The Steve Harvey Morning Show

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Curtis Symonds.
Interview Purpose
The primary purpose of the interview is to:
Highlight the growth and cultural significance of HBCU GO, the leading HBCU‑focused media and streaming platform under Allen Media Group.
Celebrate Curtis Symonds’ induction into the Cable Hall of Fame, recognizing his 37+ years of leadership and impact in cable, sports media, and Black‑owned media institutions.
Educate audiences on the value of HBCUs—not only academically and culturally, but as a powerful, educated, and economically influential audience.
Reinforce storytelling, ownership, and representation as essential elements in preserving Black history and driving future opportunity.
Key Takeaways 1. HBCU GO Was Built to Solve an Access and Representation Gap
Curtis Symonds launched HBCU GO after recognizing that Black college sports and stories were severely underrepresented in mainstream media. Early rejection by cable distributors reinforced the need for ownership and persistence.
Insight: HBCU GO exists not just as a network, but as a corrective platform for visibility, equity, and cultural preservation.
2. The Byron Allen Acquisition Enabled Scale Without Compromising Vision
When Byron Allen acquired HBCU GO TV in 2021, the partnership was grounded in trust, quality, and shared belief in Black excellence. Allen Media Group provided infrastructure and capital while preserving Symonds’ creative and strategic leadership.
Insight: Ownership combined with institutional backing allowed HBCU GO to compete at broadcast-quality levels equivalent to ESPN and major networks.
3. HBCU Audiences Are Educated, Influential, and Economically Valuable
Symonds emphasized that HBCU graduates represent a disproportionate share of Black leadership across education, government, medicine, and STEM.
Insight: HBCU audiences are not niche—they are central to America’s Black middle and professional class, making them highly attractive for brands, advertisers, and financial institutions.
4. HBCU GO Is a Cultural Platform, Not Just a Sports Network
While live sports—including football classics, homecomings, and rivalries—are the anchor, HBCU GO is positioned as a broader cultural and educational storytelling platform.
Insight: The long‑term vision is to tell untold HBCU stories, educate young people about their legacy, and shape cultural identity through digital‑first media.
5. Longevity, Relationships, and “Betting on Yourself” Define Success
Symonds reflected on his career path—from ESPN to BET, from rejection to Hall of Fame—and emphasized resilience, timing, and relationship‑building as critical to long‑term success.
Insight: Career impact is measured not by speed, but by sustained contribution and legacy.
Notable Quotes
“I wanted to show the world that two Black men can get together and do something successfully.”
— Curtis Symonds on partnering with Byron Allen
“When we put this thing on the air, it had to be quality. We couldn’t put up anything that looked scrappy.”
— On competing at a national broadcast standard
“HBCU GO has made a statement in the television and streaming business.”
— On industry recognition and growth
“You’re getting a highly educated audience. That middle‑class audience. That buying audience.”
— On the value of HBCU viewers
“Every HBCU has a story that people don’t know about—and those stories matter.”
— On the importance of storytelling and history
“I’m not mad at anybody. It took 30 years to get here. When my time came, I was ready.”
— On Hall of Fame induction and career reflection
Strategic Relevance (Why This Interview Matters)
This conversation reinforces why Curtis Symonds—and platforms like HBCU GO—are uniquely positioned to:
Build trust with Black audiences
Deliver authentic cultural storytelling at scale
Serve as credible partners for brands, media companies, and institutions seeking meaningful engagement with HBCU and African American communities
#SHMS #BEST #STRAW
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Al Smith.
Interview Purpose
The purpose of this interview is to explore life transitions, resilience, and financial discipline through the lens of elite performance, using Al Smith’s journey from NFL All‑Pro to executive, entrepreneur, and community leader as a blueprint. The conversation highlights how preparation, education, mindset, and adaptability are essential when dreams evolve or abruptly change.
This interview also serves to connect the experiences of professional athletes with those of small business owners and entrepreneurs, emphasizing that success in both arenas requires discipline, accountability, and long‑term thinking.
Major Themes & Key Takeaways 1. Education as a Safety Net and Strategy
Al Smith made the deliberate decision to finish his college degree before fully committing to the NFL, recognizing that professional sports offered no guarantees. This choice gave him leverage, confidence, and security—both mentally and financially—throughout his career.
Key takeaway: Always secure something tangible before going “all in” on an uncertain opportunity.
2. Turning Fear into Fuel
Smith openly discusses fear—fear of being cut, fear of competition, fear of uncertainty—and how he learned to convert fear into motivation rather than paralysis. He treated each season as if it were his last, approaching preparation with urgency and focus.
Key takeaway: Fear is inevitable; how you respond to it determines longevity and success.
3. Competition Is Not the Enemy
Competition played a central role in Smith’s development. Rather than avoiding it, he embraced it, understanding that growth requires discomfort. He credits adversity, pressure, and coaching challenges with sharpening his performance and character.
