Unstuck with Jay Abbasi

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meet Alina. As Director of Operations at a fast-growing consulting firm, she’s smart, capable, and trusted. But under the surface, she’s overwhelmed. Her micromanaging boss offers constant feedback but little support. Her team sees a leader who gets things done, not the person quietly burning out behind late-night emails and missed personal milestones. Alina doesn’t speak up. She doesn’t set boundaries. She keeps pushing through—until there’s nothing left to give. In this episode, Jay is joined by Anne Grady, bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and expert in resilience and emotional intelligence. Anne shares her deeply personal story and introduces her Mindset, Skillset, Reset framework to help high performers like Alina break the cycle of chronic stress and redefine what success truly means. They discuss the science behind burnout, how the stories we tell ourselves shape our biology, and why cultivating recovery is just as important as productivity. Anne offers real strategies to regulate stress, shift thinking patterns, and rewire the nervous system—so leaders can perform at their best without sacrificing their health. Notable Quotes "Your resume and your eulogy should not be the same document." — Anne Grady "Stress isn’t the problem. It’s the chronic busyness that becomes the trap." — Anne Grady "The goal isn’t to stop discomfort. It’s to change your relationship with it." — Jay Abbasi About Our Guest Anne Grady is a renowned keynote speaker, author, and resilience expert. With a background in organizational communication and a personal journey shaped by extreme challenges, Anne brings practical science-backed strategies to help leaders and teams thrive under pressure. Her work focuses on emotional intelligence, stress regulation, and brain-based behavior change—and her clients include some of the world’s largest organizations. Resources and Links Anne Grady Website – https://www.annegradygroup.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/annegrady/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/AnneGradyGroup Facebook – https://facebook.com/annegradygroup X (formerly Twitter) – https://twitter.com/annegradygroup YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU8shqCISYnwLzf650HBwcA/featured Books by Anne Grady Mind Over Moment – https://a.co/d/9Q4sRbg 52 Strategies for Life, Love & Work – https://a.co/d/aB0zmSA Strong Enough – https://a.co/d/73OEl9f Jay Abbasi Website – https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thejayabbasi YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Join Us Next Time On Friday, Jay explores the concept of neutral thinking—a mindset approach used by top athletes to manage pressure and performance. You’ll learn how to replace unhelpful narratives with grounded focus and how to interrupt spiraling thoughts in real time. If you’ve ever felt trapped between toxic positivity and negative self-talk, this episode will give you the clarity to respond with purpose.

In our last episode, we met Ryan, a leader struggling to connect with his team and build trust. Alongside guest Amy Wong, we explored how authenticity opens the door to connection—but in this episode, Jay takes that conversation further. He shares what he’s seen firsthand on teams with high trust and those with none at all. The difference? Judgment. Drawing from neuroscience and his own “Earth–Mars Analogy”, Jay explains how our brains are wired to make snap judgments—and how those unconscious biases can sabotage psychological safety in the workplace. Even if you’re unaware of it, your team feels when you’re judging them. And trust can’t grow in that kind of environment. Jay unpacks the difference between judging a person and discerning behavior, revealing how leaders can hold others accountable while still creating space for curiosity and connection. If you want to build a team culture rooted in safety, openness, and real trust, this episode offers the mindset shift to get there. Notable Quotes “We can’t compare someone to ourselves. They’ve never been us. We’ve never been them.” — Jay Abbasi “Judgment of a person and discernment of behavior are two different things.” — Jay Abbasi Resources and Links Jay Abbasi Website: https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejayabbasi/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Join Us Next Time On Monday’s episode, you’ll meet Alina, a Director of Operations at a fast-growing consulting firm. She’s being micromanaged to the point of burnout—her back seizing up, her personal plans on hold, and her energy drained. Jay is joined by Anne Grady, bestselling author and TEDx speaker, who helps people reclaim resilience and recharge from emotional exhaustion. Together, they discuss how high performers like Alina can stop pushing through and start protecting their energy instead. Don’t miss this powerful and practical conversation.

Meet Ryan. As the VP of Product at a fast-growing tech company, he’s brilliant, composed, and strategic. But lately, his team feels disengaged. People nod in meetings but rarely speak up. Deadlines slip. Communication is strained. Despite his best efforts to rally the group with more one-on-ones and structure, the connection just isn’t there. At home, it’s no better. He finds himself answering his wife like a stakeholder—polished, but distant. Ryan knows something’s wrong, but he doesn’t know how to name it. He’s tired of leading behind a mask and longs to influence without pretending, to connect without controlling. He doesn’t just want to perform—he wants to be present. In this episode, Jay sits down with Amy Wong, keynote speaker, executive coach, and author of Living On Purpose. Amy helps high achievers like Ryan step out of performance mode and into aligned, authentic communication. Together, they explore how our communication is a reflection of our relationship with ourselves—and how to reconnect with others by first reconnecting within. Amy shares how her own transformation began not with a plan, but a moment of surrender that changed her life. If you’ve ever struggled to say what you really mean, connect with others meaningfully, or lead without overthinking, this episode is a powerful guide to navigating from the inside out. Notable Quotes “Everything we want…we want it because we think it’s going to make us feel a certain way.” — Amy Wong “We don’t chase things for the things. We chase them for how we think they’ll make us feel.” — Amy Wong “When we open up and take the risk of being seen, we give others permission to do the same.” — Jay Abbasi About Our Guest Amy Wong is a leadership coach, keynote speaker, and founder of Always On Purpose. With a background in mathematics, philosophy, and transpersonal psychology, Amy blends science and soul to help leaders foster connection, clarity, and trust. Through coaching, speaking, and her bestselling book Living On Purpose, she empowers individuals to stop performing and start aligning with what truly matters—leading from their authentic selves. Resources and Links Amy Wong Website: https://www.alwaysonpurpose.com/ Living On Purpose: https://a.co/d/9o0lP6v LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyelizawong/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyelizawong Jay Abbasi Website: https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejayabbasi/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Join Us Next Time On Friday, Jay breaks down a powerful metaphor he calls the “Earth–Mars Analogy” to explain why communication breaks down in high-pressure environments—and what to do about it. You’ll learn why we default to judgment under stress and how to rebuild connection through curiosity and compassion. If you've ever struggled to get through to someone who just doesn’t see your perspective, this episode will help you build bridges instead of barriers. Stay inspired, stay resilient, and stay connected to what truly matters.