Hello and welcome back to another episode of Men Thrive. This week, we are joined by Keenan Scott II, critically acclaimed playwright, poet, actor, director, and producer hailing from Queens, New York. He joins us today to discuss his career on Broadway, creating Thoughts of a Colored Man, how acting has changed him, growing up in 90s New York, the importance of being well read as an actor, and the transformational pieces that inspired him. We got an excellent peek into the life of an actor...

On today’s episode of Men Thrive, Johnny Venus of Earthgang joins us. Also known as OLU, Earthgang is an Atlanta-based hip hop group signed to Dreamville Records that has had the hip hop world buzzing over the past several years with their critically acclaimed mixtapes and albums. We chatted with this brother about his musical inspirations, Earthgang’s origins, growing up in Atlanta, how he defines manhood and brotherhood, and the backstory behind Spillage Village. This was a great...

Welcome to another season of Men Thrive. In today's episode, we have Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and NBA Legend, Chris Webber. Chris is a throwback to Black Renaissance. By collecting African American artifacts, having his hand in several entrepreneurial endeavors, as well as providing play-by-play for NBA broadcasts he showcases his wide range of interests. In an enlightening conversation, Jeff speaks to Chris about his “Fab Five” and NBA playing days, how he dealt with the COVID-19...

It’s our final episode of The Men Thrive Podcast Season One. Words cannot describe how grateful we are that you all have been rocking with us till now. In today’s episode your host, Jeff Johnson, revisits a few of his Top 5 Most Memorable moments and talks about how much this season has meant to him. Although we will be away for a few weeks we hope that you continue to show up WHOLE, operate with JOY, and live with POWER. Happy Holidays & a Happy New Year from the entire Men Thrive Team....

In today's Episode of Men Thrive your host Jeff Johnson os joined by Father, Husband, former Democratic member of the Missouri House of Representatives and CEO and founder of Pine Street Strategies Don Calloway. In a very candid conversation about the culture and all things, marriage Jeff and Don get into what it looks like to be a husband and many of the things they had to unlearn as they've grown. Tune in to hear how Don gives us the tools on how to live a thriving life.

In today’s episode of Men Thrive, Jeff Johnson is joined by City Council Member, Professor, and Activists  Dr. Wes Ballamy.  At age 29, Bellamy was the youngest councilor elected under the current form of city government.  In a candid conversation, Wes shares with us his journey to the man he's become today.  Lastly, he shares many important keys to navigating the current state of our nation and dives into the everyday challenges, growth, and joys of his role as a father and husband.  Tune in...

In today’s episode of Men Thrive Jeff Johnson is joined by Founder & Ceo of Squire technologies, Dave Salvant. Squire is a back-end barbershop management tool for independent businesses they launched in 2016. Dave shares with us what it takes and means to be an entrepreneur. He gives us the breakdown of how he was able to raise 100 million dollars in Venture Capitalist funding for his business Squire.  Laslty, he shares many important keys to generational wealth.  Tune in to hear how Dave...

In Today’s episode of Men Thrive, Jeff Johnson is joined by Grammy Award Winning Producer, DJ, Professor, and Hall of Famer, Ninth Wonder. He gives us the blueprint on how he evolved from a young student in North Carolina to a legendary Producer and Lecturer.  Ninth dives his thoughts on the new wave of accessibility in the music industry as well as the many lessons he's learned through his years in the industry.  He also shares with us how's he's navigated grief with the recent loss of his...

In today's episode of Men Thrive with Jeff Johnson we had the chance to catch up with  Executive Director of the Washington, DC Chapter of the Recording Academy  Jeriel Johnson.  Jeriel has previously held roles at Disney, Warner Bros. Records, and NBCUniversal, but most importantly he's a husband and  father. In a very candid conversation, Jeriel dives into his relationship with health and wellness, and how he had to battle through a heart attack at the young age of 27.  He also shares how...

In today’s episode of Men Thrive we are joined by Serial Entrepreneur, Marketing Agency Leader, Founder of Sunday 2 Sunday, Kukua Corp CBD Products and Venture Noire, Keenan Beasley. The list honestly goes on and on for this brother.  In a very candid conversation, Keenan shares with us his why and how his mother has shaped how he moves as a curator and entrepreneur. He shares what entrepreneurship means to him and what it’s taken for him to get to where he is today. It's a true conversation...

In today's episode of Men Thrive we are joined by Grammy Nominated, Multi-Platinum Producer, Actor, and TV Host, Kosine. He’s worked with many of your favorite artists including but definitely not limited to Rihanna, Kanye, Big Sean, Nicki Minaj, on her hit song Anaconda, Nas, Justin Bieber. In a very candid conversation, Kosine and Jeff discuss Kosine's journey from one of the lowest moments in his life to his evolution into manhood. They dive into how his family kept him grounded when his...

In today’s episode of Men Thrive we are joined by Grammy Award-winning Artist & Author of The NY Times Best Seller “Unashamed”, Lecrae.  In a very candid conversation, Lecrae dives into his early years as a young man in Houston, Texas, and how his relativity to gang culture shaped his passion for helping his brothers and sisters who are currently incarcerated. He shares his evolution as a father and how he’s learned to put fatherhood before anything else in his career.  It's a true...

Today we are joined by two brilliant minds, two brothers that were told they couldn’t and proceeded to defy all the odds stacked against them. In today’s episode, we have Arthell Isom & Lamonte Goode. Arthell is the Founder and CEO of not only the first Black-owned anime studio but also the first American-owned anime studio in Japan. He takes us through his incredible journey from anime fan to Tokyo studio owner. We also had Lamonte Good who is an actor, dancer, a professional movement...

In today’s special episode of Men Thrive we are sharing with you part two of “A Conversation with Chaka Zulu”. Jeff Johnson is again joined by Co-Founder of Disturbing The Peace and Spotify Executive, Father & A Revolutionary is his own right, Chaka Zulu. They continue the conversation on how his upbringing helped him stay grounded in an industry that could have easily shaken his foundation, in addition to fatherhood, the current state of our nation, and what it looks like to be...

In today’s very special episode of Men Thrive, Jeff Johnson is joined by Co-Founder of Disturbing The Peace and Spotify Executive, Father & A Revolutionary is his own right, Chaka Zulu. Chaka dives into what the industry now looks like due to COVID  & how there has been a cultural and community disconnect. He also reveals how his upbringing helped him stay grounded in an industry that could have easily shaken his foundation.  Tune in to hear how to Chaka gives us the tools on how to...

In today’s episode of Men Thrive, Jeff Johnson is joined community activist, motivational speaker, mentor, advocate Leon Ford. Leon is a living embodiment of courage, using his story as a catalyst for a change. One day he was a teenager with his whole life ahead of him, and in one instant, his life changed forever. Leon not only shares with us the story of his encounter with law enforcement that led to him being shot five times at point-blank range, resulting in paralysis. He also gives us...

In today’s episode of Men Thrive, Jeff Johnson is joined community activist, motivational speaker, mentor, advocate Leon Ford. Leon is a living embodiment of courage, using his story as a catalyst for a change. One day he was a teenager with his whole life ahead of him, and in one instant, his life changed forever. Leon not only shares with us the story of his encounter with law enforcement that led to him being shot five times at point-blank range, resulting in paralysis. He also gives us...

In today’s very special episode of Men Thrive, Jeff Johnson is joined twenty-year-old contemporary art anomaly, often referred to as “The Fresh Prince of Street Art” Skyler Grey. Grey’s works have been exhibited at art fairs and venues in London, Vancouver, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and Dubai. In 2017, Grey was featured in Forbes’ “30 Under 30, Art and Style Edition.” In this very candid conversation, Skyler shares the blueprint of his evolution as an artist and dives into his...

In today’s very special episode of Men Thrive, Jeff Johnson is joined twenty-year-old contemporary art anomaly, often referred to as “The Fresh Prince of Street Art” Skyler Grey. Grey’s works have been exhibited at art fairs and venues in London, Vancouver, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and Dubai. In 2017, Grey was featured in Forbes’ “30 Under 30, Art and Style Edition.” In this very candid conversation, Skyler shares the blueprint of his evolution as an artist and dives into his...

In Today’s episode of Men Thrive, Jeff Johnson is joined by Co-Founder + President of LVRN Records Tunde Balogun. Tunde gives us the blueprint on how he evolved from an Atlanta party promoter to Top Industry Exec.  He dives into difficulties of being a first-generation Nigerian American while pursuing a non-traditional career. Lastly, he reveals how in 2019 he created a Mental Health initiative inside of his label in order to promote wellness for his artists, and at the top of the year. Tune...

In today’s episode of Men Thrive, Jeff Johnson is joined by author, activist, and senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Jamal Bryant. They discuss how churches have been disrupted by COVID-19. They also discuss the Black Lives Matter movement, our young leaders and the state of their mental health in this season. Lastly, Jamal shares with us a few trials and tribulations he’s faced in order to get to a place of wholeness as a man, leader, and father.

In today’s episode, Jeff Johnson is joined by Cultural Curator and Lifestyle Specialist, the legendary Kenny Burns. In a very candid conversation, Kenny and Jeff both reflect on the immense impact that the late Andre Harrell had on their lives. Kenny looks back on his evolution as a man, from his early years in the streets to the devoted father and media maven he is today. He also dives into his 20 marriage where it all started and how they’ve maintained a healthy relationship for all these...

On today’s episode of Men Thrive, Jeff Johnson is joined by Writer, and Story-teller, and Spoken Word Artist, Joel L Daniels. In a very honest and transparent conversation, Joel gives a look into his journey of self-mastery and how he chose to say “YES” to the call on his life, in order to walk into his purpose. He also shares what healing as a black man and as an entire nation looks like to him. Lastly, Joel dives into the highs, lows, and growing pains that came with learning how to...

The opposite of LOVE is not HATE, it’s fear. The theme for today’s episode is choosing love over fear.  Jeff Johnson is joined by World Renowned Poet,  Spoken Word Artist, and  Def Poetry Jam’s very own The Legendary Black Ice. In a very candid conversation, Black Ice reveals his evolution as a creative, his early years with Def Poetry Jam, and how his passion has turned to way for him to teach and inspire the youth.  He also dives into his noteworthy move to Amsterdam and how it has changed...