IJK

What if stress wasn't something that happened to you, but something you could see coming — and stop before it took hold?

In this episode, I sit down with Alice Law, Sunday Times bestselling co-author of Unstressable (with Mo Gawdat) and one of the most sought-after stress and resilience experts working with executives and leaders today.

After many years of chronic stress and the loss of her father to a stress-related illness, Alice rebuilt her life around a simple but radical idea: stress is predictable, and therefore preventable.

We talk about her origin story, the multiple dimensions of stress, her newer framework of Regulated Resilience for navigating AI disruption and constant change, and the practical stress mastery tips she uses with executives at companies like Meta, FedEx and Julius Baer.

We also cover why thinking your way out of stress doesn't work, what the mind–body loop actually is, and many useful stress management tools and techniques you can use right now — this minute — to come back to yourself.

If you've been feeling braced for the next thing, never quite at rest, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of The IJK Podcast, Imad Jack Karam sits down with Dr. Joshua Rasmussen, professor of Philosophy at Baylor University, to tackle one of the biggest questions anyone can ask: Why is there something rather than nothing?

We explore whether reality points to an ultimate foundation—something necessary and independent—or whether explanation simply bottoms out in a brute fact.

Whether you are a philosophy enthusiast or simply wish to learn more about the mystery of existence, expect a clear, friendly, and rigorous conversation covering:

-The “something vs. nothing” question (and what counts as an explanation)
-The case for a necessary foundation vs. brute fact or infinite regress
-Why consciousness may be a key clue to ultimate reality
-The strongest objections and where the real debate sits

If you enjoy conversations on philosophy, consciousness, science, and the big questions behind our existence, this one’s for you.

About Dr. Josh Rasmussen:

Josh is professor of Philosophy at Baylor University. His work sits at the intersection of metaphysics, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of religion, with a focus on the biggest foundational questions—like “why anything exists at all”, and what consciousness can tell us about the nature of reality.

He is the author of several influential books including "How Reason Can Lead to God", and he is currently developing a new book called "The Consciousness Key".

In this episode of The IJK Podcast, Imad Jack Karam is joined by Mike Bechtel — professor, author, and former Chief Futurist at Deloitte Consulting — for a practical conversation on AI, innovation, leadership, and the future of work.

We explore how leaders can think clearly about the future without getting lost in AI hype, where artificial intelligence is already creating real business value, what remains uniquely human in the age of automation, and what professionals can do now to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.

We also discuss why large organizations struggle to innovate, how to separate real signals from noise, and what practical steps leaders can take to prepare their teams and businesses for what’s next.

Mike brings a rare mix of strategic insight and real-world experience. In addition to his former role at Deloitte, he teaches corporate innovation at the University of Notre Dame, previously served as Global Innovation Director at Accenture, and co-founded Ringleader Ventures.

His work has been featured in outlets including Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Wired, NPR, and the World Economic Forum.

Topics include:

-AI hype vs. real value
-The future of work
-The future of innovation
-Leadership in times of uncertainty
-Human skills in the age of AI
-Practical business strategies for adapting to change
-Career advice for young grads in the age of AI

To know more about Mike and follow his work, check: https://mikebech.tel/

Subscribe for more conversations on AI, business, technology, leadership, and big ideas.

Tech-Driven Deflation, AI & Bitcoin: Why Life Still Feels Expensive with Jeff Booth

In this episode, I’m joined by Jeff Booth, visionary entrepreneur and author of the groundbreaking book "The Price of Tomorrow", to unpack a simple but explosive idea: Technology is deflationary—it pushes costs down—yet our debt-based financial system is built in a way that often pushes prices and asset values up.

We talk about how AI accelerates this clash in 2026 and beyond, why everyday life can still feel expensive even in an age of digital abundance, what this means for jobs and skills, why energy matters as a real-world constraint, and where Bitcoin may fit into the future of money and trust.

Topics we cover:

-Jeff’s origin story and the “aha” behind The Price of Tomorrow
-Why tech drives deflation—and why it doesn’t feel that way
-AI, productivity, and the future of jobs
-Bitcoin as a protocol + why layers matter
-Best-case vs worst-case scenarios for the next 5-10 years

If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who loves debating big questions.

Nutrition is one of the most debated and confusing topics today. With countless diets, conflicting advice, and endless headlines, it can be difficult to know what the science actually says about healthy eating.

In this episode of The IJK Podcast, Imad Jack Karam sits down with Dr. Gil Carvalho — physician, scientist, and creator of Nutrition Made Simple — to explore how to think about nutrition from an evidence-based perspective.

We discuss why nutrition advice often conflicts, what scientific research broadly agrees on about healthy diets, and how people can apply practical principles to improve their health. The conversation also explores common diet myths, nutrition and longevity, cardiovascular health, and how modern dietary guidelines and food pyramids have evolved.

