The Steve Harvey Morning Show

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Howard Hewett.
Legendary R&B vocalist and former frontman of Shalamar—joins Rushion McDonald to reflect on his early career, his rise through the music industry, and the philosophy that fueled his longevity. Hewett recounts growing up in Akron, Ohio, his early professional singing experiences, and ultimately his path to Los Angeles where he worked in show groups before joining Shalamar.
A large portion of the discussion focuses on preparation, visualization, integrity, and being ready when opportunities show up. Hewett reveals the remarkable story of how he joined Shalamar: a surprise phone call during a tense meeting at the Motown building, followed by an audition the next day, a flight to meet the group, and a TV performance within 72 hours.
The interview blends career storytelling, business lessons, and personal philosophy—making it valuable for creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone pursuing long-term success.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
Rushion McDonald brings Hewett on to:
Share real-world lessons from a 40+ year entertainment career.
Highlight professional preparation, mindset, and integrity as keys to sustained success.
Inspire listeners to embrace vision, self-belief, and business readiness—especially small business owners and creatives.
Pull back the curtain on the origin story of Shalamar's most iconic lineup and Hewett’s personal development journey.
This episode is crafted as both an inspirational masterclass and a historical narrative.
💡 Key Takeaways
1. Preparation is the difference-maker
Hewett emphasizes that being in the right place is useless unless you’re prepared. His decades of singing before Shalamar prepared him for the moment he had to sing on the spot for Dick Griffey.
Lesson: Preparation turns chance into opportunity.
2. Visualization is a powerful tool
After moving to California, Hewett meditated and visualized every day by the pool—imagining performing for audiences of thousands and negotiating high-paying gigs.
Lesson: Vision boards and mental rehearsal help create your future.
3. Integrity is a non-negotiable asset
Even when offered the biggest opportunity of his life (joining Shalamar), Hewett insisted on giving Motown a chance to fix their mistake because he gave them his word.
Lesson: Integrity strengthens your reputation more than any contract.
4. Career breakthroughs come fast—when you’re ready
Within three days:
Friday: received offer from Shalamar
Saturday: auditioned for Dick Griffey
Sunday: rehearsed
Monday: filmed a TV performance
Lesson: Momentum happens suddenly, but only to the prepared.
5. Value of small beginnings
From gospel singing at 10 to small clubs, to overseas show groups—every stage built foundation and resilience.
Lesson: Don’t despise early stages; they prepare you for later success.
6. The music industry requires adaptability & consistency
Hewett’s story shows how artists must navigate gigs, shaky contracts, and unreliable companies—but maintain professionalism.
Lesson: Talent opens the door; discipline keeps you in the room.
🗣️ Notable Quotes (From the Transcript)
On professionalism:
“You're professional when you can sustain yourself… when this is how you pay your bills.”
On visualization:
“Every day… I would go down to the pool and just visualize what I wanted to do.”
“I visualize singing in front of thousands of people.”
On preparation:
“Right place, right time is important. But people forget the most important part—be prepared.”
On integrity:
“Your word is worth more than any piece of paper you could ever sign.”
On the Shalamar turning point:
“That changed my whole life.”
“If I wasn’t what they needed right then, they already had another cat in mind.”
On life purpose:
“All those things… were preparing me for that moment.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
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Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Natalie Southwell.
Founder and CEO of The Essence of a Woman, LLC, a female empowerment agency dedicated to helping high‑achieving women rise with confidence, courage, clarity, and faith-driven purpose.
The conversation explores:
How women can overcome fear, trauma, and misaligned life decisions
The role of faith, purpose, and intentionality in decision-making
Her frameworks: PAIN and REAL
Her personal journey to launching The Essence of a Woman
How she guides women across generations—including students, early professionals, mid-career women, and women 50+—toward alignment and leadership.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
The purpose of the interview is to:
1. Introduce Natalie Southwell’s mission
Explain how The Essence of a Woman empowers women to overcome fear, reclaim purpose, and lead authentically.
2. Share actionable frameworks
She breaks down two of her signature models—PAIN and REAL—which guide women through decision-making, healing, and leadership growth.
3. Inspire women of all ages
Show that age should never limit someone’s potential and that clarity and alignment are always possible, whether you're 20 or 60.
4. Highlight the importance of faith + practicality
Natalie discusses how spiritual alignment and real‑world strategy work together, especially for women in STEM or male-dominated industries.
🔑 Key Takeaways 1. The “Essence” Comes From Understanding God’s Love
Natalie says women often pour into others so heavily that they forget their own value. Understanding divine love helps women set boundaries, avoid suffering in silence, and make aligned decisions.
2. Bad Decisions Create Pain—But Pain Teaches
Her PAIN Framework helps women pause and analyze decisions before they create negative consequences:
PAIN Framework
P – Pause and consider purpose
A – Analyze your options
I – Impact: What will this cost emotionally, spiritually, financially?
N – Necessity: Why now? Is there urgency?
Using this method prevents rash or misaligned choices.
3. Across All Ages, the Common Root Issue Is Fear
Whether she’s coaching:
women in their 20s entering the workforce,
women in their 30s–40s navigating career changes or relationships, or
women 50+ rediscovering purpose,
Natalie identifies fear as the universal obstacle—fear of failure, success, judgment, or making another “wrong” move.
4. Faith + Technology Can Coexist
As a woman with a STEM background, Natalie insists that spiritual guidance can align with analytical problem‑solving. She uses faith to prepare for board meetings, interviews, coding challenges, and leadership scenarios.
5. Listening to Life’s “Whispers” Prevents Misalignment
Much of her philosophy centers on avoiding the dangers of ignoring internal nudges—what she calls “heart whispers.”
Ignoring these whispers leads to regret, unnecessary pain, toxic relationships, and stalled careers.
Her book The Dangers of Ignoring Your Heart’s Whispers expands on this theme.
6. Her REAL Framework Helps Women Rebuild REAL Framework
R – Reset/Reclaim what was lost
E – Empower/Elevate
A – Align with purpose
L – Lead with authenticity
This is the roadmap she uses to guide women out of trauma cycles and into leadership.
7. Trauma Must Be Understood but Not Rehearsed
Natalie emphasizes that trauma is real—but staying in it (“rehearsing it”) hardens the heart and blocks growth.
Healing requires releasing the past and rewiring one’s mindset.
8. Her Personal Calling Came from a Divine Moment
In 2020, she heard God give her the name “The Essence of a Woman.”
Though she registered the business immediately, she admits she didn’t “hover” over the idea long enough to see the full vision—she later learned to follow God’s blueprint more closely.
🗣 Notable Quotes from the Interview
Here are some standout lines directly from the transcript:
On the meaning of “essence”:
“The essence is really the understanding of how much God loves you… when you understand how God loves you, that’s the essence.”
On pain:
“Anytime you make a bad decision today, it will affect your tomorrow and your future.”
On fear across generations:
“It’s the same root across every generation. The root is fear—fear of failure, fear of not being enough.”
On finding purpose after mistakes:
“You can’t change the past, but there is a path forward. You have to rewire your mind.”
On age and purpose:
“Every day we wake up, we have an opportunity to stir up the gifts.”
On listening to whispers:
“We are often given promptings to do or not do certain things—whispers. But we ignore them.”
📘 Natalie’s Current and Future Work
Current book: The Dangers of Ignoring Your Heart’s Whispers
Next book: In development (referenced but not named)
Continues expanding her empowerment programs and corporate coaching initiatives
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Blayther Sabbat.
Purpose of the Interview
The interview aims to:
Showcase Blayther Sabbat’s mission through his nonprofit Pillars of Success, which empowers returning citizens and at-risk youth.
Discuss strategies for reducing recidivism and creating pathways to success via mentorship, financial literacy, and career development.
Inspire individuals and communities to take action toward social impact and economic empowerment.
Key Takeaways
Background and Motivation
First-generation Haitian-American from Washington, D.C.
Athletic background (DeMatha Catholic High School football) instilled discipline and leadership.
Personal experiences with family and community challenges inspired his commitment to mentorship and reentry programs.

