Be part of the movement—support the show on Patreon! ⁠https://patreon.com/aliesi⁠

Episode SummaryIn this conversation, Phil Carter shares his journey from a Midwestern upbringing to becoming a successful product leader in the tech industry. He discusses the importance of family values, the challenges of work-life balance, and the impact of paternity leave on his relationship with his children. Phil reflects on his career shifts, the lessons learned from each chapter, and the decision to start his own consulting business for greater flexibility and autonomy.

In this conversation, Phil Carter discusses the challenges of modern work culture, particularly in the tech industry, where constant connectivity and high expectations can lead to burnout. He emphasizes the importance of finding balance in life through routines, personal anchors, and prioritizing family and community. Phil also highlights the significance of self-awareness in navigating the pressures of societal expectations and the rat race, advocating for a focus on internal fulfillment rather than external validation. He concludes by sharing his wife's nonprofit, Daring Girls, which empowers young women in East Africa. Support Daring Girls: https://daringgirls.org/About PhilAfter starting his career at Bain and getting his MBA from Stanford GSB, Phil Carter has spent the last decade as a VC and product leader helping companies like Faire, Quizlet, and Ibotta build world-class products and accelerate their growth. Phil is now a growth advisor and angel investor who helps Seed - Series C consumer subscription businesses define their growth strategies, build their growth models, hire their growth teams, scale their growth processes, optimize their growth channels, and achieve their full potential. Phil also teaches a Maven course on Consumer Subscription Growth and has a Substack newsletter where he shares additional thoughts.Connect to Phil:Website: https://www.philgcarter.com/Maven Course: https://maven.com/philcarter/consumer-subscription-growthLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philgcarter/Substack: https://philgcarter.substack.com/X: https://x.com/philgcarterChapters00:00 Intro to the EpisodeChapters

03:20 Introduction to Phil Carter

06:12 Growing Up in the Midwest

08:30 Family Values and Childhood Memories

09:59 Navigating Work-Life Balance

12:21 Career Shifts and Professional Growth

16:54 The Impact of Paternity Leave

22:44 Starting a New Chapter: Entrepreneurship

24:48 The Pressure of Constant Connectivity

27:11 The Dynamics of Tech Culture

30:22 Navigating the Rat Race

32:49 Finding Balance in Life

35:41 Anchors of Stability

39:03 Production vs. Production Capacity

42:50 Empowering Young Women through Daring Girls

Be part of the movement—support the show on Patreon! ⁠https://patreon.com/aliesi⁠

Be part of the movement—support the show on Patreon! ⁠https://patreon.com/aliesi⁠

Episode Summary

In this conversation, Grandmaster Elshan Maradi Abadi shares his journey from being a young chess enthusiast in Iran to becoming a Grandmaster and immigrating to the United States. He discusses the challenges he faced, including the pain of losing, anxiety, and the pressure of high expectations. Elshan emphasizes the importance of mental health, personal growth, and the lessons learned from his experiences. He also highlights his passion for coaching the next generation of chess players and the significance of sharing one's struggles to help others.About GM ElshanElshan Moradiabadi is an Iranian-American Grandmaster known for his dynamic playing style and profound contributions to chess as a mentor and educator. With a career spanning over three decades, Elshan has consistently demonstrated his prowess as a well-rounded chess player by obtaining a B.Sc in chemical engineering from Sharif University and two master's degrees in the US. Elshan's chess career includes appearances in the Chess Olympiad and notable achievements in the U.S. chess scene. His expertise extends beyond the chessboard, as he is a prolific coach and mentor, inspiring students worldwide through his insightful teachings and strategic approaches. Elshan has coauthored two chess books and numerous educational articles and continuously seeks to improve his training method.Connect to Elshan on: https://gmelshan.com Elshan's 50 Push-ups CampaignElshan invites you to do 50 push-ups per day for 30 days. Use this link to join his campaign: https://forms.gle/fMmNe6awCzRBJwb48

Be part of the movement—support the show on Patreon! ⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/aliesi⁠⁠

Be part of the movement—support the show on Patreon! ⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/aliesi⁠⁠

Episode Summary:

In this conversation, Ali chats with Indi Young about the power of listening and empathy in building products and brands. They discuss the practice of deep listening and the steps to improve rapt attention. They also explore the impact of toxic work cultures on mental health and the need for broader protections in the workplace. Indi emphasizes the role of individuals in creating change and suggests forming groups, talking to HR, and organizing lunch meetings to address these issues. They also touch on the potential of AI in freeing up human resources for more meaningful work and measuring the value of products based on user needs and well-being. In this conversation, Ali and Indi Young discuss the importance of listening deeply and understanding the needs and goals of users. They explore the role of empathy and curiosity in product development and how it can lead to more meaningful and impactful brands. They also touch on the limitations of AI and the value of human connection in research and design. About Indi Young:Indi Young is a pioneering problem-discovery researcher and solution strategist. With over 30 years of experience, Indi has developed methods centered on inclusive and purpose-driven research, helping teams design solutions that align with various thinking styles. As a founding partner of Adaptive Path and the creator of mental model skylines, she has deeply influenced user research and product design. Indi also authored three books, including Practical Empathy, Mental Models, and Time to Listen. As one of the impactful voices in product development, Indi continues to share her expertise through teaching, coaching, and public speaking.

Be part of the movement—support the show on Patreon! ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/aliesi⁠⁠⁠

Be part of the movement—support the show on Patreon! ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/aliesi⁠⁠⁠

Episode Summary:

In this conversation, a somatic performance mentor, Emily Harrell, first guides Ali, host of @TheAllyShowbyAli through a grounding and EFT tapping practice to help him reconnect with himself and manage his anxiety. Emily shares her personal journey of growing up with anxiety and the challenges she faced in supporting her family while neglecting her own needs. They discuss the importance of setting boundaries and recognizing when it's necessary to prioritize self-care. Emily emphasizes the need to fill your cup before helping others and offers advice on setting boundaries with friends. In this conversation, Emily Harrell discusses the importance of setting boundaries in relationships and navigating difficult conversations. She explains that our bodies often give us signals when something doesn't sit well with us and that these signals are based on past experiences and associations. Emily emphasizes that setting boundaries is a form of self-protection and that it's essential to communicate our needs directly. She also shares her personal journey of loss and trauma and how she found healing through various tools and practices, such as cold therapy, journaling, and writing gratitude.Key Takeaways:- Taking time to reconnect with ourselves and be present is essential for managing anxiety.- EFT tapping is a powerful tool for dissolving anxiety and other emotional experiences.- Setting boundaries is not selfish, but necessary for self-care and maintaining healthy relationships.- Recognizing the signals from our bodies and emotions can help us identify when to set boundaries.- Less is often more when setting boundaries. There is no need to overexplain or justify our decisions. Setting boundaries is essential for maintaining healthy relationships and protecting our own well-being.- Our bodies often give us signals when something doesn't sit well with us, and these signals are based on past experiences and associations.- Direct communication is essential when setting boundaries; we don't need to beat around the bush to please others.- Experiencing loss and trauma can have a profound impact on our mental health, but some tools and practices can help with healing, such as cold therapy, journaling, and gratitude.- Practicing gratitude can shift our perspective and help us appreciate what we have, even during challenging times.More About Emily: Emily is an EFT practitioner, somatic mentor, and trauma-informed professional with a bachelor's degree in family and human services. She mentors high-performing women who aim to master self-healing through transformative somatic practices. In 2021, she founded The Quantum Creator as a passion project to help others become their own self-healers. Her own experiences with grief, anxiety, and deep feelings of unfulfillment led her to this work.You can connect to Emily on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.quantum.creatorTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.quantum.creatorHer website: https://stan.store/quantumcreator

Be part of the movement—support the show on Patreon! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/aliesi⁠⁠⁠⁠

Be part of the movement—support the show on Patreon! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/aliesi⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Jesse Marseille, host of @Storytelling_at_Scale , shares his journey from feeling unfulfilled in the tech industry to finding purpose through storytelling. He discusses the power of stories and how they shape our lives. Jesse emphasizes the importance of following curiosity and finding mentors who align with our values. He also opens up about his personal struggle with a chronic illness and how it led him to prioritize his own happiness and self-worth. In this conversation, Jesse and Ali discuss the difference between being nice and being kind. They explore the paradigm of being nice in the workforce and the rewards that come with it, compared to being kind and the impact it has on oneself and others. They also touch on the topic of dealing with haters and the importance of self-love and self-compassion. The conversation then shifts to mental health and the routines that Jesse follows to maintain his mental well-being, including daily journaling and practicing jiu-jitsu. They end the conversation by discussing the accountability campaign of journaling for 30 days.Takeaways:

• Stories have a profound impact on our lives and can shape our sense of purpose.
• Following curiosity allows us to tap into an infinite pool of learning and growth.
• Finding mentors who align with our values and being open to their guidance is crucial for personal and professional development.Chronic illness can be a wake-up call to prioritize our own happiness and self-worth.
• Being nice is different from being kind, and true kindness comes from a place of genuine care and empathy. Being nice is about following social manners and making people feel happy, while being kind involves recognizing and supporting others' gifts and creating opportunities for personal victories.
• Recognizing and valuing oneself can be seen as threatening to others who don't feel the same way, leading to negative reactions and hate.Maintaining mental health requires a routine that includes practices like journaling, exercise, sunlight, sleep, and social activities.
• Jiu-jitsu is a fun and safe martial art that allows for combat-like experiences without causing serious injuries.

The accountability campaign involves journaling for 10-15 minutes every day for 30 days. Join Jesse's Campaign:Jesse invites you to Write a daily journal note for 30 days. Use this link to join his campaign: https://forms.gle/JHgujTbbAFVeiVg77

Be part of the movement—support the show on Patreon! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/aliesi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Be part of the movement—support the show on Patreon! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/aliesi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Dr. Arezoo Momeni shares her journey growing up in Iran and her decision to move to the US for a PhD in chemical engineering. She discusses her challenges as a woman in Iran and the societal expectations that conflicted with her desire for freedom. Arezoo also opens up about her experiences in her PhD program, highlighting the toxic culture and unrealistic expectations placed on graduate students. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's own worth and the need for self-care and self-discovery. Arezoo shares her experience of feeling like she didn't belong due to cultural differences and struggling with self-worth. She describes a transformative psychedelic experience that helped her connect with her true self and let go of societal conditioning. However, she faced challenges in implementing the insights from her experience into her daily life. Arezoo emphasizes the importance of seeking professional help and highlights the power of acceptance, commitment therapy, and mindfulness techniques. She also discusses the fears she encountered on her journey and the tools she uses for maintaining her mental health, such as morning routines, visualization, gratitude practices, and connecting with nature.Takeaways:*Growing up in Iran as a woman comes with societal expectations and conflicting messages about identity and self-worth.*PhD programs, particularly in engineering, can have toxic cultures and unrealistic expectations, leading to mental health challenges for graduate students.*Recognizing one's own worth and prioritizing self-care and self-discovery are crucial for personal growth and well-being.*Psychedelic experiences can provide a fresh perspective and help challenge ingrained thought patterns. Feeling like you don't belong due to cultural differences can impact self-worth and identity.*Psychedelic experiences can provide profound insights and a sense of interconnectedness, but implementing those insights into daily life can be challenging.*Seeking professional help, such as therapy, can be instrumental in navigating personal growth and healing.*Acceptance commitment therapy (ACT) and mindfulness techniques can help change our relationship with fear and thoughts.*Morning routines, visualization, gratitude practices, and connecting with nature can contribute to maintaining mental health.Join Arezoo's Campaign:Arezoo invites you to Write a daily gratitude note for 30 days. Use this link to join her campaign: https://forms.gle/XbtXdGCHhbUAibJFA

Be part of the movement—support the show on Patreon! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/aliesi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Be part of the movement—support the show on Patreon! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/aliesi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode Summary:

In this episode, we chat with Aref Gharakhani @ArefInTheMiddle about his journey from co-founding multiple successful startups in the Middle East to navigating immigration challenges in North America. In this chat, Aref opens up about the dramatic changes he’s faced and how his entrepreneurial spirit intersects with his personal growth and immigration experiences.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Who is Aref: Aref’s early experiences growing up in Iran and his transition from engineering to entrepreneurship.Aref’s Entrepreneurial Journey: Discover how Aref transitioned from studying computer engineering in Iran to co-founding several impactful startups, including the #1 on-demand delivery network in the Middle East. Mental Health Insights: Gain valuable insights into Aref's personal struggles, his transformative experience with therapy, and his approach to building resilience and self-improvement.Practical Tools for Growth: Aref shares actionable strategies for managing mental health, including the power of journaling, intentional goal-setting, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle.Navigating Immigration: Learn about the emotional and practical aspects of moving from the Middle East to North America and how Aref adapted to a new environment.Join Aref's 30-Day Challenge:Choose one activity or goal to focus on for 30 days and share your progress with us. To sign up to this campaign use this link. https://forms.gle/udRao7WXWYLERAhe6Aref's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aref-gh-435ab566/Be part of the movement—support the show on Patreon! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/aliesi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