What if music could respond to you? What if your favorite songs could shift to match your exact mood, energy level, or the vibe of your surroundings? That's the breakthrough Brian Fenchel and his team at Starchild Music are bringing to life with their revolutionary adaptive music format.

Brian's journey from jazz trumpet virtuoso to music tech innovator reveals how personal challenges can spark profound innovation. After losing feeling in his lips from an illness that temporarily halted his performance career, Brian pivoted into music production before eventually studying computer science. This unique blend of artistic intuition and technical expertise led him to identify music's untapped potential: while films became immersive and games became interactive, music remained stubbornly static.

Starchild Music's solution—adaptive music that "listens back"—transforms passive listening into creative collaboration. Their intuitive platform allows anyone to remix songs in real-time, shifting genres, arrangements, and emotional tones with simple controls on their phone or laptop. No production experience needed. One moment your favorite track might be a gentle acoustic ballad; with a few taps, it transforms into an energetic electronic anthem or a cinematic orchestral piece.

What makes Starchild truly revolutionary isn't just the technology but their ethical approach. Artists maintain control over how their music can be adapted, ensuring their vision remains intact while opening new dimensions of fan engagement. The platform's attribution system ensures everyone—from original artists to AI model creators to musicians whose catalogs helped train those models—receives proper recognition and compensation.

The implications reach far beyond entertainment. Adaptive music promises to transform gaming experiences, fitness applications, wellness platforms, and even how brands connect with consumers through emotionally tailored sound. As Brian puts it, "Music becomes truly alive when it makes you feel alive."

Ready to experience the future of music? Visit starchildmusic.ai to try their player today and discover how music that responds to you can create deeper, more meaningful connections to the songs you love.

CONNECT WITH BRYAN 🎙️

Website: https://starchild.music/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-fenchel-3a6048245/

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/

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

Behind every thriving cultural institution lies a story of passion, resilience, and community. For Paige Brodsky, now marking 36 years at Streetlight Records, that story unfolds through decades of music industry transformation that would have shuttered lesser establishments.

"We're the cockroaches of the business world," Brodsky explains with a smile, describing the remarkable adaptability that has kept independent record stores alive through seismic technological shifts. From vinyl's dominance to cassettes, CDs, digital downloads, and streaming, Streetlight Records—now celebrating its 50th anniversary—has transformed each potential threat into an opportunity for connection.

What emerges from Brodsky's journey is a profound lesson in creating community through shared passion. When young fans gather for pre-release listening parties, strangers become friends through their love of an artist. When customers browse vinyl records—some without even owning turntables—they're participating in a multisensory ritual that digital platforms simply cannot replicate. The colored vinyl, gatefold artwork, and warm analog sound represent more than nostalgia; they're artifacts that connect people across generations.

Perhaps most remarkable is Streetlight's ability to respond to its specific communities, with distinct musical preferences between their San Jose and Santa Cruz locations. This local connection, combined with the national network of independent record store owners sharing strategies and support, creates a resilience that corporate chains never achieved.

Join us at Streetlight Records' 50th anniversary celebration on Saturday, July 26th at both locations, featuring DJs, giveaways, and a special book signing of "South Bay Flashback" about San Jose's psychedelic underground. Whether you're a vinyl aficionado or simply curious about how some businesses stay vibrant for half a century, you'll discover how passion makes work feel like anything but.

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.

CONNECT WITH PIYUSH 🎙️Podcast: https://piyushmalik.substack.com/podcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malikpiyush/

CONNECT WITH RESET 🎙️Podcast: https://www.reset-podcast.comYouTube: 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

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" 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

We’re proud to launch NorCal Narratives, a collaboration I’m co-producing with Daniel Roberts (Station Director at KPCR 92.9 FM) where we’ll spotlight the voices and ideas shaping Northern California’s cultural and intellectual life.

In our debut episode, we sit down with Megan Lambert — author of Eros: The Journey Home, coach, speaker, and founder of the Los Gatos Mama’s Circle. Megan shares her journey from corporate leadership consultant to retreat leader in Bali, to bestselling author and mother of two. Throughout her path, she has explored the deep connection between intuition, desire, and leadership — and how women, especially mothers, can reconnect to their own vitality and creativity.

In the conversation, Megan explains how she learned to follow what she calls the “pulse of aliveness,” leaving behind the familiar when she felt called to Bali despite having no plan. She reflects on why so many women struggle to trust their intuition, the cultural conditioning that teaches self-sacrifice over self-knowledge, and how guilt arises when our authentic desires challenge those expectations.

We also discuss her concept of eros — not merely romantic or sexual, but a life force, a creative energy that animates and colors all of life — and how to reconnect to it, especially after seasons of disconnection. Megan offers insight into her work helping women and mothers feel seen, heard, and supported, through her writing, podcast, coaching, and her in-person Mama’s Circle gatherings.

Her story embodies what NorCal Narratives is about: understanding what people do, why it matters, and how their choices reflect broader shifts in work, art, learning, and community.

Listen to NorCal Narratives on Tuesday at 11am PT on KPCR 92.9 FM and join us as we meet the people and explore the ideas that are redefining what it means to live, create, and connect here in Northern California.

Imagine a world where AI doesn't just respond to your commands but proactively handles entire business processes without supervision. That's the promise of agentic AI, and few understand its revolutionary potential better than Jim Recker.

After decades in the tech industry working with giants like WebEx and BlueJeans, Jim has embarked on his most ambitious journey yet – building Invenir, a company leveraging agentic AI to transform how businesses bring products to market. "I've never been so excited to be involved in technology as I am now," Jim says with genuine enthusiasm that's impossible to miss.

