Cedric The Entertainer: From Selling Insurance To Building a Comedic Empire

My friend, I am such a big.

Believer that your mindset is everything.

It can really dictate if your life.

Has meaning, has value, and you feel.

Fulfilled, or if you feel exhausted, drained, and like you're never going to be enough. Our brand new book, the Greatest Mindset, just hit the New York Times bestseller back to back weeks. And I'm so excited to hear from so many of you who've bought the book, who've read it, and finished it already. and are getting incredible results from the lessons in the book. If you haven't got a copy yet, you'll learn how to build a plan for greatness through powerful exercises and toolkits designed to propel your life forward. This is the book I wish I had when I was 20, struggling, trying to figure out life 10 years ago at 30, trying to figure out transitions in my life, and the book I'm glad I have today for myself. Make sure to get a copy at lewishouse.com/2023 mindset. to get your copy today. Again, lewishouse.com slash 2023 mindset to get a copy today. Also, the book is on audible now, so you can get it on audiobook as well. And don't forget to follow the show so you never miss an episode.

Don't ever try to convince people to like you. Be you and then they'll decide. And if they like you cool, they don't get you cool. But be yourself is going to be the best way. And that's been the that's been one of those like flagpole things that I live off of, like, forget about it. Like just don't worry about it. Just go up there and be yourself. If that don't work, then that's different. Right. But you trying to change thinking you're gonna fit it so that they are gonna get you and you're gonna, they're gonna love you because you changed your little ways.

Welcome to the School of Greatness. My name is Lewis Howes, a former pro athlete turned lifestyle entrepreneur. And each week we bring you an inspiring person or message to help you discover how to unlock your inner greatness. Thanks for spending some time with me today. Now let the class begin.

Welcome back, everyone, to the School of Greatness. Very excited about our guest. We have the inspiring, the iconic Cedric the Entertainer in the house.

My brother, what's going on?

Good to see you, man.

I'm so glad that you're here because I told you this when we had dinner months ago through a mutual friend, Rubin. Yeah. That I was living in St. Louis for six years during kind of the golden era of St. Louis, where it was Nelly, it was the Rams.

Rams.

And it was Cedric the Entertainer.

Oh man.

Yeah. And for me, being in that city during that time, during the late 90s, early 2000s was so exciting. And you were such a, at that time, really exploding onto the scene in a massive way and making a name for yourself in a big way. I told you before that I was a massive fan of Kings of Comedy, and I think I watched that probably 20, 30 times. And the way you deliver your comedy, the way you communicate, the way you entertain is so magnetic. and how you've consistently showed up with a positive attitude, a positive energy for few decades now is so inspiring to me and so many people. So I'm so grateful that you're here and I appreciate the work you do. And thanks for putting St. Louis on the map.

Let's go, S2, my man.

I love it, man. I'm curious, you've got a number of things that you've been working on lately. One is your book, Flipping Box Cars, which I wanna get into. You got a, you know, six seasons of the Neighborhood on TV right now. You've got Kings of Barbecue on A&E. You've got so many different brands and businesses going on. But I want to ask you about the transition from a career as a State Farm insurance agent into comedy. Because when I told me this story, I was just blown away that you used to be in insurance. Yeah. And, Did you ever think that you would go beyond kind of a traditional career, working with an insurance company and being where you're at today? And how did you make that transition and have the courage to, it wasn't like comedy back then was like a big money maker. No. Whereas there's a lot of younger guys today figuring out with podcasting and touring and making a name for themselves with social media, you didn't have social media then and you went for it. How did you make that transition?

You know, that's really interesting because I grew up in a time where generationally, that was the motivation. Your parents tell your kids to go to college, you get a good corporate job, and then you live your life going up the corporate ladder. But that was basically the steps I followed. My mother was a school teacher, so education was a big part of our household. And so I have a younger sister who is a professor. Pepperdine.

Right, yeah.

