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 Monica Cornitcher.
Entrepreneurial journey, the inspiration behind Medase Cocktails, and the realities of launching, funding, and scaling a premium nonalcoholic spirits brand in a highly competitive market.
Purpose of the Conversation
The purpose of the episode is to:
Educate aspiring entrepreneurs on how to build a differentiated consumer brand
Demonstrate the importance of storytelling, market clarity, and operational discipline
Highlight the growth of the nonalcoholic / zero‑proof beverage movement
Inspire founders—especially founders of color—to own their niche, seek capital strategically, and scale intentionally.
Key Takeaways 1. Business Built from Personal Need and Purpose
Medase Cocktails was co‑founded by Monica and her lifelong friend during her friend’s battle with breast cancer, a time when alcohol was no longer an option—but celebration still mattered.
The brand was created to allow people to celebrate authentically without alcohol
It carries emotional depth rooted in friendship, gratitude, and loss
Monica continues the mission after her co‑founder passed away in 2024
Lesson: Purpose-driven businesses create deeper emotional connection and long-term brand equity.
2. Differentiation Is Everything
Monica deliberately rejected the “sparkling water with flavor” model common in nonalcoholic drinks.
Her differentiators include:
Authentic cocktail taste (Old Fashioned, Margarita, Moscow Mule)
Organic juices, not artificial flavors
Bold packaging that stands out on shelves
Drinks designed to smell, taste, and feel like real cocktails
Lesson: Competing on authenticity—not cost—is how you carve out market share in crowded spaces.
3. Brand Names and Stories Matter
The name “Medase” means “thank you” and reflects gratitude, friendship, and emotional support.
Monica emphasizes:
Every flavor name, color, and product decision has a story
A strong brand narrative creates curiosity, loyalty, and investor interest
Lesson: People invest in brands they feel—emotionally, not just intellectually.
4. Venture Capital Is Not Just About Numbers
While financials matter, Monica stresses that VCs also invest in founders and stories.
What helped her secure venture capital:
A compelling personal story
Relevant founder skill sets (M&A, law, operations)
Clear understanding of the market opportunity
Lesson: Early-stage funding often depends on who you are and why you’re building, not just revenue.
5. Research, Planning, and Discipline Before Launch
Unlike many food startups, Medase did not begin in a kitchen.
They:
Conducted a feasibility study
Built a formal business plan
Worked with a Black female food scientist
Set strict personal funding limits before seeking capital
Lesson: Preparation reduces risk and builds long-term sustainability.
6. Scaling Requires Operational Maturity
As sales increased—especially on Amazon—Monica emphasized the need to move from “hustle mode” to operational excellence.
Key scaling principles:
Understand unit economics
Track ROI for events and activations
Adjust pricing as volume increases
Build strategy across marketing, operations, and distribution
Lesson: Hustle starts the business; operations grow it.
7. Niche First, Expansion Later
Medase does not try to be “everything to everyone.”
Core customers include:
People seeking a break from alcohol
Health-conscious consumers
Black men looking for alcohol replacements
Consumers wanting cocktail taste without hangovers
Lesson: Strong niches create loyal advocates who fuel organic growth.
8. Smart Distribution Strategy
Rather than rushing into retail, Monica prioritized direct-to-consumer channels:
Amazon (top-performing channel)
Brand website
TikTok Shop
Only after 6–7 months of traction did retail expansion become viable.
Lesson: Control your margins and demand before entering expensive retail environments.
Memorable Quotes
“I wanted an authentic cocktail without compromise.”
“Everything we do has a story behind it.”
“Sometimes it’s not about the financials—it’s about the founder and the story.”
“Don’t be everything to everybody. Find your market and stick with your market.”
“Hustle starts the business, but operations give you scale.”
“If it tastes too much like alcohol and you gave me a one-star review—thank you. That means I did my job.”
Overall Message
This episode is a real-world entrepreneurial blueprint showing how clarity of vision, emotional authenticity, disciplined planning, and niche focus can turn a personal idea into a scalable national brand.
Monica Cornitcher exemplifies the modern founder:
visionary, data-aware, emotionally intelligent, and unapologetically authentic.
#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 Dr. George C. Fraser.
Interview Purpose
The purpose of this interview is to educate, challenge, and mobilize listeners—particularly within the Black community—toward financial literacy, economic empowerment, and generational wealth creation. Dr. Fraser uses his platform to stress that financial freedom is not accidental; it is the result of disciplined habits, strategic thinking, and collective economic action. He also emphasizes the critical role of networking, education, and ownership in shifting long‑standing economic disparities.
Core Themes Discussed 1. Financial Literacy as a Survival Skill
Dr. Fraser repeatedly emphasizes that financial illiteracy is dangerous and self‑defeating. He notes that many people are never formally taught how money works, leading to avoidable financial hardship. He argues that talking openly about money—in families, churches, and communities—is essential for progress.
