E015 - From the Projects to City Council - Damian Gordon on Community & Brotherhood

E001 - From Mississippi to Military Leadership & Entrepreneurship - Danishon R. Felder, MBA, CSP, PMI-RMP

Tha Motiv8tors Table Podcast Host: Dr. JayR McIntyre (Tha Hood Motiv8tor) Episode Title: From Mississippi to Military Leadership & Entrepreneurship - Danishon R. Felder, MBA, CSP, PMI-RMP Summary: In this powerful episode of Tha Motiv8tor’s Table, Dr. JayR McIntyre sits down with Danishon R. Felder, MBA, CSP, PMI-RMP — military leader, entrepreneur, strategist, and creative force — to unpack a journey rooted in Mississippi resilience and built on discipline, leadership, and intentional growth. Danishon shares how his upbringing shaped his drive, how military service refined his leadership mindset, and how creativity became a strategic advantage in both business and life. This is a real conversation about transition, ownership, and elevating beyond your environment. With advanced credentials including MBA, Certified Safety Professional (CSP), and PMI-RMP, Danishon brings both tactical execution and visionary leadership to the table. His story is proof that structure and creativity can coexist — and that transition is not an ending, but a launch point. This episode isn’t surface-level motivation. It’s leadership strategy. It’s disciplined creativity. It’s elevation through ownership. Main Topics: • Military transition and leadership evolution • Leveraging creativity as a competitive advantage • Overcoming adversity and mental health challenges • Building authentic relationships and community • Social media impact and personal branding • Strategic thinking in entrepreneurship and risk management Intriguing Quotes: “Once you really pull things back and you look at what gave you joy as a kid, you can really find out what you can do to make money.” “We’re in a creative economy. If you know how to speak, if you’re oral, if you know how to write, if you have a little bit of imagination, there’s no way everyone shouldn’t be a creator right now.” “We have so much tribal knowledge right now that we kind of hoarding and it’s laying dormant. We have to spread that out.” “My second mountain right now is going to be extremely more beneficial to other people than my first mountain was beneficial to me, because the first mountain to me was just ego.” “To whom much is given, much is required.” “100 episodes. One mission. Motivators… mount up.” Key Moments: [00:02:02] - Danishon introduces himself, Tampa-based senior Air Force leader, executive coach, and creative agency owner [00:05:59] - Growing up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, options limited to football, the military, or the shipbuilding yard [00:08:39] - The ASVAB test taken on a whim in 10th grade leads to enlisting in the Air Force in 1995, called the best decision of his life [00:13:35] - Gang culture imported from California by one returning local reshapes the small Mississippi town [00:21:04] - The 2019 Afghanistan deployment becomes the catalyst for planning life after the military [00:29:18] - The creative economy argument, today’s tools make everyone a potential creator [00:31:15] - The two-mountain framework, first mountain was ego, second mountain is about impact on others [00:38:59] - Closing message, to whom much is given, much is required Notable Guests/Resources: Danishon R. Felder, MBA, CSP, PMI-RMP. Senior leader in the United States Air Force with nearly 30 years of service, retiring end of July 2026. Tampa-based executive coach and creative agency operator, originally from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Reach out directly via LinkedIn for connection, coaching, or creative work. Sponsors mentioned: Seven Eagle Academy, Los Angeles Tribune, Riverside. Special Announcements: 🌐 Official Website: https://www.thahoodmotiv8tor.com/ 🎧 Watch & Listen on All Platforms 🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6gmg75s... 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@THAHOODMOTIV8TOR 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tha_motiv8tor_table_podcast/   From the Block to the Board — Every Story Has Power. MOTIV8TORS MOUNT UP. IT'S TIME TO SHAKE THA ROOM. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

E016 - From the Military to Business Success - Army Veteran Robert Loveless on Leadership, Resilience

