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, JoJo reflects on his team's success with the BOMESI Summit (Black Owned Media Equity and Sustainability Institute).

He gets vulnerable about his growth as an entrepreneur, co-founder of 3isFor, and why treating criticism like market research has changed his approach to business and life.

JoJo also dives into:

• The difference between confidence (being prepared) and cockiness (thinking you know everything)

• Why failing visibly builds stronger communities than hiding your learning process

• Behind-the-scenes look at 3isFor's experiential work and what's coming next

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 hard lessons that come with life in the industry.

As a longtime friend of the Simmons family - often called “the White Russell Simmons” - Steve has been connected to hip-hop royalty for years. But despite his success, he’s experienced devastating losses, both personally and professionally. In this episode, he gets real about the sacrifices no one talks about, the mental and emotional toll of the business, and how he’s managed to stay consistent without selling his soul. He also explains why he diversified into cannabis and tells the wild story of how Berner almost turned down the Cookies empire.

JoJo & Steve break down:

• How mentorship can get you ready to answer when opportunity knocks.
• The mental health struggles behind the music industry’s glitz and glam.
• The power of pushing through the no’s and staying resilient in an unforgiving industry.

Links and Resources:

• Follow Steve Lobel @weworking on Instagram
• Follow @forgoodpodcast on Instagram

Feeling this convo? Hit subscribe, drop a review, and pass it to someone who needs to hear it!

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Welcome to the For Good Podcast w/ Steve Lobel
• 02:59 How Run-DMC & Jam Master Jay Put Steve on Game
• 03:51 Deeper Than Rap: Steve’s Bond w/ Jam Master Jay
• 06:11 Without a Mentor, You Could Get Lost
• 08:45 Wild Tour Stories w/ Run-DMC & Jam Master Jay
• 11:31 The Key to Building a Loyal Fan Base
• 15:29 Losing Legends: How Steve Coped With Grief
• 20:13 Why Nipsey Hussle’s Impact Grew After Death
• 20:34 Wanna Make It in Music? Do Your Research!
• 30:06 Respect is Everything - Not Just for Celebrities
• 31:05 Nipsey Never Chased Trends - He Set Them
• 35:51 Even Nipsey & Bieber Struggled to Get Signed
• 36:33 Give People Their Flowers While They’re Here
• 38:45 Berner Almost Said No to the Cookies Empire
• 43:19 Winning in the Cannabis Game
• 44:26 I’m Not A Bag Guy, I’m an Equity Guy
• 45:38 What He Thinks About JoJo’s Cannabis Advocacy
• 49:16 Music Industry Mental Health Struggles
• 50:05 The Stigma: Treatment in Black & Brown Communities
• 50:55 The Real Story Behind The Heavenly Center (THC)
• 01:01:00 The Reality of Addiction
• 01:04:00 Steve’s Biggest Regret? Not Starting a Family
• 01:06:00 The Mindset Shift You Need to Win
• 01:10:00 Why Social Media Ain’t Real Connection
• 01:14:00 Why Steve Came on the For Good Podcast

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 became a member of 1% for the Planet, what it really means to run a values-driven creative studio, and why their mission is bigger than just content — it's about creating lasting change.

They dive deep into how storytelling helps brands build authentic customer loyalty by showcasing their giveback efforts, not in a bragging way, but in an inspirational way that motivates others to do the same. The conversation explores the balance between making money and giving back, revealing how showing up with good intentions has consistently brought business opportunities back tenfold for 3isFor.

JoJo & Kris also discuss:

• How 1% for the Planet connects like-minded brands committed to environmental impact
• Why community is the key to sustainable business and authentic storytelling
• The importance of asking yourself: "What is truly valuable to me?"
• How regenerative thinking applies to both farming and business—looking at the long lens instead of just immediate profits

Subscribe to the For Good Podcast on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.

00:00 Welcome to the For Good Podcast
02:25 The Yurt and Community Values
03:03 1% for the Planet Membership
04:55 Importance of Storytelling in Branding
13:09 Balancing Profit and Giving Back
14:41 Inviting Listeners to Join the Community
17:36 Highlighting 1% Brands and Community Impact
18:32 Balancing Profit and Giving Back
19:30 Building Authentic Brand Loyalty
20:44 The Power of Charitable Actions
22:17 Sustainability in Business and Life
24:53 The Importance of Long-Term Planning
29:16 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Episodes

Was Run’s House really reality? Or was it just for TV? Vanessa Simmons joins her brother Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good podcast for a rare conversation about growing up in the spotlight, setting boundaries, and balancing fame with real life.

