Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Loni Love.

Emmy Award-winning comedian, actress, and author. The conversation centers around her memoir, I Tried to Change So You Don’t Have To, and offers a rich blend of personal storytelling, cultural insight, and motivational wisdom.

📘 About the Memoir

Title: I Tried to Change So You Don’t Have To
Tone: Comedic, honest, emotional, and empowering
Purpose: To share Loni’s journey from the Detroit projects to Hollywood, while inspiring readers to embrace their authentic selves.

🌟 Key Themes & Highlights 🏙️ Early Life & Upbringing

• Grew up in the Brewster Projects in Detroit.
• Raised by a strong community of Black women, including her mother, babysitter Miss Brooks (a Jehovah’s Witness), and other influential women like her Girl Scout leader and Miss Fever.
• Emphasizes the importance of the “village” in shaping her values and resilience.

🎓 Education & HBCU Experience

• Attended Prairie View A&M University (an HBCU), where she joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
• Credits her college experience and sorority sisters for bailing her out of jail during a pivotal moment in her youth.
• Studied electrical engineering and later worked at General Motors before transitioning into entertainment.

😂 Humor & Hardship

• The memoir balances levity with serious topics like racism, wrongful arrest, and self-doubt.
• Chapter 8, where she’s thrown in jail for trespassing, is highlighted as both hilarious and eye-opening.
• Each chapter ends with a joke to bring levity to even the darkest moments.

💪 Empowerment & Mentorship

• Encourages readers to trust themselves and not conform to others’ expectations.
• Discusses the importance of mentorship and how someone saw potential in her beyond her factory job.
• Shares how Rushion McDonald personally mentored her during a difficult time in her TV career.

🎭 Career & Creativity

• Talks about her journey into comedy, acting, and co-hosting The Real.
• Reflects on her first film role in Soul Plane and the realities of the entertainment industry.
• Advocates for journaling and documenting personal history, especially for Black voices.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “This is a love letter to my fans.”
• “If you feel hopeless, if you need some inspiration… understand that you are from a strong stock of people.”
• “We have to share our stories to show them the experiences that we've come through.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Amy DuBois Barnett.

📝 Summary of the Interview

Amy DuBois Barnett, a trailblazing media executive and author, joined Rushion McDonald to discuss her career, her upcoming debut novel If I Ruled the World, and her insights on success, authenticity, and navigating the evolving media landscape. The conversation covered her historic role as the first Black woman to helm a major mainstream U.S. magazine, her experiences in media and publishing, the importance of Black voices, and her journey toward becoming a novelist.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Career Milestones & Legacy

• Amy made history as the first Black woman editor-in-chief of a major mainstream U.S. magazine (Teen People).
• She held leadership roles at Harper’s Bazaar, Ebony, Honey Magazine, and digital platforms like BET and The Grio.
• Her editorial style focused on humanizing success, sharing personal stories and lessons rather than just promoting content.

2. New Novel: If I Ruled the World

• Set in late 1990s/early 2000s New York, the novel follows Nikki, a woman navigating the fashion and music magazine world.
• Themes include misogyny in hip hop, professional ambition, friendship, and self-discovery.
• The title is inspired by the Nas and Lauryn Hill song, and Lauryn Hill was the first cover of Honey Magazine under Amy’s leadership.
• Amy envisions the novel as a TV series, and is actively working toward that goal.

3. Importance of Preorders

• Preorders are critical for debut novelists to hit bestseller lists.
• All preorders count toward first-week sales, which are essential for making lists like the New York Times Bestseller.

4. Authenticity & Black Media

• Amy emphasized the need for authentic Black voices in media, especially in today’s political climate.
• She praised independent platforms and figures like Roland Martin, Joy Reid, and Don Lemon for maintaining integrity.

5. Success Principles

• Success requires more than talent—it’s about energy, attitude, collaboration, and kindness.
• She highlighted the importance of networking through genuine relationships, not just transactional exchanges.
• Believing in oneself is essential: “The universe will not give you an opportunity that you don’t think you deserve.”

