10 Books That Changed My Life (Part 1)

In our last episode, we met Taylor, a Scrum Master struggling to unify her team. Alongside expert Nisha Joshi, we uncovered the invisible dynamics behind team breakdowns and what it takes to rebuild trust. In this solo episode, Jay takes a different turn, sharing the first half of his personal list of the 10 books that changed his life. From neuroscience to poetry to business parables, these aren’t just popular reads. These are the books he returns to again and again, the ones he recommends most often to clients, friends, and leaders navigating high-stakes environments. In this Part 1, Jay counts down numbers 10 through 6 and shares not just the titles and authors but the reasons why each book made the list. You’ll hear what stood out, what stuck with him, and how the key ideas have shaped his mindset, leadership, and daily life. If you’re looking for fresh inspiration, thought-provoking insights, or your next must-read, this episode is packed with timeless recommendations. Notable Quotes “There is no friend as loyal as a book.” — Ernest Hemingway “Don't take anything personally” — Jay Abbasi To love life through labor is to be intimate with life’s inmost secret.” — Khalil Gibran Resources and Links Jay Abbasi Website: https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejayabbasi YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Join Us Next Time In Monday’s episode, Jay introduces Ellen, a Senior Sales Manager at a SaaS company in Illinois. She’s divorced with two kids and can’t seem to slow down. Always pushing. Always proving. But now, she’s running on empty. Jay sits down with Rashmi Airan, a nationally recognized speaker and transformation coach, to explore how Ellen and leaders like her can turn adversity into purposeful growth. Rashmi shares powerful tools to help professionals realign with their values and find their way back to purpose and peace of mind. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation.