1 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:06,600 Speaker 1: Welcome to Money Making Conversations. 2 00:00:06,680 --> 00:00:08,480 Speaker 2: It's the show that she is the secrets of success 3 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:12,040 Speaker 2: experience firsthand by marketing and Brandon expert Rashan McDonald. I 4 00:00:12,080 --> 00:00:14,440 Speaker 2: will know he's given me advice on many occasions. And 5 00:00:14,480 --> 00:00:16,680 Speaker 2: in case you didn't notice, I'm not broke. 6 00:00:17,239 --> 00:00:17,479 Speaker 1: You know. 7 00:00:17,560 --> 00:00:21,520 Speaker 2: He'll be interviewing celebrity CEOs, entrepreneurs and industry decision makers. 8 00:00:21,520 --> 00:00:23,480 Speaker 1: It's what he likes to do, it's what he likes 9 00:00:23,520 --> 00:00:23,960 Speaker 1: to share. 10 00:00:24,400 --> 00:00:27,400 Speaker 2: Now it's time to hear from my man, Rashan McDonald 11 00:00:27,520 --> 00:00:28,760 Speaker 2: money Making Conversations. 12 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:32,479 Speaker 3: Here we go. Hi, I'm Rashan McDonald. 13 00:00:32,560 --> 00:00:36,360 Speaker 4: My hosts the weekly Money Making Conversation Masterclass show. The 14 00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:39,680 Speaker 4: interviews and information that this show provides are for everyone. 15 00:00:40,120 --> 00:00:42,800 Speaker 4: It's time to stop reading other people's success stories and 16 00:00:42,880 --> 00:00:43,760 Speaker 4: start living your own. 17 00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:47,040 Speaker 3: My next guest is Steven A. Smith. In the last 18 00:00:47,080 --> 00:00:48,400 Speaker 3: five years, Steven A. 19 00:00:48,520 --> 00:00:51,240 Speaker 4: Smith has become one of the most powerful media voices 20 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:55,440 Speaker 4: and sports commentary. He's also a popular actor on General Hospital. 21 00:00:55,720 --> 00:01:00,920 Speaker 4: He's a social media influencer, podcasting YouTuber, influencer, producer, the 22 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:04,280 Speaker 4: host executive producer of the number one sports morning show 23 00:01:04,360 --> 00:01:07,240 Speaker 4: on TV, First Take, and The New York Times best 24 00:01:07,280 --> 00:01:09,240 Speaker 4: selling the author. We have a lot to talk about, 25 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:12,960 Speaker 4: so please welcome to Money Making Conversation Masterclass Show. 26 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:16,640 Speaker 3: Steven A. Smith. How you doing, my brother? 27 00:01:16,840 --> 00:01:17,280 Speaker 1: What's going on? 28 00:01:17,319 --> 00:01:17,440 Speaker 3: Man? 29 00:01:17,480 --> 00:01:18,560 Speaker 1: How are you? How's everything? Man? 30 00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:20,920 Speaker 2: Excuse me for these big headphones that I have on 31 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:23,360 Speaker 2: a mind. You know they're heavy, but you know, at 32 00:01:23,440 --> 00:01:24,959 Speaker 2: least it's the only way I can hear you. It's 33 00:01:24,959 --> 00:01:26,360 Speaker 2: the only way I can hear you. I appreciate them 34 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:27,440 Speaker 2: having these headphones for you. 35 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:30,080 Speaker 4: Well, I appreciate it taking you, taking the time, because 36 00:01:30,120 --> 00:01:32,040 Speaker 4: I know West coast, East coast where you at. 37 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:34,440 Speaker 2: I'm in LA right now, just taking care of some 38 00:01:34,480 --> 00:01:37,080 Speaker 2: business out here at the film, some scenes for General Hospital. 39 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:40,360 Speaker 2: Plus I've got some individual business ventures I've been working 40 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:40,959 Speaker 2: on as well. 41 00:01:41,080 --> 00:01:46,440 Speaker 4: So right, so we share Emmy award winning General Hospital huh. 42 00:01:46,319 --> 00:01:47,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, they wont about seven. That means I mean I 43 00:01:47,960 --> 00:01:50,280 Speaker 2: didn't want I didn't win one individually. I mean I'm 44 00:01:50,320 --> 00:01:53,520 Speaker 2: not on that level. I just make guest appearances. My 45 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:56,440 Speaker 2: character's name is Brick. I'm a surveillance expert for the Mob, 46 00:01:57,000 --> 00:01:59,000 Speaker 2: but I come in and out. I'm not a regular 47 00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:02,880 Speaker 2: everyday cast member. So because of that, I wasn't I 48 00:02:02,920 --> 00:02:06,960 Speaker 2: wasn't able to apply for any of those categories to 49 00:02:07,040 --> 00:02:09,839 Speaker 2: win an Emmy, but who knows, one day I might. 50 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:14,160 Speaker 3: Okay, Stephen a Sports Sports Sports. 51 00:02:14,560 --> 00:02:18,360 Speaker 4: You're a regular, you know, recurring actor on General Hospital. 52 00:02:18,880 --> 00:02:21,480 Speaker 3: How did you become a General Hospital fan? 53 00:02:22,760 --> 00:02:24,560 Speaker 2: Well, I've been a General Hospital fan since I was 54 00:02:24,600 --> 00:02:28,880 Speaker 2: a kid growing up with four older sisters and my 55 00:02:28,960 --> 00:02:32,720 Speaker 2: late brother, and we'd come home from school and you know, 56 00:02:32,840 --> 00:02:35,799 Speaker 2: we only had two TVs in the house, and if 57 00:02:35,840 --> 00:02:38,000 Speaker 2: you wanted to watch TV, it was on General Hospital. 58 00:02:38,160 --> 00:02:40,639 Speaker 2: It was either that or do your homework. And none 59 00:02:40,680 --> 00:02:42,360 Speaker 2: of us wanted to do homework after we had just 60 00:02:42,360 --> 00:02:45,400 Speaker 2: spent seven eight hours in school. So because of that, 61 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:48,160 Speaker 2: we were like, hell with that, We'll watch General Hospital. 62 00:02:48,440 --> 00:02:50,760 Speaker 2: And I've been watching General Hospital since I was like 63 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:53,680 Speaker 2: seven eight years old and I've never stopped since. 64 00:02:54,480 --> 00:02:56,720 Speaker 4: Wow, So that's kind of like a can we say 65 00:02:56,720 --> 00:02:59,480 Speaker 4: a childhood dream come true to be a regular? 