Rich Lessons

Apr 23 · 16m

From Tim Cook stepping down as CEO of Apple after 15 years to mass layoffs hitting Big Tech, media, and beyond, the future of work is changing faster than most people are ready for.Starting September 1, 2026, Tim Cook officially steps down as Apple CEO after 15 years, handing the reins to John Ternus, current SVP of Hardware. Was this a long time coming? Is Apple too stagnant to survive another decade without a Steve Jobs-level disruption and innovation? We're getting into all of it.Then, big tech layoffs are back, and this time they're spreading. Meta is cutting 10% of its workforce (~8,000 jobs). And it's no longer just a Silicon Valley problem. Disney, Sony, Warner Brothers, hospitality, finance, retail — nobody's safe. We also tackle the real question: will AI actually create new jobs, or is universal basic income closer than we want to admit?And Anthropic is out here testing limits — literally. Claude Design is making waves, Claude Code may be getting pulled from the $20/month Pro plan, and we're breaking down what that means for everyday builders and creators trying to keep up without breaking the bank.Plus: the gatekeeping debate is back, sparked by designer Law Roach — and we're not holding back.Topics covered:Tim Cook steps down + who's taking over AppleBig tech layoffs spreading beyond Silicon ValleyAI, job replacement & the universal basic income conversationClaude Design, Claude Code & Anthropic's pricing movesGatekeeping in business: good or bad?🎙️ New episodes of Rich Lessons drop every Tuesday. Rich Takes drops every Thursday.📍 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify & YouTube — search Rich Lessons

Apr 21 · 54m

In this episode of Rich Lessons, we sit down with powerhouse executive Deb Grant—GE's first Black female corporate officer, former president of the GE Foundation (overseeing a $130M budget), board director, and CEO of Corporate Playbook—to decode what actually moves the needle and what it really takes to succeed in corporate America and beyond—and it's not just “working harder.”From becoming GE’s first Black female corporate officer to advising top executives and sitting on public boards, Deb shares the unfiltered truth about corporate power, board access, and strategic visibility that nobody puts in a LinkedIn post.We dive into:• Why hard work alone won’t get you promoted• The critical difference between mentors vs. sponsors (and why it changes everything)• How to get on corporate boards and build real influence• The importance of visibility, relationships, and executive presence• How Black women can navigate corporate spaces, funding gaps, and leadership barriers• The unwritten rules of career growth no one teaches youThis conversation is a masterclass for entrepreneurs, professionals, and anyone looking to strategically level up their career.Key takeaway: It’s not just who you know. It’s who speaks your name in the room.

Apr 17 · 15m

Emma Grede said working from home is hurting women's careers, and Sheena and Sevetri have thoughts. This week on Rich Takes, we break down why we mostly agree, who works from home actually works for, and the hard truth that if you're not exceptional and you're not an expert, the person showing up in the office is getting the promotion, the relationship, and the job security when layoffs hit. Plus, the WNBA Draft had us glued to our screens. Azzi Fudd goes first overall, reunites with Paige Bueckers, South Carolina’s Raven Johnson finally gets her flowers, and UCLA makes history. Women's basketball is in a completely different era, and we are here for it.And in a surprising shift, some investors are starting to move away from AI-first companies and back toward human-centered businesses. What does that mean for founders building right now? We get into it.Don't miss our new Rich Lessons episode dropping April 21st, all about corporate boards through the lens of an incredible Black woman. And if you haven't checked out last week's vibe coding episode yet, go listen now.Topics: Emma Grede | Work From Home | Remote Work | Office Culture | Layoffs | Job Market | WNBA Draft | Azzi Fudd | Paige Bueckers | Raven Johnson | UCLA | AI Investing | Entrepreneurship | Women in Business

