for getting unstuck, but for staying unstuck. Notable Quotes “Know that you don’t know, and stay curious.” — Jay Abbasi “Speak to yourself the way you would speak to someone you love.” — Jay Abbasi “When you see even a small sign of progress, it gives you the energy to keep going.” — Jay Abbasi  “Treat others the way they want to be treated.” — 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 Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on “Unstuck”? Submit your story through the link below, and Jay may choose to highlight your story on a future episode and offer you personalized advice on how to overcome any challenge. Submit Your Story  Join Us Next Time On Monday’s episode, you’ll meet Tony, an account manager for a chemical manufacturer who feels overwhelmed by the pressure of sales quotas, financial stress, and a lack of time for himself. Jay is joined by Johnny Crowder, founder of Cope Notes and TEDx speaker, to explore how professionals under constant pressure can build healthier thought patterns and practical strategies for protecting their mental health.

What if being agreeable is not only affecting your confidence, but it’s also affecting your health? Meet Penelope. She nods as her boss speaks, offering agreement before she can stop herself. Inside, she feels the weight of what she didn’t say. In her bag is a fully developed proposal she spent weeks building, designed to improve engagement and reduce burnout. But in moments that matter, she defaults to staying agreeable. What she wants most is the courage to speak up and become the leader she knows she can be. In this episode, Jay sits down with Shereen Thor, keynote speaker, executive coach, and author of Revolutionary Woman. Together, they explore the hidden cost of people-pleasing, how early conditioning shapes behavior, and what it takes to break free and lead with authenticity, courage, and self-trust. Notable Quotes “Your brain is wired for survival, not happiness.” — Shereen Thor “You think you’re making a smart choice, but you’re making a choice that is killing you.” — Shereen Thor “Conflict is change trying to happen.” — Shereen Thor “Be the gift you’re meant to be.” — Shereen Thor About Our Guest Shereen Thor is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and author of Revolutionary Woman. She helps leaders break free from conditioning, embrace their authentic voice, and lead with confidence, courage, and purpose. Through her coaching and training programs, she supports individuals and organizations in unlocking their full potential. Resources & Links Shereen Thor Revolutionary Woman Book – https://www.amazon.com/Revolutionary-Woman-Break-Rules-Purpose/dp/1737539403 Website – https://shereenthor.com/ LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/shereenthor Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/shereenthor/ Jay Abbasi Website – https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on “Unstuck”? Submit your story through the link below, and Jay may choose to highlight your story on a future episode and offer you personalized advice on how to overcome any challenge. Submit Your Story Join Us Next Time On Friday, Jay kicks off a special two-part series for his birthday month, sharing 10 lessons he would give his 20-year-old self. These are practical, actionable insights drawn from real experience, designed to help you navigate stress, take meaningful risks, and live with greater clarity and intention.

What if you treated yourself with the same understanding and care you give to others? In this solo episode, Jay explores the science and psychology behind self-compassion and why being hard on yourself may actually be holding you back. Drawing from the research of Dr. Kristin Neff and Kelly McGonigal, he explains how self-compassion improves emotional resilience, reduces anxiety, and even enhances motivation and self-control. Jay breaks down a practical approach to transforming your inner dialogue by acknowledging reality, supporting yourself through difficulty, and reconnecting to what truly matters. If you’ve ever felt stuck in cycles of self-criticism, this episode offers a powerful and research-backed path to a healthier, more effective mindset. Notable Quotes “With self-compassion, we give ourselves the same kindness and care we give to a good friend.” — Dr. Kristin Neff “Self-compassion, being supportive and kind to yourself, especially in the face of stress and failure, is associated with more motivation and better self-control.” — Kelly McGonigal “I can’t expect to feel good all the time.” — Jay Abbasi “If we keep moving forward, something great is going to happen.” — 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 Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on “Unstuck”? Submit your story through the link below, and Jay may choose to highlight your story on a future episode and offer you personalized advice on how to overcome any challenge. Submit Your Story Join Us Next Time On Monday’s episode, you’ll meet Penelope, a Director of Training in healthcare who is holding herself back from speaking up and sharing her ideas. Jay is joined by Shereen Thor, keynote speaker, executive coach, and author of Revolutionary Woman, to explore how leaders can break free from expectations, find their voice, and lead with unapologetic confidence.

