Unstuck with Jay Abbasi

“It’s not just the goal that matters, it’s the quality of life you experience along the way.” In this solo episode, Jay breaks down why most people get goal setting wrong and how leading with emotion, excitement, or long wish lists often leads to burnout and discouragement. As the year winds down, Jay offers a simple, grounded framework to help you set goals that actually stick and support the life you want to experience in 2026. Rather than chasing outcomes or milestones for their own sake, Jay walks you through a four-step process that starts with experience, narrows focus, and identifies the uncomfortable but necessary actions required to move forward. If you want clarity, consistency, and momentum in the new year, this episode gives you a practical place to begin. Notable Quotes “People often get goal setting wrong because they lead too much with emotion.” — Jay Abbasi “Don’t make the outcome something you need in order for you to be okay.” — Jay Abbasi “What matters is the experience you want to have, not just the achievement.” — Jay Abbasi “If you try to focus on 20 different things, you set yourself up for failure.” — 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, Jay revisits an Unstuck Classic with Amanda Gore in the episode “Lead With Joy: How to Reignite Your Spark.” One of the most listened-to conversations since the podcast launched, this episode helps refocus joy, authenticity, and human connection as core priorities for 2026. A meaningful way to carry this year forward.

"Perceived risk and perceived stability are both illusions." Most people believe they’re choosing between safety and uncertainty. But as you’ll hear in this episode, neither is as real as we think. Meet Alexandra. By late morning, her workday felt finished, not because the work was done, but because it no longer stretched her. As an analyst at the Federal Reserve, she had stability, structure, and respect, yet felt bored, disconnected, and quietly restless. The future, manager, director, VP, looked safe and predictable but uninspiring. Practical and deeply risk-aware, leaving certainty felt uncomfortable, even irresponsible. Still, something inside her wouldn’t settle; she wanted to build more and create meaning, even if the path forward wasn’t clear. Today, Alexandra is a successful real estate entrepreneur, investor, and strategist who built a career aligned with her values through intentional, incremental decisions. In this special episode, Jay sits down with his wife, Alexandra Preziosi, for an honest conversation about career change, calculated risk, journaling, finances, discomfort, and what it truly takes to move from feeling stuck to building a life that feels aligned. The conversation is reflective, grounded, and filled with lessons shaped by real experience. Notable Quotes “We have this perceived risk and this perceived stability, but it’s all made up.” — Alexandra Preziosi “You may never feel comfortable, and that’s okay.” — Alexandra Preziosi “If it doesn’t work out, you can always make another decision.” — Alexandra Preziosi About Our Guest This is a special Unstuck conversation between Jay and his wife, Alexandra Preziosi, a real estate entrepreneur and former Federal Reserve analyst. Together, they explore how to navigate uncertainty thoughtfully, take intentional risks, and move forward without needing every detail figured out in advance. The episode blends personal storytelling with practical insight for anyone considering a career or life transition. 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_/ 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 Friday, Jay helps you get ready for 2026 with a simple, practical approach to goal setting. Instead of overcomplicating the process, he’ll walk you through an exercise designed to bring clarity, focus, and direction so you can build a plan that actually sticks. Don’t miss it.

“The lessons that resonate most are the ones we’re meant to carry forward.” In this solo episode, Jay shares the top five lessons he’s taking into 2026, insights shaped by his keynotes, workshops, coaching sessions, and personal experiences throughout 2025. These lessons explore how to channel anger for meaningful change, prioritize social connection, improve inner dialogue, recharge consistently, and take bold, timely action. This closing chapter of the two-part series invites you to reflect on what fueled your growth this year and what you want to accelerate in the new one. If you’re preparing for a stronger, more intentional 2026, these principles will help you get there. Notable Quotes “Anything in your life, professional or personal, if something is making you angry, that could actually be the catalyst to positive change.” — Jay Abbasi “Social connections are not optional. They are a necessary part of being human.” — Jay Abbasi “Of all the conversations you're having, the most important conversation is the one you have with yourself.” — Jay Abbasi “You'll never have it all figured out. If you wait for the perfect time, you're going to be waiting a long time.” — 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, Jay shares a special in-person episode featuring his wife, Alexandra Preziosi. Together, they explore how Alex left her 9 to 5, conquered fear, and built a thriving real estate business from the ground up. A powerful story of reinvention, courage, and taking bold steps toward your future.

Sometimes the story you’re living isn’t the problem, it’s the way you’re seeing it. Meet Dylan. The glow from the TV flickers across his face as he reaches for another handful of SunChips. Netflix hums in the background, but his mind is louder. A new job starts in a few days,  a chance to reset. To grow. To begin fresh. But instead of feeling energized, Dylan feels paralyzed. The last role burned him out. What if this one does too? What if he’s the problem? What if nothing changes because he doesn’t?  Tonight’s episode is a rewind, a return to one of the most impactful conversations from the early days of Unstuck. We’re going back to one of your favorite episodes with Nick Tasler, organizational psychologist and bestselling author. Together, we unpack what it means to embrace change instead of fear it, think more clearly, and make decisions with confidence instead of hesitation. If you missed this conversation the first time or just need a reminder, this one hits differently on the second listen. Resources & Links Nick Tasler Website – https://www.nicktasler.com/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nick_tasler/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicktasler/ X – https://twitter.com/NickTasler Your Year of Wonders – https://a.co/d/dB9cybl Ricochet: What to Do When Change Happens to You – https://a.co/d/iJLaV62 Domino: The Simplest Way to Inspire Change – https://a.co/d/6z6yZfB The Impulse Factor: An Innovative Approach to Better Decision Making – https://a.co/d/0628SVP 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 This Friday we continue the Unstuck Classics series with The Top 5 Lessons of 2025, the real game-changers to take into 2026. Clarity, confidence, momentum…and practical strategies to move forward with purpose. Don’t miss it.

“The lessons we carry forward shape who we become next.” In this solo episode, Jay reflects on 2025 and shares the first five lessons he found most impactful, both from his own growth and from what resonated most with audiences, workshop participants, and coaching clients. These lessons highlight where leaders are growing, where they’re struggling, and what is most needed to thrive in 2026. From embracing AI with clarity instead of fear to mastering the power of deep breathing, feedback language shifts, emotional navigation through the ARIA framework, and the underrated power of brevity, this episode gives you five principles you can apply immediately as you look ahead to the new year. Notable Quotes “There are people during those times when the internet came out, who stayed in the past and their fears didn't allow them to step into the next phase.” — Jay Abbasi “It’s not about thinking, at some point you have to act.” — Jay Abbasi You already have resilience. You don't need more resilience.” — 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, Jay releases a throwback episode, one of the most meaningful conversations since the show began, to help you close out 2025 strong and enter 2026 with clarity and momentum. And next Friday, Jay returns with Part Two, sharing the top five lessons of the year. A powerful finish to 2025 is coming.

