People come in all shapes, sizes, experiences, ages, dialects, et cetera. And as we move more into an automated world, communication still is key."

- Brenda Darden Wilkerson

In this episode, Ana Melikian is joined by Brenda Darden Wilkerson, President and CEO of AnitaB.org, to examine the human side of technology and the importance of responsible AI. Drawing on her personal journey and background in computer science, Brenda shares how her passion for improving the human condition has shaped her approach to tech—and why it's crucial to design technology that serves everyone, not just those who build it.

Together, Ana and Brenda unpack the rapid evolution of AI, its impact on society, and the widening gaps it threatens to create. They discuss the risks of leaving people behind in the wake of technological advances, while stressing the power we have to shape how AI is developed and adopted. Brenda highlights the need for diverse perspectives at the table when designing both tech and policy, illustrating how our unique "blind spots" must be considered in order to create equitable and inclusive solutions.

This conversation offers practical insights into how organizations like AnitaB.org convene thinkers, technologists, educators, and users to foster responsible AI—and how we, as individuals and communities, can play an active role in reimagining the future of work and life.

Let's dive in!

This week on The Mindset Zone:

00:00 – Diversity, communication, and automation

01:41 – Brenda’s journey into technology and the human condition

03:49 – Identifying the gap: Designing technology for everyone

05:27 – Early experiences with technology and user inclusion

09:07 – The rise of AI and responsible technology

13:46 – Technology’s impact on different generations and accessibility

16:46 – Voice recognition, accents, and improvements in transcription

18:47 – The evolution of AI and its integration into daily life

22:06 – The speed of AI adoption and societal adaptation

25:29 – The knowledge gap and the importance of responsible AI

29:06 – What is responsible AI?

30:48 – Real-world examples: Driverless cars and diversity in design

About the Guest

Brenda Darden Wilkerson is President and CEO of AnitaB.org, a global nonprofit working to connect and empower women and allies in technology. A former software engineer turned champion for access and opportunity, Brenda founded the pioneering Computer Science for All initiative in Chicago Public Schools, later influencing national policy and earning a White House Champion of Change award. At AnitaB.org, she leads efforts to expand pathways into tech, from apprenticeships to leadership, while building one of the world’s largest communities of women in tech. Named to the Forbes 50 Over 50 in Impact and honored by SXSW for community service, Brenda is a visionary voice for inclusive innovation and a leading advocate for a more just and human-centered tech future.

Resources:

AnitaB.org

ghc.anitab.org

Related Content:

Expand What’s Possible

The playing field is constantly changing. So when new technologies come in, you need to reimagine your game because the playing field is changing and the new technology brings in new capabilities that you can use to play better."

- Sangeet Choudary

In this episode, Ana Melikian welcomes Sangeet Paul Choudary—global keynote speaker, best-selling author, and renowned thought leader on platform strategy and digital ecosystems—to the MINDSET ZONE. Together, they delve into the profound ripple effects of Artificial Intelligence as explored in Sangeet’s newest book, Reshuffle: Who Wins When AI Restarts the Knowledge Economy.

Sangeet challenges the popular thinking around AI-induced job losses, arguing that it’s not just about people using AI to become more efficient within existing roles. Instead, he reveals how AI fundamentally transforms workflows, organizations, and even the very nature of industries—requiring leaders to reconsider and reimagine the entire playing field.

Through vivid analogies—like the transformation brought by the shipping container and the QR code—Sangeet illustrates how even “dumb” technologies have restructured global systems, hinting at the extraordinary potential and unpredictability of AI’s impact. Together, they discuss how AI opens opportunities for systemic change, the speed of adoption, and the critical importance of focusing not merely on technology, but on the broader context and workflows it reshapes.

Ana and Sangeet also explore potential blind spots for leaders, highlight the necessity of including the human factor in every strategic decision, and draw lessons from history on how new technologies can both solve and create new kinds of problems and inequalities.

If you’re a business leader, innovator, or anyone eager to understand how to stay agile, spot the opportunities, and avoid the pitfalls in a world rapidly reshaped by AI—this episode is a must-listen. Expand your perspective, strengthen your systems thinking, and unlock the mindset needed to thrive in times of disruption.

Let’s dive in!

