The Steve Harvey Morning Show

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Friday, April 3rd, 2026: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Nephew Tommy's Run That Prank Back - "Colorful Adoptions" | Ask The CLO | Good Friday & Steve Harvey's Voicemail | Childhood Easter Memories | Steve Harvey's Voicemail | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Buttcheeks" | Strawberry Letter - "My Son's Daddy Is Blocking My Happiness" Pt. 1-2 | Tommy's Easter Egg Hunt | Social Media Advice | Adult Easter Basket | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing Remarks
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Leonard S. Graham.
Social Security disability advocate, Leonard S. Graham joined Rushion McDonald on Money Making Conversations Master Class to explain how Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) really work, who qualifies, and how misconceptions prevent people—especially within the Black community—from receiving benefits they are legally entitled to. Graham has over 35 years of experience assisting clients nationwide with disability claims, appeals, and hearings.
The conversation sheds light on the disability process, eligibility, the appeals system, the role of advocates vs. attorneys, and the importance of education, honesty, and persistence in navigating Social Security.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
The interview aims to:
Educate listeners on Social Security disability benefits, including eligibility, filing, and appeals.
Debunk common myths, such as the belief disability is only for seniors.
Explain SSDI vs. SSI, work credits, resource limits, and Medicare connections.
Highlight the importance of advocacy, especially for underserved communities unfamiliar with the system.
Encourage individuals not to fear or stigmatize applying for disability, and to avoid misinformation from non‑professionals.
🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Disability Isn’t Just for Seniors
Many mistakenly think Social Security disability is only for people over 65, but anyone with the required work credits can qualify, regardless of age—even individuals in their 20s or 30s.
2. Working Does NOT Automatically Disqualify You
Applicants can work while applying as long as they do not exceed the monthly substantial gainful activity (SGA) threshold of $1,690 per month.
3. Every Claim Is Unique—Don’t Compare Your Case to Others
Graham warns clients not to take advice from neighbors or relatives because each disability case depends on medical evidence, work history, age, and individual conditions.
4. SSDI Requires Work Credits; SSI Is Needs-Based
SSDI: Requires 20 credits minimum, 40 credits for maximum benefit, earned through past work. Assets do not affect eligibility.
SSI: For people with low resources ($2,000 single / $3,000 married). Primary home/car do not count as resources.
5. Medicare Comes After Approval
Medicare eligibility begins 24 months after being awarded SSDI benefits.
6. Appeals Are Normal—Most Initial Claims Are Denied
95% of initial applications are denied, and the real opportunity often comes during a hearing before an administrative law judge. Persistence is essential.
7. Honesty Prevents Fraud & Overpayments
Applicants should always disclose their financial situation truthfully to avoid fraud investigations and repayment demands.
8. Disability Benefits Can Provide Back Pay
Approved claimants often receive a Notice of Award detailing monthly benefits and any back pay owed. Representatives are only paid from back pay—not monthly benefits.
9. Stigma & Fear Prevent People from Applying
Graham emphasizes that pride, fear, and misinformation often stop people—especially in the Black community—from seeking help, even when disability support could save them financially.
🗣️ Notable Quotes ✔ On Who Needs Disability
“What if you get in a car accident… or have an illness and you can’t work? Those are reasons to file for disability.”
✔ On Misinformation
“Don’t talk to your neighbor or relatives about your claim… Each claim is its own individual claim.”

✔ On Work Limits
“You can still work and have an active claim as long as you don’t gross over $1,690 a month.”
✔ On Stigma
“Some people feel applying for benefits makes them look a certain way. But the system is there to help you when you are unable to work.”
✔ On Honesty
“Just tell the truth. If they catch you on the fraud side, you’ll have to pay the money back.”
✔ On Perseverance
“Getting a denial is nothing out of the norm… The key is to continue with the claim.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Joxavier Jackson.
A financial advisor with over 15 years of experience across major institutions such as Wells Fargo, Chase, and Bank of America. She discusses her evolution from a teenage bank teller to an independent financial planner at The Piedmont Group in Atlanta, where she provides holistic, comprehensive wealth management—especially for clients who traditionally lack access to financial literacy.
Joe shares her personal journey, the gaps she observed in financial education—especially in working‑class families and communities of color—and why she aims to provide accessible, relationship‑based financial planning. She breaks down the fundamentals of long‑term wealth: insurance, asset allocation, retirement accounts, tax strategies, fraud prevention, and planning for individuals and business owners.
The discussion highlights the importance of financial confidence, the significance of meeting people where they are, and the need to increase participation of Black and Brown individuals in wealth‑building spaces.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview
Introduce Dr. Joe Jackson’s financial journey
From humble beginnings to leadership positions in banking and finally to founding her own firm.

Explain comprehensive financial planning
She contrasts big‑bank limitations with her holistic approach that includes insurance, investments, retirement, and legacy planning.

Educate listeners on wealth‑building fundamentals
Insurance, retirement vehicles, asset allocation, compounding, fraud prevention, and business planning.

Highlight financial literacy gaps in underserved communities
She encourages access, representation, and inclusion for people of color in financial spaces.

