Best of The Steve Harvey Morning Show

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 Cassandra Lester.

🎙️ Interview Summary

Cassandra Lester—founder of Grow Give Prosper—joins Rushion McDonald to discuss her mission of expanding financial literacy and providing career opportunities to underserved communities.

The conversation centers on how education + access = economic empowerment, especially through her partnership with Google to offer free career certifications.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

The primary purpose is to:

• Introduce Lester’s nonprofit Grow Give Prosper
• Highlight its partnership with Google’s “Grow with Google” initiative
• Promote free, accessible career certification programs
• Encourage underserved populations to increase earning potential and financial literacy [omny.fm], [iheart.com]

👉 Ultimately, the interview is both informational and motivational—designed to inspire listeners to take advantage of real opportunities to improve their financial future.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Mission: “Grow, Give, Prosper”

• Grow Give Prosper focuses on financial education, career readiness, and economic empowerment [iheart.com]
• The philosophy:
  • Grow individually
  • Give back to others
  • Prosper collectively

✅ Emphasis: success is community-driven, not individual-only

2. Free Google Career Certifications

• Offers certifications in high-demand fields:

  • Cybersecurity
  • Data Analytics
  • Digital Marketing & E-commerce
  • IT Support
  • Project Management
  • UX Design [omny.fm]

• Key benefits:

  • 100% free scholarships
  • No prior experience required
  • Self-paced, typically 3–6 months
  • Leads to job-ready skills + portfolio [iheart.com]

✅ Takeaway: These programs are a shortcut to employable skills without a degree

3. Accessibility & Inclusion

• Available nationwide regardless of:
  • Education level (GED, dropout, etc.)
  • Background or income [omny.fm]
• Only requirement: commitment to finish

✅ Takeaway: Designed to level the playing field, especially for those excluded from traditional education paths [iheart.com]

4. Financial Literacy is Critical—and Missing

• Lester defines financial literacy as:

  • Understanding money concepts AND applying them daily [iheart.com]

• Key issues she highlights:

  • Cultural reluctance to discuss money
  • Misunderstanding of credit
  • Cycles of predatory lending

✅ Takeaway: Education must go beyond income—people must learn how to manage money

5. Real-World Outreach Matters

• Lester uses grassroots, “boots-on-the-ground” outreach:
  • Community centers
  • Adult education classes
  • Social media [spreaker.com]

✅ Takeaway: Opportunity only works if people know it exists

6. Overcoming Skepticism

• Many people doubt “free” programs
• Lester emphasizes:
  • Google certifications are legitimate and recognized by employers [spreaker.com]

✅ Takeaway: Trust is a barrier just as much as access

7. Measurable Impact

• Hundreds of scholarships already awarded (300+ mentioned) [omny.fm]
• Certifications can be stacked (e.g., Project Management + Data Analytics)

✅ Takeaway: This is not theoretical—it produces real economic mobility

8. Personal Motivation

• Lester’s drive comes from seeing:
  • Financial struggles across all demographics [iheart.com]

✅ Takeaway: The problem is widespread—but solvable with access and education

💬 Notable Quotes / Core Messages

(Direct transcript quotes are limited, but these are accurate paraphrased lines and signature statements from the interview themes.)

🔹 On her mission

“We want people to grow together, give to each other, and prosper collectively.” [omny.fm]

🔹 On opportunity

“These certifications are free—the only requirement is your commitment.” [omny.fm]

🔹 On financial literacy

“It’s not just understanding money—it’s applying it in your everyday life.” [iheart.com]

🔹 On barriers

“Some communities don’t talk about money—and that silence keeps cycles going.” [iheart.com]

🔹 On impact

“You don’t need an Ivy League degree to change your financial future.” [iheart.com]

🔹 On mindset

“Stop reading other people’s success stories and start writing your own.” [youtube.com]

🧠 Bottom Line

The interview is a call to action:

• Access exists (free certifications)
• Skills are attainable (no degree required)
• Wealth-building starts with education + action

👉 Cassandra Lester’s message:
Economic empowerment is possible when opportunity meets awareness and commitment.

#BEST #STRAW #SHMS

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://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 Laura Foos.

Interview Overview

Guest: Laura Foos
Host: Rushion McDonald
Show: Money Making Conversations Masterclass
Location: Camp Springs, Maryland (DMV area)
Focus: Entrepreneurship, tax education, real estate ownership, multiple income streams, women in business, and asset‑based thinking

Laura Foos is a serial entrepreneur, accountant, tax professional, property owner, and business educator. In this conversation, she walks through how she built several aligned businesses—from a salon to a tax firm, educational products, and a multi‑use commercial space—while raising her daughter as a single mother and intentionally building wealth through ownership.

Purpose of the Interview

The purpose of the interview is to:

• Educate everyday entrepreneurs—especially women and small business owners—on how to use taxes, ownership, and strategy to build sustainable wealth
• Demystify entrepreneurship by showing how multiple income streams can grow from practical decisions, not hype
• Highlight asset‑based thinking, where liabilities are intentionally offset by income‑producing assets
• Inspire single mothers and women entrepreneurs to pursue ownership, funding, and scalability without waiting for permission

Rushion positions Laura as a living example of “walking the walk”—not just talking about business success, but executing it with discipline, planning, and faith.

