Best of The Steve Harvey Morning Show

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 Howard Hewett Interview (Part 2)

Legendary R&B and soul singer Howard Hewett returned for Part 2 of his interview on Money Making Conversations Masterclass to continue discussing his iconic multi‑decade career, his transition from Shalamar to a solo artist, new collaborations, performing for multi‑generational audiences, the evolution of R&B, and his philosophy on life, legacy, work ethic, and spiritual grounding.

This segment is rich with personal stories—from unexpected collaborations to the behind‑the‑scenes decision-making that shaped his career. Hewett also reflects on aging gracefully, staying relevant, maintaining integrity, and building a strong foundation that supports longevity in both life and music.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

The conversation aims to:

• Highlight Howard Hewett’s career longevity, legendary catalog, and current creative projects.
• Explore his transition from group success (Shalamar) to building a respected solo career.
• Provide insight into new musical collaborations, including work with Ronnie Laws.
• Discuss the challenge of performing new music for audiences who crave the classic hits.
• Reflect on spirituality, life philosophy, integrity, and aging as keys to sustaining a fulfilling career.
• Offer guidance for artists, entrepreneurs, and creatives who must navigate uncertainty, fame, and reinvention.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Collaboration with Ronnie Laws

• Hewett shared a humorous story about Ronnie Laws showing up at his door while doing Jehovah’s Witness outreach.
• Their new collaboration was inspired by a personal connection to Ronnie’s late wife and her love for “Ribbon in the Sky.”
• Covers require publishing approval, not necessarily permission from the artist, as long as royalties go to the right places.
  
  

2. Transition from Shalamar to Solo Career

• Contrary to popular belief, Howard was not the first member to leave—Jeffrey Daniel and Jody Watley departed before him.
• His transition happened during the opportunity to record “Dancing in the Sheets” for the Footloose soundtrack.
• Initially, he and producer Leon Sylvers did not think Footloose would be a big movie—a now‑humorous regret.
• “Dancing in the Sheets” became Shalamar’s second-largest selling single after “Second Time Around.”

3. The Challenge of Performing New Music

• Hewett explains that audiences overwhelmingly want the classics, not new songs.
• When artists introduce new material during concerts, the room’s energy often drops.
• He performs new music only when he can “set it up right” and bring the audience into the moment.

4. Musical Identity & R&B Philosophy

• His solo style skewed romantic and intimate because that is authentically who he is as an artist.
• He rejects modern attempts to redefine R&B:
  • “R&B is the foundation—of rock, hip‑hop, neo-soul, everything. You can’t replace a foundation.”
• He uses the “foundation of a house” as a metaphor for life, music, and spiritual grounding.

5. Multi‑Generational Audience Connection

• Hewett loves seeing grandparents, parents, and children attend his shows together—evidence of music that lasts.
• His concerts are structured:
  • Act 1: Howard Hewett solo classics (slow jams, connection, romance)
  • Act 2: Shalamar dance hits (“Second Time Around,” “Make That Move,” “A Night to Remember”)

6. Integrity, Spirituality, and Aging

• Hewett emphasizes that integrity, faith, and foundation have sustained his life and career.
• He began singing gospel in childhood; his mother was a gospel promoter who booked major gospel acts.
• At 70, he says he does not look or feel how he imagined 70 would look when he was younger.
• He encourages people to control what they allow into their lives—“stress, drama, or peace.”
  
  

7. Entrepreneurship and Resilience

• As an entertainer, he equates his career to running a small business—no guaranteed income, no employer‑provided safety net.
• COVID forced him off the road for the first time in decades and taught him adaptability.
• He attributes his continued success to a solid foundation, timeless hits, and avoiding stress.
  
  

8. Life Lessons: Worry, Faith, and the Power of the Tongue

• Hewett shared a powerful story about receiving a church pamphlet titled “Worry Is a Sign of Disbelief.”
• He spent years removing “worry” from his vocabulary and now avoids negative speech.
• He compares the tongue to a ship’s rudder—small but capable of steering life’s direction.
  
  

🗣️ Notable Quotes ✔ On new music

“When you do new material, it’s almost like singing in Japanese. People don’t want to hear it unless you set it up right.”

✔ On R&B

“R&B is the foundation—of rock, hip-hop, neo-soul… you can’t replace a foundation.”

✔ On longevity

“Integrity is one of the most important things. Let your yes be your yes.”

✔ On aging

“When I turned 70, I thanked God it doesn’t look like what I thought it would look like when I was 30 or 40.”

✔ On stress

“Stress is like a rocking chair—it gives you a lot to do, but you’re still in the same place when you get done.”