And so that education was kind of like our vibe. But I was always kind of creative, again, probably being the only male in the house, how's that dude trying to figure it out? So I was always funny witty in high school. I wasn't necessarily a class clown, but I was what they, I would call it, what they used to call it, joning or, bagging on people, if you was in the lunchroom and it was going down, you were getting down. You won't be on your side. I was like, rap, rap, rap. So, you know, I kind of was known for that, of course having a witty sense of humor and all that, but never really knew I can do it as a, you know, as a business. So, you know, my thing was to go to school, you know, follow kind of my mother's instructions for my life. So went to school, got my degree, and worked a couple of different jobs, worked at selling fax machines for RICO Corporation, a division of that company, and then landed at State Farm and became a claims adjuster for State Farm. And right around the same time, I discovered I could do stand up. I had a friend that was another stand up, and he was doing it for a living. and basically told me I could do it. He was like, you could do this. So he was making a living doing it. He was out. He was out. I mean, you know, I got my corporate job thinking, feeling good about myself, got my little tie, right? You know, got a little cubicle at work, you know? But he was like, yo, I made 1100 this week, and then I made 1400 last week. And then I'm like, whoa, doing what? He was like, I do comedy. I'm like, yo, he's like, if anybody could do this, you can. so was he funnier than you?

Was he a talent?

I mean, he's a talented person, you know, like, say he was a pro. That's what I would say more than anything. Like, show up, consistent, pro, know how to deliver a joke, know how to make a crowd laugh, you know what I'm saying? And, and, and was one of these guys that knew how to do the job, right? Knew how to stand on there and deliver and be, you know, a professional comedian.

So this is back in St. Louis or St. Louis.

Yeah. When you're This is like, I'm gonna say this is 80-70, wow. Somewhere in there, like 87.

So he's making a thousand bucks a week, maybe. Stand up.

Chillin' it.

And back then that's great money.

That's, you're rich.

You're rich back in St. Louis, too. You're like, man, I'm rich. So he said, all right, you can do this. Yeah. And did you think or believe you could do it, or were you doubting yourself?

Well, you know, I always loved the idea of entertaining. Like, you know, I, you know, I definitely did the school plays and talent shows. shows, but mainly singing at that time. Look, back in those days, I was singing groups and be a singer and go on stage. One of my first big jokes was Luther doing the alphabets because that was a little warm-up thing I used to do. Like when I was like, you know, trying, you know, when we work out in the group and I would it ABCD and H-L-G H-I-J-K-A Elementary, no P. So, you know.

Wow. So he'd warm up on stage.

That was, yeah, that would be a little warm up fun thing I would do. And I would do that on stage, you know? And then I said, that's how Luther got his weight problem, because all the girls be giving him snacks.

Like.

You'Re in the third grade, you wanna sing? I'll give you my peanut butter sandwich. Oh man. Yeah. So, you know, and then I had a lot of little jokes like that where I would, vocalize. And then, you know, the same guy helped me shape up my set. And I got in a comedy competition and the first time I ever did it, I won $500. And that was it, bro. I was hooked.

$500 doing comedy at that time. That's been like, this is incredible. Yeah.

And then so, you know, bit by bit, just step, kept the job, kept working at State Farm, and then finding places to be do comedy at night.

So comedy was the side hustle back then?

Yeah, exactly.

And when was the transition where you said, okay, I can make more than my main job and I'm gonna go full time in comedy?

You know, it was a strategy, you know, like again, I think, you know, I kind of, I definitely related to, you know, having, you know, going to college and, you know, kind of thinking about things in a more strategical way and not necessarily just wanting to, you know, kind of believed that, oh, you know, this is what I do now, you know? So it was a comedy club based in St. Louis, the Funny Bones. They used to have 22 clubs and you can go twice a year. So that's 44 dates. But you know, you had to qualify for that. Like you had to get in their system and they book you and if they book you, then you know, you got at least 44 dates this year. And so that became my goal.

How much did you make on one show? If you got 44 dates, dude, like an average.

Just kind of to your point right here, like back then, the opening act, 350 for the week.

350 a week for one night or for every night.

For the week. You go and you do nine shows. Nine shows for 350 bucks. Come on, man. That's what it was. When you was you happy, you were part of the system and you got it every week. Wow. You know you got this 350. and you would have to drive. So the only top of that, it was all around the Midwest. So Davenport, Iowa, Des Moines, Cincinnati, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Ohio, all that run, man.

So that was every night you were driving a new place.

Well, you stay in a city for a week. so you go there for the week. Then you drive to the next one.

That's a grind, though.

That's a grind.

Every week on the road.

