027 - Say “Yes, And!” to Being SO Productive with Sarah Ohanesian
Release Date: 03/31/2025
043 - Say “Yes, And!” to Navigating Chaos with Maartje van Krieken
Yes, And! With Avish Parashar
When everything feels messy, most leaders reach for more tactics and more meetings. In this conversation, I sit down with Maartje van Krieken - engineer, skipper, crisis strategist, and host of The Business Emergency Room Podcast - to talk about how to triage chaos, make cleaner decisions, and realign people and processes without burning everyone out. We cover her “coat rack” process metaphor, the emotional side of chaos (and why emotion = people still care), and a simple way to de-risk the options you’ve been carrying around in your head. If you’re navigating growth, change, or just...
info_outline
042 - Say “Yes, And!” to READY, Set, Change with April Callis-Birchmeier
Yes, And! With Avish Parashar
In this conversation with change-management expert April Callis-Birchmeier (CCMP™, PMP®, CSP®), we unpack her R.E.A.D.Y. framework from her READY, Set, Change! Book and framework and translate it into practical moves you can make this quarter. We cover how to turn corporate buzzwords into relevant, relatable stories, why one accountable executive sponsor changes everything, what “just send an email” thinking gets wrong, and how to handle resistance as a signal that people are finally engaging. April also shares the behind-the-scenes story of Michigan’s Healthy Michigan Plan rollout...
info_outline
041 - Say “Yes, And!” to Living UNMUTED with Rachel Druckenmiller
Yes, And! With Avish Parashar
I sat down with keynote speaker, leadership trainer, and singer-songwriter Rachel Druckenmiller to explore what it really means to live and work UNMUTED. Rachel shares how she invented roles inside a corporate job, navigated a near-career-ending pivot right before the pandemic, and eventually brought her voice - literally - onto the keynote stage. We talk about borrowing others’ belief when your own is shaky, her V.O.I.C.E. framework, building self-concept clarity, and practical ways to start expressing more of who you are at work. She also tells the powerful backstory behind her original...
info_outline
040 - Say “Yes, And!” to the LEADOUT Advantage with Scott Cooksey
Yes, And! With Avish Parashar
In this episode, I sit down with Scott Cooksey, CSP, founder of Leadout Performance Group, to talk about building teams that can adapt and win, especially when the plan meets reality. Scott explains why most “one-and-done” trainings fail, how to diagnose the real problem behind symptoms like conflict, and how leaders can modernize their playbook for a world reshaped by COVID and AI. We cover his Tour de France model for team strategy (sprinters, climbers, and support), what a useful return-to-office looks like (create experiences you can only have in person), and the role of empathy...
info_outline
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_outlineIn this episode, I chat with Sarah Ohanesian, a productivity expert and the founder of SO Productive. Sarah dives into the concept of purpose-driven productivity, helping us rethink how we manage our time and energy in both our personal and professional lives. She also shares her work around neurodiversity, a topic that’s been gaining much-needed attention in the workplace. Whether you're leading a team or trying to figure out your own productivity system, this episode has some powerful takeaways about working in alignment with your brain’s unique wiring.
Key Takeaways
-
Purpose-Driven Productivity: It’s not just about checking off tasks; it’s about doing the work that has the most impact for you and your team.
-
Neurodiversity in Teams: Embracing different brain types on your team can be a game-changer in creativity and productivity.
-
Creating Space for Magic: Leave white space in your calendar for unexpected opportunities and creative breakthroughs.
-
Overcoming Rigidity: Productivity isn’t one-size-fits-all—design a system that works for you and be flexible with it.
-
Balancing Short-Term vs Long-Term Tasks: Understanding your “why” helps you prioritize long-term goals even when short-term tasks demand your attention.
Relevant Links