Plot Twist with Tiana

Tiana
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Plot Twist with Tiana is a candid conversation series that explores the moments when life rewrites our script. Each episode sits down one-on-one with people who’ve taken an unexpected turn — shifting industries, careers, or perspectives — to uncover what sparked their change, what challenges came with it, and how they found purpose on the other side. It’s not about perfection or polished success stories; it’s about the real pivot points that shape who we become. Through curiosity, humor, and reflection, Plot Twist shows that change isn’t the end of your story — it’s the chapter that makes it worth telling.

  1. 3D AGO

    More Than an Athlete: The Identity Shift No One Talks About (NFL to CEO)

    What happens after the dream you built your identity around comes to an end? In this episode of Plot Twist, Tiana Reeves sits down with former NFL athlete turned CEO Rick Elmore to unpack the reality of life after sports—and what it truly takes to reinvent yourself. From the highs of playing in the NFL to the challenges of building a business from the ground up, Rick shares how he navigated the identity shift that many high performers face when one chapter closes. This conversation dives deep into the transferable skills from sports to business, the role of discipline and mindset in entrepreneurship, and why passion and purpose are critical for long-term success. Rick also opens up about leadership, empathy, and what it means to build something meaningful beyond titles and accolades. Whether you're an athlete transitioning careers, a professional facing a major life pivot, or someone searching for deeper purpose, this episode will challenge you to rethink identity, success, and what comes next. ✨ In this episode, you’ll learn: How to transition from the NFL to entrepreneurshipThe mindset shifts required to reinvent your identityTransferable skills from sports to business and leadershipWhy passion and deep expertise matter in building successHow empathy shapes strong leadership🎧 Tune in for an inspiring conversation on reinvention, identity, and building a life beyond the game. Connect with Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-elmore/ Or at Simplynoted.com Chapters 00:00 From Athlete to Entrepreneur: A Journey of Reinvention 05:10 The Transition: Navigating Life After Sports 09:45 Building a Business: Lessons from the NFL 14:52 Finding Passion: The Path to Simply Noted 19:42 The Plot Twist: Embracing Change and Growth

    24 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Invisible Bricks: The Weight No One Talks About in Chronic Illness

    What happens when life forces a plot twist you never saw coming? In this powerful episode of Plot Twist, Tiana Reeves sits down with Patti Bevilacqua to talk about the reality of living with multiple sclerosis (MS) and how chronic illness can reshape identity, mindset, and purpose. Patti opens up about her journey navigating MS, the emotional and physical challenges of an “invisible illness,” and the resilience it takes to rebuild your life in the face of uncertainty. Together, they explore the concept of the “invisible bricks” we all carry—those unseen struggles that shape how we show up in the world. This conversation dives into redefining strength, embracing vulnerability, and learning how to ask for help without shame. If you’re navigating a life transition, chronic illness, personal setback, or identity shift, this episode will remind you that transformation is still possible—even in the hardest seasons. ✨ In this episode, you’ll learn: How to cope with multiple sclerosis (MS) and chronic illness challenges The power of mindset shifts during life-altering moments Why vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness How community support can change your healing journey What it means to redefine identity after adversity 🎧 Tune in for an honest, inspiring conversation about resilience, healing, and rewriting your story. Connect with Patti at https://patti-bevilacqua.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/patti-bevilacqua/ https://pattibevilacqua.substack.com/ Chapters 00:00 Life-Changing Plot Twists 01:46 Invisible Bricks and Personal Struggles 03:36 Identity Shift and Overcoming Challenges 04:35 Mindset Shift: Redefining Strength 06:24 Creating Hope and Community 08:13 Lessons from Living with MS 10:30 Empowerment Through Vulnerability 12:06 Finding Purpose in Adversity 14:01 Connecting and Sharing Stories