Tha Motiv8tors Table Host Dr. J.R. McIntyre (Tha Hood Motivator) Summary The conversation covers the journey of Robert Loveless, a former military member, and the impact of his upbringing, experiences, and motivations. It delves into the themes of childhood, outdoor activities, the impact of technology on youth, the significance of 9/11, the decision to join the military, and the importance of self-belief and motivation. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by veterans transitioning from military to civilian life, the importance of genuine relationships, mental health struggles, and the power of storytelling and authorship. It also emphasizes the need for honest conversations, the impact of military training on mental toughness, and the significance of perseverance and positivity in the face of adversity. Main Topics • Childhood experiences shape character • Outdoor activities and sports play a crucial role in personal development • The impact of technology on youth and the decline of outdoor activities • The significance of 9/11 and its influence on joining the military • The importance of self-belief and motivation in overcoming challenges Transitioning from military to civilian life presents unique challenges for veterans. • Genuine relationships, mental health awareness, and storytelling play a crucial role in the veteran community. Intriguing Quotes • “The army saved my life, period.” • “Life is a war. Like, let’s just be honest. Life is war.” • “You are the deciding factor in this situation.” • “Show up. Put in the work. Do your absolute best. And eventually things will turn around. Don’t give up.” • “Don’t stop. Keep going. You are the best version of yourself.” Key Moments • 0:36 - Season 5 opens with the hood motivator welcoming Robert Loveless • 2:24 - Robert on being a small, athletic kid growing up in Salem, Oregon • 4:29 - The shift from outdoor play to screens and what it’s costing kids today • 11:16 - How September 11th set Robert’s path to the military in stone • 12:34 - The Best Buy encounter that led Robert to the Marine Corps • 20:00 - Insecurity, self-belief, and choosing to use doubt as motivation • 33:25 - Why veterans stay silent on mental health and the cost of not talking • 43:27 - Robert’s closing words of encouragement - don’t give up Notable Guests/Resources • Robert Loveless - Army veteran, Marine Corps veteran, former military recruiter, author. Connect with him on LinkedIn. • Sponsors mentioned: Los Angeles Tribune, Riverside channel, Seven Eagle Academy (Skillbridge career pathway for veterans - www.seeagle.com [http://www.seeagle.com]) Special Announcements: 🌐 Official Website: https://www.thahoodmotiv8tor.com/ 🎧 Watch & Listen on All Platforms 🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6gmg75s... 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@THAHOODMOTIV8TOR 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tha_motiv8tor_table_podcast/   From the Block to the Board — Every Story Has Power. MOTIV8TORS MOUNT UP. IT'S TIME TO SHAKE THA ROOM. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

E015 - From the Projects to City Council - Damian Gordon on Community & Brotherhood

Tha Motiv8tors Table Host Dr. J.R. McIntyre (Tha Hood Motivator) Summary Dr. J.R. McIntyre sits down with Damian Gordon, a Long Beach native, husband, father, volunteer girls basketball coach, HOA president, and candidate for Long Beach City Council. Damian traces his path from growing up in the Carmelitos housing projects on the North Side, through the culture shock of being bussed to Nukem Academy and later Cabrillo High School, to finding brotherhood in Phi Beta Sigma later in life. He speaks candidly about the systemic barriers tied to growing up without an active father, the daily work he does as a social worker housing the homeless, and a moment of real accountability when he made amends with someone from his past at a community event. The conversation closes with a call for civic engagement ahead of the June 2nd election. Main Topics • Growing up in the Carmelitos projects on Long Beach's North Side and being bussed to Nukem Academy • Culture shock and the racial divide navigated at Cabrillo High School • Crossing into Phi Beta Sigma fraternity later in life and the value of brotherhood and network • Daily work as a social worker housing homeless singles and families, plus twice-weekly food distribution • Coaching girls basketball and raising his own children after growing up without an active father • Running for Long Beach City Council - candidate packets due March 6, election day June 2nd • Making amends with someone from his past at the Marathon Burger grand opening • The importance of voting and registering, especially for young people who've been told their vote doesn't count Intriguing Quotes • “You should be ashamed to die until you've won some victory for humanity.” • “Put others before self.” • “I'm not a politician. I'm just looking to be an extension of my community, our community, our city.” • “Look at the message. Don't look at the messenger.” • “The rose that grew from the concrete. That's all of us.” Key Moments • 0:01 - Opening thanks to Los Angeles Tribune, Riverside, and sponsors before bringing Damian Gordon to the stage • 2:14 - Damian introduces himself - husband, father, coach, HOA president, and Long Beach City Council candidate • 4:53 - His mother bussing him to Nukem Academy after he sabotaged his way out of the gate program • 12:08 - The cowboy hat lesson - a crash course in west side politics on his first week at Cabrillo High • 13:20 - Crossing into Phi Beta Sigma later in life after being mentored by Brother Ali Braswell • 26:10 - A look at his Monday through Friday work housing the homeless and coaching girls basketball • 30:21 - Making amends with someone from his past at the Marathon Burger grand opening • 43:00 - Closing words on the importance of voting and registering ahead of the June 2nd election Notable Guests/Resources • Damian Gordon - social worker, volunteer girls basketball coach, HOA president, and candidate for Long Beach City Council. Connect with him on Instagram: Damian_Gordon Sr. • Sponsors mentioned: Los Angeles Tribune, Riverside platform Special Announcements: 🌐 Official Website: https://www.thahoodmotiv8tor.com/ 🎧 Watch & Listen on All Platforms 🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6gmg75s... 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@THAHOODMOTIV8TOR 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tha_motiv8tor_table_podcast/   From the Block to the Board — Every Story Has Power. MOTIV8TORS MOUNT UP. IT'S TIME TO SHAKE THA ROOM. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

