#UpgradeMe with Dana Leong – Details, episodes & analysis

Dana Leong travels to Hangzhou to join NBA legend Yao Ming for his annual charity basketball weekend—and to find out how Yao turned fame into a platform for rural education, youth sports, and real opportunity. From gala stages to courtside commentary and a powerful moment with a young player on a prosthetic leg, this conversation is a masterclass in quiet, compounding impact.​​

• Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UpgradeMePod

• Support #UpgradeMe on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/UpgradeMePod

#UpgradeMe #YaoMing #Basketball #China #SportsForGood #Inspiration

AI isn’t just a buzzword anymore, it’s quietly wiring itself into every building, airport, and city on the planet. Eric Liu is one of the people actually doing it. As Founder & CEO of TwinMatrix Technologies and a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer, he builds spatial digital twins that turn real-world spaces into living, intelligent systems.​In this episode, Eric breaks down what digital twins really are, how they helped major infrastructure like airports cut costs and improve safety, and why AI “right now is the worst it will ever be”—because it’s getting better every single day. He also shares how to stay relevant when tech feels like a runaway train, and what skills, mindsets, and habits will matter most in the next 5–10 years.​​Whether you’re a founder, student, city builder, or just AI-curious, this conversation will help you stop feeling behind—and start seeing where your real opportunities are.In this episode:What a “spatial digital twin” is in plain language and why cities and airports are racing to build them​How Eric went from NVIDIA and gaming to smart cities, simulation, and infrastructure​​Why data is the new oil—and how AI turns it into real-time decisions that save money and even lives​How to adapt when AI keeps getting better every dayWhat to focus on if you feel you’re “falling behind” in techIf this episode sparks something in you, comment with your biggest insight, share it with a friend who needs to hear it, and subscribe for more deep dives with world-changing builders.----Welcome back to #UpgradeMe. It’s a podcast about the never ending self improvement journey, ideas and life hacks to help you level up and the people who make it happen! Hosted by Dana Leong, a 2x Grammy Winning Musician, a US Music Ambassador and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Support #UpgradeMe:https://www.patreon.com/UpgradeMePod⁠ Join our communities online at:https://www.Instagram.com/UpgradeMePod IGhttps://www.TikTok.com/@UpgradeMePod TIKTOKhttps://www.Facebook.com/UpgradeMePod FBhttps://www.Youtube.com/@UpgradeMePod⁠ YT⁠https://x.com/PodUpgrade⁠ X⁠https://www.Linkedin.com/in/DanaLeong LinkedInSubscribe to Upgrade Me: https://bit.ly/upgradeytsub#UpgradeMe is sponsored by https://www.TEKTONIKmusic.org (Harmony Heals)

#TwinMatrix #Motivation #CEO #MarkZuckerberg #Apple #ElonMusk

Today we learn life lessons and productivity wisdom from Bunty Bohra. He is a highly accomplished business executive, currently serving as a partner at Antler, a global venture capital firm, and CEO of Biologic Pte, an advisory and investment firm based in Singapore and the former CEO of Goldman Sachs, India. Bunty has extensive experience in empowering and investing in exceptional founders and creators.

Bunty is a fellow of the Aspen Institute’s India Leadership Initiative, is a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, serves on the Advisory Board of the MIT Sloan Finance Group, is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and previously served on the Asia Society Corporate Diversity Council.

Bunty earned dual SB degrees in Chemical Engineering and Management Science from MIT in 1996 and was awarded a certificate of completion for the Global Leadership and Public Policy for the 21st Century Program at Harvard Kennedy School in 2016. Additionally he has completed executive education programs at Oxford University and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at National University of Singapore.

Welcome back to #UpgradeMe. It’s a podcast about the never ending self improvement journey, ideas and life hacks to help you level up and the people who make it happen! Hosted by Dana Leong, a 2x Grammy Winning Musician, a US Music Ambassador and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader.