A high salary with a prestigious job title doesn't necessarily mean you're successful. Meet Lauren. A respected VP in tech with over 20 years of experience, Lauren has built a career many would admire. But lately, the work feels hollow. Meetings feel repetitive. Motivation has faded. With her children grown and life shifting, a question she hasn’t asked in years starts to surface… is this really how she wants to spend her next chapter? In this episode, Jay sits down with Colleen Pimentel, former big tech executive turned coach and author, who helps high achievers move beyond success on paper and into a more meaningful second act. Together, they explore identity, purpose, fear, and how to reinvent without burning everything down. Notable Quotes “Confidence doesn’t come when fear disappears. It comes when you take action.” — Colleen Pimentel “You don’t have to burn it all down. You can build your next chapter in parallel.” — Colleen Pimentel “When you live your purpose, you actually gain energy, not lose it.” — Colleen Pimentel About Our Guest Colleen Pimentel is a former big tech executive, author, and coach who helps high achievers redefine success and step into their next chapter with clarity and intention. After spending over 30 years in corporate leadership, she now guides individuals through identity shifts, purpose discovery, and meaningful reinvention. Resources & Links Colleen Pimentel Business Website – https://www.mckennapimentelconsulting.com/ Website – https://www.colleenpimentel.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-pimentel-140790/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@collpimentel/ Jay Abbasi Website – https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on “Unstuck”? Submit your story through the link below, and Jay may choose to highlight your story on a future episode and offer you personalized advice on how to overcome any challenge. Submit Your Story  Join Us Next Time On Friday, Jay explores why being hard on yourself feels natural, but is often counterproductive. He breaks down the research behind self-criticism and shares a practical framework, including insights from Eastern philosophy, to help you become more self-compassionate without losing your edge.

“To manage conflict effectively, you must manage the conflict within yourself first.” In this solo episode, Jay breaks down a practical, experience-driven framework for navigating conflict in the workplace and beyond. Drawing from his own experiences, coaching conversations, and lessons from last week’s episode, he shares a 7-step approach to help you move from reactivity to intentional, effective communication. From managing your emotions and understanding your triggers to practicing conversations, adjusting tone, and leading with vulnerability, this episode emphasizes an inside-out approach to conflict resolution. If you want to strengthen relationships, communicate more effectively, and lead with greater awareness, this episode offers a clear path forward. Notable Quotes “Whenever you're in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude.” — William James “The default for how we manage conflict is to focus our attention on the other person.” — Jay Abbasi “Every time you're triggered, there is a learning opportunity.” — Jay Abbasi “When you share vulnerably from the heart in a kind and respectful way, you're going to open up the conversation.” — 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 Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on “Unstuck”? Submit your story through the link below, and Jay may choose to highlight your story on a future episode and offer you personalized advice on how to overcome any challenge. Submit Your Story  Join Us Next Time On Monday’s episode, you’ll meet Lauren, a VP in the tech industry who has achieved success on paper but feels disconnected, unfulfilled, and uncertain about what comes next. Jay is joined by Colleen Pimentel, tech executive, coach, and author of Second Act, to explore how high achievers can rediscover purpose, navigate transition, and build a meaningful next chapter.

