What happens when you go through 14 reorganizations and 7 managers in just two years?

In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend Terrence Ryan, a Developer Relations Manager at Google Cloud specializing in AI, to talk about what it really takes to navigate relentless change, without burning out, disengaging, or simply resisting reality.

Terry shares practical strategies he's learned from nearly two decades in tech, including how to manage uncertainty, what leaders get wrong during times of change, and why radical acceptance may be one of the most underrated skills for success.

We also dive into the biggest change facing nearly every industry right now: AI. Terry shares a refreshingly practical take on how to think about artificial intelligence, avoid the hype, and actually start using it in ways that make you more effective instead of more overwhelmed.

Along the way, we also explore improv, adaptability, office politics, empathy, and why learning to say "That's interesting… let me think about it" might be one of the most powerful phrases in work and life.

• A practical strategy for handling uncertainty during organizational change

• How leaders can communicate change without causing unnecessary anxiety

• Why people struggle more with being blindsided than with change itself

• The surprising connection between improv comedy and professional adaptability

• Terry's take on AI: "We're selling power tools, not robots"

• How to start experimenting with AI without getting overwhelmed

• Why empathy may become an even more important skill in an increasingly technical world

• Connect with Terry on LinkedIn

• Learn more about Avish: Avish Parashar Website

• Get Avish's book: Say "Yes, And! To Change.

In this episode I sit down with innovation strategist, improviser, and author Melissa Dinwiddie to talk about her new book, Innovation at Work: 52 Micro-Experiments for Brave Leaders Who Want to Unstick Teams, Spark Ideas, and Build What's Next.

Melissa shares how organizations can build real cultures of innovation—not through giant retreats or complicated systems, but through small, playful, repeatable "micro-experiments" woven into everyday work.

We explore why psychological safety matters, how constraints actually fuel creativity, the hidden danger of perfectionism, and why leaders must create environments where people feel safe enough to experiment, fail, and learn.

As two improv-minded creatives, we also dive into how improvisation principles apply directly to leadership, innovation, and organizational change.

If your team feels stuck, overwhelmed, overly cautious, or trapped in "innovation theater," this episode offers practical ideas you can start applying immediately.

Key Takeaways

• Why innovation often fails inside organizations

• The difference between valuing innovation and practicing innovation

• How "micro-experiments" create sustainable change

• Why psychological safety is foundational for creativity

• The power of constraints in unlocking innovation

• How perfectionism blocks progress and experimentation

• Why "making crap" is essential to breakthrough thinking

• The role of curiosity in leadership and communication

• How playfulness lowers defensiveness and increases engagement

• Why teams underestimate other people's willingness to help

• Melissa Dinwiddie Official Website

• Innovation at Work Book Page

• Melissa Dinwiddie on LinkedIn

• Innovation at Work on Amazon

Today is the day is launch day for my new book, "Say 'Yes, And!' to Change"!!!

You can get it here:

https://SayYesAndtoChange.com

The E-Book is $0.99 during launch week!

Thanks, and keep saying "Yes, And!"

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/