Support #UpgradeMe: https://www.patreon.com/UpgradeMePod⁠

Join our communities online at: https://www.Instagram.com/UpgradeMePod IG https://www.TikTok.com/@UpgradeMePod TIKTOK https://www.Facebook.com/UpgradeMePod FB https://www.Youtube.com/@UpgradeMePod⁠ YT ⁠https://x.com/PodUpgrade⁠ X ⁠https://www.Linkedin.com/in/DanaLeong LinkedIn

Subscribe to Upgrade Me:

https://bit.ly/upgradeytsub

#UpgradeMe is sponsored by

https://www.TEKTONIKmusic.org (Harmony Heals)

00:00 Intro Stateless Mogul? Taejun Shin’s Journey Begins02:00 The Stateless Hustle: Born Stateless, Built an EmpireHow he leveraged adversity into resilience and entrepreneurial drive.3:15 What Does the World Economic Form Do?!8:53 United Nations 🏛️16:36 A new initiative in Japan seeks to improve child services 🌍25:01 Financial inclusion and transformative education, realistic Ai Strategy 🌍36:39 Crypto can enhance remittance efficiency 50:51 Prioritizing Your Life 🎸01:09:28 Multitasking! Taejun discusses his journey through music, martial arts and sports, emphasizing the importance of flow, balance, sustainability, mental wellness and family time in overcoming challenges and managing stress. 🧠01:16:35 Managing Stress More 🌱01:24:47 Making Important Decisions 🌍--Meet Taejun Shin — a true modern-day polymath, who defies all odds while building a global microfinance empire, despite being stateless! As the founder of Gojo & Company, he provides financial services to millions in developing countries while running nonprofits focused on child welfare. But that’s not all. Taejun is also an ultra-marathoner who conquered 1,648 km, a 6th Dan in Go (Japanese Chess), a karate black belt, a passionate drummer and a skilled street photographer. In this episode of #UpgradeMe with Dana Leong , we explore how Taejun’s unique background fuels his relentless pursuit of excellence across industries. Get ready for a masterclass in resilience, innovation and purpose-driven living.--Welcome back to #UpgradeMe. It’s a podcast about the never ending self improvement journey, ideas and life hacks to help you level up and the people who make it happen! Hosted by Dana Leong, a 2x Grammy Winning Musician, a US Music Ambassador and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Support #UpgradeMe:https://www.patreon.com/UpgradeMePod⁠ Join our communities online at:https://www.Instagram.com/UpgradeMePod IGhttps://www.TikTok.com/@UpgradeMePod TIKTOKhttps://www.Facebook.com/UpgradeMePod FBhttps://www.Youtube.com/@UpgradeMePod⁠ YT⁠https://x.com/PodUpgrade⁠ X⁠https://www.Linkedin.com/in/DanaLeong LinkedInSubscribe to Upgrade Me: https://bit.ly/upgradeytsub#UpgradeMe is sponsored by https://www.TEKTONIKmusic.org (Harmony Heals)

Thrilled to have #UpgradeMePod guest #MichikoZentoh, producer who helped change the face of Japanese travel and culture TV with legends like #AnthonyBourdain, #JackieChan and the #Olympics.

Follow https://www.beneroots.jp/

Is there a limit on how free a spirit can be? Are we confined between the guard rails of our parents’ genetics and their nurture? Many times when a spirit is too curious to stay within its own four walls, it ventures to other cities, to other countries, to other continents and even to other altitudes while in search of deeper understanding and connection with the world, through culture, language, food, storytelling and shared experiences. In today’s episode, I am honored to share an hour with that free spirit who has lept boundaries to become an in demand producer for on screen household names like Anthony Bourdain, Jackie Chan, the BBC and two times at the Olympic Games in Japan. This is my Upgrade Me interview with Michiko Zentoh.

If you enjoy today’s episode, please don’t forget to hit the subscribe and like buttons, connect with us in the comments and on your favorite platforms to stream audio and video. We’ve also got a Patreon page, links in description, where you can subscribe to, support creation and receive that exclusive content and merch. You won’t regret it.