✔ On faith

“If you’re truly a child of God, what are you worried about? Worry is a sign of disbelief"

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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 Todd Kroupa

A former firefighter turned top-producing real estate agent in Georgia. Todd explains his journey from a physically demanding fire department career to becoming a highly successful real estate broker, team leader, and luxury/equestrian property specialist.

The conversation walks through:

• His transition from the fire service to real estate
• Opening and managing a 400‑agent office in Florida
• Relocating to Georgia and re-establishing his business
• How he advises both first-time homebuyers and experienced sellers
• Emotional decision-making in buying and selling
• Inspections, deal-breakers, and buyer/seller behavior
• Multi-generational housing trends post‑COVID
• Why real estate remains a wealth-building tool
• Advice for navigating neighborhoods, schools, and due diligence
• His eventual ranking as #1 single agent for Berkshire Hathaway in Georgia (2024–2025)

Todd emphasizes integrity, long-term relationships, and guiding clients toward the right house — not just closing a deal.

Purpose of the Interview

The purpose of Todd Kroupa’s appearance is to:

1. Share a motivational career-change story — moving from firefighter to top real estate agent.
2. Educate listeners on the real estate process — including buying, selling, inspections, and market strategy.
3. Give practical tips for first-time homebuyers, families, and multi-generational households.
4. Promote best practices for choosing neighborhoods, navigating emotion in home buying, and avoiding pitfalls.
5. Highlight Todd’s success and position him as a trusted resource for Georgia real estate clients.

Key Takeaways 1. Career Transition & Motivation

• Todd became a firefighter in 1992, retired in 2014, and began real estate in 2002.
• Real estate appealed to him because it allowed him to continue helping people without the physical strain.
• He built and managed a 400-agent office before returning to working directly with clients — his true passion.

2. Balancing Firefighting and Real Estate

• He often worked both jobs full-time, with limited days off.
• Eventually, maintaining both became impossible: “I can’t do this anymore,” he told his wife.

3. Buyer Advice

• Buyers make decisions emotionally first, then logically.
• Within the first 3–5 minutes in a home, buyers often know if they like it.
• Lighting, paint color, home condition, and layout heavily influence emotional response.
• First-time buyers need extra guidance — like “teaching someone to drive for the first time.”

4. Seller Advice

• Selling isn’t just about market timing — presentation matters.
• Neutral paint colors and bright white lighting help increase buyer appeal.
• Every showing is won or lost in the first few minutes.

5. Inspections Matter — and Are Deal Breakers

Top inspection walk‑aways:

1. Mold
2. Foundation issues
3. Roof problems
   Todd stresses that if a buyer is uncomfortable before closing, “you won’t be comfortable after you close.”

6. Emotion vs. Logic

• Many buyers get emotionally attached and ignore red flags.
• Todd’s rule: commissions should never drive decisions.

7. Multi-Generational Living Is Rising

• Driven by COVID, high child-care costs, rising home prices.
• Families are choosing:
  • ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units)
  • “In-law suites”
  • Larger family compounds

8. Real Estate as a Wealth Builder

• Unlike stock investments, real estate allows you to:
  • Control, improve, alter, and live in the asset.
• Tax advantages like 1031 exchanges and mortgage deductions compound long-term value.

9. Don’t Buy the Most Expensive House in the Neighborhood

• Surrounding homes cap your resale value.
• You may have to wait years for nearby homes to “catch up.”

10. Neighborhood Due Diligence

• Realtors must avoid discrimination (Fair Housing Act).
• Buyers should:
  • Visit neighborhoods at night and on weekends
  • Speak with neighbors
  • Review school ratings and county resources

Notable Quotes (from the transcript) Career & Purpose

• “I love helping people. That’s why I became a fireman. Real estate was another way to help people.”
• “I wasn’t quite sure I wanted to manage long term… my heart was with clients.”

Ethics & Commission

• “Commissions should never be above the people.”
• “If you’re focused on commissions, you need to pick a different industry.”

Emotions in Home Buying

• “Buyers think they’re looking logically, but they’re looking emotionally first.”
• “Within the first 3–5 minutes, they already know if they like the home.”

Inspections

• “If you’re not comfortable with the property now, you won’t be comfortable after you close.”

Neighborhood Choice

• “Focus on the house, but look at the neighborhood — you can’t change your neighbors.”

Wealth Building

• “With stocks you can’t control it, improve it, or live in it. With a home, you can.”

Success & Determination

• “Someone told me when I moved to Georgia I wasn’t going to make it. Now I’m the number one salesperson in Georgia.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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 Jennifer Gaddis.