2. The Three Rules of Financial Freedom
Dr. Fraser outlines three foundational rules that, if consistently followed, lead to financial stability and independence:
Housing costs should not exceed one week’s income
Only borrow money to make money
As income increases, cost of living should stay the same or decrease
These rules are positioned as practical guardrails that protect individuals from overextension and debt traps.
3. Habits That Keep People Broke
The interview details six destructive financial habits, including impulse buying, misuse of credit cards, paying minimum balances, and failing to build an emergency fund. Dr. Fraser stresses that these habits compound over time and prevent long‑term wealth accumulation.txt).
4. Generational Wealth Requires Structure
Dr. Fraser introduces four pillars necessary for intergenerational wealth transfer:
Proper management of accumulated wealth
Real estate ownership
Business ownership
Intentional investing
He explains that income alone does not create wealth; systems and ownership do.txt).
5. From Consumption to Ownership
A recurring message is the need to shift from being a consumer class to becoming a producer and merchant class. Dr. Fraser encourages entrepreneurship at every level—no matter how small—to build ownership and control economic outcomes.txt).
6. Networking and Collective Economics
Dr. Fraser highlights the importance of strategic networking and introduces concepts behind FraserNet and virtual economic ecosystems designed to connect Black professionals, businesses, and intellectual capital globally. He frames networking as an economic strategy, not a social activity.
Key Takeaways
Financial freedom follows rules, discipline, and education, not luck
Talking openly about money is essential to breaking cycles of poverty
Debt should only be used as a tool to produce returns
Living below one’s means creates capital for investing
Generational wealth requires planning, ownership, and systems
Multiple income streams are no longer optional—they are necessary
Networking is a vehicle for wealth creation and scale

Notable Quotes
“Your rent or mortgage should be no more than what you make in a week.”
“Only borrow money to make money.”.
“As your income increases, your cost of living should decrease or stay the same.”.
“Stop living above your means. Stop living within your means. Live below your means—and invest the rest.”.
“We are at the bottom of every economic statistic that matters. Education is the answer.”.
“There should not be a Black person in America with a single stream of income.”
“In America, somebody is always buying and somebody is always selling. Stop doing all the buying—sell something.”.
Conclusion
Dr. George C. Fraser’s interview serves as a call to action. It challenges listeners to confront unhealthy financial habits, embrace education, prioritize ownership, and build networks that support long‑term economic empowerment. The conversation underscores that true wealth is not about income alone, but about control, discipline, and legacy
#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 Rhonda Spratt.
Founder of Bella Luv, a Georgia‑based nonprofit (referred to in the transcript as Ghost Pink / Bella Luv) dedicated to year‑round breast cancer awareness, early detection advocacy, and compassionate support for women undergoing treatment. Inspired by her mother’s experience and eventual passing from metastatic breast cancer, Spratt explains her mission to move beyond October awareness campaigns and create continuous impact through education, community engagement, and personalized care boxes for women in active treatment.
The conversation touches on her personal grief journey, her motivations, the work required to run a nonprofit, her practices for emotional balance, and her vision to normalize year‑round breast cancer education.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview 1. To Share Rhonda Spratt’s Motivation for Founding Bella Luv
Her mother's breast cancer journey—early detection success followed by recurrence due to lack of ongoing screenings—motivated her to create a nonprofit that centers early detection and support.
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2. To Educate Listeners About the Realities of Breast Cancer
She discusses stages, recurrence, survival rates, and the importance of consistent mammograms beyond October.
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3. To Promote Year‑Round Awareness and Action
Spratt stresses that breast cancer does not “take a break” and that communities must stop limiting education and advocacy to Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
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4. To Highlight the Work and Impact of Her Nonprofit
Bella Luv has supported 76+ women nationwide with tailored care boxes that meet their personal treatment needs.
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5. To Inspire Others to Balance Purpose, Grief, Community Work, and Personal Wellness
She shares how golf, yoga, and intentional self‑care allow her to manage emotional weight while serving others.
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📌 Key Takeaways 1. Early Detection Saves Lives
Breast cancer’s 5‑year survival rate is 99% with early detection.
Rhonda’s mother survived over 10 years after her first early diagnosis but passed when the cancer returned aggressively and was not caught in time.
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2. Breast Cancer Awareness Should Be Year‑Round
October provides visibility, but many women are diagnosed in every month.
Limiting awareness to one month creates desensitization, not education.
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3. Bella Luv Provides Tailored Support for Women in Treatment
Care boxes include mastectomy bras, aluminum‑free deodorant, skincare, ginger tea for chemo nausea, journals, and motivational items.
Boxes are customized based on the woman’s stage, treatment, and needs.
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4. Running a Nonprofit Requires Community, Consistency & Help
Spratt initially did everything alone and highlights the importance of partnerships, sponsors, and consistent supporters.
Sustainably operating a nonprofit goes far beyond obtaining 501(c)(3) status.
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5. Emotional Balance Is Essential
Supporting women “fighting for their lives” is heavy work.
Spratt uses yoga 3‑4 times per week and golf for mental balance and rejuvenation.
