Unstuck with Jay Abbasi

In our last episode, we met Michael, who was grappling with a tough breakup that left him questioning his purpose. Dr. Al joined us to share his powerful story of resilience and offer insights into bouncing back, including the transformative role of gratitude. Building on that conversation, this episode dives deeper into the world of gratitude—its immense benefits, common misconceptions, and the right way to practice it for maximum impact. Jay uncovers compelling research by Tim Wilson and Dan Gilbert that highlights how gratitude enhances not only emotional well-being but also physical health, including lowering stress, strengthening the immune system, and reducing blood pressure. He explains how many people approach gratitude the wrong way, treating it as a chore rather than an experience. To unlock its full power, Jay introduces two key practices: savoring gratitude in the moment and reflecting deeply on a single source of gratitude. By moving beyond a checklist approach and experiencing gratitude on a deeper level, you can reap its profound benefits and create a more meaningful, balanced life. If you’ve ever struggled with maintaining a gratitude practice or felt it was more of a task than a transformative habit, this episode provides actionable insights to shift your perspective and amplify the impact of gratitude in your life. Notable Quotes “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” — Eckhart Tolle “The more you practice the art of thankfulness, the more you have to be thankful for.” — Norman Vincent Peale “You don’t want to just think about gratitude; you want to experience it.” — 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 Sandy, a VP at a financial services company, who feels stuck in a job that’s draining her energy and purpose. After a challenging conversation with her daughter, she realizes she’s setting an example she doesn’t want to pass on. Jay will meet with Dr. David Marlow, a globally recognized keynote speaker and author of The Ikigai Way, to explore how Sandy—and anyone—can overcome self-doubt and step into a more purposeful life, no matter their age or stage in life. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation!

Meet Michael. It's 2:30 PM on a Tuesday, and he’s sitting at his desk, surrounded by piles of papers and sticky notes, yet he’s glued to his phone, scrolling through social media. With each swipe, he feels a growing weight on his chest—his friends’ achievements glaring back at him, reminding him of the passion and purpose he seems to have lost. Michael, a senior manager at a utility company in Toronto, has been feeling uninspired and stuck, both personally and professionally, since a painful breakup three months ago. In this episode, Jay is joined by Dr. Allen Lycka, a world-renowned cosmetic dermatologist, a speaker, and bestselling author of The Secrets to Living a Fantastic Life: Two Survivors Reveal the 13 Golden Pearls They’ve Discovered. Drawing from his remarkable personal journey of overcoming a life-changing misdiagnosis, Dr. Lycka shares powerful insights on reframing challenges, cultivating resilience, and unlocking your potential to create a life full of purpose and joy. Together, they explore how Michael can navigate his struggles and reignite his passion for life and work. Dr. Lycka introduces his seven-step framework for building resilience and explains how gratitude, visualization, and intentional action can shift your mindset and empower you to overcome adversity. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle of negativity or self-doubt, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you reimagine what’s possible and start living a fantastic life. Notable Quotes “The harder the fall, the bigger the bounce.” — Dr. Allen Lycka “Every day is a gift; make it matter.” — Dr. Allen Lycka “Discomfort is the price of meaningful growth.” — Jay Abbasi About Our Guest Dr. Allen Lycka is an internationally recognized cosmetic dermatologist, life coach, and TEDx speaker who overcame a terminal diagnosis to transform his life and inspire others. He co-authored the bestselling book The Secrets to Living a Fantastic Life and hosts the popular podcast How to Live a Fantastic Life. Through his seven-step framework for resilience and personal growth, Dr. Lycka empowers individuals to embrace challenges as opportunities and live with intention, gratitude, and joy. His work has reached millions worldwide through speaking engagements, coaching programs, and digital platforms. Resources and Links Dr. Allen Lycka Book (The Secrets to Living a Fantastic Life): https://a.co/d/1Epwczu Website: https://drallenlycka.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allenlycka/?originalSubdomain=ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drallenlycka/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrAllenLycka/videos X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/DrAllenLycka 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 Friday’s episode, Jay takes a deeper dive into the science of gratitude, exploring how it rewires your brain for resilience and optimism. He’ll walk you through evidence-based gratitude practices to help you maximize their benefits and create a lasting positive impact in your daily life. Don’t miss this inspiring episode!

