Episodes

  • Soul Connections & Hospitality Reinvention with Reena Miglani

    Soul Connections & Hospitality Reinvention with Reena Miglani
    Apr 20 2025

    A painful corporate workforce reduction after two decades in tech became the unexpected catalyst for Reena Miglani's beautiful reinvention. When her long career at a major Silicon Valley company ended abruptly in late 2023, she found her way to an entirely new path - joining her husband's restaurant business to create Amara, a breathtaking Mediterranean fusion restaurant in Belmont, California.


    What makes Reena's story so compelling is her discovery of creative talents she never knew she possessed. Despite no formal design background, she personally curated every aspect of Amara's aesthetic - from custom scents to textiles, lighting, and atmosphere. The result is a sensory sanctuary where hurried Silicon Valley professionals can experience the relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle, even if just for a few hours.


    "We have this notion where we save our best China, best silverware for what, one day?" Reena explains. Her mission is to change that mindset, encouraging people to enjoy life's finest experiences daily. This philosophy guides everything from the restaurant's design to its food presentation, where plates overflow with abundance rather than being strictly coursed in traditional fine dining style.


    I love how Reena's corporate leadership expertise enhances rather than conflicts with the hospitality industry. She's reimagined traditional roles (hostesses are now "customer experience officers"), implemented sophisticated CRM technology, and focused on building a culture where transactions become personalized meaningful interactions. "This is not just about cuisine or ambience," she emphasizes. "It's about bringing that Mediterranean way of living here."


    Join us for this inspiring conversation about embracing change, discovering hidden talents, and creating community through food and hospitality. Whether you're contemplating your own reinvention or simply appreciate stories of creative transformation, Rena's journey from tech executive to restaurant owner offers a beautiful blueprint for turning life's unexpected turns into opportunities for growth.


    CONNECT WITH REENA 🍽️

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reenamiglani/

    • Restaurant Website: https://www.amararestaurants.com/


    CONNECT WITH RESET 🎙️

    • Podcast: https://reset-podcast.com

    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tonyajlong-RESET

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reset-with-tonya

    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resetwithtonya

    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570923056203#

    • Email: tonya@reset-podcast.com

    • Text us: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2446338/open_sms


    CONNECT WITH TONYA 🚊

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyajlong

    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyajlong

    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonya.j.long


    Check out my bestselling book, "AI and the New Oz: Leadership’s Journey to the Future of Work" [https://a.co/d/10u3wGf] available on Amazon. Go to the "AI and the New Oz" website to learn more at https://www.ai-and-the-new-oz.com/!
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    26 mins
  • From Russia with Love: Anna Krasnykh on Purpose and Perseverance

    From Russia with Love: Anna Krasnykh on Purpose and Perseverance
    Apr 18 2025

    In a world defined by constant change, finding solid ground can feel increasingly challenging. Yet, for Anna Krasnykh, transitions have become not just inevitable disruptions but authentic opportunities for growth and self-discovery.


    Anna's remarkable journey begins in a "closed city" in Russia, a place so secretive it remained unmarked on maps until the 2000s due to its military and scientific significance. At just fourteen, she experienced her first major reset when her family moved to America. This early transition instilled a resilience that would serve as her foundation through future changes.


    While building an impressive career at Amazon Web Services, Anna climbed the corporate ladder rapidly, doubling her pay in just three years. She embodied the high-performance culture that defines tech giants, working nights and weekends to achieve recognition. But when her role was unexpectedly eliminated — her computer screen literally going dark as she prepared for a major client meeting — she confronted a pivotal moment of reckoning."I felt betrayed," Anna reveals with striking candor. "But then I asked myself: what does it really mean to be a winner?" This question led to a stark realization that while chasing accolades and titles, she had lost sight of her deeper purpose. The corporate hamster wheel had taken its toll.


    Now an entrepreneur who recently relocated her family from Austin to the Bay Area, Anna approaches leadership with transformed priorities. Her children describe her superpower as "super love" — a reflection of how motherhood has enhanced her professional approach with greater patience and empathy. She advocates for environments where people can bring their whole selves to work, believing that embracing individual needs ultimately yields greater innovation and impact.


