Abstract Essay

Daniel Lucas /Sal Cosenza
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Abstract Essay is a podcast that explores the deeper layers of thought, creativity, and the human experience. Blending the reflective tone of personal essays with the conversational energy of an intimate dialogue, each episode takes listeners on a journey through ideas that challenge, inspire, and illuminate. From philosophy and art to culture and identity, the podcast invites guests who are thinkers, storytellers, and visionaries to share their insights in a free-flowing, thought-provoking format. Abstract Essay is not about quick takes—it's about meaningful exploration, where each conversation unfolds with intention, curiosity, and heart.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Abstract Essay, now in its fifth season, welcomes Zerina Derveni, Empowerment Life Coach, for a profound conversation on reclaiming inner authority, strengthening self-trust, and transforming adversity into purposeful momentum. In this episode, Zerina s

    Zerina Derveni Empowerment Life Coach Zerina Derveni is not just a certified life coach. She is a transformation catalyst for high-achieving women who look successful on the outside but feel disconnected on the inside. Her journey began after years in the corporate world, working with Fortune 500 clients, leading high-stakes projects, and constantly pushing for the next milestone. Despite all the achievements, something was missing... a sense of true alignment. That realization sparked a deeper journey of self-discovery, one that led Zerina to study the subconscious mind, emotional regulation, and transformational coaching. She now helps women navigate that same inner shift, moving from burnout and self-doubt to clarity, confidence, and purpose. Her method blends mindset coaching, emotional intelligence, and powerful brain-based tools for lasting change. Zerina brings depth, vulnerability, and insight to every conversation. With her personal story, cross-cultural experiences including living in Australia and competing in Miss Universe Canada, and credentials from Harvard and Schulich, she connects with audiences from all walks of life. She also brings real podcasting experience to the table. Zerina is a polished and engaging guest who is booked on 5 to 10 podcasts each month. She is charismatic, easy to talk to, and listeners consistently resonate with her grounded yet inspiring presence. Podcast hosts choose Zerina because she is articulate, relatable, and deeply committed to helping listeners reflect, grow, and take inspired action, making for powerful, high-impact episodes every time. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    30 min

  2. 2 DAYS AGO

    Abstract Essay continues its tradition of bringing rigorous thinking to real-world challenges. This week, Dr. Kristen Donnelly joins the program to illuminate burnout, generational dynamics, and the systems shaping our daily experiences. Expect clarity,

    Kristen Donnelly Burnout Prevention Specialist | Generations Researcher | TEDx & International Keynote Speaker | She/Her | MSW, M.Div, PhD Kristen Donnelly (MSW, M.Div, PhD) is an award winning, 4x TEDx speaker, and international speaker, researcher, and educator. She believes that burnout is a cultural condition and not an individual failing, and that asking more questions of each other can lead to stronger relationships of all kinds. She is one of The Good Doctors of Abbey Research, COO of their parent company, and the co-author of the bestselling book "The Culture of Burnout: Why Your Exhaustion is Not Your Fault". Kristen is also an unapologetic nerd for stories of change wherever she finds them. Kristen was recently named to the 2025 Who's Who list of notable Americans, and has also been nominated as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2018. Through her passion for education and food equity, Kristen currently serves on three non-profit boards and has helped to create other non-profits in the past. She also really, really loves baseball. Kristen lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband, where they follow more sports than ESPN has alerts for and live surrounded by piles of books and several video game consoles. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    27 min

  3. 3 DAYS AGO

    Abstract Essay, in its sixth season, features Nicolette Nierras and the contemplative theme “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” This episode invites listeners into a deeper examination of pace, presence, and the quiet intellige

    Nicolette Nierras Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished Nic Nierras is the founder of Nic Nierras Wholistic Lifestyle, a coaching platform dedicated to helping individuals achieve balance, success, and inner peace through holistic methods. With a background as a Chartered Accountant, Nic transformed her career after recognizing the need for deeper fulfillment beyond financial success. Her unique framework, which is the Worthy, Authentic and Abundant method guides clients to heal from personal setbacks, redefine their life’s purpose, and achieve true wealth through a harmonious balance of mind, heart, and soul. Nic is also the host of the You’re Worthless Podcast, where she invites listeners on an introspective journey of self-worth, challenging societal norms, and inspiring transformation. Her mission is to empower individuals—to break free from limiting beliefs, emotional obstacles, and unfulfilling careers to create lives of purpose, happiness, and abundance. With her warm energy and deep insights, Nic helps her clients connect with their true potential and embrace their worthiness in all aspects of life. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    26 min