66 00:03:00,040 --> 00:03:02,720 Speaker 2: I think so, because I mean I love the soap. 67 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:05,200 Speaker 2: I've grown to love it throughout the years. Of One 68 00:03:05,200 --> 00:03:08,120 Speaker 2: of my pet peeves whenever I'm working is if somebody 69 00:03:08,160 --> 00:03:11,839 Speaker 2: bothers me between three and four pm, he's to standard time. 70 00:03:11,840 --> 00:03:14,040 Speaker 2: They better have a damn good reason for interrupting because 71 00:03:14,040 --> 00:03:16,040 Speaker 2: they know I watch a general hospital, so if they 72 00:03:16,120 --> 00:03:18,919 Speaker 2: bothering me, it's gonna be a problem. So in that 73 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:22,480 Speaker 2: regard to grow up watching it and some of these characters, 74 00:03:22,520 --> 00:03:24,240 Speaker 2: like the start the show has been on the show 75 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:27,120 Speaker 2: for nearly thirty years, and the go from watching him 76 00:03:27,120 --> 00:03:30,040 Speaker 2: and being a fan of his to literally working with him. 77 00:03:30,440 --> 00:03:31,200 Speaker 1: It's just an. 78 00:03:31,080 --> 00:03:35,520 Speaker 2: Extreme, extreme honor that I can't I really really can't 79 00:03:35,520 --> 00:03:38,320 Speaker 2: put into words. It really is fascinating for me to 80 00:03:38,400 --> 00:03:40,800 Speaker 2: jump in there. And then not only that it's helped 81 00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:43,560 Speaker 2: me develop the acting bug because I didn't ask for it. 82 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:44,920 Speaker 1: I just want to make an appearance. 83 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:48,960 Speaker 2: And executive producer Frank Valentini, who won obviously an Emmy, 84 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:51,840 Speaker 2: and then you've got Maurice Bernard to start the show, 85 00:03:51,960 --> 00:03:53,680 Speaker 2: instantly said do you have time to do this? We 86 00:03:53,720 --> 00:03:55,640 Speaker 2: want to make this a recurring role for you. After 87 00:03:55,680 --> 00:03:57,680 Speaker 2: I made one appearance for them, and I've been on 88 00:03:57,680 --> 00:04:00,480 Speaker 2: the show now for seven years, and wow, they believe 89 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:03,080 Speaker 2: I can act, and they believe that I should dedicate 90 00:04:03,120 --> 00:04:05,960 Speaker 2: more time to acting. The one thing that I will 91 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:09,520 Speaker 2: acknowledge and will admit that I've become very, very fascinated 92 00:04:09,560 --> 00:04:12,880 Speaker 2: about with acting, you know it, but to actually perform 93 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:15,480 Speaker 2: the craft and do it, you really, it really really 94 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:17,760 Speaker 2: hits home for you. I love the fact that you're 95 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:21,720 Speaker 2: allowed to be whatever the character allows. It's like, we 96 00:04:21,880 --> 00:04:24,240 Speaker 2: say that and we know that's the case looking at 97 00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:27,760 Speaker 2: what they do when they're working. But to actually be 98 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:32,160 Speaker 2: on the job, having to perform and to be somebody 99 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:37,039 Speaker 2: else at a particular moment in time, it's hard to 100 00:04:37,040 --> 00:04:39,520 Speaker 2: put in the words the feeling that you get when. 101 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:41,919 Speaker 1: You pull that off. To pull it off like that 102 00:04:42,120 --> 00:04:42,960 Speaker 1: is something special. 103 00:04:43,320 --> 00:04:45,720 Speaker 4: Now, some people say that on first take, you plan 104 00:04:45,839 --> 00:04:49,800 Speaker 4: a character's steven A Smith, on first take steven A Smith, 105 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:53,839 Speaker 4: or a commentary version of who you really are. 106 00:04:54,200 --> 00:04:55,560 Speaker 1: No, no, no, it's me. It's me. 107 00:04:56,440 --> 00:04:58,560 Speaker 2: You know when I'm on General Hospital, I'm acting, I'm 108 00:04:58,560 --> 00:05:03,320 Speaker 2: really acting. I'm on first take. All I'm doing is 109 00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:06,599 Speaker 2: showing different facets of my personality, right like you know, 110 00:05:06,760 --> 00:05:10,800 Speaker 2: I know sports, and you know on first take you 111 00:05:10,880 --> 00:05:15,240 Speaker 2: want to be informed. You want to articulate your positions. 112 00:05:15,560 --> 00:05:17,719 Speaker 2: You want to show the range that you have in 113 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:21,760 Speaker 2: terms of being serious one minute, comical the next, et cetera, 114 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:25,479 Speaker 2: et cetera. That's me that's who I am according to 115 00:05:25,520 --> 00:05:27,800 Speaker 2: my sisters. That's who I am according to my fifteen 116 00:05:27,839 --> 00:05:31,120 Speaker 2: nieces and nephews. It's who I was to my wonderful 117 00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:34,120 Speaker 2: mother who passed away in twenty seventeen, God rest her soul, 118 00:05:34,160 --> 00:05:36,880 Speaker 2: and my father passed away in twenty eighteen. I mean, 119 00:05:37,040 --> 00:05:39,440 Speaker 2: those those are the things that they know, what they've 120 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 2: always known about me. The facets of my personality, the 121 00:05:43,520 --> 00:05:49,359 Speaker 2: multitude of personalities that I have is what people see 122 00:05:49,480 --> 00:05:50,280 Speaker 2: on first take. 123 00:05:51,080 --> 00:05:56,120 Speaker 3: Right, here's up the interesting Stevid Amy watching your TV. 124 00:05:57,360 --> 00:06:01,080 Speaker 4: There's a love, there's a passion that drives I'm sure, 125 00:06:01,960 --> 00:06:05,039 Speaker 4: what did you think your biggest asset, your voyage, your 126 00:06:05,080 --> 00:06:06,880 Speaker 4: intellect or your passion? 127 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:13,080 Speaker 1: I can't separate the three. 128 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:20,480 Speaker 2: The aspiration, the desire to have a voice can't come 129 00:06:21,360 --> 00:06:25,520 Speaker 2: from not knowing anything. You have to be informed. When 130 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:30,039 Speaker 2: you're informed, you have to have a passion and a 131 00:06:30,120 --> 00:06:35,479 Speaker 2: desire to express yourself to the masters. And the only 132 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:38,400 Speaker 2: reason you should want to do that is because you 133 00:06:38,440 --> 00:06:40,400 Speaker 2: want to have an impact and you want to make 134 00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:44,919 Speaker 2: a difference. I'm executive producing and co producing as a 135 00:06:44,960 --> 00:06:49,920 Speaker 2: production company a documentaries called Up for Debate that's going 136 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:54,080 Speaker 2: to be coming out probably around February or so, in 137 00:06:54,200 --> 00:06:57,320 Speaker 2: concert with Religion of Sports doing that. 138 00:06:57,839 --> 00:07:00,159 Speaker 1: What do I say in there? I talk about in 139 00:07:00,160 --> 00:07:01,200 Speaker 1: a voice. 