Life, Parenting & Confidence Lessons From Our Mother | Dr. Valerie Vaughn
05/05/2026 | 1h 1 mins.
What do you realize about your parents… once you become one? In this special episode, Joseph "JoJo" Simmons and Vanessa Simmons sit down with their mother, Dr. Valerie Vaughn, for a deeply personal conversation about family, parenting, and the lessons that shape who we become. As both now navigate parenthood themselves, they reflect on the structure, discipline, and values they were raised with—and the wisdom they understand on a deeper level today. Dr. Vaughn also opens up about being married to Rev Run of Run-DMC, navigating early fame, and raising children in the public eye. She shares how they maintained strong family values through it all, and how they've continued to build a healthy, supportive blended family after divorce. With decades of experience as an educator, she breaks down what it really takes to raise confident, grounded children—from consistency and accountability to emotional awareness and leading by example. JoJo and Vanessa open up about how those lessons continue to shape their lives, relationships, and parenting today. The conversation also explores raising kids in today's world and why being intentional about what you consume—especially on social media—matters more than ever. If you're a parent, thinking about becoming one, or reflecting on your own upbringing, this episode offers real insight into the lifelong impact of family.
The Loneliness Epidemic: Dr. Marisa G. Franco on Loneliness, Belonging & Connection
04/28/2026 | 55 mins.
Joseph "JoJo" Simmons sits down with psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Marisa G. Franco to dig into why adult friendships are so hard to maintain — and why loneliness is now a public health crisis. Drawing from the science of attachment and her book Platonic, Dr. Franco breaks down how connection shapes your mental health, how long you live, and why showing up for each other matters more than we think. Loneliness isn't just a feeling — it's a threat to your health, your mindset, and even your lifespan. On this episode of the For Good Podcast, Joseph "JoJo" Simmons welcomes Dr. Marisa G. Franco, psychologist and author of Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make and Keep Friends, for a conversation about one of the most overlooked topics in mental health: friendship. Dr. Franco unpacks why making friends felt so natural as kids but becomes increasingly difficult as adults, why loneliness rewires the way we see the world, and how the people around us can actually catch loneliness like a contagion. JoJo also gets personal, sharing how founding 3isFor with his high school friends and his own journey of learning to be a better initiator shaped his understanding of real connection. JoJo & Dr. Franco break down: Why loneliness predicts how long you live more than diet and exercise combined
The three ingredients you need to build friendships — and why adult life strips them away
How to overcome "covert avoidance" and actually connect when you show up
🔌 Subscribe to the For Good Podcast on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Therapy Won't Fix You & That's the Point: Kati Morton on Trauma, Healing & Mental Health
04/21/2026 | 44 mins.
JoJo Simmons and Vanessa Simmons sit down with licensed therapist, mental health educator, and author Kati Morton for a raw and real conversation about trauma, stigma, and what healing actually looks like. With over 1 million YouTube subscribers, Kati has made mental health education accessible to millions — and today she's dropping gems on anxiety, PTSD, therapy myths, and why healing is a privilege, not a finish line. Mental health impacts how we show up every single day — but most of us were never taught how to talk about it, let alone heal from it. On this episode of the For Good Podcast, JoJo Simmons and Vanessa Simmons welcome Kati Morton, licensed marriage and family therapist, YouTube mental health educator, and author of You Okay? and Traumatized, for one of the most honest conversations the podcast has had yet. Kati opens up about why she took her therapy practice to YouTube in 2011 — long before mental health content was trending — and how she's helped millions of people put language to experiences they never had words for. She also gets real about her own struggles, admitting she's not immune to the same patterns she educates others about. JoJo, Vanessa & Kati break down: The biggest misconception people have about therapy — and why it's holding them back from healing How to audit your social media diet and protect your mental health online Why healing isn't linear, and why that's actually a good thing 🎁 GIVEAWAY ALERT: We're giving away 25 copies of Kati's newest book! Here's how to enter: Step 1: Subscribe to the For Good Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and screenshot it Step 2: Drop your email and upload your screenshot at 👉 https://theshopforgood.com/password Step 3 (Bonus Entry): Follow us on IG @ForGoodPodcast, tag two friends who need to hear this episode, and share it to your stories You've got 10 days! 🔌 Subscribe to the For Good Podcast on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.
From Sleeping in His Car to Dressing the World | Manny Jackson on Resilience, Creativity & Purpose
04/14/2026 | 43 mins.
Manny Jackson shares how resilience, creativity, and purpose helped him turn struggle into impact. In this episode of the For Good Podcast, JoJo Simmons sits down with designer, stylist, and cultural innovator Manny Jackson for a powerful conversation on resilience, creativity, and purpose. From hand-painting clothes in his mom's garage and selling t-shirts in the subway to building Thread House and launching impactful initiatives like Street Sleeper, Manny's journey is a testament to what happens when you bet on yourself. Manny opens up about overcoming homelessness, mental health challenges, and rejection, and how he turned those experiences into fuel for his creativity and mission. He shares how no one handed him success, he went out and got it, and why staying authentic and intentional has been key to his growth. The conversation also dives into community impact, upcycling fashion, and his belief that before you can dress the world, you have to address the world. This episode is about more than fashion. It's about purpose, perseverance, and using your gifts to create opportunities for others. Tap in for a conversation that will leave you inspired to take action and believe in your vision.