    For listeners contemplating their own transitions, whether geographical moves or career pivots, Anna offers liberating advice: "You don't have to know the how. You'll figure it out along the way." Her story reminds us that our greatest setbacks often reveal our truest paths, and that purpose emerges not despite our challenges, but because of them.


    CONNECT WITH ANNA 🌺

    • LinkedIn: anna-krasnykh-mba/

    • Website: https://technweb.com/


    CONNECT WITH RESET 🎙️

    • Podcast: https://reset-podcast.com

    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tonyajlong-RESET

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reset-with-tonya

    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resetwithtonya

    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570923056203#

    • Email: tonya@reset-podcast.com

    • Text us: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2446338/open_sms


    CONNECT WITH TONYA 🚊

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyajlong

    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyajlong

    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonya.j.long


    Check out my bestselling book, "AI and the New Oz: Leadership’s Journey to the Future of Work" [https://a.co/d/10u3wGf] available on Amazon. Go to the "AI and the New Oz" website to learn more at https://www.ai-and-the-new-oz.com/!
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • From Bedside to Boardrooms: A Nurse's Journey to AI Entrepreneurship

    From Bedside to Boardrooms: A Nurse's Journey to AI Entrepreneurship
    Apr 14 2025
    When a patient dies because staff can't find essential emergency equipment, most people feel powerless. Melinda Yormick decided to build a solution. This former perioperative nurse manager's journey from healthcare professional to tech entrepreneur reveals what happens when frontline experience meets technological innovation — and the remarkable personal transformation that occurs along the way.Melinda's story begins with a devastating moment: losing a patient because her team couldn't locate critical equipment fast enough. This preventable tragedy became her catalyst for creating CLARA, a revolutionary navigation system she describes as "Waze plus air traffic control" for hospitals, ensuring people with specific skills and essential equipment can reach patients when seconds count.Her path hasn't been straightforward. While managing operating rooms, Melinda simultaneously pursued an Executive MBA, initially to climb the healthcare leadership ladder. Instead, she found herself using those business skills to build a tech startup. She temporarily relocated from Seattle to San Francisco, leaving her husband and teenage daughter behind to immerse herself in the founder ecosystem — even moving into a "hacker house" with 30 other entrepreneurs to surround herself with innovation.What might surprise you most about Melinda isn't just her nursing background but her fifth-degree black belt in martial arts, which she credits for preparing her to command respect in male-dominated spaces. Or perhaps it's her newfound passion for spoken word poetry, performed in chalk circles on San Francisco street corners, where she processes the emotional weight of her entrepreneurial journey.Throughout our conversation, Melinda's vision remains clear: technology should enhance human care rather than replace it. "We can't remove the human from healthcare without removing the word 'care'," she emphasizes. Her advice for others considering similar transitions? Build diverse networks, maintain a positive mindset amid challenges, and wait for that problem you simply "can't not solve."Ready to see healthcare innovation from a frontline perspective? Connect with Melinda on LinkedIn or visit claraguide.com to learn how her team is transforming hospital operations and saving lives through thoughtful application of AI.CONNECT WITH MELINDA 🩺LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melinda-yormick/Website: https://www.claraguide.com/Email: info@claraguide.comCONNECT WITH RESET 🎙️ Podcast: https://reset-podcast.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tonyajlong-RESET LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reset-with-tonya Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resetwithtonya Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570923056203# Email: tonya@reset-podcast.com Text us: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2446338/open_sms CONNECT WITH TONYA 🚊 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyajlong Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyajlong Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonya.j.long Check out my bestselling book, "AI and the New Oz: Leadership’s Journey to the Future of Work" [https://a.co/d/10u3wGf] available on Amazon. Go to the "AI and the New Oz" website to learn more at https://www.ai-and-the-new-oz.com/!
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    1 hr
  • 10 | Bridging Ancient Wisdom and Innovation in a Globalized World

