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

Founder of the UniverSoul Circus, shares his journey from producing gospel plays to creating a globally recognized, culturally rich circus experience. He discusses the inspiration behind the circus, the challenges he faced, the importance of representation, and the evolution of the show. The conversation emphasizes family entertainment, cultural authenticity, and global talent development.

🧭 Key Points 1. Origins and Vision

• Cedric began in gospel theater, producing plays that reflected real-life challenges in the Black community.
• Inspired by the power of theater to reflect culture, he envisioned a circus that celebrated African-American heritage and family unity.

2. Challenges and Breakthroughs

• Faced skepticism from both Black and white industry professionals.
• Overcame legal hurdles with Universal Studios by renaming the circus to UniverSoul Circus.
• Maintained his original vision despite pressure to conform.

3. Cultural Representation

• The circus was designed to be inclusive and multigenerational, with acts that resonate across age groups and backgrounds.
• Emphasized showcasing Black excellence in performance arts, from aerialists to unicyclists.

4. Global Talent and Training

• Talent is sourced globally from Ethiopia, Cuba, China, and the Caribbean.
• Performers undergo 4–5 years of training before appearing under the big top.
• Ethiopia is now a leading source of Black circus performers.

5. Evolution of the Show

• Transitioned away from animal acts due to changing laws and ethics.
• Integrated Afrobeats, hip-hop, and global dance styles to reflect evolving cultural trends.
• The show is described as a “family reunion under the big top.”

💬 Notable Quotes

“The idea was to create something where a father, mother, daughter, and grandson could all sit together and enjoy the show.”

“We wanted to uplift and celebrate the positive achievements and cultural contributions of African-Americans.”

“Everything you see under the big top is curated—it takes 4 to 5 years before an act hits our stage.”

“Ethiopia is leading the world in producing Black circus performers.”

“It’s like a family reunion under the big top.”

“We’re not going after any specific audience—we’re going after the world.”

“UniverSoul Circus starts on time. Don’t be late—you’ll miss something great.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST #AMI

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

Also known as The Income Coach. Here's a detailed summary of the episode:

🎙️ Guest: Steve Selengut

• Veteran private investment manager with over 40 years of experience.
• Author of Retirement Money Secrets, his second book.
• Focuses on helping people achieve income independence through smart investing.
• Runs an educational income investing community.

📘 About the Book: Retirement Money Secrets

• Written as a conversational story about a couple on a river cruise who learn about a different approach to retirement investing.
• Emphasizes common sense financial strategies over complex jargon.
• Focuses on closed-end funds as a key investment tool.

💡 Key Concepts Discussed 🔒 Closed-End Funds (CEFs)

• One of the oldest investment vehicles, dating back to the 1800s.
• Structured as pass-through trusts that must return 95% of earnings to shareholders.
• Focused on income generation rather than capital appreciation.
• Can invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs.

🔥 FIRE Movement

• Stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early.
• Steve aligns more with generating sustainable income than early retirement per se.

🎯 Income Independence

• The goal is to generate enough income from investments to replace employment income.
• Allows flexibility to retire, start a business, or pursue other passions.

🛡️ The Four Risk Minimizers

1. Quality: Invest only in what you understand and in companies with a proven track record.
2. Diversification: Spread investments across sectors, geographies, and management firms.
3. Income: Only invest in securities that pay dividends or interest.
4. Profit-Taking Discipline: Set target profits (e.g., 5%) and sell when reached, reinvesting gains.

💬 Common Sense Investing Tips

• Buy stocks in companies you use or understand (e.g., Home Depot, Apple, Chipotle).
• Use tools like Yahoo Finance or CEFConnect.com to research dividend history and fund performance.
• Avoid speculative or zero-income investments.
• Treat your portfolio like a retail store—sell when profitable and restock wisely.

🌐 Connect with Steve Selengut

• Available on Facebook and LinkedIn.
• Offers access to an educational investing community with 450+ members.
• Book includes full contact details and resources.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Thursday, July 31st, 2025. Subject: "We Could Never Be More Than Friends"

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

Youngest developer in the U.S. to lead a $300 million community development project in partnership with the City of Savannah.