140 00:07:01,200 --> 00:07:04,600 Speaker 2: Tinkering and touching and leaning towards that third rail and 141 00:07:04,640 --> 00:07:08,920 Speaker 2: making sure that you're positioning yourself to have an impact 142 00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:11,160 Speaker 2: and to make a difference of the people that I 143 00:07:11,200 --> 00:07:14,000 Speaker 2: have working with me and for me, people like yourself 144 00:07:14,040 --> 00:07:17,240 Speaker 2: or Sean McDonald, people like my guy Michael Anafree and 145 00:07:17,400 --> 00:07:21,680 Speaker 2: various others. It matters, you know, associating yourself with people 146 00:07:22,040 --> 00:07:27,160 Speaker 2: who share your vision, your passion, your zest, and a 147 00:07:27,320 --> 00:07:30,400 Speaker 2: willingness to be a voice. Knowing that puts you in 148 00:07:30,440 --> 00:07:32,400 Speaker 2: the lions. Then it puts you in the eye of 149 00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:36,320 Speaker 2: the proverbial storm. It's gonna make people come at you. 150 00:07:36,320 --> 00:07:38,040 Speaker 2: You got to be the kind of person that stands 151 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:40,960 Speaker 2: up and says, Okay, I'm here for it. That's what 152 00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:43,640 Speaker 2: it is, That's what it's all about, and that's who 153 00:07:43,680 --> 00:07:45,400 Speaker 2: I am, and that's who I've always been, and that's 154 00:07:45,400 --> 00:07:48,480 Speaker 2: who I've always aspired to be. And that's why the 155 00:07:48,520 --> 00:07:51,320 Speaker 2: other day, when I was doing my show to Steven A. 156 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:56,640 Speaker 2: Smith show, my podcast last show on YouTube, I ended 157 00:07:56,680 --> 00:08:01,120 Speaker 2: the show by paying tribute to Bryant gumble Right. Ryan 158 00:08:01,200 --> 00:08:05,320 Speaker 2: Gumbel is a pioneer. He's one of the greatest voices 159 00:08:05,400 --> 00:08:09,080 Speaker 2: and one of the greatest reputable journalists we've ever seen 160 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:13,680 Speaker 2: in American history. And I felt it was compelled, considering 161 00:08:13,880 --> 00:08:17,080 Speaker 2: the years of excellence that he had put forth, that 162 00:08:17,200 --> 00:08:20,880 Speaker 2: I took time to recognize as a young black man, 163 00:08:21,320 --> 00:08:24,360 Speaker 2: what he meant to me, what he's meant to our people, 164 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:28,560 Speaker 2: to our culture by tackling the issues that he's tackled 165 00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:33,760 Speaker 2: with the intellect, the knowledge, the substance, the passion that 166 00:08:33,840 --> 00:08:37,920 Speaker 2: comes with it. I owed that to him, and you know, 167 00:08:38,520 --> 00:08:40,880 Speaker 2: he reached back out to me and thanked me from 168 00:08:40,920 --> 00:08:43,760 Speaker 2: the bottom of his heart seeing what I said. And 169 00:08:43,880 --> 00:08:46,960 Speaker 2: I just said to him, what's to think? You know, 170 00:08:47,040 --> 00:08:50,640 Speaker 2: I should be thanking you. We all should. And that's 171 00:08:50,640 --> 00:08:53,320 Speaker 2: what I hope somebody, you know, a bunch of people 172 00:08:53,400 --> 00:08:56,199 Speaker 2: are able to look at me when my day comes 173 00:08:56,480 --> 00:08:58,080 Speaker 2: and able to say the same thing about me. 174 00:08:59,040 --> 00:09:02,719 Speaker 4: There's another person that inspires you. He's not with us. 175 00:09:03,080 --> 00:09:06,720 Speaker 4: His name's Howard Cosel. Yeah, he's a person that many 176 00:09:06,800 --> 00:09:09,800 Speaker 4: times in conversations with you, you said I wanted to 177 00:09:09,840 --> 00:09:13,960 Speaker 4: be Howard Cosel when you look at Brian Gumbel and 178 00:09:14,080 --> 00:09:17,760 Speaker 4: Howard Cosell, what are the similarities. We know he was 179 00:09:17,760 --> 00:09:20,800 Speaker 4: an African American Brian gumble But what was the inspiration 180 00:09:21,240 --> 00:09:22,160 Speaker 4: with Howard Cosel. 181 00:09:22,880 --> 00:09:24,600 Speaker 1: Well, Howard Cosell was a voice. 182 00:09:26,440 --> 00:09:30,040 Speaker 2: He was somebody who was incredibly opinionated, unapologetic about it, 183 00:09:30,559 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 2: and I think spawned and sparked debate television because no 184 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:38,760 Speaker 2: matter what followed in the years to come, even though 185 00:09:38,800 --> 00:09:42,800 Speaker 2: he wasn't quote unquote debating, he was perceived as being 186 00:09:42,880 --> 00:09:47,120 Speaker 2: such a polarizing figure at time, a white Jewish individual 187 00:09:47,200 --> 00:09:51,200 Speaker 2: willing to stand by Muhammad Ali's side and say that 188 00:09:51,320 --> 00:09:54,680 Speaker 2: he had every right to want to be called Muhammad 189 00:09:54,679 --> 00:09:56,360 Speaker 2: Ali instead of cash Is Clay. 190 00:09:56,480 --> 00:09:58,240 Speaker 1: That's his name, That's what he wants to be called. 191 00:09:58,640 --> 00:09:59,920 Speaker 1: He deserves that respect. 192 00:10:00,760 --> 00:10:03,000 Speaker 2: It's not about what he did, it's about when he 193 00:10:03,080 --> 00:10:06,000 Speaker 2: did it, and when he did it is what crystallizes 194 00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:08,920 Speaker 2: the significance of what he did. And that is pointing 195 00:10:08,920 --> 00:10:10,720 Speaker 2: out that you got to be willing to stand up 196 00:10:10,760 --> 00:10:13,400 Speaker 2: in front of the storm and be willing to embrace 197 00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:13,760 Speaker 2: it and. 198 00:10:13,760 --> 00:10:16,440 Speaker 1: Absorb it because of what you believe is right. 199 00:10:17,360 --> 00:10:21,120 Speaker 2: That was Howard Cosell, and he was the one that 200 00:10:21,280 --> 00:10:24,560 Speaker 2: showed us the way because he was the first one 201 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:27,120 Speaker 2: to do it, and they gave a license to him 202 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:31,280 Speaker 2: to do it. He profited off of it because obviously 203 00:10:31,320 --> 00:10:34,000 Speaker 2: he was being paid handsomely to do it. And then 204 00:10:34,040 --> 00:10:37,320 Speaker 2: he turned around and in the aftermath of doing all 205 00:10:37,360 --> 00:10:41,280 Speaker 2: of that, ultimately ESPN came along. And when ESPN came along, 206 00:10:41,720 --> 00:10:44,320 Speaker 2: you know, you usually would have the mentality, you know what, 207 00:10:44,480 --> 00:10:46,720 Speaker 2: Howard Coosell could do that, but none of us could. 208 00:10:46,840 --> 00:10:49,840 Speaker 2: But then when he ESPN came along, you said, yes, 209 00:10:49,880 --> 00:10:52,840 Speaker 2: we could, because the platform was available for us to 210 00:10:52,960 --> 00:10:55,760 Speaker 2: do those things. So in Howard Coosell, I'll give him 211 00:10:55,800 --> 00:10:58,720 Speaker 2: all the credit in the world for that. With Brian Gumbel, 212 00:10:59,440 --> 00:11:02,559 Speaker 2: he does that too, and he should be revered for 213 00:11:02,640 --> 00:11:06,839 Speaker 2: it because he did it with such intellectual brilliance that 214 00:11:06,920 --> 00:11:10,400 Speaker 2: you just can't deny how special of a talent Brian 215 00:11:10,440 --> 00:11:13,480 Speaker 2: Gumbel was all of these years. The difference, however, is 216 00:11:13,480 --> 00:11:16,640 Speaker 2: that Brian Gumbel was a host. 217 00:11:16,400 --> 00:11:17,640 Speaker 1: Howard Cosell was not. 218 00:11:18,559 --> 00:11:21,280 Speaker 2: Howard Cosell was a pundit and he was a commentator, 219 00:11:21,480 --> 00:11:25,880 Speaker 2: and obviously he did some reporting. Briant Gumbel did it 220 00:11:25,960 --> 00:11:31,120 Speaker 2: all okay, plus he executive produced, plus he led, plus 221 00:11:31,120 --> 00:11:34,040 Speaker 2: he pioneered in so many different other ways, and as 222 00:11:34,040 --> 00:11:36,040 Speaker 2: a black man to be able to do that from 223 00:11:36,080 --> 00:11:41,640 Speaker 2: the seventies up until right now, it's astronomical and incomparable 224 00:11:41,679 --> 00:11:44,119 Speaker 2: in so many ways that I can't even begin to describe. 