In The Know with Tony Reeves

What really drives you? In this episode, Tony Reeves breaks down a powerful truth most people overlook—motivation isn’t a straight line. It shifts, evolves, and sometimes starts from places we don’t fully understand. Drawing from his own journey—from leaving Pine Bluff to attending the University of Tampa —Tony shares how his initial motivation wasn’t about purpose or planning… it was about provin...

Even after decades of achievement, imposter syndrome can still show up. In this episode, I reflect on a reunion with law school classmates that forced me to confront how I see myself versus how others see me—and why that gap matters. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/in-the-know-with-tony-reeves--5596987/support .

This episode is personal. I take you back to a defining moment in my career—when I thought I was on track to become a partner after years of dedication… only to be told it wasn’t enough. What followed were two conversations that changed everything: One that helped me understand the value of my time And another that forced me to make a decision A close friend told me something I’ll never forget: If...

Most people remember A Different World as a celebration of HBCU life. But for Black Gen X students attending predominantly white institutions… it meant something very different. In this episode, I reflect on my experience entering college in the late ’80s—at a time when being a minority on campus wasn’t just about numbers, it was about navigating an environment that wasn’t built with you in mind. ...

What happens when you finally reach the goal you’ve been chasing? We’re taught to shoot for the moon—to set big goals, work hard, and push forward no matter what. But no one really talks about what happens when you actually get there. In this episode of In The Know with Tony Reeves, I share a personal reflection on my journey to becoming a judge—and the unexpected reality that came with it. Becaus...

Many professionals say the same phrase when they feel disrespected at work: “I know my worth.” But in professional environments, that statement rarely creates leverage. In this episode, I reflect on a resignation letter I wrote nearly 20 years ago and the lesson I didn’t fully understand at the time. There is a critical difference between worth and value. Worth is personal. Value is measurable. Or...

There’s a difference between working hard… and hiding in your work. In this episode of In The Know with Tony Reeves, I share a deeply personal story from my first job—how I immersed myself in work as a way to cope with a toxic relationship, isolation, and unresolved emotional pain. On the surface, it looked like ambition. I was producing. I was being recognized. I was excelling. But underneath it...

People often ask me why I joined the military. The truth is the answer changed over time. At first it was about leadership and structure. Later it was about security and opportunity. But looking back today, I realized something deeper influenced my decision — the examples set by the people I looked up to.  In this episode I reflect on my military journey and what truly shaped that decision. Become...

In this episode, I reflect on a lesson many of us learn the hard way: growth rarely happens the way we expect. Early in my career, I found myself frustrated when a professional opportunity didn’t unfold the way I wanted. I thought I had lost something important. But over time, I realized that the change actually positioned me to develop new skills and gain experiences that I wouldn’t have had othe...

Sometimes the biggest opportunities in life arrive in ways we didn’t expect — and often in ways we didn’t want. In this episode, I reflect on a moment early in my career when I believed I had the perfect situation. I had a good job, a supportive environment, and a path that felt comfortable. But then circumstances changed in a way that forced me to reconsider everything. At the time, I was frustra...

At some point in your career, you will face what I call a professional point of no return.   Not a promotion. Not a raise. Not a routine job change. A decision that fundamentally changes your trajectory.  In this episode, I share the story of when I had to decide whether to stay at a firm I loved… or walk away and build my own practice from scratch.  We discuss:  • Shifting expectations and unclea...

Sometimes the opportunities that shape your life don’t arrive wrapped in comfort — they come through confusion, misinformation, or unexpected change. In this episode, I share a pivotal early-career experience from 1992 when a misunderstanding about an educational leave program forced me to leave a job I loved and relocate for graduate school. At the time, it felt frustrating and unfair. But with p...

What happens when you move from structured environments into spaces where there are no clear rules? For most of our lives, we are conditioned to function inside defined systems — school schedules, job hierarchies, predictable workflows. But what happens when you step into entrepreneurship, leadership, or life transitions where there is no blueprint? In this episode, Anthony Reeves explores the dif...

Everybody says they’re “trying to take it to the next level.” But what does that even mean? In this episode of In the Know with Tony Reeves, Tony challenges the abstract language we casually throw around when talking about growth. Whether it’s your career, your life, or your side projects, saying “next level” without defining it is just motivational wallpaper.  Tony breaks down:  The difference be...

I’m exploring creating a digital course, and I want it to reflect real needs, not guesses. If there’s something you’d want help learning from my experience — career transitions, legal awareness, building income streams, or personal growth — reach out and let me know. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/in-the-know-with-tony-reeves--5596987/support .

Thinking about graduate school — or wondering if your advanced degree was worth it? In this episode of In the Know with Tony Reeves, I share real talk about what a master’s degree actually does for your career. From leveraging expertise to managing expectations, I break down the myths many of us grew up believing about education automatically opening doors. I also talk about: Why advanced degrees...

In this episode, I share a deeply personal story about a moment in college when my sense of safety was unexpectedly challenged — and how that experience shaped how I approach environments, relationships, and professional spaces even today. Safety isn’t always physical. Sometimes it’s emotional, psychological, and cultural. And when that sense of safety is disrupted, it can change how you move thro...

Just because we share the same space doesn’t mean we share the same reality. In this episode, I explore the difference between what I call a shared world and a shared reality — and why understanding that distinction matters more than we often realize. From professional environments to generational experience, from socioeconomic signals to cultural awareness, this conversation is about recognizing...

Leaving a job is hard — but leaving when things didn’t end on the best terms can be one of the toughest professional moments you’ll ever face. In this episode of In The Know with Tony Reeves, I break down six key rules to help you write a resignation letter that protects your reputation, keeps your future opportunities intact, and helps you exit with professionalism — even when you’re frustrated....

What happens when you’re taught how to survive—but never shown how to build? As a member of Black Generation X, I grew up surrounded by people who did “everything right.” College degrees. Military service. Long careers inside structured systems. Success was modeled through discipline, resilience, and endurance—but no one ever explained how to navigate life outside those systems. In this episode, I...

Welcome to 2026. This episode isn’t about promoting a platform—it’s about helping you navigate an experience. Over time, many people discover my work through videos, podcasts, blogs, or social media, but they’re often left wondering: Where do I start? How should I engage? Which space is actually meant for me? In this episode, I break down what The Anthony Reeves Experience really is—and more impor...

In this episode, I dive into a powerful reminder that what’s normal for you isn’t always normal for everyone else. A recent conversation with a friend sparked this reflection on how people often become fascinated—or even stunned—when they witness the sacrifices you’ve made to reach a goal they can’t relate to. And for many of us who grew up Black Gen X, first-generation, or navigating worlds not b...

What does it really mean to be first generation? Not the version we celebrate on paper — but the hidden reality behind stepping into a world your family has never seen. In this episode, I share my personal journey entering an affluent private PWI in 1987 as a Black Gen Xer. From culture shock and resource gaps to the weight of being “the only one,” this story goes deeper than the milestone itself....

WHat does it really feel like to walk away from everything safe? In this episode, I share one of the most pivotal moments of my life — the day I resigned my commission in the U.S. Navy, packed my entire world into a car, and drove toward a future I couldn’t predict. Most people call transitions like this “starting over,” but that’s not the truth. You’re not starting over — you’re starting fresh in...

When you turn 21, the club feels like arrival. It’s the symbol of adulthood, freedom, identity, and validation. But at some point, the music, the crowd, and the performance stop aligning with who you’re becoming — and that’s where the real journey starts.  In this episode, Anthony Reeves, Esq. breaks down the unspoken transition many young Black professionals experience: evolving beyond nightlife...