Interview Summary

Show: Money Making Conversations Masterclass
Host: Rushion McDonald
Guest: Jennifer Gaddis – Senior Quality Assurance Engineer, Educator, Founder of Road to QA

1. Purpose of the Interview

The primary purpose of the interview is to inspire and educate everyday people—especially those without college degrees or traditional tech backgrounds—on how to pivot into technology careers, specifically Quality Assurance (QA), and to reframe fear around AI, layoffs, and automation into opportunity.

Jennifer’s story is used as proof of concept that:

• You do not need a college degree to succeed in tech
• Transferable skills already qualify many people for QA roles
• AI does not eliminate jobs—it creates new opportunities
• Strategic career pivots can result in life-changing income and freedom

Rushion positions Jennifer not only as a success story, but as a new blueprint for wealth-building through skills, not credentials. [

2. Interview Overview (High-Level Summary)

Jennifer Gaddis shares how she:

• Pivoted into tech in 2021 with no degree
• Went from $40K to six figures within 90 days
• Built a $400K+ remote household income with her husband
• Created Road to QA, helping 200+ people land tech jobs
• Accidentally built a multi-million-dollar education business
• Used personal hardship, COVID, financial stress, and family responsibility as fuel—not limitations

She explains what Quality Assurance engineering is, why it is resistant to AI replacement, and how regular users of apps are already doing parts of QA work without realizing it. 

3. Key Takeaways A. You’re Already More Qualified Than You Think

Jennifer emphasizes that everyday digital behavior translates into QA skills:

• Using apps
• Identifying bugs
• Expecting software to “work correctly”
• Navigating systems as an end user

This insight forms the core of her teaching philosophy. 

B. The Faster You Add Skills, the Faster You Increase Income

Jennifer repeatedly notes:

“The difference in your paycheck is your skillset.”

By stacking skills (manual QA → automation → AI testing), professionals increase their market value, not just job security.

C. AI Is a Career Accelerator, Not a Threat

Rather than fearing AI, Jennifer encourages people to:

• Work alongside AI
• Become the humans overseeing AI systems
• Move into hybrid QA + automation + AI roles

She stresses that human oversight is still required in tech deployment. 

D. Entrepreneurship Can Be Accidental—but Scalable

Jennifer did not initially plan to build a company. Her business emerged from:

• Instagram stories
• A $97 beginner e-book
• Real student outcomes

Her willingness to:

• Raise prices
• Build systems
• Hire specialists
• Learn financial discipline

Allowed Road to QA to grow sustainably. 

E. Representation and Access Matter

Jennifer openly discusses:

• Being a Black woman in tech
• Coming from financial insecurity
• Navigating family obligations
• Redefining success for future generations

Her story challenges stereotypes about who “belongs” in tech careers. [

4. Notable Quotes from the Interview

“I landed my first year in tech within 90 days.” [

“The difference in your paycheck is your skillset.” 

“You’re already a software tester—you just don’t know it yet.” [

“I didn’t set out to build a company. I said yes to myself.” [

“AI still needs human oversight.” 

“My journey was already different, so I had to build something different.” 

5. Overall Message

Jennifer Gaddis’s interview reinforces a central theme of Money Making Conversations:

Income growth follows skill alignment, not traditional credentials.

Her journey reframes:

• Fear → strategy
• Job loss → skill expansion
• Limited access → self-investment

The interview serves as both motivation and roadmap for anyone seeking financial mobility through tech—without gatekeeping.

#SHMS #BEST #STRAW

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 Stacey Gholar.  

🔹 Summary of the Interview

Stacey Gholar, founder of Bloom Creative Agency, shares her journey from being a young mother in Chicago to becoming a brand strategist and creative entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in marketing, media, and business. She emphasizes the importance of aligning personal identity with brand strategy, especially in the digital age. Stacey discusses her approach to brand audits, the role of social media, the impact of AI, and her passion for empowering women through entrepreneurship and skincare.

🔹 Key Takeaways 1. What Is a Brand Strategist?

• A brand strategist helps individuals and businesses define and articulate their brand clearly.
• “You are the brand, but you have to put the brand together in a way that people can articulate what you do.”

2. Social Media Strategy

• Stacey conducts social media audits to ensure alignment between personal and business branding.
• She recommends having separate personal and business accounts, but acknowledges blending them when appropriate.

3. Discovery Process

• Her process starts with a discovery call to understand the client’s “why” and goals.
• She believes passion must drive entrepreneurship—not just money.

