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You win. Then you wake up and feel lost.
And no one warned you about that part.
This episode shows you how to rebuild the version of you that can climb your next mountain without losing yourself.
Nick thought retirement would feel like a forever summer.
Warm. Easy. Free. And it did, for a bit. But then it was miserable.
No mission. No pull. No clear self.
Most people fear failing.
But the deeper fear is who you become after the win fades.
Nick rebuilt meaning, structure, and drive when his old identity ended.
And you learn the simple moves that stop drift and bring back direction.
Inside the Episode
• Why success feels empty when the structure that held your life together disappears, and how a simple personal audit gives you back control fast.
• Drift costs months. When you split your focus across shiny paths, you lose speed. One main thing makes your results jump.
• Find your worthy rival. Old you waits. New you shows up.
This episode is for founders and execs who
Guest Links
What to do next
About the Podcast
Built for high-performers who don’t need help.
Just leverage.
This is the show that breaks what quietly kills performance at scale.
Especially the mental patterns slowing down even the smartest founders.
If you never want to get dragged down by pressure, burnout, or hesitation, welcome home.
Hosted by doctor of psychology and executive coach Dr Yishai Barkhordari.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance. All examples and stories are illustrative. Some stories are composites. Results vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions.
Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions that impact your business, health, or well-being.
© 2025 Yishai Barkhordari. All rights reserved.
ABOUT THE PODCAST
You were built for speed.
But right now you feel slower than you look on paper.
Most founders try to outwork that slow-down.
It only burns them out.
Your mind is the only machine your company doesn’t upgrade.
So leaders keep pushing against the wrong thing.
Hosted by doctor of psychology and executive coach Dr Yishai Barkhordari.
DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance. All examples and stories are illustrative. Some examples or stories are composites. Results vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions.
Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions that impact your business, health, or well-being.
© 2026 Yishai Barkhordari. All rights reserved.
Every company says emotional intelligence matters.
But if EI works… why are so many top performers still stuck?
Why do smart people hesitate? Why do leaders plateau? Why do teams still fall apart?
This episode starts with how Nada trains EI (emotional intellgience) inside Fortune 500 companies. Then we expose the real truth your career actually runs on.
EI helps you talk better.
Self-confidence helps you live better.
And only one of them gets you out of purgatory.
Inside the conversation, you’ll see why 83% of professionals struggle with confidence, why comfort kills growth, and how to build the courage to make real moves before life forces your hand.
This is one of the most honest talks we’ve ever had on the show.
Inside the Episode
• Why emotional intelligence stopped being enough... and how EI without self-confidence becomes performance, not leadership.
• Micro-confidence vs self-confidence. Why skill isn’t enough. How to stop overthinking and start moving again.
• The math of comfort-zone purgatory. Why staying “fine” drains momentum. How to feel alive again and take real action.
• Pain as a cage vs fuel. How to turn loss into lift. So you rise instead of freeze.
• Alignment, integrity, and saying no. Why you can’t influence anyone when you’re unclear on what you stand for.
Confidence is the switch. You forgot where it is.
This Episode Is For Founders & Execs Who…
• Feel capable but still hesitate.
• Are living the same week on repeat (and feel the cost).
• Want clarity, courage, and conviction without waiting for a crisis.
• Want leadership that’s felt, not performed.
Guest Links
Website: https://www.nadalena.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadalena/
Host Links
Follow Dr. Yishai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dryishai/
Book a Pattern-Break Session (link on LinkedIn page) to experience it firsthand (limited spots)
About the Podcast
Built for high-performers who don’t need help.
Just leverage.
This is the show that breaks what quietly kills performance at scale.
Especially the mental patterns slowing down even the smartest founders.
If you never want to get dragged down by pressure, burnout, or hesitation… welcome home.
Hosted by doctor of psychology and executive coach Dr. Yishai Barkhordari.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance. All examples and stories are illustrative. Results are not guaranteed and will vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions. Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions that impact your business, health, or well-being.
© 2025 Yishai Barkhordari, Psychologist, PLLC. All rights reserved.
ABOUT THE PODCAST
You were built for speed.
But right now you feel slower than you look on paper.
Most founders try to outwork that slow-down.
It only burns them out.
