Episodios

  • John Hudson's Energy: Power, Persistence, and Community

    John Hudson's Energy: Power, Persistence, and Community
    Apr 9 2026

    On this episode of the Power to Persist, Lamell welcomes John Hudson, Chief External Affairs Officer of Entergy, and close friend for a candid conversation. John details his rise in the Fortune 500 utility sector and the dogged determination instilled by his father. The discussion dives into the constant industry tension between sustainability and profitability. John outlines the utility’s "obligation to serve" all customers and his efforts to promote energy equity in underserved communities.

    Hudson breaks down the billions of dollars in new opportunities driven by AI data centers and renewable infrastructure. John recounts his non-linear career path, stressing the crucial agility needed to pivot during down moments. He attributes his persistence to a strong network of mentors and friends who help reframe challenges. This episode is a masterclass in resilient leadership and building an ecosystem for community success.

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    46 m
  • Basketball Legend Kevin Johnson’s Story Doesn’t Stop on the Court - It Evolves.

    Basketball Legend Kevin Johnson’s Story Doesn’t Stop on the Court - It Evolves.
    Apr 7 2026
    In this episode of The Power to Persist, Lamell McMorris sits down with former the NBA All-Star and the first Black mayor of Sacramento to unpack what it really takes to build a life of impact beyond one chapter. Kevin shares the mindset that carried him from the NBA to public service, rooted in work ethic, focus, and dogged determination. He reflects on what he calls the “Larry Bird lesson,” why the greats show up early to sharpen their edge, and breaks down the mentality behind his legendary dunk on Hakeem Olajuwon, a moment that captures the importance of fearlessness and preparation. The conversation also explores leadership, resilience, and the responsibility that comes with influence. That same drive now fuels Kevin’s work in the community, from supporting Black bookstores across the country through the National Association of Black Bookstores, founded with his brother to honor their mother, to creating opportunity through Fixins Soul Kitchen and his commitment to second chance employment, local hiring, and community impact is part of the foundation, not an afterthought. Kevin closes with a powerful reminder on resilience inspired by Reverend Jesse Jackson. You don’t stop. You keep kicking. This episode is about reinvention, discipline, and the habits that allow you to keep building, no matter where you start.

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    Purchase your copy here: https://www.lamellmcmorris.com/the-power-to-persist
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    44 m
  • "Resilience is Not Optional": A Book Talk with Lamell McMorris and The Executives' Club of Chicago

    "Resilience is Not Optional": A Book Talk with Lamell McMorris and The Executives' Club of Chicago
    Mar 24 2026
    In this episode of The Power to Persist, host Lamell McMorris takes listeners inside his live conversation at The Executives' Club of Chicago to explore the core habits of lifelong resilience from his book. In this conversation moderated by Cortney Hall (NBC Chicago), Lamell asserts that resilience is "not optional anymore" in the current disruptive social and technological landscape. He reveals the profound, and sometimes challenging, habits necessary for persistence, citing the personal journey that led him to write the book.

    Lamell discusses the liberation found in embracing vulnerability, explaining that letting go of the need to have all the answers frees both the leader and those they lead. He connects the habits to the modern workplace, detailing why cultivating agility—the ability to be nimble and flexible—is crucial for adapting to the age of AI. Finally, Lamell pays tribute to his mentor, the late Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., reflecting on the profound examples set by Jackson's "dogged determined" spirit and incredible work ethic that Lamell has modeled throughout his career.

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    Purchase your copy here:https://www.lamellmcmorris.com/the-power-to-persist
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    Menos de 1 minuto
  • Loneliness Isn’t Weakness: How Gen Z Can Rebuild Connection with Attitude, Network, and Faith

    Loneliness Isn’t Weakness: How Gen Z Can Rebuild Connection with Attitude, Network, and Faith
    Mar 10 2026

    In today’s episode of The Power to Persist, Lamell McMorris reframes loneliness as a common, human experience and a starting point for resilience, especially for Gen Z, a highly connected generation reporting high emotional isolation amid economic instability, student debt, housing challenges, and widening inequality. McMorris argues the pandemic was a defining chapter that disrupted key years for learning connection, leaving lasting social aftershocks, and explains that loneliness is also structural and cultural, not just personal.

    McMorris emphasizes coalition-building and community as essential, then shares three habits to combat Gen Z’s loneliness; Attitude (shifting the internal story), Network (building a real support circle beyond social media), and Faith (believing connection is still possible). In practice, this could looks like reaching out, joining aligned communities, opening up to one safe person, and staying open to hope.

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    Purchase your copy here: https://www.lamellmcmorris.com/the-power-to-persist
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    Menos de 1 minuto
  • From the South Side to Wall Street: John Rogers on Black Wealth & Economic Justice

    From the South Side to Wall Street: John Rogers on Black Wealth & Economic Justice
    Feb 24 2026
    Lamell McMorris welcomes John Rogers, founder, Chairman, and Co-CEO of Ariel Investments, for a deep dive into Black wealth, economic justice, and leadership. Rogers shares the dogged determination and work ethic that led him to build the first Black-owned mutual fund company and establish the "slow and steady wins the race" investment philosophy. He discusses his commitment to fighting for economic fairness as a corporate board director, even when it’s difficult. Rogers also highlights the powerful network of South Side Chicago luminaries, from his parents to Reverend Jesse Jackson, who inspired his career and his commitment to community service through initiatives like the Ariel Community Academy.

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    Purchase your copy here: https://www.lamellmcmorris.com/the-power-to-persist
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    Menos de 1 minuto
  • The Nucleus of Power: How White House Strategist Ashley Etienne Learned to Play Big

    The Nucleus of Power: How White House Strategist Ashley Etienne Learned to Play Big
    Feb 10 2026

    On this episode of Power to Persist, host Dr. Lamell McMorris brings on political advisor Ashley Etienne, former Senior Adviser to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Communications Director for Vice President Kamala Harris.

    The two dive into Etienne’s journey from Houston to Washington, D.C. and her deep commitment to represent her community at the highest levels of power. Etienne's journey exemplifies exceptional work ethic as she recounts pursuing the hardest assignments, which she felt forced her to grow rapidly. Her success as a communications juggernaut is a testament to her agility as a "pure strategist" and problem-solver in high-stakes political environments.

    This conversation also highlights her dogged determination to never accept no, leading to a remarkable career that broke glass ceilings. McMorris and Etienne end the conversation by highlighting the importance of faith and the role it has played in both of their lives and their success.

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    Purchase your copy here:

    The Power to Persist: 8 Simple Habits to Build Lifelong Resilience: https://www.lamellmcmorris.com/the-power-to-persist#order-section
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    1 h y 2 m
  • The Quiet Resilience of Gen Z

    The Quiet Resilience of Gen Z
    Jan 27 2026
    Join host Lamell McMorris on The Power to Persist Podcast as he explores why Gen Z is one of the most quietly resilient and resourceful generations ever. This episode examines the financial and social disruptions Gen Z has faced—from rising costs and financial anxiety to pandemic-era isolation—and how they’ve turned fragments into new roadmaps. Through adaptability and Agility, Gen Z has learned to move quickly in a constantly shifting world. Their Work Ethic shows up in side hustles, online skill-building, and creating multiple paths to stability. At the same time, their willingness to embrace Vulnerability has made mental health and balance essential—not optional—parts of persistence. This episode reframes resilience through the lens of Gen Z—quiet, consistent, and unbreakable.

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    Purchase your copy here: The Power to Persist: 8 Simple Habits to Build Lifelong Resilience

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    Menos de 1 minuto
  • Navigating the Challenges of Higher Education and Entrepreneurship with Dr. JD LaRock

    Navigating the Challenges of Higher Education and Entrepreneurship with Dr. JD LaRock
    Jan 13 2026
    Welcome to The Power to Persist podcast with your host Lamell McMorris. In this episode, Lamell sits down with Dr. JD LaRock, President & CEO of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) and former Northeastern professor, for a candid, wide-ranging conversation on the forces reshaping education and access in America. With higher education under intense scrutiny, AI rewriting the rules, and corporate commitments to equity quietly unraveling, Lamell and JD dig into what opportunity really looks like today—especially for underserved communities. They explore why public frustration with college has reached a tipping point, how HBCUs continue to serve as anchors of purpose and leadership, and why entrepreneurial education may be one of the most powerful tools for economic mobility. The conversation also tackles the promise and pitfalls of AI in education, the reality behind post-2020 corporate pledges, and the mindset young people need to navigate an uncertain future. This episode is a masterclass in Agility and Focus—two habits essential for persisting when the landscape keeps shifting.

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    Purchase your copy here: The Power to Persist: 8 Simple Habits to Build Lifelong Resilience
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    43 m