The Industry Cosign

35 Years: Rachel Noerdlinger on Crisis PR, Health Equity: My Friends Are Better Than Yours

Meet Rachel Noerdlinger — founding equity partner at ACTUM, one of the top 10 fastest-growing public strategy consultancies in the world, and one of the most powerful crisis communications strategists in the country. With 35 years in media and PR, Rachel has been behind some of the most historic civil rights cases of this generation.In this candid conversation with BIG CED on My Friends Are Better Than Yours, Rachel opens up about her extraordinary career, her personal journey, and why she runs toward crisis when everyone else runs away.💥 In this episode:How growing up in chaos shaped her career in crisis managementGetting her start under legendary publicist Terry WilliamsHer first clients: Johnny Cochran and Rev. Al SharptonBuilding the National Action Network's media presence from the ground upThe most historic civil rights cases of our generationWhat ACTUM is, why it was built, and where it's headedBeing the only Black female founding equity partner at a global firmHer work in health equity and the current Medicaid crisisMental health, self-medication, and losing her mother to suicideHer son's redemption story and the next generationAI, social media burnout, and the future of Black mediaWhat she would do differently — and why scars matter🌱 Rachel is also hosting a vegan wellness retreat in Costa Rica — tune in for details!🔗 Connect with Rachel Noerdinger:📱 Social: @RachelNoerd🌐 Website: actumlc.com🎙️ The Industry Cosign turns 23 years old on March 15th!Subscribe, like, and share to support independent Black media.0:00 Intro & Welcome1:41 Rachel introduces herself — 35 years in media2:25 What is crisis management?5:20 Growing up in chaos — the origin story 6:09 Dropping out of Columbia & discovering PR 7:07 Learning from legendary publicist Terry Williams7:38 First clients: Johnny Cochran & Rev. Al Sharpton11:48 28 years with Reverend Sharpton & NAN12:30 Trayvon Martin, Sean Bell, Amadou Diallo & more15:13 Getting close to victims — the emotional weight16:44 What is ACTUM and why was it built?18:27 Bipartisan strategy & ACTUM's global offices 19:17 The goal: becoming a billion-dollar company 20:27 Being the only Black woman equity partner 22:20 Lifting as you climb — acquiring Sky Blue Media24:09 Health equity work & the Health Equity Coalition24:51 Vegan wellness retreat in Costa Rica26:27 Fighting health disparities under the current administration27:06 Al Sharpton + Newt Gingrich — strange bedfellows for change28:05 Mental health in the Black community29:06 Rachel's personal story — losing her mother 30:54 Self-medication, sobriety & finding tools to cope33:07 Midterms, rebuilding, and revolution34:04 Dark-skinned Black men — power, targeting & identity40:32 From entertainment PR to politics — the shift42:43 Why entertainers aren't as active today43:34 The role of Black journalists and media voices46:27 AI, robots & the death of entry-level jobs48:02 How BIG CED came to accept AI as a creative tool50:54 How ACTUM built their own AI tool 52:08 What's next for Rachel & ACTUM53:40 What would you do over again?58:26 Closing — gratitude & how to connectConnect with BIG CED: https://www.instagram.com/bigced328/ https://www.facebook.com/bigced328 https://x.com/bigced https://bsky.app/profile/bigced328.bsky.social https://www.linkedin.com/in/bigced/ https://www.twitch.tv/bigced328 https://rumble.com/user/bigced328https://www.dailymotion.com/bigcedhttps://open.spotify.com/show/35yBW0BTd4c7HvCnh9dVXz?si=HvZeE8RfTJGH6YjvHBiYzg&nd=1&dlsi=a147a471e6ab4c5c https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-industry-cosign/id1638654676 https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-industry-cosign-105171601/#RachelNoerdinger #ACTUM #CrisisManagement #BlackExcellence #TheIndustryCosign #PublicStrategy #RevAlSharpton #NationalActionNetwork #BlackWomenLead #HealthEquity #BlackMedia #CivilRights #BlackEntrepreneur #MediaStrategy #BIGCED

Entertainment Lawyer & Professor Bernie Lawrence Watkins, Esquire: My Friends Are Better Than Yours