Key takeaway: Competition strengthens discipline and reveals accountability.
4. Financial Literacy and Lifestyle Discipline
Smith addresses the common financial pitfalls faced by professional athletes, many of which also apply to entrepreneurs:
Lifestyle inflation
Supporting others without boundaries
Delegating financial decisions without understanding them
Trying to maintain an image instead of sustainability
Smith’s financial stability was aided by mentors, personal involvement in decisions, and a mindset focused on not owing—not just earning.
Key takeaway: Financial success is not about income—it’s about control, habits, and awareness.
5. Mentorship and Environment Matter
Smith emphasizes the value of surrounding himself with successful, disciplined people both on and off the field. Mentorship influenced how he thought about money, effort, competition, and leadership.
Key takeaway: Proximity shapes thinking; environment influences outcomes.
6. Preparing for Life After the Dream
Even while succeeding in the NFL, Smith planned for the transition ahead. This forward thinking led to opportunities in the front office, business, and leadership. He viewed this transition as a chance to open doors for others and to understand the business side of sports.
Key takeaway: The end of one dream can be the beginning of a larger purpose.
7. Athletes and Entrepreneurs Face the Same Reality
Smith draws a direct parallel between:
Athletes competing yearly with no guarantees
Entrepreneurs running businesses without security or routine
Both require maximum effort, preparation beyond the clock, and resilience.
Key takeaway: There is no 40‑hour workweek when you are building something of your own.
Notable Quotes
“I turned my fear into fire.”
“There are no guarantees—every year is a one‑year deal.”
“I treated every season like it was my last.”
“You don’t want to owe. You want to own.”
“Don’t be scared of competition.”
“The gain outweighs the strain.”
“Prepare so that if it ends tomorrow, you’re still standing.”
Overall Message
Al Smith’s interview is a powerful lesson in discipline, foresight, and adaptability. It reframes success as something built through preparation before opportunity arrives and sustained by humility, mentorship, and intentional decision‑making.
His story reinforces that dreams evolve—but character, work ethic, and financial awareness determine whether those transitions become setbacks or stepping stones.
#SHMS #BEST #STRAW
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Wendell Graham.
A stroke survivor, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and founder of Slight Edge Consulting, joins Rushion McDonald to share a deeply personal and powerful story of survival, resilience, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
Graham recounts two life-altering experiences:
Surviving a fatal Amtrak train crash in which the person who took his place died, causing years of survivor’s remorse.
Suffering an anaphylactic shock and stroke in 2024, which temporarily robbed him of speech, memory, mobility, and independence.
Rather than allowing these moments to define him negatively, Graham reframed them as assignments—calling him to live intentionally, help others overcome “the hump,” and use his lived experience as intellectual property to serve, coach, and motivate people through adversity, business challenges, fear, and self-doubt.
The interview blends emotional storytelling with practical insights into personal growth, sales, mindset, recovery, faith, and entrepreneurship.
Purpose of the Interview
The interview aims to:
Inspire listeners to persevere through trauma, loss, and setbacks.
Demonstrate how adversity can become purpose and value, not limitation.
Show how lived experience translates into income and impact, especially for entrepreneurs.
Encourage patience during recovery, whether from health issues, career loss, or personal failure.
Promote Slight Edge Consulting as a resource for individuals stuck at the “15%” holding them back.
Key Takeaways 1. Survival Creates Responsibility
After narrowly avoiding the Amtrak crash that killed 47 people, Graham vowed not to waste his life and to live with intention.
Takeaway: Survival is not luck—it’s an assignment.
2. Trauma Is Real, but It Can Be Transformed
Graham openly discusses survivor’s remorse, PTSD, fear, discouragement, and self-doubt—especially after his stroke.
Takeaway: Healing is messy, slow, and honest—but possible.
3. Recovery Requires Patience With Yourself
Following his stroke, Graham had to relearn how to speak, walk, and think clearly. Progress came through patience, humility, and repetition.
Takeaway: Every recovery has its own timeline—don’t rush the process.
4. Money Is a Byproduct of Action and Value
Graham explains that income flows from prior action, knowledge, and intellectual property—not the other way around.
Takeaway: Focus on value first; money follows.
5. Most People Already Have 85% of What They Need
Through Slight Edge Consulting, Graham helps clients identify and fix the missing 15%—mindset, confidence, access, skills, or strategy.
Takeaway: You’re closer to success than you think.
6. Sales Is the Transfer of Feeling
Sales isn’t pressure or manipulation—it’s enthusiasm, belief, and confidence communicated clearly.
Takeaway: If you don’t believe in what you’re selling, no one else will.
7. Fear Grows When You Stand Still
Standing at the “hump” makes it feel larger. Movement shrinks fear.
Takeaway: Action reduces intimidation.
8. Give Yourself Permission to Be Great
Too many people wait for validation, approval, or perfect timing that never comes.
Takeaway: The cavalry is not coming—now is your time.
Notable Quotes
On surviving tragedy:
“I made a vow that I was not going to be irresponsible with the time that I have left.”

