What does it really take to build a lasting career in entertainment? 🎤✨On this episode of Stop, Look & Listen, host LeTroy Gardner welcomes legendary publicist and Double XXposure founder Angelo Ellerbee back to the show. With decades of experience representing some of music's biggest names, Angelo shares how he's transforming DoubleXXposure.com into an affordable learning platform designed to help artists, entrepreneurs, and aspiring publicists build successful careers.Angelo discusses the new resources available through the platform, including career strategy, press releases, artist development, management guidance, etiquette, diction and speech coaching, tax awareness, exclusive member content, and an interactive "Ask Angelo" feature.The conversation also explores why authenticity matters more than ever, how to earn credibility in today's media landscape, the importance of artist development inspired by Berry Gordy, and why trust and self-love are essential foundations for long-term success.Plus, Angelo previews the September release of the audiobook for Before I Let You Go and shares details about his upcoming book, Brick by Brick, which celebrates the people, culture, and legacy of urban communities like Newark.Whether you're an artist, publicist, entrepreneur, or creative professional, this episode is packed with practical advice from one of the industry's most respected voices.⏱️ In this episode:🎙️ Revamping Double XXposure into an educational platform📣 PR, branding, and career development strategies📝 Press releases, management, and business fundamentals🎧 The upcoming Before I Let You Go audiobook📖 A preview of Brick by Brick💡 Why authenticity, trust, and self-love are the keys to lasting success🔗 Learn more about Angelo Ellerbee and Double XXposure:🌐 https://doublexxposure.com/🎙️ Subscribe to Stop, Look & Listen for more conversations with influential leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, and changemakers.▶️ Explore our family of shows at https://www.pushplaypods.com/

Can you be your authentic self and still win in politics? On this episode of Stop, Look & Listen, host LeTroy Gardner sits down with political strategist, When We Win podcast host, Blue State Executive VP, and author Maya Rupert for a thoughtful conversation about politics, representation, and the power of authenticity.Maya reflects on growing up in Yucca Valley near Joshua Tree, the political moments that shaped her, and her journey from social justice advocacy to managing Julián Castro's presidential campaign. She explains why Democrats shouldn't abandon their values to appeal to the middle and how long-form podcasts are changing the way voters connect with candidates.The conversation also explores the themes of Maya's book, The Real Ones, including the impossible standards Black women often face in politics, the myth of electability, and why authenticity is judged differently depending on who you are.In this episode, you'll hear about:🎙️ Growing up in Yucca Valley and discovering politics🗳️ Managing Julián Castro's presidential campaign📚 The inspiration behind The Real Ones✊ Authenticity, race, and gender in American politics🎧 Why podcasts are reshaping political conversations🌎 The future of the Democratic Party💙 Mentorship, optimism, and what's next with Charles BookerWhether you're passionate about politics, leadership, or creating meaningful change, this conversation offers valuable insights and fresh perspectives.Connect with Maya Rupert:🌐 Website: https://mayarupert.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maya.rupert/👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maya.rupert.7/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-rupert-8474612b0/🎧 Subscribe for more inspiring conversations on Stop, Look & Listen with LeTroy Gardner.🌐 Explore our family of podcasts at www.pushplaypods.com

What were you doing at eight years old? DJ Switch Ghana was winning a national talent competition and launching a career that would take her to stages around the world. 🌟On this episode of Stop, Look & Listen, host LeTroy Gardner sits down with award-winning DJ, producer, and philanthropist DJ Switch Ghana to discuss her remarkable journey from rural Ghana to becoming one of Africa's most recognizable young talents.DJ Switch shares how her mother challenged her to learn DJing in just five days for an audition, how she won Talented Kids at age eight, and why she believes the best DJs think like producers. She also opens up about growing up as the only girl among four brothers, performing for global leaders, being booked by Michelle Obama, and balancing music, education, and philanthropy.In this episode, you'll hear about:🎧 Learning to DJ in only five days🏆 Winning Talented Kids at age eight🌍 Performing on international stages and for world leaders🎵 Her creative process as a DJ and producer🎤 Her debut single "Deceiver" featuring her mother🎓 Life after high school and what's next for college🤝 Collaborations, new music, and upcoming mixtapes📚 The impact of the DJ Switch Foundation and its focus on education, gender equality, health, and wellbeingDJ Switch's story is a powerful reminder of what can happen when talent, hard work, and opportunity come together.Connect with DJ Switch Ghana:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djswitchghana/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DjSwitchGhana/▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DJSwitchGhanaofficial🎙️ Join LeTroy Gardner and the Stop, Look & Listen family of shows at www.pushplaypods.com

