Unstuck with Jay Abbasi

Jay Abbasi
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Real people. Real stories. Real solutions. I’m Jay Abbasi, host of Unstuck, and as a former leader at Tesla, I understand the whirlwind of challenges in the modern work scene. In this podcast, we reveal how to thrive in demanding work environments through relatable, real-life stories.   Each episode begins with a story based on real life professional challenges (some details are changed to protect anonymity), followed by expert insights to help you thrive at work including practical advice on resilience, mental health, and work life balance. Get unstuck and build the life and career you’ve always wanted.

  1. 19h ago

    189: A Formula to Stop People-Pleasing

    You can care deeply about others without abandoning yourself. In this solo episode, Jay explores why so many high achievers struggle with people-pleasing and how this common pattern can quietly lead to stress, burnout, and resentment. Drawing from his own experiences and personal reflections, he explains how our earliest relationships can shape our desire to keep others happy, even at the expense of ourselves. Jay introduces a new framework he calls the Joy Equilibrium, a simple but powerful way to think about balancing giving and receiving. Rather than encouraging listeners to stop caring about others, he explains why lasting fulfillment comes from contributing to the people around you while also creating space to receive joy, rest, and connection. If you've ever found yourself putting everyone else's needs ahead of your own, this episode offers a healthier path forward. Notable Quotes “Don't turn 180 degrees and start being a self-absorbed narcissist. Find the balance.” — Jay Abbasi “Too much giving, and you're going to drain yourself.” — Jay Abbasi “As long as you have a healthy balance of giving and receiving, you'll have the fuel to perform at a high level.” — 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 Join Us Next Time On Monday's episode, you'll meet Sandani, a management accountant who has reached a breaking point. Overwhelmed by stress, pressure, and constant demands, she can barely get out of bed. Jay is joined by Corrie LoGiuidice,, keynote speaker, executive coach, TEDx speaker, and creator of the Five Overwhelm Culprits, to explore how professionals can overcome overwhelm, regain their energy, and move forward with greater clarity and resilience

    189: A Formula to Stop People-Pleasing

  2. 4d ago

    188: The Secrets of the Sensei

    What if resilience has nothing to do with pushing harder? Meet Prita. A small cut on her finger sends her into tears. She knows it isn't about the cut. As a project manager navigating a major company acquisition while raising three young children, she's constantly bracing for the next crisis. At work, her manager's unpredictable moods keep everyone on edge. At home, she carries the weight of work, parenting, meal planning, and trying to hold everything together. What Prita wants most isn't less responsibility, it's the ability to feel calm, confident, and in control again. Today, Jay sits down with Jenn Cassetta, international keynote speaker, high-performance coach, author, and third-degree black belt in Hapkido. After surviving 9/11, Jenn discovered how martial arts could build not only physical strength, but emotional resilience. Together, they explore practical ways to regulate stress, replenish your energy, and develop what Jenn calls "the resilience reservoir." Notable Quotes "Calm, confident, relaxed, and ready." — Jenn Cassetta "When your reservoir is full, you can regulate your nervous system." — Jenn Cassetta "Without a practice, everything's going to feel like a tiger." — Jenn Cassetta "You don't have to react. You can breathe first." — Jenn Cassetta About Our Guest Jenn Cassetta is an international keynote speaker, high-performance coach, author, and third-degree black belt in Hapkido. She helps leaders and organizations build resilience, confidence, and personal safety from the inside out. Jenn has worked with companies including Apple, Visa, Uber, and Nike, combining ancient martial arts wisdom with modern leadership practices to help people thrive under pressure. Resources & Links Jenn Cassetta Website – https://jennifercassetta.com/ The Art of Badassery Book – https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Art-of-Badassery/Jennifer-Cassetta/9780757324321 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cassetta/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jenncassetta/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/JenniferCassetta TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@jenncassetta YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jenncassetta 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 Join Us Next Time On Friday, Jay explores why so many people sacrifice their own needs to keep everyone else comfortable. He shares a practical framework for recognizing people-pleasing patterns, setting healthier boundaries, and learning how to put yourself first without becoming selfish or disrespectful. If you've ever struggled to speak up, ask for what you need, or stop carrying everyone else's burden, this episode is for you.