—

Welcome back to #UpgradeMe. It’s a podcast about the never ending self improvement journey, ideas and life hacks to help you level up and the people who make it happen! Hosted by Dana Leong, a 2x Grammy Winning Musician, a US Music Ambassador and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader.

Support #UpgradeMe: https://www.patreon.com/UpgradeMePod⁠

Join our communities online at:

https://www.Instagram.com/UpgradeMePod IG

https://www.TikTok.com/@UpgradeMePod TIKTOK

https://www.Facebook.com/UpgradeMePod FB

https://www.Youtube.com/@upgrademepod YT⁠

https://x.com/PodUpgrade⁠ X⁠

https://www.Linkedin.com/in/DanaLeong LinkedIn

Subscribe to Upgrade Me: https://bit.ly/upgradeytsub

#UpgradeMe is sponsored by https://www.TEKTONIKmusic.org (Harmony Heals)

#AnthonyBourdain #Olympics #JackieChan #BBC #NationalGeographic #Producer #Director #Culture #Japan

People always ask, what is it like to work in the music industry and how do artists make a living? Can you survive from making content for YouTube? During the pandemic, that question has become much more complex. However, they still say, ‘slow and steady wins the race’. Over the past 6 years I’ve known her, I’ve watched Minami grow in every way while relentlessly releasing songs and music videos on her duo CREAM's YouTube Channel as well as going out and making it happen live on tour throughout the year. Her story is one that drives home a healthy reminder of the fundamentals of persistence and courage. Courage to go against expectations and the beyond the obligatory and at times around the seemingly very operational practices in the Japanese entertainment industry. From working with some of the biggest names in Japan’s music industry to her hilarious stories of humble beginnings, I am honored to share the #UpgradeMe story of Minami from CREAM.

---

Welcome back to #UpgradeMe. It’s a podcast about the never ending self improvement journey, ideas and life hacks to help you level up and the people who make it happen! Hosted by Dana Leong, a 2x Grammy Winning Musician, a US Music Ambassador and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader.

Support #UpgradeMe:

https://www.patreon.com/UpgradeMePod⁠

Join our communities online at:

https://www.Instagram.com/UpgradeMePod IG

https://www.TikTok.com/@UpgradeMePod TIKTOK

https://www.Facebook.com/UpgradeMePod FB

https://www.Youtube.com/@UpgradeMePod⁠ YT

⁠https://x.com/PodUpgrade⁠ X

⁠https://www.Linkedin.com/in/DanaLeong LinkedIn

Subscribe to Upgrade Me:

https://bit.ly/upgradeytsub

Today, we dive deep into the world of a true virtuoso, Jordan Rudess, whose journey from being a classical pianist at Juilliard in New York to the keyboard wizard of Dream Theater is nothing short of extraordinary. Imagine a young prodigy, trained in the hallowed halls of Juilliard, choosing to abandon the predictable path to explore the uncharted realms of progressive rock. Much like an artist swapping the traditional canvas for the digital screen, Rudess embraces synthesizers and innovation, crafting soundscapes that transcend the ordinary. His story is a symphony of bold decisions and relentless pursuit of musical excellence. From his early days in the electronic space music band "Complex", to transforming into a titan of the prog-metal scene with Dream Theater, Jordan's career is a testament to the power of following one's passion. He seamlessly blends the precision of classical training with the experimental edge of rock, much like a master chef blending the most unexpected ingredients to create a culinary masterpiece. Join us as we explore the mind of a man who doesn't just play keyboards — he redefines them. We'll discuss his groundbreaking work with Liquid Tension Experiment, his ventures into software development with Wizdom Music, and his role as an educator shaping future generations of musicians. Ready yourself for a journey through realms of music innovation and creativity with the one and only Jordan Rudess. --- Welcome back to #UpgradeMe. It’s a podcast about the never ending self improvement journey, ideas and life hacks to help you level up and the people who make it happen! Hosted by Dana Leong, a 2x Grammy Winning Musician, a US Music Ambassador and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Support #UpgradeMe: https://www.patreon.com/UpgradeMePod⁠ Join our communities online at: https://www.Instagram.com/UpgradeMePod IG https://www.TikTok.com/@UpgradeMePod TIKTOK https://www.Facebook.com/UpgradeMePod FB https://www.Youtube.com/@UpgradeMePod⁠ YT ⁠https://x.com/PodUpgrade⁠ X ⁠https://www.Linkedin.com/in/DanaLeong LinkedIn Subscribe to Upgrade Me: https://bit.ly/upgradeytsub #UpgradeMe is sponsored by https://www.TEKTONIKmusic.org (Harmony Heals)

