Just Human

Jay Boykin

Just Human with Jay Boykin Because Life Doesn't Come With Instructions In a world that constantly pulls us in different directions, how do we stay true to ourselves while growing in our careers, relationships, and personal lives? Just Human explores the intersection of work, leadership, personal growth, and the everyday challenges of being human. Hosted by Jay Boykin—entrepreneur, executive coach, and founder of Just Human—this podcast offers insightful conversations, practical strategies, and thought-provoking reflections to help you navigate life without losing yourself in the process. Whether you're a driven professional, an entrepreneur, or simply someone striving for personal growth, Just Human provides the tools, wisdom, and inspiration to build a meaningful, successful life on your terms. New episodes every week. Subscribe now and join the journey!

  1. Episode 26 - Planning Doesn't Kill Romance, It Saves It | Interview with Dr. Robin Buckley

    1D AGO

    Episode 26 - Planning Doesn't Kill Romance, It Saves It | Interview with Dr. Robin Buckley

    In this episode of Just Human, Jay Boykin sits down with Dr. Robin Buckley (author of Marriage, Inc.) to break down a powerful truth: planning doesn’t kill spontaneity — it protects it. When couples stop running on autopilot, they stop having the same fight every month and start building real connection again. You’ll learn practical relationship tools busy couples can use immediately, including: - The daily check-in that deepens connection in 5–10 minutes - Why “they should just know” is a romantic myth that destroys communication - How to use a safe word + a simple SOP to stop conflict spirals - What amygdala hijack looks like—and how to get back to calm, logical thinking - Why couples become “roommates” (and how to reverse it) - The 5 types of intimacy and how to build a “menu” of connection - How to use active listening so people feel heard (not argued with) If you want your relationship to feel less reactive and more intentional, start with ONE thing: try the daily check-in this week and notice what shifts. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, personal growth, and the practical human stuff that makes life work. CONNECT with Dr. Robin Buckley INSTAGRAM @drrobinbuckley LINKEDIN @dr-robin-buckley YOUTUBE  @DrRobinBuckley   TIKTOK @drrobinbuckley WEBSITE https://drrobinbuckley.com/ #RelationshipAdvice #Marriage #CommunicationSkills #Couples #MarriageInc #DrRobinBuckley #JustHumanPodcast #ConflictResolution #ActiveListening #EmotionalIntelligence #RelationshipGoals #Intimacy #HealthyRelationships #PersonalGrowth #Mindset

    55 min
  2. FEB 20

    Episode 25 - Why “Being Managed” Feels Awful (And What Great Leaders Do Instead)

    Have you ever worked for someone who knew your numbers… but didn’t know you? They knew your deadlines, KPIs, and calendar — but not what it cost you to keep producing. And at some point, you stop feeling supported and start feeling watched. In this episode of Just Human, Jay Boykin sits down with John R. Miles (author of Passion Struck) to unpack the difference between being managed and being seen accurately — and why “mattering” is the foundation of performance, loyalty, and psychological safety at work. You’ll learn: Why micromanagement vs leadership feels so different in the bodyHow performance culture quietly erodes self-worth and work performanceWhat it means to build “self-mattering” before you can feel seen by othersWhy frontline managers are the hidden engine of engagement (or disengagement)A practical leadership shift: “eyes on, hands off” + commander’s intentHow great workplaces connect roles to mission so people feel valued — not measuredIf you’re a leader, founder, or manager who wants high performance without grinding people down — this conversation will change how you run 1:1s, how you give feedback, and how you build culture people don’t want to leave. 💡 One takeaway to try this week: start noticing the “yellow doors” — the small moments where a micro-choice can increase trust, connection, and energy on your team. 👉 Learn more about Jay’s work: www.jayboykin.com 📘 Learn more about John: John R. Miles | Official Website of the Award-Winning Author #leadership #micromanagement #employeeengagement #workplaceculture #psychologicalsafety #leadershipdevelopment #highperformers #burnout #trust #purpose #management #communication #justhuman #passionstruck

    55 min
  3. Episode 24 - 6 Listening Practices That Make People Feel Heard (Home + Work)

    FEB 6

    Episode 24 - 6 Listening Practices That Make People Feel Heard (Home + Work)

