Time to Reset

Hosted by Penny Zenker

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Episodes

380

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

In a world full of challenges, complexity, and distractions, Time to Reset is your guide to tackling any obstacle with clarity, focus, and a fresh perspective. Join your host, 2 times #1 best-selling author and international keynote speaker, Penny Zenker. Each episode offers actionable strategies, inspiring stories, and practical insights for time management tips, innovation strategies, leadership lessons, problem-solving, business growth, and more. Take this Time to Reset .

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 21, 20268 min

How to Prepare for Conversations without Sounding Scripted

Scripts can help you prepare for a presentation, sales conversation, negotiation, or difficult conversation. But when you become too dependent on getting every word right, you can lose the one thing that matters most: connection. In this solo episode of Time to Reset Penny Zenker explores how to prepare for important conversations without sounding rehearsed or losing your ability to listen and respond in the moment. Penny breaks down why scripts should be used as a framework rather than something you have to follow word for word, how over-preparing can interfere with authentic communication, and why presence matters in leadership, sales, presentations, and difficult conversations. She also shares how to use AI as a role-play partner to practice conversations, anticipate objections, switch perspectives, and test how your message might be received before a high-stakes interaction. In this episode, you'll learn: How to prepare for difficult conversations without sounding scripted Why relying too heavily on a script can hurt connection How to stay present and listen during high-stakes conversations How leaders can prepare for objections and unexpected responses How to use AI to role-play conversations and improve communication Why your objective matters more than finding the perfect words Preparation gives you confidence. Presence gives you connection. The reset is knowing when you've prepared enough to let go of the script and engage with the person in front of you. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

August 14, 202621 min

Transforming Workplace Culture With The “Yes, And” Mindset With Avish Parashar

What if the biggest threat to your team isn't resistance to change—it's apathy? In this episode of Time to Reset, Penny Zenker sits down with keynote speaker, improv expert, and bestselling author Avish Parashar to explore how the simple phrase "Yes, And" can transform leadership, communication, innovation, and workplace culture. Drawing lessons from the world of improv comedy, Avish reveals why the best leaders don't shut down ideas—they build on them. Together, Penny and Avish discuss how curiosity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence help leaders navigate uncertainty, inspire engagement, and create teams that are willing to think, contribute, and grow. Whether you're leading through AI disruption, organizational change, or simply trying to create a more engaged workplace, this conversation offers practical strategies you can apply immediately. In this episode you'll learn: Why "Yes, And" is a powerful leadership mindset How leaders unintentionally create employee disengagement The surprising connection between improv and business success How curiosity builds trust and innovation Why apathy—not resistance—is the biggest workplace challenge Practical ways to increase creativity and collaboration How to lead through uncertainty with confidence and flexibility Why asking better questions creates better teams If you're a leader, manager, entrepreneur, or anyone looking to improve communication, decision-making, and adaptability, this episode is packed with actionable insights. 📖 Learn more about Avish Parashar and his book "Say 'Yes, And!' to Change." Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

August 7, 20269 min

How Great Leaders Make People Feel Valued | Small Actions That Build Trust & Engagement

How do great leaders make employees feel valued? What increases employee engagement without spending more money? How can leaders create stronger workplace culture through everyday interactions? In this episode of Time to Reset , productivity expert and leadership strategist Penny Zenker explores why the most memorable leaders aren't necessarily the loudest or the busiest. They're the ones who intentionally create moments that matter. Using a personal story about planning a milestone birthday celebration, Penny reveals how the same principles can transform team meetings, customer experiences, employee engagement, and even family relationships. The lesson is simple: meaningful leadership isn't built through grand gestures. It's built through consistent, thoughtful actions that help people feel seen, appreciated, and connected. In this episode you'll learn: How to make employees feel valued at work Simple leadership habits that increase employee engagement Why meaningful workplace culture is built through small moments Ways to create more engaging meetings and stronger team connections How thoughtful follow-up builds trust after employee surveys Practical leadership strategies to improve communication and retention If you're a leader, manager, business owner, or anyone looking to build stronger relationships at work and at home, this episode offers practical strategies you can implement immediately. Keywords: leadership, employee engagement, workplace culture, leadership communication, management skills, employee experience, leadership development, team engagement, company culture, trust in leadership, meaningful leadership, customer experience, workplace relationships, communication skills, productivity, Penny Zenker, Time to Reset Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