As children of Rev Run of Run-DMC, Vanessa and JoJo have had a unique journey from Run’s House to Growing Up Hip Hop, learning how to navigate the industry while protecting their peace. Vanessa opens up about why she keeps her relationship private, the inspiration behind her self-care brand, U4IA, and how she’s helping others prioritize wellness. They reflect on their tight-knit relationships with all of their siblings and what it means to raise the next generation of Simmons with intention.

Vanessa and JoJo also discuss:

• Low times and how they’ve each struggled with depression or social anxiety.
• What it was really like growing up with Rev Run as a dad - the family dynamic behind the scenes.
• JoJo shares a childhood memory that brings Vanessa to tears.

Links and Resources:

• Follow @vanessajsimmons on Instagram
• Follow @forgoodpodcast on Instagram

Subscribe to the For Good podcast on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 Welcome to For Good
• 00:01:35 You Need the Right Team Behind You
• 00:02:18 Growing Up with a Single Mom in Queens
• 00:04:28 Privileged but Not Spoiled: Our Upbringing
• 00:06:23 Run’s House Wasn’t Scripted
• 00:10:27 Lessons Learned from Reality TV
• 00:13:40 Being the Family Peacekeeper
• 00:15:02 My Relationships with All My Siblings
• 00:21:37 Being a Good Sister Means So Much
• 00:22:13 Missing New York While Living in LA
• 00:24:01 How Motherhood Changed Me
• 00:27:01 Balancing Career and Motherhood
• 00:29:47 Your Daughter Pranked My Daughter
• 00:31:53 The Spotlight on Self-Care
• 00:35:02 Using Our Platforms to Make a Difference
• 00:36:18 Living in the Public Eye Makes You Hyper-Self-Aware
• 00:38:06 Women Are Still Judged by Their Looks
• 00:39:45 Embracing a More Modest Style
• 00:41:34 Keeping My Daughter Grounded in LA
• 00:42:19 Privacy Is Power
• 00:44:36 Seeing Our Family in the Headlines
• 00:45:58 Remember When You Lived on My Couch?
• 00:51:02 Family Vacations with Our Kids
• 00:52:57 The Impact of the Run-DMC Documentary
• 00:56:18 What’s Next: New Projects
• 00:57:51 Motherhood Is My Driving Force
• 00:58:21 What Do You Do for Your Mental Health?

At just 20 years old, Dontrell “Trell the Trainer” Britton was leading 30 to 40 of the toughest men in prison through intense yard workouts. Surrounded by lifers and hardened criminals, he learned that self-mastery is the only way out, whether behind bars or in the real world. He breaks down how his childhood forced him into survival mode, how he manages the PTSD from his arrest and imprisonment, and the habits he built to truly change his life.

Now a fitness entrepreneur and influencer, Trell shares how structure, discipline, and financial literacy helped him transition from incarceration to making a lasting impact. On this episode of the For Good podcast he and Joseph "JoJo" Simmons discuss how fitness builds mental strength, why Black men need safe spaces to heal, and why we need to stop celebrating surviving prison and start creating systems that prevent incarceration in the first place.

Trell also opens up about:

• Why checking in on your people’s mental health is more important than ever
• How men, especially Black men, can move beyond suffering in silence
• His journey launching Glizzys Vegan Food Company, a plant-based hot dog brand

Links and Resources:

• Follow @trellthetrainer on Instagram
• Follow @forgoodpodcast on Instagram

Subscribe to the For Good Podcast on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.

00:00 Welcome to the For Good Podcast w/ Trell the Trainer
02:42 Survival Mode - Growing Up in a Tough Environment
06:42 PTSD from Prison & Surviving an FBI Home Raid
14:00 Why Black Men Suffer in Silence & How to Break the Cycle
18:00 Opening Up About Emotions Blew Up My Social Media
23:33 Finding an Emotion Deeper Than Anger - Real Healing Starts Here
26:35 Becoming the Unofficial Prison Fitness Coach at 20
30:32 The Power of Keeping Small Promises to Yourself
35:13 Wealth Isn’t Fast Money - Why Long-Term Thinking Wins
42:58 Why I Invested in Glizzy’s Vegan Food Truck
49:18 Don’t Want to Be a Player - Ready for Real Love
01:00:59 What Every Man Needs Before Dating
01:04:31 The One Shift That Changed My Life Forever
01:07:42 Wrapping Up - Thanks for Tuning In!

Fatherhood, emotional intelligence, and men’s mental health shaped their bond—now JoJo and Kris are using storytelling to build something bigger.

