013 - Solo Episode: Say “Yes, And!” to Creatively Using AI
Release Date: 11/18/2024
039 - Say “Yes, And!” to Keeping It Human with Kathy Klotz Guest
Yes, And! With Avish Parashar
In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with fellow improviser and change-maker Kathy Klotz-Guest. Kathy’s career path is anything but boring. She went from being a rare female leader in Silicon Valley tech to blending her love of improv and comedy into transformational work with corporate teams. We talk about her journey, the power of “yes, and” in leading change, why vulnerability and honesty matter more than ever in the age of AI, and how embracing fun isn’t just good for morale - it’s good for business. If you're a leader navigating uncertainty, this conversation...
info_outline
038 - Say “Yes, And!” to Cheering On Others with Jan Spence
Yes, And! With Avish Parashar
I had a blast talking with Jan Spence, a Certified Speaking Professional and TEDx speaker whose journey from professional women’s full‑tackle football to international keynote speaker is unforgettable. Jan shares how turning a sea of competitors into teammates through simple encouragement sparked her “Cheer Leadership®” philosophy. We dive into actionable tools - from ‘putting on that Teflon raincoat’ to overcoming fear, to using ‘A‑B‑or‑C’ goals to build momentum. Plus, we explore how small gestures - handwritten notes, energy boosts, meaningful check‑ins, etc. - can...
info_outline
037 - Say “Yes, And!” to Navigating the Future of Creativity and AI with Nye Warburton
Yes, And! With Avish Parashar
In this episode, I connect with my old friend Nye Warburton, someone I’ve known since our college improv‑comedy days. Nye’s journey has taken him from animating features like Monster House and Battleship to chairing an Interactive Design & Game Development department of a college and writing provocative essays about AI, blockchain, and creative technology. We talk about the pressures of entertainment, how to treat uncertainty as play, the importance of iteration over perfection, and why every creator should ship something - even if it’s rough. If you’re navigating...
info_outline
036 - Say “Yes, And!” to Unstoppable Momentum with Kim Becking
Yes, And! With Avish Parashar
What if the chaos and uncertainty in your life could become the very fuel that propels you forward? In this episode, resilience and adaptability expert Kim Becking shares her powerful Unstoppable Momentum™ framework for navigating change with grit, grace, and purpose. A stage-3 breast cancer survivor, former attorney, and bestselling author, Kim brings real-world experience and deep research to the conversation—showing how to stop, shift, and reframe challenges into catalysts for growth. You’ll learn: Why acknowledging your emotions is the first step to building real resilience How...
info_outline
035 - Say “Yes, And!” to EPIC Connections with Riaz Patel
Yes, And! With Avish Parashar
I had the privilege of sitting down with longtime friend and Hollywood veteran, Riaz Patel. Trained in psychology at UPenn and raised in a world where he was rarely the "norm," Riaz has built a career around authentic transformation - first on TV, and now live onstage. In this episode, we dive into: His creative process behind TV hits like How to Look Good Naked Why "authentic transformation" matters more now than ever The EPIC system and how it underpins his live experience, ConnectEffect Practical tips on how listening can build real connection in business, parenting, and...
info_outline
034 - Say “Yes, And!” to Resetting with Penny Zenker
Yes, And! With Avish Parashar
In this episode, I talk with Penny Zenker—the Focusologist—about her Reset Mindset approach. We dive into what exactly a reset moment is, explore her three‑step framework (Step Back, Get Perspective, Realign), and apply it to everyday life—from emotional triggers to workplace pivots. Penny also breaks down how to ask powerful questions like “What else?” to shift thinking, how to scale reset practices, and why it matters now more than ever. Key Takeaways Recognize Reset Moments: These are small or large interruptions—your alarm, emotional trigger, organizational shift—telling...
info_outline
033 - Say “Yes, And!” to Sparking a Cascade of Change With Greg Satell
Yes, And! With Avish Parashar
In this episode of Yes, And with Avish Parashar, I sit down with Greg Satell—author of Cascades and Mapping Innovation, and a leading voice on evidence-based change management. We dive deep into why traditional change methods often backfire, the science of how change actually spreads, and how leaders can spark transformational change by starting small, building momentum, and leading with shared values. Greg brings powerful insights from his time running media organizations during revolutions, writing for Harvard Business Review, and studying network science. We also explore the role humor...
info_outline
032 - Say “Yes, And!” to Offboarding Done Right with Toni Thomas
Yes, And! With Avish Parashar
In this episode of Yes, And with Avish Parashar, I’m joined by Toni Thomas from Challenger, Gray & Christmas to explore a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: offboarding. While onboarding gets the red carpet treatment, too often the way people exit an organization is abrupt, impersonal, and damaging — to them and to the company. Toni shares why offboarding is more than collecting a laptop and cutting off email access — and how handling it with empathy and intention leads to better outcomes, less litigation, and a stronger employer brand. We also dig into what it’s...
info_outline
031 - 52 Things I Would Tell My 22 Year-Old Self (Birthday Episode!)
Yes, And! With Avish Parashar
This week is my birthday—I'm turning 52! And to mark the occasion, I'm sharing something a little different: 52 things I would tell my 22-year-old self. Over the years, I've made a lot of mistakes, learned a ton, and picked up a bunch of insights that would’ve helped me back when I was just starting out. In this fast-paced, fun solo episode, I share all 52 lessons—from career advice to dopamine management, creativity, emotions, habits, finances, and yes...Dungeons & Dragons. Whether you're 22 or 72, there’s something here for you. Key Takeaways: Why “Be so good they can’t...
info_outline
030 - Say “Yes, And!” to Long Term Adaptability with Alexander Bolkhovsky
Yes, And! With Avish Parashar
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...
info_outlineDo you consider yourself creative? Whether you’re an artist, a professional, or someone who thinks they “just aren’t creative,” this episode is for you. In this solo episode, I dive into the true essence of creativity and show how everyone can access their own creative genius. Building on last week’s conversation with Dan Nestle about AI, I share how creativity can make us more adaptable, resilient, and innovative—essential skills in a rapidly changing world.
In this episode, you’ll learn practical techniques to access your creativity and apply it to one of today’s most talked-about tools: AI. I’ll demonstrate an improv game to unlock creativity and share exercises to overcome creative blocks, particularly with prompt crafting and using AI as a creative partner. Get ready to shift your mindset and discover ways to use creativity and AI in tandem to amplify your potential.
Key Takeaways:
-
Creativity as a Universal Skill: Why every person has a unique creative genius waiting to be unlocked.
-
The “Expert Interview” Game: A powerful improv exercise to access spontaneous creativity by letting ideas flow without judgment.
-
Techniques to Bypass Your Inner Filter: Learn how to clear mental blocks and let ideas emerge by calming the mind and practicing rapid idea generation.
-
AI as a Creative Partner: Discover the benefits of using AI as a tool to stimulate creativity rather than just a source of answers.
-
Steps to Get Started with AI: Tips for beginning your AI journey, brainstorming prompts, and using AI responses to inspire new ideas.
Links Mentioned:
-
Listen to Dan’s Podcast, The Trending Communicator