🏗️ Legacy Savannah Project

• Scope: 65-acre, $300 million transformational community development.
• Focus Areas:
  • Residential Housing: Senior and workforce housing.
  • Innovation Center: 24/7 programming for tech and career development.
  • Indoor Recreation Facility: Community engagement and wellness.
• Mission: Not just building structures, but transforming lives and legacies.

🌊 Big Tide Summit

• Founder: Robert Gould
• Purpose: Career exposure and training for Georgia students.
• Impact: Grew from 20 students to over 7,000 in 3 years.
• Focus Areas: Tech, arts, media, construction, and entrepreneurship.
• Website: bigtide.org (free for schools)

💡 Key Messages & Advice 1. Fear and Identity

• Embrace fear as a signal of purpose.
• “There’s only one you”—your uniqueness is your power.

2. Exposure is Everything

• 60% of success is based on exposure (Forbes).
• Being in the room matters—access changes lives.

3. Workforce Development Trends

• Start early.
• Prioritize exposure and appearance.
• Explore trades (construction, tech, plumbing, etc.).
• Seek mentorship.
• Embrace AI and future technologies.

4. Trade vs. Degree

• Trades are now high-income, high-impact careers.
• College is valuable, but not the only path.
• Ownership and entrepreneurship are key to wealth.

5. Pitching and Communication

• Know your audience and tailor your message.
• Don’t just pitch ideas—pitch dreams.
• Respect yourself and others in every room you enter.

🔁 Vision for the Future

• Expand the Legacy Savannah model nationwide.
• Continue building access and opportunity for underserved communities.
• Use platforms like Big Tide to bridge education and real-world careers.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Attorney Tessie D. Edwards.

A family and criminal law attorney based in Atlanta, Georgia. Here's a breakdown of the key highlights and themes from the episode:

🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways 1. Early Life & Adversity

• Tessie Edwards grew up in a challenging environment marked by poverty, teen pregnancy, and systemic injustice.
• She became a mother at 16, dropped out of high school, and had her second child by 18.
• Despite these challenges, she never lost sight of her dream to become a lawyer.

2. Turning Point

• A pivotal moment came when someone told her that her daughter looked like her. That realization sparked a deep desire to become someone her daughter could look up to.

3. Relentless Pursuit of Education

• Earned her GED, then an associate degree to qualify for military service.
• After a brief stint in the military (cut short due to pregnancy and miscarriage), she pursued higher education.
• Graduated from Indiana University with five children and went on to law school with her then-husband.

4. Professional Success

• Now runs a multi-million dollar law firm in Atlanta, Georgia.
• Has handled over 2,000 criminal cases and is deeply committed to serving families in crisis.
• Her firm has been serving the Atlanta community for over 15 years.

5. Support System

• Credits her success to a strong support network: her husband (who co-runs the firm), her children, her brother, and her team.
• Emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with people who believe in your vision.

6. Advice & Motivation

• Be clear about your goals and stay focused.
• Don’t wait for the “right time”—start now.
• Believe in your dream even when others don’t.
• Use adversity as fuel for your ambition.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “I feel thankful but not satisfied.”
• “My life was so divinely chosen… I was just given a dream and the courage to go after it.”
• “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Wednesday, July 30th, 2025. Subject: "He Has Nothing To Be Loud Or Proud About"

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

A cryptocurrency and blockchain educator and entrepreneur. Here's a summary of the key points discussed:

🎙️ Main Themes and Highlights Michelle Lilly’s Background

• Entered the cryptocurrency space in 2017.
• Initially lost money in a scam but used the experience to educate herself.
• Became the first African-American woman with a master’s degree in blockchain and digital currency from the University of Nicosia.

Understanding Cryptocurrency

• Bitcoin is described as a protocol, not just a currency—used for value storage and transfer.
• Ethereum is highlighted for its smart contract capabilities and utility.
• Cryptocurrencies are a hybrid between stock and currency—they have utility like stock and liquidity like currency.

Why Bitcoin Has Value

• Scarcity: Only 21 million Bitcoins will ever exist.
• Deflationary: Bitcoin undergoes a “halving” every four years, reducing the rate of new coins.
• Decentralization: Not controlled by any central authority, making it secure and transparent.

NFTs and the Metaverse

• NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) are unique digital assets, often used for art and music.
• Artists can sell directly to consumers and earn royalties on resales.
• The metaverse is explained as a 3D version of the internet (Web 3.0), where users can own digital land and assets.

Empowering Underserved Communities

• Michelle emphasizes the importance of African-American and female participation in crypto and blockchain.
• Encourages people to educate themselves and not wait for permission to participate in new financial systems.

Practical Advice

• You don’t need a lot of money to start investing in crypto.
• Understanding the current financial system is just as important as learning about the new one.
• Consistency, self-awareness, and openness to criticism are key to success.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Tonya Millions Fitch.

Founder of Astra Wellness in Macon, Georgia.

Key Highlights: 🌟 About Astra Wellness

• Name Origin: “Astra” means “star” in French, symbolizing guidance—just as stars guided explorers and enslaved people seeking freedom.
• Mission: To guide individuals toward optimal health, happiness, and beauty.

👩‍⚕️ T0nya’s Background

• Over 25 years in healthcare, including 12 years as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist.
• Inspired to start Astra Wellness after her father, a Vietnam veteran suffering from PTSD and chronic pain, lacked access to proper nutritional care during COVID.

🏥 Services Offered

• IV hydration therapy
• Medical weight loss
• Facials, chemical peels, body contouring
• Anti-aging treatments including ozone therapy, infrared sauna, massage, Botox, and fillers
• Functional medicine focused on root-cause treatment and prevention

📈 Business Growth

• Started in a 650 sq ft space; now expanding to a 3,000 sq ft commercial building.
• Received strong community support and referrals from medical professionals.
• Offers a one-stop wellness center model.

💡 Entrepreneurial Insights

• Initially believed a good credit score was enough for a loan—learned the importance of:
  • A solid business plan
  • Debt-to-credit ratio
  • Financial projections
  • Showing business income
• Built a relationship with a banker who helped her navigate the loan process.

🧬 Health Philosophy

• Emphasizes treating from the inside out.
• IV infusions bypass the digestive system, allowing 100% absorption of nutrients.
• Helps with depression, insomnia, dementia, skin/hair issues, and more.
• 96% of clients report feeling better immediately after treatment.

🌐 Contact Information

• Website: www.astrawellness.com
• Phone: (478) 200-7575
• Social Media: Astra Wellness on Instagram and Facebook

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Tuesday, July 29th, 2025. Subject: "He's Not Creative Enough For Me"

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

A psychologist, life coach, and author of Six Weeks to Happy: The Ultimate Roadmap to Retrain Your Brain for Better Health, Greater Abundance, and Long Lasting Peace and Happiness.

Key Highlights from the Transcript:

• Fear and the Subconscious Mind: Zahra explains how fear, often rooted in the subconscious, can block personal growth and happiness. She emphasizes that 95% of our behavior is driven by subconscious patterns, which are survival-based and often limiting.

• Five Core Limiting Beliefs: These include feelings of not being good enough, not being deserving of love, or not being capable of success. These beliefs are common across all demographics, from teenagers to CEOs.

• Daily Routines and Stress: The conversation touches on how most people wake up stressed and reactive, rather than intentional. Zahra and Rushion discuss the importance of starting the day with purpose and calm to rewire the brain for success.

• Health and Happiness Connection: Chronic stress is linked to numerous health issues. Zahra advocates for mindfulness and emotional regulation as tools to improve both mental and physical health.

• Tools and Resources:

  • Happiness Planner: A free tool to help individuals assess what brings them joy and identify gaps in their current lifestyle.
  • Life Block Quiz: A playful assessment to uncover subconscious fear patterns and how they affect relationships, wealth, and self-worth.
  • Website: sixweekstohappy.com

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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