This week on The Mindset Zone:

00:00 Introduction & The Changing Playing Field

00:18 Host Welcome & Guest Introduction

01:16 The Fallacy of "AI Will Take Your Job"

03:16 How Technology Changes Jobs & Workflows

06:34 Adoption of Technology: QR Codes & AI

09:16 The Cold Start Problem & Social Media Adoption

12:49 Electricity, General Purpose Technologies, and AI

13:57 Helping Leaders See Opportunity in Disruption

15:44 The Shipping Container Analogy & Globalization

18:22 Second-Order Effects & New Inequalities

21:23 Singapore, COVID, and the Human Factor

24:21 The Value of Human Touch in AI Systems

27:00 Leaders' Blind Spots with AI Adoption

29:03 Rethinking Organizations: The Lego Analogy

30:44 Closing & Where to Learn More

About the Guest

Sangeet Choudary is the best-selling co-author of Platform Revolution and the author of the new book Reshuffle. He has advised CEOs at more than 40 Fortune 500 companies as well as pre-IPO tech firms. He is currently a Senior Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley, and has presented at leading global forums, including the G20 Summit, the World50 Summit, and the World Economic Forum.

Connect with:

Sangeet Choudary - LinkedIn

Sangeet Choudary - X (Formerly Twitter)

Sangeet Choudary - Substack

Resources:

Book: Reshuffle: Who wins when AI restacks the knowledge economy by Sangeet Paul Choudary

Website https://platformthinkinglabs.com/

Substack: https://platforms.substack.com/

Expand What’s Possible

One of the biggest things with leadership is you got to have the right people on the right bus, in the right seat on the bus, and if that happens, you're pulling one rope in the same direction. If that happens, that bus is gonna go fast. That bus is gonna be efficient."

- Rutherford Pascal

In this episode, hosts Ana Melikian and Rutherford Pascal tackle the rapidly evolving landscape of AI disruption, with a particular focus on service-based businesses such as law and accounting firms. Together, they explore how organizations can stay relevant, differentiate themselves, and retain top talent in an era where automation and AI are reshaping the marketplace.

Rutherford shares insights from his own leadership journey—including being promoted eight times in the corporate world—and introduces his PID System: Preparation, Intentionality, and Differentiation. He explains how this framework not only fueled his personal success but can also empower organizations to grow, adapt, and thrive amidst uncertainty.

Ana and Rutherford dig into the crucial theme of value creation—for both customers and team members—and stress how AI should be used as a tool to augment human potential, not replace it. They highlight the importance of leaders truly listening to their people, uncovering individual zones of genius, and ensuring everyone is “in the right seat on the bus” to create synergy and joy at work.

From practical strategies to thought-provoking examples, the conversation offers actionable advice for leaders and professionals looking to leverage both technology and human strengths to thrive in the future of work.

Let's dive in!

This week on The Mindset Zone:

0:00 – Leadership: The Right People on the Right Bus

1:03 – Introduction to the Mindset Zone & Guest

2:05 – AI Disruption and Staying Relevant

6:46 – Adding Value: The Key to Promotion

7:57 – Customer-Centric Mindset (Amazon Example)

10:55 – The PID System: Preparation, Intentionality, Differentiation

19:41 – Retaining the Best People in the Age of AI

20:34 – The Importance of Listening as a Leader

25:25 – Four Levels of Listening for Better Decisions

27:00 – Where to Learn More About Rutherford Pascal

About the Guest

Rutherford J. Pascal is a seasoned Senior Sales Executive with over 30 years of experience in driving sales growth, revitalizing stagnant markets, and building high-performing teams across diverse industries for three fortune 100 companies. As the Founder and CEO of Glass Walls Leadership, Rutherford is dedicated to empowering leaders and ordinary workers to become indispensable at work. This is accomplished through one-on-one coaching, group training, and dynamic keynote presentations. His extensive expertise includes strategic business, market and sales planning, performance enhancement, and team motivation.

Meet Your Host

Ana Melikian, Ph.D.—Expert in amplifying impact without burnout, author of "Mindset Zone: Actualize Your Human Potential." Rutherford Pascal—Leadership consultant, author of the PID System, and advocate for value-driven organizational growth.

𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?

Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!

Expand What’s Possible

Living my life from the outside in makes me a beggar at the feast. Living my life from the inside out makes me a gift and a joy and a presence. I am now able to serve to help to heal in a way that I was never able to before."

- Susan Filan

In this episode, host Ana Melikian welcomes Susan Filan—former trial attorney, legal analyst, and now transformational speaker known as the Wake Up Coach—to the Mindset Zone podcast. Together, they explore the heights of achievement and the hidden costs that can come with relentlessly pursuing career milestones.

Susan shares her remarkable journey, from building a prestigious professional life to surviving a near-fatal accident that forced her to completely re-evaluate what truly matters. She candidly describes her wake-up call, the long and difficult road of physical recovery, and the profound shift toward living life from the inside out rather than the outside in.