Apr 14 · 34m

Vibe coding is everywhere, but is it actually changing who can build a tech company, or is it just giving everyone a very polished prototype?Sevetri and Sheena are back with a conversation about the AI-powered development trend taking over the startup world. They break down what vibe coding actually is, who it's for, and — as two tech founders who've built and scaled companies — what the headlines aren't telling you.In this episode:→ What vibe coding really means (and why it's not the same as shipping a product)→ Why Apple is pulling vibe-coded apps from the App Store — and what that signals→ How a friend used Lovable to build a startup and still had to hire a CTO→ The non-technical founder reality check: can you vibe code your way to 7 figures?→ Claude Code vs. Lovable vs. Replit — which platform should you actually start with?→ AI layoffs: genuine disruption or corporate cover for cutting costs?→ The data center problem nobody wants to talk about while they're using ChatGPT→ Why Sheena thinks we're giving AI too much credit too soon, and why Sevetri pushes backWhether you're a founder ready to ship your first MVP, a non-technical entrepreneur trying to compete, or just someone trying to make sense of the AI wave, this episode gives you the real framework, not the hype.Follow Rich Lessons on Instagram, YouTube, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.#VibeCoding #AITools #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship #RichLessons #ClaudeAI #Lovable #TechFounders #AIForEntrepreneurs

Apr 9 · 24m

This week on Rich Takes, we’re breaking down the headlines shaping culture, business, and the future of entrepreneurship—and some of them are wild.From a controversial $1.8B AI-powered startup raising eyebrows, to the evolving reality of college sports money + transfer chaos, to a growing backlash against “copy-paste AI” design, this episode is packed with unfiltered takes you won’t hear anywhere else.Here’s what we’re getting into:🧠 The rise of the 2-person AI unicorn—genius or scam? Two brothers. A $20,000 investment. $1.8 billion in revenue and zero outside investors. Sheena and Sevetri break down the rise of Medvi, the AI-powered telehealth company that The New York Times calls the first true AI-built unicorn, and why Business Insider isn't buying the hype.💰 Can you really build a billion-dollar company with no investors + AI tools?🏀 NCAA madness: transfer portal chaos (including 1,000+ athletes), NIL money, and what it means long-term🎤 Concert culture, resale madness & why everyone is suddenly on tour (including Jay Z and Ye) ⚠️ The growing problem with AI: why everything is starting to look the same. As vibe coding and AI-generated design flood the internet, everyday consumers are starting to notice that everything looks the same. Is AI killing brand identity for founders and entrepreneurs?💭 Do you need delusion (or narcissism?) to become wildly successful?🧾 Billionaires then vs. now—who’s actually creating impact?Plus, quick hits on culture, sports (Angel Reese's impact on WNBA ticket sales and South Carolina’s loss in the NCAAW championship game), and what’s really driving attention (and money) right now.If you're an entrepreneur, creator, or just trying to understand where things are headed, this is your weekly reality check.🎙️ Rich Takes is the quick-hit segment from Rich Lessons—short, sharp, and straight to the point.🎙️ New Rich Lessons episode dropping April 14th — subscribe so you don't miss it.Tap in, subscribe, and stay ahead.

Mar 19 · 10m

Sheena Allen and Sevetri Wilson Taylor are back with a fresh Rich Takes covering the Oscars, the Target boycott drama (over or no?), and a food city ranking that has New Orleans sitting exactly where it belongs.First up: the 2026 Oscars. Sinners took home wins, but was it enough? Sevetri breaks down why she woke up the next morning still processing how the night played out, why Sean Baker's Best Supporting Actor win made sense, and a shoutout to prior Rich Lessons guest Takema Robinson and the team behind The Perfect Neighbor documentary for their Oscar nomination.Then, Jamal Bryant declared the Target boycott over. The internet said absolutely not. Sheena and Sevetri unpack who actually started the boycott, why his announcement backfired immediately, whether Black consumers are still holding the line, and the moment Sheena almost broke for a limited Target fashion drop.To close it out: viral food personality Walter Johnson, known as Mr. Tendernism, ranked his top cities for food — and New Orleans came in at number one. Sheena and Sevetri react to the full list, let the secret out about the Delta Mississippi food scene, weigh in on the Kansas City surprise, and Sheena shares her 2026 mission to find the best gumbo in New Orleans.Topics covered:2026 Oscars reactions | Sinners | Best Supporting ActorThe Perfect Neighbor documentary | Oscar nominationTarget boycott | Jamal Bryant | Black consumer activismMr. Tendernism | Walter Johnson top food citiesNew Orleans food scene | Delta Mississippi | Kansas City BBQBest gumbo in New Orleans | Keith Lee New Orleans festival🎙️ Rich Takes is a quick-hit mini episode from the Rich Lessons podcast, hosted by Sheena Allen and Sevetri Wilson Taylor. Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Mar 12 · 23m

