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 avish@avishparashar.com 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