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 Dr. Bisa Lewis.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
To spotlight the challenges and opportunities within the teaching profession, especially post-COVID, and to empower educators to leverage their skills for financial growth beyond the classroom. Dr. Besa shares her journey, insights, and strategies for educators to supplement their income while maintaining their passion for teaching.
🗝️ Key Takeaways 1. Educators Are Undervalued Yet Essential
Teachers are underpaid and often disrespected despite their critical role in shaping future generations.
COVID briefly highlighted their importance, but systemic undervaluation persists.
2. Mental Wellness and Structure Matter
Dr. Bisa emphasizes morning meditation, prayer, and silence to manage stress and set the tone for her day.
She avoids early meetings and uses Mondays and Fridays for planning and reflection.
3. Education Credentials Open Doors
Dr. Bisa holds four degrees and explains that credentials often determine access to influential spaces.
Degrees help gain respect and credibility, especially in leadership and public speaking roles.
4. The Paid Method for Educators
Dr. Besa developed the PAID Method to help educators monetize their skills:
P – Prospects: Who will pay for your skills?
A – Allies: Who can support your journey?
I – Information: What do you need to know?
D – Dollars: How much can you earn?
5. Teachers Can Earn Beyond the Classroom
Through coaching, curriculum development, speaking engagements, and grant writing.
Dr. Bisa’s curriculum is used in 30 states, showcasing how educators can scale their expertise.
6. AI and Education
AI should be embraced, not feared.
It won’t replace teachers but will transform education by shifting focus from theory to practice.
Educators must adapt and use technology to enhance learning and remain competitive.
7. Cultural and Economic Empowerment
Dr. Bisa advocates for Black educators and communities to overcome systemic barriers by embracing innovation.
She warns against fear-based resistance to technology and encourages strategic adoption.
💬 Notable Quotes
“It’s time to stop reading other people’s success stories and start living your own.” – Rushion McDonald
“Sometimes those papers just help you get in the room.” – Dr. Bisa
“Stop being afraid, stop being oppressed, and make sure that whatever comes out, you figure out how you can use it.” – Dr. Bisa
“Guide learning. That is what we should do.” – Dr. Bisa
“Consistency is what people gain trust in.” – Rushion McDonald
🌐 Resources Mentioned
Website: DrBisa.com
Podcast: The Paid Educator Podcast
Social Media: Consistent handles across platforms under “DrBisa”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
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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 Dawnn Lewis.
Summary of the Interview
On Money Making Conversations Masterclass, Rushion McDonald interviews Dawnn Lewis—iconic actress, singer, songwriter, voice actress, philanthropist, and founder of the A New Day Foundation. The conversation traces her extraordinary career, starting from her childhood as a singer, dancer, and actor, through her rise to fame on A Different World, her decades-long voiceover career (including The Simpsons, Futurama, Star Trek: Lower Decks), and her ongoing philanthropic work supporting youth nationwide.
Dawnn discusses the challenges of being a multi-talented artist in an industry eager to box people into one lane, how A Different World both elevated and pigeonholed her, and how animation opened a vast new chapter for her that has lasted more than 30 years. She shares her philosophy on longevity, discipline, relationships, and the responsibility to give back. The interview also highlights her foundation’s programs supporting students, HBCUs, and underserved communities.
Purpose of the Interview
1. Celebrate Dawnn Lewis’s multi-decade, multi-disciplinary career
The interview showcases the depth of her talent—from singing and songwriting to acting, animation, and Broadway.
2. Highlight representation and legacy
Dawnn discusses the cultural impact of A Different World and her groundbreaking role as a Black female captain in Star Trek: Lower Decks.
3. Inspire audiences with her journey from Bed-Stuy to global success
Her story emphasizes perseverance, big dreaming, and ignoring limitations others impose.
4. Promote the A New Day Foundation
Dawnn details programs empowering youth, HBCU students, and underserved communities.
5. Provide insight into surviving and thriving in entertainment
She shares the importance of relationships, versatility, and constant self-improvement.
Key Takeaways
1. She was a “triple threat” long before Hollywood discovered her
Singing, dancing, and acting from age 7–11, she began performing professionally at 10 and even launched her own musical theatre degree program at the University of Miami.
2. A Different World brought fame but also typecasting
While it launched her into global visibility, it also led people to underestimate her songwriting, music, and voiceover abilities.
3. Her voice acting career spans more than 30 years
She has voiced characters on The Simpsons, Futurama, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Craig of the Creek, Fairly OddParents, Mortal Kombat, and many more.
Her entry into animation came from imitating her young niece for a role.
4. Representation matters deeply to her
Seeing Nichelle Nichols on Star Trek inspired her as a child; today, Dawnn is one of the very few Black captains in the Star Trek universe.
5. The industry rewards resilience and relationships
Dawnn emphasizes that her longevity comes from consistently doing excellent work and nurturing her professional network.
6. She founded the A New Day Foundation to uplift youth
Her programs serve teens, HBCU students, and communities nationwide, providing mentorship, laptops, scholarships, and life skills training.
7. Dawnn’s journey is one of intentional growth and constant reinvention
She never stopped expanding—into Broadway, television, songwriting, animation, philanthropy, and leadership.
Notable Quotes
(All quotes from the uploaded transcript.)
On talent and early training
“I was singing, dancing at seven, acting at eleven… doing all three professionally since I was about ten years old.”
“I thought I was going to be a recording artist… I had my own single out. I was charting on Billboard.”
On being boxed in
“I didn’t start getting pigeonholed until I did A Different World… now you’re just an actress.”
On entering animation
“There weren’t very many people of color in the animation world… the director said, ‘Who are you? How come I never met you before?’”
“I get to voice characters they wouldn’t hire me visually to play.”
On representation and Star Trek
“In the legacy of Star Trek, it’s me and Avery Brooks as the Black captains.”
“Seeing Nichelle Nichols made me hopeful… she was my hero.”
On career longevity
“You quiet the naysayers by just showing up and doing the work.”
“God keeps opening doors and giving me what I need to walk through them successfully.”
On giving back
“I am my best investment.” (also used in her foundation’s mission)
“Where you were yesterday is not where you have to end up today.”
@#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 Paul Dashevsky.
Serial entrepreneur and founder of Maxwell, a platform focused on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), also known as tiny homes:
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
To educate listeners on the growing trend of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), their practical uses, legal considerations, and how platforms like Maxwell help homeowners navigate the process of building or buying tiny homes—especially in light of new options like Amazon’s prefab homes.
🗝️ Key Takeaways
What Are ADUs?
Formerly known as tiny homes or granny flats, ADUs are small, secondary housing units built on residential properties.
They range from 150 to 1200 square feet and serve various purposes: rentals, studios, housing for aging parents, or personal retreats.

