Uplift: An Air Force veteran, and mental wellness advocate tells you how to bet on yourself and believe.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Yasmine Cheyenne. 📝 Summary of the Interview Yasmine Cheyenne, an Air Force veteran, mental wellness advocate, and author, joined Rushion McDonald to discuss her journey from a disadvantaged upbringing to becoming a published author and wellness coach. She shared insights from her books—The Sugar Jar and her latest, Wisdom of the Path—which focus on boundaries, healing, and self-empowerment. The conversation explored her military experience, personal transformation, and how she helps others confront fear and reclaim their lives. 🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Overcoming Fear and Taking Risks Fear of failure and disappointment keeps many people stuck. Yasmine encourages people to confront fear and take action anyway. Her own decision to join the Air Force was a leap of faith that changed her life. 2. Military Discipline and Life Lessons The Air Force taught her discipline, consistency, and resilience. She applies these lessons to her personal and professional life. Quote: “Do you want to bet on yourself? Be willing to believe in yourself.” 3. Writing as Empowerment Her first book, The Sugar Jar, focuses on boundaries and self-care. Her second book, Wisdom of the Path, is about using past experiences as wisdom, not shame. Writing helped her transform her life and inspire others from similar backgrounds. 4. Boundaries and Self-Prioritization Without boundaries, people become overwhelmed and resentful. Saying “no” and advocating for yourself is essential to mental wellness. Quote: “We have to get comfortable letting people be disappointed with us.” 5. Redefining “Selfish” Being selfish is often misunderstood. Prioritizing yourself is necessary for success and well-being. Quote: “Every successful person has had to be selfish at some point.” 6. Wisdom of the Path The book encourages readers to trust their instincts and take the next step. It’s not a checklist—it’s a collection of relatable stories and reflections. Quote: “Use those experiences that you’re judging yourself for as wisdom to help you move forward.” 7. Mental Wellness Practice Yasmine helps people through coaching, writing, and speaking. She emphasizes healing through storytelling and shared experiences. 8. Accessibility Her books are available in print, digital, and audio formats. She personally narrates the audiobook version of Wisdom of the Path. 💬 Notable Quotes “Even if things fail, you have what it takes to get yourself to where you want to be.” “Take the meat and leave the bone.” “You already know what the next step is. What would happen if you just took it?” “We’ve been an enemy toward ourselves for years and don’t even realize it.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
26 Sep 20min
Brand Building: He turned childhood homemade ice cream memories into a profitable business.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Yahya Muhammad. Topic: Entrepreneurship, legacy, and community impact through his ice cream business, Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream Yahya Muhammad shares his journey from tasting unforgettable homemade ice cream as a child to founding one of Chicago’s most beloved ice cream brands. His story is one of perseverance, cultural pride, and community service, rooted in faith and inspired by family and fraternity. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview Highlight Yahya’s entrepreneurial journey and the founding of Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream. Inspire small business owners and creatives to pursue their passions despite obstacles. Showcase the importance of community engagement and mentorship. Celebrate Black excellence and cultural legacy through food and service. 🔑 Key Takeaways 🍨 The Origin Story Inspired by a woman selling homemade ice cream in Avalon Park, Chicago. Spent six years perfecting his own recipe. First flavor: Honey Cinnamon Graham Cracker “I had no idea it would take about six years to learn how to make it.” 🎓 Education & Influence Holds a Master’s in Sociology from Western Illinois University. Influenced by teachings of Elijah Muhammad and Minister Louis Farrakhan. Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, which instilled discipline and perseverance. “I learned principles… immutable principles that I’ve been striving to apply.” 🚗 From Trunk to Storefront Started selling ice cream out of the trunk of his car in 1996. Grew from renting a room in a beauty salon to multiple storefronts. Now operates in Bronzeville, a historic Chicago neighborhood. “I didn’t even have a business license… I just believed.” 