Unstuck with Jay Abbasi

When life feels overwhelming, it’s often because no one is actually driving. Meet Hannah. She’s a driven single mom with two young boys and a demanding leadership role in retail operations. Her days are filled with meetings, fire drills, and constant pressure to perform. Despite strong reviews, promotions keep passing her by. At home, guilt sets in. At work, doubt creeps closer. Hannah isn’t lazy or unmotivated. She’s exhausted from reacting to everything around her and wants to prove to her sons that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of happiness. In this episode, Jay speaks with Dr. Luana Gladney, also known as Dr. G, a success psychologist and leadership performance expert. Dr. G explains why burnout happens, how overwhelm hijacks the brain, and what it really means to get back in the driver’s seat of life. Through powerful metaphors, practical psychology, and deeply human insight, this conversation reframes control, time, and emotional regulation. Notable Quotes “People are reacting to life instead of planning their life.” —  Dr. Luana Gladney “Burnout happens when the brain is overwhelmed and disorganized.” — Dr. Luana Gladney “Make a plan, schedule it. If it's scheduled, then it happens. If it's not scheduled, it won't happen..” —  Jay Abbasi About Our Guest Dr. Luana Gladney is a successful psychologist, leadership performance expert, speaker, and author. Through her Psychology of Success methodology, she helps leaders change behaviors that lead to burnout, stalled growth, and disengagement. Her work focuses on emotional regulation, mindset, time management, and helping people take control of their lives with clarity and intention. Resources & Links Dr. Luana Gladney (Dr. G) Website – https://www.drgladney.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/drgladney/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/drgladney/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/drgladney/?hl=en YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@psychologyofsuccesswithdr.g 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 “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 This Friday, Jay goes deeper into the idea of planning life instead of reacting to it. He’ll share practical ways to organize time, protect attention, and create structure so work, family, and personal goals can coexist more sustainably.

“What you’re aware of, you’re in control of. What you’re not aware of is in control of you.” In this deeply reflective solo episode, Jay shares nine life-shaping takeaways from Awareness by Anthony De Mello, the book that has had the greatest impact on his perspective, inner life, and leadership. This is a return-to-center episode, designed to slow you down, challenge your assumptions, and invite deeper awareness in how you think, feel, and live. Jay explores themes of attachment, identity, perception, suffering, and freedom, offering insights that touch every area of life, from career and relationships to ambition and self-worth. If you’re looking for clarity, emotional freedom, and a more grounded way to move through the world, this episode is an invitation to wake up. Notable Quotes “There is only one cause of unhappiness: the false beliefs you have in your head.” — Anthony de Mello “Wisdom tends to grow in proportion to one’s awareness of one’s ignorance.” — Anthony de Mello “What you’re aware of, you’re in control of. What you’re not aware of is in control of you.” — 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 Hannah, an ambitious operations manager and single mom who wants career growth without sacrificing her family. Jay is joined by Dr. Lawana Gladney, success psychologist and leadership performance expert, to explore how high-achieving professionals can build resilience, set boundaries, and lead powerfully without burning out.

Being strong isn’t the same as being resilient. Meet Zara. She’s the one everyone relies on. At work, she fixes delays, calms clients, and takes on just one more task. At home, she juggles three kids, dinner, homework, and exhaustion she rarely admits out loud. Zara loves her job and her family, but the pace is catching up to her. Burnout isn’t theoretical anymore. What she wants isn’t to quit, slow down, or give up responsibility. She wants sustainability, clarity, and resilience that actually lasts. In this episode, Jay speaks with Julie Lewis, high-altitude mountaineer, expedition leader, and resilience consultant. Drawing from decades of leading teams through extreme environments, Julie challenges a leadership mistake few people talk about: confusing endurance with strength. Through powerful metaphors from nature, she explains how leaders can build adaptive resilience without burning themselves or their teams out. Notable Quotes “Self-care is self-respect.” — Julie Lewis “Nature is the greatest teacher of resilience.” — Julie Lewis “You can’t sprint forever. Even mountains have seasons.” — Julie Lewis About Our Guest Julie Lewis is a high-altitude mountaineer, expedition leader, keynote speaker, and resilience consultant. With a background in sports science and over 20 years of experience leading multinational teams through some of the world’s most demanding environments, Julie helps leaders build adaptive resilience through nature, self-awareness, and sustainable performance. Her work blends science, lived experience, and powerful metaphors to help people thrive through constant change. Resources & Links Julie Lewis Website – https://julie-lewis.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/julielewis4/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/julie.lewis.98892 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/juliemileslewis/ X – https://x.com/mountainhighme 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 “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 dives deeper into the idea of connection and resilience by exploring lessons from Awareness by Anthony de Mello. The episode breaks down practical insights that apply to leadership, work, and everyday life in a world defined by constant change.

“A great presentation uses slides to support the message, not compete with it.” In this solo episode, Jay shares seven practical, field-tested techniques to help your PowerPoint or keynote presentation truly shine. Drawing from years in learning and development, as well as his work as a keynote speaker, Jay explains how to design slides that enhance your message rather than distract from it. From deciding whether you even need slides to using high-resolution imagery, clean layouts, intentional animation, and minimal text, this episode walks you step by step through how to build a presentation that is visually compelling, professional, and audience-centered. Notable Quotes “What matters in the end is that people get the message.” — Jay Abbasi “The text on the slide shouldn’t be telling the story for you.” — Jay Abbasi “If I can see step one through step four at the same time, I’m not listening to you anymore.” — Jay Abbasi “Animation should serve timing and clarity, not distraction.” — 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 Zara, a high-performing project manager whose ambition and pressure have begun to impact her well-being and family life. Jay is joined by Julie Lewis, high-altitude mountaineer, expedition leader, resilience consultant, and keynote speaker, to explore how professionals can build resilience that supports a full life, not just a busy one.

Anxiety doesn’t mean you’re not ready. It often means you care. Meet Gloria. Confident one-on-one but anxious in high-stakes rooms, Gloria freezes when presenting to senior leaders. Despite being capable and respected, anxiety hijacks her focus, causing her to avoid visibility and stall her growth. What she wants most is presence, confidence, and the ability to speak up when it matters.  In this episode, Jay speaks with Stephanie Richardson, a certified speaking coach, former therapist, keynote speaker, and international bestselling author. Stephanie breaks down how high-achieving professionals can shift from anxiety to executive presence by addressing mindset, preparation, and delivery, without trying to become someone they’re not. Notable Quotes “Fear overtakes logic. Anxiety hijacks her brain.” — Stephanie Richardson “You don’t get confidence first. You build it through evidence.” — Stephanie Richardson “You don’t know what you don’t know. And when you don’t have the knowledge, it’s hard to have the confidence.” — Stephanie Richardson About Our Guest Stephanie Richardson is a certified speaking coach, former licensed professional counselor, keynote speaker, and international bestselling author. She helps high-achieving leaders overcome anxiety, build confidence, and communicate with clarity and executive presence, especially in high-stakes moments. Her work blends psychology, coaching, and practical communication tools to help professionals perform at their best. Resources & Links Stephanie Richardson Website – https://stephanierichardsonuyp.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachstephanierichardson/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@coachstephanierichardson Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/UnlockYourPotentialwithStephanie 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 “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 walks through how to create a masterful PowerPoint presentation. He’ll share seven practical principles used in keynotes and workshops to help your slides support your message, not distract from it. If presentations are part of your role, this episode will give you tools you can apply immediately.