  4. 4 DAYS AGO

    Abstract Essay, in its fifth season, features Anil Gupta—an outstanding voice whose work is as unique as it is practical, powerful, and impactful. In this episode, the conversation moves beyond theory into real-world insight, exploring how bold thinki

    Anil Gupta Outstanding, Unique, Practical, Powerful, Impactful, Entertaining content that will be audience engaging with a very experienced and accomplished podcaster Anil Gupta overcame suicide in 2008 and has since then formulated the Happiness Formula, The Happiness Test, the Relationship Score and the Relationship Ratio, spoken on Fox News, Harvard, Sky TV, Tedx, i Heart radio, written three international best sellers and founded The Happiness Score. He developed the Three Way Test to have immensely more success in relationships. He has spoken on many stages alongside Les Brown, Richard Branson, Marcus Lemonis, Daymond John, Sharon Lechter. Anil has spoken in 18 countries and had his work translated in 8 languages over 4 continents. He has spoken to crowds of over 10,000 people and has been invited by world leaders to meet them like the Dalai Lama, royalty, presidents and billionaires as well as general members of the public. Anil is on a mission to share his knowledge so that people can lead reacher fuller happier lives with methodologies that are practical, powerful and with immediate results. As a world traveler, he has traveled to over 80 countries and experienced many cultures. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    25 min

  5. 5 DAYS AGO

    In its sixth season, Abstract Essay welcomes Sonia Couto, a seasoned tech leader, SaaS founder, and managing director whose work centers on building strategic, resilient leadership for modern founders. This episode explores the realities of leading in h

    Sonia Couto Tech Leader | SaaS Founder | Managing Director | Strategic + Resilient Leadership for Founders Sonia Couto is an award-winning tech founder, operator, product builder, and breast cancer survivor recognized for transforming chaotic environments into clear, grounded, and high-performing systems. With over 20 years in software leadership, she has rebuilt failing SaaS products into global platforms, led teams through intense uncertainty, and made complex problems solvable through her philosophy of common-sense leadership in a complicated world. Her leadership approach was shaped long before tech, rooted in her immigrant upbringing, early years on factory floors, and a lifelong habit of observing, simplifying, and solving problems without overcomplication. Sonia brings a rare combination of: -operational clarity -emotional steadiness -truth-based leadership -lived experience navigating breast cancer while running and scaling companies She speaks candidly about what leadership actually requires: courage that doesn’t feel like confidence, rebuilding when everything collapses, simplifying complexity, and making grounded decisions under pressure. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    22 min

  6. 6 DAYS AGO

    Abstract Essay, in its fifth season, features Mitch McGinley as a guest, offering a candid and strategic conversation on building businesses with the end in mind. A former studio owner who successfully built and sold his company for a 5X return, Mitch n

    Mitch Mcginley Former Studio Owner Who Built and Sold for 5X Returns, Now Facilitating $10M+ in Fitness Business Exits Annually Let me be straight with you - I'm not your typical business broker who's never actually run the type of business they're selling. Before I ever helped anyone sell a studio, I owned one myself. Started in hotel management, then worked with an investor buying boutique hotels, fixing them up, and flipping them for profit. That's where I learned the acquisition game from the inside. In 2014, my wife Karson and I bought our favorite yoga studio. We ran it, scaled it, dealt with all the challenges you'd expect - member retention, instructor management, the works. During that time, I became a Mindbody Certified Business Consultant and Education Faculty, teaching at Mindbody Universities worldwide. Here's what changed everything: We sold that studio in 2019 for 5X what we paid for it. That's when I realized most studio owners have no idea how to maximize their exit value. So I got licensed as a Business Broker and merged all my worlds - hotel acquisitions, studio operations, and teaching experience. Today I run Boutique Fitness Broker, and I've facilitated over 60 transactions in five years. My success rate? Over 70%, while the industry average sits at 20%. What I bring to podcasts: Real talk about exits and acquisitions from someone who's been on both sides of the deal table, not theoretical advice from someone who's never signed a lease or made payroll. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    25 min