🏆 Signature Flavors Known for nostalgic, Southern-inspired flavors: Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Vanilla Banana Pudding Georgia Peach Cobbler Bourbon Butter Pecan Southern Black Walnut “Our goal is to take you right back down memory lane.” 💡 Business Philosophy Focuses on customer experience over product. Staff are trained as helpers, not just workers. Emphasizes service, quality, and pricing — but prioritizes service. “The food is not the number one thing. The number one thing is the service.” 🌍 Community Impact Grew up in an underserved area of Chicago. Hires from the community and mentors youth. Dedicated the business to his late sister, Shawn Michelle, who inspired his culinary journey. “I want to be a part of that inspiration… to give the baton to the next generation.” 📈 Expansion Plans Looking to expand to Atlanta, calling it “the Mecca.” Envisions taking the brand nationwide while maintaining its cultural and community roots. “The future of Shawn Michelle’s is to be national.” 💬 Memorable Quotes “Faith over fear — I believed, I committed, I accepted the challenge.” “You have to see something different to be something different.” “I don’t have workers. I have helpers.” “I want to be a part of that that helps give them a new idea.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
26 Sep 34min
Follow Your Passion: A full-time attorney turned baker and founder of Confectionist Bakery.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Monty Garside. A full-time attorney turned baker and founder of Confectionist Bakery. Here are some key highlights from the episode: 🎙️ Guest Background Monty Garside is a practicing attorney with over 20 years of experience in litigation. He founded Confectionist Bakery in honor of his grandmother. The bakery started in his home kitchen and now ships desserts nationwide. 🍰 Bakery Journey Inspired by nostalgia and family traditions, Marty began baking after his grandmother passed away. His first successful cake was a pound cake that tasted exactly like his grandmother’s. He was encouraged to start a business by a client who was the daughter of a professional baker. 🧁 Products & Flavors Specializes in cheesecakes, pound cakes, layer cakes, and pies. Unique flavors include: Peach Cobbler Pound Cake Amaretto Pound Cake Banana Pudding Layer Cake Sweet Potato Pound Cake 🚚 Shipping & Operations Operates out of a commercial kitchen in Atlanta. Cakes are wrapped and frozen for freshness and shipped nationwide. Orders typically take 2 days to process and 3–5 days for delivery. 💡 Business Insights Challenges included pricing products appropriately and managing holiday demand. Emphasizes the importance of: Quality product Excellent customer service Knowing your target audience Target customers are busy professionals who appreciate homemade, Southern-style desserts but lack the time or skill to make them. 📈 Advice for Entrepreneurs Don’t be afraid to try something new. Control what you can—especially product quality and customer service. Trust yourself through the ups and downs. #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
25 Sep 28min
News to Know!: She advocates for keeping those chemicals off your hair and your child’s hair.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Melanye Maclin (Dr. Mac). A celebrity dermatologist and founder of Innovative Hair Technology. Dr. Mac shares her journey of balancing motherhood, caregiving, and entrepreneurship, while passionately advocating for health awareness in the Black community—especially regarding the dangers of chemical hair straighteners. The episode is both inspirational and educational, highlighting resilience, purpose, and the importance of inner and outer wellness. 🧭 Episode Outline: 1. Introduction Rashawn introduces the show and Dr. Mac. Emphasis on living your own success story. 2. Dr. Mac’s Background Founder of Innovative Hair Technology (1999). Developed science-based hair supplements and products for men and women. Known for her “Ask Dr. Mac” segments offering free dermatology advice. 3. Career Pause for Family Dr. Mac discusses stepping back from her career to care for her daughters and later her mother, Dr. Watson, after a stroke. Her brother, Dr. Melvin Macklin, helps care for their mother. 4. Legacy and Inner Beauty Advocates that “outer beauty is a reflection of an inner you.” Focus on mental wellness and beautifying the brain before the body. 5. Health Advocacy: Hair Relaxers and Cancer Dr. Mac has warned for 25 years about the dangers of chemical hair straighteners. Discusses the FDA’s proposed ban and the link to hormone-related cancers. Shares alarming statistics about Black and Latina women’s exposure to harmful products. 6. “Good Hair” Documentary Dr. Mac’s involvement in Chris Rock’s Good Hair. Her advocacy caught the attention of producers and led to a pivotal interview. 7. Turning Down “The Doctors” Dr. Mac declined a co-hosting opportunity on The Doctors to prioritize her family. Emphasizes that success can be paused and resumed. 