Strawberry Letter

• Marketing and Cooking Tips: Celebrity Chef debunks myth that holiday meals must take 12 hours to prepare.

  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 #SHMSSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Career Change: He empowers underserved communities—to leverage AI and design skills for financial upgrades.

  Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Everett Swain II. Purpose of the Interview The interview aims to: Highlight alternative pathways to high-paying careers without a traditional four-year degree. Showcase how UXD Academy, founded by Everett Swain II, empowers individuals—especially from underserved communities—to leverage AI and design skills for financial and academic freedom. Inspire entrepreneurs and small business owners to embrace AI-driven opportunities. Key Takeaways AI as an Opportunity, Not a Threat AI can amplify human capabilities rather than replace them. Small businesses see 80% positive ROI from AI adoption, making it a major growth lever. Career Without a Degree Over 40% of tech companies no longer require degrees, focusing instead on certifications and portfolios. UXD Academy teaches AI experience design and automation for learners as young as 13. Everett’s Journey Started as a graphic designer, pivoted to UX after self-learning via “YouTube University.” Built UXD Academy to democratize access to tech careers and fight industry gatekeeping. Business Model UXD Academy offers free resources and paid guidance. Created Our Table, an AI experience agency employing top students for real-world projects. Impact on Underserved Communities Programs can transform lives, moving individuals from low-income jobs to salaries of $75K–$140K within 3 years. Focus on youth (starting at age 13) to break cycles of poverty and limited exposure. Future AI Trends for Small Businesses AI agents, automated workflows, and AI-powered customer experiences will dominate in the next 12–18 months. Legacy Everett aims to help 100,000 youth create their own reality through tech education. Notable Quotes On AI’s role:“Think of AI as the smartest intern you know—you can train it to work specifically for you.” On education:“You don’t need a degree for what I do. Over 40% of tech companies don’t care about degrees anymore—they care about your portfolio.” On opportunity:“If you follow what I’m telling you, you can change your life in under a year and a half.” On underserved communities:“For the first time in history, people of color can bridge the gap to academic and financial freedom without a four-year degree.” On legacy:“If I can help 100,000 kids create their own reality, that will be my legacy.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• He Doesn't Know Me In Public - 12.09.25

  The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Tuesday, December 9th, 2025. Subject: "He Doesn't Know Me In Public"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Uplift: She educates on stress, burnout, compassion fatigue, and financial equity in the mental health field.

  Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Sharise Nance. Purpose of the Interview To showcase Sharise Nance’s mission in mental health advocacy, entrepreneurship, and workplace wellness. To discuss her companies: Hand in Hand Counseling Services – addressing mental health disparities in Black communities. Vitamin C Healing – building trauma-sensitive, wellness-centered workplace cultures. To educate on stress, burnout, compassion fatigue, and financial equity in the mental health field. Key Takeaways Hand in Hand Counseling Services Founded with college roommate Tess Kenny in Pittsburgh. Created a safe space for mental health support in underserved communities. Celebrating 12 years in operation. Breaking Mental Health Stigma Built trust through community presence and transparency. Advocated therapy as normal: “I’m a therapist who has a therapist.” Education on what therapy is and isn’t. Understanding Stress Eustress (positive stress) vs. Distress (overwhelming stress). Physical signs: sweating, rapid heartbeat, tense shoulders, jaw clenching. Stress can lead to depression and anxiety—seek professional help. Impact of COVID-19 Isolation amplified mental health issues. Introduced concept of co-regulation—healing through community and connection. Vitamin C Healing Originated from her book Vitamin C Healing for the Mind, Body. Evolved into a brand offering workshops, consultations, and burnout assessments. Focused on helping professionals and leaders prevent compassion fatigue. Financial Equity in Mental Health Advocates for fair pay: “We can care deeply and earn abundantly.” Challenges the mindset that passion work means low income. Encourages professionals to set boundaries and value their expertise. Burnout & Organizational Cost Unaddressed burnout costs companies millions annually. Leads to quiet quitting, low productivity, and high turnover. Investing in wellness saves money and improves culture. Personal Journey Biggest bet: leaving full-time job in 2017 to pursue entrepreneurship. Therapy helped her navigate fear and grief (especially after losing her father). Quote: “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” Notable Quotes “We can care deeply and earn abundantly.” “I’m a therapist who has a therapist.” “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” “We heal when we are in community—it’s hard to heal in isolation.” “Compassion fatigue isn’t just a feel-good topic; it costs companies millions.” “Betting on myself was the best investment I ever made.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Information to Know: We discuss how hair relaxers are being linked to breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and hormone disruption.

  Here’s a structured summary of the interview between Dr. Melanye Maclin and Rushion McDonald: Purpose of the Interview The discussion aimed to educate the audience about the health risks associated with hair care chemicals—including relaxers, dyes, and synthetic hair—and to advocate for safer practices. It also highlighted Dr. Maclin’s pioneering work in hair and skin supplements and her ongoing mission to raise awareness about these issues. Key Takeaways FDA Ban on Hair Chemicals In 2023, the FDA considered banning certain chemicals in hair products due to health risks, but no ban has been implemented yet. These chemicals are linked to breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and hormone disruption. High-Risk Chemicals Identified Hair Relaxers: Sodium, calcium, guanine, and lithium hydroxide. Hair Dyes: Para-phenylenediamine (especially in permanent dyes). Synthetic Hair: Contains benzene, posing risks of lung cancer and leukemia. Impact on African-American Women African-American women face a 45% higher risk of certain cancers due to combined use of relaxers and dyes. Cultural and aesthetic pressures contribute to continued use despite health risks. Children at Risk Applying relaxers to young girls can cause early puberty, uterine fibroids, infertility, and increased cancer risk. Chemicals penetrate the scalp, enter the bloodstream, and disrupt hormones. Industry Resistance Pushback from salons and manufacturers due to financial interests. Comparison to tobacco and alcohol industries—profit prioritized over health. Solutions & Advice Avoid chemical treatments when possible. If used, protect the entire scalp with petroleum jelly to reduce absorption. Space out relaxer applications (every 8–10 weeks, max 10 minutes for children). Dr. Maclin’s Contributions Launched Bella Nutri supplements (2004 for women, 2008 for men). Advocates internal nutrition for hair and skin health. Website: drmacklin.com and bellabeauproducts.com. Notable Quotes On FDA inaction:“Still to this day, that ban has not occurred… We’re continuously having women going to the next generation of life as a result—next generation cancers.” On cultural pressures:“We’re so into wanting to have a certain look versus wanting to be healthy.” On children’s exposure:“We’ve got to keep chemicals off of little girls’ hair… It’s causing hormone disruption, early puberty, infertility, and increased cancer risk.” On industry resistance:“People care about the green-eyed devil called money… Look at the tobacco industry.” On her mission:“I feel like I’m caring more about someone’s health than they’re caring about their own.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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