Episodes

  • 146: 7 Steps to Manage Workplace Conflict

    146: 7 Steps to Manage Workplace Conflict
    Feb 20 2026
    “To manage conflict effectively, you must manage the conflict within yourself first.” In this solo episode, Jay breaks down a practical, experience-driven framework for navigating conflict in the workplace and beyond. Drawing from his own experiences, coaching conversations, and lessons from last week’s episode, he shares a 7-step approach to help you move from reactivity to intentional, effective communication. From managing your emotions and understanding your triggers to practicing conversations, adjusting tone, and leading with vulnerability, this episode emphasizes an inside-out approach to conflict resolution. If you want to strengthen relationships, communicate more effectively, and lead with greater awareness, this episode offers a clear path forward. Notable Quotes “Whenever you're in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude.” — William James “The default for how we manage conflict is to focus our attention on the other person.” — Jay Abbasi “Every time you're triggered, there is a learning opportunity.” — Jay Abbasi “When you share vulnerably from the heart in a kind and respectful way, you're going to open up the conversation.” — 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 Lauren, a VP in the tech industry who has achieved success on paper but feels disconnected, unfulfilled, and uncertain about what comes next. Jay is joined by Colleen Pimentel, tech executive, coach, and author of Second Act, to explore how high achievers can rediscover purpose, navigate transition, and build a meaningful next chapter.
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    16 mins
  • 145: Stop Reacting, Start Responding

    145: Stop Reacting, Start Responding
    Feb 16 2026
    Great leaders don’t react emotionally; they respond logically. Meet Maya. A Chief Supply Chain Officer at a major beverage company, Maya once had a strong partnership with a senior VP. After one tense disagreement, every conversation now feels loaded. She snaps, avoids conflict, replays meetings in her head, and loses focus. What she wants most is to feel grounded and confident during difficult conversations. In this episode, Jay sits down with Darcy Luoma, leadership coach and creator of the Thoughtfully Fit® model. Darcy shares how leaders can train themselves to pause, think, and act instead of reacting under pressure, and why the skill of responding intentionally can transform careers, relationships, and life. Notable Quotes “Pause, think, act.” — Darcy Luoma “You have to train in the small moments so you can show up in the big ones.” — Darcy Luoma “Ninety-six percent of the time, how a conversation starts is how it ends.” — Darcy Luoma About Our Guest Darcy Luoma is a leadership coach, speaker, and creator of the Thoughtfully Fit® model, a practical framework that helps individuals pause, think, and act with intention. Drawing from her background in public service, business leadership, and personal adversity, Darcy helps leaders navigate difficult conversations, strengthen resilience, and communicate with courage, compassion, and curiosity. Resources & Links Darcy Luoma Website – https://darcyluoma.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/darcyluoma/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/darcyluoma/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/darcyluomacoaching/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/DarcyLuoma X – https://x.com/DarcyLuoma 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 shares practical techniques for navigating conflict, communicating with strong personalities, and becoming more influential without damaging relationships. These are tools he has personally practiced and taught in coaching, with real results for those who apply them. If becoming a stronger communicator and advocate is a priority, don’t miss this episode.
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    53 mins
  • 144: 3 Words That Can Change Your Life

    144: 3 Words That Can Change Your Life
    Feb 13 2026
    “Everything we do becomes more meaningful when it connects to something bigger than ourselves.” In this solo episode, Jay introduces three simple but powerful words that can transform how you approach your goals, your work, and your daily life. Inspired by a quote from Nick Vujicic and a reflection on Valentine’s Day, Jay explores how self-focused thinking often fuels anxiety, stress, and dissatisfaction. He explains how finishing the sentence “So I can…” can help you connect your daily actions to deeper meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. When your efforts are rooted in something bigger than yourself, performance improves, resilience grows, and life feels more aligned. Notable Quotes “The greatest rewards come when you give of yourself.” — Nick Vujicic “There’s only one common factor in every one of those situations and it’s this. You are thinking about yourself.” — Jay Abbasi “Everything that we do when rooted in something bigger than ourselves will be done with greater tenacity, with greater resilience and greater performance.” — 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 Maya, a Chief Supply Chain Officer navigating growing conflict with a senior VP that is beginning to impact her confidence and leadership. Jay is joined by Darcy Luoma, Master Certified Coach and expert in helping leaders navigate conflict with clarity, to explore how accomplished leaders can advocate for themselves and strengthen relationships even during disagreement.
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    12 mins
  • 143: Keep Your Eyes on the Knife