#JordanRudess  @JordanRudessKeys  #DreamTheater  @dreamtheaterofficial  #DanaLeong #Grammy #Juilliard  @JuilliardSchool  #Piano  @PianoteOfficial  #Keyboard #Korg  @KorgOfficial  #ProgRock

In a world of hustlers, bustlers and innovators, we all seek balance. Combining classical realism at the urban edge of hip-hop and street art, Justin BUA balances being a forward thinking artist while reinventing the classical brush on canvas medium through original caricatures from his colorful youth, statement pieces of pop-culture icons and his one and only globally top selling posterized painting “the DJ”. Even if you haven’t heard of him, you’ve most likely seen his work as it can be seen at The renowned Los Angeles County Museum of Art, on the TV shows he has hosted, music videos, major brand campaigns and gracing the walls in the homes of Hollywood and NBA royalty. It’s my pleasure to speak with the artist, the trailblazer, the OG, Justin BUA. If you enjoy today’s episode, please don’t forget to hit the subscribe and like buttons, connect with us in the comments and on your favorite platforms to stream audio and video. We’ve also got a Patreon page, where you can subscribe to, support new creation and receive that very exclusive content and merch. You won’t regret it. ------ Welcome back to #UpgradeMe. It’s a podcast about the never ending self improvement journey, ideas and life hacks to help you level up and the people who make it happen! Hosted by Dana Leong, a 2x Grammy Winning Musician, a US Music Ambassador and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Support #UpgradeMe: https://www.patreon.com/UpgradeMePod⁠ Join our communities online at: https://www.Instagram.com/UpgradeMePod https://www.TikTok.com/@UpgradeMePod https://www.Facebook.com/UpgradeMePod https://www.Youtube.com/@UpgradeMePod⁠ ⁠https://www.soundcloud.com/UpgradeMePod⁠ ⁠https://x.com/PodUpgrade⁠ ⁠https://www.Linkedin.com/in/DanaLeong Subscribe to Upgrade Me: https://bit.ly/upgradeytsub Upgrade Me is sponsored by https://www.TEKTONIKmusic.org (Harmony Heals)#UpgradeMePod #JustinBua #Painter #AwardWinningArtist #DanaLeong #Grammy #Motivation #Inspiration  @BUATV  #davidavocadowolfe  @thudrumble   @DJMuggsVEVO   @ComedyCentral   @DiCaprioMOVIE  #MichaelRapaport