225 00:11:44,280 --> 00:11:50,640 Speaker 4: Wow, first tape, let's go back to first tape. Record numbers. Yeah, 226 00:11:50,760 --> 00:11:54,440 Speaker 4: I've read in the media over six hundred thousand. That's 227 00:11:54,480 --> 00:11:56,040 Speaker 4: an average, highest average in. 228 00:11:56,040 --> 00:11:57,040 Speaker 3: The history. 229 00:11:58,280 --> 00:12:04,000 Speaker 4: Pre COVID numbers history. You brought two individuals onto your show. 230 00:12:04,040 --> 00:12:08,360 Speaker 4: You're executive producer up. First take mad Dog Russo. Why 231 00:12:08,360 --> 00:12:10,560 Speaker 4: did you bring mad Dog Russo on your show? 232 00:12:11,040 --> 00:12:13,280 Speaker 2: Because I wanted white America to know that I don't 233 00:12:13,320 --> 00:12:17,000 Speaker 2: just care about what black people say alone. I want 234 00:12:17,040 --> 00:12:18,880 Speaker 2: to care about what everybody says, and I want to 235 00:12:18,920 --> 00:12:22,400 Speaker 2: care about everybody's perspective. It's not just about black, it's 236 00:12:22,400 --> 00:12:25,240 Speaker 2: not just about white. It's not just about young. It's 237 00:12:25,280 --> 00:12:28,320 Speaker 2: also about middle aged and older folks. It's not just 238 00:12:28,400 --> 00:12:30,560 Speaker 2: about males. It's about females too. 239 00:12:31,160 --> 00:12:31,480 Speaker 1: You know. 240 00:12:31,679 --> 00:12:35,439 Speaker 2: I want to have the kind of show that everybody 241 00:12:35,480 --> 00:12:39,080 Speaker 2: knows they're invited, that everybody knows that they're included. 242 00:12:39,280 --> 00:12:41,040 Speaker 1: I remember when I had my show, quite. 243 00:12:40,880 --> 00:12:43,200 Speaker 2: Frankly on ESPN two from two thousand and five to 244 00:12:43,240 --> 00:12:46,320 Speaker 2: two thousand and seven. When I reflect on that show, 245 00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:48,880 Speaker 2: which was on the air for eighteen months, three hundred 246 00:12:48,880 --> 00:12:51,160 Speaker 2: and twenty seven shows, where I interviewed about seven hundred 247 00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:55,880 Speaker 2: and eighty guests, what I reflect upon most was the 248 00:12:55,920 --> 00:12:59,360 Speaker 2: fact that there were some people who felt left out 249 00:13:00,280 --> 00:13:04,280 Speaker 2: that I wasn't including them in the show, that the 250 00:13:04,400 --> 00:13:06,680 Speaker 2: show was with somebody else. That's not what you're in 251 00:13:06,679 --> 00:13:10,560 Speaker 2: this business for, you know. My roots are rooted in journalism. Yes, 252 00:13:10,600 --> 00:13:13,280 Speaker 2: how I've evolved and I've become a personality and a pundit. 253 00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:16,160 Speaker 2: I was this general sports columnist, so that gave me 254 00:13:16,320 --> 00:13:19,360 Speaker 2: a license to open and editorialize and give my opinions. 255 00:13:19,800 --> 00:13:24,800 Speaker 2: But my base, my foundation, evolves around the tenets of journalism. 256 00:13:25,360 --> 00:13:29,679 Speaker 2: And when you think like a journalist, you don't think 257 00:13:30,679 --> 00:13:34,800 Speaker 2: for or towards a monolithic audience. You think about everyone. 258 00:13:35,640 --> 00:13:39,800 Speaker 2: You might want one community to hear you more so 259 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:43,600 Speaker 2: than others, because your message on a day to day basis, 260 00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:46,840 Speaker 2: depending on the subject, may be aimed towards them, but 261 00:13:46,880 --> 00:13:49,800 Speaker 2: the message is not just for them, it's for everybody. 262 00:13:50,360 --> 00:13:54,040 Speaker 2: It might be about them, but it's not for just them. 263 00:13:54,240 --> 00:13:57,560 Speaker 2: It's for everybody. And so when I was, you know, 264 00:13:57,640 --> 00:14:00,320 Speaker 2: on first take, the first order of business was to 265 00:14:00,360 --> 00:14:03,400 Speaker 2: make sure that I showed all the multitude, you know, 266 00:14:03,440 --> 00:14:06,840 Speaker 2: the multiple facets of my personality, so I could be 267 00:14:06,920 --> 00:14:11,360 Speaker 2: inclusionary and come across as inclusionary in that regard, you know, people, 268 00:14:11,600 --> 00:14:14,520 Speaker 2: you know. I could be comedic, I could be serious, 269 00:14:15,320 --> 00:14:21,920 Speaker 2: I could be straightforward, I could deviate. I could be rambunctious, petulant, comical, 270 00:14:22,240 --> 00:14:24,480 Speaker 2: the list goes on and on. You just never know 271 00:14:24,640 --> 00:14:28,360 Speaker 2: with me, and I definitely wanted to do that, but 272 00:14:28,400 --> 00:14:31,680 Speaker 2: then when I became the executive producer, it was an 273 00:14:31,760 --> 00:14:36,800 Speaker 2: obligation to make sure the show represented that, not just me. 274 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:39,920 Speaker 2: And so that's what I've gone about the business of 275 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:44,560 Speaker 2: doing Mad Dog. Russo being added, Shannon Shop being added, 276 00:14:45,080 --> 00:14:50,560 Speaker 2: Ryan Clark, Marcus Spears already being there, Minachimes, Kimberly Martin. 277 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:54,280 Speaker 2: Of course, my partner in crime, Molly carm who does 278 00:14:54,320 --> 00:14:56,400 Speaker 2: a sensational job. I have no desire to do the 279 00:14:56,440 --> 00:14:58,520 Speaker 2: show without her. I love her to death, even though 280 00:14:58,520 --> 00:15:00,360 Speaker 2: I would never tell her, don't echo, don't that. I 281 00:15:00,360 --> 00:15:01,800 Speaker 2: don't want her to know how much love I have 282 00:15:01,880 --> 00:15:03,680 Speaker 2: for her because her head is big enough, it'll just 283 00:15:03,680 --> 00:15:08,280 Speaker 2: get bigger. But she's she's she's absolutely wonderful. And you know, 284 00:15:08,480 --> 00:15:13,280 Speaker 2: and then you see people like Monica McNutt, J J. Reddick, 285 00:15:13,600 --> 00:15:17,880 Speaker 2: Jay Williams, Kendrick Perkins. Can't forget my big bro, Kendrick Perkins. 286 00:15:18,160 --> 00:15:21,520 Speaker 2: You know when you look at Brian winterhors now makes 287 00:15:21,560 --> 00:15:23,240 Speaker 2: major contributions to the show. 288 00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:24,560 Speaker 1: And I'm not finished. 289 00:15:24,640 --> 00:15:28,120 Speaker 2: I've got more parts and pieces that I intend to add, 290 00:15:28,680 --> 00:15:31,120 Speaker 2: things that I want to do, and as long as 291 00:15:31,160 --> 00:15:33,560 Speaker 2: I'm at ESPN and they give me the license to 292 00:15:33,600 --> 00:15:34,960 Speaker 2: do it, I'll do the best that I can. 293 00:15:35,040 --> 00:15:35,920 Speaker 1: I've been number one for. 294 00:15:35,960 --> 00:15:39,960 Speaker 2: Over twelve years, hopefully it'll be thirteen fourteen and beyond. 295 00:15:40,640 --> 00:15:40,840 Speaker 3: Cool. 296 00:15:42,040 --> 00:15:46,760 Speaker 4: When we talk about success and you're why, it's Stephen A. 297 00:15:46,880 --> 00:15:51,520 Speaker 3: Smith popular, I don't know. 298 00:15:52,160 --> 00:15:56,320 Speaker 1: I mean, I don't wake up thinking about popularity. 299 00:15:56,840 --> 00:15:57,840 Speaker 3: But you are popular. 300 00:15:58,320 --> 00:16:00,640 Speaker 1: Yes, I accept that you got. 301 00:16:00,520 --> 00:16:03,840 Speaker 2: Nearly fourteen million followers on social media and you got 302 00:16:03,840 --> 00:16:07,280 Speaker 2: a YouTube channel that's nearly reached four hundred and fifty 303 00:16:07,320 --> 00:16:10,040 Speaker 2: thousand subscribers and nine months. I guess that equates to 304 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:12,800 Speaker 2: popularity in this day and age. Okay, so be it, 305 00:16:14,240 --> 00:16:16,920 Speaker 2: but I ain't for more. I'm just getting started, and 306 00:16:18,000 --> 00:16:21,920 Speaker 2: I don't wake up thinking about my popularity. I wake 307 00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:27,120 Speaker 2: up thinking about being successful and how can I put 308 00:16:27,160 --> 00:16:29,680 Speaker 2: my head down and put forth the work that's going 309 00:16:29,720 --> 00:16:35,120 Speaker 2: to ensure my success. I think the thing that any employer, 310 00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:40,200 Speaker 2: whether it be present or perspective, or future employers, or 311 00:16:40,200 --> 00:16:43,000 Speaker 2: whatever the case may be. I think the one thing 312 00:16:43,160 --> 00:16:48,160 Speaker 2: that people talk about how I work hard. Yes, they 313 00:16:48,240 --> 00:16:54,280 Speaker 2: don't understand the discipline I exercise. You do because you've 314 00:16:54,320 --> 00:16:58,080 Speaker 2: known me for over twenty years, but most people don't. 315 00:16:58,440 --> 00:17:05,440 Speaker 2: They don't understand how I think about. 316 00:17:03,360 --> 00:17:07,440 Speaker 1: The fruits of my labor. Person You know, you tell me. 317 00:17:07,840 --> 00:17:10,000 Speaker 2: One of the popular statements you make to me all 318 00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:13,760 Speaker 2: the time is I am you have never seen Because 319 00:17:13,800 --> 00:17:16,000 Speaker 2: you called me a superstar. I never felt that way. 320 00:17:16,280 --> 00:17:18,600 Speaker 2: But you say you've never seen a superstar like me. 321 00:17:18,800 --> 00:17:22,560 Speaker 2: You really really think you're ordinary. I drive myself ninety 322 00:17:22,560 --> 00:17:25,280 Speaker 2: five percent of the times instead of using car service. 323 00:17:25,920 --> 00:17:29,080 Speaker 2: I walk through airports, you know, ninety five percent of 324 00:17:29,119 --> 00:17:33,760 Speaker 2: the times instead of flying private. You know, I it 325 00:17:33,840 --> 00:17:37,280 Speaker 2: is nothing, nothing, You know this. It is nothing for 326 00:17:37,359 --> 00:17:39,520 Speaker 2: people to just turn around one day and to see 327 00:17:39,560 --> 00:17:42,159 Speaker 2: me standing in a white Castle for McDonald's. You know, 328 00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:44,520 Speaker 2: I'm not sending somebody in it for me. I usually 329 00:17:44,520 --> 00:17:46,600 Speaker 2: do it myself. I mean, I don't care, you know, 330 00:17:46,680 --> 00:17:48,600 Speaker 2: unless it's my man Juvie or Somatra. 331 00:17:48,720 --> 00:17:51,240 Speaker 1: I mean, I'm usually doing that. You know. 332 00:17:51,680 --> 00:17:55,439 Speaker 2: It's like people are shocked at how ordinary and you 333 00:17:55,840 --> 00:17:59,840 Speaker 2: to use your words regular I conduct myself, And it's 334 00:17:59,880 --> 00:18:01,560 Speaker 2: a very simple reason why I do. 335 00:18:01,520 --> 00:18:04,679 Speaker 1: That, because I don't think about all of that. I 336 00:18:04,720 --> 00:18:06,840 Speaker 1: think about the work. 337 00:18:07,640 --> 00:18:10,720 Speaker 2: I don't think about the success I intend to reap 338 00:18:10,880 --> 00:18:15,080 Speaker 2: from it. I expect that I expect to win. I 339 00:18:15,200 --> 00:18:17,119 Speaker 2: expect to be one of the best at whatever I 340 00:18:17,240 --> 00:18:20,200 Speaker 2: choose to do. I expect the rewards to be reaped 341 00:18:20,240 --> 00:18:22,840 Speaker 2: at some point. But it's not what I spend a 342 00:18:22,880 --> 00:18:26,119 Speaker 2: lot of time thinking about as it pertains to popularity 343 00:18:26,760 --> 00:18:30,640 Speaker 2: and what that ultimately can reap because in the end, 344 00:18:31,359 --> 00:18:34,160 Speaker 2: I believe, when you're married to the work. 345 00:18:35,080 --> 00:18:36,360 Speaker 1: It will speak for itself. 346 00:18:36,480 --> 00:18:39,120 Speaker 2: And the phrase that I used to use is when 347 00:18:39,200 --> 00:18:41,640 Speaker 2: Kevin Garnett got one hundred and twenty six million dollar 348 00:18:41,760 --> 00:18:45,480 Speaker 2: contractor you know, or Kobe Bryant got his money and 349 00:18:45,520 --> 00:18:50,080 Speaker 2: stuff like that, I said, these brothers are filthy rich, 350 00:18:51,080 --> 00:18:56,360 Speaker 2: and they play like this starving. I work like I'm starving. 351 00:18:57,080 --> 00:18:59,840 Speaker 2: I work every day, and so when I think about 352 00:19:00,040 --> 00:19:02,080 Speaker 2: people who want to go up against me, who think 353 00:19:02,119 --> 00:19:04,399 Speaker 2: they could do what I can do and think they 354 00:19:04,440 --> 00:19:06,840 Speaker 2: can enjoy the same level of success and all of 355 00:19:06,840 --> 00:19:10,399 Speaker 2: that stuff, the number one reason I'm so confident is 356 00:19:10,440 --> 00:19:13,360 Speaker 2: because I just find it hard to believe that most 357 00:19:13,359 --> 00:19:16,159 Speaker 2: people are going to match my work ethic and my 358 00:19:16,280 --> 00:19:20,840 Speaker 2: commitment to being great at what I do, no matter 359 00:19:20,880 --> 00:19:23,040 Speaker 2: how much money I'm making or not making. 360 00:19:23,880 --> 00:19:30,600 Speaker 4: Cool stealing a twenty eighteen you're the plan, and you 361 00:19:30,720 --> 00:19:34,159 Speaker 4: invited me into the heart of that path. You said, Raseean, 362 00:19:34,200 --> 00:19:37,480 Speaker 4: I'm putting together a dream team. And in twenty eighteen, 363 00:19:37,800 --> 00:19:41,439 Speaker 4: you didn't have a TikTok account. In twenty eighteen, you 364 00:19:41,440 --> 00:19:47,600 Speaker 4: didn't have a LinkedIn account. You still debating your Instagram account, 365 00:19:47,760 --> 00:19:50,720 Speaker 4: your Facebook and Twitter was your biggest account, which is 366 00:19:50,920 --> 00:19:54,520 Speaker 4: X now right, What was the plan, if you can 367 00:19:54,600 --> 00:19:58,520 Speaker 4: reveal to people with that plan was back then, because 368 00:19:58,520 --> 00:20:01,359 Speaker 4: we see it being played out right now with your popularity, 369 00:20:02,080 --> 00:20:04,919 Speaker 4: with your organic with your show that you just said 370 00:20:05,119 --> 00:20:08,280 Speaker 4: four hundred and fifty thousand subscribers in nine months. 