Yes, And! With Avish Parashar

This week I am pulling one of my favorite interviews out from the archives. Why? Three reasons:

1. My last episode with Anish Mahajan really did quite well, so I wanted to follow up with another episode with an "industry veteran."

2. Since that episode did well, I wanted new subscribers to get an episode of a similar format.

3. I have been super busy myself preparing for the launch of my new book, Say "Yes, And!" to Change. You can learn all about that here: http://SayYesAndToChange.com

Here's the episode info:

In this episode, I sit down with one of my oldest friends and longtime ExxonMobil leader, Alexander Bolkhovsky, for a deep dive into leadership, motivation, and navigating organizational change. Over his 27-year career with ExxonMobil, Alex has held roles across engineering, technology, sales, and global strategy. But more than the titles, it's his mindset—curious, adaptable, and people-first—that makes him a standout. We explore everything from leading massive reorganizations and setting "impossible" goals to staying energized when your to-do list feels endless. Whether you're managing a team or just trying to lead yourself, this episode is packed with gold.

• Why adaptability is a learned skill, not an innate trait

• How "bold goals" create breakthrough thinking—even if you don't hit them

• The leadership superpower of assuming positive intent

• How to balance long-term strategy with short-term urgency

• The real reason motivation and fun matter more than discipline

• Simple systems for making your workweek more productive and more enjoyable

• Connect with Alex on LinkedIn: Alexander Bolkhovsky

• Learn more about Avish and the "Yes, And!" approach: avishparashar.com

In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend (all the way back to childhood!) Dr. Anish Mahajan for a fascinating conversation about leadership, listening, and leading through uncertainty.

Anish has led at the highest levels of healthcare and public health, from helping implement the Affordable Care Act to leading a major public hospital through the COVID crisis in Los Angeles.

What I loved about this conversation is how much of it applies far beyond healthcare.

We talk about why great leaders listen first, how to navigate skepticism and resistance, what it means to lead with humility, and how to make decisions when the stakes are high and the answers are unclear.

Whether you lead a team, run a business, or are simply trying to respond better to change, this episode is packed with practical wisdom.

• Great leaders listen before they lead

• Relationships are foundational to effective leadership

• Skepticism and curiosity can coexist

• In times of crisis, leaders must return to the core mission

• Leadership requires both collaboration and decisiveness

• Change is easier when people feel heard

• Sometimes the hardest path creates the biggest impact

• Connect with Dr. Anish Mahajan: https://www.anishmahajan.com/

• Subscribe to the podcast: https://pod.link/1767790956

• Virtual Book Launch Party for Say "Yes, And!" to Change: https://avishparashar.com/BookLaunchParty

In this solo episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on my brand-new book, Say "Yes, And!" to Change.

For years, I believed the biggest challenge in change was resistance. But after working with leaders and teams across many industries, I realized something surprising:

Resistance isn't the biggest problem. Apathy is.

Most people aren't openly fighting change—they're quietly checked out.

In this episode, I explain why apathy is the silent killer of change efforts and how the improv principle of "Yes, And" can help transform apathy into engagement and excitement.

I also walk through the six-part YES AND Framework from the book—practical tools leaders and individuals can use to harness change, unlock creativity, and create meaningful momentum.

If you're leading change, stuck in change, or simply looking for a change, this episode will give you a powerful new perspective.

In this episode I sit down with publicity expert Jill Lublin to unpack what it really means to get visibility in today's world. Many people think publicity is press releases or blasting on social media, but Jill shares how it's truly about message clarity, storytelling, and getting others to care about why you do what you do. We talk about practical frameworks for pitching podcasts, leveraging community platforms, creating consistent outreach systems, and even how kindness and authenticity play into influence and visibility. If you've ever wondered how to get your message seen and heard without shouting, then this episode is for you.

• Publicity isn't just press releases, it's shaping how others perceive you and your message.

• Start with why people should care before you pitch them anything.

• Define your message and your audience first - that's the foundation of all publicity.

• Free media outreach (podcasts, alumni magazines, networking groups) can be powerful assets.

• Consistency and persistence in visibility efforts build trust and opportunities.

• Kindness isn't a soft skill, it's a strategic advantage in relationships and media.