Key Themes & Takeaways 1. Location, Ownership, and Convenience Matter

Laura intentionally built her life and businesses close together—owning her home of 20 years and purchasing a nearby commercial property—to maximize efficiency and control.
Takeaway: Strategic location and ownership reduce friction and increase long‑term stability.

2. Taxes Are a Growth Tool—Not Just Compliance

As a college‑educated accountant and longtime tax professional, Laura explains that many small business owners are taught to eliminate taxable income entirely, but this limits growth.

She emphasizes the importance of:

• Showing income on paper
• Planning annually for tax obligations
• Using taxes strategically to qualify for loans and asset purchases

Takeaway: You cannot scale—or secure funding—without showing money on paper.

3. Every Liability Should Have an Asset Attached

Laura repeatedly returns to a core principle:

“For every liability that I have, I want to figure out an asset that is going to pay for that.

Examples include:

• Rental units inside her home paying the mortgage
• Booth rentals covering salon rent
• Event space, studios, and meeting rooms generating income to cover the commercial property

Takeaway: Bills are optional when assets are designed correctly.

4. Multiple Streams Came from One Smart Decision

What began as a tax office expanded into:

• A podcast studio
• Photography studio
• Meeting rooms
• Event space

Takeaway: One owned asset can support several revenue streams if you design for flexibility.

5. Mentorship and Representation Matter

Laura consciously mentors other women through:

• Her Confessions of a Boss Lady Facebook group (400+ women)
• Social media education
• Direct example

She emphasizes that visibility—“I’m living this”—is key to inspiring others.

6. Teaching Financial Literacy Starts at Home

Laura involved her daughter in entrepreneurship early, helping her launch a bracelet business to fund private school tuition. She taught her:

• Customer interaction
• Inventory management
• Profit allocation
• Reinvestment

Takeaway: Wealth habits are taught, not inherited.

7. Smart Delegation Enables Growth

After experiencing burnout and a health scare during the pandemic, Laura learned she could not do everything herself. She expanded her team and invested in automation.

Takeaway: Growth requires letting go—not grinding harder..

8. Faith Replaces Fear

When asked why she isn’t afraid to take big risks, Laura attributes her confidence to faith.

“I have fearless faith… If He put it in front of me, that’s what I’m supposed to try.”

Takeaway: Purpose reduces fear and reframes failure as learning.

Standout Quotes

• On asset‑based thinking:

  “For every liability that I have, I want an asset that’s going to pay for that.”.

• On taxes and growth:

  “To grow and expand and purchase things in the business name, we have to start showing something on paper.”.

• On entrepreneurship as a single mother:

  “One income is not enough.” 

• On delegation and health:

  “I realized I don’t have to be in it 24 hours a day.”.

• On fearlessness:

  “If it doesn’t work, I’ll reorganize, learn the lesson, and move on.

Overall Impact

Laura Foos is presented as a grounded, disciplined, and strategic entrepreneur who built wealth through ownership, education, planning, and faith—not shortcuts. The interview reinforces that success is not about one big idea, but about stacking smart decisions over time.

Core message:
Ownership + education + faith + execution = freedom.

#BEST #STRAW #SHMS

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://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 D. Renee Smith.

A transformational life coach and mental wellness advocate:

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To raise awareness about mental health, especially among professional women, and to promote proactive wellness strategies in personal life and the workplace. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-care, emotional support, and recognizing mental health signals before they escalate.

🗝️ Key Takeaways 1. Mental Health Is Like Physical Health

• Mental wellness requires daily attention, just like physical fitness.
• It involves monitoring thoughts, emotional responses, and what you consume mentally.

2. Women Often Lose Themselves in Roles

• Many women become consumed by titles—mother, wife, caregiver—and lose sight of their personal identity and dreams.
• Rediscovery is essential after life changes like divorce, loss, or children leaving home.

3. Self-Care Is Not Selfish

• Women must prioritize their own well-being.
• Harmony—not balance—is the goal, where all aspects of life work together positively.

4. Recognizing Mental Health Warning Signs

• Changes in behavior, withdrawal, or loss of interest can signal deeper issues.
• Friends and family should check in and not accept “I’m okay” at face value.

5. Workplace Stress Is Real

• Lack of promotion, recognition, or support can lead to burnout and mental strain.
• Employers should observe behavioral patterns and offer sincere support—not just reactive solutions.

6. Proactive Mental Wellness in the Workplace

• De Rene’s company offers coaching to help employees manage stress and improve performance.
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are underutilized and often insufficient.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “Self-care is not selfish.” – De Rene Smith
• “Don’t judge people by the choices they make because you don’t know what they had to choose from.” – D. Renee Smith
• “I’d rather make someone mad at me than regret not checking in.” – Rashawn McDonald
• “Harmony—not balance—is the goal.” – D. Renee Smith

🌐 Connect with D. Renee Smith

• Business: Transformational Living Coaching & Consulting

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.