Ana and Susan discuss how society’s focus on busyness, external validation, and productivity can cause us to miss the essence of being alive. Through Susan’s powerful story, listeners are invited to reflect deeply on presence, gratitude, and the importance of embracing each moment—before a crisis forces us to pause.

Susan also reveals how her experience has empowered her to help others as a coach, speaker, and retreat leader—guiding people to discover purpose, reconnect with their authentic selves, and wake up to the joy and fulfillment available right now.

Let’s dive in!

This week on The Mindset Zone:

00:00 – Introduction

01:02 – Meet Susan Filan

03:16 – The Wake Up Call

07:09 – Recovery and Gratitude

10:29 – Rethinking Priorities

12:10 – Presence and Self-Love

15:04 – Living from the Inside Out

18:06 – Transformation

21:14 – Lessons from Pain

22:00 – Retreats and Travel

24:00 – Connecting with Susan

26:00 – An Invitation to Wake Up

About The Guest

Susan F. Filan, Esq. is Wake-Up Call Speaker and Coach, a former trial lawyer and MSNBC Senior Legal Analyst turned transformational voice in mindset and reinvention. She helps peak performers—from boardrooms to start-ups—break free from burnout, reclaim their lives, and awaken to their true power. With neuroscience, high performance, and spiritual insight, Susan sparks real, lasting change.

Expand What’s Possible

When we can make friends with our fear, we open up a huge amount of information that can help us make better choices for ourselves."

- Leisa Peterson

In this episode, Ana Melikian welcomes Leisa Peterson, renowned money mindset expert and author of The Money Catalyst, to explore the hidden dynamics behind financial success and the pervasive “Never Enough” mindset—even among high achievers. Leisa reveals the subtle signs of scarcity thinking and guides listeners on how to shift from fear-based to values-aligned decisions, redefining abundance on their own terms.

Leisa shares why she chose to illustrate financial transformation through the fictional character Maribel, allowing readers to safely examine their own money stories and emotional triggers. Together, Ana and Leisa explore how our relationship with money is deeply intertwined with our bodies, relationships, and leadership styles—and how self-awareness and curiosity can unlock greater choices and joy.

The conversation also tackles the role of fear in uncertain times. Rather than pushing fear away, Leisa encourages making friends with it, uncovering its wisdom, and applying it compassionately—whether with ourselves, colleagues, or loved ones. She offers practical advice for navigating financial discussions in relationships, including the importance of planning, open communication, and respecting both risk-taking and cautious perspectives.

Let’s dive in!

This week on The Mindset Zone:

00:00 Introduction: Making friends with fear for better choices

02:00 Spotting the “Never Enough” mindset in successful people

04:35 Using story to create breakthrough money mindset shifts

07:28 How scarcity and abundance impact bodies, relationships, and leadership

10:30 Shifting from fear-based to values-aligned decisions

12:11 Fear as a strategic guide—getting curious, not judgmental

15:26 Addressing fear in ourselves and others (including children and employees)

18:28 Expanding possibilities amid uncertainty and stress

20:26 Supporting partners and loved ones with different money mindsets

22:32 How writing The Money Catalyst created personal transformation

About the Guest

Leisa Peterson is an internationally recognized money mindset expert, author, and the founder of Wealth Clinic. With over thirty years of experience as a financial planner and transformational coach, Leisa specializes in helping individuals and leaders break free from limiting money beliefs, move beyond scarcity thinking, and step into greater abundance. Her latest book, The Money Catalyst, uses storytelling and journaling to inspire readers toward healthier, values-driven financial decisions. Leisa’s work is grounded in compassion, deep insight, and a dedication to personal and collective transformation.

Connect with:

Leisa Peterson's LinkedIn Profile

Wealth Clinic

The Money Catalyst

Related Content:

Expand What’s Possible

If you slow down and figure out what went wrong, it will help you accelerate in the future."

- Ron Higgs

In this episode, host Ana Melikian sits down with Ron Higgs, former naval aviator turned leadership consultant, to uncover the powerful mindsets and tools honed in the cockpit—and how they translate into today’s rapidly shifting business world.

Ron shares his journey from 24 years in the U.S. Navy, where he flew and managed complex aerospace projects, to guiding leaders and teams through uncertainty and change. Together, they delve into the VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) framework, mapping its military origins directly onto the challenges leaders face in navigating team dynamics, technological disruptions, and rapid market shifts.