    18 min

  3. MAR 12

    She Left a 22-Year Corporate Career to Follow Her Dream of Becoming a Dancer

    What happens when you spend decades building a life that looks successful… but doesn’t feel like you? In this episode of Plot Twist, Tiana Reeves sits down with Dina Escobedo, who spent 22 years working in corporate America before finally choosing to pursue the dream she had buried since high school: becoming a professional dancer. After a guidance counselor dismissed her dream, Dina followed the “safe” path—earning a degree, building a career, and working as an executive assistant to high-profile CEOs. But the passion for dance never left her. One pivotal moment forced her to confront a difficult truth: she was helping everyone else succeed while ignoring her own calling. Dina shares how she walked away from the corporate world, rebuilt her life around dance, and found the courage to live authentically. This conversation explores: • The impact of authority figures on our dreams • Why so many people stay in careers that don’t fulfill them • How to overcome fear and start over later in life • What it means to truly live as your authentic self If you've ever felt stuck in a job that doesn't align with your passion, this episode is a reminder that it’s never too late to rewrite your story. Follow Dina: Instagram: @SalsaWithDina Resources Sagga House Publishing - https://saggahousepublishing.com Dina Escobedo Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/salsawithdina/ Dina Escobedo Gmail - mailto:salsawithdina@gmail.com Chapters 00:00 The Impact of Doubt 12:00 Reclaiming Passion and Purpose 17:03 Breaking Free from Corporate Constraints 21:32 Living Authentically and Inspiring Others Keywords personal development, career change, dance, authenticity, courage, inspiration, life transformation Learn more about the show: www.getinnov8it.com/plot-twist

    29 min

  4. MAR 5

    Starting Over on Purpose: From Corporate Tech to Sagga Publishing

    How do you walk away from an identity you spent decades building? In this episode of Plot Twist, host Tiana sits down with Mary Romasanta, a former tech executive who spent 20 years climbing the corporate ladder before making the bold decision to bet on herself. Today, Mary is an author and the founder of Sagga Publishing House, but the journey from "Tech Professional" to "Publisher" was anything but a straight line. We dive deep into the "DABDA" grieving process of leaving a career, the reality of financial planning for a pivot, and why the most successful reinventions often happen after 40. Whether you are feeling stuck in your current role or dreaming of your own "Plot Twist," this conversation is a masterclass in reclaiming your time and finding your peace. In this episode, we discuss: The psychological cost of leaving a high-level corporate identity.How to build a "pivot" support system (and why you need "cheerleaders").The reality of mid-career reinvention: Why 40 is the perfect age to start.Mary’s journey into supernatural fiction and the founding of Sagga Publishing.A "Behind the Scenes" look at Mary’s haunted childhood home that inspired her book, Infestation. 📚 Featured Books & Resources Sagga Publishing House: www.saggapublishing.comContact Mary Romasanta: www.maryromasanta.com Shhh, My Mom is a Superhero by Tiana Reeves: https://shorturl.at/IjSn6La Llorona: The Awakening by Mary Romasanta: https://shorturl.at/2sVNe ✨ Connect with Us Follow the Podcast: Hit the follow and Subscribe button to get notified of every new Plot Twist!Instagram: @acorporate_momYouTube: Drop a comment and tell us: What is the "Plot Twist" title of your current life chapter?#Podcast #Reinvention #CareerPivot #SaggaPublishing #PlotTwist #WomenInBusiness #AuthorLife #MidLifeCrave #CorporateExit

    25 min

  5. FEB 26

    The Accountability Plot Twist: Raising Adults, Not Just Kids

    What if the goal of parenting isn’t raising good kids… but raising capable adults? In this episode of Plot Twist, Tiana Reeves dives into one of the most uncomfortable — and necessary — conversations in modern parenting: accountability. Somewhere between protecting our children and preparing them, we blurred the lines. We negotiate. We rescue. We soften consequences. But what happens when “helping” starts delaying adulthood? This episode explores: The difference between control and coachingWhy accountability is the greatest gift we can give our kidsHow raising independent young adults starts with uncomfortable boundariesThe leadership parallels between parenting and professional growthWhether you’re parenting teens, guiding young adults, or navigating your own season of “adulting,” this conversation will challenge you to rethink responsibility — at home and in the workplace. Because the real plot twist? Freedom without accountability isn’t empowerment. It’s delay. 🎧 Listen now and join the conversation. Learn more about Tiana's initiatives at getinnov8it.com — This episode is brought to you by Sagga House Publishing, home to literary works ranging from psychological thrillers to inspiring children’s books. Explore upcoming titles including Shh, My Mom is a Superhero and Tiana Reeves’ forthcoming memoir, Living in the Black. Visit www.saggapublishing.com to discover your next transformative read.