Yeah. And most of them weeks, you know, like you stay out because it goes from week to week and it, you got like maybe three days in between, right? So that became another, another hustle because, you know, the shows usually started on Wednesdays or Thursdays. And then you got, so if it starts on Wednesday nights, then you got Wednesday, Thursday, two shows Friday, two shows Saturday, one Sunday maybe. And now Monday, Tuesday, you got to figure out what you're gonna do.

What are you doing that?

You can't stay in the condo no more. That's over, wherever they had you staying, that's over. So now you're trying to like either drive to the next city, find a friend, sleep on a couch, pick up a random show. Somebody's doing a comedy night somewhere along the way. See if you can go in there and get $75. See if you can go in there and get a hundred. you know, so somebody's got a Tuesday night in Louisville. You drive all the way to Louisville to get a 100 bucks. Then drive back to Indianapolis. You know, that kind of thing.

Were you sleeping in motels of those nights or was this you have enough money for hotels or is it more like sleeping in the back of your car? What's happening?

I slept in good hotel parking lots. that was my move. So my mother used to be so worried about me, you know, so I had my little Ford EXP Escort, and so the little coupe, the two doors, so I felt like I had a sports car and some rims on it. And I had some speakers. They spun? They spun? No, no, they weren't doing the spinning wheel. That was too silly. The spinning wheels came way after that. Yeah, I was before that. I was before that, just, you know, a matter of fact, I had like some 12s and that was considered rims.

Right, right.

You know, because people didn't have. You had 12s or 14s on your car. The inches. That was like, oh, right. 20 inch wheels. That was out of them. That seemed ridiculous, you know, so. But. And then I had, like, some little speakers. I had a little subwoofer. Yeah. With the small subwoofer. Clarion speakers. Come on, man. All right. Pioneer. Come on, bro.

You're gonna have the Sony and the Pioneer.

Get it with the full out.

Of course, man. So wait, so you were sleeping in the back of the hotel?

Yeah, so I was sleeping in the parking lots, you know, and I would.

Lay the seat back or lay the.

Seat back, you know, had my blankets, had everything I needed in the car, you know, would sleep in there, we had my windows tinted, so I was just like finding like a cool hotel parking lot and just, you know, after hours.

Security wasn't trying to kick you out.

Or, you know, I never really ran into that situation because, you know, it just always kind of felt like, you know, maybe one, maybe one time, you know, security guard came, was like, yo, you gotta roll.

How many nights do you think you slept in your car?

Oh, man. You know, through that, through that run, I'm, you know, maybe, you know, 14, 14 to 20. I don't know. It's a blind number.

And that first kind of run.

That first little run.

And then you ever have to do that again?

No, no. You know, luckily, and it was interesting because timing is everything in business and in life, you know. that I didn't even get to do the second run of that because, you know, shows like Def Comedy Jam started to happen, you know, evening at the, not evening, but Showtime at the Apollo. It was another show or that shot in New York called Uptown Comedy, something like that. Uptown Comedy was another show. So opportunity for urban comedians to get on television. and be urban. Like you didn't have to switch your setup and try to fit in. Those things became important. And then so that was also the rise of the kind of all African American comedy clubs too. So clubs like Comedy Act Theater, All Jokes Aside in Chicago, it was Comedy Act Theater in Atlanta and here, and then Steve Harvey did a club called VooDoo Ray in Dallas. And that's where we met. And in the first part of my run, I met Steve. We became partners. He took me under his wing and then we was, I was just on a different trajectory from there.

So you did kind of half the tour leg. And then you started to get opportunities.

Yeah, bigger opportunities.

Is that when you met, so you met Steve at that time and he said, hey, let's get you on this TV show or let's do this other thing.

Well, he was just, you know, he kind of introduced me to the bigger world of stand up, you know, so. It was like, so I went from 350 to a thousand dollar guy, you know?

Wow.

You know, so because I, even when I was doing the 350 shows, I was getting moved up, you know? I was surprising the club owners that like, oh, you're like really good. You're better than, you know, the big guy. Yeah, the position you're in. So we're gonna flip the, we're gonna at least flip you to the middle and then so you go to 650. But that was good, you know, it was totally different. But then, you know, on the black comedy side, I was a big deal. You know, it was a bigger deal, more like 1,500 to come do a show.

For one night?