In our conversation that originally aired on KPCR 92.9FM, the distinction he draws between generative and agentic AI crystalizes what makes this moment so pivotal. While generative AI requires human prompting for each task, agentic AI works autonomously toward objectives. This shift from reactive to proactive technology promises to accelerate business processes dramatically, potentially cutting go-to-market cycles by 60% by Jim's estimates. "This will be a revolution larger than the industrial revolution in the 1800s," he declares, predicting business processes will be unrecognizable within 4-5 years.

What's particularly fascinating is how Jim's varied career experiences – from sales engineering to product management to marketing – have converged to inform his vision. Each role provided unique insights into the challenges of bringing products to market efficiently. Even his early stint touring with the Grateful Dead (yes, really!) contributed to his adaptable mindset. His journey demonstrates how accumulated wisdom can spark innovation at any life stage, challenging conventional narratives about entrepreneurship being exclusively for the young.

When asked what signals it's time to move on from a job, Jim's answer is refreshingly simple: "When I'm not having fun anymore." This philosophy of pursuing meaningful work that brings joy grounds his approach to business building and serves as a powerful reminder for anyone contemplating their next career move.

Ready to witness the future of business automation? Follow Jim's journey on LinkedIn or visit invenirai.com to learn how agentic AI might transform your industry sooner than you think.

CONNECT WITH JIM 🎙️

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/recker/
• Invenir: https://www.invenir.ai/

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
• Email: mailto:tonya@reset-podcast.com

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 [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

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.

Originally broadcast on Pirate Cat Radio 92.9FM, the 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.

Today, Mike is focused 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" - a regular gathering at a coastal 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" (yes, straight from Star Trek). 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."

Ready to explore how technology can enhance rather than diminish our humanity? Connect with Mike Prince on LinkedIn to follow his work on AI agents, trust protocols, and creating spaces where technology serves our deepest human needs.

CONNECT WITH MIKE 👨🏼‍🌾

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-prince-7713/

"Agentic Profile" Blog: https://www.agenticprofile.ai/

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

Email: mailto:tonya@reset-podcast.com

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 [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

Technology partnerships don't just happen — they're carefully cultivated through trust, long-term thinking, and a relentless focus on customer outcomes. Vladimirs Sazonovs brings 25 years of Cisco wisdom to this fascinating conversation about what makes transformational partnerships work in an era of unprecedented technological change.

From opening the Baltics for Cisco in the early 2000s to now leading their Global Infrastructure Funds, Vladimirs has mastered the art of bringing together diverse ecosystem players to solve complex problems. His simple yet profound insight? "Do they do what they say they will do?" This foundational question guides his approach to building partnerships that withstand the test of time and deliver meaningful results.

The parallels between the networking revolution of the early 2000s and today's AI transformation are striking. Both represent moments when technology enables previously unthinkable possibilities. Vladimirs shares how companies can navigate these shifts by distinguishing between their core competencies (what truly differentiates them) and context (what can be handled through partnerships). This strategic clarity becomes especially crucial as AI, high-performance computing, and NeoCloud providers reshape the technology landscape.

Perhaps most compelling is Vladimirs' perspective on technology's ultimate purpose — human flourishing. Whether enabling healthcare breakthroughs or improving productivity across sectors, technology serves as a sophisticated tool that amplifies human potential rather than replacing it. This human-centered viewpoint provides a refreshing counterbalance to dystopian AI narratives.

For leaders navigating digital transformation, this conversation offers a masterclass in partnership thinking. You'll gain insights on evaluating potential partners, structuring win-win relationships, and maintaining focus amid rapid technological change. As Vladimirs notes, sometimes the most important strategic decisions aren't about what you do — they're about what you choose not to do.

Ready to transform how you approach partnerships? Listen now and discover why purpose-driven collaboration might be your most powerful competitive advantage.

CONNECT WITH VLADIMIRS 🎙️

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

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
• Email: mailto:tonya@reset-podcast.com

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 theNew 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

What does it mean to reinvent yourself after decades in the corporate world? John McGowan, a Silicon Valley veteran who helped build Hewlett Packard during its formative years, shares his journey through multiple careers, four retirements, and the pursuit of passions that keep life meaningful at every stage.

Our conversation begins with John's unconventional path from "really bad engineer" to corporate executive. Despite his father's insistence on an engineering degree, John found his true talents in sales, negotiation, and contract law — ultimately becoming a vice president at Agilent Technologies. Throughout his corporate ascent, he balanced his demanding career with law school, raising children, and cultivating serious hobbies that demanded complete presence.

These pursuits — flying planes for animal rescue missions, traveling across North America in Airstreams, and mentoring younger enthusiasts — weren't just pastimes. They were deliberate counterbalances to corporate demands, providing what John calls "a way to separate myself from the work world." His perspective on technological evolution is equally fascinating, having witnessed the transformation from "typewriters and mimeograph machines" to today's always-connected reality where work boundaries have virtually disappeared.

Most compelling is John's approach to retirement and aging. Rather than seeing his seventh decade as a time of decline, he views it as an opportunity to pursue bucket list adventures and contribute meaningfully through volunteer work. His 50-year marriage to Diane, built on complementary strengths and mutual respect, demonstrates how partnership evolves through life's transitions. For those intimidated by AI and emerging technologies, his advice is refreshingly simple: "Just try it. You can't hurt it. Play with it.

"Whether you're contemplating your own career transition or seeking inspiration for life's third act, John's story reminds us that purpose and possibility extend far beyond the corner office. Subscribe now to hear more conversations with thought leaders reshaping how we think about work, technology, longevity, and purpose.

CONNECT WITH JOHN 🚊

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mcgowan-539211/

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/!

#thejourneyisthejob