    188: The Secrets of the Sensei

  3. Jul 17

    187: 3 Ways to Break Free from Self-Doubt

    What if the only thing standing between you and your potential is the story you're telling yourself? In this solo episode, Jay explores why self-doubt is a natural part of being human and explains that confidence isn't about eliminating fear, it's about choosing how to respond to it. Drawing from Kobe Bryant's perspective, his own personal experiences, and lessons from his leadership journey, Jay shares three practical strategies to overcome self-doubt: reminding yourself daily of who you are, pausing to normalize self-doubt when it appears, and taking action before you feel fully confident. Through relatable stories and actionable advice, this episode will help you build greater confidence, strengthen your mindset, and move forward even when uncertainty shows up. Notable Quotes "You don't deny it, but you also don't capitulate to it. You embrace it." — Kobe Bryant "You are going to feel self-doubt for the rest of your life. The question is: will you give into it or will you rise above it?" — Jay Abbasi "You have the power of choice. If you step into that power, you write the script." — 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 Join Us Next Time On Monday's episode, you'll meet Prita, a project manager at a tech company navigating the pressure of a major acquisition while dealing with an unpredictable manager and the demands of raising three young children. Jay is joined by Jenn Cassetta, international keynote speaker, author, high-performance coach, and third-degree black belt in Hapkido, to explore how leaders can protect their energy, regulate stress, and build inner strength to prevent burnout.

    187: 3 Ways to Break Free from Self-Doubt

  4. Jul 13

    186: 95% Won't Fight. Will You?

    When did telling the truth become an act of courage? Meet Silvio. Halfway through a one-on-one with his direct report, he hears himself say, "I'm sorry." Sorry for bringing up the missed follow-through. Sorry for expecting more. Sorry for pushing. The meeting ends politely, but nothing changes. Silvio is respected, thoughtful, and well-liked. Yet every time he softens the truth to avoid discomfort, his confidence takes another hit. What he wants most is the courage to stop chasing approval and start leading with conviction. Today, Jay sits down with Ryan Berman, founder of Courageous, keynote speaker, and author of Return on Courage. For more than 25 years, Ryan has helped leaders and organizations overcome fear, embrace difficult conversations, and build the kind of courage that drives meaningful change. Together, they explore why courage isn't the absence of fear, it's the willingness to act despite it. Notable Quotes "Inaction is an action." — Ryan Berman “There is no change without courage, and there is no courage without fear.” — Ryan Berman “Five percent of us will fight, and 95% won’t.” — Ryan Berman "Knowledge, faith, and action." — Ryan Berman About Our Guest Ryan Berman is the founder of Courageous, a keynote speaker, branding expert, and author of Return on Courage. He works with leaders and organizations to build courageous cultures, navigate uncertainty, and turn fear into forward momentum. His clients include Google, Procter & Gamble, Kellogg's, Snapchat, and many other global brands. Resources & Links Ryan Berman Website – https://ryanberman.com/ Return on Courage Book – https://www.returnoncourage.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/bravewhatshard/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/couragebrands/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@thecourageouspodcast/shorts 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 Join Us Next Time On Friday, Jay takes a deep dive into one of the biggest obstacles to courage: self-doubt. If you've ever held back from speaking up, questioned your abilities, or worried too much about what others might think, this episode will help you shift your mindset, quiet your inner critic, and build the confidence to show up more boldly in the moments that matter most.

    186: 95% Won't Fight. Will You?