Your mind is the only machine your company doesn’t upgrade.
So leaders keep pushing against the wrong thing.
Hosted by doctor of psychology and executive coach Dr Yishai Barkhordari.
DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance. All examples and stories are illustrative. Some examples or stories are composites. Results vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions.
Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions that impact your business, health, or well-being.
© 2026 Yishai Barkhordari. All rights reserved.
You ever drop everything to fix a “fire”… then realize it wasn’t a fire at all?
Today you'll learn why your internal alarm can pull you in all the wrong directions.
And how to respond the right way, every time.
I’ll walk you through a simple research-based framework for how you react to threat, and how to use it to drive better results instead of overreaction.
If you want to stop fighting the wrong fires and put your focus where it matters… this one’s for you.
Inside the episode
• Why urgency isn’t strategy — it’s wiring.
• The psychology behind false alarms and overreaction.
• A simple, research-backed framework you can use to read threats with accuracy.
• How to shift from reacting to noise → leading from signal.
This episode is for Founders / Execs who:
• Feel like they’re constantly putting out fires.
• Want cleaner thinking and fewer false urgencies.
• Are ready to reclaim time, trust, and focus by responding with precision.
Key takeaways
• Your sense of urgency is shaped by experience, not truth.
• False alarms drain hours, slow teams, and break momentum.
• Precision beats speed.
• Calm isn’t risky when you know how to read threat correctly.
Old you reacts fast.
New you can respond right.
When you understand your internal alarm system, you stop fighting the wrong fires.
You stop pouring time into the wrong problems.
You start putting energy where it compounds.
What to do next:
→ Share this with the founder who’s always “putting out fires.” Ask them, “Where did your alarm pull you this week?”
→ Try the 1-minute GPT quiz here: Why You Keep Putting Out the Wrong Fires GPT
→ Follow Dr. Yishai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dryishai/
→ Book a Pattern-Break Session (link on LinkedIn page) to experience it firsthand (limited spots).
About the Podcast
Built for high-performers who don’t need help. Just leverage.
This is the show that breaks what quietly kills performance at scale.
Especially the mental patterns slowing down even the smartest execs and founders.
If you never want to get dragged down by pressure, burnout, or hesitation… welcome home.
Hosted by doctor of psychology and executive coach Dr. Yishai Barkhordari.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance. All examples and stories are illustrative. Results are not guaranteed and will vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions. Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions that impact your business, health, or well-being.
© 2025 Yishai Barkhordari, Psychologist, PLLC. All rights reserved.
ABOUT THE PODCAST
You were built for speed.
But right now you feel slower than you look on paper.
Most founders try to outwork that slow-down.
It only burns them out.
Your mind is the only machine your company doesn’t upgrade.
So leaders keep pushing against the wrong thing.
Hosted by doctor of psychology and executive coach Dr Yishai Barkhordari.
DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance. All examples and stories are illustrative. Some examples or stories are composites. Results vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions.
Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions that impact your business, health, or well-being.
© 2026 Yishai Barkhordari. All rights reserved.
You ever catch yourself thinking, I’m too hard on myself?
You hit a goal.
And before you even take a breath, your brain says, Cool. What’s next?
You’re not broken. You’re built to grow.
But you might be running out of oxygen.
Old you pushes harder.
New you can move cleaner.
Here’s what you’ll hear inside:
This episode is for Founders/Execs who:
Key takeaways
Find your big domino. Get yourself in the right gear. Then watch how fast ease can become your edge. That’s where the real power starts
What to do next:
→ Share this with the founder who’s always chasing the next thing but secretly running on fumes. Ask them, “What would moving cleaner look like for you this week?”
→ Follow Dr. Yishai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dryishai/
→ Book a Pattern-Break Session (link on LinkedIn page) to experience it firsthand (limited spots).
About the Podcast
Built for high-performers who don’t need help.
Just leverage.
This is the show that breaks what quietly kills performance at scale.
Especially the mental patterns slowing down even the smartest execs and founders.
If you never want to get dragged down by pressure, burnout, or hesitation… welcome home.
Hosted by doctor of psychology and executive coach Dr. Yishai Barkhordari.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance.
All examples and stories are illustrative. Results are not guaranteed and will vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions.
Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions that impact your business, health, or well-being.
© 2025 Yishai Barkhordari, Psychologist, PLLC. All rights reserved.
ABOUT THE PODCAST
You were built for speed.
But right now you feel slower than you look on paper.
Most founders try to outwork that slow-down.
It only burns them out.
Your mind is the only machine your company doesn’t upgrade.
So leaders keep pushing against the wrong thing.
Hosted by doctor of psychology and executive coach Dr Yishai Barkhordari.
DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance. All examples and stories are illustrative. Some examples or stories are composites. Results vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions.
Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions that impact your business, health, or well-being.
© 2026 Yishai Barkhordari. All rights reserved.
Lots of executives lose ~22.5% to coping. Don’t.
Founders often think coping keeps things steady.
But coping drains time, trust, and cash.
Adapting turns pressure into progress.
Which one are you doing?
Inside the episode:
· Why “holding it together” burns hours — and how to stop the bleed today.
· The math of coping — the 22.5% time loss and what it costs your org.
· From prey to predator — the simple flip that your team can feel.
This episode is for Founders/Execs who:
· Push hard but feel stuck in place.
· See their team mirror stress instead of momentum.
· Want to buy back days by switching from coping to adapting.
What to do next:
→ Send this EP to the founder who calls burnout “part of the job.” Put “Are we coping or adapting this week?” in the message.
→ Follow Dr. Yishai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dryishai/
→ Book a Pattern-Break Session (link on LinkedIn page) to experience it firsthand (limited spots)
About the Podcast
Built for high-performers who don’t need help.
Just leverage.
This is the show that breaks what quietly kills performance at scale.
Especially the mental patterns slowing down even the smartest founders.
If you never want to get dragged down by pressure, burnout, or hesitation… welcome home.
Hosted by doctor of psychology and executive coach Dr. Yishai Barkhordari.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance.
All examples and stories are illustrative. Results are not guaranteed and will vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions.
Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions that impact your business, health, or well-being.
© 2025 Yishai Barkhordari, Psychologist, PLLC. All rights reserved.
ABOUT THE PODCAST
You were built for speed.
But right now you feel slower than you look on paper.
Most founders try to outwork that slow-down.
It only burns them out.
Your mind is the only machine your company doesn’t upgrade.
So leaders keep pushing against the wrong thing.
Hosted by doctor of psychology and executive coach Dr Yishai Barkhordari.
DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance. All examples and stories are illustrative. Some examples or stories are composites. Results vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions.
Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions that impact your business, health, or well-being.
© 2026 Yishai Barkhordari. All rights reserved.
Every founder hits limits.
The question is which ones.
Business mechanics carry you into 7 figures.
But past $5M, human mechanics become the choke point.
That’s when the cost explodes.
You could be leaking millions a year without even seeing it.
This episode shows you how to tell if it’s time for a business coach…
or a performance coach.
About the Podcast
Built for high-performers who don’t need help.
Just leverage.
This is the show that breaks what quietly kills performance at scale.
Especially the mental patterns slowing down even the smartest founders.
If you never want to get dragged down by pressure, burnout, or hesitation… welcome home.
Hosted by doctor of psychology and executive coach Dr. Yishai Barkhordari.
Inside the episode:
· Why business mechanics stop working after $5M ARR
· The math of wasted hours: how $3.1M leaks out every year
· Uber’s Kalanick vs. Microsoft’s Nadella: failure vs. success in human mechanics
· The Mechanics Check: how to diagnose if you need a business coach or a performance coach
This episode is for Founders/Execs who:
· Know the next move but keep hesitating
· Waste hours cleaning up team drama
· Feel like they’re stalling even with the right strategy
· Want to figure out their next leverage point (and how to pick the right coach to move faster)
What to do next:
→ Send this EP to the founder/exec who’s too sharp to stall this long.
→ Follow Dr. Yishai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dryishai/
→ Book a Pattern-Break Session (link on LinkedIn page) to experience it firsthand (limited spots)
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance.
All examples and stories are illustrative. Results are not guaranteed and will vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions.
Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions that impact your business, health, or well-being.
© 2025 Yishai Barkhordari, Psychologist, PLLC. All rights reserved.
ABOUT THE PODCAST
You were built for speed.