Breaking Generational Trauma: Why You've Never Felt Peace | Dr. Mariel Buqué
04/07/2026 | 1h 1 mins.
Why do so many people feel anxious, reactive, or unsettled—even when life seems "fine"? Dr. Mariel Buqué joins Joseph "JoJo" Simmons and Vanessa Simmons on the For Good Podcast to break down intergenerational trauma, how it's passed down, and what it really takes to heal it. For many of us, trauma didn't start with us—but it lives in us. Dr. Mariel Buqué, licensed psychologist and author of Break the Cycle, joins Joseph "JoJo" Simmons and Vanessa Simmons on the For Good Podcast for a powerful conversation on intergenerational trauma, emotional inheritance, and what it truly means to heal. Together, they unpack how trauma is passed down through families—not just through behavior, but biologically—and why so many people grow up feeling anxious, hyper-aware, or emotionally overwhelmed without understanding why. Dr. Buqué explains how what we often label as "rebellious," "difficult," or "too much" in childhood is often just unprocessed pain showing up the only way it knows how. JoJo and Vanessa open up about their own upbringing, parenting choices, and the responsibility of breaking cycles in real time—choosing communication, awareness, and intention over repeating what was normalized. In this episode, they explore: • What intergenerational trauma actually is—and how it gets passed down • Signs you're carrying trauma that isn't originally yours • Why some people have "never known peace" and what that really means • How cultural norms can hide or normalize harmful patterns • The shift from punishment to intentional parenting and emotional awareness • Why avoiding the past keeps you stuck—and how to start healing This is a conversation about compassion—for where we come from—and accountability for where we're going. 🔌 Subscribe to the For Good Podcast on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts
What if healing yourself was the first step to changing the world?
This is a space for grounded, soul-level conversations about mental health, emotional intelligence, personal growth, and what it means to live with intention. Here, healing isn't a trend, it's a lifelong commitment. Through vulnerable storytelling and honest reflection, For Good helps us reconnect with purpose, reimagine legacy, and choose growth — for ourselves, our families, and our communities.
At the heart of it all is Joseph "JoJo" Simmons, the son of hip hop royalty, Rev Run of Run DMC, and a multi-faceted entertainer, entrepreneur, husband, father, and mental health advocate. From MTV's Run's House to Growing Up Hip Hop, JoJo's journey has been public but his evolution has been deeply personal.
After facing public scrutiny in his teens, JoJo took a step back from the spotlight to prioritize his mental health. He reemerged as an advocate, determined to use his platform for good. In 2023, he received the Phoenix Arising Award from the Black Mental Health Alliance, honoring his commitment to wellness and emotional literacy in the Black community.
JoJo brings a rare mix of humility, humor, and heart to every episode. Whether he's speaking solo or sitting with a guest, he creates space for listeners to reflect, reset, and rise together.
Expect episodes that explore the power of emotional intelligence in real life, mental health beyond buzzwords — especially for Black men and fathers, breaking generational cycles through inner work and intention, and what legacy looks like when it's built on love, not ego. You'll also hear honest, unfiltered stories that inspire growth, healing, and a deeper connection to purpose.
Notable guests include:
Dr. Cheyenne Bryant: Life coach and psychology expert dropping truth bombs on relationships and accountability
Lil Eazy-E: Reflecting on his father's legacy and the controversy surrounding his death
Trell the Trainer: From prison to purpose: using fitness and emotional vulnerability to help Black men heal
Vanessa Simmons: On protecting her personal life while growing up in a public family
Steve Lobel: Behind the music industry grind: on hip-hop success, grief, and staying grounded
Corvain Cooper: From life in prison to presidential pardon: a story of transformation, justice, and second chances
Jesce Horton: Building one of the most respected Black-owned cannabis brands with Carmelo Anthony
For Good is a production of 3isFor, a values-driven creative studio founded by childhood friends JoJo Simmons, Kris Karl, and David Dow. The three co-founders come from vastly different backgrounds — hip hop royalty, regenerative farming, and media production — but their values are the same. Together, they build with purpose, tell stories that matter, and champion regenerative business as a model for healing industries, communities, and the planet.
Listen if you care about:
- Growing from the inside out
- Breaking cycles and redefining what success looks like
- Building legacy with intention, presence, and purpose
- Using your voice and story to create real, lasting impact
New episodes every Tuesday.
Follow @forgoodpodcast on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments, live convos, and episode drops.
Be for growth. Be for healing. Be For Good.
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