Best of The Steve Harvey Morning Show

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Denella Ri'chard.

An award-winning travel expert, TV host, and former senior executive in the travel industry. The discussion focused on the transformative power of travel, breaking cultural barriers, and her journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship.

🔑 Key Themes & Highlights

The Importance of Travel

• Travel helps break down cultural barriers and expand perspectives.
• Experiencing different cultures makes people more open-minded and adaptable.

Overcoming Stereotypes as a Black Traveler

• Ri'chard shared experiences of racial stereotypes while traveling, including perceptions about Black Americans abroad.
• She emphasized the importance of representation in the travel industry.

Her Journey from Corporate Executive to TV Host

• Ri'chard held senior positions at Hilton Worldwide, Carnival Corporation, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.
• The COVID-19 pandemic led to her unexpected career shift, launching her travel show.

Creating Traveling with Denella Ri'chard

• The show provides insider travel tips, destination guides, and cultural insights.
• Ri'chard helps viewers plan trips with confidence by scouting locations firsthand.

Entrepreneurship & Reinvention

• Losing her corporate job during COVID-19 pushed her to pursue her dream of hosting a travel show.
• She encourages others to embrace change and take risks in their careers.

📘 About Denella Ri'chard
Denella Ri'chard is the host and executive producer of the award-winning travel show Traveling with Denella Ri'chard. She has been recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential People in USA Hospitality and Travel.

Her show airs in over 40 cities and explores luxurious resorts, cruises, and cultural experiences worldwide. #AMI

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

For more insights, check out her interview here or learn more about her work here.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Michaela Merrick.

🎙️ Interview Summary: Michaela Merrick on Money Making Conversations Masterclass 🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To spotlight Michaela Merrick, founder of Pretty Little Tacos, and her entrepreneurial journey from launching a food truck during the COVID-19 pandemic to building a thriving Creole-Mexican taco brand in Atlanta. The interview aims to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs by showcasing resilience, creativity, and family support.

🗝️ Key Takeaways 1. Origin of Pretty Little Tacos

• Inspired by a short-lived cooking show called Pretty Little Cooks.
• Launched in May 2020 during the height of the pandemic.
• Offers unique taco varieties including vegan options and dessert tacos like peach cobbler and strawberry shortcake.

2. Entrepreneurial Spirit

• Michaela did not attend culinary school but learned through experience and family influence.
• Her mother encouraged her to pursue the food truck idea, even waking her up to go buy one.
• Her father and brother are chefs, and her daughter is her biggest fan and motivator.

3. Challenges Faced

• Started with little to no money and reinvested daily.
• Faced licensing and permitting issues due to government shutdowns.
• Was misled by commissary kitchens lacking proper permits, resulting in financial loss.
• Her first food truck was stolen, but she bounced back with a new one.

4. Growth and Expansion

• Operates three locations in Atlanta: Colony Square, Union City (inside a gas station), and Moreland Avenue.
• Plans to expand into more gas stations and possibly mass production while maintaining quality and authenticity.

5. Business Philosophy

• Focuses on customer experience and generous portions.
• Requires all staff to sign NDAs to protect recipes and business integrity.
• Encourages staff to learn and grow, even if they aspire to start their own businesses.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “I didn’t really have a choice… it was survival.” – On launching her business during the pandemic.
• “You have to be resilient. You can’t give up.” – On overcoming obstacles.
• “My daughter is my biggest fan… I want her to understand she can do anything.” – On her motivation.
• “I thrive off competition… I level up every time.” – On the competitive food truck industry.
• “Business supersedes relationships… protect yourself always.” – On the importance of NDAs and business integrity.

#AMI

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Laura Finney.  

A seasoned financial literacy educator and coach. Laura shares her deeply personal journey into financial education, sparked by a lack of preparedness in her own life and a family experience that resulted in the loss of generational wealth. Through candid storytelling and practical advice, she empowers listeners to take control of their financial futures with strategic planning, budgeting, and mindset shifts.

🧭 Key Themes

• Financial Empowerment: Building financial literacy to live life on your own terms.
• Generational Wealth: The importance of estate planning and legacy preservation.
• Budgeting & Cash Flow: Identifying spending leaks and creating emergency funds.
• Mindset Over Age: Rejecting age as a limitation to financial or personal growth.
• Community Impact: Educating underserved communities and promoting financial independence.

🗂️ Episode Outline

1. Introduction by Rushion McDonald

   • Purpose of the show and encouragement to learn from others’ success stories.

2. Meet Laura Finney

   • Financial coach and educator with a mission to empower through financial literacy.

3. Turning Point at 50

   • Laura’s wake-up call after her 50th birthday and the realization of financial unpreparedness.

4. Family Legacy Lost

   • A powerful story of losing family land due to lack of a will, now replaced by an Amazon facility.

5. Common Financial Mistakes

   • Taking advice without personalized planning.
   • Misunderstanding retirement and financial independence.

6. Advice for 30s and 40s

   • Pay yourself first.
   • Avoid inaccessible savings vehicles.
   • Start planning early.

7. Budgeting Tips

   • Cut back on dining out, personal care, and entertainment.
   • Build emergency funds—even starting with $1/day.

8. Financial Misconceptions

   • Living for today vs. planning for tomorrow.
   • The myth of “having time” to save later.

9. How Laura Works with Clients

   • Initial consultation → personalized interview → strategic financial roadmap.

10. Closing Thoughts

    • Encouragement to take control of your financial future and live life on your terms.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “Nobody’s really retiring. We’re not great-grandma on the porch with lemonade anymore.”
• “Don’t let age define how you live your life.”
• “Everything starts with a budget.”
• “You can’t chase money. You have to plan for it.”
• “If you can save a dollar a day, you can build an emergency fund.”

👤 About the Guest: Laura Finney

Laura Finney is a financial literacy educator with over eight years of experience in the financial services industry. She specializes in delivering personalized financial literacy programs, workshops, and one-on-one consultations. Her mission is to help individuals and families achieve financial stability and long-term success through education, strategic planning, and empowerment.

📞 Contact Laura Finney

• Website: LauraFinneyEnterprises.net

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Chef Marcus Samuelsson.

Interviewed centered around his book:

📘 The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food

Here are the key highlights:

🍽️ About the Book

• Purpose: To celebrate and document the legacy, creativity, and cultural impact of Black chefs in America.
• Structure: Divided into five chapters — Next, Remix, Migration, Legacy, Origin — each exploring different aspects of Black culinary history and innovation.
• Unique Feature: Includes profiles of 40 Black chefs and food storytellers, plus a directory of 200+ Black chefs and food writers with their Instagram handles — a first-of-its-kind resource.

🌍 Cultural and Historical Themes

• Black Culinary Legacy: From enslaved cooks to modern food innovators, the book traces the deep roots and wide influence of Black food culture.
• Diaspora Influence: African, Caribbean, and Southern U.S. flavors are explored, including dishes like plantains, oxtail pepper pot, and couscous with roasted figs.
• Food as Activism: Highlights figures like Georgia Gilmore and chefs who supported civil rights movements through food.

🍴 Mouthwatering Recipes Mentioned

• Coconut Fried Chicken
• Oxtail Pepper Pot with Dumplings
• Couscous with Roasted Figs
• Sweet Wild Berry Jam
• Hot Water Cornbread (Hoecakes)
• Gumbo à la Leah Chase (without a roux!)
• Shrimp & Grits with Piri Piri Sauce

💬 Conversation Highlights

• Rushion shares personal stories tied to food, family, and culture — from wild berry picking in Texas to his wife’s Belizean roots.
• Marcus emphasizes the importance of authorship and ownership in Black culinary contributions.
• They discuss the need for healthier eating, environmental awareness, and economic empowerment through food.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST #AMI

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.