Conversations with leaders who love their work, and found a way to carry it without losing themselves. I spent years as the one holding everything together at work, and I know what it costs. Here, executives, founders and operators talk honestly about the moment success stopped feeling like success, and what they changed: in the process, the team, the tools, and in themselves. Every episode connects one problem at work to the one inside. You leave with one thing to change at work, and one thing to change in yourself. Where are you right now? Take the free Level of Consciousness Assessment: jcaresse.com/podcast Quielimens, my daily practice for leaders, is coming soon. Join the waitlist: jcaresse.com/wellness Jessica Caresse is Managing Director of J.Caresse & Company, an operations and AI transformation firm. jcaresse.com
Listen to episodes
60 recent
September 13, 20241 hr 1 min
Cuban Immigrant to a $1M Apparel Brand in 13 Months | Joel Gandara
He resold products at 10 to help his family. Later his apparel brand hit $1M in 13 months. Joel Gandara, Cuban-born entrepreneur and coach, on building businesses and living with purpose. I talk with Joel Gandara, who arrived in the U.S. from Cuba in 1980 and grew up in poverty. Joel shares how years of hard work, garage sales, and investing led to his own apparel brand, what he learned selling his companies and acquiring 14 others, and why he now coaches people toward a simpler, purposeful life. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:33 Meet Joel Gandara: Entrepreneur and Author 01:16 The 31 Daily Challenges 03:24 Personal Transformation and Overcoming Challenges 07:01 Early Business Ventures and Lessons Learned 14:09 Real Estate Journey and Moving to Miami 18:29 Finding Opportunities in Adversity 30:34 Navigating Office Politics 31:13 Transition to Entrepreneurship 31:34 The Corporate Structure 32:58 Tax Benefits of Entrepreneurship 34:19 Empowerment Through Ownership 36:31 Building a Business from Scratch 38:18 The Importance of Mindset 40:51 Life in Cuba and Early Struggles 43:51 Raising Financially Savvy Kids 51:05 Turning Adversity into Motivation 55:31 Top Three Pieces of Advice Connect with the guest Joel on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joelgandara Where are you right now? Take the free Level of Consciousness Assessment: jcaresse.com/podcast Watch this conversation on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=m5NpOb7eDh8 Connect with Jessica: jcaresse.com
October 15, 2025Episode 113 min
You’re Not Broken — You’re Blocked: The Energy Shift That Changes Everything
Years of therapy and shadow work, and you still feel stuck? You may be blocked, not broken. Laurina Anderson, MSW, a former psychotherapist turned Energy Success Coach, on releasing old patterns. I sit down with Laurina Anderson, MSW, a former psychotherapist turned Energy Success Coach, about the gap between understanding your past and actually letting it go. Laurina shares how she went from high school dropout to a master's degree at 38, and the practices that helped her: quieting the committee in your head, belly breathing, and the mirror exercise for self-love. Connect with the guest Laurina on Instagram: instagram.com/laurinaandersoncoach LA Coaching on Instagram: instagram.com/la.coaching.life.energy Laurina on Facebook: facebook.com/laurina.anderson.9 Laurina's website: ishiftyourenergy.com/about-me Laurina on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laurinaanderson Where are you right now? Take the free Level of Consciousness Assessment: jcaresse.com/podcast Watch this conversation on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=OWYc47h1Mfs Connect with Jessica: jcaresse.com This conversation shares personal experience and perspective. It is not medical advice. Talk with a qualified professional about your health.
