Overcoming the Odds: Tells us he wanted to be more than a Waffle House cook, now owns popular dinner supper clubs.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Cassandra Lester. Purpose of the Interview The interview introduces Cassandra Lester’s nonprofit Grow Give Prosper and its partnership with Google’s “Grow with Google” initiative. The goal is to provide free career certification scholarships to underserved and economically impacted communities, helping individuals increase earning potential and gain financial literacy. Key Takeaways Mission of Grow Give Prosper Founded in 2023, focused on financial education and empowerment. Aims to help communities grow together, give to each other, and prosper collectively. Google Partnership Offers free career certifications in high-demand fields: Cybersecurity Data Analytics Digital Marketing & E-commerce IT Support Project Management UX Design Certifications are self-paced, online, and typically take 3–6 months. No prior experience required; participants receive a portfolio upon completion. Accessibility Scholarships are free; the only requirement is commitment. Available to anyone in the continental U.S., regardless of education level (GED, college dropout, etc.). Registration via growgiveprosper.org (scroll to Google Career Scholarships). Impact Over 300 scholarships awarded; previously had 500. Designed to level the playing field for those without Ivy League degrees. Certifications can stack (e.g., Project Management + Data Analytics) for greater career potential. Financial Literacy Defined as understanding financial concepts and applying them to daily life. Misconceptions persist—some communities avoid discussing money or undervalue credit scores. Cassandra emphasizes breaking cycles of predatory lending and poor financial habits. Challenges Cultural reluctance to discuss money. Skepticism about legitimacy of programs. Difficulty securing grants as a small nonprofit. Cassandra combats these through grassroots outreach and workshops. Personal Drive Cassandra’s passion stems from seeing financial struggles across all demographics. She actively promotes opportunities through community centers, adult education classes, and social media. Notable Quotes “I want us to grow together so that we can give to each other and then prosper as a collective.” “Google is leveling the playing field—you don’t need an Ivy League education to earn a livable wage.” “The only fee is commitment.” “Financial literacy means you understand the words, you hear the conversation, and it’s not Greek to you.” “You can’t talk about managing finances if you really don’t have anything coming in.” “You don’t want to miss this opportunity to increase your earning potential.” “Once you’re certified, that’s yours for life—you can’t repo a degree or certification.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14 Jan 25min

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Teresa Edwards. Purpose of the Interview The interview aims to introduce Teresa Edwards’ book The Mirror Method: 12 Weeks to Stop Abandoning Yourself, a guided workbook designed to help individuals overcome people-pleasing tendencies, set boundaries, and prioritize their own needs without guilt. It focuses on personal empowerment, mental health, and rediscovering one’s authentic self. Key Takeaways People-Pleasing and Boundaries People-pleasing becomes harmful when you agree to things you don’t want to do, leading to stress and resentment. Setting boundaries is essential for self-respect and mental health. The Mirror Method A 12-week guided process to “unravel” harmful patterns and rediscover your true self. Emphasizes self-reflection, journaling, and gradual transformation at your own pace. Selfishness vs. Self-Care Edwards reframes “selfish” as a positive concept: prioritizing your health and happiness is necessary, not negative. You can’t be your best for others if you’re not your best for yourself. Health as a Wake-Up Call Stress is a silent killer; Teresa’s own health issues (high blood pressure) forced her to reevaluate her life. Happiness and well-being should not be age-limited—“You’re never too old to return to yourself.” Letting Go of Toxic Relationships Users often exploit people-pleasers; recognizing and removing such relationships is crucial. Fully committing to the Mirror Method means accepting hard truths and being okay with losing people who drain you. Therapy and Mental Health COVID accelerated acceptance of therapy in communities where it was previously stigmatized. Mental health is as important as physical health—“The mind is a muscle too.” Workbook Details Available on Amazon and at themirrormethodworkbook.com in print and downloadable formats. Exercises involve writing and self-reflection to confront truths and break patterns. Notable Quotes “Boundaries are key.” “Selfish is not a negative word—it’s perseverance of yourself.” “You can’t throw a party and be mad at your own party.” “Enough is enough—look in the mirror and say it.” “You’re never too old to return to yourself.” “Stress is that silent killer.” “Fully commit means accepting all those good, bad, or ugly moments—and being okay with letting go.” “The mind is a muscle too.” “Be okay with being okay.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14 Jan 22min

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Tuesday, January 13th, 2026: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Run That Prank Back- "Me & My Jesus" | Ask The CLO | Entertainment News | New Years Resolution | Steve Harvey's Voicemail | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Pecan Tree" | Strawberry Letter - "I'm Going With The Flow" Pt. 1-2 | Junior's Sports Talk | Social Media Advice | Lil Wayne & Bears QB Caleb Williams | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

13 Jan 1h 32min

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Monday, January 12th, 2026: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | The Pastors | Ask The CLO | Entertainment News | Diddy's Sons Releasing New Documentary | Sista O'Dell | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Me & My Jesus" | Strawberry Letter - "We Were Nude When We Met" Pt. 1-2 | Junior's Sports Talk | Social Media Advice | Paper Straws | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 Jan 1h 37min

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Friday, January 9th, 2026: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Run That Prank Back - "Weed In The Church Van" | Ask The CLO | Entertainment News | What Do You... | Roscoe Wallace | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "The Blind Barber" | Strawberry Letter - "She Was Wearing My Wig Wig With My Husband" Pt. 1-2 | Junior's Sports Talk - Pimpin's NFL Playoff Picks | Social Media Advice | Ready To Love Update | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Jan 1h 32min

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Thursday, January 8th, 2026: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Run That Prank Back - "Sweat Hog" | Ask The CLO | Entertainment News | Sick Days | Chris Redd | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Weed In The Church Van" | Strawberry Letter - "Double Standards Are A Thing Of The Past" Pt. 1-2 | Junior's Sports Talk | Social Media Advice | Escaped Monkey Trashes Music Store | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8 Jan 1h 32min

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Wednesday, January 7th, 2026: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Run That Prank Back - "Can I Paint Your Wife Naked?" | Ask The CLO | Entertainment News | J Rap's 1st Poem Of 2026 | Revenge Fire | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Sweat Hog" | Strawberry Letter - "New Year, New Body" Pt. 1-2 | Junior's Sports Talk | Social Media Advice | Shirley Cooking Lessons | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7 Jan 1h 32min

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Tuesday, January 6th, 2026: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Run That Prank Back - "Christmas Light Expiration" | Ask The CLO | Entertainment News | Pastor Jamal Bryant’s Wife’s Dress | Vision Boards | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Can I Paint Your Wife Naked?" | Strawberry Letter - "He Got A New Zip Code For Christmas" Pt. 1-2 | Junior's Sports Talk | Social Media Advice | Meg The Stallion Popeye's | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 Jan 1h 32min