For Good

McKenzi Brooke has spent most of her life in front of a camera — but who is she outside the viral videos? The TikTok star, dancer, actor, and storyteller joins Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good Podcast to talk about growing up online, separating her real identity from her internet persona, navigating pressure at a young age, and turning criticism into fuel. From her close bond with her family...

What happens when a lifetime journalist turns the camera inward? Award-winning CNN editor and author John DeDakis joins Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good Podcast to talk about truth, grief, mental health, and the painful losses that shaped him as a man, husband, and writer. He opens up about losing his sister and son, why men need to cry more, and how storytelling became his path toward healin...

Dreka Gates didn't set out to build a wellness empire — it found her. When COVID forced her into isolation on 60 acres of Mississippi land, just miles from where her great-grandmother once farmed, everything shifted. One day, while working the soil, she fell to her knees in tears — not because she bought the land, but because she realized: "This really belongs to me." In this powerful conversation...

What really goes into writing the stories that define hip hop? Journalist, author, and NYU professor Kathy Iandoli joins Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good Podcast to talk about her new book The Diary of a Recovering Madman with Gucci Mane, the pressure of documenting cultural icons, and how storytelling can save lives. She opens up about vulnerability in hip hop, the role of mental health in t...

Transformation coach and author Alechia Reese joins Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the for good podcast to share how she went from surviving domestic violence and suicidal thoughts to discovering her purpose — helping others create lives that not only look good, but feel good. On the outside, Alechia Reese had everything — a successful career, a beautiful home, and a loving family. But behind the image...

Hollywood has long struggled with representation — and Natasha Ward Shaw has spent more than 20 years fighting to change that. The casting director, producer, and acting coach sits down with Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on The For Good Podcast for a powerful conversation about diversity, colorism, and what it really takes to open doors for Black women in entertainment. From interning on Fat Albert to cas...

Short Description Turning 36 isn't just another year—it's a checkpoint. In this special birthday edition, JoJo Simmons opens up about growth, fatherhood, and redefining what legacy means beyond fame. From faith and family to business and purpose, he reflects on how far he's come and the lessons that keep him grounded. Full Description In this Just JoJo: Birthday Edition, JoJo Simmons steps into hi...

What happens when chasing success costs you your health? Business leader and executive coach John Thompson III joins Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good Podcast to share how burnout at 25 reshaped his life, why being passed over for promotion became a turning point, and how his ACES framework helps people stack their deck for success. John Thompson III spent over 20 years leading teams at GE and...

What happens when your childhood best friend also becomes your partner in music, TV, and life? For JoJo Simmons and his day one, Zach, the answer is a journey that spans from first grade classrooms to middle school rap battles, to forming Team Blackout and appearing together on Run's House. In this episode of the For Good Podcast, JoJo and Zach revisit the funny, heartfelt, and sometimes wild stor...

From producing platinum records to surviving bankruptcy — twice — Dr. Sahpreem A. King has lived a life of highs, lows, and powerful transformation. A hip-hop producer for legends like SWV and Wyclef Jean, he went from the top of the music industry to losing everything, rebuilding himself not once but twice, and ultimately finding purpose as an author, educator, and founder of Soular Astronauts. I...

Bryant McKinnie spent over a decade dominating the NFL, becoming a Super Bowl champion and Pro Bowler. But after the game, he discovered that true strength has nothing to do with size or speed—it's about being vulnerable, telling your story, and creating safe spaces for others to share theirs. Now, through his B Major Foundation and events like Cocktails and Conversations, Bryant is changing how m...

Angela Simmons sits down with her brother Joseph "JoJo" Simmons for Part 2 of their conversation on the For Good Podcast, and this time they're getting into the real—relationships, dating, and navigating life in the public eye. Angela addresses why she's attracted to "protectors," explaining that she sees people past their reputation and judges them by their character, not street gossip. She opens...

When Jay-Z rapped "in the kitchen like a Simmons whipping Pastry" about their family business in "Empire State of Mind" Angela Simmons knew she made it. She sits down with her brother Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good podcast to reveal what really happened behind the scenes of Run's House, how she and Vanessa Simmons built the Pastry empire that got Jay-Z's attention, and why Rev Run saying "n...