Great leaders don’t react emotionally; they respond logically.  Meet Maya. A Chief Supply Chain Officer at a major beverage company, Maya once had a strong partnership with a senior VP. After one tense disagreement, every conversation now feels loaded. She snaps, avoids conflict, replays meetings in her head, and loses focus. What she wants most is to feel grounded and confident during difficult conversations. In this episode, Jay sits down with Darcy Luoma, leadership coach and creator of the Thoughtfully Fit® model. Darcy shares how leaders can train themselves to pause, think, and act instead of reacting under pressure, and why the skill of responding intentionally can transform careers, relationships, and life. Notable Quotes “Pause, think, act.” — Darcy Luoma “You have to train in the small moments so you can show up in the big ones.” — Darcy Luoma “Ninety-six percent of the time, how a conversation starts is how it ends.” — Darcy Luoma About Our Guest Darcy Luoma is a leadership coach, speaker, and creator of the Thoughtfully Fit® model, a practical framework that helps individuals pause, think, and act with intention. Drawing from her background in public service, business leadership, and personal adversity, Darcy helps leaders navigate difficult conversations, strengthen resilience, and communicate with courage, compassion, and curiosity. Resources & Links Darcy Luoma Free Webinar Hosted by Darcy - https://darcyluoma.com/leading-a-business-together-without-losing-your-mind/ Website – https://darcyluoma.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/darcyluoma/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/darcyluoma/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/darcyluomacoaching/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/DarcyLuoma X – https://x.com/DarcyLuoma Jay Abbasi Website – https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on “Unstuck”? Submit your story through the link below, and Jay may choose to highlight your story on a future episode and offer you personalized advice on how to overcome any challenge. Submit Your Story  Join Us Next Time On Friday, Jay shares practical techniques for navigating conflict, communicating with strong personalities, and becoming more influential without damaging relationships. These are tools he has personally practiced and taught in coaching, with real results for those who apply them. If becoming a stronger communicator and advocate is a priority, don’t miss this episode.

“Everything we do becomes more meaningful when it connects to something bigger than ourselves.” In this solo episode, Jay introduces three simple but powerful words that can transform how you approach your goals, your work, and your daily life. Inspired by a quote from Nick Vujicic and a reflection on Valentine’s Day, Jay explores how self-focused thinking often fuels anxiety, stress, and dissatisfaction. He explains how finishing the sentence “So I can…” can help you connect your daily actions to deeper meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. When your efforts are rooted in something bigger than yourself, performance improves, resilience grows, and life feels more aligned. Notable Quotes “The greatest rewards come when you give of yourself.” — Nick Vujicic “There’s only one common factor in every one of those situations and it’s this. You are thinking about yourself.” — Jay Abbasi “Everything that we do when rooted in something bigger than ourselves will be done with greater tenacity, with greater resilience and greater performance.” — 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 Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on “Unstuck”? Submit your story through the link below, and Jay may choose to highlight your story on a future episode and offer you personalized advice on how to overcome any challenge. Submit Your Story  Join Us Next Time On Monday’s episode, you’ll meet Maya, a Chief Supply Chain Officer navigating growing conflict with a senior VP that is beginning to impact her confidence and leadership. Jay is joined by Darcy Luoma, Master Certified Coach and expert in helping leaders navigate conflict with clarity, to explore how accomplished leaders can advocate for themselves and strengthen relationships even during disagreement.