On the stroke and recovery:
“Physically, it was like being locked inside of your body.”

On honesty in healing:
“We tell the success story, but what about the middle?”

On patience:
“We have to be patient with ourselves in any recovery process.”

On mindset and entrepreneurship:
“Money is only the byproduct of something.”

On personal growth:
“Most people have 85% of what they need—it’s the 15% that’s holding them back.”

On sales:
“Selling is nothing more than transferring feeling.”

On fear and permission:
“Give yourself permission to be great. The cavalry is not coming.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ryan Wilson.
Co-founder and CEO of The Gathering Spot (TGS), joins host Rushion McDonald to discuss his entrepreneurial journey, the creation and expansion of The Gathering Spot, and the broader mission of building community, economic opportunity, and cultural pride for Black professionals and creatives.
Wilson explains that while TGS officially opened in Atlanta in 2016, the idea began years earlier when he was a law student in Washington, D.C. What started as a reimagining of the traditional private city club became a national platform combining community, collaboration, events, workspaces, and eventually fintech tools. Despite major obstacles—most notably being rejected by 97 potential investors—Wilson persisted, driven by a clear sense of purpose and belief in the unmet needs of Black and minority communities.
The conversation highlights Atlanta’s importance as the launch city, the power of community-driven spaces, and the need to move beyond performative diversity efforts toward sustainable, scalable Black-owned businesses.
Purpose of the Interview
The primary purpose of the interview is to:
Inspire entrepreneurs, especially young and underrepresented founders, to pursue their ideas despite resistance.
Explain the mission and impact of The Gathering Spot as more than a coworking space—positioning it as a cultural, economic, and social hub.
Encourage long-term thinking about Black business growth, community wealth, and access to financial tools.
Provide real-world lessons about fundraising, resilience, leadership, and community building.
Key Takeaways 1. Success Is a Process, Not an Overnight Event
Wilson emphasizes that The Gathering Spot took years of planning, pitching, and rejection before launching. The popular narrative of “instant success” hides the real work required.
Takeaway: Consistency and belief matter more than early validation.
2. Rejection Can Be a Signal You’re Early—Not Wrong
Wilson was told “no” 97 times before securing his first investor. Instead of discouragement, he saw rejection as proof that he was pursuing something others couldn’t yet see.
Takeaway: If everyone understands your idea immediately, you might not be pushing far enough.
3. Atlanta Was a Strategic and Cultural Choice
Atlanta was selected because of its Black leadership, business ecosystem, cultural influence, and sense of communal support. Wilson describes the city as both big and intimate—ideal for relationship building.
Takeaway: Location matters, especially when building community-centered businesses.
4. The Gathering Spot Is About Belonging and Pride
TGS intentionally celebrates Black culture while remaining open to all. The experience is designed to feel warm, affirming, and professional—something many members had never encountered in adult spaces.
Takeaway: Spaces are never neutral; design should be intentional about who feels welcomed and valued.
5. Community Is the Product
While TGS offers buildings, events, restaurants, and workspaces, Wilson is clear that the network is the real value—introducing people who otherwise may never meet.
Takeaway: Relationships create opportunity faster than resources alone.
6. Fintech Is About Real Access, Not Just Education
Wilson explains that after years of hosting conversations about money and wealth, TGS realized the next step was providing actual financial tools, not just dialogue.
Takeaway: Empowerment requires both knowledge and access.
7. DEI Without Results Is Performative
Wilson and McDonald discuss the post-2020 slowdown in corporate DEI efforts. Wilson challenges organizations to focus less on optics and more on outcomes—specifically business scale and job creation.
Takeaway: The goal isn’t to “look good losing,” but to win sustainably.
Notable Quotes
On rejection:
“It was 97 people that told us no in a row before we got to our first yes.”