371 00:20:09,160 --> 00:20:11,440 Speaker 3: Oh, in twenty eighteen, it started with your plan. 372 00:20:12,160 --> 00:20:18,320 Speaker 2: Well, I think the mistake that a lot of people 373 00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:21,720 Speaker 2: make is they focus on the money. 374 00:20:22,920 --> 00:20:24,440 Speaker 1: But not how you acquire it. 375 00:20:25,200 --> 00:20:25,400 Speaker 3: Right. 376 00:20:27,320 --> 00:20:34,280 Speaker 2: I working at ESPN on the number one show. In 377 00:20:34,320 --> 00:20:39,960 Speaker 2: total fairness to them, I'm paid a pretty handsome salary, 378 00:20:40,560 --> 00:20:44,840 Speaker 2: no question about it. But that was never going to 379 00:20:44,920 --> 00:20:47,440 Speaker 2: be enough for me and it never will be enough 380 00:20:47,440 --> 00:20:52,879 Speaker 2: for me because there I can honestly sit here and 381 00:20:52,960 --> 00:20:56,480 Speaker 2: tell you that, in my perfect world, if I could 382 00:20:56,560 --> 00:21:00,960 Speaker 2: work for ESPN and the walk Disney family for the 383 00:21:01,000 --> 00:21:06,560 Speaker 2: rest of my career, I would do it right, so 384 00:21:06,800 --> 00:21:11,240 Speaker 2: long as there's a separate part of my life that 385 00:21:11,480 --> 00:21:15,719 Speaker 2: has a level of independence that's completely not associated with 386 00:21:15,840 --> 00:21:17,400 Speaker 2: that right. 387 00:21:17,800 --> 00:21:18,840 Speaker 1: Because. 388 00:21:19,840 --> 00:21:25,080 Speaker 2: There's this itch that you get in life when you've 389 00:21:25,119 --> 00:21:31,840 Speaker 2: spent your life producing for others, and most people that 390 00:21:31,960 --> 00:21:40,439 Speaker 2: I know, that itch is what am I capable of 391 00:21:41,600 --> 00:21:49,560 Speaker 2: without those others. Denzel is a phenomenal actor, right, He's directed, 392 00:21:50,960 --> 00:21:51,720 Speaker 2: he's produced. 393 00:21:52,080 --> 00:21:55,760 Speaker 1: Why that doesn't that's not acting? Why you do those 394 00:21:55,840 --> 00:21:56,439 Speaker 1: other things? 395 00:21:57,359 --> 00:21:59,720 Speaker 2: Because he had a desire to branch out in the 396 00:21:59,760 --> 00:22:04,199 Speaker 2: city what he's capable of. Antoine Fuqua has become a 397 00:22:04,240 --> 00:22:05,840 Speaker 2: dear friend of mine. 398 00:22:05,920 --> 00:22:08,639 Speaker 1: He's not just a director, he's a producer. 399 00:22:09,840 --> 00:22:15,280 Speaker 2: You've seen comedians, you've seen actors, you've seen musicians, you've 400 00:22:15,320 --> 00:22:20,880 Speaker 2: seen journalists, pundits, even with the executives themselves. 401 00:22:20,960 --> 00:22:24,600 Speaker 1: Well, you at ESPN, while you leave, You're at Disney. 402 00:22:24,600 --> 00:22:27,320 Speaker 1: While you leave, you at Warner Brothers Discovery. What you 403 00:22:27,320 --> 00:22:28,320 Speaker 1: will ead, what you go for? 404 00:22:29,280 --> 00:22:30,920 Speaker 2: You know you're an agent, you're going out on you 405 00:22:31,040 --> 00:22:34,000 Speaker 2: and you're starting your own business. Why you weren't making 406 00:22:34,119 --> 00:22:37,960 Speaker 2: enough money? Of course you were making money, it wasn't enough. 407 00:22:39,119 --> 00:22:42,720 Speaker 2: Not that the money, the dollars weren't enough. But there's 408 00:22:42,760 --> 00:22:48,119 Speaker 2: this itch to feed yourself, to fuel yourself, to inspire 409 00:22:48,240 --> 00:22:51,680 Speaker 2: you to get up every day and to feel refreshed. 410 00:22:51,760 --> 00:22:57,960 Speaker 2: It's like go into a sauna and have the temperature 411 00:22:58,040 --> 00:23:00,720 Speaker 2: up at one hundred and fifty degrees and. 412 00:23:01,240 --> 00:23:04,840 Speaker 1: Then walk out in the ninety eight. You're gonna feel different. 413 00:23:05,119 --> 00:23:08,880 Speaker 2: Get in a cold plunge and sit there and freeze 414 00:23:08,880 --> 00:23:13,199 Speaker 2: for ten minutes, and then get up and expose yourself 415 00:23:13,240 --> 00:23:16,520 Speaker 2: to that same temperature and see how you're going to feel. 416 00:23:16,640 --> 00:23:18,560 Speaker 1: It's something different. 417 00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:26,359 Speaker 2: That fuels and inspires you to get up and reach 418 00:23:26,480 --> 00:23:30,320 Speaker 2: for more. And when you see when you wake up 419 00:23:30,400 --> 00:23:34,400 Speaker 2: one day and you have achieved a level of success, 420 00:23:35,400 --> 00:23:39,760 Speaker 2: and you see that you've done all that you can 421 00:23:39,840 --> 00:23:43,679 Speaker 2: do on this level, You're wondering, what's at this level, 422 00:23:43,880 --> 00:23:48,520 Speaker 2: what's at this level, what's here? What's there that's your itch? 423 00:23:49,320 --> 00:23:56,840 Speaker 2: And it's just something that I have. And in twenty eighteen. 424 00:23:58,760 --> 00:24:00,399 Speaker 1: It was necessary. 425 00:24:00,480 --> 00:24:02,720 Speaker 2: It wasn't just because I lost my job in two 426 00:24:02,800 --> 00:24:05,440 Speaker 2: thousand and nine because I was unemployed with a daughter 427 00:24:05,480 --> 00:24:09,000 Speaker 2: and expecting another. It wasn't just that I didn't have 428 00:24:09,080 --> 00:24:12,320 Speaker 2: but so much money in the bank. It was that 429 00:24:13,520 --> 00:24:18,560 Speaker 2: I left myself at the mercy of one entity. I 430 00:24:18,640 --> 00:24:24,520 Speaker 2: didn't plan and coordinate a future without them, even though 431 00:24:24,520 --> 00:24:28,000 Speaker 2: I knew I didn't want a future without them. And 432 00:24:28,040 --> 00:24:32,920 Speaker 2: that's the difference between me then and in twenty eighteen, 433 00:24:33,520 --> 00:24:36,880 Speaker 2: when I put the wheels in motion to be exactly. 434 00:24:36,440 --> 00:24:37,359 Speaker 1: What I am now. 435 00:24:38,560 --> 00:24:41,879 Speaker 2: My YouTube channel is very important to me for one 436 00:24:41,920 --> 00:24:43,000 Speaker 2: reason and one reason only. 437 00:24:43,080 --> 00:24:46,080 Speaker 1: It's all mine. 438 00:24:46,119 --> 00:24:49,359 Speaker 2: Masters RSS feed, you know, eye piece of everything, it's 439 00:24:49,400 --> 00:24:53,360 Speaker 2: all mine. Nobody has it, nobody owns it. It's mine 440 00:24:53,480 --> 00:24:57,080 Speaker 2: and it is what I make it. And to know 441 00:24:57,240 --> 00:25:03,480 Speaker 2: that I have the opportunity to position myself to not have. 442 00:25:03,359 --> 00:25:09,640 Speaker 1: To depend on others is the fuel that I needed 443 00:25:10,480 --> 00:25:11,440 Speaker 1: to feel inspired. 444 00:25:11,480 --> 00:25:13,040 Speaker 2: And that's why when people look at me now and 445 00:25:13,040 --> 00:25:14,800 Speaker 2: they say, yo, stephen A, what's going on with you? 446 00:25:14,840 --> 00:25:15,000 Speaker 1: Man? 447 00:25:15,040 --> 00:25:17,240 Speaker 2: You look like you lost some weight. You look great, 448 00:25:17,280 --> 00:25:21,560 Speaker 2: you look in great shape. Man, I'm not playing. I'm 449 00:25:21,760 --> 00:25:25,879 Speaker 2: fifty six and I haven't felt this better, this good 450 00:25:26,080 --> 00:25:30,120 Speaker 2: since my early thirties. The help that I'm in. I've 451 00:25:30,160 --> 00:25:35,879 Speaker 2: lost thirty pounds, I've lost fourteen points of body fat. 452 00:25:37,760 --> 00:25:41,800 Speaker 2: I eat better, I exercise a minimum of five days 453 00:25:41,800 --> 00:25:47,359 Speaker 2: a week. I take my vitamins and supplements. I'm focused 454 00:25:47,440 --> 00:25:49,840 Speaker 2: because I'm not interested in being alive. 