Beyond the Static: Bryan Fenchel on Resets, Risks, and the Future of Music. On this week’s RESET with Tonya, I'll be digging in with Bryan Fenchel — CEO and Founder of Starchild Music. Bryan isn't just any ol' founder... he and I have been working together for almost two years as the Starchild Music team built a true game-changer in the music space.

🎙️ Join us as we explore how Bryan reset his own creative path, why he’s challenging decades of assumptions about how music works, and what it takes to make both sound and self truly alive again.

From Russia to America at 14, to climbing the AWS ladder, to finding deeper meaning after an unexpected career pivot— Anna's journey proves that transitions aren't just disruptions, but gateways to growth.

Despite all the achievement, including doubling her pay in just three years, she still felt empty. The answer was in the question she asked herself: "What does it really mean to be a winner?"

Now leading with "super love" (as her kids called it), she focuses to create spaces where people bring their whole selves to work. Remember: you don't need all the answers upfront. Your purpose emerges not despite challenges, but because of them.

What happens when your greatest strength is suddenly taken away? For J Li, 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 limitation — 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.

What does it take to go from hauling water buckets in Nigeria to structuring billion-dollar deals on Wall Street to launching a cutting-edge venture capital fund?

Belinda Ephraim's journey embodies a masterclass in resilience, strategic reinvention, and challenging conventional wisdom. Growing up in Nigeria as the eldest of six children, Belinda's childhood was defined by both privilege and profound challenge. Sent to boarding school at age 10, she learned self-sufficiency by farming her own plot of land and carrying ten-gallon water containers when supplies ran short.

These early experiences forged a resilience that would become her superpower through life's unexpected twists. When political turmoil forced her family to flee Nigeria and seek asylum in America, Belinda's world changed overnight. From attending private school on her family's dime, she suddenly had to drop out of university and work three jobs at a Marriott hotel to support herself and help her parents. Rather than surrendering to circumstances, she strategically consolidated three positions within the same company and eventually pivoted to wealth management where CNBC sparked her fascination with investment banking.

The most compelling segment of our conversation challenges popular startup mythology. Drawing from her experience structuring over $37 billion in M&A deals and now raising $50 million for her deep tech venture fund TENSEUR Capital, Belinda boldly asserts that "venture capital is wrong for 90% of startups." She brilliantly illuminates why through the Atlassian case study – explaining how the company operated for eight years, reaching $58 million in revenue before taking venture money, allowing the founding team to maintain 75% ownership at IPO.

Whether you're building a business, navigating a career transition, or simply searching for inspiration, Belinda's story reminds us that our greatest strength often emerges from our deepest challenges. Subscribe, share, and join us next week for another transformative conversation on Reset with Tonya.

What happens when your career path zigzags across continents, disciplines, and roles? In this enlightening conversation, Keshia Theobald-van Gent reveals how her unconventional journey from Middle America to Laos, the Netherlands, and ultimately Silicon Valley shaped her distinct approach to venture capital.

Named a 2025 Woman of Influence, Keshia shares how studying conflict, religion, and globalization — plus a chance meeting with her future husband — led her through roles in international development, AmeriCorps service, educational entrepreneurship, and eventually to her current position as Vice President at BDev Ventures. "The through line is probably a combination of service and learning," she explains, illuminating how these core values drive her work investing in B2B software companies at the late Series B to Series C stages.

The conversation explores how Keshia's founder experience provides her with deeper empathy for entrepreneurs, allowing her to ask different questions than colleagues with traditional finance backgrounds. "I've cried those tears," she admits, describing her approach to giving honest, constructive feedback to founders, even when the answer is no. Her insights on navigating different company cultures reveal how her global experiences trained her to quickly adapt to varied systems and organizational dynamics.

Beyond professional insights, Keshia and host Tonya Long discover delightful personal connections through their shared love of Airstreams, CrossFit, and comfortable yet uniquely stylish shoes. Their candid discussion about women's evolving roles in tech and venture capital highlights how Silicon Valley's culture has matured over the past decade, creating more opportunities for diverse leadership styles.

Connect with Keshia on LinkedIn to learn more about her investment approach and how BDEV Ventures provides systematic value to portfolio companies through their unique lead generation tools and operational expertise.

Join me as I talk with a pioneering leader in data governance, Morgan Templar, in this captivating episode of RESET. Morgan, the CEO of First CDO Partners, shares her remarkable journey from the corporate world to leading her own consultancy. Discover the challenges she faced in leaving the security of a corporate career and the skills she honed in the process, including leadership, data strategy, and AI integration. Morgan’s insights extend beyond professional expertise to her personal endeavors: her influential books on data governance are an industry benchmark, and her thoughts on "action through inaction" are a message we can all lean into to better align with the flow that will support success.

Explore how the future of leadership is being shaped by AI and the transition to distributed workforces. Morgan and I discuss why openness, transparency, and vulnerability are now crucial in building trust within organizations. AI is more than just a tool; it’s a collaborative partner that requires thoughtful management akin to human teams. Learn how adapting leadership styles and clear communication can help navigate the unknowns of integrating AI, embracing the importance of flexibility and adaptability in today’s dynamic work environment.