In this episode of “My Friends Are Better Than Yours,” BIG CED sits down with powerhouse entertainment attorney and professor Bernie Lawrence Watkins, Esquire to talk about her 26‑year journey in entertainment law, her roots in Queens and at NYC’s legendary Music & Art (LaGuardia), and how Howard University and law school prepared her to build a respected practice in Atlanta. From watching her brother’s ups and downs as an artist to becoming a “contract killer” for producers, songwriters, and artists, Bernie breaks down how she advocates for creatives, negotiates better deals, and protects her clients in a changing music industry. She also shares how she built her own firm BLW & Associates, the story behind working with major producers (including Bangladesh and others tied to Ludacris, 50 Cent, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, and more), and why she’ll walk away rather than put her name on a bad deal. Beyond law, Bernie talks about her role as an adjunct professor of entertainment law at Georgia State University College of Law, her passion for mentoring the next generation, her life as a triathlete and fitness lover, and her plans for the future—including a possible judgeship and an upcoming book targeted for 2026. If you’re an artist, producer, or future lawyer looking to understand the business, this conversation is packed with gems on discipline, time management, self‑belief, and navigating the industry as a Black woman at the top of her field.0:00 Intro – show and concept setup 1:40 Guest intro – Bernie Lawrence Watkins, Esquire 2:10 26 years in entertainment law, “contract killer” mindset 3:09 Professor at Georgia State Law + CEO of Eclipse Distro 3:59 Growing up in Queens, LaGuardia/Music & Art background 5:03 Majoring in voice, choosing law over “starving artist” path 6:03 Caribbean upbringing, family pressure to pursue college 6:27 Brother Ron Lawrence at Howard, seeing artist struggles 7:07 Two Kings in a Cipher and decision to become an advocate for artists 8:25 College major changes, rejecting corporate job to attend law school 10:00 Impact of LaGuardia and Howard on confidence and standards 12:13 Long commute and working in high school, building discipline 14:47 From quiet student to lawyer: learning to be a “voice for others” 16:06 Majority at Howard vs. minority in law school 18:03 Purpose vs. just “going to college because parents said so” 19:42 Moving to Atlanta on industry advice, early law‑firm work 22:14 First big entertainment client around 1999 23:38 Launching BLW & Associates in 2002 25:10 Building a producer‑heavy roster (Bangladesh, her brother, etc.) 25:52 Streaming era shift and rise of independent artists 26:16 Taking on 21 Savage and new‑school deals 29:40 Navigating the “old boys” network as a young Black woman lawyer 31:36 Reputation, results, and referrals building her roster 35:34 Becoming an adjunct professor of entertainment law 38:01 Time management, boundaries, and running a busy practice 40:32 Triathlete life and long‑term commitment to fitness #BernieLawrenceWatkins #EntertainmentLaw #MusicBusiness #BlackExcellence #WomenInLaw#MyFriendsAreBetterThanYours #BigCed #HowardUniversity #LaGuardiaHighSchool #theindustrycosign #BLW #ronlawrence Connect with BIG CED: https://www.instagram.com/bigced328/ https://www.facebook.com/bigced328 https://x.com/bigced https://bsky.app/profile/bigced328.bsky.social https://www.linkedin.com/in/bigced/ https://www.twitch.tv/bigced328 https://www.dailymotion.com/bigcedhttps://rumble.com/user/bigced328https://open.spotify.com/show/35yBW0BTd4c7HvCnh9dVXz?si=HvZeE8RfTJGH6YjvHBiYzg&nd=1&dlsi=a147a471e6ab4c5c https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-industry-cosign/id1638654676 https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-industry-cosign-105171601/https://www.youtube.com/@bigced328?sub_confirmation=1https://theindustrycosign.com/

Hawaii Mike on Hip-Hop, Cannabis, and Health: A Journey of Culture & Community: My Friends Are Better Than Yours