455 00:25:50,440 --> 00:25:51,600 Speaker 1: I'm interested in living. 456 00:25:52,880 --> 00:25:57,440 Speaker 2: And you're not living when you're stagnant or you're deteriorating, 457 00:25:58,440 --> 00:26:03,720 Speaker 2: or you're not elevating. You're only living when you're working 458 00:26:03,880 --> 00:26:06,840 Speaker 2: on elevating, even if you're not elevating yet, Like there's 459 00:26:06,840 --> 00:26:10,120 Speaker 2: not tangible evidence to show Rashan that you're elevating right. 460 00:26:10,240 --> 00:26:15,960 Speaker 2: If you're working towards it, you feel alive because this purpose, 461 00:26:16,920 --> 00:26:17,760 Speaker 2: and that's where I'm at. 462 00:26:18,400 --> 00:26:21,560 Speaker 4: Cool as we close out the show, you have a book, 463 00:26:21,720 --> 00:26:24,960 Speaker 4: Straight Shooter New York Times Bestseller comes out, and it's 464 00:26:24,960 --> 00:26:25,720 Speaker 4: out in paperback. 465 00:26:25,760 --> 00:26:28,840 Speaker 3: And that comes out. It's out in paperback why you 466 00:26:28,880 --> 00:26:30,679 Speaker 3: wrote it and why are you so proud of it? 467 00:26:32,200 --> 00:26:33,919 Speaker 2: Well, first of all, I love how you ask these 468 00:26:33,960 --> 00:26:36,399 Speaker 2: rhetorical questions, like you want to know when you're you 469 00:26:36,440 --> 00:26:40,480 Speaker 2: know you're the instigator for half make me sick. I mean, 470 00:26:40,520 --> 00:26:42,359 Speaker 2: I didn't want to write the damn book, to be 471 00:26:42,440 --> 00:26:44,680 Speaker 2: quite honest with you, I really really didn't do it, 472 00:26:44,920 --> 00:26:46,679 Speaker 2: you know. And then I said to you, yeah, I 473 00:26:46,680 --> 00:26:48,879 Speaker 2: want to write the book, but you know, if I'm 474 00:26:48,920 --> 00:26:50,840 Speaker 2: a writer book, there's only one book I can write. 475 00:26:50,880 --> 00:26:52,760 Speaker 2: It's my memoir. I don't feel like should write anything 476 00:26:52,800 --> 00:26:58,919 Speaker 2: before I write that. But you know, people were bugging 477 00:26:58,960 --> 00:27:01,600 Speaker 2: me since to thousand and nine when I lost my 478 00:27:01,680 --> 00:27:03,480 Speaker 2: job at he Is being to write a book. But 479 00:27:03,520 --> 00:27:05,360 Speaker 2: they wanted me to write some tell all book. They 480 00:27:05,440 --> 00:27:07,640 Speaker 2: just don't know me very well. I don't play that game. 481 00:27:07,640 --> 00:27:09,600 Speaker 2: I would never do that to any employee. I don't 482 00:27:09,600 --> 00:27:13,840 Speaker 2: play that nonsense. I would always defend myself against anybody. 483 00:27:13,840 --> 00:27:17,040 Speaker 2: But I'm not gonna be some tell all book. 484 00:27:16,840 --> 00:27:19,159 Speaker 1: And that and that other. I'm too gifted, too skilled 485 00:27:19,200 --> 00:27:20,120 Speaker 1: to principle to. 486 00:27:20,040 --> 00:27:23,280 Speaker 2: Make my money that way, right, So when people came 487 00:27:23,320 --> 00:27:25,320 Speaker 2: to me and wanted me to do that, I said no, 488 00:27:25,480 --> 00:27:27,600 Speaker 2: And then they said, well, right about your memoir and 489 00:27:27,600 --> 00:27:30,480 Speaker 2: stuff like that, and talk to my mother about it. 490 00:27:30,760 --> 00:27:32,280 Speaker 1: This was in twenty and ten. 491 00:27:33,640 --> 00:27:36,320 Speaker 2: Janie Smith, the greatest woman that I've ever known, greatest 492 00:27:36,400 --> 00:27:38,399 Speaker 2: human being I've ever known, who I loved dearly and 493 00:27:38,440 --> 00:27:43,919 Speaker 2: miss every day. She said to me, you absolutely positively 494 00:27:43,960 --> 00:27:48,119 Speaker 2: will not write a book while I'm alive, because she 495 00:27:48,240 --> 00:27:54,359 Speaker 2: knew how much I loved her, and she knew that 496 00:27:54,480 --> 00:27:57,920 Speaker 2: if I wrote a book, it would be dedicated to her. 497 00:27:58,400 --> 00:28:01,359 Speaker 2: That's why it's entitled straight Shooter. It's a dedication to 498 00:28:01,480 --> 00:28:05,119 Speaker 2: my mom. And she knew that if I dedicated a 499 00:28:05,160 --> 00:28:09,840 Speaker 2: book to her, I would have to talk about her greatness. 500 00:28:10,800 --> 00:28:14,280 Speaker 2: And the only way to talk about her greatness is 501 00:28:14,320 --> 00:28:18,280 Speaker 2: to talk about and highlight what she overcame, which would 502 00:28:18,280 --> 00:28:21,840 Speaker 2: involve my father. And my mother did not want me 503 00:28:21,920 --> 00:28:25,760 Speaker 2: to do that, and so she made me promise that 504 00:28:25,800 --> 00:28:30,320 Speaker 2: I would never ever write my memoir until she passed away. 505 00:28:31,800 --> 00:28:36,200 Speaker 2: And when she passed away in twenty seventeen, I didn't 506 00:28:36,200 --> 00:28:38,120 Speaker 2: think about it for about a year year and a half, 507 00:28:39,800 --> 00:28:43,560 Speaker 2: and then people started bringing it up. And then somebody, 508 00:28:43,600 --> 00:28:47,000 Speaker 2: I don't know who, the hellless person was, rolled up 509 00:28:47,000 --> 00:28:50,760 Speaker 2: on Rashan McDonald and was like, you. 510 00:28:50,720 --> 00:28:52,320 Speaker 1: Need to get Stephen Aate to write a book. 511 00:28:53,160 --> 00:28:58,600 Speaker 2: And then this dude, Rashan McDonald proceeded to bug the 512 00:28:58,640 --> 00:29:02,400 Speaker 2: living hell out of me every damn day for about 513 00:29:02,440 --> 00:29:04,640 Speaker 2: a year until I finally. 514 00:29:04,240 --> 00:29:10,680 Speaker 1: Said, okay, okay, okay, I'll do it. And then when 515 00:29:10,680 --> 00:29:11,920 Speaker 1: I started writing. 516 00:29:11,560 --> 00:29:16,240 Speaker 2: It, it took me about four four and a half months. 517 00:29:16,280 --> 00:29:20,520 Speaker 2: I wrote every word myself, had an editor, not a ghostwriter. 518 00:29:21,360 --> 00:29:26,040 Speaker 2: Had you helped me edit as well. But when I 519 00:29:26,080 --> 00:29:30,360 Speaker 2: wrote the book the first thing, you know, it took 520 00:29:30,440 --> 00:29:33,880 Speaker 2: me four and a half months, but it took me 521 00:29:35,520 --> 00:29:40,760 Speaker 2: about two and a half to three months to get 522 00:29:40,760 --> 00:29:44,600 Speaker 2: through two chapters. And you know what those two chapters were. 523 00:29:44,800 --> 00:29:48,840 Speaker 2: It was revisiting my childhood, my situation with my father, 524 00:29:49,120 --> 00:29:51,400 Speaker 2: the things he put my mother and my family through, 525 00:29:52,160 --> 00:29:54,600 Speaker 2: and when that happened. 