  5. Jul 10

    185: The 6 Types of Courageous Leadership

    Courage isn't the absence of fear. It's choosing to move forward despite it. In this solo episode, Jay explores what courageous leadership really looks like and why courage is about far more than bold decisions. Drawing from leadership experiences, coaching conversations, and timeless wisdom, he explains that fear is a natural part of leadership, and that the goal isn't to eliminate it, but to develop a healthier relationship with it. Jay introduces six distinct types of courage every leader can cultivate: moral, social, emotional, intellectual, creative, and physical courage. Through practical examples and reflective questions, he shows how each type can strengthen trust, improve decision-making, encourage innovation, and help leaders show up with greater authenticity. If you want to lead with more confidence and integrity, this episode provides a practical framework to help you do just that. Notable Quotes “Courage is not being fearless… but stepping forward on your journey anyway.” — Dr. Rebecca Ray “Don't fight fear. Don't resist fear. Don't avoid fear. Work with it.” — Jay Abbasi “Will sharing how I feel create connection or emotional burden?” — Jay Abbasi “What if you asked your team instead of telling them?” — 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 Join Us Next Time On Monday's episode, you'll meet Silvio, a Director of Business Development at a finance company who avoids difficult conversations in an effort to keep the peace. As accountability slips and team performance suffers, Jay is joined by Ryan Berman, founder of Courageous and author of Return on Courage, to explore how leaders can stop hiding behind being "nice" and develop the courage to lead with honesty, clarity, and conviction.

    185: The 6 Types of Courageous Leadership

  6. Jul 6

    184: What If You're Both Right?

    The biggest leadership problems aren't solved by choosing sides. Meet Hector. As the general manager of a wholesale building materials company, Hector expects accountability and results. But the harder he pushes for performance, the quieter his team becomes. Sales blames operations. Managers avoid difficult conversations. Hector is beginning to wonder if great leadership really requires choosing between caring about people and driving results, or if there's another way. Today, Jay sits down with Michelle Troseth and Dr. Tracy Christopherson, co-founders of Missing Logic, co-authors of Polarity Intelligence, and hosts of the Burnout Proof Leadership podcast. Together, they explore why the biggest leadership challenges aren't problems to solve, but polarities to manage. and how embracing both perspectives leads to stronger teams, healthier cultures, and better decisions. Notable Quotes "It's not a problem you can solve. You need both performance and people." — Michelle Troseth "Most of what we deal with are interdependencies, not separate problems." — Michelle Troseth "Your preference becomes the environment your team works in." — Dr. Tracy Christopherson "You have to differentiate a problem from a polarity." — Michelle Troseth About Our Guests Michelle Troseth and Dr. Tracy Christopherson are the co-founders of Missing Logic, co-authors of Polarity Intelligence, and internationally recognized experts in leadership, burnout prevention, and organizational culture. Through their research, coaching, and consulting, they help leaders move beyond either-or thinking, navigate competing priorities, and build healthier, higher-performing organizations. Resources & Links Michelle Troseth Missing Logic Website – https://www.missinglogic.com/ Polarity Intelligence Book – https://www.polarityintelligence.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelletroseth Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/michelletroseth/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@missinglogicllc Dr. Tracy Christopherson Missing Logic Website – https://www.missinglogic.com/ Polarity Intelligence Book – https://www.polarityintelligence.com/ LinkedIn – https://linkedin.com/in/tracy-christopherson YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@missinglogicllc 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 Join Us Next Time Join Jay on Friday as he explores what it truly means to lead with courage. You'll learn how courageous leaders navigate difficult conversations, make hard decisions without losing compassion, and build trust while still holding people accountable. If you want to become a leader who inspires confidence instead of fear, you won't want to miss this episode.

    184: What If You're Both Right?