    10 | Bridging Ancient Wisdom and Innovation in a Globalized World
    Mar 31 2025
    What happens when the wisdom of communal societies meets cutting-edge technology?Our thought-provoking conversation with Enoch Allotey bridges worlds often seen as separate but increasingly intertwined.Enoch's remarkable journey from Ghana to the United States reveals profound insights about how cultural values shape our relationship with emerging technologies. Growing up as part of the only Christian family in a Muslim neighborhood taught him early lessons about embracing differences while maintaining connection – wisdom that now influences his work in healthcare AI and data strategy.The contrast between Ghana's technology adoption patterns and Western approaches is striking. Ghana recently ranked number one globally for mobile money adoption, transforming phone numbers into bank accounts and enhancing community ties. Meanwhile, many Western societies struggle with technology that can separate rather than connect us. "Human connections that exist in different parts of the world are essential for your being, whether you know it or not," Enoch observes, cutting to the heart of why some societies thrive with new technologies while others resist them.Our conversation explores how AI could revolutionize healthcare by addressing physician shortages in underserved regions, potentially allowing one doctor to function as many and dramatically reducing health inequities. Enoch envisions personalized medicine becoming accessible to all, not just those with financial privilege – a vision rooted in communal values rather than individual advancement.Perhaps most compelling is Enoch's observation that "curious people never left their childhood behind." This childlike wonder, combined with his patient approach to discovering purpose rather than anxiously pursuing it, offers a refreshing alternative to our productivity-obsessed cultureReady to explore how ancient wisdom might guide our technological future? Listen now and join the conversation about creating technologies that enhance our humanity rather than diminish it. Let's discover what happens when purpose truly meets possibility. CONNECT WITH ENOCH 🩺 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/enochallotey/CONNECT WITH RESET 🎙️ Podcast: https://reset-podcast.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tonyajlong-RESETLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reset-with-tonyaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/resetwithtonyaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570923056203#Email: tonya@reset-podcast.comText us: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2446338/open_sms CONNECT WITH TONYA 🚊LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyajlong Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyajlongFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonya.j.long Check out my bestselling book, "AI and the New Oz: Leadership’s Journey to the Future of Work" [https://a.co/d/10u3wGf] available on Amazon. Go to the "AI and the New Oz" website to learn more at https://www.ai-and-the-new-oz.com/!
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • 9 | From Adversity to Insights: J Li on Innovation

    9 | From Adversity to Insights: J Li on Innovation
    Mar 24 2025

    What happens when your greatest strength is suddenly taken away? For J Lee, a Stanford-trained mathematician with an eidetic memory, a violent attack resulting in traumatic brain injury completely altered her life trajectory. Instead of letting this setback define her, she transformed her new cognitive limitations into a remarkable innovation methodology that's helping Fortune 500 companies save millions.


    The conversation takes us through J's journey from delivering groceries after her injury to founding Prototype Thinking Labs, where she's developed an approach to innovation that embraces uncertainty and experimentation. Her process breaks down the "hidden phase" of innovation—that crucial space between having an initial idea (10% confidence) and knowing exactly what to build (60% confidence). By accepting that you can only gain about 15-20% more confidence in one step, J shows how small, iterative experiments lead to breakthroughs that endless planning sessions never could.


    Perhaps most fascinating is how J applies her framework to personal reinvention. Whether you're navigating career transitions, exploring new business ideas, or adapting to technological disruption, her approach offers practical steps to move forward amid uncertainty. "You just have to design the way to exist that works for you, but be willing to be flexible about everything else and all of your other assumptions," she explains. This mindset — based on her own experience overcoming limitations — offers a powerful template for anyone facing change.


    As the landscape of work continues to evolve, J's story reminds us that humans connecting with humans will never change—and that our adaptability may be our greatest strength. Her journey from brain injury to business innovation is more than inspiring; it's a masterclass in turning constraints into advantages and finding purpose through possibility.


    Wondering how to navigate your own RESET moment? Listen now to discover how our biggest challenges lead to our greatest contributions.