Dr. Gil is known for translating complex nutrition research into clear, balanced explanations that help people cut through the noise and make better decisions about their health.

If you’re looking for clarity in a field often dominated by trends and strong opinions, this conversation will help you understand how to approach nutrition scientifically.

Topics discussed include:

-Why nutrition advice often conflicts
-The foundations of a healthy diet
-Common diet myths and misconceptions
-Nutrition and long-term health
-Longevity and evidence-based lifestyle choices
-How modern nutrition guidelines have evolved

👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to The IJK Podcast for discussions with leading thinkers in science, health, technology, and philosophy.

In this episode of The IJK Podcast, I’m joined by Jonathan Pageau — liturgical artist, iconographer, and creator of The Symbolic World — for a deep but accessible conversation on symbolism and meaning in modern times.

We live in an age that feels rational, data-driven, and “post-myth,” yet symbols continue to shape how we think, what we value, and what we treat as ultimate. Jonathan explains how symbolism works, why humans can’t escape meaning, and what happens when societies lose a shared symbolic framework.

We also explore how modern culture expresses its hunger for meaning through stories, identity, technology, and even AI — and how we can begin to reconnect with meaning in everyday life.

Topics we cover:

- What symbolism really is (beyond metaphors)
- Why meaning can’t be reduced to “facts” or utility
- The modern “meaning crisis” and cultural fragmentation
- Pop culture and myth in the digital age
- Technology, AI, and “Babel” as a modern pattern
- Practical ways to re-orient toward meaning

To know more about Jonathan's work check: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/

Subscribe for conversations on meaning, philosophy, culture, AI, and the big questions shaping our time.

What does Bitcoin really mean — beyond price charts, headlines, and hype?

In this episode of The IJK Podcast, Imad Jack Karam is joined by Robin Seyr, one of the most prolific interviewers in the Bitcoin space. Robin set himself an ambitious mission: to conduct hundreds of conversations with Bitcoin builders, educators, economists, technologists, and everyday users from around the world.

After speaking with so many voices across the ecosystem, Robin has developed a rare, big-picture perspective on Bitcoin — not just as a technology or an asset, but as a social, economic, and human phenomenon.

In this conversation, we explore:

- How Robin discovered Bitcoin and what pulled him deeper into the space
- How he defines Bitcoin today in simple, accessible terms
- What he learned from interviewing hundreds of Bitcoiners
- Common myths and misconceptions his guests consistently debunk
- How to think about recent price volatility without losing the long-term signal
- Where Robin believes Bitcoin is heading next — in adoption, technology, and meaning

This episode is ideal for both Bitcoin newcomers looking for clarity and long-time listeners interested in deeper insights from someone who’s seen the ecosystem from every angle.

🎧 Listen, learn, and decide for yourself what Bitcoin really represents.

To follow Robin Seyr and learn more about his work:
https://www.youtube.com/c/robinseyr

How Great Products Are Really Made — with Wharton professor Karl Ulrich

In this episode of the IJK Podcast, Imad Jack Karam interviews Professor Karl Ulrich, one of the world’s leading thinkers in innovation, product design, and entrepreneurship.

Prof. Ulrich is the Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the Wharton School, and author of two landmark works in the field:

📘 Product Design and Development
📘 Innovation Tournaments

His work has shaped how founders, innovators, and companies around the world generate ideas, design solutions, and build products that succeed in the real marketplace.

He has co-founded multiple companies, holds numerous patents, and led the creation of Tangen Hall, the largest facility on the planet dedicated to student entrepreneurship.

In this episode, we explore the real science behind innovation — why it’s not only about creativity but also about disciplined selection, structured tests and deep understanding of user needs.

Topics we covered:

-Why innovation is more discipline than just creativity
-How Innovation Tournaments help find high-potential business ideas
-Quantity vs. quality: why more ideas lead to better outcomes
-Why design, engineering, and business must work together
-How to move beyond “empathy theater” in design thinking
-Tools to engineer product–market fit
-The power of early, low-cost prototyping
-How innovators make decisions under uncertainty
-Building sustainable products
-Whether AI will enhance or dilute the innovation process

🎙️ About Prof. Karl Ulrich

Professor Karl Ulrich is Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Wharton and Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions.

He is widely recognized for his contributions to product design, innovation management, entrepreneurship, and commercialization, and his work has influenced how thousands of innovators build products that truly win.

Paul McCartney walking on stage and opening the show with "Help!" while the crowd explodes. John would've smiled. Timeless music, timeless magic.

Sir Paul McCartney in Hamilton tonight. A Beatle, a living legend and one of the greatest songwriters ever, and I got to witness it live. Thank you for the music.