In this deeply honest and vulnerable episode, we dive into the personal journey of dealing with anxiety, depression, and the profound effects they've had on both personal and professional life. Philip Eil opens up about the challenges of battling mental health, facing rejection, and pushing through discomfort to pursue his passions.

This episode explores the messy realities of self-doubt and rejection. Through all the turmoil, this guest has emerged stronger, finding healing through writing, commitment to therapy, and a sense of purpose in sharing their experiences with the world.

Key topics in this episode:

• The raw emotions behind not following the traditional milestones of adulthood (marriage, homeownership, etc.).
• The discomfort of being in a job that doesn’t align with your talents and the struggle to find what’s next.
• Overcoming rejection: how 25 publishers passed on the guest’s book, and the emotional rollercoaster of freelance journalism.
• A candid discussion about the realities of mental health struggles, including the times it’s knocked them completely out of action.
• The power of vulnerability and why writing about mental health has become a source of healing and purpose.

This episode serves as a reminder that mental health is just as important as physical health and that we are all in this together. If you've ever struggled with your own mental health or faced rejection in your journey, this one is for you.

ABOUT PHILIP EIL

Philip Eil is an award-winning freelance journalist based in his hometown, Providence, Rhode Island. He is the former news editor of the alt-weekly newspaper, The Providence Phoenix. Since the paper’s close in 2014, he has contributed to The Atlantic, Men’s Health, the Boston Globe, Huffington Post, and the Columbia Journalism Review, among other outlets. He has also taught writing and journalism classes at Brown University, Columbia University’s School of the Arts, and the Rhode Island School of Design. He holds an MFA in Nonfiction Writing from the Columbia University School of the Arts. Prescription for Pain is his first book.

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views, thoughts, and opinions of the companies or individuals referenced during this recording. The material and information presented is for general information purposes only.

In this raw and heartfelt episode, we dive deep into the chaos of life, career, and self-discovery. From navigating societal pressures to figuring out how to rewrite the rules of success, this episode is a battle cry for anyone who feels like they’re “f’ing it up”.

Mishae Khan shares her journey of the immense pressures placed on immigrant children, the relentless pursuit of external validation, and the grind of trying to live up to others' expectations—all while discovering the courage to live authentically.

This episode highlights the following:

• The dangers of expecting overnight success and perfection.
• How societal and family expectations shape our self-worth and career paths.
• The emotional toll of navigating parental expectations, including stories of retaking the MCAT and finding identity beyond others' approval.
• The overwhelming pressure of trying to balance humility and confidence in a world obsessed with highlight reels.
• The toxic cycle of feeling like you’re never doing “enough” and the importance of learning to love and care for yourself.

About Mishae Khan

Mishae Khan is figuring it out as she goes. She's an investor, soon to be author and founder. Leaving the world better than she found it is her obsession. Her company Bold&Kind is a jewelry meets affirmations brand focused on changing the self talk of women that are too hard on themselves. She's no stranger to high pressure environments having worked for 10+ years in training and operations at companies like Google and Samsung. Her designs focus on changing women's inner narrative and have been in publications like Vogue, Glamour and Vanity Fair UK. She's most excited about her puppy getting over his teething phase and editing her book.

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The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speakers’ own and do not represent the

views, thoughts, and opinions of the companies or individuals referenced during this recording. The material and information presented is for general information purposes only.

Description:

This episode is a raw and unfiltered look at what happens when careers come to abrupt ends, rejection feels relentless, and self-doubt begins to creep in. From the business of professional sports to the emotional toll of career pivots, Lyle shares that resilience isn't about never falling—it's about getting back up, again and again.

Episode Takeaways:

• Coping with Rejection: Why hearing “no” is inevitable—and how to move forward when it feels like no one is saying “yes.”
• Navigating Career Transitions: The emotional challenges of leaving one dream behind and figuring out what’s next.
• The Struggle of Starting Over: Whether it’s pounding the pavement for a new job or launching a business from scratch, starting over isn’t glamorous.
• Facing Self-Doubt: How comparison, rejection, and setbacks fuel doubt.

About Lyle Adams:

Lyle Adams is the CEO of Spry, a software solution designed specifically for athletic organizations. Before founding Spry, he worked at Uber and LivingSocial. He completed his undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and his graduate degree from Columbia University. In his spare time, Lyle loves to solve the Rubik's Cube.

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The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speakers’ own and do not represent the

views, thoughts, and opinions of the companies or individuals referenced during this recording. The material and information presented is for general information purposes only.