A meeting without a clear desired outcome is a scheduled chit chat devoid of purpose. In this solo episode, Jay breaks down why so many meetings feel exhausting, unproductive, and unnecessary, and what to do instead. Drawing from his corporate background and years of leadership experience, Jay shares a 7-step blueprint for running meetings that are focused, efficient, and actually move work forward. From deciding whether a meeting is needed in the first place to setting clear outcomes, managing time, preventing derailment, and closing with concrete action items, this framework helps leaders reclaim their calendars and protect their energy. If meetings are a major part of your workday, this episode offers a practical reset. Notable Quotes “A meeting without a clear desired outcome is a scheduled chit chat devoid of purpose.” — Jay Abbasi “Respectfully interrupting is part of good leadership.” — Jay Abbasi “Clear action items are what turn conversation into execution.” — Jay Abbasi Resources and Links Jay AbbasiWebsite: 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 MOMENTUM: A Mastermind for Emerging Leaders If you’re ready to get to the next level in 2026 and willing to step outside your comfort zone, this case-study mastermind is designed for leaders only.  https://jayabbasi.me/momentum/ 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 Gloria, a Director of Product Strategy who experiences intense anxiety when presenting to executives and advocating for herself. Jay is joined by Stephanie Richardson, world-class speaking coach, Maxwell Leadership certified coach, keynote speaker, and international bestselling author, to explore how high-achieving professionals can overcome fear, communicate with presence, and step confidently into leadership moments that matter.

Being great at the job doesn’t mean being ready to lead. Meet Gerard. A top performer turned manager, Gerard knows how to execute but struggles to earn buy-in from his team. Meetings feel heavy. Feedback feels forced. The harder he pushes, the quieter the room gets. He doesn’t want control, he wants trust.  In this episode, Jay sits down with Damon Lembi, former Division I athlete, CEO of Learn It, bestselling author, and host of The Learn-It-All Podcast. Damon breaks down why many high performers struggle when they step into leadership and how shifting from a “know-it-all” mindset to a “learn-it-all” approach builds trust, confidence, and real influence. This conversation explores what great leaders do differently when it comes to listening, feedback, ego, communication, and earning trust without control. Notable Quotes “Sometimes you need to go slow to go fast.” — Damon Lembi “Your title doesn’t earn trust. Your behavior does.” — Damon Lembi “The moment a leader becomes the bottleneck, growth stops.” — Damon Lembi About Our Guest Damon Lembi is the CEO of Learn It, a live learning and development company that helps organizations build leadership, communication, and AI readiness skills. A former Division I baseball player, Damon has spent more than 30 years helping leaders move from individual success to team-driven impact. He is the author of The Learn-It-All Leader and host of The Learn-It-All Podcast. Resources & Links Damon Lembi Website – https://www.thelearnitallleader.com/ The Learn-it-All-Leader Book – https://www.thelearnitallleader.com/books  LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@TheLearnItAllPodcast Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Learn.iT.anywhere/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi/ X – https://x.com/learnitanywhere 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 Free Live Virtual Workshop: Leading at the Speed of AI Register here (limited to 100 seats): https://jayabbasi.me/workshop 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 breaks down how to run meetings that actually move work forward. Drawing from a proven formula he uses with leaders and teams, he’ll share a practical blueprint to help you reduce wasted time, increase clarity, and make meetings more effective and engaging. And on Wednesday, January 7th at 12 PM Eastern, Jay is hosting Leading at the Speed of AI, a live, interactive virtual workshop for emerging leaders ready to level up.  A must-listen for anyone stepping into bigger responsibility.

The leaders who win next aren’t the strongest or smartest, they’re the most adaptable. In this solo episode, Jay kicks off 2026 by breaking down the three skills every leader must develop to stay relevant, influential, and effective in a world shaped by rapid change and AI-driven disruption. Drawing on research, leadership experience, and real-world examples, Jay explains why adaptability is now the defining advantage and how it’s built through emotional mastery, courageous action, and effective influence. This episode is a practical roadmap for emerging leaders who want to grow without losing their humanity. Notable Quotes “You can't wait for all the information. You have to  take a risk and act in a world that is changing so quickly. .” — Jay Abbasi “The people who succeed are the ones willing to take courageous, sometimes messy action.” — Jay Abbasi “If you’re worried about AI taking your job, the one thing you need to lean into is how you influence others.” — 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 Free Live Virtual Workshop: Leading at the Speed of AI Register here (limited to 100 seats): jayabbasi.me/workshop  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 Gerard, a newly promoted Director of Sales struggling to get results from his team. Jay is joined by Damon Lembi, former Division I athlete, CEO, and bestselling author, to explore how leaders can shift mindset, communicate more effectively, and lead with confidence after promotion. A must-listen for anyone stepping into bigger responsibility.