No, well, this was, again, multiple shows. It was comedy club work. But then, of course, you know, the one-night show started to come after Def Comedy Jam came out. Then, Hop In Concerts became the, you.

Know, how big, how many people are going to those? What's the audience?

That's like, you know, anywhere from 3, 000 to 5, 000. So.

So how quickly did this happen from going to the first comedy, from winning the 500 competition to 3, 000, 5, 000 person Arenas, essentially? Yeah. How, how long that time was.

It was about, it was about, it was probably about five years.

Okay.

Yeah, it was probably a good five year kind of space in there, but. Again, that's fast. People don't recognize that, but that's fast for comedy. Cause if you're just building it up in the comedy club system, you gotta run that ring. I would have had to be, I would have had to stay the opening act, that whole run. Then I would have, they moved me to a middle in a couple of spots, but the most part, I was hired as the opening act. So they would have, and then I would have had, Is that 15 minute set?

Is that a 10 minute?

That's the short set. That's like seven minutes.

Seven minutes.

Seven minutes, that's five to seven. But if you're the MC, too.

But if the club sees it, you're killing it. And you're just getting the most laughs of the whole night. They're like, all right, let's move this.

Guy, give him an extra 12 minutes or something, right? That's what happened. They ended up moving me to the middle, but you can't really knock the headliner out, nor did I have that kind of time either. Like I was funny, I had a really good, you know, 12 to 15 minutes. You'd have a 30 minute set. No, I would have panicked if I would have, which happened to me one night, because in one of my first opening act gigs, Sam Kinison was the headliner and then so it was a middle act. It was a dude that was the middle and Sam Kinison was headlining. He was the rock and roll Sam Kinison at the time. I don't know if you know who Sam Kinison is. So he's the, yeah, yeah, he was a very famous comedian that was like yells at people and but funny like, but it was a rock and roller, like Trump. get lit, girls everywhere, wild, drugs, everything. Yeah, wild man.

So.

He was the headliner and I was the emcee and then it was the middle guy and the middle guy struggled. And then so I had a good set and the middle guy struggled and then Sam was in the car, out in the parking lot, truck couldn't come in.

So they needed you to fill in.

So they need me to fill in and man, I'm up here just- yeah, yeah. Just- Where you guys from? Yeah, that whole thing, like just, and that's not really my brand. I'm not like a, look at your shirt and being able to pull a joke out of it. But that night you just having to dig, dig, dig, and then I'm making it happen. And then he finally comes walking through the front door, not the back. He comes walking through the front door. I'm like, oh, there he is, ladies and gentlemen. And then they like walking him, it's looking like, I don't know what's gonna happen. They walked him up stage and them lights hit and he was magic It.

Was it was roy.

It was crazy to watch like he was like you you saw like come and ain't like Boone Rocombo Stable in Sam Kisb. Why is I? I I I pu, pump, pun jokes joke crazy. It was one of those wild houns in one moment I was like dass wild to watch. W, that'd really make you love it, though somebody that lay got that kind of spirit. Kind of Chappelle, that's like a person that can just walk in and just figure it out once they get there. Sure.

This podcast is sponsored by Northwestern Mutual. Everyone wants to feel good about their finances, right? Well, that's why I've had life insurance with Northwestern Mutual for years. Their Financial Professionals ask the right questions, truly listen, and help uncover opportunities most people miss. I've seen it firsthand. Northwestern Mutual has been a part of my journey from the very beginning, providing the security and peace of mind I need as a and an entrepreneur. Find a better way to money@nm.com, the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, paid testimonial by a Northwestern Mutual policy owner.

As America's leading business lender, Bank of America is on your corner and in your corner. With $215 billion in business loans and over 3,700 business specialists across the nation, we help businesses thrive. So communities prosper. What would you like the power to do? Learn more at bankofamerica.com/localbusiness. Bank of America, official bank of FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Copyright 2025 Bank of America Corporation, all rights reserved.