6. Pivoting & Resilience

• Amy’s career involved multiple pivots—from finance to fashion to media.
• She stressed the importance of recognizing when to pivot and manifesting goals through vision and hard work.

7. Print vs. Digital Media

• Print magazines offer permanence and thoughtful journalism, while digital media provides speed and volume.
• She misses the visual artistry of print, like cover shoots and fashion spreads.

8. Personal Notes

• Amy’s son is a music producer and DJ, studying at Drexel University.
• Rushion and Amy have a long-standing friendship dating back to 2012, when she was at Ebony and he was producing the Steve Harvey show.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “You have to believe that you deserve all of the opportunity.”
• “Networking is not about handing out business cards. It’s about building relationships.”
• “Magazines have a permanence that made you incredibly careful.”
• “I’m manifesting big things.”
• “We are out here flawed and just trying to find success, love, and fulfillment like everyone else.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Loni Love.

Emmy Award-winning comedian, actress, and author. The conversation centers around her memoir, I Tried to Change So You Don’t Have To, and offers a rich blend of personal storytelling, cultural insight, and motivational wisdom.

📘 About the Memoir

Title: I Tried to Change So You Don’t Have To
Tone: Comedic, honest, emotional, and empowering
Purpose: To share Loni’s journey from the Detroit projects to Hollywood, while inspiring readers to embrace their authentic selves.

🌟 Key Themes & Highlights 🏙️ Early Life & Upbringing

• Grew up in the Brewster Projects in Detroit.
• Raised by a strong community of Black women, including her mother, babysitter Miss Brooks (a Jehovah’s Witness), and other influential women like her Girl Scout leader and Miss Fever.
• Emphasizes the importance of the “village” in shaping her values and resilience.

🎓 Education & HBCU Experience

• Attended Prairie View A&M University (an HBCU), where she joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
• Credits her college experience and sorority sisters for bailing her out of jail during a pivotal moment in her youth.
• Studied electrical engineering and later worked at General Motors before transitioning into entertainment.

😂 Humor & Hardship

• The memoir balances levity with serious topics like racism, wrongful arrest, and self-doubt.
• Chapter 8, where she’s thrown in jail for trespassing, is highlighted as both hilarious and eye-opening.
• Each chapter ends with a joke to bring levity to even the darkest moments.

💪 Empowerment & Mentorship

• Encourages readers to trust themselves and not conform to others’ expectations.
• Discusses the importance of mentorship and how someone saw potential in her beyond her factory job.
• Shares how Rushion McDonald personally mentored her during a difficult time in her TV career.

🎭 Career & Creativity

• Talks about her journey into comedy, acting, and co-hosting The Real.
• Reflects on her first film role in Soul Plane and the realities of the entertainment industry.
• Advocates for journaling and documenting personal history, especially for Black voices.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “This is a love letter to my fans.”
• “If you feel hopeless, if you need some inspiration… understand that you are from a strong stock of people.”
• “We have to share our stories to show them the experiences that we've come through.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Amy DuBois Barnett.

📝 Summary of the Interview

Amy DuBois Barnett, a trailblazing media executive and author, joined Rushion McDonald to discuss her career, her upcoming debut novel If I Ruled the World, and her insights on success, authenticity, and navigating the evolving media landscape. The conversation covered her historic role as the first Black woman to helm a major mainstream U.S. magazine, her experiences in media and publishing, the importance of Black voices, and her journey toward becoming a novelist.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Career Milestones & Legacy

• Amy made history as the first Black woman editor-in-chief of a major mainstream U.S. magazine (Teen People).
• She held leadership roles at Harper’s Bazaar, Ebony, Honey Magazine, and digital platforms like BET and The Grio.
• Her editorial style focused on humanizing success, sharing personal stories and lessons rather than just promoting content.

2. New Novel: If I Ruled the World

• Set in late 1990s/early 2000s New York, the novel follows Nikki, a woman navigating the fashion and music magazine world.
• Themes include misogyny in hip hop, professional ambition, friendship, and self-discovery.
• The title is inspired by the Nas and Lauryn Hill song, and Lauryn Hill was the first cover of Honey Magazine under Amy’s leadership.
• Amy envisions the novel as a TV series, and is actively working toward that goal.