Sometimes our biggest mistakes become our greatest teachers. For singer and performer Loomis, a nervous National Anthem performance that went viral became the catalyst for a conversation about resilience, vulnerability, and refusing to let one moment define your entire story. In this deeply personal episode, Loomis shares her journey from an abusive relationship to finding the courage to pursue he...

Dr. Jay Barnett's story could have ended tragically twice. The former NFL player survived two suicide attempts, left an abusive home at 16, and found healing through an unexpected white family who showed him what unconditional love looked like. Now a mental health therapist, author, and speaker, he's dedicated his life to helping Black men break free from trauma and build healthy relationships. On...

At one point, Freeway Rick Ross was making at least $1 million every day. From tennis player to drug kingpin to prisoner to mentor, his story is one of transformation, education, and second chances. He joins Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good Podcast to talk about how he went from being a "square" athlete who'd never touched drugs to making millions in the crack era, serving 20+ years in prison...

Darnell Lamont Walker is an Emmy nominated writer, filmmaker, and death doula whose storytelling spans continents, genres, and generations. He's written for children's shows like Karma's World, Blues Clues & You, and Rubble & Crew — using imagination and heart to help young people understand life's biggest lessons. But behind the scenes, Darnell has also answered a deeper calling: guiding others t...

Dr. Jay Barnett is a former NFL player turned mental health therapist, author, and speaker—on a mission to help Black men and communities heal. After a three-year, 36-city Just Heal Bro tour that reached over 18,000 men, Jay found himself burnt out and battling depression, suicide ideation, and hormonal collapse. In this episode, he joins host Joseph "JoJo" Simmons to talk about nervous system reg...

Eric Kussin had what most people would call a dream life: a high-profile career in pro sports (NBA, Chicago Sky, and Phoenix Suns), a luxury car parked outside his South Beach apartment, and a rising trajectory with the Florida Panthers. But beneath the surface, Eric was silently spiraling. When a mental health crisis hit, it nearly ended everything — and forced him to completely rethink what well...

Jesce Horton's story proves that setbacks can be the setup for something greater. He lost a scholarship and corporate job opportunities because of cannabis. But instead of being defeated, he accepted rejection as redirection and found a career working with the plant. Now, as the founder of LOWD, he's a leading advocate for Black ownership, representation, and real equity in the cannabis industry....

Corvain Cooper was sentenced to life in prison without parole for conspiracy to distribute 40 tons of cannabis. But even behind bars, he refused to give up hope. As the bookie in prison, he stayed busy, found ways to support his family, and never stopped believing that he would one day be free. In 2021, after years of fighting for justice and an outpouring of public support, he was granted clemenc...

Tai Ceme was supposed to be just another virtual assistant. Instead, she became the backbone of 3isFor's production team and one of their most trusted leaders. In this special "Tai's Light" segment, she sits down with Joseph "JoJo" Simmons in the Yurt to share her remarkable journey from cleaning Kris Karl's inbox to directing complex productions for values-driven clients. Tai opens up about how a...

What happens when your own viewers give you tough love? Joseph "JoJo" Simmons addresses the elephant in the room after viewers criticized him for talking over his sister Vanessa Simmons in a recent episode. Instead of getting defensive, JoJo breaks down why he's grateful for the feedback and how it's made him a better leader. Fresh off missing a major client event in Detroit due to airlines delays...

Few people have been in the rooms that Steve Lobel has. From managing legends like Run-DMC, Nipsey Hussle, Fat Joe, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and Scott Storch, Steve has spent decades shaping the culture. In this candid and emotional interview, he sits down with his "nephew" Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good podcast to reflect on his journey, sharing untold stories, personal struggles, and the har...

Joseph "JoJo" Simmons and Kris Karl return for another episode of the For Good Podcast from the Yurrrrt, the farm headquarters of their creative studio 3isFor, for a deep dive into sustainability, impact, and building a regenerative business. Kris shares his perspective on sustainability and why long-term thinking is crucial in both farming and storytelling. JoJo and Kris break down how 3isFor bec...