In our last episode, you met Ariana, a professional running on fumes, struggling to take care of herself amidst the chaos of life. Her relentless schedule was draining her energy and leaving her feeling stuck in a rat race. In this episode, Jay dives deep into one of the most fundamental aspects of well-being—sleep. Inspired by the latest research and actionable insights, Jay explores how prioritizing sleep can transform your energy, focus, and happiness. Jay breaks down three compelling studies on the impact of sleep, including findings from the MIT Media Lab, Rand Corporation, and the Mental Health Foundation. These studies highlight how irregular sleep patterns, insufficient sleep duration, and poor sleep quality can harm mental health, economic productivity, and personal relationships. Drawing from this research, Jay provides a reverse-engineering strategy to optimize your sleep schedule, starting with identifying your ideal wake-up time and working backward to create a consistent sleep routine. If you’ve ever struggled with feeling tired, distracted, or unmotivated, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you build a healthier sleep routine. From the importance of winding down to the role of socializing your plan with loved ones, Jay shares actionable strategies to prioritize sleep and make it the foundation of your overall well-being. Notable Quotes “Temporary steps back are not failures—they’re part of the process.” — Jay Abbasi “Your day starts the night before, and it begins with your commitment to quality sleep.” — 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 Michael, a senior manager at a utility company in Toronto, navigating a difficult breakup and feeling unmotivated in his career. Jay meets with Dr. Allen Lycka, bestselling author of The Secrets of Living a Fantastic Life, to explore strategies for reigniting creativity, rebuilding confidence, and cultivating resilience. Don’t miss this inspiring and transformative conversation!

Meet Ariana. It's 9 PM on a Wednesday. She's sitting on her living room sofa balancing her laptop on her knees. Her husband walks in, carrying two mugs of tea. "You need to call it a night, honey," he says gently. She nods absentmindedly, staring at the screen. The reality is, she can't. There's just too much to do. As the vice president of training for a leading pharmaceutical company, Ariana is brilliant and respected. But lately, she feels like she’s running on fumes, losing sight of her goals, and struggling to balance her personal and professional life. In this episode, Jay is joined by Chelsea Pottenger, a globally recognized keynote speaker, best-selling author of The Mindful High Performer, and founder of EQ Minds. Chelsea shares her personal story of overcoming severe postnatal depression and the insights she gained that transformed her life. Together, they explore Ariana’s challenges and provide actionable strategies for building resilience, maintaining balance, and prioritizing mental health without compromising high performance. Chelsea emphasizes the power of redefining success, setting clear boundaries, and incorporating simple yet powerful practices like mindfulness, gratitude, and prioritizing wellness. If you’ve ever felt like the demands of your career are pulling you away from the life you want, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you find clarity and create a healthier mindset. Notable Quotes “Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s self-preservation.” — Chelsea Pottenger “If you don’t take care of your wellness today, you’ll be forced to take care of your illness tomorrow.” — Chelsea Pottenger “Life is a series of experiences, not a series of outcomes.” — Jay Abbasi About Our Guest Chelsea Pottenger is a globally recognized speaker, best-selling author of The Mindful High Performer, and the founder of EQ Minds, an organization that partners with global brands like Google, Estee Lauder, and Allianz to improve mental health and productivity. A former corporate leader, Chelsea combines science-backed practices with personal insights to help individuals and organizations thrive under pressure. She is an accredited mindfulness coach and ambassador for mental health charities, inspiring millions worldwide through her talks, workshops, and writing. Resources and Links Chelsea Pottenger The Mindful High Performer: https://www.amazon.com/Mindful-High-Performer-powerful-recharge/dp/1922351946 Website: https://www.eqminds.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseapottenger/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelseapottengerofficial/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1B24w7gT7u/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eqminds 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 will share practical strategies to simplify your life by mastering the basics, such as sleep, nutrition, and movement. Backed by recent studies, this episode will help you create an intentional plan to sustain energy and focus. Don’t miss this foundational and transformative episode!

