Overcoming the Odds: Her workbook is designed to help individuals overcome people-pleasing and prioritizing your own needs.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dave Charest. Summary of the Dave Charest Interview In this episode of Money Making Conversations Masterclass, Rushion McDonald interviews Dave Charest, Director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact, a leading digital marketing platform. Charest discusses the rising wave of entrepreneurship, the foundational importance of email and direct‑to‑customer channels, common mistakes new business owners make, and how AI is reshaping small‑business marketing. He provides practical guidance on marketing consistency, channel selection, building community relationships, and using technology to scale. Throughout the conversation, Charest emphasizes that while small businesses often lack marketing expertise, they possess a valuable advantage: real, human relationships that can be strengthened through consistent communication. Purpose of the Interview The purpose of Rushion McDonald’s conversation with Dave Charest is to: 1. Educate new and aspiring entrepreneurs Charest breaks down the basics of digital marketing—email, social, SMS—and how to begin building a strong marketing foundation. 2. Highlight the key trends driving the entrepreneurship boom He explains motivations like work–life balance, independence, and financial potential that inspire people to launch businesses. 3. Provide practical, actionable marketing advice Especially around consistency, choosing marketing channels, and building direct customer relationships. 4. Introduce how AI can simplify and amplify marketing Charest showcases tools that help business owners quickly generate content, develop campaigns, and analyze customer behavior. Key Takeaways 1. Direct relationships (email/SMS) outperform social media Email offers ownership, stability, and higher ROI—unlike social platforms that can change algorithms or visibility overnight. Charest stresses that “the money is in the list.” 2. You don’t need huge numbers to be effective Small businesses often see high open and engagement rates because followers know and trust them. 3. Consistency matters more than platform choice Whether you choose Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, or email, the biggest driver of marketing success is showing up regularly. 4. Start small—don’t overwhelm yourself One of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make is trying to do everything at once. Begin with the basics and grow steadily. 5. Community is a crucial marketing asset Local businesses thrive when they maintain strong connections with nearby businesses, customers, and community networks. 6. Entrepreneurs face challenges—but resilience wins Charest notes that small business owners rarely have a “Plan B,” which pushes them to adapt and continue learning. 7. AI is transforming small‑business marketing Constant Contact offers tools to: Generate emails and content Summarize content for social Build full marketing campaigns Analyze behavior from large email lists to recommend actions Notable Quotes (from the transcript) Here are direct paraphrases and key phrases—not copyrighted material but drawn from the transcript: On email vs. social “There’s a $36 return for every $1 invested in email—but what matters is that you own the relationship.” “If a social platform goes away, so does your following. Email is a direct line.” On audience size “Big numbers aren’t necessary—small lists can see 50% open rates and strong engagement because those people actually care.” On entrepreneurship motivations “People want better work‑life balance, independence, and financial potential.” On mistakes “A big mistake is trying to do too much at once. Start small and stay consistent.” On community “Digital marketing should extend real relationships—not replace them.” On choosing platforms “Where your audience spends time matters, but so does where you can show up consistently.” On AI’s role “AI can generate emails, build campaigns, and analyze audience data—saving you time for what you’d rather be doing.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21 Jan 21min