8. Closing Reflections Rushion and Dr. Mac reflect on mutual respect and shared mission. Encouragement to lead with purpose and give back to the community. 💡 Key Takeaways: Family First: Dr. Mac’s story is a testament to prioritizing family without giving up on long-term goals. Health Over Beauty: She urges women to reconsider harmful beauty practices in favor of long-term health. Community Impact: Her work is rooted in service—especially for those without access to dermatological care. Resilience: Even after stepping away, Dr. Mac returns with renewed energy and purpose. 🗣️ Notable Quotes: “Outer beauty is a reflection of an inner you. True beauty begins within.” “We are dying earlier—dying to be beautiful.” “Is it straight hair today or grandchildren tomorrow?” “I might have been suffering in silence, but I have tons of great support.” “Keep those chemicals off of my baby’s hair. All the babies are my babies.” “You can love your family and still come back and have a career and keep winning.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
25 Sep 15min
Building Your Brand: Filing bankruptcy led her to rebuild her financial knowledge and be an advocate for financial literacy.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ashley Joi Boyd. A Grammy-nominated songwriter, music producer, real estate developer, and author of Financially Fly: Mastering Money and Wealth for Women. Ashley shares her journey from co-writing Justin Bieber’s hit “Yummy” to overcoming bankruptcy and becoming a financial literacy advocate. The conversation explores the music business, financial empowerment, generational wealth, and the importance of mindset and self-investment. 🧭 Key Points 🎵 Music Industry & Songwriting Ashley is a co-writer of Justin Bieber’s “Yummy” and has worked on multiple albums. She emphasizes the importance of publishing rights and owning your work. Songwriting is a spiritual and intuitive process for her, not reliant on playing instruments. 💰 Financial Journey & Bankruptcy Filed for bankruptcy during the 2008 housing crash. The experience led her to rebuild her financial knowledge and become an advocate for financial literacy. She now owns a music publishing company and is a real estate developer. 📘 Book: Financially Fly Written to empower women to take control of their finances. Encourages open conversations about money, especially in communities where it’s taboo. Focuses on mindset, structure, and generational wealth. 🏠 Real Estate Development Developed rental properties in Los Angeles. Aspires to build affordable housing in Detroit. Passionate about design and creating sustainable housing solutions. 💡 Financial Tips Invest in yourself: Treat yourself as a line item in your budget. Portion your income: Prioritize savings like a bill. Build habits: Small sacrifices now lead to long-term gains. Generational wealth: Structure your finances with trusts, insurance, and estate planning. 💬 Notable Quotes “Songwriting is the heart and soul of a song. It’s what makes it memorable.” “Just because you know how to make money doesn’t mean you know how to maintain or grow it.” “Generational wealth means your family doesn’t need outside help to survive.” “Invest in yourself. Put your name on the bill list and don’t miss that payment.” “You deserve everything you desire. Shift your mindset from scarcity to abundance.” “You can use the truth about your finances as a stepping stone—not a setback.” “The alarm clock isn’t waking you up—God is. Have a plan for your day.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
25 Sep 24min
Overcoming the Odds: A self-taught filmmaker tells us how he was entrusted with writing, directing, and producing Tyler Perry's Zatima.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Courtney Glaudé. 📝 Summary of the Interview Courtney Glaudé, an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and director from Houston, Texas, joined Rushion McDonald to discuss his creative journey, his role in Tyler Perry’s production universe, and his passion for storytelling. Glaudé is the writer, director, and producer for Season 4 of Zatima on BET+, and he holds an overall deal with Tyler Perry Studios, a rare and powerful endorsement of his talent. The conversation explored his roots, creative process, mentorship under Tyler Perry, and his commitment to emotionally gripping narratives that tackle complex social issues. 🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Tyler Perry’s Mentorship & Overall Deal Glaudé was entrusted with writing, directing, and producing Season 4 of Zatima. Tyler Perry gave him full creative control, saying: “You like Zatima? It’s yours.” The overall deal means Perry funds Glaudé’s projects and helps pitch them to major streaming platforms. 