In Part 1 of our conversation, former Fortune Global 500 executive, Maria Johnson, joins me to talk about her rise to the top, her early years working in a then male-dominated field, challenges she navigated, the mentors who helped guide her, & the core qualities & factors responsible for her success.

In addition to discussing the evolution of women's workplace culture, Maria delves into the essential characteristics & personality traits she looked for when hiring, why EQ is often more important than IQ, & the advice she imparts to women (& men) as they pursue a path to professional success.

🔹About Maria Johnson:⬇️

Retired Chubb Insurance Executive

Former North American Sales & Distribution Leader, Personal Risk Services

Before retiring in October 2025, Maria served as the North American Sales & Distribution Leader for Personal Risk Services, driving profitable growth across the US & Canada. Her primary responsibilities included leading & developing the Sales & Distribution team to achieve growth targets, implementing distribution tier strategies & agency/broker partner programs, creating & promoting adoption & measurement of sales initiatives & best practices in all regions, collaborating with internal teams such as product lines, underwriting, & field administration to reach division sales goals, as well as monitoring competitive landscapes, analyzing financial trends, & identifying new growth opportunities locally & regionally.

During her 33-year career at Chubb, Maria advanced through a variety of positions offering progressive career growth. Her special skills include strategic planning, project management, driving transformative change, improving individual staff & territory performance, pipeline management, sales execution, & employee development.

Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property & casualty (P&C) insurance company, operating in over 50 countries.🔹To connect with Maria:⬇️

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/maria-johnson-07b77b18/

🎙️ONCE UPON THE PODCAST Available On:⬇️
Apple Podcasts🔹Spotify🔹YouTube🔹iHeart🔹Amazon Music🔹Audible 🔹
Wherever You Get Your Podcasts🔹

Veteran MLB All-Star Bip Roberts' 12-year Major League career spanned six MLB teams, including, most notably, the San Diego Padres as well as the Oakland Athletics, Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals (playing in the 1997 World Series), Cleveland Indians, & Detroit Tigers. A second baseman & outfielder known for his exceptional speed & versatility, Bip twice stole over 40 bases in a single season.

In our conversation, Bip traces his MLB career over the years, reflecting on the most memorable moment of his life in the sport & the impact of his former Padres teammate Tony Gwynn on his baseball journey.

Bip shares memories of his close friend & former Oakland A's teammate Rickey Henderson, his shock when he first learned of his passing, & emceeing Rickey's Celebration of Life at Oakland Arena alongside former Oakland A's second baseman Shooty Babitt & San Francisco Giants former PA announcer Renel Brooks-Moon.

Bip reflects on the changing Bay Area sports scene & how the Golden State Warriors, Raiders, & Athletics all leaving Oakland has affected the city & its people. We delve into the immense importance of professional sports on urban youth & the specific vital benefits that sports offer to young people living in big city environments.

Bip & I discuss how his organization Better In Person (named after BIP), is committed to listening to & uplifting the people of Oakland, especially those at risk. Bip explains the wraparound services that they provide & the critical ways that Better In Person supports youth in navigating their educational journey & empowers them to stay on track & thrive, not just survive.

Finally, we talk about the role that faith plays in Bip's life & how it continues to guide him in his work, helping to enrich the lives of both youth & adults.

To learn more about Better in Person:⬇️

🌐BetterInPerson10.org

To connect with Bip:⬇️

📧biproberts@betterinperson10.org

🎙️ONCE UPON THE PODCAST Available On:⬇️

Apple Podcasts🔹Spotify🔹YouTube🔹iHeart🔹Amazon Music🔹Audible 🔹Wherever You Get Your Podcasts🔹

In Part 2 of my conversation with "Entertainment Tonight" co-host Kevin Frazier, Kevin reflects on his relationship with Prince and shares his memories of the musical legend, businessman, and friend he came to know.

Kevin and I discuss his deep appreciation and support for Memphis, the impact of Martin Luther King Jr.'s tragic passing on the city, and the civil rights legacy of MLK Jr. that continues to reverberate within the culture of the Bluff City.

And we talk about the importance of free speech not only in Hollywood, but in the nation at large, and what the future of Hollywood may look like.

To connect with Kevin:⬇️

X: @KevinFrazier

Facebook: @KevinFrazierOfficial

Instagram: @kevinfrazier

🎙️ONCE UPON THE PODCAST Available On:⬇️ Apple Podcasts🔹Spotify🔹YouTube🔹iHeart🔹Amazon Music🔹Audible 🔹Wherever You Get Your Podcasts🔹