    CONNECT WITH J ⚙️

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jfanli/
    • Website: https://www.prototypethinking.io/
    • Substack: https://prototypethinking.substack.com/


    CONNECT WITH RESET 🎙️

    • Podcast: ⁠https://reset-podcast.com⁠
    • YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tonyajlong-RESET ⁠
    • LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/reset-with-tonya⁠
    • Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/resetwithtonya⁠
    • Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570923056203# ⁠
    • Email: tonya@reset-podcast.com
    • Text us: ⁠https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2446338/open_sms ⁠


    CONNECT WITH TONYA 🚊

    • LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyajlong⁠
    • Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/tonyajlong⁠
    • Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/tonya.j.long⁠


    Check out my bestselling book, "AI and the New Oz: Leadership’s Journey to the Future of Work" available on Amazon. Go to the "AI and the New Oz" website to learn more!
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • 8 | Tacos or Pickles? ... Finding Your True North

    8 | Tacos or Pickles? ... Finding Your True North
    Mar 13 2025
    What happens when a corporate project manager trades billion-dollar implementations for a mission to help small businesses thrive? In this illuminating conversation, Lisa Talbot, founder of True North PM Solutions, shares her remarkable journey from managing massive corporate transformations to creating streamlined solutions for entrepreneurs.Lisa's story begins with a moment many professionals will recognize—dropping her child at daycare, crying all the way to the office, then spending 15 minutes in the bathroom composing herself before work. Feeling trapped between the corporate world and stay-at-home motherhood, she eventually discovered a third path that aligned with her values, skills, and joy.The heart of Lisa's approach is making small, intentional changes that compound into significant results. Drawing parallels between marathon training and business transformation, she reveals how incremental improvements create sustainable progress without overwhelming business owners. Through compelling examples—like helping a client automate customer communications to reclaim hours of evening family time—Lisa demonstrates how technical solutions can serve deeper human needs.Perhaps most refreshing is Lisa's practical decision-making framework: the "tacos or pickles" test. When faced with choices, she asks whether an option feels like tacos (which she loves) or pickles (loves... not so much). This accessible metaphor offers listeners a simple yet powerful tool for aligning decisions with their values and purpose.For listeners contemplating their own career transitions or seeking to improve their businesses, Lisa offers wisdom that's both practical and profound: start with small experiments, reflect on what brings you joy, and recognize that your path forward doesn't have to match anyone else's definition of success. Whether you're feeling stuck in a corporate role, seeking to streamline your small business, or simply searching for more purpose in your work, this conversation provides a roadmap for finding your own True North.CONNECT WITH LISA 🏃🏻‍♀️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/talbotlisa/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/true-north-pm-solutions/Website: https://www.truenorthpmsolutions.comCONNECT WITH RESET 🎙️Podcast: https://reset-podcast.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tonyajlong-RESET LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reset-with-tonyaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/resetwithtonyaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570923056203# Email: tonya@reset-podcast.comText us: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2446338/open_sms CONNECT WITH TONYA 🚊LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyajlongInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyajlongFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonya.j.long Check out my bestselling book, "AI and the New Oz: Leadership’s Journey to the Future of Work" available on Amazon. Go to the "AI and the New Oz" website to learn more!
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • 7 | Unlocking Life's Potential: RESET Your Purpose with 7 Words as Your Compass

