The Loneliness Epidemic: Dr. Marisa G. Franco on Loneliness, Belonging & Connection

Lecrae Gets Real About Fame, Depression & Finding God

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, Lecrae sits down to talk about far more than music. From growing up caught between hip hop culture and faith, to building Christian rap on his own terms, he shares the challenges of navigating identity, purpose, and public perception while carving out a lane that didn't fully exist before him. Lecrae opens up about the highs of fame and success, the internal battles that came with it, and how depression, anxiety, therapy, and vulnerability became part of his healing journey. He also speaks on activism, family, fatherhood in the social media era, and why creating safe spaces for honest conversations matters now more than ever. Throughout the episode, Lecrae drops powerful reflections on faith, mental health, self-worth, and learning how to separate who you are from what you achieve. This is a real conversation about healing, growth, identity, and what it means to "move like you're already loved."

How Desmond Meade Changed 1.4 Million Lives

On this episode of the For Good podcast, JoJo Simmons sits down with civil rights activist, organizer, and Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Executive Director, Desmond Meade. Desmond's story is one of the most powerful journeys of redemption, healing, and purpose you'll ever hear. From homelessness, addiction, and incarceration to becoming one of the leading voices behind Florida's Amendment 4 — restoring voting rights to more than 1.4 million returning citizens — Desmond opens up about what it truly means to rebuild your life and dedicate it to serving others. Throughout the conversation, Desmond reflects on the untreated trauma that often shapes incarceration, the importance of second chances, and the life-changing moment in rehab that helped him discover his purpose through helping others. He also shares emotional stories about voting rights, dignity, humanity, and why love and community are ultimately stronger than division.

JoJo & Vanessa Simmons On Healing, Family, Gratitude & Growing Up In The Spotlight

JoJo Simmons and Vanessa Simmons sit down for a real conversation about growth, healing, family, and the unexpected ways the For Good podcast has changed both of their lives. In this episode, the siblings open up about what they've learned from recent guests, how gratitude and self-awareness have shifted their mindset, and why intentional conversations have become such an important part of their personal growth journeys. Vanessa shares how the podcast helped her become more open again after years of feeling scrutinized in the public eye, while JoJo reflects on creating the platform as a space not only to help others—but to help himself heal too. The conversation also dives into sibling relationships, staying grounded through family, balancing faith and business, protecting your mental health online, and the importance of doing a "timeline refresh" on social media to become more intentional about what you consume every day. Want to refresh your social media feed with more positivity and purpose? Follow:https://www.instagram.com/romeobartleyjr/ [https://www.instagram.com/romeobartleyjr/] https://www.instagram.com/mdmotivator/ [https://www.instagram.com/mdmotivator/] Of course, the episode also brings plenty of laughs and nostalgia as JoJo and Vanessa revisit old family memories, growing up in the spotlight, and the hilarious story behind one unforgettable Jet Magazine outfit. This episode is a reminder that growth isn't always loud. Sometimes it starts with being willing to open up, reflect, and have better conversations.

Life, Parenting & Confidence Lessons From Our Mother | Dr. Valerie Vaughn

What do you realize about your parents… once you become one? In this special episode, Joseph "JoJo" Simmons and Vanessa Simmons sit down with their mother, Dr. Valerie Vaughn, for a deeply personal conversation about family, parenting, and the lessons that shape who we become. As both now navigate parenthood themselves, they reflect on the structure, discipline, and values they were raised with—and the wisdom they understand on a deeper level today. Dr. Vaughn also opens up about being married to Rev Run of Run-DMC, navigating early fame, and raising children in the public eye. She shares how they maintained strong family values through it all, and how they've continued to build a healthy, supportive blended family after divorce. With decades of experience as an educator, she breaks down what it really takes to raise confident, grounded children—from consistency and accountability to emotional awareness and leading by example. JoJo and Vanessa open up about how those lessons continue to shape their lives, relationships, and parenting today. The conversation also explores raising kids in today's world and why being intentional about what you consume—especially on social media—matters more than ever. If you're a parent, thinking about becoming one, or reflecting on your own upbringing, this episode offers real insight into the lifelong impact of family.

The Loneliness Epidemic: Dr. Marisa G. Franco on Loneliness, Belonging & Connection

Joseph "JoJo" Simmons sits down with psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Marisa G. Franco to dig into why adult friendships are so hard to maintain — and why loneliness is now a public health crisis. Drawing from the science of attachment and her book Platonic, Dr. Franco breaks down how connection shapes your mental health, how long you live, and why showing up for each other matters more than we think. Loneliness isn't just a feeling — it's a threat to your health, your mindset, and even your lifespan. On this episode of the For Good Podcast, Joseph "JoJo" Simmons welcomes Dr. Marisa G. Franco, psychologist and author of Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make and Keep Friends, for a conversation about one of the most overlooked topics in mental health: friendship. Dr. Franco unpacks why making friends felt so natural as kids but becomes increasingly difficult as adults, why loneliness rewires the way we see the world, and how the people around us can actually catch loneliness like a contagion. JoJo also gets personal, sharing how founding 3isFor with his high school friends and his own journey of learning to be a better initiator shaped his understanding of real connection. JoJo & Dr. Franco break down: * Why loneliness predicts how long you live more than diet and exercise combined * The three ingredients you need to build friendships — and why adult life strips them away * How to overcome "covert avoidance" and actually connect when you show up 🔌 Subscribe to the For Good Podcast on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.