Tuesdays With Andrea Podcast

Andrea Rios McMillian

An inspiration station for everyday people guiding humanity forward. Tuesdays with Andrea is an audio and video podcast for everyday working people who treasure life itself and the relationships we make at each phase. Listeners can find commonality and certainty in an ever-changing world as people of all ages and backgrounds share life lessons, career tales, and remember the people who’ve helped them along the way - all for the purpose of strengthening and uplifting others.

  1. #64 “Pain tried to break me, but I turned it into purpose” with Abbey Tiu, owner, Leilani Asian Fusion

    02/25/2025

    #64 “Pain tried to break me, but I turned it into purpose” with Abbey Tiu, owner, Leilani Asian Fusion

    She had every reason to quit—grief, financial struggles, and the challenge of protecting her late partner’s dream. But instead of giving up, Abbey Tiu built Leilani Asian Fusion, a restaurant that honors Jason Morales’ legacy. She also runs a successful mental health practice dedicated to helping others heal. How did she turn tragedy into success, and what can you learn from her journey? Watch until the end to find out. Abbey Tiu is a restaurateur and entrepreneur based in Aurora, Illinois. She is the owner of Leilani Asian Fusion, a dining establishment located in the historic Hobbs Building at 2 N. River St. in downtown Aurora. The restaurant, which opened on August 9, 2024, offers a diverse menu featuring inventive takes on sushi, steak, vegetarian dishes, boba (bubble tea), and signature cocktails. Leilani Asian Fusion also houses an underground lounge called Forbidden City, inspired by Southeast Asian nightclubs, offering rum-inspired craft cocktails, beer, and wine. The name "Leilani" honors Abbey's daughter and serves as a tribute to her late partner, Jason Morales, an exceptional restaurateur, entrepreneur, and engineer who was a longtime supporter of Aurora's revitalization. His giving spirit and zest for life are integral to the restaurant's ethos. Outline 00:00 Kicking Off Season Four of Tuesdays with Andrea 1:00 Abbey Intro and Bio 5:22 From the Phillipines to the United States 7:06 Joining a gang 10:24 Transition from Gang Life to Mentorship 14:06 Dropping out of high school 19:05 Dealing with a troubled marriage 20:12 Building a Mental Health Practice 26:26 Leaving an unhealthy relationship 32:49 Meeting Jason Morales 34:39 Building Leilani Asian Fusion 36:59 Jason's Passing and the Impact on Abby's Life 42:00 Balancing Personal and Professional Life 45:46 Not Missing an Opportunity 49:27 Leilani Asian Fusion 1:02:45 Advice and Insights for Listeners 1:11:08 Faith in the Universe and Vision Board Goals 1:13:00 Connection and Support from a Distance

    1h 17m
  2. #63 “Everything I Create Sounds Badass To Me” with Tony Guerrero, lead vocalist for legendary Tejano band, La Sombra

    06/21/2022

    #63 “Everything I Create Sounds Badass To Me” with Tony Guerrero, lead vocalist for legendary Tejano band, La Sombra

    Grammy-nominated Tejano musician and home-town legend: You're just as good The evolution of a major recording artist in the 80s- 90s and his present influence on Tejano music. In this episode, Tony Guerrero, lead singer from the legendary Tejano band, La Sombra, shares his experience being a Tejano superstar in the 80s and 90s, singing from the heart, creating his own musical style, and his mother's inspiration. Watch: https://youtu.be/IWsOkHkk4go Listen: https://tuesdayswithandrea.com/audio About La Sombra: La Sombra, known as “The Windy City Boys” because of their hometown of Aurora, Illinois near Chicago, released over twenty full-length studio albums featuring songs in both Spanish and English. The group has been credited with influencing the Tejano and Cumbia music fields in terms of musical style, dress, and concert performances as well as a generation of newer artists including the Kumbia Kings, according to Wikipedia. This episode was recorded on May 28, 2022. The Tuesdays With Andrea Podcast can be found at https://tuesdayswithandrea.com/​​ Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ3j17MWCWe_oreTCuyYf4Q. NIGHTLIGHTS She Could Sing La Sombra’s lead singer on his musical inspiration https://youtube.com/shorts/Pa4LX5W8wtA You’re Just as Good What every artist needs to know https://youtu.be/J0DzpTk6P4k Making One of a Kind Music La Sombra's unique contribution to Tejano music https://youtu.be/produj_vEhA The Mexican Michael Jackson La Sombra's crossover into Mexican markets https://youtu.be/T_mc9c7X8-M QUOTES I see myself as an ordinary person My mom would sing to me You are nobody’s shadow I loved music I was playing music out of heart I did it out of love It just happened You’re just as good as they are Let’s just record something just out of love for the music We took a chance with the music Nothing was out of luck I believe in God Take that first step keep going forward Everything I create sounds badass to me Create your own style of music Be yourself

