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

Editor, Writer, Literacy Advocate, and College Prep Specialist.

---

🔑 Episode Highlights 📚 Diana’s Background

• Daughter of South Korean immigrants, raised in NYC.
• Attended Stuyvesant High School and earned a linguistics degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
• Taught in both urban and suburban school districts, including gifted and special education (IEPs).
• Later moved to California, tutoring students and professionals in English and writing.

📱 The Literacy Crisis

• Warns of a “language and literacy epidemic” among youth raised on smartphones.
• Observes:
  • Inability to write complete sentences.
  • Poor vocabulary (even among affluent students).
  • Short attention spans and difficulty with long-form reading.

📖 The Power of Reading

• Advocates for deep, immersive reading—especially physical books.
• Recommends reading widely: newspapers, essays, biographies, and well-written fiction.
• Encourages parents to read to children from the womb and model reading habits.

🎧 Audiobooks & Accessibility

• Supports audiobooks for students with dyslexia or visual impairments.
• Emphasizes that any form of reading—print, audio, Braille—can imprint language and build cognitive strength.

🧠 Practical Advice for Parents & Students

• Read 20–30 minutes daily.
• Subscribe to publications like The New York Times or The Atlantic.
• Choose books that align with personal interests or career goals.
• Re-read and study one book deeply, as modeled by NYU professor Scott Galloway.

🧠 The Bigger Picture

• Warns of a future where technology replaces critical thinking.
• Notes that even elite colleges are seeing students struggle with basic writing.
• Calls for a cultural shift back to intellectual development through reading.

---

🌐 Connect with Diana Ha

• Website: DianaHa.com (as referenced in the transcript)
• Hosts webinars and literacy seminars

---

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Editor, Writer, Literacy Advocate, and College Prep Specialist.

---

🔑 Episode Highlights 📚 Diana’s Background

• Daughter of South Korean immigrants, raised in NYC.
• Attended Stuyvesant High School and earned a linguistics degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
• Taught in both urban and suburban school districts, including gifted and special education (IEPs).
• Later moved to California, tutoring students and professionals in English and writing.

📱 The Literacy Crisis

• Warns of a “language and literacy epidemic” among youth raised on smartphones.
• Observes:
  • Inability to write complete sentences.
  • Poor vocabulary (even among affluent students).
  • Short attention spans and difficulty with long-form reading.

📖 The Power of Reading

• Advocates for deep, immersive reading—especially physical books.
• Recommends reading widely: newspapers, essays, biographies, and well-written fiction.
• Encourages parents to read to children from the womb and model reading habits.

🎧 Audiobooks & Accessibility

• Supports audiobooks for students with dyslexia or visual impairments.
• Emphasizes that any form of reading—print, audio, Braille—can imprint language and build cognitive strength.

🧠 Practical Advice for Parents & Students

• Read 20–30 minutes daily.
• Subscribe to publications like The New York Times or The Atlantic.
• Choose books that align with personal interests or career goals.
• Re-read and study one book deeply, as modeled by NYU professor Scott Galloway.

🧠 The Bigger Picture

• Warns of a future where technology replaces critical thinking.
• Notes that even elite colleges are seeing students struggle with basic writing.
• Calls for a cultural shift back to intellectual development through reading.

---

🌐 Connect with Diana Ha

• Website: DianaHa.com (as referenced in the transcript)
• Hosts webinars and literacy seminars

---

#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 Tiffani Neal. 

Founder of Barlow’s Foods. Here's a detailed summary of the key themes and takeaways from this episode:

---

🥞 Guest Spotlight: Tiffany Neal, Founder of Barlow’s Foods 🚀 From Corporate Sales to Pancake Mix

• Tiffany transitioned from a corporate sales career to launching a food brand from her home kitchen.
• The idea sparked when friends raved about her homemade pancakes, prompting her to explore turning it into a business.

🧁 The Birth of Barlow’s

• Named after her grandfather, whose photo inspired the brand name.
• Started by testing pancake mix recipes and packaging them in ice cream pint containers for friends and family.
• Positive feedback (except from one friend!) encouraged her to refine the product and move forward.

---

🛒 Product Line & Expansion 🥞 Barlow’s 3-in-1 Mix

• One mix, three uses: pancakes, waffles, and biscuits.
• Vegan-friendly base—no dairy or animal byproducts.
• Just add milk, egg, and butter (or alternatives) to prepare.

