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Wendy Williams & Charlamagne tha god Share Their Success Truth in Plain Speak

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They say don’t judge a book by its cover. That’s something that could be said about Wendy Williams and Charlamagne tha god. Williams returned to her nationally syndicated TV show this week after fainting on set. She’s been dealing with Graves’ disease since that scary moment. So she’s on a new health kick.

Those who’ve followed her career remember her days on NY radio. She would pull no punches when interviewing some guests. That seems to be a model that has worked well for Charlamagne. It’s something he might have learned from his days working with Williams. But then again he’s his own man.

Both seem to have moved beyond their initial ‘shock radio’ style. For Williams the change might have been driven by her shift to television. For Charlamagne, it might have been his desire to be seen as having more class than crass. Both have made their ‘hot topics’ chats a pop culture favorite.

How they ended up sitting pretty in their game may be part of their appeal. Their success truth is made real to those who don’t mind (as Charlamagne likes to say) ‘getting medicine in the candy.’ In other words, there’s usually a takeaway in what they have to say. Some see it as down and dirty life lessons.

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It’s easy to think that their dream journey was all smooth sailing. But the story is out on the career run-ins they had along the way. What they’ve both done is in one sense cutting-edge but in another sense meant to be. How they appear today is the sum total of setbacks that became comebacks by having to:

  1. Break the mold

Growing-up in a small southern town could have easily been all there was for Charlamagne. He had some trouble with the law and realized if things were to change he’d have to break the mold. This meant having a different lifestyle than what he had come to know. It meant being open to evolve has a person.

  1. Build their profile

One of the first things with a new social media account is the creation of a profile. This is where you list the things you want people to know about you. Williams and Charlamagne have been in and out of many professional situations. But over time they’ve also been able to build their pop culture profile.

  1. Sense the moment

Sensing the moment could mean hoping for the ‘luck of the Irish.’ It’s where things come together just like clockwork. But other times it could be about taking a step back in order to make a leap forward. In the case of Williams feeling weak or down, it could also mean knowing when to use instinct over impulse.

  1. Tweak their brand

Both have had ‘make or break’ life moments. Whether it’s in Williams’ recent health scare or in Charlamagne’s many job firings. He’d have others know a success truth for better career days is to tweak the brand from smart-ass (that’s smarts with an ego) to being witty (that’s smarts with an edge).

Whether folks tune in for ‘hot topics’ or the interview guests, something keeps them coming back for the next show. Charlamagne might say it’s his love for the culture. Williams might say it’s her take on ‘celeb dish.’ But maybe it’s in how their life dreams or passion for the game can make our hearts beat triple time.

Tip: The great ones ‘go get it’ by defining their life dreams, raising passion for the game and having hearts beat triple time.

Talkback: Is the ‘shock jock’ thing something Charlamagne got from Wendy?

Tracks: SWV – Weak – https://youtu.be/976b8TPPFJU

Mary Mary – Go Get It – https://youtu.be/ADGnIi9KrLQ

ESPN’s Sage Steele & Toni Braxton Worked Their Way to the Mountaintop of Major Industry #BigTimeUniversity

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This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST

LOL Tube – Got Funny? 


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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Flashlighting’ – Get Seen!”
A New Way to Shine with Highlights, Insights and Media-bites that’s Exciting (Old-School Flava)

Some people have passion for what they do burning like fire! We see it in sports and entertainment where their performance just sizzles. It shows up in their hustle that flows or workplace savvy that grows. That’s how ESPN’s Sage Steele and Toni Braxton worked their way to the mountaintop of major industry.

Both climbed the charts and ladder of their professions. In her recent Lifetime TV biopic Braxton said “It’s a blessing to have all your dreams come true. But even a blessed person is not without pain.” It’s almost as if they’ve been down 2 or 3 roads less travelled in the marketplace of ideas, innovation and inspiration.

Braxton had ups & downs like a roller coaster in her showbiz trek. She was singing at a gas station when she landed her first breakthrough. From there it seemed like the market kept calling for her talent. Then as if in divine timing she caught the attention of LA Reid & Babyface who’d help her rise to the next level.

Steele tells the Huffington Post about her days in the locker room trenches as a female sports reporter. While her challenges were different from Braxton’s they agree that it’s been worth it. They know that sometimes doors open with perfect timing and other times after knocking, kicking or even screaming.

For Braxton it’s been a push here, a pull there and the courage to dare. For Steele it’s been more like steady, swift and at times about her hair. These things connect to the piece of the pie they call their own. So while media’s busy talking about Trump, they’d rather cheer-on those working on their next triumph.

Groove-Track: Jill Scott – Back Together – https://youtu.be/9_Do91hJriU

Theme:– “The Year of ‘Flashlighting’ – Get Seen!”
A New Way to Shine With Highlights, Insights and Media-bites that’s Exciting (New-School Flava)

Some people have mad passion. Wit, style not out of fashion. Burning like balls of fire. That makes them go little higher. In sports where play sizzles. Or performance that just drizzles. Shows in their hustle and flow. Betta act like ya know. Sage Steele and Toni Braxton didn’t stop. Till they reached the mountaintop.