    143: Keep Your Eyes on the Knife
    Feb 9 2026
    Life is meaningless when you’re constantly distracted. To have more meaning, you need to have more focus. Meet Randy. It’s 2:17 a.m., and he’s staring at the ceiling while notifications light up his phone. His global team is stretched thin, priorities keep shifting, and motivation is fading. Randy isn’t looking for productivity hacks. He wants his team to believe their work still matters. In this episode, Jay sits down with Greg Bennick, keynote speaker, author, and expert on focus, meaning, and human connection. Greg shares powerful lessons from juggling, performance, and leadership to explain how distraction erodes meaning and how leaders can help people reconnect to purpose, consistency, and impact. Notable Quotes “Keep your eyes on the thing that's most important to you, that if it falls, will cause the most damage.” — Greg Bennick "Meaning disappears when we stop realizing the impact we are having.” — Greg Bennick “Genuine power transforms, and authority tends to disrupt.” — Greg Bennick About Our Guest Greg Bennick is a keynote speaker, author, and performer who helps organizations strengthen focus, collaboration, and purpose in an increasingly distracted world. Blending storytelling, psychology, and lessons from decades as a professional performer, Greg helps leaders and teams reconnect with meaning and build stronger human connection at work. Resources & Links Greg Bennick Website – https://www.gregbennick.com/ Greg Bennick’s Book – https://www.gregbennick.com/gregbennickbook LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbennick Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/gregbennick Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/gregbennick/?hl=en YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@gregbennickofficial 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 shares three words that can help reconnect you to purpose, strengthen motivation, and help you push forward when things feel difficult.
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    53 mins
  • 142: 4 Keys to Unlocking Unwavering Persistence

    142: 4 Keys to Unlocking Unwavering Persistence
    Feb 6 2026
    “We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.” In this solo episode, Jay explores why persistence feels so difficult and what truly drives our ability to follow through. Drawing from psychology, coaching experience, and real-world leadership challenges, he explains how our emotions, not our environment, often determine whether we stay consistent or give in to distraction. Jay introduces four practical keys to help you work through resistance, stay focused on meaningful goals, and build the kind of persistence that leads to long-term progress. If you’ve ever struggled with discipline, consistency, or follow-through, this episode offers a practical and compassionate roadmap forward. Notable Quotes “We must all suffer from one of two pains, the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.” — Jim Rohn “Your emotions are driving your behavior rather than your environment.” — Jay Abbasi “Those who can sit in boredom succeed more than those who cannot.” — Jay Abbasi “Don’t rely on willpower. Create an environment that supports 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 Randy, a VP at a large financial services firm who feels his team losing confidence and motivation amid constant change. Jay is joined by Greg Bennick, keynote speaker, author, and global voice on teamwork and focus, to explore how leaders can restore belief, purpose, and connection during times of uncertainty.
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    13 mins
  • 141: My Journey to the TEDx Stage

    141: My Journey to the TEDx Stage
    Feb 2 2026
    Some dreams don’t start with a plan. They start with a feeling you can’t ignore. This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at what that journey actually required. In 2014, after the sudden passing of Jay’s father, he became deeply curious about how to live better, healthier, and more intentionally. He read relentlessly, attended workshops, worked with coaches, and watched countless TED and TEDx talks. Somewhere along the way, a quiet idea took hold: one day, he would stand on that red circle and share something meaningful with the world. From years of visualization and preparation, to finding the idea for the talk in an unexpected moment, to applying, rehearsing, getting accepted, and navigating setbacks no one plans for. Jay walks through the exact steps he took to land a TEDx talk, what surprised him most about the process, and the lessons he learned along the way. This is not a highlight reel. It’s an honest look at persistence, adaptability, and doing the hard things consistently, long before there’s any guarantee it will work. Notable Quotes “My gift is taking complex ideas and simplifying them in ways that really stick.” - Jay Abbasi “When you can visualize it and feel it, your mind starts acting as if it already happened.” - Jay Abbasi “Do the hard things consistently. That’s where most people stop.” - Jay Abbasi Resources & Links 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 goes deeper into persistence and what it really takes to keep going when motivation fades and the work gets hard. The episode breaks down how to build the muscle of follow-through, especially when progress feels slow or invisible.
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    28 mins
  • 140: How to Plan Your Life (Not Just Your Week)

    140: How to Plan Your Life (Not Just Your Week)
    Jan 30 2026
    “If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan.” In this solo episode, Jay shares his personal system for planning life intentionally rather than reacting to whatever shows up on the calendar. As January comes to a close, he invites you to zoom out beyond weekly to-do lists and consider how you’re allocating time across the areas that matter most, including work, relationships, health, and contribution. Jay walks through a practical, flexible process that combines weekly forecasting, daily task setting, and intentional calendar blocking. He also offers alternative approaches for different personalities, reminding listeners that the goal isn’t perfection, but clarity, focus, and refinement. If you’ve ever felt busy but misaligned, this episode provides a grounded reset. Notable Quotes “If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan.” — Jim Rohn “Are you a wandering generality or a meaningful specific?” — Zig Ziglar “I’m always looking to continue to grow and develop and learn.” — Jay Abbasi “You will be planning your life rather than reacting to life.” — 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, Jay shares a special solo conversation walking you through the exact steps he took to land a TEDx talk, from the initial idea to stepping onto the stage. He’ll break down lessons learned, mistakes made, and what he’d do differently, offering a behind-the-scenes look at a journey many listeners are curious about. A meaningful and personal episode you won’t want to miss.
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    18 mins
  • 139: Get Back in the Driver’s Seat

    139: Get Back in the Driver’s Seat
    Jan 26 2026
    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. Lawana 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. Lawana Gladney “Burnout happens when the brain is overwhelmed and disorganized.” — Dr. Lawana 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. Lawana 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. Lawana 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.
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    53 mins