🍯 Syrup Line

• Started with a homemade peach cobbler syrup that won the Flavor of Georgia 2023 Product of the Year.
• Now includes seven syrups, such as:
  • Peach Cobbler (flagship)
  • Strawberry Bourbon
  • Blueberry Lemon
  • Sweet Potato
  • Gingerbread
  • Maple (imported from Canada)
• Seasonal flavors rotate throughout the year.

---

🏪 Retail Growth & Strategy 🛍️ From Trunk Sales to Store Shelves

• Began selling out of her car and at local farmer’s markets.
• Entered contests to gain exposure—winning Flavor of Georgia led to a deal with Fresh Market.
• Now in 45+ Food Lion stores across Georgia and expanding.

📦 Packaging & Branding

• Designed to be bold and nostalgic, with a red label and illustrated pancake stack.
• Packaging is intentionally clear to help customers easily identify the product.

---

🧠 Business Insights & Advice 🛠️ Operations & Manufacturing

• Recently expanded to a larger production facility.
• Works with UGA and food scientists to ensure quality and compliance.
• Handles everything from production to in-store demos and staff training.

👥 Team Building

• Focuses on hiring people who are passionate about startups and flexible with evolving processes.
• Emphasizes the importance of documentation and clear expectations.

📈 Keys to Success

• “Do the work.” Tiffany credits her success to hard work, focus, and persistence.
• Believes in setting goals and taking consistent action to achieve them.

---

🌍 Vision for the Future

• Tiffany aims to make Barlow’s a global pantry staple and a legacy brand that evokes nostalgia and family tradition.

---

 

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Founder of Barlow’s Foods. Here's a detailed summary of the key themes and takeaways from this episode:

---

🥞 Guest Spotlight: Tiffany Neal, Founder of Barlow’s Foods 🚀 From Corporate Sales to Pancake Mix

• Tiffany transitioned from a corporate sales career to launching a food brand from her home kitchen.
• The idea sparked when friends raved about her homemade pancakes, prompting her to explore turning it into a business.

🧁 The Birth of Barlow’s

• Named after her grandfather, whose photo inspired the brand name.
• Started by testing pancake mix recipes and packaging them in ice cream pint containers for friends and family.
• Positive feedback (except from one friend!) encouraged her to refine the product and move forward.

---

🛒 Product Line & Expansion 🥞 Barlow’s 3-in-1 Mix

• One mix, three uses: pancakes, waffles, and biscuits.
• Vegan-friendly base—no dairy or animal byproducts.
• Just add milk, egg, and butter (or alternatives) to prepare.

🍯 Syrup Line

• Started with a homemade peach cobbler syrup that won the Flavor of Georgia 2023 Product of the Year.
• Now includes seven syrups, such as:
  • Peach Cobbler (flagship)
  • Strawberry Bourbon
  • Blueberry Lemon
  • Sweet Potato
  • Gingerbread
  • Maple (imported from Canada)
• Seasonal flavors rotate throughout the year.

---

🏪 Retail Growth & Strategy 🛍️ From Trunk Sales to Store Shelves

• Began selling out of her car and at local farmer’s markets.
• Entered contests to gain exposure—winning Flavor of Georgia led to a deal with Fresh Market.
• Now in 45+ Food Lion stores across Georgia and expanding.

📦 Packaging & Branding

• Designed to be bold and nostalgic, with a red label and illustrated pancake stack.
• Packaging is intentionally clear to help customers easily identify the product.

---

🧠 Business Insights & Advice 🛠️ Operations & Manufacturing

• Recently expanded to a larger production facility.
• Works with UGA and food scientists to ensure quality and compliance.
• Handles everything from production to in-store demos and staff training.

👥 Team Building

• Focuses on hiring people who are passionate about startups and flexible with evolving processes.
• Emphasizes the importance of documentation and clear expectations.

📈 Keys to Success

• “Do the work.” Tiffany credits her success to hard work, focus, and persistence.
• Believes in setting goals and taking consistent action to achieve them.

---

🌍 Vision for the Future

• Tiffany aims to make Barlow’s a global pantry staple and a legacy brand that evokes nostalgia and family tradition.

---

 

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Founder of Barlow’s Foods. Here's a detailed summary of the key themes and takeaways from this episode:

---

🥞 Guest Spotlight: Tiffany Neal, Founder of Barlow’s Foods 🚀 From Corporate Sales to Pancake Mix

• Tiffany transitioned from a corporate sales career to launching a food brand from her home kitchen.
• The idea sparked when friends raved about her homemade pancakes, prompting her to explore turning it into a business.