  7. 2 FEB

    Abstract Essay, in its sixth season, features Stewart Cohen as a guest, offering a reflective conversation at the intersection of creativity, storytelling, and entrepreneurship. In this episode, Stewart shares insights from his multifaceted journey as a

    Stewart Cohen I frame life in its best light. As a filmmaker, photographer, and business owner, I've led my teams all over the globe celebrating people and moments for the world's biggest brands I was born in an elevator during a snowstorm in Montreal to an architect dad and an actress mom. And I've been on the move ever since, shooting content and snapping pics, and learning every travel hack you can imagine! I’m a commercial director and photographer, and I’ve spent my career bouncing between genres, styles, and tones - the throughline is "framing life in its best light." There's plenty of bummers in the world, but I've always preferred the bright side. One day I’m in the Galapagos swimming with sharks, the next I’m in Mansfield, Texas, directing a tongue-in-cheek musical where the locals sing about being too busy for tourism. I run SC Pictures, and I’ve worked with brands like American Airlines, AT&T, Coca-Cola, Four Seasons, and Frito-Lay. My philosophy is simple: tell stories that feel human, authentic, and artfully captured. Every project has its own tone, and my job is to nail it every time. I’m not a jack of all trades - I’ve been chasing one thing my whole career: giving life the shine it deserves. And while I’m known as a safe bet, I’m also the guy who’s always willing to take a creative risk. That mindset carries over to the business side. I was licensing images before it was cool—shooting with licenseability in mind, even early in my career. Now I own SuperStock, and over the past few years, we’ve been growing fast - acquiring All Canada Photos, Classic Stock, View Pictures in the UK, and most recently, Danita Delimont Stock Photography in Seattle. I’ve published a couple of books - "Identity," a portrait series spanning the well-known to the wonderfully unusual, and "Seeing Red," which pokes fun at the idea that redheads are going extinct. I studied at UT Austin, then USC Film School, and one of my first jobs was assisting Helmut Newton. Working with him taught me a lot - about craft, about vision, and about trusting your eye. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    22 min

  8. 1 FEB

    Abstract Essay, in its fifth season, features Kayla Livesay as a guest, bringing clarity and intention to the often-chaotic world of self-employment. In this thoughtful conversation, Kayla explores how building the right structure and systems is not abo

    Kayla Livesay I help self employed people build structure and systems that lead to consistent sustainable success. I didn’t start my business because I dreamed of being an entrepreneur. I started it at 18 as a way to get through school. At the time, self employment felt temporary. Like something practical, not purposeful. And honestly? There was a season where I didn’t even like being self employed. The freedom everyone talks about didn’t feel free. It felt messy, inconsistent, and heavier than it should have been. That disconnect forced a turning point. I realized the issue wasn’t business it was the lack of systems. I wasn’t overwhelmed because I was incapable. I was overwhelmed because everything depended on me. So I started simplifying. I built clear frameworks for sales, follow-up, leadership, and time management. Not to grow faster, but to survive better. What happened next surprised me. Growth accelerated. Confidence increased. And for the first time, being self-employed actually felt sustainable. Those systems went on to help me lead the fastest growing team in my organization, set multiple growth records, earn national recognition. All of that was humbling, but it was a by product. It was a by product of creating a life I loved, and empowering those around me to have success. Today, I help business owners and sales leaders do the same. Especially those who feel trapped by the very business they built. I teach simple, repeatable systems that allow people to grow without burnout, lead teams aligned with their values, and build success they’re proud of. Podcast audiences connect with this story because it’s not about chasing entrepreneurship it’s about making it livable. It’s for people who didn’t necessarily set out to build a business, but now want to build one that actually supports their life. If your listeners want growth without chaos and leadership without losing themselves this is a conversation worth having. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    23 min
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About

Abstract Essay is a podcast that explores the deeper layers of thought, creativity, and the human experience. Blending the reflective tone of personal essays with the conversational energy of an intimate dialogue, each episode takes listeners on a journey through ideas that challenge, inspire, and illuminate. From philosophy and art to culture and identity, the podcast invites guests who are thinkers, storytellers, and visionaries to share their insights in a free-flowing, thought-provoking format. Abstract Essay is not about quick takes—it's about meaningful exploration, where each conversation unfolds with intention, curiosity, and heart.

Information

  • Creator
    Daniel Lucas /Sal Cosenza
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    564
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Daniel Lucas /Sal Cosenza
  • Show Website
    Abstract Essay

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