May 1, 2026Episode 31 hr 26 min
The AI Platform Built From a Rooftop Conversation in Miami: The Indrasy Story
Most AI tools ignore small businesses. Three founders built an AI platform just for them. I sit down with Indrasy's leadership team: CEO Kyle, CTO Rose and CRO Athena. I sit down with the full leadership team of Indrasy, three first-generation Americans building an AI operating system for small businesses. You will hear how a rooftop conversation in Miami became a company, how their platform differs from ChatGPT and Claude, and the real reason small businesses fail. Chapters 00:00 Opening 01:09 Welcome & Introducing the Indrasy Team 02:11 Kyle's Origin Story: Coding Since Childhood 03:31 How Kyle Met Rose and Athena 06:11 The "Magic Ingredients" of a Founding Team 07:17 Kyle's First Startup: Lessons From Carmen's Medicinals 08:30 Building Indrasy Full-Time Since October 09:07 What the Indrasy Platform Does 10:23 Use Case: Lead Research, Broadcasting & Marketplace 11:46 Agenda, Relationships & Comms: The Three Core Tools 13:13 How AI Pricing Works (The Starbucks Analogy) 14:25 The June 6th Event: What to Expect 16:53 Why Small Businesses Need Face-to-Face Trust 17:50 "An Opportunity for Giving, Not Getting" 18:52 The Four Pillars: Workshops, Pods, Expo & Main Stage 22:20 The Origin of the Event Concept: Community First 23:01 Being First-Gen Americans & Why Community Matters 25:34 The South Florida Networking Problem 28:37 "If You Go Alone You Go Fast, Together You Go Far" 31:38 Small Businesses Are Dying, And Here's Why 33:16 Small Businesses Are Living Paycheck to Paycheck 34:15 How Indrasy Is Different From Claude & OpenAI 36:38 Why Small Business Beats Enterprise Long-Term 38:42 The Awareness Problem: Big Tech Doesn't Market to Small Business 41:38 "I Want Our Platform to Be a Lifeline" 42:24 The Algorithm That Tells You Where to Start 44:22 Kyle's Focus Struggles & How He Built the Daily Algorithm 46:34 Why Project Management Frameworks Fail Small Business 47:12 Removing Corporate Language From the Platform 49:25 Internal Results: 10x-20x Efficiency Gains 51:17 AI Cybersecurity Warning: Be Careful With Open Source Agents 53:24 The AI Arms Race & Day-Zero Vulnerabilities 56:49 The FBI Director Hack & AI Impersonation Risk 01:02:24 The Problem With Metric-Obsessed Business Culture 01:05:17 Why Kyle Studied Psychology Instead of Tech 01:08:13 "You Always Need a System" 01:11:03 Will Everyone Be a 1099 in 10 Years? 01:12:51 The Psychology of Going From Employee to Business Owner 01:13:01 NPCs, Agency & Sheep Mentality 01:14:13 Jessica's Origin Story: Rich Dad Poor Dad at Age 13 01:18:52 "Stop Blaming. Go Out and Fix It." (Full Context) 01:19:39 Closing Advice: Read History, Know Your Why, Build an Advisor Board 01:25:03 "Your Mentor Is Your First Customer" 01:26:35 Where to Find Indrasy Connect with the guest Indrasy website: indrasy.com Where are you right now? Take the free Level of Consciousness Assessment: jcaresse.com/podcast Watch this conversation on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=-zVsYw7Y-AI Connect with Jessica: jcaresse.com
July 19, 202551 min
From Family Caregiver to Realtor | Diane Brown
From caregiver for her parents to realtor, building a career around helping families find home. Diane Brown, realtor and former family caregiver, on real estate with purpose and family first. I talk with realtor Diane Brown about the years she spent caring for her parents and how that shaped the way she serves clients. You will hear why she treats due diligence as non-negotiable, how she balances work and family, and what she has learned about taking control of your mind and keeping a positive attitude through hard seasons. Chapters 00:00 The Power of Love and Family 02:31 A Journey into Real Estate 10:20 Transforming Lives Through Caregiving 12:36 Finding Joy in Service 18:45 Balancing Work and Family Life 24:01 Impacting the Next Generation 30:22 Taking Control of Your Mind 32:03 Lessons from Real Estate Experience 34:35 The Importance of Due Diligence 36:05 Manifesting Goals and Positive Attitude 37:21 The Value of Family and Love 39:25 Living in the Moment and Self-Discovery 40:54 Navigating Personal Struggles and Transformation 43:17 The Journey of Self-Care and Boundaries 45:10 Finding Fulfillment in Helping Others 49:00 Building Relationships and Future Aspirations Connect with the guest Diane on Instagram: instagram.com/mrsdianebrownrealtor Where are you right now? Take the free Level of Consciousness Assessment: jcaresse.com/podcast Watch this conversation on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=I69txi-pPQE Connect with Jessica: jcaresse.com
July 19, 202548 min
Leading the City You Grew Up In | Mayor A. J. Ryan IV of Dania Beach