But right now you feel slower than you look on paper.
Most founders try to outwork that slow-down.
It only burns them out.
Your mind is the only machine your company doesn’t upgrade.
So leaders keep pushing against the wrong thing.
Hosted by doctor of psychology and executive coach Dr Yishai Barkhordari.
DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance. All examples and stories are illustrative. Some examples or stories are composites. Results vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions.
Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions that impact your business, health, or well-being.
© 2026 Yishai Barkhordari. All rights reserved.
Your numbers look good.
Your team looks busy.
You think you’re winning.
But every week of drift is burning dollars and growth you can never get back.
That’s how $10M+ companies die in slow motion.
Not from the market.
Not from their people.
But from three sins that kill momentum while everyone’s still clapping.
It’s what gutted WeWork. InVision. Theranos.
And it’s what will gut you — unless you see it first.
Elite operators catch it early.
Coasters float blind until the crash.
Which one are you right now?
About the Podcast
Built for high-performers who don’t need help. Just leverage.
This is the show that breaks what quietly kills performance at scale.
Especially the mental patterns slowing down even the smartest founders.
If you never want to get dragged down by pressure, burnout, or hesitation… welcome home.
Hosted by doctor of psychology and executive coach Dr. Yishai Barkhordari.
Inside the Episode
This episode is for…
What to do next
→ Send this EP to the founder/exec who’s too sharp to stall.
→ Follow Dr. Yishai on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dryishai
→ Book a Mirror Session (link on LinkedIn page) to experience it firsthand (limited spots).
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance. All examples and stories are illustrative. Results are not guaranteed and will vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions. Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions that impact your business, health, or well-being.
© 2025 Yishai Barkhordari, Psychologist, PLLC. All rights reserved.
ABOUT THE PODCAST
You were built for speed.
But right now you feel slower than you look on paper.
Most founders try to outwork that slow-down.
It only burns them out.
Your mind is the only machine your company doesn’t upgrade.
So leaders keep pushing against the wrong thing.
Hosted by doctor of psychology and executive coach Dr Yishai Barkhordari.
DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance. All examples and stories are illustrative. Some examples or stories are composites. Results vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions.
Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions that impact your business, health, or well-being.
© 2026 Yishai Barkhordari. All rights reserved.
(originally published Sept 6, 2024)
You thought smart decisions came from logic and discipline.
But the smartest leaders? They reframe decisions before they make them.
Most leaders waste time treating every choice the same.
They miss the hidden cost of decision drag.
This episode flips the whole game.
You’ll see why elite leaders don’t just decide faster.
They decide cleaner.
Once you get this shift, you stop second-guessing. You stop dragging. You move with precision.
It’s like replacing your operating system with one built for speed. Without burning you out.
About the Podcast
Built for high-performers who don’t need help. Just leverage.
This is the show that breaks what quietly kills performance at scale. Especially the mental patterns slowing down even the smartest founders.
If you never want to get dragged down by pressure, burnout, or hesitation… welcome home.
Hosted by doctor of psychology and executive coach Dr. Yishai Barkhordari.
Inside the episode:
• The real reason smart leaders still make slow, costly decisions
• The 4 hidden phases of clean, high-leverage decision-making
• Why emotions are actually data — and how to read them right
• The identity shift that helps you frame and solve the real problem
This episode is for Founders/Execs who:
• Make big calls but question themselves mid-move
• Feel like they’re dragging, even when things look fine
• Lead high-stakes teams but second-guess silently
• Want to feel decisive again — without faking it
What to do next:
→ Send this EP to the founder/exec who’s too sharp to stall.
→ Follow Dr. Yishai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dryishai/
→ Book a Pattern-Break Session (link on LinkedIn page) to experience it firsthand (limited spots)
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance. All examples and stories are illustrative. Results are not guaranteed and will vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions. Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions that impact your business, health, or well-being.
© 2025 Yishai Barkhordari, Psychologist, PLLC. All rights reserved.
ABOUT THE PODCAST
You were built for speed.
But right now you feel slower than you look on paper.
Most founders try to outwork that slow-down.
It only burns them out.
Your mind is the only machine your company doesn’t upgrade.
So leaders keep pushing against the wrong thing.
