The Steve Harvey Morning Show

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Kurt Farquhar.
Television & Film Composer, Founder of Fall Crop Productions and True Music Pro
Notable Credits: The King of Queens, Girlfriends, The Parkers, Being Mary Jane, The Proud Family, The Neighborhood, Black Lightning
Awards: 10 BMI Awards
Tenure: 38+ years in television
Purpose of the Interview
The purpose of this interview is to educate and inspire creatives, entrepreneurs, and professionals about longevity, adaptability, and wealth-building behind the scenes. Kurt Farquhar’s journey highlights how sustainable success comes from mastery of craft, relationship-building, and treating creativity as a business—not chasing visibility or fame.
Rushion McDonald uses Kurt’s career as a blueprint for:
Building mailbox money through residuals
Staying relevant across decades of industry change
Monetizing intellectual property
Leveraging relationships to sustain opportunity
Core Themes Discussed
Longevity vs. “getting on”
Behind-the-scenes success
Residual income (“mailbox money”)
Adaptability in changing industries
Creative originality
Relationship capital
Diversifying income through ownership
Treating art like a business
Key Takeaways 1. Staying In Is Harder Than Getting In
While many focus on breaking into the industry, Kurt emphasizes that lasting success requires constant reinvention.
“The continuing it for the 30-plus years has been way harder than the getting in in the first.”
Insight: Longevity requires discipline, humility, and evolution.
2. Behind-the-Scenes Roles Can Be More Sustainable
Kurt chose composing over performing, allowing him to age into his career rather than age out of it.
“In television and film… all I’ve got to say is John Williams is in his 90s and still composing.”
Insight: Choose lanes that allow long-term relevance and recurring income.
3. Residual Income Is Real Wealth
Rushion and Kurt discuss “mailbox money”—recurring payments from past work.
“If you just had the mailbox money for King of Queens, you’d be fine.”
Insight: True financial freedom comes from owning work that keeps paying.
4. Adaptability Is Non‑Negotiable
Kurt has survived massive industry shifts—from analog tape to digital production—by embracing change.
“Sustain that good idea, change it, polish it up, and mold it for the changing times.”
Insight: Talent without adaptability becomes obsolete.
5. Originality Comes From Listening, Not Forcing a Style
Kurt avoids creative stagnation by serving the story, not his ego.
“I don’t come in every day trying to force the singular style I’ve done for 38 years.”
Insight: Longevity depends on collaboration and humility.
6. Relationships Are Career Currency
Kurt credits long-term success to consistently showing up for people—before they’re powerful.
“If you only call someone once you read they’ve got something coming up, it’s already too late.”
Insight: Relationships built without agenda produce lasting opportunity.
7. Saying “Yes” Creates Opportunity
Kurt embraces what he calls the power of yes.
“I figure I can say yes more than you and end up making more and doing better.”
Insight: Opportunity favors those who remain open, prepared, and professional.
8. Ownership Multiplies Creativity Into Business
Kurt built True Music Pro, a licensing library used across major networks and streaming platforms.
“I realized companies were licensing more of my music than I was… so I built my own library.”
Insight: Ownership turns talent into scalable income.
Notable Quotes
“The journey to stay in is harder than the journey to get in.”
“Treat it like a business and it might treat you in kind.”
“I do my job, I do it the best I can, and I move on to the next one.”
“Character is character. Relationships matter.”
“That success doesn’t happen by accident. It happens with care.”
Overall Impact of the Interview
This interview serves as a masterclass on creative longevity and wealth-building without celebrity dependency. Kurt Farquhar’s story reframes success as:
Consistent excellence
Relationship stewardship
Business ownership
Adaptability across generations
It is especially powerful for:
Creatives seeking sustainable careers
Entrepreneurs building IP-based businesses
Professionals navigating long-term relevance
Anyone pursuing “quiet wealth” over public fame
#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 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 Abioduni Martin.
🔎 Interview Summary
The interview highlights Abioduni Martin, founder of Do Everything Wonderful (D.E.W.), a minority-owned solar company in Georgia that has grown from a one-person vehicle wrap business into a commercial solar contractor and workforce development platform.
Martin discusses:
His entrepreneurial journey and turning point
Scaling a solar installation business
Creating a Department of Labor–approved apprenticeship program
His mission to empower underserved communities through skilled trades
The conversation blends business growth, clean energy education, and social impact.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
The episode serves multiple purposes:
1. Inspire Entrepreneurship
Encourage listeners to turn small beginnings into scalable businesses
Show how persistence, partnerships, and mentorship can unlock growth
2. Educate on Solar Energy
Break down solar installation, benefits, and financial upside
Position solar as a practical and profitable future industry
3. Promote Workforce Development
Highlight opportunities in skilled trades, especially for: Black and brown communities
Youth and individuals aging out of foster care

4. Showcase a Scalable Impact Model
Demonstrate how a business can integrate: Profit
Training
Community uplift

💡 Key Takeaways 1. Start Small, Scale Strategically
Martin began with vehicle wrapping and pivoted into solar by identifying future demand and market gaps
Growth accelerated through a key partnership with Cherry Street Energy
👉 Lesson: Vision + relationships = scalable opportunity
2. Mentorship and Partnerships Are Critical
Cherry Street Energy provided: Project opportunities
Learning space to grow (including mistakes)
Business development support

👉 Lesson: Strategic partnerships can substitute for capital in early growth stages
3. Innovation Through Workforce Development
Martin created a new Department of Labor–approved solar apprenticeship program—the first of its kind in his region
Focus: training workers for jobs that companies need but won’t train for
👉 Lesson: Owning the talent pipeline is a competitive advantage
4. Solar Energy Is a Major Economic Opportunity
Benefits discussed: Reduced energy costs (up to ~75%)
Long-term savings
Increased property value
👉 Lesson: Solar isn’t just environmental—it’s financial

5. Community Impact Is a Core Business Strategy
Martin’s mission: Bring trade skills to underserved communities
Create pathways to careers, not just jobs

👉 Lesson: Purpose-driven entrepreneurship can scale while solving social issues
6. Workforce Barriers Are Practical (Not Motivational)
Martin emphasizes that people don’t lack work ethic—they lack support systems:
Transportation
Housing
Mentorship
👉 Lesson: Fix structural barriers to unlock human potential
7. Leadership Evolution Matters
The host notes Martin’s growth from “hustling” to thinking about scaling and systems
👉 Lesson: Entrepreneurs must evolve from doers to builders
🧠 Notable Quotes
Here are powerful, representative quotes from the interview:
On opportunity and growth
“They just let me and allow my organization to grow and prosper… with mistakes… they just encouraged that.”

“I’m still in that growth phase… trying to replicate and scale the business.” [

On innovation and leadership
“I had to build that [apprenticeship program] from scratch… there is no solar installation program under the Department of Labor.” [
On mission and community
“My goal has always been to infiltrate these industries, learn about it, teach it to the communities that don’t know anything about it.” [

“Workforce development… helping underserved Black and brown individuals… get into the industry.” [