In a world where daily pressures and personal challenges can feel overwhelming, it’s easy to lose perspective. How often do we let fear, stress, and limiting beliefs take control of our thoughts? This week, Jay takes us on a transformative journey to recalibrate our thinking by exploring The Pale Blue Dot, inspired by Carl Sagan’s reflections on Earth as seen from 4 billion miles away. In this solo episode, Jay invites you to step back and zoom out, reminding us of the profound smallness of our worries in the vast expanse of the universe. Through the lens of Sagan’s iconic description, Jay shares how this perspective shift can dissolve fear, highlight what truly matters, and empower us to move forward with purpose and equanimity. If you’ve ever felt weighed down by life’s challenges or consumed by self-doubt, this episode will give you the tools to pause, reflect, and realign with what’s truly important. Notable Quotes “Zooming out can dissolve fear and remind us how insignificant our worries truly are in the grand scheme of things.” — Jay Abbasi “The Pale Blue Dot teaches us that while we are small, our actions have meaning—and we must use them wisely.” — 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 Ariana, a VP of training at a major pharmaceutical company struggling with burnout and balance. Jay will meet with Chelsea Pottenger, a globally recognized keynote speaker and author of The Mindful High Performer. Together, they’ll explore practical strategies for resilience, stress management, and thriving under pressure. Don’t miss this inspiring and empowering conversation!

Meet Phil. It's 10 PM on a Thursday, and he sits at his desk with a heating pad draped over his shoulders, staring at a blinking cursor on his laptop. A throbbing migraine has become his nightly companion, a reflection of his endless stress and self-doubt. As a regional director at a national marketing firm, Phil seems to have it all—a high-performing team, respect from peers, and consistent results. But behind the accolades, he struggles with an internal narrative of inadequacy and a creative passion he abandoned years ago. His stress is taking a toll on his body, relationships, and sense of purpose. In this episode, Jay welcomes Jennifer Busco, an intuitive guide, energy healer, and host of Bittersweet Epiphanies. Jennifer specializes in helping individuals like Phil uncover deep-seated limiting beliefs, release trapped emotions, and reconnect with their authentic selves. Drawing from Phil’s story, Jay and Jennifer explore the connection between emotional and physical health, the power of intuition, and the courage to reclaim suppressed creativity. Jennifer shares her transformative journey from her Italian upbringing to discovering her spiritual gifts and how nature, energy healing, and mindfulness practices have shaped her work. This episode provides insights and practical takeaways for those seeking to break free from fear, embrace their intuition, and live a more aligned and creative life. Notable Quotes “Ego shouts. Intuition whispers.” — Jennifer Busco “Notice what you notice. It’s a simple way to ground yourself in the present moment.” — Jennifer Busco “Every limiting belief you carry comes from a perspective that was shaped by your past. The key is seeing it for what it truly is.” — Jay Abbasi About Our Guest Jennifer Busco is an intuitive guide, energy healer, yoga teacher, and the host of the podcast Bittersweet Epiphanies. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Jennifer combines energy work, spiritual guidance, and practical tools to help her clients reconnect with their true selves and heal both emotionally and physically. With a focus on mindfulness, self-awareness, and creative expression, Jennifer inspires others to live authentically and joyfully. Resources and Links Jennifer Busco 20% OFF CODE: JenniferHLG20 Website: https://jenniferbusco.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-busco-5a744a88/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1660932866&mibextid=ZbWKwL Instagram: www.instagram.com/jjbusco/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@jenniferbusco Podcast (Bittersweet Epiphanies): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bittersweet-epiphanies/id1590555571 Jay Abbasi Website: www.jayabbasi.me LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/thejayabbasi/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Join Us Next Time On Friday, Jay will dive into the fascinating paradox between our significance and insignificance by interpreting the deeper meaning behind “The Pale Blue Dot”. Tune in for actionable insights to help you live with greater clarity and peace. Stay inspired, stay resilient, and stay connected to your purpose!