    7 | Unlocking Life's Potential: RESET Your Purpose with 7 Words as Your Compass
    Mar 6 2025
    In a world that often leaves us coping with uncertainty and anxiety, discovering clarity and purpose becomes more essential than ever. This episode of RESET with Tonya dives into the intricate relationship between purpose and personal transformation, featuring our purpose-impassioned guest, Ian Chamandy, co-founder of PurposeU. Together, we explore how clearly-articulated purpose can serve as a guiding light in making life’s challenging decisions. Ian shares his unique methodology, the "Blueprint for Purpose," which assists individuals in identifying their core strengths and articulating them in seven words or less. We discuss the power of simplicity, discussing how a clear purpose statement can elevate us beyond the complexities of life, transforming confusion into confidence. Through engaging anecdotes and thought-provoking examples, Ian reveals how individuals and organizations alike can benefit from this clarity. Listeners will learn about the practical steps involved in uncovering their own purpose, along with the profound impact that a well-defined purpose can have on their personal and professional lives. We also address the struggles many face in finding their unique gifts in our ever-changing world. This episode ultimately encourages a journey of introspection and active engagement with one’s purpose, extending a special offer for listeners to access a course that aids in this discovery process. Take the next step towards living your best life by embracing the clarity and confidence that comes with understanding your unique purpose.00:00 Introduction to the Power of Purpose04:43 Discovering Your Unique Purpose: The Seven-Word Statement06:12 Purpose as a Decision-Making Tool22:30 Navigating Purpose Across Different Life Stages34:46 The Importance of Emotional Triggers37:03 Criteria for a Purpose Statement45:04 The Value of Simplicity59:38 Special Offer for ListenersCONNECT WITH IAN AND PURPOSE U 💫• LinkedIn: ianchamandy• Website: https://purposeu.ai/• Book: "Why Should I Choose You (in Seven Words or Less)?" • Discount Code: Get 50% off the Gift of Purpose with code RESET50CONNECT WITH RESET 🎙️• Podcast: https://reset-podcast.com • YouTube: @tonyajlong-RESET • LinkedIn: reset-with-tonya• Instagram: resetwithtonya • Facebook: RESET with Tonya• Email: tonya@reset-podcast.com • Text us via Buzzsprout CONNECT WITH TONYA 🚊• LinkedIn: tonyajlong • Instagram: tonyajlong • Facebook: tonya.j.long Check out my bestselling book, "AI and the New Oz: Leadership’s Journey to the Future of Work" available on Amazon. Go to the "AI and the New Oz" website to learn more!
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • 6 | Life's Versatile Scripts: Matt Drago's Pursuit of Passion and Purpose

    6 | Life's Versatile Scripts: Matt Drago's Pursuit of Passion and Purpose
    Feb 26 2025
    “I would rather leave a hundred good stories behind than have a hundred million dollars.” And I believe him.Matt Drago is a human with so much heart. He’s compelled to tell stories to help shape the experience of our lives. Join me as I help share Matt’s story with you… We’ll talk about his journey from Virginia to the vibrant world of acting in NYC and LA – a story that is nothing short of inspiring. In this episode, Matt shares how his love for storytelling catapulted him from community theater to starring in films like "Somewhere in Montana" with Graham McTavish. We explore the resilience it takes to stay true to oneself while embracing life’s many transitions, showcasing how Matt has managed to balance a thriving acting career alongside real estate. Family and mentors have a profound influence on our lives, and Matt’s story is a testament to that. We reminisce about the magic of attending musicals like "Cats" with loved ones and how such shared experiences can ignite lifelong passions. We dive into Matt's relationship with acting teacher Terry Schreiber, whose mentorship not only shaped Matt's acting craft but also led him to Los Angeles and introduced him to his future wife. These touching narratives underscore the importance of community, intention, and honoring legacies in our personal and professional lives. Matt's story is one of constant reinvention and courage to follow your intuition. From his decision to transition from Broadway to LA, to balancing dual careers, Matt's journey encourages us all to embrace change with open arms. Whether he's sharing anecdotes about serving a $5,000 bottle of wine or the parallels between acting and real estate, Matt offers valuable insights into the art of navigating life's shifts. Join us for a conversation packed with reflection, inspiration, and the power of storytelling as a tool for growth. CONNECT WITH MATT 🎙️ 🎥 Instagram: /mattdrago Website: https://www.mattdrago.comIMDb: Matt Drago on IMDb"Somewhere in Montana": movie trailer on YouTubeCONNECT WITH RESET 🎙️ Podcast: https://reset-podcast.comYouTube: /@tonyajlong-RESETLinkedIn: /reset-with-tonyaInstagram: /resetwithtonya Facebook: /resetwithtonyaEmail: tonya@reset-podcast.com Text us: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2446338/open_sms CONNECT WITH TONYA 🚊 LinkedIn: /tonyajlongInstagram: /tonyajlongFacebook: /tonya.j.long/Check out my bestselling book, AI and the New Oz: Leadership’s Journey to the Future of Work (available on Amazon), or go to the "AI and the New Oz" website to learn more.
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    58 mins
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