Ana and Ron explore the practical power of the Brief-Execute-Debrief cycle used by naval aviators—demonstrating why slowing down for feedback, debriefs, and contingency planning is a high-performance must, not a luxury. They address the critical role of psychological safety, open feedback, and continuous improvement, as well as practical ideas that business leaders can use to foster a culture where learning and trust thrive under pressure.

If you’re an executive, team leader, or technical expert craving practical strategies to align teams, accelerate learning, and lead with clarity amidst chaos, this episode is packed with actionable insights (and aviation stories you won’t want to miss).

Let’s dive in!

This week on The Mindset Zone:

02:02 – From naval aviation to corporate: Ron’s leadership journey

05:59 – What VUCA means—and why it matters for today’s leaders

10:14 – The briefing, execution, and debriefing cycle for business growth

17:33 – Why slowing down accelerates results—and avoids costly mistakes

17:56 – Creating a feedback culture: lessons from the cockpit

19:03 – Building psychological safety and trust in teams

22:44 – Delegation, the co-pilot mindset, and the keys to empowering your team

25:41 – How to strengthen leadership and collaboration at every level

About The Guest

Ron Higgs is a leadership consultant, U.S. Navy veteran, aerospace engineer, and former Fractional COO. With over 20 years of experience in executive operations, Ron brings a unique blend of military precision and business acumen. He helps companies align strategy, execution, and culture—often drawing from his time as a Naval Aviator flying complex missions in high-stakes environments. Ron is also a speaker and the author of the LinkedIn series Leadership Lessons from Aviation.

Connect with:

Ron Higgs LinkedIn Profile

Wolf Management Solutions, LLC

Related Content:

Expand What’s Possible

We can surf this hundred-foot AI wave if we take this as a team sport.”

- Ana Melikian, Ph.D.

In this episode, Ana Melikian dives deep into the human side of the AI revolution, asking an essential question: Is our true superpower found not in machines, but in our own human potential? Ana explores the third crucial mindset shift needed to navigate the world of AI disruption, emphasizing that while artificial intelligence continues to surge forward, it’s our capacity for creativity, proactivity, and connection that will truly shape a better future.

Using vivid metaphors—like Portugal’s legendary hundred-foot waves—Ana describes how humanity is facing a tidal wave of AI change. She walks listeners through vital mindset shifts: moving beyond a simple “humans versus technology” mentality to one of “humans and technology,” and shifting from a relentless quest for productivity to a commitment to doing better by leveraging technology for collective good.

Ana offers a hands-on exercise to illustrate the powerful shift from being reactive to being creative and proactive, urging listeners to pause, choose their responses, and tap into their deepest human qualities. She highlights that human potential is realized not just individually, but through teamwork, supportive systems, and cultural transformation.

This episode is both a rallying call and a practical guide: Ana encourages us to embrace our unique human edge, cultivate resilience, emotional intelligence, and collaboration, and create a future where AI enhances—rather than diminishes—our well-being.

Let’s dive in!

This week on the MINDSET ZONE podcast:

00:00 Introduction: The Human Side of AI

01:28 The Metaphor of Big Waves

02:10 First Mindset Shift: Humans and Technology

03:19 Second Mindset Shift: Doing Better, Not Just More

03:55 Third Mindset Shift: From Reactive to Creative

06:29 The Power of Pause and Historical Perspective

08:05 Adapting Our Modus Operandi

10:12 Harnessing Human Potential and Teamwork

13:42 Creating a Sustainable Future Together

17:03 Conclusion: Expanding What's Possible

Meet Your Host:

Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.

𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?

Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!

Resources:

Between stimulus and response, there is this space.

Ana's AI Resources

Related Episodes:

Expand What’s Possible!

It is essential to know where we want to go. Otherwise, we will end up very fast, very far away in a place we don't want to be."

- Ana Melikian

In this episode, Ana Melikian delves into the second crucial mindset shift needed to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for positive and sustainable change. Ana challenges the common "do more with less" philosophy that dominates the business world, highlighting its risks for driving burnout and disengagement. Instead, she presents a compelling framework—the burnout-engage matrix—mapped across energy and connection, to help us assess where we stand and how to move towards energized, purposeful engagement in our work.

Ana invites us to reflect on the real impact of AI: Are we simply trying to squeeze more productivity out of ourselves and our teams, or are we intentionally using new technologies to create a better future? Through practical examples and her signature four-quadrant matrix, Ana explains how we can avoid the burnout trap and instead leverage AI to amplify our positive impact while safeguarding our well-being.

She underscores that navigating the 'hundred-foot AI wave' is not a solo endeavor, but a team sport—requiring diverse voices and shared commitments from technologists, HR professionals, leaders, and frontline workers alike. By adopting a new mindset and working together, we can build a workplace culture that sustains both high performance and human connection.

