Meet Wendy. After another busy shift where she had worked so hard yet felt unseen and undervalued, she leaves, tears in her eyes, questioning her worth. She’s an RN case manager in Austin, Texas, who is extremely empathetic, but also exhausted. Between missed follow-ups, passive-aggressive emails, and being excluded by coworkers, she’s lost sight of her value. She doesn’t want to leave healthcare. She just wants to stop feeling like it’s killing her.
In this episode, Jay sits down with Sharon Weinstein, a global keynote speaker, best-selling author, and resilience expert with four decades of experience transforming high-stress workplaces. Sharon shares the life-changing mindset shifts that helped her escape her own toxic upbringing and how she now helps nurses, leaders, and professionals reclaim agency, advocate for themselves, and build healthier systems from the inside out.
Together, they explore the roots of the “disease to please,” the cost of staying silent, and how professionals can build confidence and speak up without guilt.
If you’ve ever felt unseen, overextended, or stuck in a cycle of self-sacrifice, this conversation will offer practical tools and deep reassurance that you are not broken, and you’re not alone.
Notable Quotes
“Healing starts when we stop gaslighting ourselves.” — Sharon Weinstein
“You can’t drink from an empty cup. And yet so many of us try.” — Sharon Weinstein
“Strategic self-advocacy is a skill. And nurses, and all professionals, need to learn how to use it.” — Sharon Weinstein
About Our Guest
Sharon Weinstein is a global speaker, consultant, and author specializing in burnout prevention, workforce well-being, and resilience. Her book Healing Healthcare provides a blueprint for transforming toxic systems and restoring purpose in high-demand environments. With decades of experience in healthcare and international consulting, Sharon helps organizations and individuals move from fatigue to fulfillment.
Resources and Links
Sharon Weinstein
SMW Group, LLC – https://smwgroupllc.com/
Website –https://sharonmweinstein.com/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonweinstein/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/SMW-Group-LLC-Sharon-M-Weinstein/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/SharonMWeinsteinCSP
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 takes a deeper dive into the “disease to please” and why so many people fall into people-pleasing patterns without even realizing it. He’ll break down five powerful steps to help you stop sacrificing yourself to keep others happy, and start setting boundaries without guilt.
Stay aware, stay courageous, and stay connected to what truly matters.
