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

Purpose of the Interview

• To showcase Sharise Nance’s mission in mental health advocacy, entrepreneurship, and workplace wellness.
• To discuss her companies:
  • Hand in Hand Counseling Services – addressing mental health disparities in Black communities.
  • Vitamin C Healing – building trauma-sensitive, wellness-centered workplace cultures.
• To educate on stress, burnout, compassion fatigue, and financial equity in the mental health field.

Key Takeaways

1. Hand in Hand Counseling Services

   • Founded with college roommate Tess Kenny in Pittsburgh.
   • Created a safe space for mental health support in underserved communities.
   • Celebrating 12 years in operation.

2. Breaking Mental Health Stigma

   • Built trust through community presence and transparency.
   • Advocated therapy as normal: “I’m a therapist who has a therapist.”
   • Education on what therapy is and isn’t.

3. Understanding Stress

   • Eustress (positive stress) vs. Distress (overwhelming stress).
   • Physical signs: sweating, rapid heartbeat, tense shoulders, jaw clenching.
   • Stress can lead to depression and anxiety—seek professional help.

4. Impact of COVID-19

   • Isolation amplified mental health issues.
   • Introduced concept of co-regulation—healing through community and connection.

5. Vitamin C Healing

   • Originated from her book Vitamin C Healing for the Mind, Body.
   • Evolved into a brand offering workshops, consultations, and burnout assessments.
   • Focused on helping professionals and leaders prevent compassion fatigue.

6. Financial Equity in Mental Health

   • Advocates for fair pay: “We can care deeply and earn abundantly.”
   • Challenges the mindset that passion work means low income.
   • Encourages professionals to set boundaries and value their expertise.

7. Burnout & Organizational Cost

   • Unaddressed burnout costs companies millions annually.
   • Leads to quiet quitting, low productivity, and high turnover.
   • Investing in wellness saves money and improves culture.

8. Personal Journey

   • Biggest bet: leaving full-time job in 2017 to pursue entrepreneurship.
   • Therapy helped her navigate fear and grief (especially after losing her father).
   • Quote: “Feel the fear and do it anyway.”

Notable Quotes

• “We can care deeply and earn abundantly.”
• “I’m a therapist who has a therapist.”
• “Feel the fear and do it anyway.”
• “We heal when we are in community—it’s hard to heal in isolation.”
• “Compassion fatigue isn’t just a feel-good topic; it costs companies millions.”
• “Betting on myself was the best investment I ever made.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Crystal Victoria.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

The interview aims to:

• Showcase Crystal Victoria’s work in youth entrepreneurship through her nonprofit Target Evolution, Inc.
• Promote the Teen Biz Box, a hands-on business starter kit for kids.
• Inspire parents, educators, and community leaders to support alternative career paths for youth.
• Share Crystal’s personal journey from juvenile detention to becoming an author and entrepreneur.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Empowering Youth Through Entrepreneurship

• Target Evolution trains youth ages 8 to 18 to earn money and gain real-world experience.
• Programs include retail and culinary entrepreneurship, with plans to expand nationally starting in Dallas and Houston.

2. Teen Biz Box: A Practical Solution

• A $100 kit that includes everything a child needs to start a small business.
• Three product options: Friendship Bracelets, Craft Notebooks, and Ceramic Coasters.
• Kids can earn up to \$150–\$200 per box by selling customized products.

3. Alternative Pathways Matter

• Not all kids are tech-focused or college-bound.
• Entrepreneurship teaches soft skills like communication, customer service, and resilience.
• Victoria emphasizes the importance of in-person interaction over purely digital business models.

4. Personal Story of Redemption

• Crystal shares her background of being in and out of juvenile detention.
• Entrepreneurship gave her purpose and a way out of street life.
• Her journey is a testament to the power of second chances and vision-driven leadership.

5. Preparing for the Future of Work

• With AI and automation changing job markets, reskilling and adaptability are key.
• Entrepreneurship offers a mindset shift that prepares youth for career transitions every 3–5 years.

🗣️ Notable Quotes

• On youth entrepreneurship:
  “An app will never replace food and eating. We need programs for culinary and hospitality entrepreneurs.”

• On her personal journey:
  “I didn’t have a Teen Biz Box. I had trouble. But I prayed to God: ‘Give me something to do with this story.’”

• On accessibility:
  “Some kids don’t have bootstraps to pull themselves up. Let’s slide down the ladder and help them climb.”

• On the Teen Biz Box:
  “Before you spend $1,000 on your kid’s business idea, give them a box. If they sell everything, maybe they’re serious.”

• On preparing for the future:
  “Long gone are the days of one career for life. Learning, unlearning, and reskilling is the new normal.”

📦 Teen Biz Box Highlights

• Contents: Product inventory, art supplies, business cards, signage, and educational materials
• Website: TeenBizBox.com
• Target Age: 8–18
• Goal: Teach entrepreneurship, communication, and self-reliance

#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 Rod Griffin.

Senior Director of Public Education and Advocacy at Experian.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To educate listeners on fraud prevention, identity theft, credit management, and financial literacy. The conversation aims to empower individuals—especially those in underserved communities—to take control of their financial health using tools and resources provided by Experian.

🗝️ Key Takeaways 1. Fraud & Identity Theft Awareness

• Identity theft is increasingly sophisticated, often driven by AI.
• Quote: “The currency of today isn’t necessarily cash—it’s information.”

2. Experian’s Role

• Experian is one of the three major credit bureaus.
• Offers tools for fraud detection, identity verification, and credit monitoring.
• Quote: “We help protect people from fraud and identity theft… and help them improve their financial lives.”

3. Understanding Credit Scores

• Credit scores range from 300 to 850, with categories from “Poor” to “Excellent.”
• Key factors: payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, types of credit, and recent activity.
• Quote: “Banks like people who are boring. Just pay the bills on time and keep balances low.”

4. Free Resources

• Free credit reports available weekly via AnnualCreditReport.com.
• Experian offers free monitoring, alerts, and FICO scores.
• Quote: “There’s no real reason to pay for a credit report today.”

5. Establishing & Rebuilding Credit

• Tools like Experian Go and Experian Boost help users build or rebuild credit using non-traditional data (e.g., rent, utilities, streaming services).
• Quote: “You can go from no credit history to having a report and score in the 630 range—in minutes.”

6. Financial Savviness

• Being financially savvy means controlling your money, not letting it control you.
• Use credit cards strategically for rewards and pay balances in full.
• Budgeting and goal-setting are essential.
• Quote: “Start from a goal perspective… What do you want to do in life?”

7. Insurance Savings

• Experian’s auto insurance marketplace helps users compare and save.
• Average savings: ~$800/year.
• Quote: “We’ll monitor for you… and tell you if we find a better rate.”

8. Practical Tips

• Audit monthly bills for hidden charges.
• Use loyalty programs and coupons to save on groceries and gas.
• Quote: “I shop so much I get free food… $6, $8, $9 savings add up.”

🧠 Final Message

Rod Griffin emphasizes that financial literacy is about empowerment. By understanding your credit, using available tools, and setting clear goals, you can take control of your financial future.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.