Meet Layla – Turning Pain Into Purpose And Hope

Meet Layla. She stands at the window of her 14th-floor office, haunted by the memory of a team member’s recent death by suicide. As VP of HR, she feels an overwhelming sense of responsibility, questioning whether she missed the signs and if she could have done more. Her inbox is overflowing with wellness initiatives and policy updates, yet none of it feels like enough. The grief in the office is still raw. The silence in meetings is deafening. And Layla doesn’t know where to begin. In this episode, Jay is joined by AnneMoss Rogers, a suicide prevention expert, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author of Emotionally Naked and Diary of a Broken Mind. After losing her son Charles to suicide in 2015, AnneMoss turned her pain into a mission to help others heal, grieve, and build emotionally healthy communities. Together, they explore how leaders like Layla can process the trauma of workplace loss, create safe spaces for vulnerability, and foster a culture where mental health is taken seriously. AnneMoss shares practical strategies to work through grief, confront guilt, and embrace emotional expression as a strength—not a weakness. If you’ve ever struggled with feeling responsible for someone else’s pain, or wondered how to lead with compassion during times of crisis, this episode offers a powerful roadmap for healing and growth. Notable Quotes “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional—if we use the right strategies.” — AnneMoss Rogers “Being vulnerable is not a weakness.” — AnneMoss Rogers “You don’t have to forgive yourself today. But you set the intention to forgive yourself in the future” — Jay Abbasi About Our Guest AnneMoss Rogers is a mental health speaker, suicide prevention advocate, and author who uses storytelling to normalize emotional struggles and reduce stigma around suicide loss. Her blog, Emotionally Naked, has become a vital resource for grieving families and organizations seeking to build mental health awareness. Through speaking engagements and writing, AnneMoss helps communities and workplaces foster connection, reduce suffering, and turn pain into purpose. Resources and Links AnneMoss Rogers Website: https://annemoss.com/ Diary Of A Broken Mind: https://a.co/d/cBhtAAv Emotionally Naked: https://a.co/d/2CvHCQY LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emotionallynaked/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemossrogers/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/EmotionallyNaked 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 On Friday, Jay will go behind the scenes of his coaching approach and break down the exact framework he uses to help others get unstuck. He’ll share his process for identifying core blocks, asking transformational questions, and creating shifts in mindset—so you can support friends, colleagues, or clients more effectively when they feel stuck. If you want to become a better listener, coach, or leader, this is one you won’t want to miss. Stay inspired, stay resilient, and stay connected to what truly matters.