Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald, interviewed Dr. Farrah Laurent.

A former emergency room nurse turned entrepreneur and career coach, shares her journey from bedside care to building a six-figure business helping new nurses land high-paying jobs and launch their own ventures. The conversation explores nursing as a lucrative and flexible career path, the importance of mindset, and the power of personal branding.

🔑 Key Points 💼 Career Journey & Motivation

• Dr. Laurent was inspired by the TV show Trauma: Life in the E.R. to become an emergency nurse.
• She worked 13 years in ER nursing, including at a Level 1 trauma center in Detroit.
• Transitioned into education and leadership before launching her coaching business.

💰 Nursing as a High-Income Career

• New nurses in cities like NYC and Northern California can earn $100K–$175K starting salaries.
• National average is around $70K, but opportunities vary by region and specialization.
• Nurse anesthetists can earn $200K–$300K+.

“New graduate nurses today… are making baseline at least $100,000, up to $175K.”

🧠 Mindset & Coaching

• Emphasizes abundance mindset over scarcity.
• Coaches nurses on resume writing, interview prep, and personal branding.
• Encourages nurses to invest in themselves through coaching and professional development.

“If I can do it, you can do it too. It all starts with an idea and the mindset.”

📈 Entrepreneurship for Nurses

• Nurses are increasingly turning to consulting, coaching, and telehealth for flexibility.
• Dr. Laurent founded the Nurses Making Money Moves conference and authored a workbook by the same name.
• Organized her first conference in just 10 weeks, attracting 70 nurses from 20 states.

“You’re using your intellectual property—what you already know—to monetize.”

🌍 Diversity & Representation

• Advocates for racial, gender, and linguistic diversity in nursing and leadership.
• Notes that patient outcomes improve when care providers reflect the communities they serve.

“We need more diversity in nursing and nursing leadership to close the gaps in healthcare inequalities.”

💡 Advice for New Nurses

1. Get clear on your goals and ideal work environment.
2. Prepare thoroughly for interviews—don’t wing it.
3. Build a strong LinkedIn presence—95% of recruiters check it.
4. Negotiate: Know your worth, research salaries, and pitch your value.

“Don’t just settle. Go after what you want.”

🚩 Red Flags in Job Offers

• Disorganized interview process
• Unwelcoming management
• High turnover
• Rushed job offers without clarity on responsibilities

📣 Closing Quote

“Nurses are big problem solvers. Find the problem you want to solve and go for it.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Troy Hudson.

A deeply personal and insightful interview with former NBA player and author Troy “T-Hud” Hudson. Here's a breakdown of the key highlights and takeaways:

🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways 1. First-Generation Wealth

• Troy Hudson’s book, First Generation Rich, explores the emotional and financial complexities of being the first in a family to acquire significant wealth.
• He distinguishes between being “rich” (temporary, income-based) and “wealthy” (long-term, legacy-building).

2. From Humble Beginnings to the NBA

• Raised in public housing in Carbondale, Illinois.
• Came from a tight-knit, low-income family where needs were prioritized over wants.
• Basketball became his vehicle to travel, grow, and eventually earn a $36 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2003.

3. The Pressure of Sudden Wealth

• Hudson discusses the mental and emotional toll of being the financial “savior” for family and friends.
• He coined the term “media lock-in” to describe how public knowledge of his contract changed how people treated him.
• Many relationships became transactional, leading to isolation and stress.

4. Financial Lessons & Mistakes

• Worst investment: launching a music label using his own money.
• Learned the importance of using other people’s money (OPM) and having a financial advisor.
• Even with an advisor, he sometimes made impulsive decisions due to youth and pressure.

5. The Athlete’s Dilemma

• Athletes often receive large sums of money at a young age with little financial education.
• Unlike team owners who collaborate, athletes often operate independently, missing opportunities for collective wealth-building.

6. Why He Wrote the Book

• To document his journey and help others—especially future first-generation earners—navigate the emotional and financial challenges of sudden wealth.
• Aims to break generational curses and preserve relationships strained by money.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “Rich is temporary. Wealth is legacy.”
• “It’s lonely at the top—especially when you’re not getting along with family and friends.”
• “We don’t operate like the owners. The owners work together. The athletes don’t.”

📘 About the Book

• Title: First Generation Rich
• Author: Troy Hudson
• Available on: Amazon (Kindle & paperback) and 1GRich.com

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST #AMI

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Yolanda Ragland.

A leading podiatric surgeon specializing in bunion and hammer toe correction. Here are some key highlights and themes from the conversation:

🎙️ Episode Summary

• Host: Rushion McDonald
• Guest: Dr. Yolanda Ragland, founder of Fix Your Feet
• Focus: Foot health, especially for women of color, and the importance of both function and aesthetics in foot surgery.

🦶 Key Topics Discussed

• Dr. Ragland’s Background:

  • Undergraduate at University of Maryland.
  • Research at NIH in dermatology.
  • Medical training at New York College of Podiatric Medicine.
  • Surgical residency affiliated with Weill Cornell Medical College.

• Her Unique Approach:

  • Developed the Tierra Toe™ technique, a cosmetic surgical method for bunions and hammer toes.
  • Emphasizes aesthetic outcomes—scar-free, sandal-ready feet.
  • Special focus on African American women, a demographic often underserved in podiatric care.

• Footwear Advice:

  • Avoid ill-fitting shoes—if it hurts in the store, it’ll hurt outside.
  • Use shoe stretchers at home.
  • High heels are okay in moderation—“wear them like alcohol: responsibly.”
  • Don’t get caught up in shoe sizes—fit is more important than the number.