What inspired Simone Green to create her empowering anthem "Black Queen," and how did her battle with breast cancer change her outlook on life?On this episode of Stop, Look & Listen, host LeTroy Gardner sits down with singer, songwriter, and activist Simone Green for a powerful conversation about music, resilience, and purpose.Simone discusses the success of her charting single "Black Queen," the Curtis Mayfield-inspired sound behind the record, and the message of strength, confidence, and self-worth that continues to resonate with listeners.She also shares her deeply personal breast cancer journey, from being diagnosed at 43 to marrying her husband before surgery, undergoing treatment, and facing a second diagnosis that led to a double mastectomy. Simone explains why advocacy and supporting organizations like Different Shade of Pink/Brave Chicks and The Tatisa C. Joiner Foundation remain so important to her mission.In this episode, you'll hear about:✨ The inspiration behind "Black Queen"🎵 The vintage soul and Blaxploitation influences in her music💖 Her breast cancer survival story🎬 The concept behind the "Black Queen" music video🎤 Her journey from Chicago's Soul Sanctuary to leading her own band📀 The upcoming Black Queen album releasing August 7🚌 Upcoming tour dates and live performancesConnect with Simone Green:🌐 Website: https://www.simonegreenlive.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonegreenlive/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimoneGreenLive▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@simonegreenlive🎙️Join LeTroy Gardner and the Stop, Look & Listen family of shows for conversations with inspiring artists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.🌐 Listen to more episodes at www.pushplaypods.com

What if the secret to surviving the music industry isn’t just talent but ownership? On this episode of Stop, Look & Listen, host LeTroy Gardner sits down with Detroit guitarist, songwriter, and producer Tim Bowman to talk about music, money, and building a career that lasts. Tim shares stories from his early days playing in church, studying music theory on scholarship, and touring with legendary gospel group The Winans during the rise of gospel music in the 1980s. He also opens up about why he eventually stepped away from touring life and how investing in Detroit real estate changed everything financially. In this conversation, Tim breaks down:🎵 Life on the road with The Winans🏠 Building passive income through real estate📀 Why owning your masters and publishing matters🔥 Creating his new single “Brazilian Night”🎹 Reimagining classic ‘80s music📈 Helping artists succeed in the streaming era🎓 His Harmonies of Wealth Building course and The Bowman LeagueThis episode is packed with gems for musicians, creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone thinking about long-term wealth and ownership. 💡🔗 Connect with Tim Bowman:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tim.bowman/🌐 Website: https://timbowman.com/🎙️ Join LeTroy Gardner and the Stop, Look & Listen family of shows now at https://www.pushplaypods.com/

What if the scariest thing isn’t the house… but your own mind?On this episode of Stop, Look & Listen, LeTroy Gardner sits down with filmmaker Joseph Mbah to talk about his new psychological horror thriller Whispers Bind, now streaming on Roku, Samsung TV, and Fawesome. 🎥Joseph shares the inspiration behind the film, building suspense through psychological fear, and what it takes to create independent horror that stays with viewers long after the credits roll.They also discuss growing up in Nigeria and moving to America after 9/11. About Whispers Bind:“Some demons don’t haunt houses… they haunt your mind.”Directed by Joseph Mbah and starring Amber Mbah, Whispers Bind is a psychological thriller that explores fear from the inside out. 👁️📺 Watch Whispers Bind on Roku, Samsung TV, and Fawesome.🔗 Connect with Joseph Mbah:🌐 Website: https://www.paradoxuniverse.net/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joseph_mbah📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Josephmbah🎙️ Join LeTroy Gardner and the Stop, Look & Listen family of shows at https://www.pushplaypods.com/

Can Salt Lake City produce the next wave of hip-hop artists? Obeeyay thinks so. 🎶🔥On this episode of Stop, Look & Listen, LeTroy Gardner talks with Salt Lake City artist Obeeyay about his journey from studio engineer to performer and how growing up with seven older siblings helped shape his sound and competitive mindset.Obeeyay shares the artists that influenced him, including Michael Jackson, A Tribe Called Quest, Black Eyed Peas, and Chance the Rapper, while breaking down the rise of Utah’s indie and underground hip-hop scene. 🎤🏔️In this episode, we explore:🎵 The stories behind “Forgive and Forget,” “We Good Or What,” and “Brands”🌍 Creating “Memory” with DJ Switch Ghanna through Zoom collaboration🏀 Performing the national anthem for the Utah Jazz🙏 Faith, family, and staying grounded in the music industry🏓 Balancing music with coaching pickleball🚀 His upcoming hyper-pop EP with Sam Rosao dropping May 22If you’re into independent artists, creative hustle stories, and discovering new music before everyone else does, this episode is worth the listen.🔗 Connect with Obeeyay:🌐 https://obeeyay.com/📸 https://www.instagram.com/obeeyay/▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@Obeeyay/🎵 https://www.tiktok.com/@obeeyay🎙️ Watch more episodes from Stop, Look & Listen and the Push Play Pods family:🌐 https://www.pushplaypods.com/