Sheena Allen and Sevetri Wilson Taylor are back with another rapid-fire Rich Takes — and they're not holding back.This week, the co-hosts break down the Essence Fest 2026 headliner announcement (Brandy, Monica, and Cardi B), what it signals about the festival's comeback, and why Essence still holds cultural power for Black artists. Then the conversation shifts to rising gas prices, the Middle East conflict, and whether Western media is giving Americans the full story.From there, Sheena and Sevetri dig into the February jobs report — 92,000 jobs lost, unemployment climbing to 4.4% — and why the economic pain people are feeling isn't showing up loud enough in the headlines. They get into billionaire tax avoidance, the accelerating wealth gap, and what it's going to take to close it.And to close it out: the raw truth about Black women in venture capital. Why the funding gap feels different right now, why capital is the deciding factor between a good idea and a billion-dollar company, and what Sheena believes is happening to Black women entrepreneurs in the current investment climate.Topics covered:Essence Fest 2026 | Brandy & Monica | Cardi BGas prices & Middle East conflictU.S. unemployment rate | February jobs reportBillionaire tax avoidance | Wealth gapBlack women entrepreneurs | Venture capital funding gapFinancial inclusion & AIWestern media censorship🎙️ Rich Takes is a quick-hit segment from the Rich Lessons podcast, hosted by Sheena Allen and Sevetri Wilson Taylor.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Mar 5 · 18m

Black female founders are breaking their silence, and the internet has opinions. This week on Rich Takes, Sheena Allen and Sevetri Wilson break down Hanifa's viral post about supply chain struggles and customer complaints, and ask the harder question: when does grace run out? Plus, is Anthropic actually the "good guy" in the AI wars against OpenAI and the government, or are we all just picking sides in an evil vs. evil match? They also get into Block's massive 4,000-person layoff, why Jack Dorsey likely saw this coming, and whether Big Tech's record-breaking profits while millions get laid off is a crisis that only universal basic income can fix. And yes, March Madness predictions are in. South Carolina Gamecocks, anyone?Topics covered:Hanifa, supply chain issues & the grace we don't often give Black-owned businessesAnthropic's refusal to drop AI safety guardrails for the governmentOpenAI vs. Anthropic: growth at all costs vs. responsible AIBlock's 4,000 layoffs & Jack Dorsey's "overhiring" memoAI regulation, tech running for Congress & UBIMarch Madness women's basketball picksRich Takes drops every Thursday — your weekly dose of business, tech, and culture.

Feb 26 · 21m

On this week's Rich Takes — the quick-hit current events segment from the Rich Lessons Podcast — Sheena and Sevetri break down the biggest stories you need to know about right now.First up: the Supreme Court ruled Trump's tariffs illegal, but before the ink dried, he doubled down with a 50% global tariff. The hosts debate whether corporations should be suing for billions when they already passed those costs onto consumers, and what this all means heading into the midterms.Then the ladies weigh in on the Susan Rice and Netflix controversy — should she step down from the board to protect Netflix's bid to acquire Warner Brothers before it falls into pro-Trump hands? The answer might surprise you.Plus, a massive shoutout to The Perfect Neighbor, the Netflix documentary nominated for an Oscar this year, and the team celebrates Sinners earning the most Oscar nominations of the year. But first, they can't avoid addressing the racial slur Tourette's incident at a recent awards show and what accountability should look like even when something is uncontrolled.Wrapping up with prayers for everyone stuck in Mexico amid the violent cartel retaliation following the killing of a cartel leader.Topics covered in this episode:Trump tariffs Supreme Court ruling 2025Trump 50% global tariff responseSusan Rice Netflix board controversyNetflix Warner Brothers acquisitionParamount Trump connectionThe Perfect Neighbor Netflix Oscar nominationSinners Ryan Coogler Oscar nominations 2025Tourette's racial slur awards show Michael B. JordanMexico cartel violence travel warningNew Rich Takes drops weekly. Subscribe, leave a review, and follow @richlessionspodcast for more.