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 Jocelyn Pearson.

Purpose of the Interview

The interview on Money Making Conversations Masterclass with Rushion McDonald and Jocelyn Pearson aimed to:

• Share Jocelyn’s journey of graduating debt-free by securing $126,350 in scholarships.
• Educate families on how to avoid student loan debt through her proven system, The Scholarship System.
• Dispel myths about scholarships and provide actionable steps for parents and students.

Key Takeaways

1. Scholarship System Approach

   • Jocelyn developed a six-step process to simplify scholarship applications and avoid overwhelm.
   • Focus on breaking the process into small, manageable steps rather than a vague “go get money” directive.

2. Common Myths Debunked

   • Too early or too late to apply: Start by junior year; it’s never too late—even college seniors can apply.
   • Only perfect students or low-income families qualify: Many scholarships don’t require high GPA or athletic ability.
   • All good scholarships are gone: Smaller, local scholarships ($500–$5,000) add up over time.
   • It takes too much time: With a system and reusable materials, effort decreases each year.

3. Avoiding Scholarship Scams

   • Beware of “easy,” “enter to win,” or sweepstakes-style scholarships—they often sell personal data.
   • Real scholarships require effort and personalization.

4. Role of Parents

   • Parents should help with planning and identifying legitimate scholarships but not complete applications for students.
   • Committees can detect when parents write essays.

5. AI in Scholarship Applications

   • Jocelyn warns against copy-pasting AI-generated essays.
   • Her platform introduced TESS, an AI assistant for ethical guidance and support.

6. Financial Aid Basics

   • Submit FAFSA even if you think you won’t qualify; some colleges and states require it.
   • Combine all sources—government aid, institutional aid, and private scholarships.

7. For Current College Students

   • Check with financial aid offices, academic departments, and organizations for scholarships available after freshman year.

8. Entrepreneurial Journey

   • Jocelyn turned her passion into a business by starting with a book, building an email list, and launching webinars.
   • She emphasizes persistence and ignoring naysayers.

Notable Quotes

• “I had to accumulate my way to getting college paid for—the mere mortals’ way to going to college without tons of debt.”
• “Most families want scholarships, but they get stuck in the overwhelm.”
• “There’s no big red easy button—but with clear steps, it feels less daunting.”
• “We’re saying no to the broken system… It takes, on average, 21 years to pay off student loans.”
• “With great power comes great responsibility—AI can help, but only if used ethically.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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. Stephanie Wall.

Purpose of the Interview

• To share Dr. Wall’s expertise as a neuroscience coach, criminal justice professor, author, and mentor.
• To discuss her mission through 1 Million Lives Transform, a global movement helping women unmute their voices and lead with authenticity and confidence.
• To provide actionable strategies for overcoming self-doubt, fear, and imposter syndrome in professional and personal settings.

Key Takeaways

1. Background and Roles

   • Served 20 years in law enforcement and continues teaching criminal justice and ethical leadership.
   • Founder of 1 Million Lives Transform, focused on empowering women to reclaim their voices.

2. Unmuting Your Voice

   • Many professionals mute themselves due to fear, lack of confidence, or imposter syndrome.
   • Techniques:
     • Awareness: Recognize when you’re silencing yourself.
     • Pause and breathe before responding.
     • Stand up when speaking in meetings to command attention and project confidence.
     • Use phrases like “I’d like to build on that point” to engage respectfully.

3. Mindset and Fear

   • What you tell yourself matters more than external criticism.
   • Replace negative self-talk with affirmations and surround yourself with positive influences.
   • Neuroscience supports that repeated positive input rewires thought patterns.

4. Boundaries and Time Management

   • Learn to say “No” as a complete sentence.
   • Set boundaries for phone calls and social interactions to protect productivity.
   • Busy professionals should establish communication rules (e.g., “Do you have a minute?”).

5. Authenticity and Leadership

   • Authenticity is key—embrace your natural gifts and use them to transform spaces.
   • Leadership requires mindset shifts when moving from peer to manager roles.
   • Mentorship should be intentional and specific, not generic (“pick your brain” requests need structure).

6. 1 Million Lives Transform

   • A movement to help women rewrite their narratives, reclaim confidence, and lead boldly.
   • Focus on self-awareness, boundaries, and empowerment strategies.

Notable Quotes

• “Notice in that moment that you are muting yourself.”
• “Stand up when you speak—you command the room.”
• “No is a complete sentence.”
• “Our gifts are not for us; they are for other people.”
• “What you say to yourself does more damage than anything anyone else could say.”
• “Authenticity isn’t lip service—it’s showing up as who you truly are.”
• “Boundaries are not selfish; they are necessary.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.