Strawberry Letter

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Pastor Dexter Jenkins.
Purpose of the Interview
The interview aimed to educate and inspire listeners about wealth creation through real estate and financial literacy, particularly for individuals over 50. Pastor Jenkins shared strategies for building generational wealth, shifting mindsets about money, and leveraging real estate as a primary tool for financial independence.
Key Takeaways
Intersection of Faith, Finance, and Business
Pastor Jenkins emphasizes that faith and financial success are not mutually exclusive. He advocates using biblical principles as a success manual, especially from Proverbs.

Real Estate as “Low-Hanging Fruit” for Wealth
Real estate is one of the simplest and most effective ways to build wealth because land is finite and historically valuable.

Mindset Over Money
Wealth building starts with changing beliefs about money. Many misconceptions learned in childhood or church need to be unlearned.

Refire, Don’t Retire
For those over 50, Jenkins encourages leveraging life experience to create new income streams instead of slowing down.

Social Security Reality Check
The average Social Security check (~$1,400/month) is insufficient for most Americans, highlighting the need for personal wealth strategies.

The SHIP Method
Stewardship: Direct your money intentionally.
Ownership: Own assets that appreciate and generate cash flow.
Entrepreneurship: Consider business ownership as a wealth-building tool.

Education Before Action
Start with learning—books, podcasts, seminars—before diving into real estate or other ventures.

Community Wealth Building
Jenkins supports initiatives like “buying back the block” to revitalize neighborhoods and build collective wealth.

Secrets to Success
Desire, planning, education, and execution are essential. Dreams without plans remain dreams.

Upcoming Resources
Jenkins is releasing a book: The Real Estate Wealth Creation Blueprint, offering practical steps for using real estate to build wealth.

Notable Quotes
“Real estate is the lowest hanging fruit on the wealth creation tree.”
“People came here to work the land—now it’s time for us to own it.”
“It’s not time to retire; it’s time to refire.”
“Social Security was designed for a different era. You can’t live on $1,400 a month in America.”
“The Bible is more than religion—it’s a success manual.”
“If you don’t have a desire for wealth, we can talk all day and nothing will change.”
“Stewardship, Ownership, Entrepreneurship—those are the pillars of wealth.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Cary Carbonaro.
A certified financial planner and author of Women and Wealth.
1. Guest Introduction: Cary Carbonaro
Certified Financial Planner with 25+ years of experience.
Leads a multimillion-dollar financial planning practice.
Focuses on empowering women and increasing financial literacy.
Promoting her second book: Women and Wealth.
2. Why Cary Wrote the Book
To share her 25 years of experience working with women.
To address the lack of female-friendly practices in the financial industry.
Key stat:
“By 2030, women will control two-thirds of the nation’s wealth—$30 trillion.”
4. Challenges in the Financial Industry
Industry built by men, for men.
Not ready for the shift in wealth ownership to women.
Harvard Business Review (2009):
“Financial services is the least sympathetic to women and has the most to gain if they get it right.”
5. Financial Planning Philosophy
Everyone deserves a financial plan.
Quote:
“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
Financial planning includes: Risk management
Cash flow
Tax strategy
Investments
Retirement
Estate planning

