Strawberry Letter

Follow Your Passion: Former USC track star, turned education attorney and now filmmaker, discusses new “Love the Skin You’re In”


Listen Later

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Sauda Johnson McNeal.

  • To highlight Sauda Johnson McNeal’s journey from a successful law career to filmmaking.
  • To discuss her new film “Love the Skin You’re In”, its themes, production process, and personal significance.
  • To inspire entrepreneurs and creatives to pursue their passions while balancing purpose and practicality.

Key Takeaways

  1. Career Transition & Dual Roles

    • Sauda started as an actor, realized the instability, and pursued law for financial security.
    • Maintains dual careers: education attorney and filmmaker, blending purpose (helping youth) and passion (storytelling).
  2. Film Details

    • Title: Love the Skin You’re In.
    • Themes: Self-love, family healing, caretaking, and African-American experiences.
    • Cast includes Wendy Raquel Robinson, Marla Gibbs, and Oba Babatundé.
    • Release: Limited theatrical run (Dec 17–23 in North Hollywood), streaming planned for February 2026 (Black History Month).
  3. Production Challenges

    • Unexpected permit issues caused shutdowns.
    • Tight 4-week shooting schedule due to budget constraints.
    • Importance of leveraging relationships and calling in favors for casting and resources.
  4. Personal Connection

    • Story inspired by Sauda’s own struggles with self-worth during college.
    • Emphasizes therapy, faith, and support systems in overcoming self-doubt.
  5. Entrepreneurial Insight

    • First project was self-financed; future plans include raising private equity for films.
    • Goal: Maintain creative control while expanding opportunities for others.
  6. Impact & Audience Takeaway

    • Encourages self-acceptance and repairing family relationships.
    • Resonates with men on fatherhood and emotional presence.
    • Highlights the underappreciated role of caretakers.

Notable Quotes

  • On purpose and passion:
    “My purpose is to help young people. My passion is this filmmaking business.”

  • On self-love:
    “Love the skin you’re in is about total self-acceptance regardless of where you are on your journey.”

  • On overcoming fear:
    “Film is unpredictable… I said, okay, the other fears—do it anyway.”

  • On family relationships:
    “We are not promised tomorrow… Fix these family relationships if they’re possible to be fixed.”

  • On entrepreneurial mindset:
    “I absolutely would like to use other people’s money… but keep creative control.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Strawberry LetterBy iHeartPodcasts

  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5

4.5

1,647 ratings


More shows like Strawberry Letter

View all
Angela Yee's Lip Service by iHeartPodcasts

Angela Yee's Lip Service

4,101 Listeners

CockTales: Dirty Discussions by Kiki Said So & Medinah Monroe

CockTales: Dirty Discussions

3,198 Listeners

Decisions, Decisions by The Black Effect and iHeartPodcasts

Decisions, Decisions

7,609 Listeners

The Steve Harvey Morning Show by iHeartPodcasts

The Steve Harvey Morning Show

2,325 Listeners

The Breakfast Club by iHeartPodcasts

The Breakfast Club

14,246 Listeners

Run That Prank by iHeartPodcasts

Run That Prank

1,393 Listeners

THE JASON LEE PODCAST by The Jason Lee Show

THE JASON LEE PODCAST

1,435 Listeners

Pour Minds Podcast by The Black Effect and iHeartPodcasts

Pour Minds Podcast

2,958 Listeners

Ellis Ever After by iHeartPodcasts

Ellis Ever After

16,317 Listeners

The Hard Or Soft Show by The Hard Or Soft Show

The Hard Or Soft Show

1,038 Listeners

Don't Call Me White Girl by Breakbeat Media

Don't Call Me White Girl

3,516 Listeners

Rickey Smiley Morning Show Podcast by Urban One

Rickey Smiley Morning Show Podcast

490 Listeners

Way Up With Angela Yee by iHeartPodcasts

Way Up With Angela Yee

358 Listeners

The D.L. Hughley Show by Urban One Podcast Network

The D.L. Hughley Show

159 Listeners

The Latest with Loren LoRosa by The Black Effect and iHeartPodcasts

The Latest with Loren LoRosa

253 Listeners