The illusion of security is often more dangerous than uncertainty. In this Unstuck Classic, we revisit the story of Jonah, a seasoned SaaS leader with over 20 years of experience who feels trapped in a role that once inspired him and now drains him. Jonah has ideas, talent, and ambition, but fear keeps him stuck. Fear of failing. Fear of financial risk. Fear of disrupting the life he’s built. Each night ends the same way, scrolling job postings he never applies to, wondering when clarity and courage will finally arrive. This Unstuck Classics episode revisits a powerful conversation with Kevin Karschnik, global keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and mindset expert. Kevin has reinvented himself multiple times and shares a practical, grounded approach to building something new without taking reckless risks. From financial runways to mindset shifts, this conversation reframes what “security” really means and why waiting for perfect conditions keeps people stuck. If a reset has been on the mind, but action keeps getting delayed, this episode is worth revisiting. Notable Quotes “The illusion of security is often more dangerous than uncertainty.” — Kevin Karschnik “Getting out of your comfort zone is a process, not a single leap.” — Kevin Karschnik “The perfect time doesn’t exist. The best time to start is today, with the resources you already have.” — Kevin Karschnik About Our Guest Kevin Karschnik is a global keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and author with more than 30 years of experience helping individuals and organizations cultivate resilience, avoid burnout, and build sustainable success. Kevin has founded multiple businesses and is known for his practical approach to mindset, entrepreneurship, and intentional risk-taking. Resources & Links Kevin Karschnik \Website – https://kevinkarschnik.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinkarschnik/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/kevinkarschnik Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/KevinKarschnik Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/kevinkarschnik/ X – https://x.com/kevinkarschnik 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 On Friday, Jay shares a major announcement and breaks down three skills every leader needs to thrive in 2026, accounting for AI, constant change, and the realities of modern communication. Don’t miss it.

What if joy isn’t something you earn… but something you remember? In this episode, we revisit the story of Veronica, a leader who deeply cares about culture, connection, and people, yet feels worn down by an organization that prioritizes performance metrics over humanity. Her ideas to reignite morale are repeatedly delayed, leaving her questioning whether purpose and joy still have a place at work, and how she can reconnect with the spark that once drove her. This Unstuck Classics episode revisits one of the most listened-to conversations in the podcast’s history, a powerful dialogue with Amanda Gore, Hall of Fame keynote speaker and author of Joy Is an Inside Job. With more than 25 years of experience helping organizations like Google, Disney, and Cisco, Amanda shares how joy, connection, and emotional intelligence are not distractions from performance, but the foundation of it. If you’ve been running on fumes, questioning your impact, or feeling disconnected from meaning at work, this episode is a reminder worth revisiting. Notable Quotes “Joy is not something outside of you. It’s the essence of who you are; love, peace, and joy.” — Amanda Gore “Most people think joy is excitement, but real joy is quiet peace and acceptance.” — Amanda Gore “Everything in business is about feelings, whether we admit it or not.” — Amanda Gore About Our Guest Amanda Gore is a Hall of Fame keynote speaker, author, and expert in emotional intelligence, joy, and human-centered leadership. With over 25 years of experience working with global organizations including Google, Disney, and Cisco, Amanda helps leaders reconnect to purpose, strengthen culture, and create workplaces where people genuinely thrive. Her work blends neuroscience, psychology, and lived experience to help individuals rediscover joy as a sustainable way of being. Resources & Links Amanda Gore Website – https://amandagore.com/ Book: Joy Is an Inside Job – https://a.co/d/j5V19lF LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandalgore Facebook – https://facebook.com/thejoyproject.amandagore/ X – https://twitter.com/amandagore_joy Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/amandagorejoy/ YouTube – https://youtube.com/user/amandagoretv 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 There will be no new episode this Friday due to the holiday. Unstuck returns on Monday the 29th with another classic conversation, “Stop Waiting for the Perfect Time,” featuring Kevin Karshnik. A timely reminder for anyone ready to stop delaying what matters most as 2026 approaches.