Follow Cookie Online: https://otrstudios.com/founder https://www.facebook.com/cookiejmarenco https://bluecoastmusic.com/ https://www.instagram.com/bluecoastrecords If you’ve ever traveled all the way around the world in order to meet your neighbor, or learned a valuable life lesson by taking the long route, then this is the story for you. Over the past 4 decades, hidden away in the hills of my tiny hometown in Belmont, California lies OTR Studio. It’s a full functioning ultra-high-definition recording studio that rivals any in the world. At the studio, Gold Record Selling Artists, Grammy Winning Musicians and Academy Award film companies come to work with one of the rare gurus of sound. It took me 20 years of living in New York to realize I had a world class haven at OTR Studio to record in my own home town. Some people play instruments, like how I play the cello and trombone, some find new ways to invent instruments like DJ Qbert and his turntables and some rare talents, create and play the studio itself. Cookie Marenco makes her vintage mixing board and her stacks of sound signal processing modules into her personalized instruments. Her sensitivity to sound, experience in mixing and ability to pull and produce the best performances out of many artists is akin to a concert pianist feeling the touch of the keys to bring the most precise and dynamically beautiful music into real life. There’s a reason many music legends such as saxophonist Charlie Parker’s drummer Max Roach, the pianists Brad Mehldau, Jon Jang, the late great Chick Corea and major companies like Lucas Films and Sony all come to Cookie to fine tune their recordings. I came to record the podcast interview and we ended up creating an entire album. It is my honor to learn and share in real time, the evolution of audio in the highest possible fidelity, with Cookie Marenco. If you enjoy today’s episode, don’t forget to hit the subscribe and like buttons, connect with us on IG, TiKTok and your favorite platforms to stream audio and video. We also have a Patreon page links in description, where you can subscribe to and support and receive exclusive content and merch including the album of chill out music we created at Cookie’s studio called “Sweet Sleep Meditations”. You won’t regret it. Welcome back to #UpgradeMe. It’s a podcast about the never ending self improvement journey, ideas and life hacks to help you level up and the people who make it happen! Hosted by Dana Leong, a 2x Grammy Winning Musician, a US Music Ambassador and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Support #UpgradeMe: https://www.patreon.com/UpgradeMePod⁠ Join our communities online at: https://www.Instagram.com/UpgradeMePod https://www.TikTok.com/@UpgradeMePod https://www.Facebook.com/UpgradeMePod https://www.Youtube.com/@UpgradeMePod⁠ ⁠https://www.soundcloud.com/UpgradeMePod⁠ ⁠https://x.com/PodUpgrade⁠ ⁠https://www.Linkedin.com/in/DanaLeong Subscribe to Upgrade Me: https://bit.ly/upgradeytsub Upgrade Me is sponsored by https://www.TEKTONIKmusic.org (Harmony Heals)

We often take certain things for granted, especially when it comes to the autonomy of how a restaurant works. If designing and running one of the biggest and busiest restaurants in the Bay Area isn’t a big enough task for you to underestimate, imagine conceptualizing and running sixteen of them. Maybe it would take someone with the business sense of a Wall Street banker, the mental fortitude of a China Town Big Boss, the connections of a million-miler doing deals from Shanghai to San Francisco and someone who sees and jumps at opportunities to improve their industry on an artistic and systematic level. I am thrilled that life brought us to this juncture where that person has agreed to sit down with us on #UpgradeMe. It’s my pleasure to share with you, my conversation with restauranteur and business mastermind, Chef George Chen.

Follow George at:

https://chinalivesf.com/ https://www.instagram.com/chinalivechen https://x.com/ChinaLiveSF ---- Welcome back to #UpgradeMe. It’s a podcast about the never ending self improvement journey, ideas and life hacks to help you level up and the people who make it happen! Hosted by Dana Leong, a 2x Grammy Winning Musician, a US Music Ambassador and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Early Access #UpgradeMe Episodes and more: https://www.patreon.com/UpgradeMePod⁠ Join our communities online at: https://www.Instagram.com/UpgradeMePod https://www.TikTok.com/@UpgradeMePod https://www.Facebook.com/UpgradeMePod https://www.Youtube.com/@UpgradeMePod⁠ ⁠https://www.soundcloud.com/UpgradeMePod⁠ ⁠https://x.com/PodUpgrade⁠ ⁠https://www.Linkedin.com/in/DanaLeong Subscribe to Upgrade Me: https://bit.ly/upgradeytsub Upgrade Me is sponsored by https://www.TEKTONIKmusic.org (Harmony Heals)