4. Digital Branding & AI

• Stacey identifies as a digital brand specialist, helping Gen X women and others pivot into digital spaces.
• She uses AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini to enhance productivity but values human connection.
• “AI is an asset… but I don’t solely rely on it.”

5. Email Marketing

• Email is still vital: “If you're solely on social media, you can lose your business in a minute.”
• She advocates for funnel systems and community building outside of social platforms.

6. Going Viral vs. Being Valuable

• “You don’t need to go viral. You just need to be valuable.”
• She went viral unintentionally with a review of Harold’s Chicken, but stresses the importance of sustainable value over fleeting attention.

7. Brand Refresh & Outreach

• Most of her clients come through word of mouth, but she’s expanding her reach via social media.
• She encourages clients to step out of their comfort zones and engage in community-driven initiatives.

8. Skincare Line

• Stacey founded Skin Light Skincare at age 50 to promote pro-aging and natural beauty.
• She now focuses on organic body oils that are clean, hydrating, and hormone-safe.

🔹 Notable Quotes

• “Experience has been the best teacher for me.”
• “You don’t need to go viral. You just need to be valuable.”
• “If you stop learning, you stop growing.”
• “I want you to be a part of building your brand—not just me doing it for you.”
• “Social media is great, but word of mouth is still real.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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 El' Deity Princey. 

📝 Summary of the Interview

El' Deity Princey is a transformational master coach, author, and speaker with a background in social science, neuroscience, and trauma recovery. In this powerful and deeply personal interview, she shares her journey from childhood trauma and dysfunction to becoming a high-achieving coach helping others reprogram their minds, cut toxic ties, and build wealth-driven lives. Her book, Monetize a Mind That’s Colonized, and her coaching business, 11 Master Consulting, are tools she uses to empower others to transcend adversity and manifest success.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Mindset is the Foundation of Wealth

• “Energy is currency.” True prosperity begins with internal transformation.
• Reprogramming the subconscious mind is essential to breaking free from societal conditioning and limiting beliefs.

2. Cutting Toxic Ties

• Toxic relationships—whether personal, familial, or professional—drain energy and hinder growth.
• “When you cut toxic ties, you thrive.”
• Applies to both employees and employers: focus on those who contribute positively to your mission.

3. Coaching vs. Therapy

• Coaching focuses on present and future goals, while therapy often addresses past trauma.
• El' Deity emphasizes accountability, strategy, and results in her coaching practice.

4. Routine Builds Wealth

• Daily habits, environment, and self-care routines are critical to building internal and external wealth.
• “Everyone has a gift. Everyone has a talent.” Routine helps unlock and monetize those gifts.

5. Healing from Trauma

• She shares her personal experience with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and how childhood PTSD mirrors veteran PTSD.
• Her journey from dysfunction and cult-like environments to academic and personal success is a testament to resilience.

6. Manifestation Requires Action

• Her concept of “Coagulation Law” emphasizes that belief alone isn’t enough—resources and action are required to manifest goals.
• Life is like Monopoly: strategy and movement are key to winning.

7. Empowering Language

• Words shape reality. Avoid saying “I’m struggling”—instead, affirm your intelligence and capability.
• “Speak life into yourself.”

8. Client Success Stories

• She helped a client leave a toxic home, pursue her talents, and attract a supportive partner—demonstrating how mindset shifts lead to real-world success.

9. Accessibility & Services

• Offers free live coaching on TikTok three times a week.
• Book: Monetize a Mind That’s Colonized is available on Amazon under her real name, Princess Halo.
• Coaching and courses available through 11 Master Consulting.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “When you master your emotions, you master your reality.”
• “Healing doesn’t take years—it takes intention.”
• “I got tired of begging for crumbs of love and began to give myself loads of love.”
• “Your self-image is what you attract.”
• “Are you tired yet? If yes, it’s time to pivot.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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 Dr. Leola Anifowoshe.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

The interview aims to:

• Educate listeners on the science and solutions behind hair loss.
• Introduce Dr. Leola Anifowoshe’s work in functional medicine, trichology, and holistic hair restoration.
• Share her personal journey and expertise.
• Promote her clinic, products, and diagnostic approach to hair and scalp health.

🧠 Key Takeaways 1. Hair Loss is Treatable and Often Misunderstood

• Hair follicles may be dormant, not dead—where there’s life, there’s hope.
• Hair loss is often a symptom of deeper health issues, such as stress, inflammation, or liver dysfunction.

2. Holistic and Functional Approach

• Dr. Leola emphasizes testing over guessing.
• Her clinic uses microscopic scalp analysis, cell inflammation tests, and custom treatment plans.
• She avoids pharmaceuticals, relying on natural remedies and nutraceuticals.