E014 - Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt Secrets - Stephen Graham - Leadership & Operations

Podcast Title: Tha Motiv8tors Table Podcast Host: Dr. JayR McIntyre (Tha Hood Motiv8tor) Summary: Stephen Graham sits down with Dr. JayR McIntyre to share a story that moves from foster care in South Carolina to logistics leadership in the United States Navy, and into a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt career consulting across healthcare, education, the Department of the Navy, and the private sector. Stephen pulls no punches when he walks through the early years, the bullying, the malnutrition, sharing a bed with two other kids, and the moment a teenage cousin told him football would turn his anger into something positive. The conversation deepens when Stephen talks about the choice that changed everything. Working multiple jobs while at Campbell University, club bouncing at strip clubs to pay tuition, watching friends get killed, and one of his own professors quietly tell him he’d be paying student loans until he died, that combination pushed Stephen to walk into a recruiter’s office. The Navy took him, sent him to Norfolk, then to Japan on the flagship USS Blue Ridge, and gave him the stable ground to rebuild himself. From there, Stephen built a portfolio: life insurance, real estate in Jacksonville, construction with CBRE, teaching Six Sigma at Villanova, and now a Master Black Belt consulting practice that has supported over 100 organisations. He’s been appointed procurement lead for the PMI Washington DC chapter and helps create the global guidelines for Lean Six Sigma certification. He also speaks honestly about losing six friends in four months last year, two to suicide, and why he’s pulling closer to God, gratitude, and family in 2026. JayR closes with a direct affirmation to Stephen, that the version of him as a foster kid who almost gave up is the same one who built the life he has now, and that loving on yourself first is what makes it possible to love everyone else. Main Topics: • Growing up in foster care, malnutrition, and the loss of both parents • The grandparents’ home in Lake City, South Carolina and the football turnaround • Working club security and strip clubs through Campbell University • The professor moment that pushed Stephen toward the Navy recruiter • Navy career progression from deck seaman to flagship USS Blue Ridge in Japan • Pivoting into life insurance, real estate, and construction post-active duty • Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt work and the PMI Washington DC procurement lead role • Faith, gratitude, and the importance of therapy for Black men Intriguing Quotes: “I had to share a bed with two other kids.” “I’m over 100K in debt from all these degrees. I drive a 1999 Toyota Camry... I’m going to be paying these student debts till I die.” “No matter what stages we are in life, we just got to appreciate, man.” “Be yourself, accept your flaws... my life may not be where I want to be, but I’m at where I need to be.” “Do not be the gatekeeper. If there is valuable information that could help share with somebody personally, professionally, whatever the case may be, try to help those people.” Key Moments: [00:01:33] - Stephen introduces himself and walks through his current Lean Six Sigma and PMI work [00:03:25] - Growing up as a foster kid in South Carolina after both parents passed [00:09:05] - Moving in with grandparents in Lake City and finding stability through school [00:13:55] - Working through Campbell University as a club bouncer at strip clubs [00:17:55] - The professor moment that pushed Stephen toward the Navy recruiter [00:28:30] - Japan, the flagship USS Blue Ridge, and learning real professionalism [00:40:30] - Pulling closer to God, gratitude, and the six friends lost in four months [00:47:00] - Stephen’s closing message on therapy, self-love, and not being a gatekeeper Notable Guests/Resources: Stephen Graham, Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt. Stephen is an accomplished healthcare administrator, logistics professional, and leadership strategist with extensive experience in operations management, personnel development, and organizational process improvement. Over the course of his career, Stephen has managed and developed more than 90 personnel over a five-year period, leading teams across operational and administrative environments. His leadership experience includes serving as a Leading Petty Officer (LPO) at Naval Medical Center Balboa in San Diego, California, where he oversaw warehouse operations, logistics coordination, and workforce development while training and mentoring personnel to enhance professional growth and operational efficiency. Stephen is also a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, where he has assisted over 100 organizations in optimizing processes, improving operational efficiency, and reducing waste. His consulting and operational impact spans multiple sectors, including Bisk Education, the Department of the Navy, insurance firms, and other private-sector organizations. In addition to his military and operational leadership experience, Stephen has also worked in the real estate industry, earning his real estate license in Jacksonville, Florida, where he began his career with Watson Realty Corp before transitioning to RE/MAX Associates. Stephen’s professional background reflects a strong commitment to leadership development, strategic operations, and continuous improvement, and he has also applied for a security clearance as part of his ongoing professional advancement. Find Stephen on LinkedIn (Stephen Graham, HCA, MBB, CPC) and Instagram (@SCGraham00410). Sponsors mentioned: Los Angeles Tribune, Riverside, 7 Eagle Academy. Special Announcements: 🌐 Official Website: https://www.thahoodmotiv8tor.com/ 🎧 Watch & Listen on All Platforms 🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6gmg75s... 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@THAHOODMOTIV8TOR 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tha_motiv8tor_table_podcast/   From the Block to the Board — Every Story Has Power. MOTIV8TORS MOUNT UP. IT'S TIME TO SHAKE THA ROOM. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