Growing Popularity
Driven by housing shortages and affordability issues, especially in states like California.
Governments are easing restrictions to allow more ADUs to be built, including San Diego’s initiative to allow unlimited ADUs if they’re affordable.

Use Cases
Rental income
Housing for retirees or aging parents
Studios (music, yoga), guest houses, or nanny quarters

Amazon’s Entry
Amazon now sells prefab two-story tiny homes under \$50,000.
While appealing, buyers must understand the additional costs and logistics: foundation, utilities, permits, and construction.

Legal & Practical Considerations
ADUs must be permitted and built to code to be safe and legally rentable.
Homeowners should consult their city’s building department before starting.
A certificate of occupancy is required for someone to legally live in the unit.

Maxwell Platform
Offers resources, videos, and guidance for anyone interested in building or buying ADUs.
Helps users find reliable contractors and understand the full scope of building an ADU.

Impact on Property Value
ADUs generally increase property value by adding rentable living space.
They are a viable wealth-building strategy through real estate investment.

Social Impact
ADUs could be a solution to homelessness by providing affordable housing options.
Cities like San Diego are already exploring this potential.

💬 Notable Quotes
“You’re not building a Lego kit here.” — Paul Dashevsky on the complexity of constructing ADUs
“There’s no success without sacrifice.” — Rushion McDonald, echoing the theme of entrepreneurship
“Go down to your building department at your city and ask them what guidelines they have.” — Paul’s advice on starting an ADU project
“If you invest in real estate… that’s a great way to build wealth.” — Paul on the financial benefits of ADUs
“I wish America would look at the possibilities of seeing what ADUs can do for the homeless community.” — Rushion McDonald on the social potential of tiny homes
#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 Dr. Nicole Roberts Jones.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
The interview aims to:
Introduce Dr. Nicole Roberts Jones’ work helping entrepreneurs and professionals “bankroll their brilliance”.
Encourage listeners to monetize their unique talents and create multiple streams of income.
Inspire individuals to align their purpose with their profession for greater impact and fulfillment.
Share strategies for overcoming fear, embracing authenticity, and building scalable businesses.
🧠 Key Takeaways 1. From Casting to Coaching
Nicole’s early career in talent management and casting helped her develop a gift for recognizing people’s potential. She now uses that gift to help entrepreneurs and executives identify their “DNA” (Distinct Natural Ability) and turn it into income.
“I could see you and how you could fit into the script… That’s really what I do with entrepreneurs now.” – Dr. Nicole Roberts Jones
2. Purpose Is Your Power
Nicole emphasizes that purpose is the one thing you never get fired from. Aligning your work with your purpose leads to higher performance and deeper fulfillment.
“When you bless somebody with the thing that you do, they’re gaining—and you’re gaining for God.” – Dr. Nicole Roberts Jones
3. Multiple Streams of Income
She teaches clients to diversify their income by creating products, programs, and services that don’t require their constant presence—what she calls “money while you sleep” or “mailbox money.”
Examples include:
Lawyers creating online courses for clients who can’t afford billable hours.
Gymnasts licensing their training methods and renting out facilities.
“Your comfort zone is where your dreams go to die.” – Dr. Nicole Roberts Jones
“If you are physically tied to the money you make, you’re capping your potential.” – Rushion McDonald
4. Stop Giving Away Your Brilliance
Nicole warns against giving away intellectual property for free. She encourages professionals to recognize the value of their expertise and package it into paid offerings.
“You’re giving away your cookie for free… You have value that people will pay for.” – Dr. Nicole Roberts Jones
5. Create a Methodology
She helps clients build a blueprint for their expertise, turning routines and habits into teachable systems. Her metaphor: “You can’t see the label from inside the jar,” meaning people often overlook their own value.
“It’s really helping someone produce the value that is coming out of you effortlessly.” – Dr. Nicole Roberts Jones
6. Authenticity Is a Business Strategy
Nicole encourages people to embrace their full personality, even if it’s “too much” for some. She believes that being yourself is the key to attracting the right audience and opportunities.
“Stop letting people turn down your light. This is who I am. God made me this way.” – Dr. Nicole Roberts Jones
💬 Memorable Quotes
“Corporate doesn’t need more of corporate.”
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
“Each of us were born to disrupt whatever system we’re called to work in.”
🌟 Impact of the Interview
This episode is a masterclass in personal branding, purpose alignment, and entrepreneurial strategy. Nicole’s energy and clarity make her insights actionable and inspiring, especially for professionals looking to pivot, scale, or rediscover their value.
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.