On identifying opportunity
“I just look, see where the need is… you got a need—I can provide.”
On collaboration and scale
“I don’t want to be a one-man army… I want to share the wealth.”
On workforce challenges
“They need transportation… housing… mentorship. I can do it.”
🧾 Bottom Line
This interview is a blueprint for modern entrepreneurship at the intersection of clean energy and social impact:
Build from where you are
Leverage relationships and partnerships
Solve real workforce problems
Turn business into a platform for community transformation
#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 Leonard S. Graham.
Social Security disability advocate, Leonard S. Graham joined Rushion McDonald on Money Making Conversations Master Class to explain how Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) really work, who qualifies, and how misconceptions prevent people—especially within the Black community—from receiving benefits they are legally entitled to. Graham has over 35 years of experience assisting clients nationwide with disability claims, appeals, and hearings.
The conversation sheds light on the disability process, eligibility, the appeals system, the role of advocates vs. attorneys, and the importance of education, honesty, and persistence in navigating Social Security.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
The interview aims to:
Educate listeners on Social Security disability benefits, including eligibility, filing, and appeals.
Debunk common myths, such as the belief disability is only for seniors.
Explain SSDI vs. SSI, work credits, resource limits, and Medicare connections.
Highlight the importance of advocacy, especially for underserved communities unfamiliar with the system.
Encourage individuals not to fear or stigmatize applying for disability, and to avoid misinformation from non‑professionals.
🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Disability Isn’t Just for Seniors
Many mistakenly think Social Security disability is only for people over 65, but anyone with the required work credits can qualify, regardless of age—even individuals in their 20s or 30s.
2. Working Does NOT Automatically Disqualify You
Applicants can work while applying as long as they do not exceed the monthly substantial gainful activity (SGA) threshold of $1,690 per month.
3. Every Claim Is Unique—Don’t Compare Your Case to Others
Graham warns clients not to take advice from neighbors or relatives because each disability case depends on medical evidence, work history, age, and individual conditions.
4. SSDI Requires Work Credits; SSI Is Needs-Based
SSDI: Requires 20 credits minimum, 40 credits for maximum benefit, earned through past work. Assets do not affect eligibility.
SSI: For people with low resources ($2,000 single / $3,000 married). Primary home/car do not count as resources.
5. Medicare Comes After Approval
Medicare eligibility begins 24 months after being awarded SSDI benefits.
6. Appeals Are Normal—Most Initial Claims Are Denied
95% of initial applications are denied, and the real opportunity often comes during a hearing before an administrative law judge. Persistence is essential.
7. Honesty Prevents Fraud & Overpayments
Applicants should always disclose their financial situation truthfully to avoid fraud investigations and repayment demands.
8. Disability Benefits Can Provide Back Pay
Approved claimants often receive a Notice of Award detailing monthly benefits and any back pay owed. Representatives are only paid from back pay—not monthly benefits.
9. Stigma & Fear Prevent People from Applying
Graham emphasizes that pride, fear, and misinformation often stop people—especially in the Black community—from seeking help, even when disability support could save them financially.
🗣️ Notable Quotes ✔ On Who Needs Disability
“What if you get in a car accident… or have an illness and you can’t work? Those are reasons to file for disability.”
✔ On Misinformation
“Don’t talk to your neighbor or relatives about your claim… Each claim is its own individual claim.”

✔ On Work Limits
“You can still work and have an active claim as long as you don’t gross over $1,690 a month.”
✔ On Stigma
“Some people feel applying for benefits makes them look a certain way. But the system is there to help you when you are unable to work.”
✔ On Honesty
“Just tell the truth. If they catch you on the fraud side, you’ll have to pay the money back.”
✔ On Perseverance
“Getting a denial is nothing out of the norm… The key is to continue with the claim.”

