What happens when an AI pioneer discovers his true purpose lies in building human connections? Piyush Malik's journey from IBM Watson innovator to community builder reveals how technology and spirituality can beautifully intertwine to create meaningful impact.

Our paths crossed through a Pomeranian named Sushi, but our connection deepened through shared values about leadership, wisdom, and purpose. Piyush opens up about his 15-year mindfulness journey that began with watching his grandmother meditate in lotus position as a child. This foundation shaped his approach to technology leadership at IBM Watson and beyond, where he learned to see the goodness in people's souls instead of only their professional capabilities.

The conversation takes fascinating turns through the evolution of AI – from Watson defeating humans at Jeopardy to today's transformative applications. As someone who witnessed AI's commercial birth, Piyush dismisses fears that it will end humanity. Instead, he envisions technology eliminating mundane tasks to elevate our uniquely human qualities: "The future of work will be more human-centric than people expect."His work transforming the American Society of Engineers of Indian Origin from virtually no gender diversity to chapters with over 50% women leaders demonstrates his commitment to inclusion. This same dedication drives his mentorship of young people, which has grown from annual talks to weekly engagements with students who lack adequate guidance.

It's very interesting to understand Piyush's holistic perspective on success. While technically brilliant, he thinks about being creative again (painting) and recently joined a drum circle to nurture his artistic side. "Embrace your wholeness, bring your whole self to work," he advises, revealing that authenticity trumps perfection in both leadership and life.

For anyone navigating today's rapidly changing technological landscape while seeking deeper meaning, Piyush's wisdom offers a refreshing north star. Follow his journey on LinkedIn and discover how treating failures as "stepping stones to the next big success" might be the reset you've been looking for in your own path.

A Passionate Life: More Than Just Career

Matt Drago's story is a testament to living with passion. His career pivot from Virginia's local theaters to New York's vibrant stages and eventually to Los Angeles's film sets is driven by his unyielding love for storytelling. Every step of his journey reinforces the notion that passion isn't just an internal drive; it's a life's mission, reflecting Matt's dedication to crafting stories that deeply resonate with audiences.

The Resets We Embrace: Finding Courage in Change

One of the most moving aspects of Matt's journey is his willingness to embrace life's resets, however challenging they may be. Leaving his comfort zone in Virginia, being mentored by influential figures, and boldly transitioning to Los Angeles are decisions marked by courage and hope for a brighter future. These resets highlight the broader message that change, though daunting, can lead us to unimagined possibilities.

What happens when decades of financial leadership become the foundation for the next wave of AI transformation?

On this week’s episode of RESET with Tonya J. Long, I’m joined by Joyce Li — CEO and Chief AI Strategist at Averanda Partners, former multi-billion-dollar portfolio manager, and co-author of the AI Governance Playbook.

Joyce brings extraordinary insight into how finance leaders are adapting to an AI-driven world — and how governance, ethics, and continuous learning can turn experience into innovation.

We talk about courage in career transitions, translating expertise across disciplines, and why wisdom is the ultimate differentiator in leadership.

Tune in for a grounded, forward-looking conversation about purpose, transformation, and the human side of AI.

Featuring Harbir Bhatio, CEO of Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce

What happens when a Russian teenager relocates to America and discovers the power of trial and error in both cultural adaptation and technological innovation? In this captivating episode, Igor Krasnykh takes us on his remarkable journey from a small Russian town to Silicon Valley entrepreneurship, revealing how life's pivotal moments shaped his approach to business, technology, and personal growth.

Igor shares the fascinating story of arriving in California at 17 and experiencing culture shock—not from language barriers alone, but from the overwhelming abundance of consumer choices that Americans take for granted. This experience taught him patience and deep listening skills that later became invaluable in his business pursuits. His early introduction to computers, sparked by his nuclear scientist father, ignited a passion for technology that evolved from playing rudimentary games to building websites through sheer determination and experimentation.

The conversation takes a profound turn when Igor discusses his entrepreneurial philosophy. Having learned from multiple "failed" startups, he advocates for testing ideas in the market before investing significant resources. "Don't build it and hope they'll come," he advises. "Have conversations first, secure pre-commitments, even if small, to validate demand." This practical wisdom applies universally, whether launching a product or service.

As our discussion explores networking, Igor challenges conventional thinking about connections. Quality trumps quantity, he argues, and effective introductions require understanding mutual value exchange between parties. His guiding principle — "be a giver, not a taker" — resonates throughout his approach to business relationships and content creation.

Looking toward the future, Igor offers a bold prediction: AI will fundamentally change how businesses scale, allowing entrepreneurs to reach seven to nine figures with fewer employees than ever before. This isn't just theoretical—he's seeing it happen already. No matter what your situation is, Igor's journey offers valuable insights on resilience, strategic thinking, and embracing possibility.

CONNECT WITH IGOR 🎤

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/igorkrasnykh/
• Website: http://technweb.com

This week's RESET with Tonya shares a story about a lifelong technologist building a sanctuary for Silicon Valley's brightest minds to escape the digital world. Mike Prince, serial entrepreneur and AI pioneer, takes us on a fascinating journey from his early programming days to his vision of our AI-powered future.

This episode reveals how Mike began programming an Atari 2600 at age 10 and recognized something profound that would shape his career: "I could teach one person to do a job, or I could write a program that does the work of a thousand people." This insight led him through decades of innovation, from automating restaurant systems to developing cryptography for the armed forces.