In our last episode, you met Tyler, a senior VP of marketing, grappling with impatience and restlessness driven by the pull of instant gratification. Tyler, like many of us, spends countless hours tethered to his smartphone, finding it hard to unplug. As the demands of his job grow, so does the anxiety and exhaustion that come from constantly seeking quick dopamine hits. His story mirrors a challenge most of us face today—how do we manage our devices, so they don’t manage us? In this episode, Jay shares powerful insights on the impact of excessive phone usage and how it affects our mental health, productivity, and ability to delay gratification. Drawing on recent studies, including one showing that the average American spends nearly a third of their waking hours on their phone, Jay explores the addictive nature of our devices. He also shares actionable steps to regain control, including creating rules, using intentional friction, and auditing notifications. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your phone or caught in a cycle of instant gratification, this episode is packed with strategies to reclaim your time, cultivate focus, and live with greater intention. Notable Quotes “Temporary discomfort leads to lasting progress when you delay gratification.” — Jay Abbasi “Your phone should serve you, not the other way around.” — 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 Phil, a regional director struggling with imposter syndrome and a disconnect from his work. Regretting a past decision to leave his passion for music behind, Phil’s feel stuck and unfulfilled. Jay meets with Jennifer Busco, an intuitive guide and energy healer specializing in helping high achievers uncover limiting beliefs and reconnect with their true selves. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation!

Meet Tyler. It’s late on a Thursday night, and he’s slumped in his office chair, exhausted from endless hours of work. As the senior vice president of marketing at a fast-growing tech company in San Francisco, Tyler has poured himself into a high-profile rebranding project, only to see slow results. His frustration at work bleeds into his personal life, straining his relationships and wellbeing. Caught in a cycle of instant gratification, Tyler struggles to find patience for the long-term success he desires. In this episode, Jay is joined by Dr. Emilio Justo, an award-winning TEDx speaker, surgeon, and bestselling author of The Power of Pause: Mastering Delayed Gratification for Lasting Success. Drawing from his personal journey as an immigrant from Cuba and his professional expertise, Dr. Justo offers profound insights into how delayed gratification, resilience, and a positive obsession can unlock potential and create a fulfilling life. Together, they discuss Tyler’s challenges and provide actionable strategies to reframe his mindset and cultivate balance in his work and personal life. Dr. Justo highlights the importance of celebrating temporary setbacks as part of the process, embracing the “Cuban triad” of self-discipline, resilience, and delayed gratification. If you’ve ever struggled with impatience, burnout, or an addiction to quick wins, this conversation is filled with inspiring takeaways to help you master the power of pause and achieve lasting success. Notable Quotes “Temporary steps back are not failures—they’re part of the process.” — Dr. Emilio Justo “The power of pause recharges your ability to keep moving forward.” — Dr. Emilio Justo “True success requires time, patience, and persistence.” — Jay Abbasi About Our Guest Dr. Emilio Justo is a renowned TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and practicing medical surgeon with over 36 years of experience. His TEDx talk Unleashing The Drive Within: The Obsession Advantage ranked as the #3 TEDx talk globally in 2023. Dr. Justo’s book The Power of Pause serves as a guide to mastering delayed gratification as a means to achieve lasting success. Born in Cuba and immigrating to the U.S. as a child, Dr. Justo credits his success to the “Cuban triad” of self-discipline, resilience, and patience. Today, he inspires leaders and professionals worldwide through his talks, writings, and appearances on platforms like TEDx and podcasts. Resources and Links: Dr. Emilio Justo Book (The Power of Pause: Mastering Delayed Gratification for Lasting Success): https://dremiliojusto.com/book/ Website: https://dremiliojusto.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliojustomd/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrEmilioJusto/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emiliojustomd/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emiliojustomd X: https://x.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Femiliojustomd YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrEmilioJusto TEDx Unleashing The Drive Within: The Obsession Advantage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnVp_KTusrA TEDx Delayed Gratification: Your Superpower to Success: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfOr-HP3QmA 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 will dive deeper into the pitfall of instant gratification, focusing on shocking statistics about smartphone usage and its impact on mental and emotional health. Tune in to learn actionable steps for creating boundaries and reclaiming control of your devices to cultivate a life of intentionality and purpose. Stay inspired, stay resilient, and stay connected to your goals!