Pillars of Success
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing wraparound services: Mentorship
Financial literacy
Life and work skills
Career development and housing support

Focus on empowering returning citizens and at-risk youth to reintegrate successfully into society.

Challenges and Misconceptions
Common stigma: People assume returning citizens are “bad individuals.”
Reality: Many are in survival mode and lack resources, not character.
Success requires personal accountability and willingness to change.

Impact and Measurement
Success is defined as progress, even small steps like consistent routines or positive mindset.
Emphasis on action: “The difference between success and failure is taking action.”

Affordable Housing Advocacy
Sabbat worked at D.C. Housing Authority for 8 years, rising from clerical assistant to certified housing inspector.
Purchased property at age 26, faced conflict-of-interest issues, and resigned to pursue real estate and community impact full-time.

Career Development and Partnerships
Promotes trades (plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, IT) as sustainable career paths.
Partnerships with Google for digital literacy tools and scholarships.
Collaborates with local universities and organizations for training and job placement.

Financial Literacy
Learned through personal experience buying property on a $35K salary.
Advocates understanding credit, banking, and responsible money management.

Call to Action
Support through donations, mentorship, volunteering, and spreading awareness.
Website: www.pillarsofsuccess202.com

Notable Quotes
On stigma:
“People judge returning citizens as bad individuals without knowing their story. Many are just in survival mode.”

On success:
“Progress—any form of it—is success. The difference between success and failure is taking action.”

On leadership:
“We don’t succeed unless they succeed.”

On financial literacy:
“It’s not about how much you make—it’s about what you do with it.”