E013 - From Hustle to Financial Freedom - Erica C. Rivera on Building Wealth & Ownership

Podcast Title: Tha Motiv8tors Table Podcast Host: Dr. JayR McIntyre (Tha Hood Motiv8tor) Episode Title: E013 - From Hustle to Financial Freedom - Erica C. Rivera on Building Wealth & Ownership Summary: The conversation covers Erica’s journey in entrepreneurship, her alignment with faith, and her commitment to mentorship. It delves into her background, childhood, and personal growth, highlighting her early ventures and the evolution of her entrepreneurial pursuits. The discussion also explores the intersection of faith and finance, as well as her ministry and mentorship goals for the future. The conversation delves into the themes of faith, authenticity, struggle, overcoming adversity, leading with love, listening, the power of timing, sharing stories, impacting others, recognizing God-ordained connections, authenticity, self-identity, challenges, triumphs, mentorship, and the concept of delayed obedience. The speakers share personal experiences and insights, emphasizing the importance of embracing trials and tribulations as part of the journey and the need for obedience to God’s calling. Main Topics: • Alignment • Entrepreneurship and Faith Delayed obedience is still disobedience • Trials and tribulations are part of the process, not the end • Embracing the valleys is as important as reaching the mountain tops Intriguing Quotes: “Delayed obedience is still disobedience.” “Victim is an event, right? It’s not a life sentence.” “Don’t try to be perfect. God wants you to be Erica.” “It’s the year of the harvest. It’s the year of alignment.” “If God is not a part of your business plan, don’t do it.” Key Moments: [00:00:40] - JayR welcomes Erica C. Rivera to Tha Motiv8tors Table Season 5 [00:01:24] - Alignment named as the word of the year [00:03:33] - Erica reflects on her inner child, sports background and tough love from her father [00:11:14] - First entrepreneurial stint - Shambala jewellery sets during Orlando Allstar Weekend [00:14:52] - Launching The Mama Code lifestyle brand and shifting from hustle to scalable systems [00:19:18] - Publishing the P31 Handbook and the Women in Wealth Workbook to teach faith-led wealth building [00:30:30] - Erica unpacks delayed obedience as still being disobedience [00:39:35] - Pastor Tabitha’s message - victim is an event not a life sentence Notable Guests/Resources: Erica C. Rivera, Wealth Coach and Financial Services Professional based in Tampa, Florida, originally from New York via eighteen years in Orlando. Author of The P31 Handbook - Faithful and Fulfilled and the Women in Wealth Workbook & Financial Planner, both available on Amazon. Teaches women how to build wealth God’s way through kingdom mindset principles, faith and finance, and practical planning. Speaker, mentor, and founder of a faith-led women’s mentorship program. Socials: @ericacrivera. Sponsors mentioned: Los Angeles Tribune, Riverside, Seven Eagle Academy. Special Announcements: 🌐 Official Website: https://www.thahoodmotiv8tor.com/ 🎧 Watch & Listen on All Platforms 🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6gmg75s... 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@THAHOODMOTIV8TOR 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tha_motiv8tor_table_podcast/   From the Block to the Board — Every Story Has Power. MOTIV8TORS MOUNT UP. IT'S TIME TO SHAKE THA ROOM. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.