Join BIG CED on My Friends Are Better Than Yours as he sits down with Hawaii Mike—entrepreneur, cultural curator, and advocate for wellness. From breaking into hip-hop in the early ’90s to pioneering cannabis advocacy and embracing holistic health, Hawaii Mike shares his incredible journey, insights on community, and why gratitude and authenticity matter more than ever.✅ Topics Covered:Hip-Hop’s evolution and cultural impactCannabis industry realities and advocacyBuilding LTD Plus and Chef For HigherFasting, wellness, and longevityWhy unity and collaboration are the futureIf you’re passionate about music, culture, entrepreneurship, or personal growth, this conversation is packed with gems you don’t want to miss.Timestamps0:00 – Intro 0:11 – BIG CED kicks off the show 0:30 – What is “My Friends Are Better Than Yours”? 0:56 – Meet Hawaii Mike 1:52 – Gratitude and celebration in life 3:15 – Why Hawaii Mike? The origin of the name 5:37 – Growing up: From Hawaii to San Francisco 6:03 – First encounters with hip-hop culture 8:03 – Dancing, DJ crews, and early hip-hop hustle 9:47 – Sneaking into the Gavin Convention & breaking into the industry 12:01 – First job in music: Diamond D’s “Best Kept Secret” 13:33 – Hip-Hop as authentic expression 15:05 – 35 years in the game: reflections and lessons 17:03 – Hip-Hop’s global influence and misconceptions 20:25 – The real roots of hip-hop culture 23:02 – Hip-Hop as modern foraging and cultural evolution 26:54 – Transition to cannabis advocacy 27:50 – Why cannabis became a business focus 31:02 – The truth about cannabis prohibition 36:02 – THC vs CBD explained 39:01 – Nature as the ultimate healer 41:01 – LTD Plus: Building culture through media 43:04 – Creating Inked Magazine and lifestyle branding 47:56 – Regaining LTD rights and relaunching 49:57 – From media to management: Clark Kent, Nigel Sylvester & more 52:25 – The power of community and collaboration 56:03 – Fasting and health: Hawaii Mike’s wellness journey 1:02:03 – Why fasting matters for longevity 1:05:07 – Balancing food, lifestyle, and discipline 1:08:03 – Breaking negative cycles and reframing perspective 1:12:05 – Connecting generations and building trust 1:18:02 – Final thoughts: unity, prosperity, and purpose 1:26:02 – How to connect with Hawaii Mike 1:30:00 – Closing remarks Connect with BIG CED: https://www.instagram.com/bigced328/ https://www.facebook.com/bigced328 https://x.com/bigced https://bsky.app/profile/bigced328.bsky.social https://www.linkedin.com/in/bigced/ https://www.twitch.tv/bigced328 https://open.spotify.com/show/35yBW0BTd4c7HvCnh9dVXz?si=HvZeE8RfTJGH6YjvHBiYzg&nd=1&dlsi=a147a471e6ab4c5c https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-industry-cosign/id1638654676 https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-industry-cosign-105171601/

T‑Money: Long Island Legends, Yo! MTV Raps, & Hip‑Hop Careers| My Friends Are Better Than Yours

Hip‑Hop legend T‑Money — DJ, artist, member of Original Concept, and MTV’s Yo! MTV Raps pioneer — joins BIG CED for a powerful, unfiltered conversation about the culture, the history, the growth, and the future of hip‑hop.From Long Island’s influence to his days at WBAU and MTV, T‑Money speaks on the evolution of the culture, the transition from local tapes to global domination, and the obstacles Black creators still face today. The two break down generational gaps, responsibility, health, the importance of unity, and why older and younger artists need each other more than ever.This episode is loaded with gems for artists, creators, and true students of hip‑hop.👉 Guest: T‑Money (Yo! MTV Raps, Original Concept)👉 Host:BIG CED (My Friends Are Better Than Yours)🔥 Subscribe for more legendary interviews!https://www.youtube.com/@BigCed#TMoney #BigCed #YoMTVRaps #HipHopHistory #OriginalConcept #LongIslandHipHop #HipHopLegends #HipHopCulture #PodcastInterview #MyFriendsAreBetterThanYours #theindustrycosignConnect with T‑Money► YouTube: The T‑Money Podcast Joint► Instagram / Social: (add links if you want)⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters00:00 – Intro00:11 – Big Ced opens the show00:41 – Introducing T‑Money01:11 – Long Island roots & aliases01:40 – T‑Money Podcast mention01:59 – Gray hair & aging talk03:01 – Beard dye disaster story05:10 – Saluting longevity in hip‑hop06:01 – Reinventing yourself in the culture07:06 – Early hip‑hop environments08:31 – How hip‑hop reached Long Island09:54 – Mixtape era & DJ beginnings12:09 – Forming Original Concept13:37 – Meeting Chuck D & The Bomb Squad14:02 – Realizing hip‑hop could be a career15:04 – College, sports injury & choosing music15:51 – Def Jam beginnings & WBAU radio18:42 – WBAU’s impact on hip‑hop21:01 – Could hip-hop go global?22:54 – No‑rap era at parties23:38 – 80s explosion of rap labels24:50 – Why old-school hip-hop was diverse27:01 – Territorial styles shaping sound28:12 – Long Island’s hood culture33:02 – Hood realities beyond NYC36:08 – How Yo! MTV Raps changed everything39:43 – From cheap videos to million-dollar budgets40:55 – Marketing vs. talent42:07 – Younger artists & respecting pioneers45:07 – Gatekeeping, labels & control49:02 – Barclays Center vs. Summer Jam52:25 – Could hip-hop age like rock?53:32 – The unity hip-hop needs55:01 – Ownership, streaming & money57:38 – Men’s health & longevity1:00:05 – Sustainable income vs. entertainment highs1:04:46 – Salute to Sadat X1:06:03 – Platforms must support older artists1:08:07 – T‑Money’s podcast & current projects1:09:28 – Upcoming work with Ed Lover & Dr. Dre1:10:01 – Guiding the next generation1:12:20 – Growth, maturity & learning1:13:40 – Closing & sign-offConnect with BIG CED:https://www.instagram.com/bigced328/https://www.facebook.com/bigced328https://x.com/bigcedhttps://bsky.app/profile/bigced328.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bigced/https://www.twitch.tv/bigced328https://open.spotify.com/show/35yBW0BTd4c7HvCnh9dVXz?si=HvZeE8RfTJGH6YjvHBiYzg&nd=1&dlsi=a147a471e6ab4c5chttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-industry-cosign/id1638654676https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-industry-cosign-105171601/https://www.youtube.com/@bigced328?sub_confirmation=1https://theindustrycosign.com/