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Latrease Price-Gistard. Purpose of the Interview The interview aims to educate listeners on the mortgage industry, highlight the role and benefits of working with an independent mortgage broker, and provide practical advice on home financing options, credit challenges, and programs that support homeownership. It also shares Latrease’s entrepreneurial journey and lessons learned. Key Takeaways Background and Career Path Latrease has a finance degree and started in investment operations in 1999. Transitioned from auto financing and co-owning a car dealership to mortgage lending. Became an independent mortgage broker in 2022 after being laid off during rising interest rates. Role of an Independent Mortgage Broker Holds her own license and partners with multiple lenders to offer tailored loan products. Advocates for borrowers to ensure they get the right product, not just approval. Specializes in helping first-time buyers, self-employed individuals, and those with unique challenges. Home Financing Insights Reverse Mortgages: Typically for seniors 62+, often used by those 75+ with equity and limited retirement funds. Provides tax-free cash without monthly payments; debt settled upon sale or refinance. Zero Down Payment Programs: Offers up to 3% for down payment, attached to the mortgage; other programs provide up to 5% for down payment and closing costs. FHA 203K Program: Allows buyers to finance home purchase and renovations in one loan—ideal for fixer-uppers. Credit Challenges Programs exist for credit scores as low as 500, but require higher down payments (10–20%) and result in higher interest rates. Latrease consults and provides “what-if” scenarios to help clients improve credit over time. Entrepreneurial Lessons Mistakes: Starting without enough capital and a strong pipeline; economic timing matters. Advice: Build capital, secure a solid client pipeline, and understand market conditions before going independent. Notable Quotes On independence:“As a broker, you serve as that advocate for your borrower to make sure they’re getting the right loan product.” On reverse mortgages:“The beauty of it is there are no monthly payments going back to the institution. The debt is paid off when the home is sold or refinanced.” On credit challenges:“Programs go as low as 500 credit score, but those borrowers need 10–20% down.” On entrepreneurial advice:“Make sure you have strong capital and a solid pipeline before stepping out on faith.” On perseverance:“It’s all about follow-through. It’s all about your dream and whether you want to make it happen.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21 Jan 26min

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Nina Sossamon-Pogue. A former elite gymnast, Emmy-winning news anchor, bestselling author, and resilience expert. Here’s a summary of the key themes and insights from the episode: 🎙️ Guest Introduction: Nina Sossamon-Pogue Former USA Gymnastics team member and Emmy-winning news anchor. Author of This Is Not the End and host of the podcast This Seriously Sucks. Focuses on helping people navigate life’s toughest transitions with resilience. 🧠 Mental Health & Daily Routines Nina emphasizes the importance of gratitude, mindfulness, and limiting early phone use to start the day with clarity. Rushion shares his own structured morning routine and how it helps him manage stress and stay productive. 💪 Resilience and Personal Growth Nina defines resilience as the ability to adapt positively and grow stronger from adversity. She encourages people to reflect on what’s going right, what needs attention, and how to move forward with purpose. 🧍‍♀️ Body Image, Athletics & Social Media Nina shares her experience with body dysmorphia and bulimia during her gymnastics career in the 1980s. She discusses the long-term impact of being judged by appearance in both sports and television. Offers advice to parents and young athletes on navigating body image in the age of social media. 📘 Her Book: This Is Not the End Written for people facing major life setbacks—job loss, injury, grief, or personal failure. Nina shares five personal “this is the end” moments, including: Not making the Olympic team. Career-ending knee injury. Losing her job as a news anchor. A traumatic accident at age 37. The book provides seven strategies and a four-step framework (T.H.I.S.) to help readers move forward: Timeline: Gain perspective on your life journey. Humans: Lean on others—don’t go it alone. Isolate: Focus on the present moment. Story: Reframe your internal narrative to stay empowered and hirable. 🎧 Podcast Highlight Nina’s podcast This Seriously Sucks features guests who’ve overcome major life challenges. She highlights Joe Delagrave, a Paralympian and coach, whose story of resilience and transformation deeply inspired her. 💬 Closing Thoughts Rushion praises Nina’s authenticity, voice, and ability to connect. Nina encourages listeners to embrace their “this” moment and remember: “This is not the end.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21 Jan 30min

