On this episode of Wins + Lessons, we unpack the modern version of “Keeping Up with the Joneses”—and how comparison has quietly evolved from competing with your neighbors to competing with the internet. We define what the phrase really means, break down how digital influence fuels consumer pressure, and explain why comparison gets even more dangerous when you’re measuring your real life against someone else’s sponsored highlight reel.
We also get practical: how taking a social media break changes your mind, why shopping can become a dopamine loop, and what it looks like to build a household that stays focused on your lane—aka “Keeping Up with the Gaskins.”
If you’ve ever felt pressure to spend, upgrade, or prove something—this conversation will help you reset your definition of “success” and reclaim your peace.
Imagine finding out you have a God-given gift for music in your mid-30s… only to learn the music industry still pays artists fractions of a penny for their work. In this episode of Wins + Lessons, independent R&B artist Shawn Haynes breaks down why he walked away from the traditional industry model, how he funds his art on his own terms, and why he believes ownership is the only way forward.
From writing timeless soul music and recording with live musicians…
to selling produce in Long Island and working on Wall Street to bankroll his projects…
Shawn shows what it really looks like to stay independent, protect your value, and build a life that’s “all about the bag” without selling your soul.
In this episode of Wins + Lessons, hosts Leron & Lex break down one of the most important (but least talked-about) self-improvement tools for adults: The Third Spot.
Your first spot is home.
Your second spot is work.
But your third spot — the place outside responsibilities where you feel grounded, inspired, and connected — might be the missing piece in your mental, emotional, and spiritual growth.
From gyms and cigar lounges… to hiking groups and creative communities… to digital spaces that feel like home… your third spot is where you recharge, rediscover yourself, and build relationships that help you grow.
Whether you’re a parent, entrepreneur, or working professional, you need a third place that isn’t tied to your obligations — but tied to your evolution.
A trademark took the name—but not the dream. Indie perfumer Gianni Orisawayi had to shut down his growing brand after a trademark clash. In this episode, we break down the hit to identity, the rebrand mindset, the business math (pricing, MOQ, packaging), and the comeback playbook—mentors, community, and faith.
This week on Wins + Lessons, we explore the Winter Arc — the quiet season that builds you.
Host Leron Gaskins is joined by his wife and co-host Momma Lex, who appears on camera for the very first time. Together, they dive into the benefits of embracing stillness, discipline, and intentional growth during the colder months instead of waiting for the new year to change your life.
From fitness and finances to faith and focus, this episode breaks down how your “off-season” can become your most productive chapter yet.
What if the friends you meet later in life are exactly the ones you needed all along?
In this episode of Wins + Lessons, I sit down with my brother Kofa to talk about the power of “Day 2 friends” — the people who show up when you’re already walking in your purpose. We explore how these friendships can sharpen your focus, align with your growth, and even feel like family.
From real stories to personal reflection, this episode is a reminder that not all friendships are meant to start on Day 1… some arrive right on time.
From Master Sergeant to civilian life—Nat Martin’s journey is a powerful reminder that the rank on your uniform doesn’t define who you are. After serving over 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, Nat shares how she faced the uncertainty of retirement, rebuilt her identity, and discovered new purpose beyond the military.
In this inspiring conversation, we talk about leadership, mental health, family, and the lessons that carried her from Newark, NJ to the top 1% of the Air Force—and into a brand-new chapter of life.
🎯 Whether you’re a veteran, transitioning careers, or searching for your next mission, Nat’s story will motivate you to own your greatness and keep pushing forward.
How do you find your way back when you’ve lost your passion?
In this episode of Wins + Lessons, hip-hop artist Cee One shares his raw and unfiltered journey of losing his love for music — and the powerful path that brought him back.
From recording in the same studios where Notorious B.I.G. made history to partying with Sean “Diddy” Combs on his 21st birthday, Cee One’s career was on the rise. But life had other plans. As responsibilities grew and gatekeepers shut doors, his passion faded. For years, the love he once had for music was gone.
But this isn’t just a story about loss — it’s a story about comeback. With encouragement from his wife and a fresh spark from TikTok, Cee One rediscovered his creative voice and reignited his purpose.
Grief doesn’t have to be the end of your story — it can be the beginning of a new one.
In this powerful episode of Wins + Lessons, host Leron Gaskins sits down with Fhonia Ellis, a fashion designer who lost her mother while chasing her career dreams. Instead of letting grief break her, Fhonia used it as a tool to build faith, resilience, and purpose.
Co-host Alexis also opens up about losing her mom just last year, making this conversation an emotional yet uplifting reminder that healing is possible — and grief can be transformed into growth.
This is not an episode about sadness. It’s about turning pain into power and finding purpose after loss.
What does it take to build a Black-owned fragrance brand—and keep it alive for over a decade? In this episode of Wins + Lessons, Shawn Crenshaw, CEO of Ovation For Men, shares how he started his company to fill a gap in representation and pushed through massive hurdles including DEI setbacks, limited access to capital, and industry gatekeeping.
He breaks down how he landed NIL deals with major colleges like Alabama, worked with pro athletes like Richard Sherman, and how mindset, consistency, and strategy helped him build an independent fragrance brand from the ground up.
If you're building something from scratch—or thinking about starting—this is the motivation you didn’t know you needed.