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

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

The interview serves two main purposes:

1. To reflect on Skip Finley’s historic contributions to Black media and his pivotal role in launching the syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show.
2. To discuss his book, "Willing Captains of Color: America’s First Meritocracy", which chronicles the lives of over 50 Black and Native whaling captains and their overlooked legacy in American history.

🧠 Key Takeaways 1. Historic Black Media Deal

• In 2005, Skip Finley helped orchestrate a landmark media deal entirely conducted by Black executives and talent, including Steve Harvey and Rushion McDonald.
• This led to the creation of the Steve Harvey Morning Show, syndicated from flagship station WBLS in New York.

“To my knowledge, that is the only major media deal that was entirely conducted by Black people.” – Skip Finley

2. Innovative Business Model

• Skip introduced a new syndication model where stations paid licensing fees instead of just offering ad time.
• This model helped fund the show and set a precedent in radio syndication.

“It was the first time the model had ever been used.” – Skip Finley

3. Legacy of Black Whaling Captains

• Skip’s book documents the lives of 52 confirmed Black and Native American whaling captains, many of whom operated before the Civil War.
• These men led crews on dangerous, years-long voyages and were respected for their skill, not judged by their race.

“These men lived Martin Luther King’s future dream.” – Skip Finley
“Nobody cared who the captain was if they could bring the whale ship home with a full haul.”

4. Whaling as America’s First Meritocracy

• Whaling was a brutal but lucrative industry, and captains were chosen based on ability, not race.
• The captains mapped oceans, discovered islands, and brought back whale oil that powered the Industrial Revolution.

“Whaling was almost identically the model of venture capital today.” – Skip Finley

5. Life at Sea Was Grueling

• Voyages lasted 3–4 years, sometimes up to 11.
• Crews lived in cramped quarters, battled whales in small boats, and endured horrific conditions including roaches, bedbugs, and washing clothes in urine.

“Your space was roughly the size of a backseat of an SUV for 3 or 4 years.” – Skip Finley

6. Hidden Figures of Maritime History

• Many of these captains were never recognized in history books.
• Skip’s research relied on seamen’s protection papers, which acted like passports and documented race and identity.

“I was astounded to find these guys… It’s one of those Hidden Figures stories.” – Skip Finley

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “A slave is not an American. A West Indian is not American. But they are Black.”
• “They could flog a white man on a whale ship who they couldn’t look in the eye in South Carolina.”
• “Whale watching is now a bigger business than whale killing ever was.”

📚 About the Book

Title: Willing Captains of Color: America’s First Meritocracy
Focus: The untold stories of Black and Native whaling captains who defied racial norms and led crews across the globe.
Impact: Reframes American history by highlighting a merit-based system where skill and leadership triumphed over racial prejudice.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

A licensed clinical social worker and founder of Fit Life Wellness. Here's a comprehensive summary of the episode:

🎙️ Guest: Moniek Garside

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Georgia, Colorado, Illinois, South Carolina, and Minnesota.
• Founder of Fit Life Wellness, a private mental health and wellness practice.
• Author of the guided journal I Can, I Will.

🧠 Key Topics Discussed 🧘‍♀️ What Therapy Really Is

• Therapy is not just “talking on a couch”—it’s a safe space for vulnerability, healing, and personal growth.
• It involves unpacking emotional challenges, not just surface-level advice.

🔄 Life Transitions

• Includes shifts like:
  • Moving from corporate to entrepreneurship
  • Divorce or children leaving home
  • Personal reinvention
• Therapy helps individuals navigate uncertainty and redefine stability.

🧑‍💼 Mental Health for Entrepreneurs

• Entrepreneurs often neglect self-care in pursuit of success.
• Therapy helps them prioritize balance, manage burnout, and maintain mental clarity.
• Moniek emphasizes the importance of processing emotions and having a support system.

📘 About the Book: I Can, I Will

• A 30-day guided journal with weekly themes and daily prompts.
• Designed to help individuals:
  • Reflect on their emotions
  • Reset their mindset
  • Overcome depression, anxiety, and life transitions
• Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and MoniekGarside.com

🧩 Common Mental Health Misconceptions

• Mental health is often oversimplified or trivialized on social media.
• Terms like “anxiety” and “boundaries” are used without understanding.
• Real healing requires professional guidance, not just affirmations or apps.

🧍‍♀️ Moniek’s Personal Journey

• Originally a nursing major, she transitioned to social work after realizing her passion was emotional care.
• She created Fit Life Wellness to have autonomy in how she supports clients.
• She is both a therapist and a therapy client—emphasizing the importance of self-work.

🧠 Mental Health Red Flags

• Depression: Irritability, isolation, loss of interest, low motivation.
• Anxiety: Racing thoughts, physical symptoms (e.g., heart palpitations), constant worry.

🧰 Therapy vs. Technology

• Apps and AI tools can supplement mental health care (e.g., affirmations, breathing exercises).
• But they cannot replace the human connection and insight of a trained therapist.

🌐 Connect with Moniek Garside

• Website: MoniekGarside.com
• Practice: Fit Life Wellness
• Services: Virtual therapy, clinical supervision, mental health resources

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Taia Rashid and Daphne Carter.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To highlight the entrepreneurial journey of Taia Rashid and Daphne Carter, co-founders of Cassie Beverage, a premium vodka-based drink brand. The interview explores their inspiration, challenges as Black women in a male-dominated liquor industry, and their commitment to quality and authenticity.

🧠 Key Takeaways 1. Founders’ Background & Bond

• Taia and Daphne met as dance moms in Houston, Texas.
• Their friendship grew through shared experiences at dance competitions.
• Their cocktail-making hobby evolved into a business idea.

2. Cassie Beverage Origins

• Inspired by family traditions involving alcohol (moonshine and wine coolers).
• The brand name “Cassie” is a blend of their last names.
• Their products include Daphne Limoncello and Daphne Berrycello.

3. Business Launch & Support

• The idea was sparked during a trip to the Amalfi Coast.
• Their husbands, both entrepreneurs, helped launch the business and provided initial capital.
• They entered a white male-dominated industry with determination and humility, seeking mentorship and doing extensive research.

4. Commitment to Quality

• Their drinks use natural ingredients like fresh lemon juice and cane sugar.
• They resisted pressure to use cheaper alternatives like concentrates or preservatives.
• Their goal: create a premium product they’re proud to consume themselves.

5. Challenges in the Liquor Industry

• High startup costs and tight margins.
• Strategic decisions around packaging, pricing, and market positioning.
• Balancing premium quality with affordability for consumers.

6. Academic & Professional Backgrounds

• Daphne: Advanced degrees in chemistry and mathematics; former charter school executive and state superintendent.
• Taia: Degree in chemical engineering; worked for Frito-Lay and later became a stay-at-home mom.

7. Empowerment & Representation

• They emphasized the importance of supporting women, especially in non-traditional roles like bartending and mixology.
• Encouraged others to pivot careers and pursue passions regardless of societal expectations.
• Advocated for creating space at the table when none is offered.

8. Community Impact

• A caller shared how the interview inspired her to support her daughter’s bartending career.
• The founders responded with encouragement and emphasized redefining success beyond traditional roles.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “We found the perfect cocktail—the cure was liquor. A cup of joy.”
• “We wanted something of quality that we could stand proud of.”
• “If there’s no room at the table, bring a folding chair.”
• “Your degrees give you soft skills—you can pivot and do whatever you want.”
• “We’re winning because we’re doing something we love, even with the struggles.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.