526 00:29:55,720 --> 00:29:56,280 Speaker 1: That was. 527 00:29:57,720 --> 00:30:01,240 Speaker 2: That made it very very difficult because was the first 528 00:30:01,240 --> 00:30:04,840 Speaker 2: two weeks I didn't even finish the book. I just 529 00:30:04,920 --> 00:30:07,760 Speaker 2: sent the excerpts to my sisters and they didn't speak 530 00:30:07,760 --> 00:30:08,160 Speaker 2: to me for. 531 00:30:08,080 --> 00:30:09,640 Speaker 1: Two weeks, all. 532 00:30:09,560 --> 00:30:11,680 Speaker 2: Four of them. I thought they were mad at me, 533 00:30:12,640 --> 00:30:15,760 Speaker 2: but they weren't mad. They were just going through it 534 00:30:15,840 --> 00:30:18,680 Speaker 2: themselves because the things that I had mentioned were what 535 00:30:18,760 --> 00:30:22,640 Speaker 2: they forgot about, and for a long time I had 536 00:30:22,640 --> 00:30:25,640 Speaker 2: forgotten about, right, And so to bring those things up 537 00:30:25,680 --> 00:30:30,480 Speaker 2: to the surface forced us to relive the hell that 538 00:30:30,520 --> 00:30:32,880 Speaker 2: we had gone through when we were younger. And it 539 00:30:33,040 --> 00:30:38,880 Speaker 2: was really really painful, to say the least, but necessary 540 00:30:38,920 --> 00:30:39,680 Speaker 2: and cathartic in. 541 00:30:39,640 --> 00:30:40,400 Speaker 1: Its own ways. 542 00:30:41,000 --> 00:30:43,600 Speaker 2: And then ultimately I finished the book in law and 543 00:30:43,640 --> 00:30:47,200 Speaker 2: behold it's a New York Times bestseller for nine weeks, 544 00:30:47,560 --> 00:30:51,480 Speaker 2: both paperback I'm sorry, in hardcover, I'm sorry, and audio, 545 00:30:53,320 --> 00:30:55,240 Speaker 2: and I can't tell you. I still get stopped on 546 00:30:55,280 --> 00:30:55,840 Speaker 2: the streets. 547 00:30:56,600 --> 00:30:56,840 Speaker 1: You know. 548 00:30:56,960 --> 00:30:59,680 Speaker 2: The book's been out for almost a year, and I 549 00:30:59,680 --> 00:31:01,400 Speaker 2: guess out on the streets all the time. 550 00:31:01,840 --> 00:31:03,120 Speaker 1: People loved my book. 551 00:31:04,240 --> 00:31:06,840 Speaker 2: I got to give major, major thanks to Howard Stern 552 00:31:08,000 --> 00:31:11,000 Speaker 2: because the interview he did with me about my book. 553 00:31:12,400 --> 00:31:14,600 Speaker 2: There has not been a city that I have traveled 554 00:31:14,640 --> 00:31:18,760 Speaker 2: to since that interview that somebody hasn't brought up that 555 00:31:18,840 --> 00:31:22,440 Speaker 2: interview with Howard Stern. Many, many people have interviewed me 556 00:31:22,480 --> 00:31:24,440 Speaker 2: and profiled the book and given me a lot of 557 00:31:24,480 --> 00:31:26,040 Speaker 2: love and a lot of praise. They thought it was 558 00:31:26,080 --> 00:31:28,360 Speaker 2: going to be a sports book. It's not a sports book, 559 00:31:29,920 --> 00:31:31,480 Speaker 2: and they gave me a lot of praise and a 560 00:31:31,480 --> 00:31:32,640 Speaker 2: lot of props for. 561 00:31:32,480 --> 00:31:38,000 Speaker 1: That, But that Howard Stern interview is what. 562 00:31:39,160 --> 00:31:41,680 Speaker 2: I can't tell you how many people have come up 563 00:31:41,680 --> 00:31:44,480 Speaker 2: to me and said I've had people coming to me 564 00:31:44,480 --> 00:31:47,960 Speaker 2: and say they read the book again because they said, 565 00:31:47,960 --> 00:31:50,400 Speaker 2: we read it once, but then after the Howard Stern interview, 566 00:31:50,680 --> 00:31:52,560 Speaker 2: we read it again because we were like, wait a minute, 567 00:31:53,240 --> 00:31:54,200 Speaker 2: where did he say that? 568 00:31:54,320 --> 00:31:54,840 Speaker 1: I missed that? 569 00:31:55,000 --> 00:31:57,960 Speaker 2: But let me go back to that and so and 570 00:31:58,000 --> 00:32:00,560 Speaker 2: now Simon and hused to put it in paper and 571 00:32:02,040 --> 00:32:03,680 Speaker 2: it's expected to be a success. 572 00:32:03,720 --> 00:32:03,960 Speaker 1: Again. 573 00:32:04,000 --> 00:32:06,520 Speaker 2: I think we've sold over four hundred thousand copies or 574 00:32:06,520 --> 00:32:08,240 Speaker 2: so some way around there. 575 00:32:08,360 --> 00:32:10,800 Speaker 1: Whatever. Again, it's been a New York Times bestseller. That's 576 00:32:10,800 --> 00:32:11,080 Speaker 1: the krem. 577 00:32:11,120 --> 00:32:14,160 Speaker 2: Dela Kreme doesn't get me hired in that. And for 578 00:32:14,320 --> 00:32:17,240 Speaker 2: me to think about the kid that got left back 579 00:32:17,280 --> 00:32:20,720 Speaker 2: in fourth grade because I had a first grade reading level, 580 00:32:20,760 --> 00:32:22,960 Speaker 2: I had undiagnosed dyslexia. 581 00:32:23,920 --> 00:32:25,720 Speaker 1: For me to be a. 582 00:32:25,560 --> 00:32:29,640 Speaker 2: Professional journalist in my career and now a writer who's 583 00:32:29,680 --> 00:32:33,520 Speaker 2: a New York Times best selling author, I mean, damn, 584 00:32:33,920 --> 00:32:36,600 Speaker 2: I mean, how can we possibly say this is in 585 00:32:36,680 --> 00:32:39,520 Speaker 2: a high power looking over us. The Lord has truly, 586 00:32:39,560 --> 00:32:41,800 Speaker 2: truly blessed me, and I apologize for saying damn. 587 00:32:41,840 --> 00:32:49,880 Speaker 4: Preceding that statement, Steven Ah, he's my friend and somebody trust, 588 00:32:50,160 --> 00:32:52,920 Speaker 4: somebody who's been there in my downtimes. Thank you for 589 00:32:52,960 --> 00:32:55,280 Speaker 4: coming on money making comings as your master class show. 590 00:32:55,680 --> 00:32:58,280 Speaker 3: You're brilliant. Brother. I wish you much good luck. 591 00:32:58,560 --> 00:33:00,640 Speaker 2: I appreciate the kind words, but you know you could 592 00:33:00,680 --> 00:33:02,160 Speaker 2: have stretched it a little bit longer. 593 00:33:02,160 --> 00:33:03,880 Speaker 1: I mean it was really quick with the kind words. 594 00:33:03,880 --> 00:33:04,560 Speaker 1: You know what I'm saying. 595 00:33:04,720 --> 00:33:07,600 Speaker 2: I mean, you know, I mean he spent about you know, 596 00:33:07,760 --> 00:33:10,400 Speaker 2: twenty seconds on the kind words and stuff like that. 597 00:33:10,480 --> 00:33:13,520 Speaker 2: When I when I praised with Sean McDonald, I'm lengthy 598 00:33:13,560 --> 00:33:13,840 Speaker 2: with it. 599 00:33:13,880 --> 00:33:15,840 Speaker 1: You know what I'm saying. I mean, I put it 600 00:33:15,880 --> 00:33:18,200 Speaker 1: out there, I make it, I let it marinate it. 601 00:33:18,280 --> 00:33:20,280 Speaker 1: Stay out there for what I'm trying to do. 602 00:33:20,680 --> 00:33:23,800 Speaker 3: You moment you're getting out. 603 00:33:23,800 --> 00:33:26,160 Speaker 1: Twenty seconds, all right? 604 00:33:26,240 --> 00:33:29,400 Speaker 3: I love you, brother, Stay strong man. I mean, like 605 00:33:29,440 --> 00:33:31,560 Speaker 3: I said, Stevid A, you're one of a kind brother. 606 00:33:32,520 --> 00:33:35,440 Speaker 3: You are a guy that let me just tell you, 607 00:33:35,560 --> 00:33:39,280 Speaker 3: he said it. I've never in my life made a 608 00:33:39,320 --> 00:33:40,600 Speaker 3: superstar like you, brother. 609 00:33:41,600 --> 00:33:44,960 Speaker 4: Not so much your work, but your heart, man, your 610 00:33:44,960 --> 00:33:52,600 Speaker 4: heart is incredibly passionate, loyal and honest because you've had 611 00:33:52,600 --> 00:33:56,240 Speaker 4: some honest conversations with me and I appreciate you and 612 00:33:56,280 --> 00:33:56,760 Speaker 4: I need it. 613 00:33:57,120 --> 00:34:07,280 Speaker 1: And that's that's that's that's good time. See that's all right, Stevid, Bye. 614 00:34:07,080 --> 00:34:10,880 Speaker 5: Bye, Thank you for joining us for this edition of 615 00:34:10,920 --> 00:34:16,640 Speaker 5: Money Making Conversations Masterclass. Money Making Conversations Masterclass with rough 616 00:34:16,640 --> 00:34:20,080 Speaker 5: Shan McDonald is produced by thirty eight fifteen Media Inc. 617 00:34:20,400 --> 00:34:24,239 Speaker 5: More information about thirty eight fifteen Media Inc. Is available 618 00:34:24,320 --> 00:34:28,200 Speaker 5: at thirty eight fifteen media dot com. And always remember 619 00:34:28,400 --> 00:34:29,760 Speaker 5: to lead with your gifts