What happens when a once-in-a-lifetime love story becomes a book you have to tell? ❤️📖On this episode of Stop, Look & Listen, host LeTroy Gardner sits down with author, artist, and storyteller Debora Masterson to dive deep into her powerful new novel, Freedom Quest: A Love Story. Inspired by her real-life relationship with musician Craig Ingraham, this conversation uncovers a journey of love, loss, music, and legacy that spans decades.🎶Debora opens up about the emotional process of writing during the pandemic, why she chose to fictionalize real events, and how she’s preserving the legacy of a brilliant but largely unknown artist. From the rise and fall of the band Freedom Quest to deeply personal experiences involving identity, trauma, and resilience, this story goes far beyond romance—it’s about purpose.She also shares her creative roots in dance and theater, including her time performing in a major touring production with Sammy Davis Jr.—a pivotal chapter that helped shape her artistic path.🔥 In this episode, we explore:The real love story behind Freedom QuestTurning grief into creative purposeThe hidden legacy of musician Craig IngrahamWriting truth through fictionWhat’s next: Keeping Secrets and future adaptations 🎥If you believe in love stories that last beyond a lifetime, this episode is for you.🔗 Connect with Deborah Masterson:🌐 Website: https://www.deboramasterson.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomquestbook/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freedomquestbook/ ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreedomQuestBook 🛒 Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GQ573WV4🎧 Join LeTroy Gardner and the Stop, Look & Listen family for more powerful conversations:🌍 www.pushplaypods.com

🔥 What does it take to keep FUNK alive across generations?On this episode of Stop, Look & Listen, host LeTroy Gardner sits down with guitar legend Marlon “The Magician” McClain to break down a career that helped define the sound of funk, soul, and beyond.From the roots of Portland’s iconic Albina music scene to global stages, Marlon shares how Pleasure was born, the influence of mentors like Wayne Henderson, and the stories behind timeless classics like “Glide,” “Bouncy Lady,” and “Thoughts of Old Flames.” 🎶He also dives into:👉 His transition to the Dazz Band and joining in 1984👉 Working with legends like Jeff Lorber, Tower of Power & Maurice White👉 The evolution of funk through hip-hop sampling 🎧👉 His Funky Fridays project and staying musically inspired👉 The “United We Funk” movement and what’s next💬 “Funk is something you feel… it never leaves you.”Whether you're a lifelong fan or just discovering the groove, this episode is a masterclass in musicianship, legacy, and staying relevant in an ever-changing industry.🎧 Tap in with Stop, Look & Listen and the full Fourcast Media family 👉 www.pushplaypods.com🔗 Connect with Marlon “The Magician” McClain:🌐 Website: https://www.thedazzband.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/macmanmusic3/📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FunkyFridays📢 Don’t forget to:👍 Like💬 Comment your favorite funk track🔔 Subscribe for more legendary conversations

On this episode of Stop, Look & Listen, R&B vocalist Yvette Michelle pulls up for a conversation that bridges the golden era of ’90s music with her bold return today. Yvette opens up about her journey from a strict Pentecostal upbringing to finding her voice in the church choir while secretly chasing her dreams behind the scenes. She breaks down how she caught the attention of Funkmaster Flex and landed her breakout hit “Every Day and Every Night” on 60 Minutes of Funk Vol. 1.From signing with Loud Records to navigating label politics, she shares untold stories behind “I’m Not Feeling You,” the timing clash with Lil’ Kim’s “Big Momma Thang,” and why her debut album My Dream didn’t reach its full potential.After being dropped at a pivotal moment, Yvette made a bold pivot into tech only to reemerge stronger as ’90s nostalgia reignited her passion. Now, she’s back with her latest single “Mr. DJ” alongside London DJ Fenn and Defected RecordsThis episode is more than music—it’s about resilience, reinvention, and refusing to let your purpose fade.🔗 Connect with Yvette Michelle:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearyvettemichele/🎙️ Tap in with LeTroy Gardner and the Stop, Look & Listen family:🌐 www.pushplaypods.com🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Comment & Subscribe for more legendary conversations!