July 31, 202622 min

The Future Of Human Capital: Moving Beyond Traditional Performance Reviews With Jacob Chase

Most companies measure financial performance with precision—but struggle to measure the true value of their people. In this episode of Time to Reset, Penny Zenker sits down with entrepreneur and former Wall Street investment banker Jacob D. Chase , founder of The INFIN , to explore a new approach to measuring human capital, employee contribution, and organizational value. As AI transforms the workplace and top performers create exponentially more value, traditional performance reviews and compensation models are becoming outdated. Jacob explains why annual reviews often miss the employees making the biggest impact—and how organizations can use collective feedback to build a more accurate, fair, and motivating system. In this conversation you'll learn: Why traditional performance reviews fail How to measure employee contribution beyond job titles The connection between culture, performance, and business results How AI is widening the gap between average and exceptional performers Why crowdsourced feedback creates fairer compensation decisions How to identify hidden high performers before they leave A new way to think about meritocracy, employee engagement, and leadership Whether you're a CEO, HR leader, manager, entrepreneur, or team leader, this conversation offers practical insights into creating a workplace where people are recognized for the value they actually create. If you're ready to rethink performance management, employee recognition, and modern leadership, this episode is for you. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

July 24, 202612 min

AI Isn't Your Expert - It's Your Teammate

AI can write, code, brainstorm, organize, and solve problems faster than ever—but that doesn't mean it's always right. In this solo episode of Time to Reset , Penny Zenker shares hard-earned lessons from building real AI-powered projects using Claude and ChatGPT. She explains why treating AI like a brilliant teammate—not an infallible expert—can dramatically improve your results while preventing costly mistakes. You'll learn: Why AI makes assumptions—even when you tell it not to How long conversations can reduce the quality of AI responses Why documenting your project is essential for consistent results How version control can save hours of frustration The importance of auditing AI instead of accepting confident answers When to use multiple AI tools for better outcomes How a Reset Mindset helps you work smarter with artificial intelligence Whether you're using ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, or another large language model, these practical strategies will help you build better workflows, avoid hidden pitfalls, and collaborate with AI more effectively. In this episode: AI best practices, ChatGPT tips, Claude AI, prompt engineering, AI productivity, artificial intelligence, AI coding, version control, documentation, leadership, problem solving, decision making, and the Reset Mindset. If you've been experimenting with AI, we'd love to hear from you. What has worked well? What mistakes have you learned from? Share your experience in the comments so others can learn faster, too. #ArtificialIntelligence #ChatGPT #ClaudeAI #AIProductivity #Leadership #Productivity #PromptEngineering #BusinessAI #Innovation #TimeToReset Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

July 17, 202624 min

Helping a Functional Alcoholic: Strategic Ways To Influence Change With Amber Hollingsworth

In this episode of Time to Reset, Penny Zenker sits down with addiction expert Amber Hollingsworth , founder of Put the Shovel Down , to discuss functional alcoholism, denial, and the communication strategies that actually help someone change. Rather than relying on confrontation, blame, or emotional reactions, Amber explains why influence—not force—is the key to supporting someone struggling with alcohol addiction. Together, they explore how emotional intelligence, strategic communication, and understanding human psychology can create meaningful change in relationships, leadership, parenting, and recovery. Whether you're supporting a spouse, family member, friend, or simply want to become a better communicator, this conversation offers practical insights that extend far beyond addiction. In this episode you'll learn: What functional alcoholism really looks like Why people stay in denial about alcohol addiction The biggest mistakes families make when trying to help How empathy creates more influence than criticism Why natural consequences are more effective than punishment Communication techniques that reduce defensiveness How beliefs shape addictive behaviors Leadership and parenting lessons that apply to every relationship If you've ever wondered how to help someone with alcohol addiction—or how to influence positive change without creating resistance—this episode is for you. Subscribe to Time to Reset for conversations that help you gain clarity, reset your mindset, and lead with greater intention. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

July 10, 20269 min

What Options Are You Missing? The Hidden Blind Spots Behind Better Decision Making

