Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Amy DuBois Barnett.

📝 Summary of the Interview

Amy DuBois Barnett, a trailblazing media executive and author, joined Rushion McDonald to discuss her career, her upcoming debut novel If I Ruled the World, and her insights on success, authenticity, and navigating the evolving media landscape. The conversation covered her historic role as the first Black woman to helm a major mainstream U.S. magazine, her experiences in media and publishing, the importance of Black voices, and her journey toward becoming a novelist.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Career Milestones & Legacy

• Amy made history as the first Black woman editor-in-chief of a major mainstream U.S. magazine (Teen People).
• She held leadership roles at Harper’s Bazaar, Ebony, Honey Magazine, and digital platforms like BET and The Grio.
• Her editorial style focused on humanizing success, sharing personal stories and lessons rather than just promoting content.

2. New Novel: If I Ruled the World

• Set in late 1990s/early 2000s New York, the novel follows Nikki, a woman navigating the fashion and music magazine world.
• Themes include misogyny in hip hop, professional ambition, friendship, and self-discovery.
• The title is inspired by the Nas and Lauryn Hill song, and Lauryn Hill was the first cover of Honey Magazine under Amy’s leadership.
• Amy envisions the novel as a TV series, and is actively working toward that goal.

3. Importance of Preorders

• Preorders are critical for debut novelists to hit bestseller lists.
• All preorders count toward first-week sales, which are essential for making lists like the New York Times Bestseller.

4. Authenticity & Black Media

• Amy emphasized the need for authentic Black voices in media, especially in today’s political climate.
• She praised independent platforms and figures like Roland Martin, Joy Reid, and Don Lemon for maintaining integrity.

5. Success Principles

• Success requires more than talent—it’s about energy, attitude, collaboration, and kindness.
• She highlighted the importance of networking through genuine relationships, not just transactional exchanges.
• Believing in oneself is essential: “The universe will not give you an opportunity that you don’t think you deserve.”

6. Pivoting & Resilience

• Amy’s career involved multiple pivots—from finance to fashion to media.
• She stressed the importance of recognizing when to pivot and manifesting goals through vision and hard work.

7. Print vs. Digital Media

• Print magazines offer permanence and thoughtful journalism, while digital media provides speed and volume.
• She misses the visual artistry of print, like cover shoots and fashion spreads.

8. Personal Notes

• Amy’s son is a music producer and DJ, studying at Drexel University.
• Rushion and Amy have a long-standing friendship dating back to 2012, when she was at Ebony and he was producing the Steve Harvey show.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “You have to believe that you deserve all of the opportunity.”
• “Networking is not about handing out business cards. It’s about building relationships.”
• “Magazines have a permanence that made you incredibly careful.”
• “I’m manifesting big things.”
• “We are out here flawed and just trying to find success, love, and fulfillment like everyone else.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Latrease Price-Gistard.

Purpose of the Interview

The interview aims to educate listeners on the mortgage industry, highlight the role and benefits of working with an independent mortgage broker, and provide practical advice on home financing options, credit challenges, and programs that support homeownership. It also shares Latrease’s entrepreneurial journey and lessons learned.

Key Takeaways

1. Background and Career Path

   • Latrease has a finance degree and started in investment operations in 1999.
   • Transitioned from auto financing and co-owning a car dealership to mortgage lending.
   • Became an independent mortgage broker in 2022 after being laid off during rising interest rates.

2. Role of an Independent Mortgage Broker

   • Holds her own license and partners with multiple lenders to offer tailored loan products.
   • Advocates for borrowers to ensure they get the right product, not just approval.
   • Specializes in helping first-time buyers, self-employed individuals, and those with unique challenges.

3. Home Financing Insights

   • Reverse Mortgages: Typically for seniors 62+, often used by those 75+ with equity and limited retirement funds. Provides tax-free cash without monthly payments; debt settled upon sale or refinance.
   • Zero Down Payment Programs: Offers up to 3% for down payment, attached to the mortgage; other programs provide up to 5% for down payment and closing costs.
   • FHA 203K Program: Allows buyers to finance home purchase and renovations in one loan—ideal for fixer-uppers.

4. Credit Challenges

   • Programs exist for credit scores as low as 500, but require higher down payments (10–20%) and result in higher interest rates.
   • Latrease consults and provides “what-if” scenarios to help clients improve credit over time.

5. Entrepreneurial Lessons

   • Mistakes: Starting without enough capital and a strong pipeline; economic timing matters.
   • Advice: Build capital, secure a solid client pipeline, and understand market conditions before going independent.

Notable Quotes

• On independence:
  “As a broker, you serve as that advocate for your borrower to make sure they’re getting the right loan product.”

• On reverse mortgages:
  “The beauty of it is there are no monthly payments going back to the institution. The debt is paid off when the home is sold or refinanced.”

• On credit challenges:
  “Programs go as low as 500 credit score, but those borrowers need 10–20% down.”

• On entrepreneurial advice:
  “Make sure you have strong capital and a solid pipeline before stepping out on faith.”

• On perseverance:
  “It’s all about follow-through. It’s all about your dream and whether you want to make it happen.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To highlight Dr. Will Moreland’s journey from combat veteran to global leadership expert, and to share his insights on executive coaching, building winning cultures, overcoming fear, and turning passion into profit through his Million Dollar Speaker Framework.

🗝️ Key Takeaways 1. Background & Credentials

• Two-time combat military veteran (Bosnia and Iraq).
• Business Hall of Fame inductee.
• Founder of Moreland Training & Associates.
• Holds a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership.
• Based in Phoenix, Arizona.

2. Leadership Philosophy

• Leadership begins with self-leadership.
• Civility—defined as “intentional respect for others”—is key to productivity and profitability.
• “People respected are more productive.”
• Focus on people before profit to build sustainable success.

3. Building Winning Cultures

• Uses the Civility Advantage Framework with six pillars:
  • Clarity: Define how you want your culture to feel.
  • Communication: Reinforce cultural values consistently.
  • Consistency: Embed values into daily operations.
• Offers anonymous assessments to audit company culture and align leadership with employee experience.

4. Executive Coaching & Leadership Development

• Helps leaders transition from task-based roles to people-based leadership.
• Uses his book Leading with Civility and the CHAMPS Framework in a six-month curriculum.
• Emphasizes discipline, emotional intelligence, and people skills.

5. Overcoming Fear

• Fear is often a result of lack of information.
• Encourages leaders to confront fear with clarity and education.
• Example: AI is not a threat, but a tool to enhance productivity.

“You won’t be replaced by AI—you’ll be replaced by someone who embraced AI.”

6. Million Dollar Speaker Framework (PAM Formula)

• Positioning: Define your unique message (e.g., Les Brown’s “You gotta be hungry!”).
• Advantage: Identify your competitive edge.
• Marketing: Deliver consistent messaging to build brand recognition.

7. Living from Your CORE

A personal decision-making framework:

• C – Clarity
• O – Opportunities
• R – Relationships
• E – Experiences

“If it doesn’t align with your CORE, it’s a no.”

8. Legacy & Impact

• Committed to training better humans and promoting the Golden Rule.
• Believes in empowering others through leadership, civility, and education.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “Civility is profitable. Incivility costs billions.”
• “Discipline is the bridge from where you are to where you want to be.”
• “Fear is just information. The more you know, the less you fear.”
• “You don’t need a lot of people—you need the right people.”
• “Live from your CORE: Clarity, Opportunities, Relationships, Experiences.”

📌 Final Thoughts

Dr. Will Moreland’s interview is a masterclass in leadership, personal growth, and business strategy. His frameworks and philosophies offer practical tools for entrepreneurs, executives, and aspiring speakers to build impactful careers and cultures.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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