    1h 2m
  3. #59 Creating purpose through passion with women in business, Jen Mendoza, S. Aurora WESOS chapter leader and nonprofit cofounder, Moms4Moms Vendor Events

    04/05/2022

    #59 Creating purpose through passion with women in business, Jen Mendoza, S. Aurora WESOS chapter leader and nonprofit cofounder, Moms4Moms Vendor Events

    “Women Supporting Women” Mompreneur: Creating Purpose through Passion Marketing and business development professional on growing a thriving network of empowered women in business. Watch episode: https://youtu.be/N4g6JDrarPE Listen to episode: This episode was recorded on February 9, 2022. More information about Jen and her business endeavors can be found at: www.wesossouthaurora.com www.multiprintanddigital.com www.facebook.com/Moms4MomsVendors The Tuesdays With Andrea Podcast can be found at https://tuesdayswithandrea.com/​​ Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ3j17MWCWe_oreTCuyYf4Q. NIGHTLIGHTS Changing the Cycle https://youtu.be/-vQkiYRk59k Mompreneur on using the burden of her past to empower women today. Getting Out https://youtu.be/BDgTGQ5Xi-M Why economic empowerment for women is so important. What Stops Women https://youtu.be/y6yIXjxfDQc What stops women from connecting with each other. WESOS & Moms4Moms Vendor Events https://youtu.be/WjjtT5hhAcU Women Entrepreneurs secrets of success & event planning services for women in Aurora, IL. QUOTES ‘I need to get out’ type of situation I just knew it would be better I knew my time would come Creating purpose through passion Aurora is a hub for women entrepreneurs Collaborations that happen Membership is for the woman not the business No mean girls allowed You can do it

  4. #58 “We All Have Soft Hearts” Connecting People through Art with Eric Lodin, mystery novel author 

    03/22/2022

    #58 “We All Have Soft Hearts” Connecting People through Art with Eric Lodin, mystery novel author 

    Mystery Novel Author: Connecting People through Art. In this episode, Andrea sits down with mystery novel author, Eric Lodin about his book, We All Have Soft Hearts. Learn about the writing process and rituals that create environments of flow and ways to activate the energy within by tuning in to our strengths. Publish Date: March 22, 2022. The Tuesdays With Andrea Podcast can be found at: https://tuesdayswithandrea.com/​​ This episode was recorded on June 30, 2021. Since we recorded this episode, Eric has been working on a sequel to Soft Hearts. Look for Slumbering Beasts: A Rett Swinson Mystery by Eric Lodin, releasing sometime in May 2022, wherever you buy your books or ebooks. Visit the YouTube Channel to watch all Nightlight videos and full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ3j17MWCWe_oreTCuyYf4Q TIMESTAMPS 05:37 The novel writing process 06:48 Writing from a woman’s viewpoint 09:55 Getting a book ready for publication 11:00 Getting in the flow 15:16 Connecting to people through art 21:15 Growing up in North Carolina and meeting his wife 23:37 Sparking writing talent at an early age 29:55 Writer’s Block and taking the first step 34:21 What every artist needs 41:25 Eric’s broader mission of helping young people discover their passion 46:26 The Leadership Challenge 48:13 Play to your strengths 50:26 The concept of guilty pleasure 51:52 Using a writing pseudonym 52:35 Bring something to fruition

About

An inspiration station for everyday people guiding humanity forward. Tuesdays with Andrea is an audio and video podcast for everyday working people who treasure life itself and the relationships we make at each phase. Listeners can find commonality and certainty in an ever-changing world as people of all ages and backgrounds share life lessons, career tales, and remember the people who’ve helped them along the way - all for the purpose of strengthening and uplifting others.