3. Hair Loss as a Health Crisis

• Especially prevalent among Black women, often due to scarring alopecia from early perms.
• The American Hair Loss Association had not studied this demographic adequately.

4. Innovative Technology

• Her clinic developed a patented machine called the ResourciStation, which:
  • Diagnoses scalp conditions.
  • Removes debris.
  • Stimulates follicles.
  • Can transform salons into restoration centers.

5. Personal Story and Motivation

• Dr. Leola experienced hair loss due to sarcoidosis, a form of lupus.
• Her husband’s reaction to her baldness inspired her to create effective products.
• She was raised by blind family members, teaching her to rely on senses beyond sight, influencing her product development.

6. Product Highlights

• Ditch the Itch Shampoo: Detoxifies scalp.
• Smooth & Restore Conditioner: Nourishes hair strands.
• Awakening Complex: Stimulates dormant follicles using natural DHT blockers like pumpkin seed.
• Meltdown Scalp Oxygen Foam: Clears buildup and energizes follicles.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “Where there’s life, there’s hope—as it relates to hair follicles.”
• “Hair loss is a bully. You can’t fight it with a butter knife.”
• “We don’t guess—we test.”
• “Hair loss is a whistleblower—it tells you something deeper is wrong.”
• “I kill men back their wives. I give women back their husbands.”
• “I was born on the 4th of July. I was born for this.”
• “You can’t out-give God. Create a vacuum effect—give something to get something.”

🌱 Emotional and Cultural Impact

• Dr. Leola’s work is deeply rooted in community healing, especially for underserved populations.
• She challenges mainstream dermatology and beauty standards, advocating for natural, culturally aware solutions.
• Her clinic offers telehealth, making her services accessible nationwide.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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 Amy DuBois Barnett.

📝 Summary of the Interview

Amy DuBois Barnett, a trailblazing media executive and author, joined Rushion McDonald to discuss her career, her upcoming debut novel If I Ruled the World, and her insights on success, authenticity, and navigating the evolving media landscape. The conversation covered her historic role as the first Black woman to helm a major mainstream U.S. magazine, her experiences in media and publishing, the importance of Black voices, and her journey toward becoming a novelist.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Career Milestones & Legacy

• Amy made history as the first Black woman editor-in-chief of a major mainstream U.S. magazine (Teen People).
• She held leadership roles at Harper’s Bazaar, Ebony, Honey Magazine, and digital platforms like BET and The Grio.
• Her editorial style focused on humanizing success, sharing personal stories and lessons rather than just promoting content.

2. New Novel: If I Ruled the World

• Set in late 1990s/early 2000s New York, the novel follows Nikki, a woman navigating the fashion and music magazine world.
• Themes include misogyny in hip hop, professional ambition, friendship, and self-discovery.
• The title is inspired by the Nas and Lauryn Hill song, and Lauryn Hill was the first cover of Honey Magazine under Amy’s leadership.
• Amy envisions the novel as a TV series, and is actively working toward that goal.

3. Importance of Preorders

• Preorders are critical for debut novelists to hit bestseller lists.
• All preorders count toward first-week sales, which are essential for making lists like the New York Times Bestseller.

4. Authenticity & Black Media

• Amy emphasized the need for authentic Black voices in media, especially in today’s political climate.
• She praised independent platforms and figures like Roland Martin, Joy Reid, and Don Lemon for maintaining integrity.

5. Success Principles

• Success requires more than talent—it’s about energy, attitude, collaboration, and kindness.
• She highlighted the importance of networking through genuine relationships, not just transactional exchanges.
• Believing in oneself is essential: “The universe will not give you an opportunity that you don’t think you deserve.”

6. Pivoting & Resilience

• Amy’s career involved multiple pivots—from finance to fashion to media.
• She stressed the importance of recognizing when to pivot and manifesting goals through vision and hard work.

7. Print vs. Digital Media

• Print magazines offer permanence and thoughtful journalism, while digital media provides speed and volume.
• She misses the visual artistry of print, like cover shoots and fashion spreads.

8. Personal Notes

• Amy’s son is a music producer and DJ, studying at Drexel University.
• Rushion and Amy have a long-standing friendship dating back to 2012, when she was at Ebony and he was producing the Steve Harvey show.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “You have to believe that you deserve all of the opportunity.”
• “Networking is not about handing out business cards. It’s about building relationships.”
• “Magazines have a permanence that made you incredibly careful.”
• “I’m manifesting big things.”
• “We are out here flawed and just trying to find success, love, and fulfillment like everyone else.”

#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.