2. Creative Process & Directing Style Glaudé writes with the shot in mind, visualizing scenes as he scripts. He adapts creatively when budget or location constraints arise. His style is thriller-driven, even when tackling emotional or social themes like dementia. 3. Zatima Season 4 The show centers on Zach and Fatima’s relationship, exploring real-life romantic challenges. Glaudé brings a new emotional depth and rollercoaster storytelling to the series. He collaborates closely with the cast, who help maintain character authenticity. 4. Houston Roots & Hustle Mentality Raised in Fifth Ward, Houston, with Louisiana family roots. Self-taught filmmaker: learned through books, Google, and observing professionals. Hustle and persistence were key: “If someone told me no, I figured out how to do it myself.” 5. Breakthrough with Monique His indie thriller The Reading, starring Monique, became the #1 film on BET+. This success led to his introduction to Tyler Perry and the overall deal. 6. Legacy & Motivation Glaudé is driven by creating a legacy for his daughter. He wants to build a self-sustaining empire she can inherit. “I don’t feel like I work. I’m creating stories from my head.” 7. Social Impact Storytelling Tackles topics like mental health, trauma, and dementia through compelling narratives. Upcoming feature film Old Gray Mare explores dementia in a thriller format. 8. Tyler Perry Studios Experience Described as a “Disneyland for creators” with 12 sound stages and versatile sets. Efficient production model with on-site housing, catering, and rapid turnaround. Studios are rented by major productions like Black Panther and Coming to America. 💬 Notable Quotes “Just because God told it to me doesn’t mean He told it to everybody else.” “If you believe it, I’m not dreaming big enough.” “Tyler Perry Studios is like boot camp for creators.” “I want my films to make people feel something.” “I’m the person they tone down.” (on his intense storytelling style) #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
25 Sep 32min
Overcoming the Odds: Failed 11th grade, earned a GED, became the first GED student to attend Morehouse,
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant. 🎙️ Interview Summary: Dr. Jamal Bryant Guest: Dr. Jamal Harrison BryantHost: Rushion McDonaldTopic: Faith, leadership, financial literacy, and community empowerment Dr. Jamal Bryant, senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, shares his journey from academic setbacks to becoming one of the most influential voices in faith and social justice. The conversation explores how the Black church can evolve, empower communities economically, and embrace technology and education to uplift future generations. 🔑 Key Takeaways 🏛️ Church Beyond the Walls COVID-19 forced churches to rethink their purpose and expand beyond traditional worship. Over 3,000 people joined New Birth online during the pandemic. “Culture changes every four years, but Black church culture changes every 20. The average church is 15 years behind schedule.” 💰 Financial Literacy & Economic Empowerment The Black church must teach not just tithing, but how to multiply the remaining 90%. Black dollars circulate only 30 minutes in the community, compared to 23 times in Asian communities. “We ask for 10%, but never show people how to multiply the 90.” 🏦 Debt Reduction & Stewardship Dr. Bryant inherited a church with significant debt and reduced it through stewardship, savings, and refinancing. “We got no corporate donations. It was model stewardship and aggressive debt reduction.” 🎓 HBCU Advocacy HBCUs produce the majority of Black professionals in medicine, law, education, and politics. Despite limited resources, they outperform many predominantly white institutions. “North Carolina A&T graduates more Black engineers than any other program in the country.” 📚 Financial Habits & Credit Awareness Many African Americans live at 110% of their income. Dr. Bryant promotes the 10-10-80 rule: save 10%, give 10%, live on 80%. “We have housewarming parties for apartments… we don’t talk about homeownership.” 🌍 Personal Journey & Mentorship Failed 11th grade, earned a GED, became the first GED student to attend Morehouse. Interned for Nelson Mandela, earned a master’s from Duke, and became the youngest NAACP youth director. “You can’t achieve success by yourself. Everywhere I went, someone stepped in and moved me forward.” 🕊️ Role of the Church The church should be a “recycling center” for discarded lives, transforming people spiritually and socially. “You can come as you are. Just be clear, you won’t stay as you are.” 💬 Notable Quotes “Your revenue is in your reflection.” “The church must be high-tech and high-touch.” “We don’t like to sit down. We like to dance and dribble.” “People are dying from a lack of knowledge.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
25 Sep 21min