Hosted by doctor of psychology and executive coach Dr Yishai Barkhordari.
DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance. All examples and stories are illustrative. Some examples or stories are composites. Results vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions.
Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions that impact your business, health, or well-being.
© 2026 Yishai Barkhordari. All rights reserved.
Episode Summary:
You’re not the CEO. You’re still the star player.
That move is quietly costing you millions in lost valuation, team velocity, and time.
In this episode, Dr. Yishai breaks the myth that hustle scales. It doesn’t. It stalls you.
You’ll see how staying in the game silently caps your revenue, valuation, and optionality.
He breaks down the math behind the ceiling you built yourself. And shows how Bezos scaled by stepping back — while Oprah lost $100M by staying too close.
You’ll walk away with 3 fast, founder-ready moves to break free and step into the real seat of power: ownership.
About the Podcast
Built for high-performers who don’t need help.
Just leverage.
This is the show that breaks what quietly kills performance at scale.
Especially the mental patterns slowing down even the smartest founders.
If you never want to get dragged down by pressure, burnout, or hesitation… welcome home.
Hosted by doctor of psychology and executive coach Dr. Yishai Barkhordari.
Inside the Episode:
This episode is for Founders/Execs who...
What to do next:
→ Send this to the founder who’s too sharp to stall this long.
→ Follow Dr. Yishai for more decision-grade clarity: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dryishai/
→ Book a free Pattern-Break Session: quick, no pitch, just surgical-precision insight
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance. All examples and stories are illustrative. Results are not guaranteed and will vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions. Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions that impact your business, health, or well-being.
© 2025 Yishai Barkhordari, Psychologist, PLLC. All rights reserved.
ABOUT THE PODCAST
You were built for speed.
But right now you feel slower than you look on paper.
Most founders try to outwork that slow-down.
It only burns them out.
Your mind is the only machine your company doesn’t upgrade.
So leaders keep pushing against the wrong thing.
Hosted by doctor of psychology and executive coach Dr Yishai Barkhordari.
DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance. All examples and stories are illustrative. Some examples or stories are composites. Results vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions.
Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions that impact your business, health, or well-being.
© 2026 Yishai Barkhordari. All rights reserved.
You thought success would kill your doubt. It didn’t. It scaled it.
Every hour you hesitate costs thousands — sometimes millions — in burned payroll, lost deals, and silent trust leaks.
If you’ve ever stared at a big decision and felt frozen, this episode is for you. I’ve been there. My clients have been there.
In it, you’ll hear why doubt doesn’t disappear when you “make it”… and how to stop it from bleeding your business dry.
There are only two kinds of founders:
This episode shows you how to join the second group — making fast, high-quality calls without burning time, money, or momentum.
About the Podcast
Built for high-performers who don’t need help.
Just leverage.
This is the show that breaks what quietly kills performance at scale.
Especially the mental patterns slowing down even the smartest founders.
If you never want to get dragged down by pressure, burnout, or hesitation… welcome home.
Hosted by doctor of psychology and executive coach Dr. Yishai Barkhordari.
Inside the Episode
This episode is for Founders and Execs who…
What to do next:
→ Know a founder or exec who needs this? Share the episode
→ Follow Dr. Yishai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dryishai/
→ Book a Mirror Session (link on LinkedIn page) to experience it firsthand (limited spots)
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance.
All examples and stories are illustrative. Results are not guaranteed and will vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions.
Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions that impact your business, health, or well-being.
© 2025 Yishai Barkhordari, Psychologist, PLLC. All rights reserved.
ABOUT THE PODCAST
You were built for speed.
But right now you feel slower than you look on paper.
Most founders try to outwork that slow-down.
It only burns them out.
Your mind is the only machine your company doesn’t upgrade.
So leaders keep pushing against the wrong thing.
Hosted by doctor of psychology and executive coach Dr Yishai Barkhordari.
DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance. All examples and stories are illustrative. Some examples or stories are composites. Results vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions.
Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions that impact your business, health, or well-being.
© 2026 Yishai Barkhordari. All rights reserved.
From the publisher's feed
Built for high-performers who don’t need help.
Just leverage.
This is the show that breaks what quietly kills performance at scale.
Especially the mental patterns slowing down…