3. Importance of Preorders

• Preorders are critical for debut novelists to hit bestseller lists.
• All preorders count toward first-week sales, which are essential for making lists like the New York Times Bestseller.

4. Authenticity & Black Media

• Amy emphasized the need for authentic Black voices in media, especially in today’s political climate.
• She praised independent platforms and figures like Roland Martin, Joy Reid, and Don Lemon for maintaining integrity.

5. Success Principles

• Success requires more than talent—it’s about energy, attitude, collaboration, and kindness.
• She highlighted the importance of networking through genuine relationships, not just transactional exchanges.
• Believing in oneself is essential: “The universe will not give you an opportunity that you don’t think you deserve.”

6. Pivoting & Resilience

• Amy’s career involved multiple pivots—from finance to fashion to media.
• She stressed the importance of recognizing when to pivot and manifesting goals through vision and hard work.

7. Print vs. Digital Media

• Print magazines offer permanence and thoughtful journalism, while digital media provides speed and volume.
• She misses the visual artistry of print, like cover shoots and fashion spreads.

8. Personal Notes

• Amy’s son is a music producer and DJ, studying at Drexel University.
• Rushion and Amy have a long-standing friendship dating back to 2012, when she was at Ebony and he was producing the Steve Harvey show.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “You have to believe that you deserve all of the opportunity.”
• “Networking is not about handing out business cards. It’s about building relationships.”
• “Magazines have a permanence that made you incredibly careful.”
• “I’m manifesting big things.”
• “We are out here flawed and just trying to find success, love, and fulfillment like everyone else.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Loni Love.

Emmy Award-winning comedian, actress, and author. The conversation centers around her memoir, I Tried to Change So You Don’t Have To, and offers a rich blend of personal storytelling, cultural insight, and motivational wisdom.

📘 About the Memoir

Title: I Tried to Change So You Don’t Have To
Tone: Comedic, honest, emotional, and empowering
Purpose: To share Loni’s journey from the Detroit projects to Hollywood, while inspiring readers to embrace their authentic selves.

🌟 Key Themes & Highlights 🏙️ Early Life & Upbringing

• Grew up in the Brewster Projects in Detroit.
• Raised by a strong community of Black women, including her mother, babysitter Miss Brooks (a Jehovah’s Witness), and other influential women like her Girl Scout leader and Miss Fever.
• Emphasizes the importance of the “village” in shaping her values and resilience.

🎓 Education & HBCU Experience

• Attended Prairie View A&M University (an HBCU), where she joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
• Credits her college experience and sorority sisters for bailing her out of jail during a pivotal moment in her youth.
• Studied electrical engineering and later worked at General Motors before transitioning into entertainment.

😂 Humor & Hardship

• The memoir balances levity with serious topics like racism, wrongful arrest, and self-doubt.
• Chapter 8, where she’s thrown in jail for trespassing, is highlighted as both hilarious and eye-opening.
• Each chapter ends with a joke to bring levity to even the darkest moments.

💪 Empowerment & Mentorship

• Encourages readers to trust themselves and not conform to others’ expectations.
• Discusses the importance of mentorship and how someone saw potential in her beyond her factory job.
• Shares how Rushion McDonald personally mentored her during a difficult time in her TV career.

🎭 Career & Creativity

• Talks about her journey into comedy, acting, and co-hosting The Real.
• Reflects on her first film role in Soul Plane and the realities of the entertainment industry.
• Advocates for journaling and documenting personal history, especially for Black voices.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “This is a love letter to my fans.”
• “If you feel hopeless, if you need some inspiration… understand that you are from a strong stock of people.”
• “We have to share our stories to show them the experiences that we've come through.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2017, two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald launched his podcast, Money Making Conversations Master Class.

🔑 Core Message: Understanding Your Value Proposition

Rushion emphasizes the importance of knowing your value proposition—both in your career and personal life. He defines it as:

A declarative statement that explains what makes you unique, why you're the best choice, and what justifies your advancement or compensation.