What it takes to lead the city you grew up in, and carry your family's legacy forward A. J. Ryan IV, Mayor of Dania Beach, on community, public service and local leadership. I sit down with A. J. Ryan IV, Mayor of Dania Beach, about how he came to lead his hometown and what is changing in the city. We talk about community engagement, balancing personal and public life, his family's legacy in the area, and my own family's roots in Dania Beach, including the parts of its racial history that deserve to be acknowledged. Chapters 00:00 Cultural Shifts in Youth Perception 01:50 Becoming Mayor: A Personal Journey 06:44 Navigating Growth and Change in Dania Beach 11:22 Dania Point: A Community Transformation 15:02 Relationships and Perspectives as Mayor 21:05 Maintaining Balance: Hobbies and Family Life 23:50 Legacy and Family History in Dania Beach 24:46 Legacy of Leadership in Dania Beach 27:12 Cultural Heritage and Community Diversity 29:58 Reflections on Racial History and Segregation 32:31 Youth Perspectives on Discrimination 34:50 The Charm of Dania Beach 36:45 Historical Significance of Dania Beach 38:34 The Journey into Politics 42:18 Advice for Aspiring Politicians 46:32 Finding Fulfillment in Public Service Connect with the guest Mayor Ryan on Instagram: instagram.com/ajryandania Where are you right now? Take the free Level of Consciousness Assessment: jcaresse.com/podcast Watch this conversation on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=mTLag46vh0M Connect with Jessica: jcaresse.com
July 19, 202554 min
Designing Your Life for Success with Andrea Merrill
She burned her first business to the ground to build the one she was meant to run. Andrea Merrill, storytelling expert and speaker monetization strategist, on designing a life around your values. I talk with Andrea Merrill, storytelling expert and speaker monetization strategist, about walking away from a business that no longer fit. Andrea explains why failure is part of the process, how to make decisions you can stand behind, and why teaching the next generation about entrepreneurship matters. Chapters 00:00 Embracing Failure and Authenticity 02:54 Designing Life Around Business 06:10 The Journey to Self-Discovery 08:53 Breaking Free from External Expectations 11:52 The Power of Trusting Yourself 14:58 Creating Your Own Path 18:00 Indicators of Change and Growth 20:58 Finding Your Voice 23:59 The Importance of Inner Work 27:10 Decisions and Boundaries 30:04 The Impact of Self-Love 33:03 Redefining Success and Relationships 35:57 Choosing Your Hard 39:06 The Ripple Effect of Self-Discovery 41:59 Final Thoughts and Advice Connect with the guest Andrea Merrill website: andreamerrill.co Andrea on Instagram: instagram.com/theandreamerrill Where are you right now? Take the free Level of Consciousness Assessment: jcaresse.com/podcast Watch this conversation on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=VjsiGsUQmrM Connect with Jessica: jcaresse.com
October 15, 2025Episode 91 hr 12 min
Brain Training That Transforms Lives: Inside Dr. Maryna Yudina’s Approach
Can't focus no matter how hard you try? Why you can't think your way out of trauma. Neuroscientist Dr. Maryna Yudina, founder of Quant Synaptic Solutions, on neurofeedback and brain training. I share my own experience with PTSD and suicidal ideation while scaling a business, and what brain mapping with Dr. Maryna Yudina did for my focus and self-worth. Dr. Yudina, a former family doctor turned neuroscience-driven executive strategist, explains Infra-Low Frequency training and why so many high achievers suffer in silence. Chapters 00:00 Golfing Goals and Social Connections 03:15 Dr. Marina’s Journey: From Ukraine to Alaska to California 10:40 Why High-Achievers Hide Their Stress 16:20 What is Neurofeedback? (Visual, Tactile, Audio Training) 22:15 Brain Mapping: Seeing the "Weak Areas" of Your Brain 28:50 Jessica’s Story: Battling PTSD & Self-Worth 35:30 The Result: "I Don't Feel the Weight of the Ocean Anymore" 42:10 ADD vs. ADHD: Why We Hate Labels 55:15 Executive Performance: Training the Brain for Business 1:02:40 Final Advice: Stop Blaming Yourself for Your Wiring Connect with the guest Quant Synaptic Solutions: qss.rocks Pacific Neuro Center: pacificneurocenter.com Dr. Yudina on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-maryna-yudina-bb843643 Where are you right now? Take the free Level of Consciousness Assessment: jcaresse.com/podcast Watch this conversation on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=S3LEDDK4OVQ Connect with Jessica: jcaresse.com This conversation shares personal experience and perspective. It is not medical advice. Talk with a qualified professional about your health.