Life is meaningless when you’re constantly distracted. To have more meaning, you need to have more focus. Meet Randy. It’s 2:17 a.m., and he’s staring at the ceiling while notifications light up his phone. His global team is stretched thin, priorities keep shifting, and motivation is fading. Randy isn’t looking for productivity hacks. He wants his team to believe their work still matters. In this episode, Jay sits down with Greg Bennick, keynote speaker, author, and expert on focus, meaning, and human connection. Greg shares powerful lessons from juggling, performance, and leadership to explain how distraction erodes meaning and how leaders can help people reconnect to purpose, consistency, and impact. Notable Quotes “Keep your eyes on the thing that's most important to you, that if it falls, will cause the most damage.” — Greg Bennick "Meaning disappears when we stop realizing the impact we are having.” — Greg Bennick “Genuine power transforms, and authority tends to disrupt.” — Greg Bennick About Our Guest Greg Bennick is a keynote speaker, author, and performer who helps organizations strengthen focus, collaboration, and purpose in an increasingly distracted world. Blending storytelling, psychology, and lessons from decades as a professional performer, Greg helps leaders and teams reconnect with meaning and build stronger human connection at work. Resources & Links Greg Bennick Website – https://www.gregbennick.com/ Greg Bennick’s Book – https://www.gregbennick.com/gregbennickbook LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbennick Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/gregbennick Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/gregbennick/?hl=en YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@gregbennickofficial Jay Abbasi Website – https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on “Unstuck”? Submit your story through the link below, and Jay may choose to highlight your story on a future episode and offer you personalized advice on how to overcome any challenge. Submit Your Story  Join Us Next Time On Friday, Jay shares three words that can help reconnect you to purpose, strengthen motivation, and help you push forward when things feel difficult.

“We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.” In this solo episode, Jay explores why persistence feels so difficult and what truly drives our ability to follow through. Drawing from psychology, coaching experience, and real-world leadership challenges, he explains how our emotions, not our environment, often determine whether we stay consistent or give in to distraction. Jay introduces four practical keys to help you work through resistance, stay focused on meaningful goals, and build the kind of persistence that leads to long-term progress. If you’ve ever struggled with discipline, consistency, or follow-through, this episode offers a practical and compassionate roadmap forward. Notable Quotes “We must all suffer from one of two pains, the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.” — Jim Rohn “Your emotions are driving your behavior rather than your environment.” — Jay Abbasi “Those who can sit in boredom succeed more than those who cannot.” — Jay Abbasi “Don’t rely on willpower. Create an environment that supports you.” — 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 Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on “Unstuck”? Submit your story through the link below, and Jay may choose to highlight your story on a future episode and offer you personalized advice on how to overcome any challenge. Submit Your Story  Join Us Next Time On Monday’s episode, you’ll meet Randy, a VP at a large financial services firm who feels his team losing confidence and motivation amid constant change. Jay is joined by Greg Bennick, keynote speaker, author, and global voice on teamwork and focus, to explore how leaders can restore belief, purpose, and connection during times of uncertainty.

Some dreams don’t start with a plan. They start with a feeling you can’t ignore. This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at what that journey actually required. In 2014, after the sudden passing of Jay’s father, he became deeply curious about how to live better, healthier, and more intentionally. He read relentlessly, attended workshops, worked with coaches, and watched countless TED and TEDx talks. Somewhere along the way, a quiet idea took hold: one day, he would stand on that red circle and share something meaningful with the world. From years of visualization and preparation, to finding the idea for the talk in an unexpected moment, to applying, rehearsing, getting accepted, and navigating setbacks no one plans for. Jay walks through the exact steps he took to land a TEDx talk, what surprised him most about the process, and the lessons he learned along the way. This is not a highlight reel. It’s an honest look at persistence, adaptability, and doing the hard things consistently, long before there’s any guarantee it will work. Notable Quotes “My gift is taking complex ideas and simplifying them in ways that really stick.” - Jay Abbasi “When you can visualize it and feel it, your mind starts acting as if it already happened.” - Jay Abbasi “Do the hard things consistently. That’s where most people stop.” - Jay Abbasi Resources & Links Jay Abbasi Website –⁠ https://jayabbasi.me/⁠⁠ LinkedIn –⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/⁠ Instagram –⁠ https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/⁠ YouTube –⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast⁠ Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on “Unstuck”? Submit your story through the link below, and Jay may choose to highlight your story on a future episode and offer you personalized advice on how to overcome any challenge. ⁠Submit Your Story  ⁠ Join Us Next Time On Friday, Jay goes deeper into persistence and what it really takes to keep going when motivation fades and the work gets hard. The episode breaks down how to build the muscle of follow-through, especially when progress feels slow or invisible.