On courage:
“I walk by faith. Fearless. Failure and fear are the same—you learn from mistakes.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Miko Branch.
Here is a clear, structured summary of the Miko Branch interview with Rushion McDonald, along with its purpose, key takeaways, and notable quotes, drawn directly from the transcript you provided.
All information cites the uploaded file.
SUMMARY OF THE INTERVIEW
In this Money Making Conversations Masterclass episode, Rushion McDonald interviews Miko Branch, co‑founder and CEO of Miss Jessie’s, a pioneering hair‑care brand serving people with textured, curly, kinky, and wavy hair.
Miko recounts how she and her late sister, Titi Branch, built Miss Jessie’s from their kitchen table in their Brooklyn brownstone, developing products designed to genuinely work for people with textured hair. She highlights the brand’s deeply personal roots—named after their grandmother Jessie Mae Branch, the first “CEO” they ever observed in action.
Throughout the interview, Miko explains how Miss Jessie’s expanded from grassroots marketing, word‑of‑mouth, and early internet chat rooms to becoming a national brand found in Walgreens, CVS, Target, and more. She stresses the brand’s emphasis on education, authenticity, and providing solutions for all textured hair types.
Miko also discusses signature product lines (Curly Pudding, Pillow Soft Curls, Daily Soft Curls, sulfate‑free shampoo) and how Miss Jessie’s became a leader in the natural hair movement—well before it became a mainstream trend.
PURPOSE OF THE INTERVIEW 1. To showcase Miss Jessie’s origin story and entrepreneurial journey
McDonald highlights how Miko built a multimillion‑dollar brand from her kitchen table.
2. To inspire current and aspiring entrepreneurs
Miko demonstrates how authentic problem‑solving creates brand loyalty and long-term success.
3. To educate listeners about textured hair and the natural hair care industry
The interview reinforces that natural hair is not a trend—it's an identity and lifestyle.
4. To highlight the importance of cultural heritage and family influence
Miko shares how her grandmother, her sister, and her Brooklyn salon shaped Miss Jessie’s values and innovation.
KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. Miss Jessie’s was built on authenticity and real consumer needs
The brand emerged from real hairstyling challenges Miko and Titi solved for themselves and their salon clients..
2. Education is central to the brand’s success
Miss Jessie’s teaches customers how to understand and care for their curl types—wavy, curly, kinky, multicultural, or transitioning.
McDonald says the site offers more information than any hair‑care brand he has interviewed.
3. Family legacy guides the company
Their grandmother Jessie Mae’s leadership, work ethic, and kitchen‑table lessons inspired their business approach.
4. The natural hair movement is here to stay
People increasingly embrace their God‑given texture; straightening is no longer the dominant norm.
5. Social media amplified—did not create—their success
Word‑of‑mouth began long before social media; platforms today simply extend their reach.
6. Miss Jessie’s serves everyone with texture—not just Black women
Men, boys, Latinas, mixed‑race individuals—anyone with curls or waves—can find a solution.
7. Product innovation drove their growth
Curly Pudding, Pillow Soft Curls, Daily Soft Curls, and sulfate‑free shampoos transformed textured hair care.
8. Their Brooklyn salon doubled as R&D
It allowed the sisters to test products directly on customers and ensure real‑world performance.
NOTABLE QUOTES (from transcript) On the company’s beginnings
“We started our business in our brownstone right at our kitchen table.”
“Curly Pudding was the groundbreaker—the game changer.”
On the brand’s philosophy
“The bottom line is being able to create products that are helpful.”
“Information and communication is key to success.”
On inclusivity
“Anyone who has texture… we have something for you.”
On natural hair
“Natural hair, curly hair is preferred… it’s how people want to express themselves.”
“Natural hair is not a trend—it’s here to stay.”
On social media and growth
“We were going viral before ‘going viral’ was a word.”.
On legacy
“Our grandmother Jessie was the first female CEO we’d ever seen.”.
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!
Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Marcus Sonnier.
Founder of Snowie Atlanta:
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
To showcase Marcus Sonnier’s journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship, highlight the inspiration behind Snowie Atlanta, and share insights on financial literacy, legacy-building, and faith-driven decision-making.
🔑 Key Takeaways 1. From Corporate VP to Entrepreneur
Marcus left a successful career as VP of PR supervision at a financial services firm to start Snowie Atlanta.
He worked both jobs for five years before fully transitioning.
His leap was guided by faith and a desire for self-reliance.
“I looked at my wife and said, ‘Hey, I'm getting one more bonus check. And then I'm jumping off the plane.’”
2. The Product: Shaved Ice with a Twist
Snowie Atlanta offers customizable shaved ice with self-serve flavor stations.
Inspired by childhood experiences in Louisiana with snowball stands.
“We give away the shaved ice, but we sell you the smiles.”
3. Family Legacy & Financial Literacy
Marcus started the business to teach his sons about money—earning, saving, investing, and giving.
His sons were involved from the beginning, learning entrepreneurship firsthand.
“I said, guys, look, we're going to be entrepreneurs in this business. We're going to do it together.”
4. Faith as a Driving Force
Marcus credits divine guidance for his journey and connections.
He views his business as a calling and a platform for community impact.
“I could feel God in my spirit saying, ‘Oh, you trust me, you really do.’”
5. Community Impact & Expansion
The goal is to become a staple attraction and enhance the fan experience.
“I want all kids to want to go to a Braves game… to get a Snowie and have an experience.”
6. Giving Back
Snowie Atlanta participates in fundraising for schools, churches, and nonprofits.
Marcus finds joy in writing checks back to organizations that serve the community.
💬 Notable Quotes
“You may not get everything you work for, but you will work for everything you get.”
“We serve memories.”
“I’m just trying to be obedient and do what I think God wants me to do in this business.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.