• Use everything you've got - from identity to community connections - as part of your story.

• Jill's website: jilllublin.com

• Kindness Circles: http://jilllublin.com/kindnesscircles

• Get Started: http://jilllublin.com/start

In this episode, I'm joined by Jacob Aldridge, an international business advisor and keynote speaker who's calling in from Malaysia - where he can literally see Singapore from his window! Jacob and his family recently made a massive "Yes, And" decision: they packed up their life, became full-time travelers, and now "worldschool" their daughter while Jacob coaches businesses remotely.

We talk about what it means to design your life (and business) on purpose, why uncertainty is often the very thing that makes you valuable, and how to stop waiting for perfect clarity before taking action. Jacob also shares a practical lens for navigating economic uncertainty (without spiraling into fear)and the mindset behind his message: Don't Waste a Good Recession.

• Don't wait for certainty - uncertainty is often where you create the most value.

• Big change becomes doable when you apply: Permission → Listen → Choose.

• Instead of trying to eliminate volatility, build an anti-fragile approach: change should make you stronger.

• Recessions/downturns can be a strategic advantage window, if you're willing to adapt.

• Watch lead indicators (signals of what's coming) instead of only reacting to lagging results.

• A simple "Yes, And" principle: act in small steps toward a bold direction, and adjust as you learn.

• Want more agency? Consider Jacob's provocative starting point: turn off the news and listen inward more.

• Jacob's custom listener page mentioned in the episode: https://jacobaldridge.com/avish/

• Jacob Aldridge's main website: https://jacobaldridge.com/

• Jacob's keynote speaker page / topics https://jacobaldridge.com/speaker/

• Jacob aldridge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobaldridge

• Avish's Yes, And site and website: https://avishparashar.com/

Human connection is becoming a competitive advantage - especially as AI, automation, and digital overload keep pulling us away from real relationships.

In this episode, I sit down with Thom Singer. Thom is a keynote speaker, community-builder, and CEO of the Austin Technology Council, and we talked about Human Interaction (H.I.) in an A.I. world. We unpack why "networking" isn't something you do once in a while, it's something you live, why introverts may actually have an edge, and how the best opportunities often come from relationships you started building years ago.

We also go into Thom's personal story of navigating a mental health crisis during the pandemic, what it really means to ask for help, and (because Thom is Thom) the wild decision he made to start doing stand-up comedy at 52 - and what that taught him about resilience, confidence, and being better on any stage.

• The term "Networking" has baggage - focus on human connection and intentional relationships instead.

• The best time to build your network is before you need it ("dig your well before you're thirsty").

• Introverts often make better connectors because they ask more questions and listen more deeply.

• Meeting someone once doesn't make them "in your network," it makes them someone you've met once.

• Community and career resilience grow when you help others without keeping score.

• Asking for help isn't weakness, it's leadership (and sometimes the turning point).

• Stand-up comedy is "public speaking on hard mode," and it can sharpen every other communication skill.

• Thom Singer's website: https://thomsinger.com/

• Thom's TEDx page (including his talk about asking for help): https://youtu.be/KtuIppR84MY?si=PaQHjNJI8lLd0LVC

• Thom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomsinger/

• Thom's podcast: "Making Waves at the C-Level" (and archive of older episodes): https://thomsinger.com/podcast/

My new book, "Say, 'Yes, And!' to Change" is coming out this April. I'm assembling a Launch Team for my upcoming book on using the Yes, And mindset to harness change, unlock brilliance, and transform apathy into excitement.

Launch Team members will receive:

- A free digital advanced copy of the book in late March

- Access to a free YES AND training

- A few bonus resources

- The warm fuzzy feelings you will get from helping me out 😁

All I ask is that you read the book and leave an honest review a few weeks later.

To cut down on SPAM and bots filling out the Launch Team Form, I am not posting the link publicly. Email me now at [email protected] with the word "Launch" in the subject and I will send you the sign-up link!

In this episode, I reconnect with my longtime friend Kirstin Carey, a serial entrepreneur and business strategist, to talk about what happens when you're doing all the "right" things in business… but the results still aren't clicking.

