I took a solo trip to Missouri to visit a university I’ve been considering for grad school — and it turned into so much more than a campus tour.

In this episode, I talk about what it felt like to travel alone for something that could shape my future, the unexpected moments that shifted my perspective, and what Missouri taught me about independence, intuition, and the kind of life I actually want to build.

This wasn’t just a school visit. It was a reminder that sometimes you have to physically step into a place to understand whether it fits the person you’re becoming.

One of the highlights of my year — and a turning point I didn’t see coming.

In this conversation, Jay Abbasi walks through his journey from working at Tesla to becoming a keynote speaker and host of the Unstuck podcast, and the inner shifts that made that transition possible. We talk about how he prepares talks for different audiences, the role visualization plays in his work, and how he approaches speaking today.

Jay reflects on the mentors who shaped his thinking, including Tony Robbins and Anthony de Mello, and how they influenced his perspective on service and purpose.

We also explore how Jay thinks about stage fright — why he doesn’t experience it in the way most people do — and what that reveals about confidence and presence on stage. This episode is about redefining confidence, using your voice in service of others, and learning to step onto the stage with intention.

Follow Jay Abbasi 

Website: https://jayabbasi.me/my-story/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AZwj4jU7ZMPnBmMcWxlIM?si=c12354910005417b

Nicholas Sciambra, owner  of Nicky’s Nice Plants joins In My Shell to talk growth in every sense — building a landscaping business in New Orleans, finding purpose through plants, and rebuilding life through sobriety, running, and community. This episode explores how tending to something living can become a form of healing, discipline, and self-trust. A conversation about patience, resilience, and creating a future from the ground up.

Follow Nicholas

Instagram:

@nicky_wolves.4k

@ nickys.nice.plants

This week, I sit down with Emma Burg for a special bonus episode of In My Shell, closing out the month with an extra conversation. We talk about how modeling first entered her life, what the industry has taught her, and her experience working internationally, including Milan Fashion Week.

Emma shares the moments that challenged her most, the growth that came with them, and what life is really like behind the scenes of creating the ‘perfect’ image.

Follow Emma

Instagram @emmakateburg

TikTok @emmakateburg

Ludovica sits down with Gibran Nassif, founder of House of Lens, a New Orleans–based company creating luxury real estate and business video content. Gibran shares his path from music to film, including touring with Awolnation and Imagine Dragons, the philosophy behind his work, and what it takes to build a creative brand with intention.

Gibran is also the creator of Keyed Up and founder of Claryn, an AI tool focused on helping businesses gain clarity.

Special thanks to Gibran for editing this episode!

Follow Gibran

Instagram:

@ itsgabrinnassif

@ itshouseoflens

Ludovica sits down with Caitlin Minshew, a New Orleans–based digital creator known for spotlighting the city’s best restaurants and events. Caitlin shares how she turned her love for local food into a content career, what it really means to be an entrepreneur in today’s digital landscape, and how community plays a role in everything she builds.

Caitlin is also the co-founder of the New Orleans Girls Club, a space designed for women to connect, collaborate, and grow—both personally and professionally.

Follow Caitlin  

Instagram: eatingwithcaitt

Tik Tok: eatingwithcaitt

Ludovica sits down with Caitlin Minshew, a New Orleans–based digital creator known for spotlighting the city’s best restaurants and events. Caitlin shares how she turned her love for local food into a content career, what it really means to be an entrepreneur in today’s digital landscape, and how community plays a role in everything she builds.

Caitlin is also the co-founder of the New Orleans Girls Club, a space designed for women to connect, collaborate, and grow—both personally and professionally.

Follow Caitlin Minshew

Instagram: @eatingwithcaitt

TikTok: @eatingwithcaitt

In this episode, we sit down with Carla Pesono, a Buffalo, NY–native and New Orleans–based food creator and host of Say More, to talk about identity, career pivots, and what it really means to build a life that feels meaningful. Carla reflects on how her Italian roots shaped her relationship with food, why her time in broadcast news ultimately felt limiting, and the moment she realized fulfillment mattered more than a career in the news industry.

We explore her experience on MasterChef, the pressure of visibility, and how intuition—both in eating and in life—has guided her transition into full-time content creation. Carla also shares her reflections on staying grounded while navigating growth in the public eye.

This conversation is about longevity, self-trust, and choosing alignment over expectation.

Instagram: @carlapesono

TikTok: @carlapesono

In this episode, we sit down with MMA fighter Harley “Heartbreak” Grandstaff for an honest conversation about what it really takes to step into the cage — and the mindset that starts long before the fight.

We dive into:

• Understanding MMA for newcomers
• What training looks like
• Mental and physical prep
• The story behind “Heartbreak”
• Advice for those curious but hesitant to start

Follow Harley Grandstaff 

Instagram: @harleyg_jr

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Dustin Gaspard as he shares the story behind his music, the dedication it took to pursue his passion, and the lessons learned along the way. Dustin opens up about building a career, how he stayed motivated when he was just beginning, and the role music plays in bringing people together.

We dive into:

• His early musical journey before The Voice
• How he blends cultural roots and personal experiences into his sound
• The mindset and routines that keep him grounded and focused
• His thoughts on the evolution of his music and artistic direction
• Advice for emerging artists looking to build a career in music

This episode is a must-listen for music lovers, aspiring artists, and anyone curious about the passion and perseverance behind a rising musician.

Follow Dustin Gaspard:
Instagram: @dustindalegaspard
TikTok: @dustindalegaspard