Let’s dive in!

This week on the MINDSET ZONE podcast:

00:00 Experiment: Why am I so tired?

01:13 Introducing the second AI mindset shift

02:25 The "do more with less" trap in AI adoption

03:40 Productivity gains: What do we do with saved time?

04:56 Burnout prevention and the "Why am I" experiment

06:13 The four-quadrant burnout-engage matrix explained

08:31 Mapping energy and connection

09:47 Understanding the burnout

12:59 Moving teams to the engaged zone

14:20 Surfing the AI wave as a team sport

15:13 Leveraging AI together for a better future

16:36 Next episode teaser and closing thoughts

Meet Your Host:

Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.

𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?

Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!

Resources:

Book: Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick

Ana's AI Resources

Related Episodes:

Expand What’s Possible!

Humans, walking and taking bags of water and trace chemicals that we are, have managed to convince well-organized sand to pretend to think like us.”

- Ethan Mollick

In this episode, Ana Melikian challenges the common "us vs. them" mindset when it comes to technology, especially in the age of Artificial Intelligence. Ana takes listeners on a journey through humanity's long history with technology, highlighting how our survival and progress have always been intertwined with new tools—from controlling fire to inventing computers and now, navigating the waves of AI.

Ana shares why seeing humanity and technology as allies, rather than adversaries, is essential. She encourages listeners to drop the outdated "humans vs. machines" narrative and instead adopt an experimentation mindset, inviting AI to the table as a collaborator. Drawing wisdom from Ethan Mollick's "Co-Intelligence," Ana presents a practical framework for thriving in this era: always invite AI to the table, be the human in the loop, treat AI like a person (but guide it with intention), and remember that today’s AI will soon be considered primitive.

Throughout the episode, Ana offers insightful historical context and practical advice for increasing your "AI literacy" without getting overwhelmed or burned out. She emphasizes that we don't need to face the AI revolution alone—working as a team is key to using these powerful tools to shape a better future.

Let’s dive in!

This week on the MINDSET ZONE podcast:

00:00 Introduction and Expanding Our View of Technology

01:31 The Essential Mindset Shift: Humanity and Technology as Allies

03:33 Technology's Deep Roots in Human History

07:58 The Emergence of AI in Our Everyday Lives

10:09 Shift from “Us vs. Them” to “Teamwork with Technology”

12:17 Learning AI as a Strategic Advantage

13:41 Combating Overwhelm: Teamwork and Shared Learning

15:27 Ethan Mollick’s Framework for Co-Intelligence

18:49 Practical Prompts: How to Effectively Engage with AI

22:30 Embracing Growth: The Future of AI Evolution

23:33 Reflections, Invitations, and Looking Ahead

25:02 Resources, Book Info, and Gratitude

Meet Your Host:

Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.

𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?

Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!

Resources:

Book: Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick

Ana's AI Resources

Related Episodes:

Expand What’s Possible!

If you are in the business world, in the present moment, you are facing the hundred foot wave of the AI disruption."

- Ana Melikian, Ph.D.

In this episode, Ana Melikian dives into the tumultuous yet opportunity-rich world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its implications for the business landscape. Using the metaphor of a "hundred-foot wave," Ana vividly illustrates the dual nature of the AI revolution—both its disruptive potential and its ability to create new possibilities.

Ana shares her insights on how some business leaders are choosing to either ignore or obsessively control this technological tidal wave. However, she advocates for an alternative approach, likening it to "surfing the wave," where teamwork and collaboration become essential to harnessing AI's energy for a better future.

Ana emphasizes the importance of mindset shifts in dealing with AI, urging listeners to embrace the present moment and leverage the collective strengths of their teams. She sees surfing the AI wave not as a solo endeavor, but as a collaborative pursuit, where innovation and intentionality are key.

Join Ana as she explores how to navigate this AI disruption, transforming potential threats into opportunities for impact. Whether you're a business owner or professional, Ana encourages you to expand your mindset and engage in this crucial conversation about our technological future.

Let's dive in!

This week on the MINDSET ZONE podcast:

00:00 Introduction to the AI Disruption

00:59 Facing the 100-Foot AI Wave

03:57 The Two Extremes: Ignoring vs. Overwhelming

06:57 Surfing the 100-Foot AI Wave

09:35 The Importance of Teamwork

11:58 Mindset Shifts for the Future

13:05 Conclusion and Call to Action

Meet Your Host:

Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.

𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?

Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!

Resources:

100-Foot Wave TV Series

Related Episodes:

Expand What’s Possible!