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6. Nationwide Impact From a Georgia Base
Bella Luv has sent care boxes to women across the U.S., including Colorado and Houston.
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7. Personal Loss Transformed Into Purpose
Spratt honors her mother without living in grief, finding healing in helping others.
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💬 Notable Quotes (from the transcript) On early detection
“If you detect breast cancer early, the five‑year survival rate is 99%.”
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On her mother’s recurrence
“She didn’t schedule a mammogram… she was distracted, caught up with life instead of making her health a priority.”
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On year‑round awareness
“Breast cancer doesn’t wait until October to be diagnosed. Women are diagnosed every day.”
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On founding her nonprofit
“I wanted to be more hands‑on… intentionally gift women with items they need as they’re going through breast cancer.”
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On emotional healing
“It is very healing… I get joy from helping other women as they’re going through their healing journey.”
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On running a nonprofit
“You have to ask for help… in the beginning I was a one‑woman show.”
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On women’s identity and mastectomy
“It’s like losing a part of yourself… you feel like a part of your womanhood has been taken away.”
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On faith and purpose
“Faith is definitely driving this… I felt a strong call that I needed to step up and do more.”
.txt)
#STRAW #SHMS #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. Yolanda “Yo-Yo” Whitaker.
SUMMARY OF THE INTERVIEW
In this interview on Money Making Conversations Master Class, host Rushion McDonald speaks with Dr. Yolanda “Yo-Yo” Whitaker—Grammy‑nominated rapper, actress, radio host, philanthropist, and now the star of Downright Delicious with Yo-Yo, a cooking series on AspireTV.
The conversation moves through Yo‑Yo’s evolution as an artist and entrepreneur, her spiritual and personal transformation, her love for food and cooking, and the creation of her television cooking show. She reflects on surviving and thriving in an unpredictable entertainment industry, learning discipline, overcoming fear, and discovering new purpose later in life through cooking.
Yo‑Yo also shares her philosophy on authenticity, family, and faith. She describes how the pandemic deepened her love for cooking, how her show blends food + family + culture, and offers practical cooking tips.
PURPOSE OF THE INTERVIEW
According to the interview content, the purpose is to:
Highlight Yo‑Yo’s transition from iconic hip‑hop entertainer to food‑focused TV personality.
Promote her Aspire TV series “Downright Delicious with Yo‑Yo.”
Share insights on career longevity, entrepreneurship, reinvention, and personal growth.
Inspire listeners with actionable advice on fearlessness, budgeting, confidence, and purpose‑driven living.
Celebrate cooking as an expression of love, culture, peace, and family connection.
KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. Reinvention Requires Honesty & Letting Go
Yo‑Yo stresses that overcoming fear came from “getting real” with herself, abandoning trying to look successful, and restructuring her finances and lifestyle.
She had to “let the old me die so the money could grow.”
2. Entrepreneurship Is a Lifelong Reality for Artists
She and McDonald emphasize that entertainers are entrepreneurs, without the stability of 40‑hour jobs, making resilience essential.
3. Purpose Matters More Than Fame
She encourages people to seek purpose—not just fame or quick money—and do the work that builds confidence and personal foundation.
4. Cooking Became Her “Happy Place” and Divine Gift
Yo‑Yo says cooking is a God‑given gift and a therapeutic practice that began thriving during the pandemic.
It helped her through depression and opened new creative fulfillment.
5. Her Cooking Show Blends Food + Family + Culture
The show features:
Her mother
Her partner
Her kids
Celebrity friends
Authentic cultural dishes with her unique twist
It’s not guest‑driven; it’s family‑driven storytelling in the kitchen.
6. Technique & Tools Matter
She emphasizes:
Good knives (sharpen weekly)
Quality pots
Measuring ingredients
Understanding seasonings
Building confidence by cooking regularly
7. Simplicity + Love = Great Food
According to Yo‑Yo, love is the secret ingredient, and cooking is about joy, connection, and comfort, not rigid perfection. [
NOTABLE QUOTES FROM THE INTERVIEW
(All quotes drawn exactly or near‑exactly from the transcript.
) [
On Fear and Growth
“I had to let the old me die so that the money could grow.”
“What I did to overcome my fear was to call myself fearless.”
“You have to get real with yourself. You really have to do the work.”
On Purpose and Success
“If you don’t find your purpose, you’re just job hunting.”
“God told me, because of your obedience, I’m going to give you the desires of your heart.”
On Cooking
“Cooking is my happy place.”
“I’m not a chef—I just love to cook.”
“If you don’t love what you cook, we don’t want to taste it.”
On Family
“More than serving a meal, I’m serving family.”
“When mama’s in the house and they can smell food cooking… that’s everything.”
On Her Show
“You get to see Dr. Yolanda ‘Yo‑Yo’ Whitaker for the first time.”
“I only cook things I love—things I’m comfortable with.”
“The food is the star.”
On Technique
“Great knives will save your life.”
“If you use your knives a lot, sharpen them every week.”
On Pandemic Transformation
“I started really cooking during the pandemic… it took me out of my depression.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
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