🧠 Key Concepts & Lessons 1. Value Proposition in Career

• Without a clear value proposition, you risk being overlooked for promotions and raises.
• Employers need to know what you want and what you bring to the table.
• Rashawn shares his own experience at IBM, where not knowing his value proposition led to stagnation until he clarified his goals.

2. The PLAN Framework

Rushion introduces a motivational acronym for success:

• P – Prepare
• L – Learn
• A – Adjust
• N – Navigate

This framework is essential for setting goals and achieving success.

3. "Why Not Me?" Mindset

• Encourages listeners to challenge self-doubt and embrace their potential.
• This phrase is meant to be a daily affirmation to inspire action and confidence.

4. Avoiding Negativity

• Rashawn warns against surrounding yourself with negative people who gossip or discourage ambition.
• Instead, seek out like-minded individuals who support growth.

5. Age Is Not a Barrier

• Success is not limited by age—whether you're 19 or 65, it's never too late to define your value and pursue your goals.

📌 Notable Quotes

• “You can't be successful unless you have a plan.”
• “Don't wait around for an opportunity. Just do it.”
• “Your greatness can be achieved by your own personal effort.”

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2017, two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald launched his podcast, Money Making Conversations Master Class.

🔑 Core Message: Understanding Your Value Proposition

Rushion emphasizes the importance of knowing your value proposition—both in your career and personal life. He defines it as:

A declarative statement that explains what makes you unique, why you're the best choice, and what justifies your advancement or compensation.

🧠 Key Concepts & Lessons 1. Value Proposition in Career

• Without a clear value proposition, you risk being overlooked for promotions and raises.
• Employers need to know what you want and what you bring to the table.
• Rashawn shares his own experience at IBM, where not knowing his value proposition led to stagnation until he clarified his goals.

2. The PLAN Framework

Rushion introduces a motivational acronym for success:

• P – Prepare
• L – Learn
• A – Adjust
• N – Navigate

This framework is essential for setting goals and achieving success.

3. "Why Not Me?" Mindset

• Encourages listeners to challenge self-doubt and embrace their potential.
• This phrase is meant to be a daily affirmation to inspire action and confidence.

4. Avoiding Negativity

• Rashawn warns against surrounding yourself with negative people who gossip or discourage ambition.
• Instead, seek out like-minded individuals who support growth.

5. Age Is Not a Barrier

• Success is not limited by age—whether you're 19 or 65, it's never too late to define your value and pursue your goals.

📌 Notable Quotes

• “You can't be successful unless you have a plan.”
• “Don't wait around for an opportunity. Just do it.”
• “Your greatness can be achieved by your own personal effort.”

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2017, two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald launched his podcast, Money Making Conversations Master Class.

🔑 Core Message: Understanding Your Value Proposition

Rushion emphasizes the importance of knowing your value proposition—both in your career and personal life. He defines it as:

A declarative statement that explains what makes you unique, why you're the best choice, and what justifies your advancement or compensation.

🧠 Key Concepts & Lessons 1. Value Proposition in Career

• Without a clear value proposition, you risk being overlooked for promotions and raises.
• Employers need to know what you want and what you bring to the table.
• Rashawn shares his own experience at IBM, where not knowing his value proposition led to stagnation until he clarified his goals.

2. The PLAN Framework

Rushion introduces a motivational acronym for success:

• P – Prepare
• L – Learn
• A – Adjust
• N – Navigate

This framework is essential for setting goals and achieving success.

3. "Why Not Me?" Mindset

• Encourages listeners to challenge self-doubt and embrace their potential.
• This phrase is meant to be a daily affirmation to inspire action and confidence.

4. Avoiding Negativity

• Rashawn warns against surrounding yourself with negative people who gossip or discourage ambition.
• Instead, seek out like-minded individuals who support growth.

5. Age Is Not a Barrier

• Success is not limited by age—whether you're 19 or 65, it's never too late to define your value and pursue your goals.

📌 Notable Quotes

• “You can't be successful unless you have a plan.”
• “Don't wait around for an opportunity. Just do it.”
• “Your greatness can be achieved by your own personal effort.”

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.