Both climbed the chart sessions. And ladder of their professions. Braxton’s glad for blessing to live her dream. Even the blessed have to blow off steam. Been down 2 or 3 roads less travelled. As career became unraveled. Ways to master part we play. Marketplace of ideas, innovation & inspiration’s hooray.

Braxton had ups & downs what the heck. Like a roller coaster in her Hollywood trek. Singing her way at the gas station. To land first breakthrough occasion. From there heard the market calling. So went ahead without the stalling. As if in true divine timing. Caught attention of Reid & Babyface for her next rising.

Steele looks back on sports reporter days. When few were singing her praise. While not walking in the same shoes. Both had to get past some blues. Reaching a point becoming a hit. Knowing that it’s been worth it. Sometimes doors open with perfect timing. Other times after knocking, kicking and screaming.

For Braxton a push here a pull there. Even times of courage to dare. Steele’s been steady, swift and at times about her hair. Connecting things with their pieces of the pie. To how they’d shoot for the sky. So while media’s been busy talking ‘bout Trump. They’d rather cheer those working on next triumph.

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Tip: Mastering the part we play in biz takes connecting our skills to the pain and high for a bigger pie.

Talkback: Which came first for Braxton, passion or skills? Took her farther: street cred or market calling?

Groove-Tracks: Mary Mary – Go Get It – https://youtu.be/ADGnIi9KrLQ

 

Clean Bandit – Stronger – https://youtu.be/_c_n0A3BFVE

This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST

Ryan Seacrest Has Made a Name for Himself by Putting Heart into His Work Ethic – #WUWECAST

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This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST

LOL Tube – Got Funny?

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Uppertunity’ – Get Lifted!”
With Higher Hopes, Bolder Dreams and Greater Teams (Old-School Flava)

The jury’s out on Jamie Foxx hosting the iHeart Music Awards. He’s taken some heat for his monologue jokes. The show saw Rihanna channeling Lil Kim. There were others who made headlines. But Ryan Seacrest has made a name for himself not just in showbiz but by putting heart into his work ethic.

Why wouldn’t people put this into their work or businesses into their brands? Southwest Airlines knows the importance of heart. They’ve added it to their logo and commercial appeal as the ‘dot’ in dotcom. Even iHeartRadio seems to have caught-on that the parent company changed names to iHeart Media.

Business leaders know it takes heart to captivate and soul to motivate. Maybe Taylor Swift and Justin Timberlake can relate. She received a few honors while he was named Music Innovator. Their body of work speaks for itself. Some might say she streams heart into her songs while he pours soul into his.

In words you’ve heard before, they know ‘all about that base makes top dollar.’ They connect their fan-base with music, fun and lots more. Who knew that Swift had such admiration for Timberlake? She could possibly be the next recipient of the Innovator Award (Well, Kanye West might have something to say).

As one of the few from the original crew, Seacrest keeps things ‘light and loose’ on American Idol. Swift keeps turning out #1 albums and Timberlake keeps delivering his music as ‘white soul.’ They all bring heart to the stage the way an athlete combines passion and grace within their greatness.

Groove-Track: Aloe Blacc – ‘I Need a Dollar’ –

Theme:– “The Year of ‘Uppertunity’ – Get Lifted!”
With Higher Hopes, Bolder Dreams and Greater Teams (New-School Flava)

Jury’s out on iHeart Awards host Jamie Foxx. Many not sure he knocked it out the box. Taken some heat for his monologue jokes. Didn’t go over well with some folks. Rihanna showed-up like Lil Kim of old. Others made headlines not as bold. Seacrest in the building with his heart. Work ethic sets him far apart.

Why wouldn’t people put heart in their brands? Opens the door to more buying hands. Southwest Airlines adds heart to its sleeves. As seen on its logo and pamphlet leaves. Commercial appeal to hit the spot. As seen in its URL dot. Even iHeartRadio on the same page. Changing its name on the main stage.

Biz leaders know heart helps to captivate. Then add some soul to motivate. Maybe Taylor Swift and Justin Timberlake can relate. As they cash-in the money plate. She gets a few honors as songwriter. He gets the press as Music Innovator. She streams heart from track to track. He pours soul like Aloe Blacc.

In words you’ve heard before. ‘All about that base makes top dollar’ the score. So they connect with their fan-base for sure. With music, fun and a whole lot more. Who knew Swift had such admiration. For Timberlake’s personification? Could be next Innovator star. Kanye West not ready to say she’s on par.

One of the few Idol originals. Keeps things light, loose, with the lyricals. Swift keeps turning out #1 songs. Timberlake fans think he does no wrongs. Music that’s kinda like ‘white soul.’ And comedy skits from his SNL role. Bringing lots of heart to the mix. An athlete’s passion and grace on the greatness fix.

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Tip: Where there’s heart like an athlete you’ll find passion and grace locked-in with greatness.
Talkback: Who’d you think should be the next host of the iHeart Music Awards?
Groove-Tracks: (Double-play for the Easter Holiday!)

Kanye West – ‘Heartless’ –   

Mary Mary – ‘Go Get It’ –  

This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST