Strawberry Letter

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Melanye Maclin (Dr. Mac). A celebrity dermatologist and founder of Innovative Hair Technology. Dr. Mac shares her journey of balancing motherhood, caregiving, and entrepreneurship, while passionately advocating for health awareness in the Black community—especially regarding the dangers of chemical hair straighteners. The episode is both inspirational and educational, highlighting resilience, purpose, and the importance of inner and outer wellness. 🧭 Episode Outline: 1. Introduction Rashawn introduces the show and Dr. Mac. Emphasis on living your own success story. 2. Dr. Mac’s Background Founder of Innovative Hair Technology (1999). Developed science-based hair supplements and products for men and women. Known for her “Ask Dr. Mac” segments offering free dermatology advice. 3. Career Pause for Family Dr. Mac discusses stepping back from her career to care for her daughters and later her mother, Dr. Watson, after a stroke. Her brother, Dr. Melvin Macklin, helps care for their mother. 4. Legacy and Inner Beauty Advocates that “outer beauty is a reflection of an inner you.” Focus on mental wellness and beautifying the brain before the body. 5. Health Advocacy: Hair Relaxers and Cancer Dr. Mac has warned for 25 years about the dangers of chemical hair straighteners. Discusses the FDA’s proposed ban and the link to hormone-related cancers. Shares alarming statistics about Black and Latina women’s exposure to harmful products. 6. “Good Hair” Documentary Dr. Mac’s involvement in Chris Rock’s Good Hair. Her advocacy caught the attention of producers and led to a pivotal interview. 7. Turning Down “The Doctors” Dr. Mac declined a co-hosting opportunity on The Doctors to prioritize her family. Emphasizes that success can be paused and resumed. 8. Closing Reflections Rushion and Dr. Mac reflect on mutual respect and shared mission. Encouragement to lead with purpose and give back to the community. 💡 Key Takeaways: Family First: Dr. Mac’s story is a testament to prioritizing family without giving up on long-term goals. Health Over Beauty: She urges women to reconsider harmful beauty practices in favor of long-term health. Community Impact: Her work is rooted in service—especially for those without access to dermatological care. Resilience: Even after stepping away, Dr. Mac returns with renewed energy and purpose. 🗣️ Notable Quotes: “Outer beauty is a reflection of an inner you. True beauty begins within.” “We are dying earlier—dying to be beautiful.” “Is it straight hair today or grandchildren tomorrow?” “I might have been suffering in silence, but I have tons of great support.” “Keep those chemicals off of my baby’s hair. All the babies are my babies.” “You can love your family and still come back and have a career and keep winning.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. George C. Fraser. A renowned networking expert and CEO of FraserNet. Here's a breakdown of the key insights and themes: 🔑 Key Highlights & Takeaways 🧠 Financial Wisdom & Wealth Building Dr. Fraser shares three foundational rules for financial freedom: Rent/Mortgage ≤ Weekly Income – Live within your means. Borrow Money Only to Make Money – Avoid debt for depreciating assets. As Income Increases, Cost of Living Should Stay the Same or Decrease – Invest the difference. He also outlines six habits that keep people broke: Not talking about money No emergency fund Impulse purchases Buying unnecessary sale items Paying bills late Improper use of credit cards 🏛️ WINDS Wealth Building Centers Created to combat financial illiteracy in Black America. Focus on mindset, habits, values, and solutions. Curriculum includes: Psychology and emotions around money Delayed gratification Four pillars of intergenerational wealth: Wealth management Real estate ownership Business development Entrepreneurship 🌍 Power Networking Conference & Fraser Nation A virtual nation concept launched before the pandemic. Offers access to: Black professionals and business owners Intellectual capital Products and services across the Pan-African diaspora Promotes virtual workshops, summits, and coaching. 💼 Entrepreneurship & Passive Income Encourages Black Americans to sell, not just buy. Suggests a multi-stream income strategy: Use 9–5 income to fund a side hustle. Use side hustle profits to invest. Let investments eventually replace your job income. 💬 Quotes & Wisdom “Stop living above your means. Stop living within your means. Live below your means and invest the rest.” “If you bake cookies, put them in a box, put your name on it, and sell it.” “There should not be a Black person in America with a single stream of income.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Tiffany Bussey. Director of the Morehouse Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (MIEC). Here are some key highlights and themes from the conversation: 🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways 1. Empowering Black and Brown Entrepreneurs MIEC focuses on helping scalable, mid-sized Black and Brown businesses grow. Over 400 businesses have been supported, resulting in: 850+ new jobs $34M+ in new capital $82M+ in new revenue 2. The “Three C’s” of the Small Business Executive Program Capital: Access to funding. Connections: Building meaningful relationships with decision-makers. Contracts: Securing business opportunities with large firms. 3. Breaking Stereotypes Dr. Bussey emphasizes the need to challenge the narrative that Black communities lack skilled labor or entrepreneurial drive. Entrepreneurship is described as being “in our DNA,” rooted in resilience and survival. 4. Strategic Partnerships MIEC collaborates with major corporations (e.g., JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo) to fund training programs. Partnerships with organizations like Goodwill provide free job training and even stipends for participants. 5. Sustainability as a Business Opportunity Dr. Bussey highlights the massive potential in sustainability sectors: EV Infrastructure: $163B industry Green Building: $324B Agriculture: $20B Renewable Energy: $952B Encourages entrepreneurs to think beyond traditional business models and tap into these emerging markets. 6. Access to Opportunity Beyond capital, access to opportunity is a major barrier. MIEC connects small businesses with large “primes” (e.g., general contractors) to help them enter supply chains. 7. Mindset Shift Dr. Bussey discusses the psychological and historical barriers that prevent some from pursuing entrepreneurship. Emphasizes the importance of resilience, preparedness, and community support. #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strawberry Letter, heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Thursday, September 4th, 2025. Subject: "I Should've Moved Before I Got Married"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Isaiah Tatum. A 24-year-old entrepreneur, touring artist, and hotel owner: 🎯 Purpose of the Interview The interview showcases Dr. Isaiah Tatum’s extraordinary journey from homelessness to becoming a venture capitalist, hotel developer, and touring saxophonist. It aims to inspire young entrepreneurs by highlighting the importance of faith, planning, mentorship, and financial literacy. 🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Early Passion for Music Began playing saxophone at age 10. Influenced by legends like Kenny G, Curtis Mayfield, and Aretha Franklin. Practiced obsessively, leading to proficiency and touring opportunities. Maintains a strong connection to music despite business ventures. “I couldn’t wait to get home and play… I practiced six hours a day.” — Isaiah Tatum 2. Entrepreneurial Drive & Financial Literacy Overcame homelessness and used that experience to fuel ambition. Became an equity investor in Jazz Pharmaceuticals at 18. Invested in real estate and hotel development with a focus on recession-proof models. “I didn’t want to be an artist who had to stay on tour to maintain. I wanted to be financially free.” — Isaiah Tatum 3. Hotel Ownership & Strategy Owns two Candlewood Suites and an Embassy Suites in Georgia. Focuses on extended-stay models for consistent revenue. Emphasizes customer experience and operational efficiency. “Even if they’re spending $160, make them feel like they’re spending $1 million.” — Isaiah Tatum 4. Mentorship & Education Studied finance and earned credentials from Wall Street Prep. Values mentorship from icons like Kenny G and Keith Worsham. Now mentors others and encourages financial literacy and self-confidence. “Don’t look for who you are to fit in with everybody else… Elevate yourself.” — Isaiah Tatum 5. Vision & Future Endeavors Developing new properties in Tupelo, MS and Nashville, TN. Planning a Sweat Hotel concept and returning to music with a new album and tour. Driven by a daily mindset of growth and execution. “Even though I’ve done really good, it’s about what I’m doing tomorrow.” — Isaiah Tatum 📌 Notable Quotes “Faith and a plan. A lot of people jump out there on faith. You better have a plan in your back pocket.” — Rushion McDonald “I fell in love with credentials… I wanted to maximize every opportunity.” — Isaiah Tatum “Let your results speak for themselves.” — Isaiah Tatum #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Rod Griffin. Senior Director of Public Education and Advocacy at Experian. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview To educate listeners on fraud prevention, identity theft, credit management, and financial literacy. The conversation aims to empower individuals—especially those in underserved communities—to take control of their financial health using tools and resources provided by Experian. 🗝️ Key Takeaways 1. Fraud & Identity Theft Awareness Identity theft is increasingly sophisticated, often driven by AI. Quote: “The currency of today isn’t necessarily cash—it’s information.” 2. Experian’s Role Experian is one of the three major credit bureaus. Offers tools for fraud detection, identity verification, and credit monitoring. Quote: “We help protect people from fraud and identity theft… and help them improve their financial lives.” 3. Understanding Credit Scores Credit scores range from 300 to 850, with categories from “Poor” to “Excellent.” Key factors: payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, types of credit, and recent activity. Quote: “Banks like people who are boring. Just pay the bills on time and keep balances low.” 4. Free Resources Free credit reports available weekly via AnnualCreditReport.com. Experian offers free monitoring, alerts, and FICO scores. Quote: “There’s no real reason to pay for a credit report today.” 5. Establishing & Rebuilding Credit Tools like Experian Go and Experian Boost help users build or rebuild credit using non-traditional data (e.g., rent, utilities, streaming services). Quote: “You can go from no credit history to having a report and score in the 630 range—in minutes.” 6. Financial Savviness Being financially savvy means controlling your money, not letting it control you. Use credit cards strategically for rewards and pay balances in full. Budgeting and goal-setting are essential. Quote: “Start from a goal perspective… What do you want to do in life?” 7. Insurance Savings Experian’s auto insurance marketplace helps users compare and save. Average savings: ~$800/year. Quote: “We’ll monitor for you… and tell you if we find a better rate.” 8. Practical Tips Audit monthly bills for hidden charges. Use loyalty programs and coupons to save on groceries and gas. Quote: “I shop so much I get free food… $6, $8, $9 savings add up.” 🧠 Final Message Rod Griffin emphasizes that financial literacy is about empowerment. By understanding your credit, using available tools, and setting clear goals, you can take control of your financial future. #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strawberry Letter, heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025. Subject: "My Husband Ruined My Summer"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strawberry Letter, heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025. Subject: "My Brother's Ex Wife On The Car"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strawberry Letter, heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Monday, September 1st, 2025. Subject: "He's A Totally Different Man At Night"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strawberry Letter, heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Friday, August 29th, 2025. Subject: "My Boss Wants To Whip Me"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strawberry Letter, heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Thursday, August 28th, 2025. Subject: "I'm Not As Strong As I Think I Am"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strawberry Letter, heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Monday, August 27th, 2025. Subject: "What Is My Role In My Marriage?"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strawberry Letter, heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Tuesday, August 26th, 2025. Subject: "How Could He Be So Cold Hearted?"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strawberry Letter, heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Monday, August 25th, 2025. Subject: "They Want Equal Treatment"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strawberry Letter, heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Friday, August 22nd, 2025. Subject: "My Husband Left Me, But He Didn't Move Out"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strawberry Letter, heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Thursday, August 21st, 2025. Subject: "Patiently Waiting For My Man To Settle Down"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strawberry Letter, heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Wednesday, August 20th, 2025. Subject: "My Friend Is Doing The Most"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Earthquake. Comedian, Actor, Entrepreneur and Radio Host Comedy Icon known for his Netflix special Chappelle’s Home Team Presents Earthquake: Legendary (produced by Dave Chappelle). Host of Quake’s House on Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud Network via SiriusXM. Longtime contributor to the comedy scene since the 1990s, with roots in Atlanta. 🎤 Key Themes & Insights 🧠 Comedy with Purpose Earthquake emphasizes that his comedy is rooted in truth and humor—not shock value or controversy. He uses comedy to educate, especially on health issues like colonoscopies, encouraging Black men to prioritize their well-being. 💼 Business of Comedy Talks about the evolution from performing for meals to becoming a headliner. Shares insights on managing a team and making tough decisions to grow professionally. Advocates for professionalism over loyalty when scaling a business. 📺 Upcoming Projects New comedy special titled “Joke Telling Business” filmed in Atlanta. Developing a sitcom with Bill Burr, backed by Fox Network President Michael Thorn. 📻 Quake’s House Radio Show A platform for emerging comedians. Described as “The View with comedians,” focusing on hot topics and real-life scenarios. ❤️ Personal Life Credits his fiancée (soon-to-be wife) for grounding and motivating him. Says being “properly loved by a Black woman” has transformed his life and career. 💬 Memorable Quotes “I’m in the joke telling business. I’m not your pastor, not your critic. Judge me on the jokes.” “Being properly loved by a woman, especially a Black woman, is a beautiful thing.” “Laughter is the best healing ever.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Tuesday, August 19th, 2025. Subject: "All In The Family"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Monday, August 18th, 2025. Subject: "Best Friends And Lovers"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.