We explore why curiosity is the underrated superpower in sales, leadership, and relationships, and why most "sales resistance" is really about story, emotion, and identity. Kirstin shares practical ways to ask deeper questions (without feeling salesy), how to reframe money as an energy exchange, and how to reconnect to what you actually feel - especially if your brain is constantly chasing stimulation.

If you've ever struggled with authenticity vs. "what the experts say," felt weird about selling, or found yourself stuck in distraction and dopamine loops… this one will hit home.

• Curiosity is a leadership skill: ask better questions and you get better outcomes.

• People buy emotionally and justify logically, even when they insist they're "logical buyers."

• "Authenticity" isn't performative vulnerability; it's showing up in alignment with what's true for you.

• If you're doing the "right" marketing steps and getting the wrong results, the disconnect may be energy/alignment, not tactics.

• A practical sales shift: when someone asks "Tell me about your program," respond with questions first so you don't waste their time (or yours).

• Powerful sales prompts: Why this? Why now? Why me? (and what happens if they can't answer).

• Money confidence is often about what you can say without hesitation — your "normalcy" sets the tone.

• "Vomit journaling" (a Morning Pages-style practice) can help clear noise and access what your subconscious is trying to tell you.

Kirstin's website: https://evolveminded.com

Kirstin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstincarey/

Kirstin's podcast – The Frequency of Yes: (start here)

https://podcastrepublic.net/podcast/1824900125

In this episode, I sit down with Alvin Law – an international Hall-of-Fame keynote speaker, Emmy Award winner, and award-winning musician who was born without arms and built a remarkable life by refusing to let other people's labels define him.

Alvin and I talk about what it really means to step into your greatness when your life doesn't look like an Instagram highlight reel. We explore how his parents, teachers, and coaches acted as "Yes, And whisperers" – choosing to see possibilities instead of limitations – and how that mindset helped him learn to eat, drive, play multiple instruments, and build a global speaking career - using only his feet

We also dig into the tension so many professionals feel today: the gap between "mundane real life" and the glamorous lives they see online. Alvin shares why ordinary work and steady contribution are not the enemy of greatness – they're the training ground for it. From workplace complaints about remote vs. in-office work, to the trap of seeing yourself as a permanent victim, Alvin offers a refreshingly direct wake-up call: value yourself, own your choices, and stop waiting for someone else to hand you your future.

If you've been feeling stuck, labeled, or a little too attached to your excuses, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what's really possible when you bring a Yes, And mindset to your life and work.

• Why Alvin believes his lack of traditional credentials (and lack of arms) actually makes him uniquely qualified to speak to high-level leaders about the human side of business

• How his parents and first-grade teacher changed the rules – literally – to get him into a mainstream school, and why that decision shaped the rest of his life.

• The difference between being a true victim of hard circumstances vs. choosing to live from victimhood.

• What it means to be a "Yes, And whisperer" for other people – and how a single teacher, coach, or manager can transform someone's life trajectory by saying, "Let's try."

• Why Alvin no longer leads with his list of awards and achievements (including an Emmy and multiple Hall of Fame honors) – and why he'd rather focus on the impact of his story on the audience's life.

• How imagination defines the difference between seeing obstacles and seeing possibilities – and why most people drastically underestimate their capacity to learn new skills.

• Practical advice for office workers and HR pros who feel stuck: how to increase your value, navigate the in-office vs. remote work debate, and stop waiting for your boss to fix your career.

• A simple daily practice: looking in the mirror and asking, "What kind of impact am I going to make on people today?"

• Alvin's website: https://alvinlaw.com

• Alvin's book: Alvin's Laws of Life: 5 Steps to Successfully Overcome Anything (search on Amazon or your favorite bookseller: https://a.co/d/8bxcfVO

• Alvin on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AlvinToesLaw/videos

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Candace "Candy" Campbell - nurse, actor, filmmaker, and international speaker - to talk about improv, healthcare, and what it really takes to communicate courageously in high-stakes environments.

Candy's journey is wild and inspiring. She started with a degree in acting and was headed for New York… until a disturbing "casting couch" moment made her walk away from the profession for over a decade. That detour led her to Pan Am, where she spent years as a flight attendant, discovered how naturally she ran toward people in crisis, and eventually found her way to nursing.

