Just Human

Jay Boykin

Just Human with Jay Boykin Because Being Human Comes First.  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 24 - 6 Listening Practices That Make People Feel Heard (Home + Work)

    1D AGO

    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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 06/03/2025

    Ep 17: Breaking Barriers: The Power of Connection

    Keywords: human connection, social interactions, overcoming barriers, curiosity, personal growth, non-transactional relationships, podcast, Just Human, Thibaud Edwards, Jay Boykin Summary: In this episode of the Just Human podcast, host Jay Boykin speaks with Thibaud Edwards about his unique challenge of connecting with 100 people in 100 days. Thibaud shares his journey of overcoming personal barriers to communication, the importance of non-transactional relationships, and the surprising depth of conversations he experienced. The discussion emphasizes the value of curiosity in human interactions and the growth that comes from stepping outside of one's comfort zone. Thibaud reflects on the lessons learned from his challenge and his plans for future endeavors. Takeaways: The challenge of connecting with strangers can lead to personal growth. Overcoming personal barriers is essential for effective communication. Non-transactional connections can lead to deeper relationships. Curiosity can replace fear in social interactions. Many people are eager for genuine connections. Social media can distort perceptions of individuals. The majority of people are more similar than they appear. Discomfort is often a precursor to growth. Engaging with others can reveal unexpected insights. The 100-day challenge format can be a powerful tool for personal development. Sound Bites: "I have to get out of this space." "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." "I absolutely love the 100-day format." Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Just Human Podcast 01:27 The Unusual Connection: Meeting Thibaut Edwards 03:41 Challenging Comfort Zones: The 100 People Journey 09:32 The Impact of Avoidance: Personal Reflections 12:36 Home Life and Family Dynamics 16:47 The Need for Connection: Insights from the Challenge 18:55 Responses and Conversations: Surprising Depths 22:02 Navigating Conversations: The Good and the Bad 27:05 Bridging the Gap: Overcoming Conversation Barriers 28:51 From Transactional to Relational: The Power of Genuine Connections 32:39 Embracing Discomfort: Growth Through Challenge 39:59 Curiosity Over Transaction: Transforming Interactions 46:52 Finding Common Ground: The Beauty of Diverse Perspectives 52:21 Looking Ahead: Future Challenges and Growth

    57 min

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About

Just Human with Jay Boykin Because Being Human Comes First.  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!