On purpose:
“My mission is to connect people. I’m a community builder.”

On fear and timing:
“I didn’t want to have any regrets about not trying.”

On intentional design:
“I was thinking about Black folks when we were building The Gathering Spot.”

On DEI efforts:
“Do you really want to win or look good losing?”

On scale and impact:
“It’s not enough to start Black-owned businesses—we have to watch them grow.”

#SHMS #BEST #STRAW
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ri‑Karlo Handy.
Interview Overview
Guest: Ri‑Karlo Handy
Host: Rushion McDonald
Podcast: Money Making Conversations Masterclass
Primary Focus:
Handy’s role as showrunner/executive producer of Harlem Globetrotters: Secrets of the City
His media career spanning 25+ years
Representation, legacy, trust, and mentorship in the entertainment industry
The mission and impact of the Handy Foundation
Purpose of the Interview
The interview serves multiple purposes:
Promote Harlem Globetrotters: Secrets of the City on aspireTV+ by explaining what makes the series unique within the travel and lifestyle genre.
Reposition the Harlem Globetrotters as a cultural, historical, and global brand beyond basketball—especially significant during their 100‑year legacy.
Highlight pathways into the entertainment industry, particularly for Black creatives, through mentorship, trust-building, and skills-based training.
Showcase Handy’s philosophy on leadership and opportunity, emphasizing responsibility, legacy, and access.
Key Themes & Takeaways 1. Redefining the Travel Show Format
Secrets of the City goes beyond sightseeing.
The show explores how Black people live, connect, and thrive globally, especially through expat communities and diaspora culture.
Episodes emphasize how to move through a city, not just visit it—using insider access, cultural context, and lived experience.
Takeaway: Travel content is more powerful when rooted in identity, history, and authenticity.
2. Harlem Globetrotters as Cultural Ambassadors
Handy frames the Globetrotters as “ambassadors of goodwill”, not just entertainers.
They represent joy, diplomacy, and cultural exchange—appearing everywhere from the Vatican to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization.
The show captures their off‑court personalities, maturity, and global influence.
Takeaway: The Harlem Globetrotters are a living Black institution with worldwide reach, relevance, and responsibility.
3. Sustaining a 100‑Year Black Brand
The Globetrotters predate the NBA and helped globalize basketball.
After fading from TV prominence in the 1990s–2000s, a post‑pandemic strategy brought them back into media.
Handy sees longevity itself as a lesson—few businesses, especially Black‑owned legacies, endure a century.
Takeaway: Longevity comes from reinvention, relevance, and honoring history while adapting to the present.
4. Mastery, Discipline, and Authentic Skill
Globetrotter performances are not “fake” or staged.
Players must actually make the shots and execute at elite athletic levels.
Handy compares their mindset to elite athletes like Steph Curry—hours of practice for moments of excellence.
Takeaway: Entertainment still demands real mastery; excellence behind the scenes creates effortless magic on screen.
5. Trust as the Real Currency of Business
Handy repeatedly emphasizes trust over talent as the foundation of his career.
His progression—from editor to producer to network executive—came from delivering consistently on promises.
Relationships, reliability, and integrity enabled him to control projects and earn leadership roles.
Takeaway: Skills open doors, but trust keeps them open.
6. Mentorship and the Handy Foundation
Handy formalized his long-standing mentorship work into the Handy Foundation (founded 2020).
The foundation focuses on post‑production training, an area with limited Black representation.
Started with 8 trainees; now has 400+ alumni working on major films and TV shows.
The program is now a nationally recognized registered apprenticeship with the California Film Commission.
Takeaway: Access—not just ambition—is the missing link for many aspiring creatives.
Notable Quotes
“Our business is less about skills and creativity and more about trust.”
“A lot of times the first opportunity is the hardest one to get.”
“They’re not pretending to make the basketball. You’ve actually got to make the shot.”
“There aren’t a lot of Black folks in post‑production because they don’t get the opportunity to learn those skills.”
“How many Black businesses can we say are 100 years old?”
“They are ambassadors of goodwill. You’ve got to be a good person to be a Globetrotter.”
#SHMS #BEST #STRAW
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.