    Ever “listened” so well you deserved a trophy… and still got in trouble? Let’s fix that with 6 simple listening practices that work at home and at work. Most of us confuse hearing with listening. Hearing is audio. Listening is connection. And when listening breaks down, relationships get tense, distance grows, and at work you get the same messy conversations on repeat—plus rework, resentment, and escalation. In this episode of Just Human, Jay Boykin shares practical, repeatable listening skills you can use immediately—no therapy speak, no fluff. You’ll learn how to make people feel accurately understood, reduce conflict, and create clarity that actually moves things forward. Timestamps / Key Takeaways 0:01 Why “hearing” isn’t listening7:20 The office bridge: how bad listening creates rework9:05 #1 Comfort vs solutions (what do they need?)12:12 #2 Mirror the last 3–5 words15:50 #3 Name the emotion (validation ≠ agreement)17:31 #4 “What did I miss?” summary19:44 #5 Ask one deepening question21:02 #6 Close the loop with action26:09 Bonus: the phone-down pro tipIf this helped, subscribe, hit like, and comment: Which one practice are you running for 7 days? #listening #activelistening #communicationskills #relationships #marriageadvice #conflictresolution #leadership #workplacecommunication #emotionalintelligence #personalgrowth #psychologicalsafety #productivity #betterrelationships #selfimprovement #justhuman

    29 min
  4. JAN 22

    Episode 22 - Why Your Resolutions Fail by February (And the System That Fixes It)

    Most New Year’s resolutions collapse by the end of January—and it’s not because you’re weak. It’s because resolutions have no structure. In this Just Human episode, Jay Boykin breaks down the difference between a resolution, a goal, and a system, and teaches a practical Goals → Systems framework that helps business owners and corporate professionals build habits that survive real life (even when your calendar gets full). You’ll learn why “get healthier” and “be more productive” fail when they stay vague, why perfection is a terrible strategy for consistency, and how to build simple systems with a schedule, trigger, tracking, and accountability. Jay also shares the mindset shift that makes progress inevitable: Goals tell you where you’re going. Systems tell you what you do this week. In this episode, you’ll learn: The 4 reasons New Year’s resolutions fail (vague, all-or-nothing, identity-free, system-less)The simple definitions of resolution vs goal vs systemThe 5-step Goals → Systems method:Pick one meaningful outcomeConvert outcomes into process goals (inputs)Build the system (cadence + trigger + minimum standard)Track inputs with a simple scorecardDo a weekly review (the CEO move)How to handle common obstacles: “I don’t have time,” “I fell off,” “I need motivation”The rule that keeps you consistent all year: Never miss twice Best quotes: “A resolution is an intention. A goal is a target. A system is the bridge.”“Your minimum standard keeps you in the game when life gets loud.”“Motivation comes and goes. Design stays.”If you’re serious about better habits, better leadership, and better business results in 2026, don’t chase hype—build a rhythm. ✅ Action step: Write one goal and one system that makes it real. Pick your minimum standard, and schedule a 15-minute weekly review. Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, leadership, and personal growth—and share this with someone who needs a reset that actually sticks. #justhuman #goals #systems #newyearsresolutions #habits #productivity #leadership #businessowner #timemanagement #selfimprovement #consistency #personalgrowth #entrepreneurship #mindset #weeklyreview

    27 min
  5. 08/26/2025

    Ep 19: The Power of Music: Stories, Memories, and Shared Humanity

    Music is more than sound—it’s memory, connection, and emotion wrapped into one. In this episode of Just Human, host Jay Boykin is joined by his brother, Jeff Boykin, for a heartfelt conversation about the role of music in their lives and how it connects us all. From childhood memories of spinning vinyl in their father’s game room to the science of how music lights up the brain, Jay and Jeff explore how songs become the soundtrack to our human experience. They talk about the universal power of Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston, the revival of vinyl collections, and why music often feels like a shared language—whether in a firehouse, on a boat, or across cultures in Kenya. You’ll also hear about Jeff’s unique “superpower” of matching life moments with perfect lyrics, and why music so often pulls us back into our most meaningful memories. 💡 Challenge of the week: Revisit a song that has profoundly impacted you, then share it with a loved one to spark reconnection. Don’t forget to subscribe, share your favorite song in the comments, and check out the Just Human Vol. 1 playlist on Spotify!  👉 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/370GaTscYjj0nnfY5jWQM2?si=63ed9864600f4b28 Take the free quiz to reflect on where you are, and where you're headed: 👉 https://alignedimpact.scoreapp.com/ Curious how AI can streamline your business? Ro.am—Book a Demo or Start a Free Trial (affiliate): 👉 https://ro.am/camp/go/just_human

    36 min

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About

Just Human with Jay Boykin Because Life Doesn't Come With Instructions In a world that constantly pulls us in different directions, how do we stay true to ourselves while growing in our careers, relationships, and personal lives? Just Human explores the intersection of work, leadership, personal growth, and the everyday challenges of being human. Hosted by Jay Boykin—entrepreneur, executive coach, and founder of Just Human—this podcast offers insightful conversations, practical strategies, and thought-provoking reflections to help you navigate life without losing yourself in the process. Whether you're a driven professional, an entrepreneur, or simply someone striving for personal growth, Just Human provides the tools, wisdom, and inspiration to build a meaningful, successful life on your terms. New episodes every week. Subscribe now and join the journey!