The Wealth Playbook: Navigating Wall Street with Terron Tidwell: My Friends Are Better Than Yours

What does it take to jump from the music industry to the high-stakes world of Wall Street wealth management? In this episode of "My Friends Are Better Than Yours," we sit down with Terron Tidwell, a seasoned Wealth Manager at Hudson Point Capital with 17 years of experience.Terron opens up about entering the finance world during the 2008 crash, the reality of "babysitting" high-net-worth athletes and entertainers, and why he’s not afraid to tell his clients the truth—even when they don't want to hear it. We also dive into the future of finance, the impact of AI on the industry, and why your family might be the worst choice for managing your money.In this episode, we discuss:The transition from Jive Records to a career on Wall Street.The difference between a Stock Broker and a Wealth Manager.Managing "Big Egos": Handling athletes and entertainers.Why the "Yes Man" culture is dangerous for your bank account.The impact of AI on financial services in 2026 and beyond.Timestamps0:11 - Intro: "My Friends Are Better Than Yours"0:36 - Meet Terron Tidwell: Why everyone calls him "Tidwell"1:36 - Career Background: From Jive Records to Hudson Point Capital2:21 - The First Meeting: Why Terron "stalked" his host for a year4:31 - Maneuvering the Entertainment Space as a Finance Professional7:05 - The importance of honesty and "No Men" in business9:14 - How Tidwell got into the financial aspect of Wealth Management12:00 - The pressure of making seven figures vs. having fun14:55 - Dealing with high-profile athletes and big egos18:31 - The "Engineer Mindset" vs. Big Picture clients22:11 - Why family members can be "deadly" to your business24:34 - From Stock Broker to Wealth Manager: The 10-year evolution28:16 - Advice for those wanting to enter the finance industry30:03 - How AI is changing the landscape of wealth management#WealthManagement #WallStreet #Finance #Entrepreneurship #PersonalFinance #Investing #MyFriendsAreBetterThanYours #FinancialAdvisor #wealthbuilding #TerronTidwell #BIGCED #theindustrycosign Connect with BIG CED: https://www.instagram.com/bigced328/ https://www.facebook.com/bigced328 https://x.com/bigced https://bsky.app/profile/bigced328.bsky.social https://www.linkedin.com/in/bigced/ https://www.twitch.tv/bigced328 https://rumble.com/user/bigced328https://www.dailymotion.com/bigcedhttps://open.spotify.com/show/35yBW0BTd4c7HvCnh9dVXz?si=HvZeE8RfTJGH6YjvHBiYzg&nd=1&dlsi=a147a471e6ab4c5c https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-industry-cosign/id1638654676 https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-industry-cosign-105171601/#entertainmentindustry #business #musicindustry #hiphop