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

Purpose of the Interview

The interview aims to introduce Teresa Edwards’ book The Mirror Method: 12 Weeks to Stop Abandoning Yourself, a guided workbook designed to help individuals overcome people-pleasing tendencies, set boundaries, and prioritize their own needs without guilt. It focuses on personal empowerment, mental health, and rediscovering one’s authentic self.

Key Takeaways

1. People-Pleasing and Boundaries

   • People-pleasing becomes harmful when you agree to things you don’t want to do, leading to stress and resentment.
   • Setting boundaries is essential for self-respect and mental health.

2. The Mirror Method

   • A 12-week guided process to “unravel” harmful patterns and rediscover your true self.
   • Emphasizes self-reflection, journaling, and gradual transformation at your own pace.

3. Selfishness vs. Self-Care

   • Edwards reframes “selfish” as a positive concept: prioritizing your health and happiness is necessary, not negative.
   • You can’t be your best for others if you’re not your best for yourself.

4. Health as a Wake-Up Call

   • Stress is a silent killer; Teresa’s own health issues (high blood pressure) forced her to reevaluate her life.
   • Happiness and well-being should not be age-limited—“You’re never too old to return to yourself.”

5. Letting Go of Toxic Relationships

   • Users often exploit people-pleasers; recognizing and removing such relationships is crucial.
   • Fully committing to the Mirror Method means accepting hard truths and being okay with losing people who drain you.

6. Therapy and Mental Health

   • COVID accelerated acceptance of therapy in communities where it was previously stigmatized.
   • Mental health is as important as physical health—“The mind is a muscle too.”

7. Workbook Details

   • Available on Amazon and at themirrormethodworkbook.com in print and downloadable formats.
   • Exercises involve writing and self-reflection to confront truths and break patterns.

Notable Quotes

• “Boundaries are key.”
• “Selfish is not a negative word—it’s perseverance of yourself.”
• “You can’t throw a party and be mad at your own party.”
• “Enough is enough—look in the mirror and say it.”
• “You’re never too old to return to yourself.”
• “Stress is that silent killer.”
• “Fully commit means accepting all those good, bad, or ugly moments—and being okay with letting go.”
• “The mind is a muscle too.”
• “Be okay with being okay.”

#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 Katrina Fitten.

Purpose of the Interview

The interview aims to educate entrepreneurs—especially women business owners—on how to secure funding responsibly, avoid scams, and develop a strategic financial plan. It also highlights Katrina Fitten’s expertise as CEO/CFO of New Day for You Financial and her mission to help startups and small businesses access capital.

Key Takeaways

1. Funding Opportunities & Qualifications

   • Katrina helps women business owners secure up to $100,000 in 100 days or less, with same-day approval and next-day funding.
   • Basic qualifications include:
     • Credit score of 680+
     • Existing credit lines (at least $10,000)
     • A clear business mission and low-risk profile.

2. Avoiding Scams

   • Beware of unsolicited emails/texts promising easy money.
   • Do your homework:
     • Check companies on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
     • Look for testimonials and partnerships with reputable banks (e.g., Chase, American Express).
   • Never share sensitive information without verifying legitimacy.

3. Importance of a Business Plan

   • Funding is not free money—you need a strategic plan.
   • Katrina calls it a “money mission”: know exactly how funds will be deployed.
   • Without a plan, money disappears quickly, leading to debt and bad credit.

4. Family & Friends Lending

   • Treat personal loans like business loans:
     • Have written agreements with terms, repayment schedule, and penalties.
     • Decide upfront if it’s a gift or a loan.

5. Services Offered by New Day for You Financial

   • SBA loans, equipment loans, purchase order financing.
   • Lines of credit and 0% interest credit cards (18–21 months).
   • Credit card stacking for higher funding amounts.
   • Credit restoration referrals for those with poor credit.

6. Success Story

   • Example: A tax accountant secured $160,000 in less than a week due to strong credit, revenue history, and a solid business plan.

Notable Quotes

• “If you don’t have a plan for your money, your money will have a plan—and you’ll look up and it’s gone.”
• “We don’t want to be out here racking up good debt and then you’re not going to be responsible.”
• “You have to vet companies. Go to BBB, Google them, and check their credibility.”
• “If I give you money, I decide—is it a gift or a loan? There are rules to borrowing money.”
• “We say if you don’t get anything, we don’t get paid.”

#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 Shelli-Ann McKenzie.

Purpose of the Interview

The interview focuses on advocating for healthcare professionals, addressing the challenges they face, and introducing Shelli-Ann McKenzie’s nonprofit organization, Help for Healthcare Professionals (HCPP). The goal is to highlight burnout, financial struggles, and systemic issues in healthcare while promoting programs that support mental wellness, financial literacy, and career development.

Key Takeaways

1. Healthcare Workforce Challenges

   • Nurses and healthcare professionals face high stress, burnout, and long hours, leading to workforce shortages.
   • Many professionals struggle financially—24% live in poverty.
   • Lack of professors in nursing schools limits the number of students entering the profession.

2. Understanding Nursing Roles

   • Nursing includes multiple levels:
     • Registered Nurse (RN): Associate or bachelor’s degree.
     • Advanced Practice Nurses: Master’s level (e.g., Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator).
     • Doctorate Level: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or PhD.
   • Nurse practitioners often function as an extension of physicians, providing quality care.

3. Respect and Recognition

   • Nurses provide more direct care than any other health profession but often lack recognition.
   • Advocacy is key to ensuring nurses can practice at the highest level and improve access to care.

4. Why HCPP Was Founded

   • Born out of COVID-19 crisis and Shelli-Ann’s personal experience with burnout.
   • Mission: Provide mental health referrals, financial assistance (gift cards, gas), and professional development.
   • Programs include:
     • Financial literacy workshops
     • Entrepreneurship training for healthcare professionals
     • Scholarships and internships for aspiring professionals

5. Youth Med Program

   • Targets ages 13–20 to build a healthcare workforce pipeline.
   • Offers hands-on training, CPR certification, exposure to neurosurgeons, and mentorship.
   • Tuition-free and designed to scale nationally.

6. Funding and Community Support

   • HCPP is a nurse-owned nonprofit, funded by federal grants and donations.
   • Annual event: Night of Grand and Gratitude—a charity awards dinner to raise funds for programs.

Notable Quotes

• “No one else was coming to save us—so I created HCPP.”
• “24% of healthcare professionals live in poverty.”
• “If we don’t have enough professors, we cap nursing students—it’s cyclical.”
• “The most rewarding part of nursing is showing up for people in their most vulnerable moments.”
• “Every dollar we raise fuels education programs like Youth Med—strategic investment in the future of healthcare.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.