Jessica Shraybman is the Founder and Managing Partner at Shraybman Law, where she supports entrepreneurs and creatives with business and intellectual property legal counsel. She joins Access Your Leadership for a truly raw, powerful, and deeply reflective conversation about personal transformation, self-leadership, and redefining success on your own terms. Jessica shares how a major business acquisition—and its evolution—catalyzed a total deconstruction of her law firm, her professional identity, and the stories she once held about herself as a leader. From navigating the complex emotions of perceived failure to embracing motherhood, solitude, and starting over, Jessica opens up about the importance of clarity, resilience, and learning to lead herself first.

What does it look like to rebuild after everything falls apart? How do you lead when the person you most need to lead is yourself? What does real courage look like when you're facing uncertainty—and still moving forward? Why is humility one of the most underrated leadership superpowers? How can embracing discomfort and obstacles actually be the path to your next big breakthrough? Jessica’s story is one of transformation, radical self-honesty, and the power of choosing growth over comfort. Whether you’re a founder, a parent, or simply someone at a crossroads, this episode is a moving reminder that real leadership starts within.

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You can connect with Jessica Shraybman on LinkedIn and Instagram

Click here to learn more about Jessica and her work

Did this podcast spark something in you or get you to take action in some way? I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback on our conversation. You can hit me up on Instagram @lakhdar_coaching, LinkedIn: /hakimlakhdar, Twitter @LakhdarCoaching, and Facebook/LakhdarCoaching

I’m always looking to connect with people who are passionate about leadership as well as companies who value and support strong leaders in their own organization. If that’s you or you know someone then drop me a line at hakim@lakhdarcoaching.com

Check out previous episodes of Access Your Leadership on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

Hakim A. Lakhdar is a world-class transformational leadership coach, podcast host, and passionate advocate for self-leadership. In this powerful and deeply personal solo episode of Access Your Leadership, Hakim invites us into a raw and reflective journey through one of the most emotionally intense periods of his life—marked by the passing of his beloved grandmother, his father’s serious injury, and his mother’s painful physical challenges. All in the span of just a few weeks.

In this candid and heartfelt episode, Hakim doesn't just share a story—he models what it means to lead yourself through grief, uncertainty, family dynamics, logistical chaos, and emotional upheaval. He highlights how even the most difficult moments can become beautiful when we choose to lead ourselves with love, presence, and intention.

How do we lead ourselves when everything feels like it’s falling apart? What does it look like to stay grounded in love, service, and perspective when tested? How can our choices in crisis impact the collective energy of a family, a team, or a community? What happens when we shift from reacting to life to responding with purpose? How can self-leadership become our anchor when we feel completely out of control?

From holding his grandmother’s hand in her final days to helping his mother navigate urgent care visits, to calmly redirecting a funeral procession to the right burial site—Hakim walks us through moment after moment that demanded self-leadership, compassion, emotional regulation, and grace.

This episode is a masterclass in leading from the inside out. It’s about choosing love over fear, responsiveness over reactivity, and presence over panic.

Feedback (I/we want to hear from you):

Did this podcast spark something in you or get you to take action in some way? We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback on our conversation. You can connect with Hakim on Instagram @lakhdar_coaching, LinkedIn: /hakimlakhdar, Twitter @LakhdarCoaching, and Facebook/LakhdarCoaching

We're always looking to connect with people who are passionate about leadership as well as companies who value and support strong leaders in their own organization. If that’s you or you know someone then drop us a line at hakim@lakhdarcoaching.com

Check out previous episodes of Access Your Leadership on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

Roop Sood is the Owner/CEO and CMO of Fifth Weapon, a global digital marketing agency delivering full-funnel strategies for direct-to-consumer brands and service-based businesses. He joins Access Your Leadership to share his remarkable journey from his early years of film and theater in Europe to leading a cutting-edge global marketing firm in the United States. Roop opens up about the power of storytelling in business, how to lead through innovation, and why he sees leadership as both adventure and responsibility.

What does it look like to continually evolve (personally and professionally) without losing your sense of self? How can leaders foster a psychologically safe environment that encourages experimentation and growth? What role does coaching play in leadership, both with internal teams and external clients? How do we help clients see beyond their perceived limits and reframe challenges as opportunities? Why is self-reflection the most underutilized (and powerful) leadership skill? And how can daily journaling help leaders track patterns, clarify intentions, and align with their best selves?

Whether you're a business owner looking to scale, a leader building a strong internal culture, or simply someone fascinated by the intersection of creativity and entrepreneurship, this episode offers insight, inspiration, and actionable takeaways. Listen to the full episode and discover how Roop blends data, storytelling, and strategy to help brands thrive…all without losing their soul.

Feedback (I/we want to hear from you):

You can connect with Roop Sood on LinkedIn

Click here to learn more about Roop and the work he and his team do at Fifth Weapon

Did this podcast spark something in you or get you to take action in some way? I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback on our conversation. You can hit me up on Instagram @lakhdar_coaching, LinkedIn: /hakimlakhdar, Twitter @LakhdarCoaching, and Facebook/LakhdarCoaching

I’m always looking to connect with people who are passionate about leadership as well as companies who value and support strong leaders in their own organization. If that’s you or you know someone then drop me a line at hakim@lakhdarcoaching.com

Check out previous episodes of Access Your Leadership on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.