Why do smart people make poor decisions? Often, it's not because they lack intelligence. It's because they're only seeing one version of the problem. In this solo episode of Time to Reset , Focusologist Penny Zenker explores how our experiences, assumptions, beliefs, and pressure shape what we notice—and what we completely miss. Through one powerful leadership exercise and practical coaching questions, you'll discover how expanding your perspective leads to better decisions, greater creativity, and stronger leadership. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why we often solve the wrong problem without realizing it • How assumptions quietly limit your choices • Simple questions that expand perspective and improve decision making • Why great leaders create better answers instead of providing all the answers • How intentional reset moments help you think more clearly under pressure If you've ever felt stuck between two choices, overwhelmed by a decision, or frustrated that every solution seems incomplete, this episode will help you uncover the options you didn't know you had. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

July 3, 202626 min

Breakthrough Leadership: The 3 Controllables You Need to Master With Brian Biro

What separates breakthrough leaders from everyone else? In this episode of the Time to Reset Podcast, Penny Zenker sits down with renowned leadership expert and motivational speaker Brian Biro , known as America's Breakthrough Speaker, to explore the mindset shifts that create extraordinary results in leadership, business, and life. Brian shares his powerful framework for controlling the controllables, revealing the three essential elements of breakthrough leadership: ✅ Vision: Focus on what you want to create, not what you fear ✅ Energy: How purpose, movement, and gratitude fuel performance ✅ Presence: The leadership skill that builds trust, connection, and impact Together, Penny and Brian discuss why so many people operate on autopilot, how technology and AI can increase distraction, and why being fully present may be the most valuable leadership advantage in today's world. Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, manager, coach, or anyone seeking personal growth, this conversation offers practical tools to improve focus, strengthen relationships, increase engagement, and create meaningful breakthroughs. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: What breakthrough leadership really means The power of controlling your controllables Why focus determines your future How to create and sustain high energy The connection between gratitude and purpose How presence builds trust and influence The hidden cost of distraction and autopilot thinking Leadership lessons for the AI era Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

June 26, 202613 min

Take Back Control: The Hidden Power of Focus to Reset Your Mind

What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't your circumstances—it's where your attention is? In this solo episode of Time to Reset , Penny Zenker shares one of her most memorable keynote moments, revealing how our focus shapes our emotions, behaviors, and results. Through a simple audience exercise, she demonstrates just how quickly we can change our cravings, our fears, and even our confidence by changing the meaning we assign to what we're experiencing. This isn't really about chocolate, cinnamon rolls, or potato chips. It's about leadership, resilience, emotional regulation, and reclaiming control when life feels overwhelming. In this episode you'll learn: Why focus drives behavior more than circumstances How your brain creates emotional responses based on perception The connection between attention, stress, confidence, and resilience A practical Reset Mindset technique you can use immediately How leaders influence the energy of every room simply through their focus If you've ever felt overwhelmed, distracted, anxious, or stuck, this episode will remind you that your greatest source of control is closer than you think. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

June 19, 202623 min

Breaking The Logic Trap: The Multi-Dimensional Power Of Aligned Intuition With Ali Sweeney

What if the answers you’re searching for aren’t found through logic alone? In this episode of the Time to Reset podcast, Penny Zenker sits down with intuitive coach and former engineer Ali Sweeney for a powerful conversation about intuition, alignment, emotional awareness, and the hidden ways our conditioning shapes decision-making. Ali shares her personal transformation from a data-driven engineering career into the world of intuition, energy work, and spiritual growth after the loss of her brother changed the trajectory of her life. Together, Penny and Ali explore why logic is not always objective, how fear disguises itself as “practical thinking,” and why learning to trust your intuition can lead to greater clarity, peace, and purpose. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why logic can sometimes become a trap The difference between intuition, instinct, and fear How childhood conditioning influences adult decisions Practical ways to access intuition and inner alignment How leaders can create calm, grounded energy within teams Why emotional awareness is critical for better decision-making Simple reset techniques to reduce stress and reconnect with yourself Ali also shares actionable tools listeners can use immediately, including emotional check-ins, grounding practices, breathwork, meditation, and recognizing the difference between reactive fear and aligned intuition. If you’ve ever struggled with overthinking, burnout, decision fatigue, or feeling disconnected from yourself, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how to reset, reconnect, and move forward with confidence. Topics covered include intuition vs logic, emotional intelligence, mindset shifts, personal growth, stress reduction, leadership development, energy awareness, mindfulness, nervous system regulation, aligned decision-making, and self-awareness. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/