• Patient Advocacy:

  • Dr. Ragland acts as a doctor, counselor, and advocate.
  • She prioritizes honest consultations, sometimes advising against surgery if unnecessary.
  • Warns against predatory practices in the medical field.

• Product Line:

  • Promotes her Fix Your Feet product line, including treatments for fungal nails.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “Wear your high heels responsibly.”
• “If it hurts in the store, it’s going to hurt outside the store.”
• “I wanted to protect this particular demographic so people would not take advantage of them.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Wednesday, August 13th, 2025: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open - Doing All You Can l | Nephew Tommy's Run That Prank Back - "Paperclips" | Ask The CLO | Entertainment News | Integration | If You Could Go Back To School, What Would You Change? | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Your Wife's Birthday" | Strawberry Letter - "A Major Coverup Is Going On" Parts 1-2 | Tommy Filling In For Junior's Sports Talk | Social Media Advice | Left-Handers Day | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing Remarks

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The episode is a motivational masterclass aimed at empowering individuals—especially entrepreneurs and professionals—to take control of their lives, careers, and personal growth. Rushion McDonald shares personal stories, lessons learned, and actionable advice to help listeners:

• Overcome fear and excuses
• Build a personal brand
• Capitalize on opportunities
• Maintain balance and consistency
• Transition from being a “chicken” to an “eagle” in life

🗝️ Key Takeaways 1. Age Is Not an Excuse

“Don’t let your age be an excuse… There’s no such thing as a perfect life.”
McDonald challenges societal timelines and encourages listeners to pursue their goals regardless of age.

2. Find a Hobby & Prioritize Health

“If you run into life with no hobby, then guess what? It will lead to frustration.”
He shares how baking became his hobby and helped him find balance.

3. Take Vacations & Value Family

“If you’re saying that you don’t have time for vacation, I’m telling you, you are a fool.”
He emphasizes the importance of rest and family time for mental and emotional well-being.

4. Dating & Relationships Matter

“No dating time and no family time are the same problems.”
McDonald discusses how neglecting personal relationships can hinder overall happiness.

5. Capitalize on Opportunities

“IBM gave me a job opportunity to be successful. I wasn’t capitalizing on it.”
He recounts a pivotal moment at IBM where he learned the importance of setting goals and presenting himself professionally.

6. Fear of Formalizing Business

“If you don’t get it in writing, it’s not legitimate.”
He warns against informal business practices and stresses the need for contracts and structure.

7. Build and Market Your Brand

“You are a brand. You are a product. You are a walking, talking product.”
McDonald explains how he branded Steve Harvey like a corporation and how individuals must treat themselves similarly.

8. Chicken vs. Eagle Analogy

“Why would you want to be eating like the chicken when you can soar like an eagle?”
A powerful metaphor contrasting mediocrity (chicken) with excellence and leadership (eagle).

9. Outline Your Plan

“Set a goal. Make that plan. Get to work. Stick to it. Reach that goal.”
He provides a simple 5-step framework for achieving success.

10. Consistency Is Key

“Consistency promotes your brand. Consistency delivers value to your customers.”
McDonald highlights how reliability and standards build trust and success.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “Stop reading success stories and start writing your own.”
• “Retirement is for old people. Social media does not have an age limit.”
• “You don’t want to be a chicken. You want to be something people expect you to be.”
• “Fear of getting your business relationship in writing… If you don’t get it in writing, it’s going to go away.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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

Entrepreneur, Mentor, and Founder of Renew Construction Services & STEM Exposure

🔑 Episode Highlights 🔄 From Incarceration to Inspiration

• Robyn shares her journey from a strict religious upbringing to incarceration due to drug-related activities.
• Served 5 years in prison, where she earned two associate degrees and developed a passion for learning and leadership.

🧹 Building a Business from the Ground Up

• Learned high-level cleaning skills in prison and at Hilton during work release.
• Founded Renew Construction Services, which grew from cleaning trailers to major contracts like:
  • Tampa Convention Center
  • NFL Super Bowl & Kickoff
  • City of Tampa, Moffitt Cancer Center, USF

🏗️ Strategic Growth & Collaboration

• Became a Home Depot distributor.
• Uses collaboration to uplift smaller contractors and scale projects.
• Emphasizes relationship-building and proactive planning over reactive bidding.

👩🏽‍🔬 STEM Exposure Nonprofit

• Founded STEM Exposure to introduce Black girls to underrepresented STEM careers.
• Offers local and global architecture and construction camps.
• Operates in 10 countries and 4 time zones with a focus on AI, engineering, and design.

🏆 Recognition & Legacy

• Honored with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Embraces her past as part of her story, using it to inspire others.
• Celebrates milestones like putting bills on autopay as symbols of stability and peace.

🌐 Websites

• STEM Exposure: stemxposure.org (drop the “e” in “exposure”)
• Renew Construction Services: renewconstructionservices.com

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Tuesday, August 12th, 2025: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open - Doing It Differently | Nephew Tommy's Run That Prank Back - "God Is Not Through With You, But We Are" | Ask The CLO | Found Money| Would You Rather | Being Honest About Your "Number" | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Paperclips" | Strawberry Letter - "My Wet & Wild Older Man" Parts 1-2 | Weirdest Place you've Ever... | Signs Of Wealth | August Blues | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing Remarks

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

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The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Monday, August 11th, 2025: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open - Back To School | The Pastors | Ask The CLO | Entertainment News | Trump On Wokeness | Sista O'Dell | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "God Is Not Through With You, But We Are" | Strawberry Letter - "My Husband & His Life Partner" Parts 1-2 | Tommy Filling In For Junior's Sports Talk | Social Media Advice | Octopus Latches Onto 6-Year-Old | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing Remarks

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.