Meet Sandy. She sits on the edge of her sofa, laptop perched beside her, as her daughter, Emily, looks on with eager anticipation. Emily, fresh out of college, asks, “How did you figure out what you wanted to do in your career?” Sandy hesitates. As a VP at a financial services company, she’s outwardly successful but feels disconnected from purpose. Her work feels like a series of checkboxes, leaving her unfulfilled and longing for change.
In this episode, Jay is joined by David Marlow, a globally recognized keynote speaker and author of The Ikigai Way: A Simple Path for Living a Life of Purpose. David shares insights about finding and living your Ikigai—your life’s purpose—and breaking free from self-doubt and limiting beliefs. Together, they explore Sandy’s challenges and discuss actionable strategies for discovering meaning, aligning daily actions with core values, and creating a balanced, purpose-driven life.
David explains how Ikigai goes beyond career aspirations to encompass every aspect of life. He shares powerful examples, including his own journey of transitioning from a corporate leader to a purpose-driven author and mentor. This conversation is packed with inspiration and tools to help anyone seeking clarity and alignment in their personal and professional life.
If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your work or unsure of your purpose, this episode offers a fresh perspective on uncovering what truly drives you.
Notable Quotes
“Your Ikigai isn’t something you find—it’s something you uncover.” — David Marlow
“Life’s purpose isn’t tied to a job or title; it’s expressed in everything you do.” — David Marlow
“It’s never too late to be who you were always meant to be.” — Jay Abbasi
About Our Guest
David Marlow is a keynote speaker, coach, and the author of The Ikigai Way: A Simple Path for Living a Life of Purpose. With over 30 years of experience as a corporate leader and executive, David now helps individuals uncover their Ikigai and align their lives with purpose. His work blends Japanese philosophy, practical insights, and humor to inspire people worldwide to lead more meaningful lives. David’s teachings focus on authenticity, resilience, and living intentionally in all areas of life.
Resources and Links
David Marlow
The Ikigai Way (Pre-Order): https://a.co/d/9IygIsN
Website: https://ikiquest.substack.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidemarlow/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Yp9YHYNAJ/
X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/theikigaiguy
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 dives deeper into how to remove the clutter and free yourself up to spend time doing what’s most impactful and meaningful. Discover how “removing the unnecessary” creates lasting change in your personal and professional life.
Don’t miss this inspiring episode!