🧁 The Birth of Barlow’s

• Named after her grandfather, whose photo inspired the brand name.
• Started by testing pancake mix recipes and packaging them in ice cream pint containers for friends and family.
• Positive feedback (except from one friend!) encouraged her to refine the product and move forward.

---

🛒 Product Line & Expansion 🥞 Barlow’s 3-in-1 Mix

• One mix, three uses: pancakes, waffles, and biscuits.
• Vegan-friendly base—no dairy or animal byproducts.
• Just add milk, egg, and butter (or alternatives) to prepare.

🍯 Syrup Line

• Started with a homemade peach cobbler syrup that won the Flavor of Georgia 2023 Product of the Year.
• Now includes seven syrups, such as:
  • Peach Cobbler (flagship)
  • Strawberry Bourbon
  • Blueberry Lemon
  • Sweet Potato
  • Gingerbread
  • Maple (imported from Canada)
• Seasonal flavors rotate throughout the year.

---

🏪 Retail Growth & Strategy 🛍️ From Trunk Sales to Store Shelves

• Began selling out of her car and at local farmer’s markets.
• Entered contests to gain exposure—winning Flavor of Georgia led to a deal with Fresh Market.
• Now in 45+ Food Lion stores across Georgia and expanding.

📦 Packaging & Branding

• Designed to be bold and nostalgic, with a red label and illustrated pancake stack.
• Packaging is intentionally clear to help customers easily identify the product.

---

🧠 Business Insights & Advice 🛠️ Operations & Manufacturing

• Recently expanded to a larger production facility.
• Works with UGA and food scientists to ensure quality and compliance.
• Handles everything from production to in-store demos and staff training.

👥 Team Building

• Focuses on hiring people who are passionate about startups and flexible with evolving processes.
• Emphasizes the importance of documentation and clear expectations.

📈 Keys to Success

• “Do the work.” Tiffany credits her success to hard work, focus, and persistence.
• Believes in setting goals and taking consistent action to achieve them.

---

🌍 Vision for the Future

• Tiffany aims to make Barlow’s a global pantry staple and a legacy brand that evokes nostalgia and family tradition.

---

 

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Founder and president of the Financial Literacy Institute. Here's a summary of the key themes and highlights from the conversation:

---

🎙️ Interview Highlights Jasmine Young’s Background

• Born in Jackson, Alabama, and raised in a rural, close-knit community.
• Attended Alabama A&M University on a full scholarship, where she decided early on to become a CPA.
• Emphasized the value of her HBCU experience in building confidence and professional readiness.

Financial Literacy Mission

• Jasmine’s passion for numbers and financial education began early and was nurtured by her family’s practical financial habits.
• Her parents instilled financial discipline and responsibility, which she now channels into her mission to spread financial literacy “one family at a time.”

Cultural and Historical Awareness

• Jasmine discusses the legacy of Black Wall Street and the importance of economic empowerment in the Black community.
• She organizes the Black Wall Street Black Business Expo, which honors the past while promoting modern Black entrepreneurship and civic engagement.

Social Impact and Civic Engagement

• Inspired by the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder and the economic power of the Black community, Jasmine emphasizes the importance of using financial influence to drive social change.
• She’s considering law school to further her impact, though she currently focuses on financial literacy and community empowerment.

Personal Insights

• Jasmine shares her journey from feeling ashamed of her rural upbringing to embracing it as a source of strength and heritage.
• She also reveals her musical background and Cherokee ancestry, adding depth to her personal story.

---

 

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Founder and president of The Royster Group, a nationally recognized, certified Black-owned professional staffing firm. Here's a breakdown of the key themes and takeaways:

---

🎯 Key Highlights from the Interview 🏢 About The Royster Group

• Founded in 2001, the firm specializes in:
  • Executive Search (C-suite to Director level)
  • Healthcare Staffing (physicians, nurses, ancillary staff)
• Operates nationally, serving both public and private sectors.

💼 Executive Search Insights

• Royster is a retained executive search firm, meaning they are hired by companies to find top-tier talent.
• Focuses on diverse, seasoned professionals with 7–10+ years of experience.
• Clients include major corporations like Home Depot, Merck, and Pfizer.
• Emphasizes the importance of diversity in leadership and actively includes women and people of color in candidate pools.