Father's Day is coming up, and for lots of dads out there, dad doesn't quite cover it. They're groundskeepers, patio whisperers, and rogue leaf vigilantes, too. So this year, show dad some love with gifts from the Home Depot. They've got fast, free delivery on handy gear that helps dad do his thing. We're talking Ryobi cordless outdoor tools like the Ryobi 40 volt expanded string trimmer. Find the perfect Father's Day gift at the Home Depot. Shop in store and online at homedepot.com, free delivery subject to availability. Fuel your greatness with wonderful pistachios, no shells. Wonderful pistachios is a great source of protein with zero guilt. Each one ounce serving has six grams of protein. giving you over 10% of your daily value. Pistachios are known for their protein power, fiber, and better for you unsaturated fats for a combination that may help keep you feeling Fuller longer. And now there's a new way to snack strong with unsalted, no shells holding the salt, not the flavor for a snack that packs a protein punch. Visit wonderfulpistachios.com to learn more.

What was the moment where you realized I can actually make it big in this world.

I went to Chicago. And so, you know, from St. Louis, Chicago, of course, Second City, known for comedians, you know, and it was a big comedic town with a lot of great comedians that came from there. And they had a competition called the Miller Genuine Draft Comedy Competition. And you would win $3,000.

Come on. that's big money back then, man. That's big money now.

Yeah, I'll say three grand. You hit $3,000 plus your picture would be in a magazine. You got all these kind of extra perks. You got a bunch of Miller Genuine Draft show up at your house.

Sure.

All these kind of cool little perks, right? But I won that. But it was inside that metropolitan area of going to St. Louis, I mean, going to Chicago, performing with all these great comedians, people that, you know, have grown up to be legendary comedians themselves already killing the game. And you realize like, okay, I was able to hang and shine and win in that environment. So now I believe that I got what it takes. And so that's when you start to really like, kind of just like, all right, cool, this is it.

What year or how long into the career was that? Was that three years in? Two years in?

That probably was like, that probably was more like two years in. Okay.

Yeah.

So we're in there two or three years in.

How much did it increase your confidence to say I can do anything I want in this arena?

Oh, I mean that, you know, but that's it. Because once you start to play, you know, I would imagine, like, for any kind of, you know, a sports saying, guy that plays basketball, once you kind of go outside your neighborhood and test your skills with the best in the city, and you realize, oh, I can play with this guy that they say is the best. That's when you start to be like, okay. And that was good. That's what I, you know, that was the thing. But even being able for me, like, even for somebody like Steve to like embrace me, and we would have, like, we would do these freestyles on stage sometimes because he just liked to come up and it was his club. So he would come up and just be talking, you'd be like, yo, man, You about to take the audience away from me? I'll go back on stage. And we had many a nights up and just me and him doing these one, two tag offs. Really?

Were you up at the same time?

Yeah, at the same time. Like just, you know, and it was just a unique, you know, Kendrick ship partnership that we developed. And so, you know, that was one of the things once he, you know, he started getting TV shows, you know, he was, you know, I was just always his guy. He would look out for me, like, you know, so. So when he got the Steve Harvey Show, he was like, I want to say it. So that was that. Wow.

What's the biggest lessons you've learned from Steve Harvey?

Probably my greatest lesson, I tell this lesson all the time, was that I'd gotten the Steve Harvey Show and we went to New York to do the big showcase. And so all the agents and the big power players, the advertisers are there. And so I decided to change my set because I see the room He's like, kind of like all white, it's all executives. So I changed my set. Yeah, button it up and I bomb. Really? I bomb, like bomb. And it's, no one's laughing. Nobody. And it's hurtful because one, he went to bat for me. Oh no. I know he went to bat for me. And one, I know that I'm funny for real. But I've tried, I'm trying to do something else and that Steve comes up, comes up, you know, like I'm like kind of getting like, I see it's going horrible and I'm like, oh, let me just kind of like wind it down. Oh man. How long was this for?

Like five, ten minutes?

It was supposed to be, it was probably supposed to be a little 10 minute set. And then kind of bring it down to seven. Yeah. I was like, yeah, all right, y'all. Coming up next. It's crazy. This is wild, man. Let's get out of here. How many mothers in the house? Gotta give it up for the moms.

Okay, so you're wider than you're bombing.

Bombing.

So how many people are watching?

I'm gonna say it's a room of 300 people.

And these are like, executive decision makers.

Yeah, like, you know, people like New York and they New York and so.

Oh man.

Everybody's feeling very cosmopolitan. Steve goes up and he ain't just rips them, you know, like, real talk about they suits and they little shoes and how they think they special in your little BMW. Oh, he murdered him. They dying.