6. Making the Industry Female-Friendly
Women often leave their financial advisors after a spouse dies (80% of the time).
Reasons: lack of connection, poor communication, feeling ignored.
Not a DEI issue, but a dollars and cents issue:
“What other industry would ignore a $30 trillion opportunity?”
7. Stereotypes and Societal Expectations
Women face pressure to look attractive in professional settings.
Stereotypes persist in media and even in AI-generated images.
Example: AI generated a man when asked for an image of a financial planner with long hair.
8. Cary’s Personal Journey
Inspired by her father, a JPMorgan Chase executive.
Grew up learning about money and finance.
Built her business by focusing on women, not traditional male-dominated marketing.
Quote:
“Money equals power, and women need more of both.”
9. The Wealth Gap
Beyond the wage gap, the wealth gap is driven by caregiving responsibilities.
Termed the “good daughter/spouse penalty.”
Lifetime cost to women: $1 million.
10. Call to Action
Women should seek financial literacy and independence.
Encourage planning before crisis hits.
Quote:
“Wealth gives you choices in life.”
📌 Key Quotes & Highlights
“If you don’t start dreaming about what you want today, you will not get it tomorrow.”
“By 2030, women will control $30 trillion in wealth.”
“The industry was built by men, for men. But the clients are changing.”
“Money equals power, and women need more of both.”
“The wealth gap is generated by caregiving responsibilities, costing women $1 million over a lifetime.”
“Everyone deserves a financial plan.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Stephanie Chung.
A trailblazer in private aviation and author of Ally Leadership: How to Lead People Who Are Not Like You.
✈️ Key Topics Discussed 1. Stephanie Chung’s Career Journey
Started as a baggage handler.
Rose to become President of JetSuite and Chief Growth Officer at Wheels Up.
One of the few African American women to lead in private aviation.
2. Understanding Private Aviation
Private jets offer flexibility and convenience—you fly on your schedule.
Access to 5,000+ airports vs. 500 for commercial airlines.
Used not just by celebrities, but also high-net-worth individuals and for humanitarian missions.
3. Ally Leadership Philosophy
Today’s workforce includes six generations, diverse ethnicities, genders, neurodiversity, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Leadership must evolve to meet people where they are.
The book emphasizes inclusive leadership beyond race and gender.
4. Leadership Lessons
Importance of human connection and empathy.
Knowing your team beyond their job titles—understanding their lives and motivations.
Listening is as important as speaking.
5. Generational Differences in the Workplace
Millennials and Gen Z value work-life balance and flexibility.
Older generations often driven by fear of being replaced or missing opportunities.
Leaders must bridge these gaps with understanding and adaptability.
6. The Role of Fear
Fear can hinder growth, especially in older generations.
Fear of technology, being replaced, or taking time off.
Good leadership helps alleviate fear and fosters collaboration.
💬 Memorable Quotes
“You don’t have to be a celebrity to fly private. Most people who do, you’ve never heard of.”
“Ally leadership is not just about race or gender—it’s about everyone.”
“If it’s a problem with millennials, we raised them. Look in the mirror.”
“The differentiator isn’t just your product—it’s the human connection.”
“Decisions are made by people who look left, right, and forward—never behind. Stay in their line of sight.”

#BEST
#SHMS
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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Tuesday, January 27th, 2026. Subject: "She's Always In The Principal's Office"
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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Teresa Edwards.
Purpose of the Interview
The interview aims to introduce Teresa Edwards’ book The Mirror Method: 12 Weeks to Stop Abandoning Yourself, a guided workbook designed to help individuals overcome people-pleasing tendencies, set boundaries, and prioritize their own needs without guilt. It focuses on personal empowerment, mental health, and rediscovering one’s authentic self.
Key Takeaways
People-Pleasing and Boundaries
People-pleasing becomes harmful when you agree to things you don’t want to do, leading to stress and resentment.
Setting boundaries is essential for self-respect and mental health.

The Mirror Method
A 12-week guided process to “unravel” harmful patterns and rediscover your true self.
Emphasizes self-reflection, journaling, and gradual transformation at your own pace.

Selfishness vs. Self-Care
Edwards reframes “selfish” as a positive concept: prioritizing your health and happiness is necessary, not negative.
You can’t be your best for others if you’re not your best for yourself.

Health as a Wake-Up Call
Stress is a silent killer; Teresa’s own health issues (high blood pressure) forced her to reevaluate her life.
Happiness and well-being should not be age-limited—“You’re never too old to return to yourself.”

Letting Go of Toxic Relationships
Users often exploit people-pleasers; recognizing and removing such relationships is crucial.
Fully committing to the Mirror Method means accepting hard truths and being okay with losing people who drain you.

Therapy and Mental Health
COVID accelerated acceptance of therapy in communities where it was previously stigmatized.
Mental health is as important as physical health—“The mind is a muscle too.”

Workbook Details
Available on Amazon and at themirrormethodworkbook.com in print and downloadable formats.
Exercises involve writing and self-reflection to confront truths and break patterns.

Notable Quotes
“Boundaries are key.”
“Selfish is not a negative word—it’s perseverance of yourself.”
“You can’t throw a party and be mad at your own party.”
“Enough is enough—look in the mirror and say it.”
“You’re never too old to return to yourself.”
“Stress is that silent killer.”
“Fully commit means accepting all those good, bad, or ugly moments—and being okay with letting go.”
“The mind is a muscle too.”
“Be okay with being okay.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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