In this episode of For Good, Joseph “JoJo” Simmons and his co-founder Kris Karl take you inside the yurt on Karl Family Farms—the creative HQ of their values-driven studio, 3isFor. JoJo and Kris first crossed paths as teenagers in North Jersey, but it took decades, fatherhood, and a shift in priorities to turn a surface-level friendship into something much deeper.

Now leading a values-driven company rooted in storytelling, they reflect on how emotional intelligence, vulnerability, and values helped them build a creative studio on a working regenerative farm in New York’s Hudson Valley. This episode lays the foundation for the For Good podcast — a space where mental health, legacy, and purpose-driven work take center stage.

In this episode:

• The North Jersey high school days—and why they didn’t truly connect until later in life.
• How becoming fathers changed the way they move through the world.
• Why the yurt became the heartbeat of 3isFor.
• What emotional intelligence looks like inside a business partnership.
• How storytelling can be a tool for healing, impact, and generational change.

Meet your hosts:

Joseph “JoJo” Simmons is best known for Run’s House and Growing Up Hip Hop, but his real evolution began off-camera. A husband, father, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate, JoJo received the Phoenix Arising Award from the Black Mental Health Alliance for his work promoting emotional intelligence and men’s mental health—especially in Black communities.

Kris Karl is a regenerative farmer, investor, creative thinker and co-founder of 3isFor. With a background in public service, Kris brings a deeply rooted perspective to storytelling and sustainable business. As a husband and father, he’s committed to doing work that aligns with his values—from the soil to the studio.

Links and Resources:

• Follow @forgoodpodcast on Instagram
• Follow @3isfor on Instagram
• Follow @karlfamilyfarms on Instagram
• Follow @dadventuresinfarming on Instagram

Subscribe to the For Good podcast on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Introducing the Podcast and Co-Founders
• 02:25 High School Memories and Friendships
• 04:46 Meeting Dave Dow and Forming Bonds
• 06:55 Navigating High School Challenges
• 18:03 Privilege and Grounding
• 20:07 Business Ventures and Cannabis Industry
• 25:51 Pivoting to Content Creation
• 33:01 The Power of Storytelling in Cannabis
• 34:40 Addressing Stigmas and Building Community
• 36:42 Intentional Content Creation
• 37:52 The Journey of Building a Business
• 42:09 Redefining Modern Masculinity
• 47:39 Diverse Approaches to Cannabis Consumption
• 57:21 The Yurt: A Creative Space
• 01:00:27 The Strength of Partnership
• 01:07:11 Upcoming Episodes and Conclusion

Did the world get the full truth about Eazy-E’s death?

Eric "Eazy-E" Wright changed hip-hop forever, but 30 years later, questions about his death still remain. His son, Lil Eazy-E, sits down with Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good podcast to discuss his father’s impact, the pressure of carrying his name, and the unanswered questions surrounding his passing. While honoring Eazy-E’s legacy through music and advocacy, he’s also focused on fatherhood and building something bigger than rap.

Lil Eazy-E shares that while he questions the official cause of his father’s death he still used his platform to push HIV/AIDS awareness. He also tells a funny story about life with JoJo on the Sons of Legends Tour, performing alongside Ice Cube, and what it is like hitting the road with DJ Yella to bring his father’s music back to fans around the world.

The conversation shifts to fatherhood, relationships, and Black men’s mental health as JoJo and Lil Eazy-E open up about:

• Being a girl dad and raising daughters with intention.
• Turning in their player cards and understanding the value of a good woman.
• Why marriage, emotional growth, and mental health matter for Black men.

Links and Resources:

• Follow @lileazy_e on Instagram
• Follow @forgoodpodcast on Instagram

Subscribe to the For Good podcast on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Dr. Cheyenne Bryant went viral overnight after her deep, unfiltered insights on love, relationships, and healing struck a chord with millions - including Nick Cannon and Cam Newton. She joins Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good podcast to talk about how that moment transformed her career and the responsibility that comes with being a public truth-teller in mental health.

In this episode, Dr. Bryant unpacks how childhood wounds shape our adult relationships, explaining why so many people sabotage love without realizing it. She delivers some hard-hitting truth to JoJo about his trauma responses in his own marriage, telling him: "The husband has left the conversation, and the little boy has stepped in. There's no space for a child in an adult relationship."

They dive into:

• The power of emotional intelligence and how to use it to break unhealthy cycles.
• Attachment theory and how understanding your attachment style can change your relationships.
• How to heal unresolved childhood trauma that impacts love, career, and self-worth.
• Why truth-telling in media is critical for breaking the stigma around mental health.

Links and Resources:

• Follow @_drbryant on Instagram
• Follow @forgoodpodcast on Instagram

Subscribe to the For Good podcast on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.