022 - Solo Episode - Say “Yes, And!” to Experimentation, Not Execution
Release Date: 01/27/2025
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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_outlineIn this episode of Yes, And, I dive into the idea of thinking in terms of experimentation, not execution, especially when it comes to reaching big, impossible goals. As professionals, we're often encouraged to follow rigid plans and execute them to perfection. But in a world of constant change, creativity, and uncertainty, sometimes we need to let go of fixed plans and embrace the process of experimentation.
I share stories from my own life where I used this approach to take my keynote and business to the next level—through trial, error, and adapting as I went. Instead of adhering to a step-by-step execution model, experimentation gave me the freedom to try new things, learn from my failures, and ultimately find success in unexpected ways.
Listen in for some valuable insights on how you can apply this mindset to your own goals, whether personal or professional, and learn how embracing experimentation could lead to greater innovation, growth, and resilience.
Key Takeaways:
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Shift from execution to experimentation: Learn why experimentation, rather than rigid execution, can lead to more innovative and effective results, especially when dealing with uncertainty or creativity.
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Real-life application: Hear how I used this approach to transform my keynote, from initial failures to eventual success, and how small experiments led to big breakthroughs.
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The power of flexibility: Understand how flexibility and adaptability can help you pivot and improve your approach when things don’t go according to plan.
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How to experiment in your own life: Tips on how to apply the experimentation mindset to both your personal and professional goals, particularly when you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed.
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Embrace failure as part of the process: Recognize that failures are valuable learning opportunities and part of the experimental journey that leads to growth and success.