Your child’s first addiction might come from their screen… not a substance. Most parents don’t know it. Most media companies won’t tell you. But the brain science is clear, overstimulating content changes the developing mind. Meet Daniel. It’s nearly 8 p.m. when he walks through the door, exhausted from back-to-back meetings and a demanding day. His three-year-old son, Leo, is sitting on the couch, eyes locked on a tablet as another video auto-plays. Daniel whispers, “Hey buddy,” but Leo doesn’t look up. A wave of guilt hits. He knows screens shouldn’t be raising his son, but he relies on them, ten minutes to answer an email, thirty minutes for a meeting, an hour just to decompress. Earlier that week, Leo’s teacher mentioned attention struggles. Now Daniel fears the long-term effects but doesn’t know how to break the cycle. Today, Jay sits down with Will Maurer, award-winning media executive, TEDx speaker, and founder of the Children’s Media Research and Reform Lab. Will is considered the father of children’s media reform, exposing how studios engineer content to hijack a child’s attention, and what parents can actually do instead. His mission: protect the developing brain, reduce shame, and give parents realistic, science-backed solutions in a world where screens aren’t going away. Notable Quotes “Stories like Daniel’s aren’t bad parenting, they’re symptoms of a broken system.” — Will Maurer  “If parents knew the neural effects of this content, they would make different choices.” — Will Maurer  “A child under two should be an active participant, not a hijacked viewer.” — Will Maurer About Our Guest Will Maurer is an award-winning media executive, researcher, TEDx speaker, and founder of the Children’s Media Research and Reform Lab. After discovering the hidden production techniques engineered to keep babies glued to screens, Will left the traditional media world to lead a movement for transparency, reform, and harm-reduction in early-childhood screen time. He now educates parents, policymakers, and creators on how to protect children’s developing brains with practical, compassionate, science-rooted strategies. Resources & Links Will Maurer Children’s Media Research and Reform Lab Website – https://www.cmrrl.org/ Website – https://linktr.ee/willmaurer LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmaurer YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@EarlyYearsMedia Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/cmrrl.org Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/will.maurer/ TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@willreforms 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 Next Friday, Jay shares 10 of the best lessons he learned in 2025, wisdom pulled from keynote stages, workshops, coaching clients, and his own personal growth. On December 5th, you’ll hear lessons 10 through 6, and the following Friday, the top five. Then, as the year closes, Jay will help you map your goals for 2026 with clarity and intention. Don’t miss it.

“Gratitude isn’t about listing more things. It’s about going deeper into the ones that truly matter.” In this solo episode, Jay explores the science behind gratitude and why it can significantly improve your mood, resilience, physical health, and relationships. Drawing from Dr. Laurie Santos’ renowned Yale course The Science of Well-Being, Jay breaks down how hedonic adaptation keeps us from appreciating what we have and why learning to savor positive experiences is essential for lasting happiness. Jay shares three research-backed gratitude practices that help you slow down, counteract constant stimulation, and train your mind to feel more grounded, connected, and fulfilled. These strategies are simple, repeatable, and powerful when practiced consistently. Notable Quotes  “Hedonic adaptation makes it hard for us to be grateful for things and to really enjoy things because we keep raising the bar.” — Jay Abbasi “Every day you can do this. Something’s happening every day where you can really allow yourself to go deeper and savor that moment.” — Jay Abbasi “Rather than forcing yourself to make a very long list of all the things you're grateful for, I invite you to reflect on one thing and go a few layers deep.” — 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 Daniel, a devoted father struggling to balance work demands with raising his young son, Leo. Feeling guilty about relying on screens to keep Leo occupied, Daniel wants to break the cycle and create healthier habits for his family. Jay is joined by Will Maurer, award-winning media executive, TEDx speaker, and founder of the Children’s Media Research & Reform Lab, who is widely regarded as the father of children’s media reform. They dive into how parents can navigate screen time with clarity, confidence, and compassion.

Discomfort isn’t danger. It’s data. Most people misread that signal and pull back. But discomfort is often pointing us toward growth. Meet Gabriella. After 25 years in marketing, she’s never experienced this much change at once. New metrics. New leadership. New priorities that contradict last week’s priorities. The constant shift has shaken her confidence and left her second-guessing every move. At home she feels grounded, but at work she’s overwhelmed, replaying conversations, hesitating in meetings, and worrying whether her CEO sees her as capable or replaceable. What she wants most is to respond instead of react, and to finally trust herself again. Today, Jay sits down with Anne Bonney, an international speaker and change leadership expert known for helping people communicate courageously, navigate uncertainty, and build resilience in moments of discomfort. Anne’s personal story, from moving across continents as a child to reinventing her career multiple times, gives her a powerful perspective on letting go, embracing change, and finding courage in the unknown. Notable Quotes “Discomfort is a speed bump, not a stop sign.” — Anne Bonney “Don’t wait until you feel brave. You’ll wait forever.” — Anne Bonney “You’re going to be uncomfortable either way — so which discomfort do you choose?” — Anne Bonney About Our Guest Anne Bonney is a change leadership expert, keynote speaker, and author who helps leaders embrace uncertainty, strengthen emotional intelligence, and move through fear with confidence. She has worked with global organizations like NASA, Under Armour, and Lockheed Martin, sharing practical tools for navigating transition and thriving in the discomfort zone. Resources & Links Anne Bonney Website – https://ignitingyourcourage.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/annebonney/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF6svpLe3qVb6eCKyeY4_Nw Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/SpeakerAnneBonney Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/speakerannebonney/ 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 Friday, Jay explores the science of gratitude, why your brain naturally focuses on what you lack and how small daily practices can shift your attention toward what truly matters. If you want more presence, peace, and emotional resilience, this episode will give you tools you can use right away.