#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 Robert Fitzpatrick, a Navy veteran, business consultant, fraternity brother (ΩΨΦ), and now the owner reviving his family’s historic Texas barbecue legacy. The conversation dives deeply into Fitzpatrick’s upbringing, his father’s groundbreaking barbecue business in 1950s Texas, his educational and military journey, his corporate career, and his decision to launch Dewey’s Barbecue Market in Skokie, Illinois—honoring his father’s original recipes and values.
The interview blends entrepreneurship, legacy, cultural history, and personal transformation, while highlighting the courage of Fitzpatrick’s father and the humility and faith-driven foundation of his family.
Purpose of the Interview
The interview aims to:
1. Inspire entrepreneurship and legacy-building
Fitzpatrick’s story showcases how family heritage and values can shape a business vision across generations.
2. Highlight resilience, faith, and leadership
His upbringing in a household rooted in Christian humility, strong expectations, and boundary-breaking courage provides a blueprint for character-driven success.
3. Educate listeners on transitioning careers
Fitzpatrick exemplifies pivoting from engineering and corporate consulting to pursuing passion-driven entrepreneurship.
4. Promote Dewey’s Barbecue Market
The interview introduces the Chicago-area community—especially the Skokie region—to his upcoming restaurant built on a 70-year-old Texas barbecue tradition.
Key Takeaways 1. A powerful family legacy rooted in courage
Fitzpatrick’s father, Dewey, opened a barbecue restaurant in 1951—before desegregation—and insisted that Blacks and whites could eat together.
He enforced respect and safety in his establishment, even confronting racist patrons.
2. Education was non-negotiable in the Fitzpatrick household
Robert is the youngest of seven siblings, all college graduates; five hold master’s degrees.
He himself holds an MBA and an MS in Management Information Systems.
3. A bridge between technology and business
Fitzpatrick spent decades in consulting with major firms (EDS, Dell, Arthur Andersen, KPMG) focusing on business process improvement.
His dual MS/MBA made him a translator between tech and finance.
4. Military discipline shaped his personal and professional life
Served in the U.S. Navy from 1986–1990, plus reserve duty (including deployment to Iraq).
Balanced military service with graduate studies and advancing his corporate career.
5. A calling to revive his father’s barbecue
His wife recognized his talent early, telling him for years he should be barbecuing.
A shortage of good Texas barbecue in Virginia pushed him to recreate his father’s recipes.
6. Skokie, Illinois: the ideal launchpad
After moving to the Great Lakes Naval Base area for a federal role, Fitzpatrick began scouting locations.
Skokie offered: active support from city leadership
grants
an ideal building
community enthusiasm

7. Dewey’s Barbecue Market offerings
Meats: brisket, sausage, hot links, smoked boudin (monthly special)
Sides: potato salad (egg/mayo base), pineapple vinegar coleslaw, fried okra, smoked pinto beans
Desserts: apple cobbler, blueberry cobbler, sweet potato pie, possibly fried pies
Bread: sliced “light bread” for dipping—traditional Texas style
Experience: dine-in with 60s–80s “feel-good” music
8. A commitment to doing things the right way
Fitzpatrick refuses to launch unless he can deliver “the best product on the planet.”
Focuses on simplicity, authenticity, and quality.
Notable Quotes About his father and legacy
“He said anybody who wants to eat here can eat here.”
(His father defying segregation laws in the 1950s.)

“I can call an undertaker or an ambulance. Which one do you prefer?”
(Dewey enforcing respect from a belligerent white customer.)

“That was my barbecue.”
(On being raised around his father’s legendary pit.)

About family and humility
“We are firmly rooted in Christ. If you try to get too big, He has a way of humbling you.”

“Seven kids, all with degrees… that’s normal to you. But we know that’s not normal.”
(McDonald highlighting the family’s extraordinary achievement.)

About his calling
“If I didn’t think I was bringing the best product on the planet, I wouldn’t even do it.”

“My wife tasted the barbecue and said, ‘This is what you need to be doing.’”

About launching in Skokie
“They really want me to be there… the economic development team didn’t treat it like just another restaurant.”
Short 3–5 Sentence Summary (For Quick Use)
In his interview with Rushion McDonald, Robert Fitzpatrick shares his journey from Navy veteran and Fortune 500 consultant to entrepreneur reviving his family’s historic Texas barbecue. He describes growing up with a courageous father who defied segregation in 1951 by serving Black and white customers together, and a family culture steeped in education, discipline, and humility. Fitzpatrick’s passion for barbecue and encouragement from his wife led him to bring his father’s 70-year-old recipes to Skokie, Illinois through Dewey’s Barbecue Market. The interview emphasizes legacy, faith, courage, and the pursuit of purpose.
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.