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Charlie Shabazz. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview The interview aims to: Showcase Charlie Shabaaz’s journey from CPA to bakery franchise owner. Inspire listeners to overcome fear and pursue entrepreneurial dreams. Educate the audience on franchising, financial discipline, and community engagement. Highlight the importance of adaptability and vision in business success. 🧠 Key Takeaways 1. From CPA to Cake Boss Charlie is a Temple University graduate with a master’s in taxation. She worked in corporate accounting before pivoting to entrepreneurship. Her transition was sparked by a desire to fill a community need in Tucker, GA. “I was committed to bringing a bakery… I was kind of on the hook.” – Charlie Shabaaz 2. Overcoming Fear and Taking Leaps Charlie moved from Philadelphia to Atlanta with no job contract—just faith. She offered to work for free to learn business taxes, showing initiative and humility. Her story emphasizes that fear is natural, but planning and persistence are key. “I took a temp job. It took a leap of faith.” – Charlie Shabaaz“Fear drives so many people from reaching their ultimate dream.” – Rushion McDonald 3. Franchise Journey Initially planned a pie business, but pivoted to Nothing Bundt Cakes after discovering the brand. She researched and connected with the franchise team, ultimately choosing it over another bakery concept. “I Googled bakery franchise… and it morphed into Nothing Bundt Cakes.” – Charlie Shabaaz 4. Financial Discipline & Real Talk Despite being a CPA, Charlie shared her own struggles with money and credit card debt. She used spreadsheets and strategic payments to eliminate debt. “I had a spreadsheet… I was committed to the $200 here, $250 there.” – Charlie Shabaaz 5. Community Engagement & Leadership Charlie is active in local business associations and chambers of commerce. She believes in giving back to the community and building relationships. “Businesses come to communities and take… I want to give back.” – Charlie Shabaaz 6. Franchising Explained Franchising is about buying a proven business model. The founders of Nothing Bundt Cakes created a replicable system that franchisees can follow. “You buy the blueprint… once you prove the concept can be done by anyone, anywhere.” – Charlie Shabaaz 7. Empowering Black Women Entrepreneurs Charlie attributes her drive to her mother’s encouragement and the desire to break out of North Philly. She highlights how Black women are the fastest-growing segment in entrepreneurship. “Our mothers are the backbone of why we’re so successful.” – Charlie Shabaaz 💬 Memorable Quotes “I didn’t bake. I used to just cut the cookie roll and spray the pan.” “You don’t have to be a baker. You just have to have the passion and the ability to work hard.” “Know what you’re good at and what you’re not good at.” 🌟 Impact of the Interview This episode resonated deeply with listeners, sparking live call-ins from aspiring entrepreneurs. It served as a masterclass in courage, adaptability, and community-driven business. #STRAW #BEST #SHMSSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

20 Jan 27min

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Jackson Dunbar. He founded WellMed Atlanta. WellMed Atlanta is a coalition of Psychiatric Medical, Psychology, Counseling and Special Education Providers serving the Atlanta metro area. WellMed professionals are Board Certified, collectively possess over a 150 years of experience and have been trained at such institutions as Emory, Harvard and Yale. What makes us unique is that all of our providers are Women whose desire to practice medicine was shaped by their families. Talking Points/Questions * 1. About WellMed Atlanta2. Why Suicide Prevention should be observed every month3. Personal accounts of suicidal thoughts while in chronic pain4. Statistics5. Lack of access to mental health providers and support Uber successful Social Entrepreneur and Founder of WellMed Atlanta is a Philanthropist who strives to establish lucrative businesses that provide socially responsible goods and services. Mr. Dunbar takes pride in his champion spirit and never-say-die vision that enables him to thrive through unbearable circumstances. Always willing to teach, Jackson Dunbar has built an empire on meeting adversity head on and solving the seemingly unsolvable obstacles that would have stunted the growth of anyone vulnerable to the odds. He can’t wait to share with the world this unmitigated truth...YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES DO NOT DEFINE YOU. THEY CATAPULT YOU INTO A BRAND NEW LUCRATIVE NORMAL. Jackson Dunbar is proud of his “Blue Collar” roots. The son of a custodian and seamstress, he was the first man of his family to graduate from college – Stockton University. He would later receive a Juris Doctor from Tulane University Law School and an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management. #AMI #STRAW #BEST #SHMSSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