Empower people to build confidence with money
Joe stresses that understanding your numbers gives you a competitive advantage in life.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Wealth Requires Strategy, Not Accident
Joe explains that wealth is built through planning, long‑term strategy, and educated decisions—not by chance.
2. Insurance Is a Wealth‑Building Tool
Beyond death benefit, insurance can:
Support retirement income
Provide tax sheltering
Protect against market downturns
She differentiates between term (“rental insurance”) and whole life (“tool you use living and after death”).
3. High Income ≠ Financial Security
Without budgeting, allocation, and strategy, income is quickly lost.
4. Fraud Awareness Is Essential
Joe urges clients to verify communications directly with institutions and avoid clicking suspicious links. 5. Tailored Advice by Age Group
For people in their 20s:
Compounding interest
Rule of 72
Dollar cost averaging
For older clients:
Catch‑up contributions
Consolidating old 401(k)s
6. Business Owners Need Dual Financial Plans
Joe emphasizes separate strategies for:
Business planning
Personal financial planning
Especially for tax savings, succession, and legacy building.
7. Representation Matters in Financial Literacy
She highlights the need for more visibility, education, and access for Black and Brown communities.
8. Asset Allocation Depends on Risk Tolerance
Younger clients = more aggressive
Risk‑averse clients = more conservative, bond‑heavy portfolios
9. Dollar Cost Averaging Builds Wealth
Consistent, automated investing—regardless of market conditions—drives compounding.
🗣️ Notable Quotes (Direct From Transcript) On Wealth Building
“Wealth isn’t built by accident… you have to have a plan.”
On Big Banks vs. Her Firm
“If you don’t have at least $250,000, you weren’t considered a worthy client—so far from the truth.”
On Community Access
“People that look like me—we need this education.”
On Term vs. Whole Life Insurance
“Term is renting. Whole life is a tool you use when you're alive and when you die.”
On Financial Confidence
“Financial confidence is a competitive advantage.”
On Helping Older Clients
“We start right where you are.”
On Increasing Black Participation in Finance
“I don’t look at your dollar amount. I have information that will make a difference in your life… you need to hear it.”
On Her Personal Journey
“My family came from humble beginnings… but a manager encouraged me to sit for my licensing. I passed everything on the first try.”

#SHMS #BEST #STRAW
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Robin Wilson.

