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

A top financial educator, author, and motivational speaker. The episode centers around Ash’s latest book and his journey from adversity to financial empowerment.

📘 Featured Book

Title: From the Block to the Bank: How to Make the Most of Your Circumstances to Maximize Your Full Potential
Format: Memoir + Motivational + Financial Literacy
Structure: 5 Transactions and 40 “Cash Advances” (principles for success)

💡 Key Themes & Takeaways 🧠 Mindset & Resilience

• Ash shares his personal story of growing up in poverty, facing rejection, and overcoming stereotypes.
• Emphasizes that your past doesn’t define your future—your mindset does.
• “Believe in your power to make anything happen” is a core message.

💸 Financial Empowerment

• Ash blends psychology and finance to teach people how to manage their money and mindset.
• Encourages people to stop chasing money and start building legacy and purpose.
• “Abundance is your birthright”—you don’t chase it, you allow it.

🔥 Motivation Through Vulnerability

• Ash openly discusses his mistakes and setbacks, including survivor’s guilt and career missteps.
• Uses his story to show others that success is possible despite fear, failure, or background.

📚 Book Highlights (Selected Cash Advances)

• #5: Believe in your power to make anything happen.
• #10: Take action despite fear.
• #12: Embrace both negative and positive feedback.
• #32: Create your legacy now.
• #34: Change your perspective on struggle.

🎧 Media & Influence

• Hosts:
  • The Ash Cash Show (M–F, 8–9 AM EST on YouTube and social platforms)
  • Inside the Vault with Ash Cash (interviews with tastemakers and entrepreneurs)
• Uses storytelling, humor, and real-life lessons to connect with audiences.

🧭 Target Audience

• Millennials (18–34) seeking entrepreneurship and financial freedom.
• 40+ individuals looking to reinvent themselves or reclaim their dreams.
• Anyone who has been told “you can’t” and needs a roadmap to “you can.”

🗣️ Rushion’s Reflections

• Praises Ash’s authenticity, relatability, and energy.
• Compares Ash to a “legend” and “Biggie Smalls of financial motivation.”
• Commits to supporting Ash’s journey and sharing his platform.

📢 Final Message

• Don’t wait to build your legacy—start now.
• Use fear as a signal, not a stop sign.
• Your story, no matter how difficult, can be your greatest asset.

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Tuesday, December 30th, 2025. Subject: "You're Not Doing That Tonight"

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

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To spotlight Lamar Tyler’s entrepreneurial journey, the growth of his platform Traffic, Sales & Profit (TSP), and to share actionable insights for Black entrepreneurs on building scalable, profitable businesses from side hustles.

🧭 Key Themes & Takeaways 1. Branding with Purpose

• Lamar emphasizes the importance of clear, relatable branding.
• His previous brand, Black and Married with Kids, succeeded because the name instantly resonated with its audience.
• Quote:

“If they can hear the name, they can see it and say, ‘Hey, that’s for me.’”

2. Side Hustle to Main Hustle

• Most Black entrepreneurs start businesses while working full-time jobs.
• Success requires treating the side hustle like a real business from day one.
• Quote:

“There is no perfect time. The time to get started is now.”

3. Consistency & Growth

• TSP’s first event in 2016 had only 47 attendees, half of whom came for free.
• Growth came from consistency and listening to the community.
• Quote:

“Sometimes all you need is confirmation.”

4. Customer Experience & Branding

• Inspired by Disney’s “unexpected touchpoints,” Lamar expanded branding beyond the event space to include the hotel exterior and even airport baggage claim.
• Quote:

“We brand everything from the lobby to the pool… to make it feel like home.”

5. Faith & Execution

• Faith plays a central role in Lamar’s business philosophy.
• He encourages entrepreneurs to act on the opportunities they pray for.
• Quote:

“You pray to get the opportunity, now you want to do all the work too.”

6. Scaling vs. Growing

• Growth increases revenue and expenses; scaling increases revenue without proportional expense growth.
• TSP Scale is a new event focused on helping businesses reach this level.
• Quote:

“Scale is where the real money comes in.”

7. Lever-Driven Growth System

• Lamar outlines systems for:
  • Proposal processes
  • Upselling
  • Referral systems
  • Creating experiences that justify premium pricing
• Quote:

“If you create an experience around what you do, you can charge two, three, four times more.”

8. Platform & Community

• Lamar transitioned from doing all the speaking to empowering others in his community.
• He believes in giving others a platform to grow.
• Quote:

“Too many artists try to hold on too tight… and miss out on the blessing.”

🌟 Notable Guests & Surprises at TSP Events

• Surprise appearances by Magic Johnson, Issa Rae, Master P, Jermaine Dupri, Janice Bryant Howroyd, and Ambassador Andrew Young.
• Quote:

“If you want to be it, you need to see it.”

📍 Event Details

• New Event: TSP Scale
• Location: Atlanta Westin Gwinnett, Gwinnett County, GA
• Website: TSPScale.com

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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

CEO of Collaborative Training Company (CTC)

🧩 Main Topics Covered 🏢 What CTC Does

• CTC is a professional services consulting firm focused on workforce development.
• They help companies:
  • Upskill employees for career advancement.
  • Support new hires, especially those without traditional corporate experience.
  • Define what “fit” means in their organization and help new hires acclimate.

👥 Not a Staffing Firm

• CTC does not do individual job placement or talent coaching.
• They work with companies after hiring to ensure employee success and retention.
• They partner with organizations that provide individual coaching.

🧠 Bridging the Corporate Culture Gap

• CTC helps new hires from non-corporate backgrounds (e.g., warehouse, retail) adjust to corporate environments.
• They use mentorship programs and employee resource groups to support retention.

🤖 AI and the Future of Work

• Brenda sees AI as a tool, not a replacement for human creativity.
• She emphasizes the importance of adding a personal touch to AI-generated work.
• AI may replace some jobs, but it also creates new roles in programming, maintenance, and oversight.

🎓 Rethinking the Four-Year Degree

• Many companies are removing degree requirements to widen their talent pool.
• Brenda helps companies:
  • Reevaluate outdated job descriptions.
  • Focus on skills-based hiring.
  • Identify core competencies rather than relying on degrees.

🌍 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

• Brenda challenges the narrow view of DEI as only race and gender.
• She expands the definition to include:
  • Neurodiversity (e.g., autism)
  • Generational diversity
  • Accessibility needs
  • LGBTQ+ inclusion
• She stresses that companies that embrace true diversity will thrive, while those clinging to outdated models may struggle.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Mentorship and support are critical for retention and success.
• AI is a complement, not a replacement, for human insight.
• Skills-based hiring is the future—degrees are not always necessary.
• True diversity is broad and essential for business success.
• Systemic change requires questioning legacy practices and recruiting strategies.

🔗 Contact Info

• Website: ctcdui.com
• LinkedIn: Collaborative Training Company

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST #AMI

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Monday, December 29th, 2025. Subject: "Fake Star With Groupie Tendencies"

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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 Celebrity Chef Jernard Wells.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

The episode showcases:

• Chef Jernard Wells’ entrepreneurial journey in the culinary industry.
• His approach to building a brand through food products, media, and publishing.
• Practical cooking tips and recipes from his cookbook Southern Inspired.
• Encouragement for aspiring chefs and entrepreneurs to simplify their process and stay true to their vision.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Brand Building Through Culinary Products

• Chef Jernard started with a seasoning line and expanded into sauces and cookbooks.
• He emphasizes volume-based sales and quality ingredients to grow his brand.

2. Leveraging Media Exposure

• TV appearances (e.g., Food Network, Cleo TV) helped him build visibility.
• He uses media as a platform to drive traffic to his brand, not just for fame.

3. Simplifying Cooking for Home Chefs

• Chef Jernard advocates for —organizing ingredients before cooking—to save time.
• He debunks the myth that holiday meals must take 12 hours to prepare.

4. Cultural Roots of Southern Cuisine

• He shares the African-American origins of macaroni and cheese, tracing it back to Thomas Jefferson’s chef.
• Emphasizes pride and heritage in traditional dishes.

5. Signature Recipes from His Cookbook

Chef Jernard highlights three standout dishes from Southern Inspired:

• Creole Barbecue Shrimp: Jumbo prawns baked in a rich broth of garlic, Worcestershire, butter, and Creole seasoning.
• Whiskey Cranberry Glazed Ribs: St. Louis-style ribs brushed with a glaze made from cranberry juice and whiskey.
• Seafood Mac & Cheese: A decadent blend of lobster, shrimp, crab, and smoked Gouda, topped with breadcrumbs.

🗣️ Notable Quotes

• “Cooking is about bringing people into my world.”
• “You can’t win if you don’t understand yourself.”
• “We are refrigerator and pantry cooks… that’s why our kitchens look chaotic.”
• “We romanticize mac and cheese… but it’s all about the cheese.”

#STRAW #BEST #SHMS

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Friday, December 26th, 2025. Subject: "I Can't Do That Often"

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

Purpose of the Interview

The interview aims to inspire listeners—entrepreneurs, small business owners, and individuals—about the importance of health and wellness in achieving personal and professional success. It introduces Jeff Cade’s 360 Health and Wellness Network, which focuses on mindset, diet, and exercise as pillars for a holistic lifestyle.

Key Takeaways

1. Health and Wealth Connection

   • Wealth cannot buy health; longevity depends on lifestyle choices.
   • Self-care is essential for sustaining business success and personal well-being.

2. Jeff Cade’s Background & Motivation

   • Over 15 years in health and wellness, with experience in hospitality and healthcare.
   • Personal tragedy: lost both parents to cancer, which fueled his mission.
   • Author of Battleground Cancer to educate on mental, physical, and spiritual resilience.

3. Core Philosophy

   • “Take food as medicine, not medicine as food.”
   • Three pillars: Mindset, Diet, Exercise—you can’t have one without the others.
   • Advocates plant-based diets, hydration, and mindfulness practices.

4. Actionable Advice

   • Know your body and listen to its signals.
   • Reduce sugar and processed foods; crowd out unhealthy items with colorful plates.
   • Use affirmations: “I am healed, healthy, happy.”
   • Transformation is incremental: start with 30-, 45-, or 90-day goals.
   • Stress management is critical—stress kills and triggers unhealthy habits.

5. Programs & Engagement

   • Offers personalized coaching and programs via JeffK360.com.
   • Focus on accountability partnerships and individualized plans.

Notable Quotes

• On transformation:
  “What you don’t change, you choose.”
• On health and success:
  “Self-care is the new health care.”
• On mindset:
  “I am healed, I am healthy, I am happy.”
• On accountability:
  “If it’s to be, it’s up to me.”
• On purpose:
  “You can’t serve others if you don’t serve yourself first.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Wednesday, December 24th, 2025. Subject: "She's In The Middle Stirring Up Mess"

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