Ask The CLO, Comedy Roulette, Premature Celebrations, Hiding Out From Family, and more! - 01.01.25

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Brittany Benson. *** ### **Purpose of the Interview** The interview on *Money Making Conversations Masterclass* aimed to: * Showcase Brittany Benson’s journey as a **brand strategist**, **AI consultant**, and founder of **The Branding Bar**.* Educate entrepreneurs and small business owners on **branding**, **social media strategy**, and the **impact of AI** on marketing.* Inspire listeners to leverage technology and consistency to build authentic brands. *** ### **Key Takeaways** 1. **Early Branding Journey** * Brittany unknowingly started building her brand in college through her TV show *On the Air with Brittany B*. * She leveraged early platforms like YouTube and Facebook before “social media” was a term. 2. **Consistency is Key** * Success in branding comes from **consistent engagement**, even before monetization was possible. * Brittany grew her Instagram following to over 130,000 by focusing on consistency rather than chasing trends. 3. **Influencer Myth** * Large follower counts don’t guarantee success; **engagement matters more than numbers**. * “If I have 2,500 followers who listen to me, that’s more powerful than 100,000 who don’t.” 4. **Paid vs. Organic Growth** * Paid ads can help, but **organic growth builds trust**. * Best practice: build an organic base first, then use paid ads to amplify. 5. **Pivot to AI** * Brittany pivoted from a traditional social media agency to **AI-driven branding solutions**. * She creates **AI twins** for business owners—digital replicas that can produce content without the owner being physically present. 6. **Generative AI in Marketing** * AI tools can create graphics, videos, and even voice clones. * Brittany emphasizes AI as a **tool to enhance workflow**, not replace human creativity. 7. **Consulting Approach** * Offers strategy calls to identify problems and recommend AI tools. * Services range from **strategy planning**, **consulting**, to **done-for-you solutions**. *** ### **Notable Quotes** * **On branding:** *“I was always building a brand, even when I didn’t realize I was building a brand.”* * **On engagement vs. followers:** *“If I have 2,500 followers who listen to me, that’s more powerful than 100,000 who don’t.”* * **On AI’s role:** *“AI is just a tool. It’s not going to replace your job—it still needs human direction.”* * **On staying ahead:** *“I’ve been told I have the gift of insight to see what’s coming, even if it’s not popular yet.”* * **On her pivot:** *“I started generating AI twins for business owners so they could show up online without showing up.”* *** #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

23 Des 31min

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Chef Marcus Samuelsson. Interviewed centered around his book: 📘 The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food Here are the key highlights: 🍽️ About the Book Purpose: To celebrate and document the legacy, creativity, and cultural impact of Black chefs in America. Structure: Divided into five chapters — Next, Remix, Migration, Legacy, Origin — each exploring different aspects of Black culinary history and innovation. Unique Feature: Includes profiles of 40 Black chefs and food storytellers, plus a directory of 200+ Black chefs and food writers with their Instagram handles — a first-of-its-kind resource. 🌍 Cultural and Historical Themes Black Culinary Legacy: From enslaved cooks to modern food innovators, the book traces the deep roots and wide influence of Black food culture. Diaspora Influence: African, Caribbean, and Southern U.S. flavors are explored, including dishes like plantains, oxtail pepper pot, and couscous with roasted figs. Food as Activism: Highlights figures like Georgia Gilmore and chefs who supported civil rights movements through food. 🍴 Mouthwatering Recipes Mentioned Coconut Fried Chicken Oxtail Pepper Pot with Dumplings Couscous with Roasted Figs Sweet Wild Berry Jam Hot Water Cornbread (Hoecakes) Gumbo à la Leah Chase (without a roux!) Shrimp & Grits with Piri Piri Sauce 💬 Conversation Highlights Rushion shares personal stories tied to food, family, and culture — from wild berry picking in Texas to his wife’s Belizean roots. Marcus emphasizes the importance of authorship and ownership in Black culinary contributions. They discuss the need for healthier eating, environmental awareness, and economic empowerment through food. #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

23 Des 25min

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Monday, December 22nd, 2025: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Favorite Christmas Memories Pt.1 | Favorite Christmas Memories Pt.2 | Elves On Strike | Would You Rather | New Christmas Traditions | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Eggnog" | Strawberry Letter - "She Slapped My Husband" Parts 1-2 | Meeting Santa | Social Media Advice | Making 100K | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

22 Des 1h 32min

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Friday, December 19th, 2025: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Nephew Tommy's Run That Prank Back - "You Sent My Wife Pictures" | Ask The CLO | "Take A Hint" Gifts | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Voicemail | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Muscle Marvin" | Strawberry Letter - "Trying To Get Through The Holidays" Parts 1-2 | Sidepiece Christmas Party | Social Media Advice | TBT - Men Want Good Gifts | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

19 Des 1h 32min

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Thursday, December 18th, 2025: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Nephew Tommy's Run That Prank Back - "Wedding In Jamaica" | Ask The CLO | JAB's Evil Things To Do At Christmas | Would You Rather | Junior's House For Christmas | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "You Sent My Wife Pictures" | Strawberry Letter - "Trapped Under The Bed" Parts 1-2 | Who On The Show | Social Media Advice | Most Wonderful Time Of The Year | Would You Rather | Show CloseSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 Des 1h 24min

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Wednesday, December 17th, 2025: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Nephew Tommy's Run That Prank Back - "Your Wife Is Having A Black Baby" | Ask The CLO | Things you Hear At A Black Holiday Party | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Voicemail | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Wedding In Jamaica" | Strawberry Letter - "My Holy Lover's Double Life" Parts 1-2 | Junior's Christmas Poem | Social Media Advice | Re-Gifting | Would You Rather | Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17 Des 1h 32min

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Tuesday December 16th, 2025: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Nephew Tommy's Run That Prank Back - "Church Gospel Quiz" | Ask The CLO | Things Steve Hates | Would You Rather | Who Most Likely on the Show | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Your Wife is Having a Black Baby" | Strawberry Letter - "I Can Tell by the Smell" Parts 1-2 | What Puts You in the Christmas Spirit | Social Media Advice | Did You Follow Your Childhood Dreams | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

16 Des 1h 30min

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Monday, December 15th, 2025: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | The Pastors | Ask The CLO | Best Places to Find a Christmas Boo | Christmas Day Build Up | Sister Odell | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Church Gospel Quiz" | Strawberry Letter - "She’s Getting More From Him Than Money" Parts 1-2-3 | Social Media Advice | Warm Weather Predictions for the Holidays | Would You Rather | Closing Remarks - Christmas CarolsSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

15 Des 1h 30min