Consistency isn’t hard because we’re incapable, it’s hard because instant gratification keeps winning. Today, Jay breaks down why distractions pull us off track and introduces a five-step framework, inspired by Wayne Dyer, to help you delay gratification, understand your triggers, and follow through on the meaningful actions that create long-term results. If you’ve ever wondered why staying consistent feels so hard, or how to train your mind to delay gratification, this episode gives you the roadmap. Notable Quotes “Instant gratification may quench your desires momentarily, but delayed gratification fuels lasting achievements.” — Serena Williams “We’ve become so addicted to instant gratification that we're blind to the impact it has on our lives.” — Frank Sonnenberg “Instant gratification leads to long-term mediocrity.” — Courtney Conley “When you observe the impulse instead of reacting to it, you create the space for choice.” — 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 Gabriela, a seasoned marketing leader navigating constant change, shifting expectations, and a relentless pace that leaves her feeling unsteady. Jay is joined by Anne Bonney, change-leadership expert, speaker, and author, to unpack how someone in Gabriela’s position can build courage, adapt with confidence, and stay grounded when everything feels in flux. A powerful conversation for anyone facing uncertainty or rapid transformation. Don’t miss it

Meet Trevor. It’s past midnight, and Trevor is still in his office, finishing charts under the dull glow of fluorescent lights. As an oncologist at one of the country’s top hospitals, he carries a heavy emotional load delivering devastating news to families, forcing a hopeful tone for others, and holding the weight of life-and-death decisions every day. On the outside, Trevor is accomplished and respected. On the inside, he feels exhausted, disconnected, and increasingly fraudulent. His routines have slipped. His confidence has taken a hit. And hours lost to social media leave him comparing his life to everyone else’s highlight reel. Despite his success, Trevor can’t shake the feeling that he’s failing himself. He wants balance, consistency, and clarity, but he isn’t sure how to begin. Today, Jay is joined by Leon Thurston Jr., founder of the University of Unstuck, speaker, author, and coach who helps people break free from self-deception and step into radical honesty. Through his own story of struggle and awakening, Leon has built a movement that empowers others to tell the truth, to themselves first and create transformation from the inside out. Together, Jay and Leon explore how self-honesty is the first step toward healing, why so many people hide behind false narratives, and what it really takes to face the truth with courage and compassion. Notable Quotes “You can’t be the principal, the janitor, and the student. At some point you’re going to hit burnout.” — Leon Thurston Jr. “Many of us lack confidence because you’re the only person who’s ever heard every lie you’ve ever told.” — Leon Thurston Jr. “If someone lied to you as much as you lie to yourself, would you trust them?” — Jay Abbasi “Sometimes a crisis is the only thing that forces us to change our behavior.” — Leon Thurston Jr. About Our Guest Leon Thurston Jr. is a speaker, author, and transformational coach dedicated to helping people confront limiting beliefs and rewrite their internal stories. As the founder of University of Unstuck, Leon has inspired thousands through his talks, online programs, and social content that blends humor, truth, and emotional depth. His work challenges people to stop running from themselves and start living from a place of integrity, purpose, and faith. Resources and Links Leon Thurston Jr. University of Unstuck 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_/ 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 Friday, Jay will break down how to live intentionally rather than in constant reaction mode. Including a five-step process to interrupt that automatic pull toward distraction, retrain your mind to tolerate boredom, and build the capacity for deeper focus and steady progress.  If you’ve been struggling with follow-through or constant distraction, this episode will help you shift your mindset and step fully into your potential. Until then, stay courageous, stay conscious, and stay Unstuck.