July 19, 202555 min
Discovering your "Ikigai" with Pitch Alchemist, Donna Griffit
Quitting corporate to become the storyteller who helped clients raise over $2 billion. Donna Griffit, corporate storyteller and entrepreneur, on Ikigai, timing and limiting beliefs. I sit down with Donna Griffit, a corporate storyteller and entrepreneur, to talk about leaving corporate life and building work around Ikigai. You will learn why storytelling matters so much in business, how she thinks about timing and luck, and what it takes to move past limiting beliefs and make decisions that match your values. Chapters 00:00 Finding Your Ikigai 06:05 A Day in the Life of a Storyteller 12:03 Embracing Change and Proactivity 17:54 The Power of Positive Energy 23:56 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs 30:07 The Journey of Entrepreneurship 31:35 Decisions and Life Paths 32:58 Timing and Understanding 34:49 Pivots and Transformations 36:06 Finding Your Ikigai 38:30 Luck and Hard Work 40:10 Staying Aligned in Chaos 41:17 Lessons from Past Crises 43:11 Adapting to Change 45:05 Embracing the Unexpected 47:51 Advice for Navigating Pivots Connect with the guest Donna on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/donnaabraham Donna on Facebook: facebook.com/Donna.Griffit.Corporate.Storyteller Donna's website: donnagriffit.com Where are you right now? Take the free Level of Consciousness Assessment: jcaresse.com/podcast Watch this conversation on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=CThg-1HFsVo Connect with Jessica: jcaresse.com
August 19, 20241 hr 0 min
He Left Corporate After 9/11 to Build Restaurants | Kyle Inserra
Leaving corporate to chase a passion: what 15 years in the restaurant business taught him. Kyle Inserra, restaurant veteran and growth strategist for emerging restaurant brands. I sit down with Kyle Inserra about leaving a corporate career after 9/11 to follow his passion for food. Kyle shares what it takes to run restaurant operations day to day, how to grow a small restaurant brand, and what past business partnerships taught him about patience and trusting his gut. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:13 Meet Kyle: Restaurant Veteran 00:52 Kyle's Current Role and Family Life 01:37 Challenges and Strategies in Restaurant Expansion 03:36 Jessica's Perspective on the Restaurant Industry 06:56 Kyle's Journey from Wall Street to Culinary School 19:33 Starting a Catering Business 21:44 Lessons Learned in the Restaurant Business 22:45 The Importance of Customer Focus 24:56 Navigating Business Challenges with Integrity 29:38 Facing Vulnerabilities and Mental Fortitude 30:13 Aligning Visions and Brand Identity 31:47 Prioritizing and Delegating Responsibilities 33:05 The Reality of Running a Restaurant 34:26 The Importance of Asking for Help 37:18 Navigating Business Partnerships 47:51 Reflecting on Personal and Professional Growth 53:34 Top Three Pieces of Life Advice 58:41 Connecting with Kyle Where are you right now? Take the free Level of Consciousness Assessment: jcaresse.com/podcast Watch this conversation on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=9NkEjo44fq8 Connect with Jessica: jcaresse.com
February 27, 20251 hr 17 min
Burnout Starts With Two Words: Have To | Sam Ghanem
Burnout often starts with two words: have to. Try get to instead. Sam Ghanem on reframing chaos, finding joy in work and building a supportive community. Sam Ghanem shares practical ways to move through chaos and burnout by shifting from a have to mindset to a get to perspective. You will hear how he finds joy in his work, why community matters for entrepreneurs, and how unlearning expectations and setting boundaries support your emotional health. Chapters 00:00 The Power of Walking and Writing 02:50 Mindset and Business Success 06:09 Overcoming Chaos and Burnout 09:01 The Shift from Chaos to Clarity 12:05 Finding Joy in Work 15:03 The Importance of Silence and Reflection 17:51 Reframing 'Have To' into 'Get To' 21:04 Authenticity in Entrepreneurship 23:56 Building Your Support Network 26:49 The Evolution of Relationships 30:10 Inner Work and Community Building 39:00 Unlearning Societal Expectations 42:12 The Importance of Boundaries 45:07 Finding Calm in the Storm 49:12 Sitting with Emotions 51:52 The Power of Authenticity 56:09 Creating Space for New Opportunities 01:00:46 The Role of Community in Growth 01:05:51 Navigating Relationships with Clarity 01:11:02 Practical Steps to Overcome Burnout Connect with the guest Sam on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sam-ghanem-miba Sam on Instagram: instagram.com/samwghanem Sam's website: thinksgink.com Sam on LetsGo180: letsgo180.com/samghanem Where are you right now? Take the free Level of Consciousness Assessment: jcaresse.com/podcast Watch this conversation on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=x95jFE356Qs Connect with Jessica: jcaresse.com This conversation shares personal experience and perspective. It is not medical advice. Talk with a qualified professional about your health.
Is this your show?
Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.
