Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewedMildred J. Mills.

Topic: Life journey, resilience, and her memoir Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs, and Rising Above Her Roots

Mildred J. Mills shares her powerful story of growing up on a cotton farm in Alabama as one of 17 children, overcoming domestic violence, poverty, and systemic barriers to become a successful IT executive, author, podcaster, and motivational speaker. Her memoir is a testament to resilience, faith, and self-determination.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview
Promote her memoir and its message of overcoming adversity.
Inspire entrepreneurs and small business owners with her story of resilience and reinvention.
Highlight the importance of storytelling as a healing and motivational tool.
Encourage faith over fear in personal and professional growth.

🔑 Key Takeaways 🌾 Humble Beginnings
Grew up on a 60-acre cotton farm in Whitaker, Alabama.
Picking cotton was physically brutal and emotionally taxing.

“You’re bent at a 90-degree angle all day picking cotton… it hurts.”

📚 Writing the Memoir
Wrote the book after age 60 to heal and share wisdom.
Did not consult her husband before publishing — it was her story to tell.

“I didn’t want anybody telling me… ‘Why didn’t you do it this way?’ It is my story.”

💪 Resilience Defined
Resilience means getting up after being knocked down.
She credits her mother’s wisdom and her own determination.

“Failure is not an option… I wasn’t going back to that cotton field.”

🧠 Faith Over Fear
Her guiding principle is faith over fear — trusting in the journey despite uncertainty.

“Fear sits on your shoulder and says you’re not good enough. Faith says walk through the door.”

🏫 Education & Mentorship
A white teacher saw potential in her and helped her escape the cotton fields by recommending a tech school.
Her father, despite initial hesitation, paid for her education in cash.

“He paid \$500 in 1969 — a lot of money for a farmer.”

👩‍💻 Career & Independence
Became an IT executive, starting in 1969 as a computer programmer.
Advocates for women’s financial independence and self-worth.

“God gave me gifts that I must share… I’m not going to depend on somebody else.”

📖 Future Projects
Upcoming book: The Hope Club — explores the impact of incarceration on families, especially children.

“I’ve seen what such a life can do to children… it breaks up families.”

💬 Memorable Quotes
“Do the best you can with what you have.” — Her mother’s mantra.
“Don’t expect someone else to pay for your dreams.”
“I’m no victim. I’ve never been a victim.”
“We’re not dreaming big enough.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Mildred J. Mills.
Topic: Life journey, resilience, and her memoir Daddy&rsquo;s House: A Daughter&rsquo;s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs, and Rising Above Her Roots
Mildred J. Mills shares her powerful story of growing up on a cotton farm in Alabama as one of 17 children, overcoming domestic violence, poverty, and systemic barriers to become a successful IT executive, author, podcaster, and motivational speaker. Her memoir is a testament to resilience, faith, and self-determination.
<hr>
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
<ol>
<li>Promote her memoir and its message of overcoming adversity.</li>
<li>Inspire entrepreneurs and small business owners with her story of resilience and reinvention.</li>
<li>Highlight the importance of storytelling as a healing and motivational tool.</li>
<li>Encourage faith over fear in personal and professional growth.</li>
</ol>
<hr>
🔑 Key Takeaways 🌾 Humble Beginnings
<ul>
<li>Grew up on a 60-acre cotton farm in Whitaker, Alabama.</li>
<li>Picking cotton was physically brutal and emotionally taxing.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;You&rsquo;re bent at a 90-degree angle all day picking cotton&hellip; it hurts.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<hr>
📚 Writing the Memoir
<ul>
<li>Wrote the book after age 60 to heal and share wisdom.</li>
<li>Did not consult her husband before publishing &mdash; it was her story to tell.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t want anybody telling me&hellip; &lsquo;Why didn&rsquo;t you do it this way?&rsquo; It is my story.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<hr>
💪 Resilience Defined
<ul>
<li>Resilience means getting up after being knocked down.</li>
<li>She credits her mother&rsquo;s wisdom and her own determination.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;Failure is not an option&hellip; I wasn&rsquo;t going back to that cotton field.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<hr>
🧠 Faith Over Fear
<ul>
<li>Her guiding principle is faith over fear &mdash; trusting in the journey despite uncertainty.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;Fear sits on your shoulder and says you&rsquo;re not good enough. Faith says walk through the door.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<hr>
🏫 Education &amp; Mentorship
<ul>
<li>A white teacher saw potential in her and helped her escape the cotton fields by recommending a tech school.</li>
<li>Her father, despite initial hesitation, paid for her education in cash.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;He paid \$500 in 1969 &mdash; a lot of money for a farmer.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<hr>
👩&zwj;💻 Career &amp; Independence
<ul>
<li>Became an IT executive, starting in 1969 as a computer programmer.</li>
<li>Advocates for women&rsquo;s financial independence and self-worth.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;God gave me gifts that I must share&hellip; I&rsquo;m not going to depend on somebody else.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<hr>
📖 Future Projects
<ul>
<li>Upcoming book: The Hope Club &mdash; explores the impact of incarceration on families, especially children.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve seen what such a life can do to children&hellip; it breaks up families.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<hr>
💬 Memorable Quotes
<ul>
<li>&ldquo;Do the best you can with what you have.&rdquo; &mdash; Her mother&rsquo;s mantra.</li>
<li>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t expect someone else to pay for your dreams.&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m no victim. I&rsquo;ve never been a victim.&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re not dreaming big enough.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
<hr>
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Hi, this is Rushion McDonald. Welcome to the podcast world of Money Making Conversations Master Class. I interview profits and nonprofits to learn their "Secrets to Success."  I'm a former IBM Executive with a degree in Mathematics. I started my entrepreneurial career as a stand-up comic, then became a sitcom writer, award-winning baker, social media influencer, award-winning television Executive Producer, and brand architect for super-successful celebrities and products. Money Making Conversations Master Class interviews a diverse group of celebrities, entrepreneurs, and influencers in the financial and business community with their advice and tips so you can be successful, too. It's time to stop reading other people's success stories and start building your own. People always talk about their purpose or gifts. If you have a gift, Lead with your Gift, and don't let your friends, family, or co-workers stop you from planning or living your dream. Keep Winning!

https://www.moneymakingconversations.com

https://www.youtube.com/MoneyMakingConversations

https://www.facebook.com/MoneyMakingConversations/

https://twitter.com/moneymakingconv

https://www.instagram.com/moneymakingconversations/

Hi, this is Rushion McDonald. Welcome to the podcast world of Money Making Conversations Master Class. I interview profits and nonprofits to learn their "Secrets to Success."  I'm a former IBM Executive with a degree in Mathematics. I started my entrepreneurial career as a stand-up comic, then became a sitcom writer, award-winning baker, social media influencer, award-winning television Executive Producer, and brand architect for super-successful celebrities and products. Money Making Conversations Master Class interviews a diverse group of celebrities, entrepreneurs, and influencers in the financial and business community with their advice and tips so you can be successful, too. It's time to stop reading other people's success stories and start building your own. People always talk about their purpose or gifts. If you have a gift, Lead with your Gift, and don't let your friends, family, or co-workers stop you from planning or living your dream. Keep Winning!
https://www.moneymakingconversations.com
https://www.youtube.com/MoneyMakingConversations
https://www.facebook.com/MoneyMakingConversations/
https://twitter.com/moneymakingconv
https://www.instagram.com/moneymakingconversations/

Money Making Conversations Master Class

Overcoming the Odds: She grew up on a cotton farm as one of 17 children and overcame domestic violence, and poverty.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/650555f8-7b60-4ab2-9c18-b351010a12b3/transcript

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