    14 min

  6. FEB 25

    From Surviving Systems to Designing Them

    Black History Month began as a recognition of survival, contribution, and resilience. But 100 years later, the conversation has shifted. In this episode of Plot Twist, Tiana reflects on the evolution of Black leadership — from navigating systems that were never built for us to actively designing and reshaping them. What does it mean to move from surviving corporate structures to owning influence within them? And how do community, coalition-building, and cultural innovation play a role in that shift? This is not just a conversation about history. It’s a challenge to rethink how we lead today. If you’ve ever felt like you were “the only one in the room,” this episode invites you to consider a new narrative: What if you’re not just there to adapt — but to architect? Topics covered: The centennial evolution of Black History Month Corporate leadership and representation Community as a catalyst for systemic change Redefining resilience in modern workplaces Designing legacy instead of enduring limitation Continue the Conversation at www.getinnov8it.com/plot-twist 🔔 Subscribe for conversations on leadership, identity, reinvention, and influence without authority. #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackLeadership #CorporateLeadership #Influence #PlotTwistPodcast #WomenInLeadership #careergrowth Chapters 00:00 The Evolution of Black Leadership 02:24 From Surviving to Thriving: A New Mindset 04:41 Redefining Leadership in 2026

    6 min

  7. FEB 11

    Ink Isn’t Rebellion — It’s Restoration

    Tattoo stigma is still alive — but medical tattooing is helping women heal after breast reconstruction and trauma. In this episode of Plot Twist, we explore how ink becomes restoration. When you hear the word tattoo, what comes to mind? For many, tattoos are still associated with rebellion, unprofessionalism, or self-expression on the fringe of society. But what if that narrative is incomplete?In this episode of Plot Twist, we challenge the stigma surrounding tattoo culture and explore the transformative side of ink — restoration.I’m joined by Michele Toon, licensed nurse, permanent makeup artist, piercer, and owner of Avanti Tattoo. Michele specializes in paramedical tattooing, including areola and nipple tattooing for women after breast reconstruction surgery, as well as scar camouflage for survivors of trauma.This conversation explores:Why tattooing is still viewed as “rebellious” or unprofessionalThe emotional and psychological impact of medical tattoo restoration. How art can help reclaim identity after surgery or trauma. The invisible emotional labor required in trauma-informed workWhy society struggles to legitimize healing when it doesn’t look traditionalIf you’ve ever questioned whether tattoos belong in professional spaces — or wondered how body art can become a form of empowerment — this episode will challenge what you think you know.Because sometimes the real plot twist isn’t rebellion…It’s restoration. 🎧 Listen now and join the conversation. If there’s one plot twist you hope this episode creates for someone else, share it in the comments. Connect with Michele & Avanti Tattoo on their website at ⁠www.AvantiTattoo.com⁠ OR on Instagram at ⁠https://www.instagram.com/avantitattoo_vail/ ⁠ Chapters 00:00 The Perception of Tattoos 02:17 Healing Through Art 04:17 Restoration and Emotional Healing 06:39 Balancing Emotions in Healing 08:57 From Nursing to Tattooing 10:25 Societal Views on Tattooing 11:58 Tattooing as a Form of Recovery 14:04 Connecting with Michele Toon Want to connect with Tiana? Visit my website: ⁠getinnov8it.com/plot-twist⁠

    16 min

  8. FEB 9

    Ep. 10: What I Didn’t Expect: Closing Season One of Plot Twist

    Episode 10 — Season One Reflection This episode was the hardest one to record. Not because I didn’t know what to say—but because this moment asked me to slow down, reflect, and release the expectations I’d placed on myself. In this Season One reflection, I’m closing out the first chapter of Plot Twist by sharing what I didn’t expect when I started this podcast: the pressure I internalized, the ways my audience surprised me, and how conversations I thought were “niche” ended up resonating deeply with people I never anticipated reaching. I talk about why Plot Twist was created, what I learned about listening instead of performing, and how pausing—rather than filling silence—changed the way I communicate both on and off the mic. Most importantly, I share how this season reshaped my perspective on storytelling, trust, and impact. Season One was about recognizing the twists and turns life brings. Season Two is about understanding the cost, the impact, and the moments that quietly change everything. Thank you for being part of this first season. And if Plot Twist has meant something to you, I’d love to hear about it. If you want to be a guest on the show contact me.

    8 min
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About

Plot Twist with Tiana is a candid conversation series that explores the moments when life rewrites our script. Each episode sits down one-on-one with people who’ve taken an unexpected turn — shifting industries, careers, or perspectives — to uncover what sparked their change, what challenges came with it, and how they found purpose on the other side. It’s not about perfection or polished success stories; it’s about the real pivot points that shape who we become. Through curiosity, humor, and reflection, Plot Twist shows that change isn’t the end of your story — it’s the chapter that makes it worth telling.

Information

  • Creator
    Tiana
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Tiana
  • Show Website
    Plot Twist with Tiana