They're laughing.

They're dying. He's not, he's not, he cussing, he not being nothing but himself, right? Like, he never, he's not trying to fix it. So he comes off and he tells him, he's like, man, you already earned it. Like, don't ever try to get convinced people to like you, they be you and then they'll decide.

Wow.

And if they like you cool, if they don't get you cool, but be yourself, it's gonna be your best way. And that's been one of those flagpole things that I live off of. Forget about it. Just don't worry about it. Just go up there and be yourself. If that don't work, then that's different. But you trying to change thinking you're gonna fit it so that they are gonna get you and you're gonna, they're gonna love you because you changed your little way.

It's kind of like, you know, it's better to bomb being yourself than bombing someone else.

It's the only way to do it, right? It's the only, only way to do it. It's kind of, you know, like, you know, like when you dating or, or you, you see when people put on the false fronts, you know, they kind of, yeah, they're gentlemen and they do all the things. I got a door. I got daughters. So I always tell them, like, be very careful in the other, the the false front, you know, where this, you know, I'm this kind person, but look for them little keys that if a dude a yell or if he a whiner, if he go, you know, he don't never want to pay or any of these little things, these are telltale signs of who that person is.

Wow. What do you think was the biggest mindset shift you had to make through your career of transitioning from again, yeah. State Farm insurance of go to school, get this career, how, what was the mindset shift for you? And is it still the same mindset today as it was back then?

I think probably me, probably one of the greatest mindset set shifts was to think of, not to think of yourself as, this kind of monolith that's outside the system that, you know, you're so far outside that nobody else can see you, right? I think we all feel like, I used to always kind of feel like you never can make it from St. Louis. You can never, you know, you know, oh, you know, I'm not the, you know, I'm not the shiny suit dude that's gonna be, you know, like, so you start to see yourself like, ah, you know, I only, I'm only gonna be able to, you know, knock down these doors. And as you kind of go, you recognize that the world is big, it is truly an audience out there for everyone. and you earn them. You don't get it automatically because you feel you deserve it, you earn it. And so that's truly one thing that I keep to this day. I literally am willing to work for, go grab, go hustle for, and build every little thing that comes my way. I'm not resting on any laurels. I'm not resting on any hubris. You can give me all the accolades or everything you loved. That's great. Thank you. And right now, I'm here to do a job today for you. Wow. Like to get that, whoever's paying the money, come here for you. Let's go.

You still feel like you gotta earn it.

Earn it. I wanna earn it. Wow. So that's the thing that I take, I take as, you know, and I try to teach that to my kids too, is that, you know, you can be great, you know, you can get a lot of things that's gonna come to your way that's gonna feel like, hey, you know, and after a while, your celebrity, your starter makes you feel like that is, this should be mine automatically. And you got to recognize that that's not a truth.

Did that ever hang you up over the last, you know, decades where you became more of a celebrity and had bigger opportunities and got the bigger paychecks? Did you ever catch yourself thinking you were better than or now you deserve something and you had to. wake up and say, oh, I actually got to keep working for this.

Oh, of course. I mean, this is the, you know, I would imagine, you know, everybody's going to have that as trajectory happens, right? Especially when it, when it's, we're in the hot spot, when you're in that white hot space where things are just blowing up and you, like, going, then you like, all right, cool. It's things that you need, you know? I mean, like, you know, like, these are things that I feel are requirements for me to get the job done. And then you kind of, then you kind of realize, really, do I really.

Need, do I really know it's green M&M?

Yeah, is that unnecessary? Like, I can't do the show unless I don't have, come on, man. You started going like, that's ridiculous, right? You know, now I never was that far, but anything along that line, little things that become like, you know, hotels, if I don't have a suite, if I don't have a, you know, this kind of car, you know, like you, you like, okay, this ridiculous, you know, like that's, you know, so those are moments. And I think that you, you know, life will humble you one way or the other.

Yeah.

And so, because it is truly an ebb and flow to it all, you know, it's always somebody next is always, you know, I feel very blessed to be consistent, what I feel consistent for as long as I am 30 plus years in this business. Super highs, you know, of course, down periods, but overall consistent. Like, you know, great career, good life, nothing, no scandals, you know, like just- Consistent. Do my thing, man. Like just me.

