33: From Therapist to Tech Founder (with Yisha Stiskala-Yu)

For more on building AI products and careers, along with early course announcement and special pricing, subscribe to the AI Career Boost mailing list at https://aicareerboost.com/interested THE GUESTDr. Yisha Stiskala-Yu is a clinical psychologist, scientist, and AI product leader transforming the digital health and medtech innovation landscape. With over a decade of experience at the intersection of psychology and technology, she advises VCs, startups, and investment firms on AI-driven healthcare solutions, clinical governance, and go-to-market strategy. A former clinical lead for elite athletes at the Australian Institute of Sport and a hospital-based psychologist, Yisha is now focused on advancing digital therapeutics, healthcare AI, and precision medicine. Through her work with What If Ventures, VentureBlick, and global innovation initiatives, she is helping shape the future of emotionally intelligent, evidence-based care.THE SUMMARYShallow Mental Health Apps Don’t Cut It: Calm and Headspace are great for general wellness, but Yisha argues they fail people facing real trauma and emotional pain. We need tech that actually heals, not just soothes.Software as Care, Not a Connector to Care: Yisha’s startup treats software itself as the intervention—delivering personalised, evidence-based learning journeys that reduce symptoms and empower users.AI That Responds in the Moment: Instead of AI chatbots or “companions,” MyndStrong Health uses AI to intelligently surface the right tool at the right time—especially in moments of distress.No AI Hype, Just Clinical Rigor: Forget flashy features. Yisha’s focus is safety, empathy, and real clinical outcomes. Healthcare tech should be built with integrity, not buzzwords.Want to Pivot to AI? Study First: Yisha didn’t guess her way into AI—she took a full MITxPro course. Her advice: be humble, stay curious, and actually learn the tech before you build with it.THE SHOWWeekly conversations with the AI’s top product leaders. Join Polly Allen as she discovers the paths to success in the world of AI.THE LINKSHave a question you want us to answer? Send it through to [email protected] Stiskala-YuLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yishastiskalayu/My linksLinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/pollymallen/⁠ AI Career Boost: ⁠https://www.aicareerboost.com/⁠

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