YT84 | He Lost His Dad at 12 and That Taught Him Everything About Life

What happens when a corporate leader, trade diplomat, and venture capitalist decides to become… a full-time delightologist? In this episode of Yana TV, I sat down with Avi Liran—a man who’s worn many hats but now proudly calls himself a clown (his word, not mine). From growing up in a tiny apartment to coaching a basketball team at 17, Avi’s life is packed with wild turns, big lessons, and deeply personal stories. We talk about grief, generosity, gratitude, and that one time he turned a red jacket into a movement. If you’ve ever struggled to stay kind in a cutthroat world, this one’s for you!

Discussion Topics: YT84 | He Lost His Dad at 12 and That Taught Him Everything About Life

• The moment that changed Avi’s life forever
• Why Avi never planned to stay in Asia—but did
• A childhood tragedy and the biggest life lesson it taught
• What happened when a 12-year-old coached a basketball team
• The liberating truth Avi discovered at his father’s funeral
• How generosity became his go-to secret in complex negotiations
• The $200 million deal that went up in flames
• Arrogance, advice, and what helping others really looks like
• What a toxic boss taught Avi about leadership
• Why he gives trees instead of gifts—and how that started
• The three words Avi uses to describe himself today
• The simple gratitude practice that rewires your day
• Why “blessed and angry” is a powerful thing to say
• The real story behind the red jacket

Our Guest: Avi Liran

Avi Liran is what happens when optimism gets an MBA and decides to make a positive change in the world. He is a Certified Speaking Professional, an author, and a cheerful economist on a mission to delight the world — one person, one workplace, one community at a time.

Before charming top leadership teams and winning hearts in Fortune 500 companies, Avi was Director of Sales and Marketing for two IT companies, a venture capital whisperer, a diplomatic negotiator, and a basketball coach. He initiated and negotiated the formation of venture funds that now manage more than one point four billion dollars.

Today, Avi helps leaders transform workplace culture by bringing authentic joy, appreciation, and a very human touch to create delightful experiences for employees and customers alike. The result? Passionate and super-engaged organizations where employees choose to stay, customers become fans, and delight becomes the default setting.