  7. Jul 3

    183: 9 Questions to Reset Your Year

    What if one hour of reflection could change the rest of your year? In this solo episode, Jay shares a powerful midyear reflection exercise designed to help you reset, refocus, and finish the year strong. As 2026 reaches its halfway point, he encourages listeners to step back from the busyness of life and evaluate what’s working, what isn’t, and where to focus their energy moving forward. Through nine thoughtful questions, Jay walks you through a practical process for identifying wins, learning from setbacks, clarifying priorities, and creating a meaningful plan for the months ahead. Rather than approaching goal-setting from a place of pressure or self-criticism, he emphasizes reflection, intentionality, and action. If you want to make the most of the remainder of the year, this episode provides a simple framework to help you do exactly that. Notable Quotes “You live life looking forward. You understand life looking backward.” — Søren Kierkegaard “What’s the biggest lesson I learned in the first half of 2026?” — Jay Abbasi “Pause, reflect, look back, look ahead, and make 2026 your best year.” — 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 Join Us Next Time On Monday's episode, you'll meet Hector, a General Manager at a wholesale building materials company who is beginning to lose the trust of his team. Although he is driven, accountable, and focused on results, his leadership style is creating distance and impacting performance. Jay is joined by Michelle Troseth and Tracy Christopherson, co-founders of Missing Logic, co-authors of Polarity Intelligence, and hosts of the Burnout Proof Leadership Podcast, to explore how leaders can balance people and performance without sacrificing either.

    183: 9 Questions to Reset Your Year

  8. Jun 29

    182: The Hidden Cost of Fake Peace

    Avoiding conflict doesn't create peace. It creates distance. Meet Amy. Three months into her new role as Senior Director of Quality, she's already exhausted. Every attempt to improve processes is met with resistance from a fellow leader who ignores her emails, avoids collaboration, and publicly undermines her in meetings. Amy wants alignment, trust, and results, but instead finds herself bracing for the next conflict. What she wants most is to lead with confidence without constantly feeling like she's fighting an uphill battle. Today, Jay sits down with Jenn Whitmer, leadership expert, TEDx speaker, and creator of Joyosity. Jenn helps leaders navigate conflict, strengthen communication, and build healthier workplace cultures. Together, they explore why avoiding difficult conversations creates "fake peace," how to handle challenging personalities, and what it takes to create genuine collaboration. Notable Quotes "If you avoid conflict, you manufacture fake peace." — Jenn Whitmer "Sandpaper people will always be around." — Jenn Whitmer "Everything good is on the other side of a hard conversation." — Jenn Whitmer About Our Guest Jenn Whitmer is a leadership expert, TEDx speaker, author, and founder of Joyosity. She helps organizations create healthier cultures by improving communication, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution. Drawing on her background in education and leadership, Jenn teaches practical strategies that help teams thrive through change and complexity. Resources & Links Jenn Whitmer Joyosity Book – https://jennwhitmer.com/books Website – https://jennwhitmer.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennwhitmer/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2-DJeF4oY7ImMFDryRZZ-A Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jenn_whitmer/ TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@jenn_whitmer 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 Join Us Next Time Join Jay on Friday as he guides listeners through a powerful mid-year reflection and planning exercise. Whether 2026 is going exactly as planned or feels completely off track, this episode will help you assess where you are, realign your priorities, and build momentum for the second half of the year. If you want to finish 2026 strong, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

    182: The Hidden Cost of Fake Peace
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5
out of 5
30 Ratings

About

Real people. Real stories. Real solutions. I’m Jay Abbasi, host of Unstuck, and as a former leader at Tesla, I understand the whirlwind of challenges in the modern work scene. In this podcast, we reveal how to thrive in demanding work environments through relatable, real-life stories.   Each episode begins with a story based on real life professional challenges (some details are changed to protect anonymity), followed by expert insights to help you thrive at work including practical advice on resilience, mental health, and work life balance. Get unstuck and build the life and career you’ve always wanted.

Information

  • Creator
    Jay Abbasi
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    194
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jay Abbasi Consulting LLC | 2024 | All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    Unstuck with Jay Abbasi

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