MEN THRIVE with Jeff Johnson

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 and we definitely enjoyed his time with us. Tune in!

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 conversation and we cannot wait to see what else Johnny has in store. Tune in!

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 pandemic, parenthood during the current cultural climate, and his upcoming partnership with Morehouse College. Tune in to hear about Chris’s journey and how he uses it to inspire the next generation.

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. We’ll talk to you soon.

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 to hear how Wes gives us the tools on how to live a thriving life.

In today’s episode of Men Thrive Jeff Johnson is joined by Founder & President 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 gives us the tools on how to live a thriving life.

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 brother.   Tune in to hear how to Ninth Wonder gives us the tools on how to live a thriving life.

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 these last few months at home have strengthed his values, relationships, and work ethic. Lastly, he drops gems on the current state of the music industry and how to navigate the business side.  Tune in as Jeriel gives us the blueprint on what it really means to Thrive instead of simply grinding to survive.

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 of purpose and work ethic.  Tune in as Keenan gives us the blueprint on what it really means to Thrive.

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 foundation was shook and his love and appreciation for his Panamanian heritage. Lastly, he reveals what he’s learned about relationships, love, and marriage in this new season of his life. Tune in to hear how Kosine lives a thrive life.

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 conversation of restoration and redemption. Make sure you guys check out his book “ I Am Restored: How I Lost My Religion But Gained My Faith"  that's currently available for pre-sale.  Tune in as Lecrae gives us the blueprint on what it really means to Thrive.

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 artist, and the founder and creator of Cyberyoga. He shares with us his evolution from a breakdancer to a full-blown innovator. We normally talk to one guest every episode but these brothers were so profound in their perseverance and journeys that we had to share their stories as one. Listen in as Arthell & Lamonte give us the blueprint to thrive. 

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 revolutionary vs counter-revolutionary. This episode is full of so many gems and so much wisdom. Tune in to hear how to Chaka gives us the tools on how to live a thriving life.

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 live a thriving life.

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 the blueprint of how he chose life and joy instead of death and anger.  Leon is the voice for so many who are now voiceless because they lost their lives to police brutality.  In his resilience, Leon Ford has turned a tragic story into a testimony of love, compassion, and understanding. Tune in to hear how to Leon gives us the tools on how to live a thriving life.

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 groundbreaking collaboration with Lamborghini as the first artist to ever officially collaborate with the Italian automotive brand.. He discusses the trials and tribulations he faced losing his mother at a young age and how his father, Holman Arthurs has taught, lead, and guided him every step of the way. Tune in to hear how to Skyler gives us the tools on how to live a thriving life.