Best of The Steve Harvey Morning Show

Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ronnell Perry.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

The interview aims to:

• Share Ronnell Perry’s journey from corporate America to becoming a travel entrepreneur.
• Educate listeners on the transformative power of travel, especially in Afro-Latin communities.
• Break down stereotypes about international destinations and promote culturally respectful tourism.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Travel as Transformation

• Ronnell views travel not just as leisure, but as a tool for education, self-discovery, and cultural empathy.
• Travel helps people see themselves reflected in other cultures and challenges preconceived notions.

“Everybody wants to be loved and everybody wants to show love… that’s what I really learn through travel.”

2. From Layoff to Launch

• After being laid off during the pandemic, Ronnell turned his side hustle into a full-time business.
• He used the time to reflect, listen to his spirit, and build a sustainable brand.

“The universe said, this is your moment… dedicate it to your travel business.”

3. Afro-Latin Travel Focus

• His company, AfroBuenaventura, specializes in curated travel experiences in Latin America, especially for Black travelers.
• He emphasizes cultural respect, local partnerships, and immersive experiences.

“I call myself your personal ambassador to Latin America.”

4. Respecting Local Cultures

• Travelers must be mindful of how they dress, speak, and behave in foreign countries.
• Ronnell stresses humility and cultural sensitivity over entitlement.

“Just like someone’s visiting your home… you take your shoes off if that’s what they ask.”

5. Language as a Gateway

• Ronnell is trilingual (English, Spanish, Portuguese), which allows him to connect authentically with locals.
• Language fluency enhances the travel experience and builds trust.

“Once you unlock the key of speaking the way they speak, it just unlocks a whole new world.”

6. Building a Brand from a Blog

• His business started as a blog documenting budget travel.
• Through consistency, SEO, and audience engagement, he transitioned to paid group trips and custom travel planning.

“People started to pay me to take them on group trips or to plan a trip for them.”

7. Not a Budget Travel Service

• Ronnell clarifies that his services are not budget travel—they are high-touch, curated experiences.
• His value lies in expertise, safety, and cultural immersion.

“The level of value that I provide is not a budget trip… I’m doing it for you.”

8. Reframing Stereotypes About Destinations

• He challenges negative perceptions of Colombia, Cuba, and Brazil by sharing personal stories and local insights.
• These places are rich in culture, resilience, and beauty despite economic or political challenges.

“The messaging we hear… is not coming from people who look like us.”

9. Group Trips with Cultural Purpose

• Ronnell organizes trips around events like Fest AG Maja in Brazil and Afropunk.
• These trips celebrate Black heritage and support local communities.

“If you want to support Black communities through tourism, that’s what I offer.”

🗣️ Notable Quotes

• “Let me be your liaison… your ambassador.”
• “Travel is about education… it’s transformative.”
• “Budget travel is not my forte.”
• “Don’t go by yourself—go with someone who knows the community.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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 Michelle Taylor Willis.

Author, Speaker, Award-Winning Community Leader

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To explore Michelle’s guidebook “Raising Significance”, which offers practical advice for parents on how to raise children who are not just successful, but significant—meaning they positively impact the world around them. The interview also highlights Michelle’s personal journey, her community work, and the values that drive her.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Success vs. Significance

Michelle defines a powerful distinction:

“Success is about you and your immediate circle. Significance is about how you turn your success to work for everybody else.”

Her book aims to help parents raise children who are intentional change-makers, not just achievers.

2. Eight Tenets of Parenting

While not all are listed in the interview, Michelle emphasizes one foundational principle:

“Obey immediately and happily.”
This sets the tone for discipline, respect, and responsiveness in children.

3. Healthy Fear is Necessary

Michelle advocates for instilling a respectful fear of authority and consequences:

“Sometimes you just need to do what I say do… because I’m saving your life.”

4. Music Enhances Critical Thinking

Michelle encourages early musical education:

“All my kids started piano at five… There’s a direct correlation between music, math, and critical thinking.”

Rashawn shares his own experience with music and how it shaped his memory and academic success.

5. Greek Life as a Catalyst

Both Michelle (AKA) and Rashawn (Omega Psi Phi) reflect on how joining Black Greek organizations shaped their discipline, focus, and lifelong networks:

“It was a life-changing event… It expanded my value of relationships and networking.”

6. Community Recognition Matters

Michelle expresses deep gratitude for being honored:

“I will never be sick of somebody telling me they value what I do.”

She views awards not as vanity but as validation of meaningful work.

7. Parenting with Purpose

Michelle’s book is not about perfection but intentionality:

“I’m not a parenting expert… But if you instill these things early, significance won’t be accidental—it’ll be inevitable.”

💬 Notable Quotes

• On parenting:

“You act happy about it. Because if you don’t act happy, then you’re going to make me unhappy. And I promise you, you don’t want me unhappy.”

• On legacy:

“Raising significance is about how you teach your children to change the world—and teach others to do the same.”

• On humility:

“It’s never about me.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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 Diana Ha.

Editor, Writer, Literacy Advocate, and College Prep Specialist.

🔑 Episode Highlights 📚 Diana’s Background

• Daughter of South Korean immigrants, raised in NYC.
• Attended Stuyvesant High School and earned a linguistics degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
• Taught in both urban and suburban school districts, including gifted and special education (IEPs).
• Later moved to California, tutoring students and professionals in English and writing.

📱 The Literacy Crisis

• Warns of a “language and literacy epidemic” among youth raised on smartphones.
• Observes:
  • Inability to write complete sentences.
  • Poor vocabulary (even among affluent students).
  • Short attention spans and difficulty with long-form reading.

📖 The Power of Reading

• Advocates for deep, immersive reading—especially physical books.
• Recommends reading widely: newspapers, essays, biographies, and well-written fiction.
• Encourages parents to read to children from the womb and model reading habits.

🎧 Audiobooks & Accessibility

• Supports audiobooks for students with dyslexia or visual impairments.
• Emphasizes that any form of reading—print, audio, Braille—can imprint language and build cognitive strength.

🧠 Practical Advice for Parents & Students

• Read 20–30 minutes daily.
• Subscribe to publications like The New York Times or The Atlantic.
• Choose books that align with personal interests or career goals.
• Re-read and study one book deeply, as modeled by NYU professor Scott Galloway.

🧠 The Bigger Picture

• Warns of a future where technology replaces critical thinking.
• Notes that even elite colleges are seeing students struggle with basic writing.
• Calls for a cultural shift back to intellectual development through reading.

🌐 Connect with Diana Ha

• Website: DianaHa.com (as referenced in the transcript)
• Hosts webinars and literacy seminars

#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.