Mike focuses on what he calls "the end of the digital dark ages" - building AI agents that genuinely represent human interests instead of corporate goals. He explains how in the near future, each of us will have dozens or hundreds of digital agents working on our behalf, negotiating with other agents, filtering information, and arranging meaningful human connections. But this future depends on something critical that few are discussing: trust protocols that allow agents to securely identify and authenticate each other.

Mike is also building "The Decelerator" at an 1838 ranch where technologists reconnect with analog skills like milling lumber, cooking over open fires, and engaging in deep fireside conversations. This beautiful counterbalance to our digital lives reminds us that true innovation will serve human connection, not replace it. Mike's philosophy is captured in his guiding principle: "Live long and prosper." He believes technology should extend our lives and enhance our well-being while giving us more time for authentic human experiences and nature. As he puts it, "If we embrace technology in the correct way, with it being benevolent to us, it'll give us more time to be human and to talk to each other in real life."

CONNECT WITH MIKE 👨🏼‍🌾

• "Agentic Profile" Blog: https://www.agenticprofile.ai/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-prince-7713/

CONNECT WITH RESET 🎙️

• Podcast: https://www.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

CONNECT WITH TONYA 🚊

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

#thejourneyisthejob

This week on RESET with Tonya, I’m joined by technologist, cultural strategist, and author Michael Alcock. From pioneering the internet era at Disney to reimagining human–AI collaboration through storytelling, Michael has been on the front lines of transformation for decades.

We’ll explore:

🔹 Why productive dialogue—not just algorithms—will shape AI’s next chapter

🔹 How “perspective economics” could redefine value in society

🔹 The role of storytelling in preparing leaders and communities for the future

Tune in Thursday on KPCR 92.9FM (streaming online at kpcr.org) for a conversation about technology, culture, and the choices we make as we design tomorrow.

Shaun Mader defies easy categorization. Leadership strategist, brown belt in jiu-jitsu, celebrated photographer documenting resilience in Calcutta's Red Light District — these diverse facets converge around his profound curiosity about people and what makes them thrive.

During our conversation, Shaun reveals the genesis of his "TeamFlow Architecture" methodology and forthcoming book "Teamware." Born from frustration watching executives perpetually stuck in crisis management, Shaun developed a system that helps leaders and teams simultaneously grow while doing their actual work. "There was no regular structure in place to develop leaders and teams simultaneously on the work they're actually working on," he explains, highlighting how organizations meticulously maintain their hardware and software while neglecting the human systems connecting them.

What makes Shaun's approach unique is how he draws wisdom from seemingly unrelated domains. His jiu-jitsu practice taught him humility and camaraderie through physical challenge, especially meaningful after years battling chronic pain. "It pushes every single button about your own insecurities," he says of the martial art. "Anybody who's got a fragile ego doesn't last." This physical practice becomes a metaphor for leadership development — showing up consistently, embracing vulnerability, and growing through challenge.

Perhaps most striking is Shaun's photography work in Calcutta. His story about a woman who initially refused to be photographed until she could dress properly reveals a profound leadership lesson: "I wanted to see her, but she wanted to be seen how she wanted to be seen." This insight directly applies to organizational dynamics, where assumptions and misunderstandings often stem from failing to truly see people as they wish to be seen.

✨ New Episode of RESET with Tonya ✨

Today’s guest, Ofelia Ferere, is a true force of resilience and reinvention. From starting as a salon receptionist to becoming a trailblazing plus-size model, and now founder of Beauté Bar in Los Gatos, Ofelia’s journey is all about bold pivots, second chances, and redefining beauty from the inside out.

We talked about wellness as self-love, the power of biohacking longevity, and what it means to overcome setbacks with courage and purpose. Her story is a powerful reminder that beauty, bravery, and resilience are deeply connected.

🎙️ Tune in on KPCR 92.9 FM and stream the episode to hear how Ofelia built her path—and how she’s inspiring others to love themselves better every single day.

What does it take to walk away from a 20-year career at Oracle and reinvent yourself as the heartbeat of a hospitality brand? In this week’s RESET conversation, Tonya sits down with her longtime friend Reena Miglani, who traded corporate cadence for community, creating Amara Restaurants as a sanctuary in the middle of Silicon Valley.

Reena’s story begins with a forced pause: a health crisis in 2018 that introduced her to the realities of burnout. That reset — compounded by becoming an empty nester during COVID — sparked a bold question: What if I built a place that felt like paradise, not just for vacations, but for every day?

Today, Amara is that vision realized: a 7,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor space designed to let your shoulders drop the moment you walk in. With custom scents, curated textures, and garden views, Reena has fused design, hospitality, and wellness into something rare: a dining experience that feels like a reset for your nervous system.

Along the way, you’ll hear candid stories — from guests who requested Amara’s food as their last meal, to local jazz bands being invited to play brunch sets, to the membership club that gives regulars a sense of home and belonging.

As Reena puts it, hospitality today isn’t about Instagram perfection, it’s about authentic storytelling and human connection. Her journey is a reminder that resets aren’t endings, they’re remixes that blend old strengths with new purpose.

· Check out my bestselling book, "AI and the New Oz: Leadership’s Journey to the Future of Work" available on Amazon [https://a.co/d/aTBJmEr]. Go to the "AI and the New Oz" website at https://www.ai-and-the-new-oz.com/ to learn more!

#thejourneyisthejob