🏥 Healthcare Staffing

• Healthcare remains a high-demand field due to an aging population and workforce shortages.
• Royster recruits nationally and advertises through their website, conferences, and referrals.
• There’s a growing need for diverse healthcare professionals to reflect the population they serve.

🧾 Resume & Job Search Tips

• Resumes should be keyword-optimized to match job descriptions.
• Candidates should reach out to recruiters, follow up, and apply through multiple channels.
• Avoid vague resumes—include specific achievements and metrics.

🏆 Business Philosophy & Certification

• Thornton emphasizes the value of being a certified Black-owned business, not as a crutch but as a strategic advantage to gain access to opportunities.
• He acknowledges the challenges and scrutiny minority businesses face and the importance of capacity and execution.
• Advocates for mentorship, SBA resources, and relationship-building as keys to success.

📈 Entrepreneurial Journey

• Thornton transitioned from pharmaceutical sales and HR to founding his own firm after noticing a lack of diversity in executive placements.
• Started Royster with a bootstrap model—a desk, a phone, and determination.
• Now leads a $20M+ company and was named Small Business Person of the Year in Georgia.

---

 

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Founder and president of the Financial Literacy Institute. Here's a summary of the key themes and highlights from the conversation:

---

🎙️ Interview Highlights Jasmine Young’s Background

• Born in Jackson, Alabama, and raised in a rural, close-knit community.
• Attended Alabama A&M University on a full scholarship, where she decided early on to become a CPA.
• Emphasized the value of her HBCU experience in building confidence and professional readiness.

Financial Literacy Mission

• Jasmine’s passion for numbers and financial education began early and was nurtured by her family’s practical financial habits.
• Her parents instilled financial discipline and responsibility, which she now channels into her mission to spread financial literacy “one family at a time.”

Cultural and Historical Awareness

• Jasmine discusses the legacy of Black Wall Street and the importance of economic empowerment in the Black community.
• She organizes the Black Wall Street Black Business Expo, which honors the past while promoting modern Black entrepreneurship and civic engagement.

Social Impact and Civic Engagement

• Inspired by the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder and the economic power of the Black community, Jasmine emphasizes the importance of using financial influence to drive social change.
• She’s considering law school to further her impact, though she currently focuses on financial literacy and community empowerment.

Personal Insights

• Jasmine shares her journey from feeling ashamed of her rural upbringing to embracing it as a source of strength and heritage.
• She also reveals her musical background and Cherokee ancestry, adding depth to her personal story.

---

 

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Founder and president of The Royster Group, a nationally recognized, certified Black-owned professional staffing firm. Here's a breakdown of the key themes and takeaways:

---

🎯 Key Highlights from the Interview 🏢 About The Royster Group

• Founded in 2001, the firm specializes in:
  • Executive Search (C-suite to Director level)
  • Healthcare Staffing (physicians, nurses, ancillary staff)
• Operates nationally, serving both public and private sectors.

💼 Executive Search Insights

• Royster is a retained executive search firm, meaning they are hired by companies to find top-tier talent.
• Focuses on diverse, seasoned professionals with 7–10+ years of experience.
• Clients include major corporations like Home Depot, Merck, and Pfizer.
• Emphasizes the importance of diversity in leadership and actively includes women and people of color in candidate pools.

🏥 Healthcare Staffing

• Healthcare remains a high-demand field due to an aging population and workforce shortages.
• Royster recruits nationally and advertises through their website, conferences, and referrals.
• There’s a growing need for diverse healthcare professionals to reflect the population they serve.

🧾 Resume & Job Search Tips

• Resumes should be keyword-optimized to match job descriptions.
• Candidates should reach out to recruiters, follow up, and apply through multiple channels.
• Avoid vague resumes—include specific achievements and metrics.

🏆 Business Philosophy & Certification

• Thornton emphasizes the value of being a certified Black-owned business, not as a crutch but as a strategic advantage to gain access to opportunities.
• He acknowledges the challenges and scrutiny minority businesses face and the importance of capacity and execution.
• Advocates for mentorship, SBA resources, and relationship-building as keys to success.

📈 Entrepreneurial Journey

• Thornton transitioned from pharmaceutical sales and HR to founding his own firm after noticing a lack of diversity in executive placements.
• Started Royster with a bootstrap model—a desk, a phone, and determination.
• Now leads a $20M+ company and was named Small Business Person of the Year in Georgia.

---

 

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.