From there, Candy blended her performance background and clinical experience into improv, stand-up, and applied theatre. A chance comment from a tech CEO led to her first applied improv workshop with a room full of skeptical engineers—and that workshop became the seed of decades of work helping professionals communicate better, build trust, and navigate conflict.

We talk about:

• Why listening, presence, and reflection are non-negotiable skills in healthcare and leadership

• How miscommunication contributes to medical error—and what improv principles can do about it

• How Candy went back to school for her doctorate to research improv in healthcare communication and build an evidence base for the work she was already doing

• The story behind her one-woman show, "An Evening with Florence Nightingale: The Reluctant Celebrity," and how art and history can open conversations about today's healthcare challenges

• Simple exercises leaders can use to help teams connect, build psychological safety, and rediscover their creativity

If you lead people, work in healthcare, or simply want to become a better communicator, this episode will give you both inspiration and practical ideas you can put into action right away.

• How an early "casting couch" experience pushed Candy off the acting path and eventually into nursing, improv, and speaking

• What she learned about running toward crisis as a flight attendant and how that shaped her identity as a nurse and leader

• The moment she realized her improv skills could help a room full of feuding engineers communicate and collaborate better

• Why traditional "top-down" leadership advice (like "shut your office door") damages trust—and what to do instead

• How miscommunication and poor handoffs contribute to medical errors, and why improv-based communication training matters in healthcare

• Why Candy went back for a doctoral degree to research improv's impact on healthcare communication and build a solid evidence base

• How her one-woman show as Florence Nightingale helps audiences explore modern healthcare issues through the lens of history and storytelling

• Simple exercises like "Sound Ball," the name game, and the "what do we have in common?" drill that help teams connect quickly and practice listening

• How the arts—music, movement, writing, and theatre—can all be used to unlock creativity and emotional intelligence at work

• The one small behavior Candy believes would make the world better: adopting a positive mindset, truly listening, and reflecting back what we hear

• Dr. Candy Campbell's main site (improv, coaching, consulting): CandyCampbell.com CandyCampbell.com

Florence Nightingale show: FlorenceNightingaleLive.com FlorenceNightingaleLive

When everything feels messy, most leaders reach for more tactics and more meetings. In this conversation, I sit down with Maartje van Krieken - engineer, skipper, crisis strategist, and host of The Business Emergency Room Podcast - to talk about how to triage chaos, make cleaner decisions, and realign people and processes without burning everyone out. We cover her "coat rack" process metaphor, the emotional side of chaos (and why emotion = people still care), and a simple way to de-risk the options you've been carrying around in your head. If you're navigating growth, change, or just too many priorities, this one's a compass and a raincoat.

Takeaways

• Triage first, then treat: stabilize cash/commitments/people before "fixing" root causes.

• Emotion is a signal, not a problem: frustration often means people still care—use it.

• The coat-rack rule: lightweight, fit-for-purpose processes prevent "stuff on the floor."

• Preventive leadership: "see your people," listen for small irritations before they scale.

• Decision hygiene: define options to de-risk them; clarity beats carrying cognitive baggage.

• Sail the weather you're in: keep destination clear, adjust the route—not the mission.

• Yes, And in chaos: assume positive intent, ask a better question, redirect the energy.

Links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/maartje/
• https://www.thechaosgamesconsulting.com/
• https://www.thebusinessemergencyroom.com/
• [email protected]

About Maartje

Maartje van Krieken is a Dutch seasoned executive and host of The Business Emergency Room podcast, where she helps leaders triage chaos and steer their organizations toward stability and growth. With 20+ years leading global, multi-billion-dollar initiatives across from Iraq to India to New Orleans (her current base), she now guides mid-market B2B companies as a Fractional CEO/COO/CSO through The Chaos Games Consulting. She focuses on Triage, Decision Making Mechanics, People Dynamics and closing the gap to potential.

Her typical roles are Business Value or Start-Up Advisor, Executive Coach, Exit Planning Specialist, Speaker / Workshop Facilitator and various Board Positions. She is also an Entrepreneur, Investor, accredited Disaster Action Specialist, a Skipper and a mom to 3 teens committed to helping leaders and businesses turn chaos around and perform better in today's VUCA environment.