Topic: Clean Design, wellness, asthma and allergy–aware living
Featured Work: Clean Design: Wellness for Your Lifestyle
Robin Wilson, a clean design lifestyle expert and founder of the Clean Design Home brand, joins Rushion McDonald to discuss how everyday household choices directly impact health—particularly for people living with asthma, allergies, and chronic inflammation. Drawing from her personal experiences as a lifelong allergy and asthma sufferer, Wilson explains how creating an allergen-aware home can dramatically improve quality of life.
Purpose of the Interview
The primary purpose of the interview is to:
Educate listeners about how indoor environments contribute to asthma, allergies, and chronic health issues
Promote Robin Wilson’s Clean Design philosophy and book, which provides room-by-room guidance for creating healthier homes
Raise awareness that simple, practical lifestyle changes—not expensive renovations—can significantly improve wellness
Normalize conversations around asthma, allergies, and environmental triggers as serious, manageable health conditions
Rushion also uses the platform to share his own deeply personal experiences with allergic reactions, reinforcing the life-changing importance of Wilson’s message..
Key Takeaways 1. Your Home Should Be a Breathing Sanctuary
Wilson emphasizes that many people focus on outdoor allergens while overlooking indoor exposure. Shoes, coats, pillows, furniture, and bedding often trap pollen, bacteria, and toxins that worsen symptoms once brought indoors..
2. Pillows and Bedding Are Major Health Triggers
One of the most memorable segments centers on pillows:
Many people keep pillows for six years or more
Old pillows accumulate dander, pollen, drool, bacteria, and allergens
A pillow that stays folded is a sign it needs to be replaced
Wilson introduces her “rule of threes”:
Wash pillowcases every three weeks
Wash pillow protectors every three months
Replace pillows every three years
Rushion shares that replacing a problematic pillow helped eliminate a chronic cough that seriously affected his life..
3. “Allergen-Aware” Is More Honest Than “Hypoallergenic”
Wilson avoids the term hypoallergenic because allergies vary from person to person. Instead, she advocates for ingredient transparency, empowering consumers to decide what is safe for their bodies and homes..
4. Small Habits Create Big Health Outcomes
Key daily practices include:
Removing shoes immediately upon entering the home
Washing hands before eating
Changing clothes after being outdoors
Cleaning from the top down (ceiling fans, surfaces, floors)
Protecting mattresses and pillows with zippered covers
Wilson stresses that consistency—not perfection—is what reduces exposure over time..
5. Asthma Is a Serious Chronic Condition
Wilson compares asthma management to diabetes care:
It requires ongoing lifestyle adjustments
Ignoring triggers increases the risk of severe attacks
Clean environments reduce flare-ups and emergency situations
She explains that nighttime asthma and allergy attacks often occur when cortisol levels drop during sleep, allowing reactions to surface..
6. The Book Is a Practical, Room-by-Room Guide
Clean Design: Wellness for Your Lifestyle is designed as a reference guide, not a cover-to-cover read. It addresses:
Entryways and living rooms
Bedrooms and nurseries
Kitchens and bathrooms
Home offices, basements, garages, and outdoor spaces
Wilson also includes low-toxicity cleaning tips inspired by her grandmother, such as using baking soda, toothpaste, and even Coca-Cola instead of harsh chemicals..
Notable Quotes
“One in five people suffer from asthma or allergies… and the home should be a sanctuary for easy breathing.”.
“Break up with your pillow.”.
“You might be allergic outside—and then come inside and double your allergen load.”.t
“Asthma is like diabetes. If you manage the triggers, you reduce the risk of a serious episode.”.
“It’s all about effort and consistency.”.
#SHMS #BEST #STRAW
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Monica Cornitcher.
Entrepreneurial journey, the inspiration behind Medase Cocktails, and the realities of launching, funding, and scaling a premium nonalcoholic spirits brand in a highly competitive market.
Purpose of the Conversation
The purpose of the episode is to:
Educate aspiring entrepreneurs on how to build a differentiated consumer brand
Demonstrate the importance of storytelling, market clarity, and operational discipline
Highlight the growth of the nonalcoholic / zero‑proof beverage movement
Inspire founders—especially founders of color—to own their niche, seek capital strategically, and scale intentionally.
Key Takeaways 1. Business Built from Personal Need and Purpose
Medase Cocktails was co‑founded by Monica and her lifelong friend during her friend’s battle with breast cancer, a time when alcohol was no longer an option—but celebration still mattered.
The brand was created to allow people to celebrate authentically without alcohol
It carries emotional depth rooted in friendship, gratitude, and loss
Monica continues the mission after her co‑founder passed away in 2024
Lesson: Purpose-driven businesses create deeper emotional connection and long-term brand equity.
2. Differentiation Is Everything
Monica deliberately rejected the “sparkling water with flavor” model common in nonalcoholic drinks.
Her differentiators include:
Authentic cocktail taste (Old Fashioned, Margarita, Moscow Mule)
Organic juices, not artificial flavors
Bold packaging that stands out on shelves
Drinks designed to smell, taste, and feel like real cocktails
Lesson: Competing on authenticity—not cost—is how you carve out market share in crowded spaces.
3. Brand Names and Stories Matter
The name “Medase” means “thank you” and reflects gratitude, friendship, and emotional support.
Monica emphasizes:
Every flavor name, color, and product decision has a story
A strong brand narrative creates curiosity, loyalty, and investor interest
Lesson: People invest in brands they feel—emotionally, not just intellectually.
4. Venture Capital Is Not Just About Numbers
While financials matter, Monica stresses that VCs also invest in founders and stories.
What helped her secure venture capital:
A compelling personal story
Relevant founder skill sets (M&A, law, operations)
Clear understanding of the market opportunity
Lesson: Early-stage funding often depends on who you are and why you’re building, not just revenue.
5. Research, Planning, and Discipline Before Launch
Unlike many food startups, Medase did not begin in a kitchen.
They:
Conducted a feasibility study
Built a formal business plan
Worked with a Black female food scientist
Set strict personal funding limits before seeking capital
Lesson: Preparation reduces risk and builds long-term sustainability.
6. Scaling Requires Operational Maturity
As sales increased—especially on Amazon—Monica emphasized the need to move from “hustle mode” to operational excellence.
Key scaling principles:
Understand unit economics
Track ROI for events and activations
Adjust pricing as volume increases
Build strategy across marketing, operations, and distribution
Lesson: Hustle starts the business; operations grow it.
7. Niche First, Expansion Later
Medase does not try to be “everything to everyone.”
Core customers include:
People seeking a break from alcohol
Health-conscious consumers
Black men looking for alcohol replacements
Consumers wanting cocktail taste without hangovers
Lesson: Strong niches create loyal advocates who fuel organic growth.
8. Smart Distribution Strategy
Rather than rushing into retail, Monica prioritized direct-to-consumer channels:
Amazon (top-performing channel)
Brand website
TikTok Shop
Only after 6–7 months of traction did retail expansion become viable.
Lesson: Control your margins and demand before entering expensive retail environments.
Memorable Quotes
“I wanted an authentic cocktail without compromise.”
“Everything we do has a story behind it.”
“Sometimes it’s not about the financials—it’s about the founder and the story.”
“Don’t be everything to everybody. Find your market and stick with your market.”
“Hustle starts the business, but operations give you scale.”
“If it tastes too much like alcohol and you gave me a one-star review—thank you. That means I did my job.”
Overall Message
This episode is a real-world entrepreneurial blueprint showing how clarity of vision, emotional authenticity, disciplined planning, and niche focus can turn a personal idea into a scalable national brand.
Monica Cornitcher exemplifies the modern founder:
visionary, data-aware, emotionally intelligent, and unapologetically authentic.
#SHMS #BEST #STRAW
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.