20 Jan 24min

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Tuesday, January 20th, 2026: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Run That Prank Back- "Steve Harvey" | Ask The CLO | Products That Remind You Of Childhood | Would You Rather| Old Phrases | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "The DRs Visit" | Strawberry Letter - "1 Husband, 3 Men" Pt. 1-2 | Horrible Bosses | Men & Closure Pt1 | Men & Closure Pt2 | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

20 Jan 1h 31min

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Heather R. Younger. CEO, workplace culture expert, author, and founder of a major employee engagement consultancy—joins Rushion McDonald to discuss leadership, employee empowerment, navigating fear, and self‑leadership in modern workplaces. She shares her personal experiences with layoffs, career uncertainty, anxiety, and leadership failures—and how these experiences shaped her mission to be “the voice for the voiceless” in organizational culture. They explore the emotional realities of layoffs vs. terminations, how employees can take control of their professional well‑being, and Heather’s framework for identifying and overcoming fear. PURPOSE OF THE INTERVIEW 1. To introduce Heather’s work and mission She champions active listening, employee empowerment, and self‑leadership after personally reading 30,000+ employee surveys and leading 100+ focus groups. 2. To teach listeners how to navigate workplace uncertainty She provides strategies for dealing with anxiety, job insecurity, change, and inconsistent leadership climates. 3. To share an empowering message about self‑leadership Central idea: No one is coming to save you. You must lead yourself first. 4. To explore how fear holds people back professionally She outlines how fear affects decision‑making, action-taking, and confidence. KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. Why She Does This Work She witnessed firsthand how mergers, layoffs, and poor communication harm employees. After being laid off with 200+ others, she realized she needed to become the “voice of reason” who turns employee concerns into actionable insights for leaders. 2. Layoff vs. Termination — Emotional Differences Layoffs: painful but less shame; not personal fault. Termination: usually involves personal accountability, and often carries more shame. Both create a feeling of powerlessness, but each requires emotional processing and reframing. 3. No One Is Coming To Save You Employees must take responsibility for: Their growth Their mental health Their career progression Their emotional well‑being HR cannot save you, Heather says—they play a dual role and cannot be personal rescuers. 4. Managing Workplace Anxiety Key strategies include: Nightly reflection → Write down what went well and what you controlled. Reframing → Turning irrational fears into rational thoughts. Breathing, sunlight, walking, self‑care → Especially for anxiety. Intentional mindset‑switching → Choosing thoughts that serve you. 5. The Five Ways Fear Holds You Back Professionally Heather identifies several fear patterns: 1. Fear of Feedback Avoiding action because you’re afraid of what others may say. 2. Fear of Retribution / Getting in Trouble Hesitating to take risks or initiative. 3. Fear of Speaking Up Not challenging authority or expressing dissenting opinions due to lack of psychological safety. 4. Fear Rooted in Family / Cultural Conditioning Inherited fear patterns from parents, grandparents, or trauma. 5. Fear of Regret / Non‑Action She teaches a powerful question: “What will I regret the longest—doing the thing or not doing the thing?” This question accelerates decision‑making and breaks the paralysis of fear. 6. Take Ownership of Your Life — Self‑Leadership Become the Chief Iterator of Your Life → Continue refining yourself like a living prototype. Accept mistakes as part of growth. Avoid perfectionism; aim for continuous improvement. 7. Practical Daily Habits Prepare mentally each night. Hydrate, sleep well, move your body. Train yourself to take small positive actions daily. NOTABLE QUOTES FROM THE INTERVIEW On Self‑Leadership “Ain’t nobody coming to save me. And in the workplace, no one’s coming to save you.” On Fear “Feedback is a gift—even if it hurts.” “We sit around waiting for green lights, access, invitations… It’s not coming. We need to seize it.” “What is the thing you will regret the longest—doing it or not doing it?” On Navigating Change “You get to fight tooth and nail for your own mental space.” On Personal Growth “See yourself as a work in progress—a constant iteration.” On Workplace Emotions “With layoffs, you didn’t have a hand in it. With termination, there’s more shame.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

20 Jan 23min