We also discuss deeply personal stories of resilience and adaptability, reflecting on how life's unexpected challenges shape us. From navigating significant medical crises within her family to blending spirituality with professional authenticity, we explore how personal and professional lives intertwine and inform each other. Finally, we ponder AI's potential to serve as a societal equalizer, promoting equity and bridging the tech divide. Tune in for an episode that offers a thoughtful exploration of leading through change and the ongoing transformation technology presents.

From Corporate Climber to Purpose-Driven Entrepreneur

From Russia to America at 14, to climbing the AWS ladder, to finding deeper meaning after an unexpected career pivot— @anna.krasnykh.mba's journey proves that transitions aren't just disruptions, but gateways to growth.

Despite all the achievement, including doubling her pay in just three years, she still felt empty. The answer was in the question she asked herself: "What does it really mean to be a winner?"

Now leading with "super love" (as her kids called it), she focuses to create spaces where people bring their whole selves to work. Remember: you don't need all the answers upfront. Your purpose emerges not despite challenges, but because of them.

What if the path to genuine happiness doesn't require adding anything to your life, but instead releasing what no longer serves you? Justin Wenck, PhD — former Intel leader turned emotional wellness expert — reveals how his journey through crippling depression launched him into an unexpected career helping others navigate their emotional landscapes. With disarming candor and gentle humor, Justin shares how traditional success left him feeling empty until personal crisis forced him to explore meditation, yoga, and a completely different relationship with himself.

"In any loss, there's so much to be gained," Justin explains, offering a refreshing perspective on life's difficult transitions. Whether discussing job loss, relationship endings, or even the death of loved ones, he illuminates how these painful experiences create space for profound growth and new possibilities. His engineering background brings a unique analytical approach to emotional intelligence, making complex psychological concepts accessible even to the most logical minds.

The conversation takes fascinating turns as Justin and host Tonya explore the liberation that comes from releasing rigid identities, finding your authentic tribe, and the surprising power of curiosity as a pathway to joy. For listeners feeling trapped by success or struggling with transitions, Justin offers a simple yet transformative three-part breathing practice that can create immediate shifts in emotional state.

Perhaps most compelling is Justin's vision for technology as our servant rather than our master. "The role of technology should be to serve us however we desire, period," he states with refreshing clarity, challenging listeners to reclaim their agency in an increasingly digital world.

Whether you're navigating loss, seeking greater emotional balance, or simply curious about different paths to fulfillment, this episode offers practical wisdom and heartfelt inspiration. Connect with Justin on social media as Justin Wink, PhD or visit justinwenck.com for free resources including guided meditations and information about his book "Engineered to Love."

What happens when a communal culture shaped by generations of connection meets the most powerful technology of our time?

On this week’s RESET, I sit down with Enoch Allotey — a strategist, attorney, and healthcare innovation leader whose life story spans Ghana and the United States, ancient traditions and emerging technologies, deep cultural roots and forward-looking AI strategy.

Enoch’s journey is remarkable: • Raised in Ghana as the only Christian family in a Muslim neighborhood • Trained in biology, reverse-engineering medicines in a lab • Inspired into IP law after overhearing one conversation • Advancing global health access through policy, data, and AI • Continuing to anchor his purpose in community, family, and faith

We talk about how communal societies naturally absorb AI as a connector — while more individualistic cultures risk using it as a divider. We explore Ghana’s rise as the world’s leader in mobile-money adoption, and how that same spirit could shape the future of AI-driven healthcare, education, and access.

Enoch reminds us that technology amplifies what already exists: If a society values connection, AI enhances it. If a society prizes individualism, AI accelerates that too.

His message is clear, powerful, and deeply grounding:

AI won’t determine the future. Culture will. And each of us has a role in choosing which cultural values we embed in the systems we build.

This conversation filled me up. I think it will do the same for you. RESET with Tonya J. Long — Where Purpose Meets Possibility.

In a world constantly in transition, where purpose meets possibility, we find Matt Drago — an actor, a storyteller, a dreamer, and a genuine example of someone who has embraced the art of resetting. Matt's life is a sprawling narrative of moving, adapting, and staying true to the core essence of who he is, whether in rural Virginia or the bustling streets of New York City and Los Angeles.

Throughout the podcast episode, Matt demonstrates how profound connections are formed when we simply see each other. It's through understanding and honoring each other's journeys and legacies that respect, the highest form of love, is born. Matt's latest project, "Somewhere in Montana," enriches this narrative by portraying characters who must bridge their differences. It’s a story reflecting life’s intricate balance of embracing our legacy while honoring others.

This connection to others, this sense of community and mentorship, is key to Matt's story. Whether selling homes or sharing screens with actors like Graham McTavish, Matt is driven by more than just career success; he is fueled by the vision of leaving behind impactful stories that resonate across time. This is what sets him apart — a man on a dual career path, unyielding in his dream yet rooted in reality, constantly seeking ways to blend the two.

Matt's path is illuminated by his passion and dedication, peppered with the wisdom from the legacy of his grandma. His compelling story is a reminder for all of us: to be open to life’s resets, to embrace our dreams with pragmatic vigour, and above all, to see the person in front of us. After all, there is immense power and transformation in the pure act of truly connecting, of telling stories that matter.

Matt Drago’s life exemplifies that transformation isn’t a destination but an ongoing, beautiful adventure. So, much like Matt, let’s keep exploring what's possible.