As we step into 2025, it’s the perfect time to align your actions with your higher purpose. In this solo episode, Jay shares a powerful four-step process to help you gain clarity on your purpose and ensure your life reflects what truly matters. This process is one Jay uses with his 1-on-1 coaching clients and is designed to connect you with the experiences and legacy you aspire to create. Drawing inspiration from a timeless quote by Mahatma Gandhi—"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony"—Jay emphasizes the importance of introspection and visualization in identifying your purpose. By imagining your life at its most fulfilled and reflecting on the legacy you want to leave behind, this framework provides the foundation for creating a concise, actionable purpose statement that you can revisit daily. This episode is for anyone looking to ground themselves in purpose, enhance their resilience, and chart a path toward a fulfilling life. Notable Quotes "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." — Mahatma Gandhi "When you’re connected to purpose, you’re happier, more resilient, and more productive." — 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 Downloadable Resource: Identifying Your Purpose Statement Join Us Next Time In Monday’s episode, Jay introduces Tyler, a senior vice president of marketing in the tech space, who is struggling with impatience and restlessness. Jay meets with Dr. Emilio Justo, an award-winning TEDx speaker and author of The Power of Pause: Mastering Delayed Gratification for Success. Together, they explore strategies to balance ambition with patience, build resilience, and achieve long-term success. Don’t miss this insightful conversation!

Meet Megan, a driven COO of a fast-growing tech company who finds herself stuck in a frustrating loop. Deadlines are being missed, tensions run high within her team, and despite her relentless efforts to push harder, nothing seems to improve. At home, the stress bleeds into her personal life, leaving her questioning her leadership abilities and feeling disconnected. Megan wonders—what’s holding her back, and how can she break free? In this episode, Jay welcomes Susan Drumm, a CEO advisor, leadership coach, and best-selling author of The Leader’s Playlist: Unleash the Power of Music and Neuroscience to Transform Your Leadership and Your Life. Susan delves into Megan’s story and highlights how patterns, often rooted in childhood experiences, shape our behaviors as leaders. She introduces actionable strategies to disrupt unhelpful patterns, connect deeply with teams, and lead with purpose. Susan also shares her groundbreaking insights on leveraging music and neuroscience to create new neural pathways that foster personal transformation. From identifying blind spots to building cognitive diversity within teams, this episode is packed with tools to help you break patterns, unlock your leadership potential, and cultivate meaningful connections. Notable Quotes "The only power you have is internal. Master that, and the external will follow." — Susan Drumm "Your blind spot could be someone else’s superpower—embrace the diversity." — Susan Drumm "When you lead with questions, you create connection instead of resistance." — Jay Abbasi About Our Guest Susan Drumm is a CEO advisor, leadership coach, and founder of Meritage Leadership. With over 20 years of experience, she has worked with Fortune 500 companies and entrepreneurial organizations to enhance their leadership effectiveness. Susan is the author of The Leader’s Playlist, which explores how music and neuroscience can catalyze personal and professional growth. Her podcast, The Enlightened Executive, offers further insights into leadership and team dynamics. Resources and Links Susan Drumm Website: https://susandrumm.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-drumm-bb09732/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drummleadership/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drummleadership/ X: https://twitter.com/DrummLeadership YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfsV6cjbZPBXHLPVrqGjWHw?sub_confirmation=1 Podcast (The Enlightened Executive): https://open.spotify.com/show/1CF8xXG4AyRDoP6j30Jzx8?si=fa8c128002a0401f The Leader’s Playlist: https://a.co/d/iIrgbNf 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 Friday’s episode, Jay will guide you through a four-step process to clarify your purpose and the legacy you want to leave. This episode will include a free resource to help you align your actions with your mission and create lasting impact as we enter 2025. Don’t miss this transformative conversation! Stay inspired, stay resilient, and stay connected to purpose.