How do you feel? You mentioned kind of there's always someone next. There's always like, seems like there's so many talented comedians or people in comedy who are making a name for themselves, growing massive social media followings, selling out arenas, all these different things. How do you deal with comparison of the younger generation coming up? Maybe they're doing things differently or in a new way. How do you deal with that emotionally or mentally? Even with all your success, even with you know, being on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, even with all the accolades, does comparison ever creep in?

I mean, you know, I think it creeps in to the point that it, you know, for me, it's either a motivator or something I applaud. Most of the time, I just, I love to see people win. Like, you know, and if you win in and you, you literally, your food and your plate is yours, you know, and people who have learned to be able to be great at that, especially like, you know, the rise of the social media fame and you're like, look, these guys are, they're unique. They do these skits, they wake up and they actually do the work, right? So you can't be mad at somebody that actually gets up and do it like they do it. They shoot them, I don't shoot them. So I want them to sit up and critique it. That ain't real comedy, right? But I never tried one, I never did it myself. I don't do it every day. I don't go and, work to build an audience. So what am I critiquing? Something that I'm just observing, you know what I mean? And got opinions like, go, you win and kill it, you know? And then you meet, I've met a lot of these guys and, you know, the funny, unique, young people, and they motivate you. Now you start to think a different way. And so, you know, that's really been my space. I try to really stay true to who I am. So I actually developed with a lot of young creators to get them bigger projects, you know, your social media is your thing, but you know, I'm in the world of television and film and let's take that idea and develop it into a bigger idea. And those are the relationships I have with them as opposed to being anti or hating on or whatever that, yeah.

Have you always had this collaborative mindset versus being a competitor to people in the industry?

Yeah, I think so. And I kind of feel like that's a Midwest thing in a way is a very much like, you know, because we all kind of feel like we're here together in our own little niche, you know? And so there's a lot of like, you know, help the other dude up, come on up, and then we all go, right? So that's always been my thing. I love that environment better. I'd much rather be with a group of my friends and family doing something than to be the only one doing it. You know what I mean? so we're gonna go on vacation, like, you know, like, yeah, let's figure out how we all can do it. Like, sure, I can stay in the four seasons, but if everybody can stay in the Westin, let's go there. Let's go. It's gonna be more fun, like, you know, right, you know, so that's different. So, like, yeah.

What would you say is your biggest limitation after 30 years in this business? Do you have any limitations?

You know, I think, you know, for the most part, you know, this industry is one that, you know, you, you, you have to, you got, you have to be in the deal flow in a lot of ways. So, you know, what does that mean? That means like, you know, when, when, when movies are having, TV shows are happening, people have to kind of know who you are, right? And if you're hot, that's one thing. If you've cooled off, then you have to prove that you're worthy. That's a different thing, like, as you get older, so. because you know, you kind of see that in this business always hot is always considered next, right? The next thing, the next dude is the it thing and then you hit your Apex of that, right?

It doesn't ride that forever, right?

Now you have to make sure that people understand that you are something that's consistent and it's still worth value. It's a very interesting space in this town. So you, you have to kind of, you know, that's why you know, like for me, like doing the neighborhood, doing a television show end up being a smart move as opposed to struggling to continue to try to be a movie star.

Really?

Right? You know, because I had a bunch of movies and the movies did okay. Some of them did great and then some of them were hits. But if you do like just all right, then it's hard to start to say, well, yeah, a couple more to the new dude, right? Because movies is a is a kind of a hit thing. Television is consistent, you're on. And so, you know, it's a strategy for me. It's like I did that wisely and I did it for my kids. It was a couple because movies took you everywhere. You, we, you know, we were gone for three months.

Yeah. Yeah.

In Prague, you're in Australia. You everywhere. You like. And it was fun when you're young, but, you know, and then when my kids were young because they were young enough to. But when, when they started getting school age, and got schedules, then you know now you go three months, four months, and you're missing out a lot of life. You know, you're missing out on a lot of the world. You come home, you know, and they're like, I'm sorry, sir, can I help you?

You don't recognize your new dad.

Yeah, your dad. Oh, of course. Please, go to your room.

Right.

Yeah, they blocked my son blocking me now.

Sure. So you know the goal was, , what I'm, what I think I'm hearing you say is the goal is, okay, let me transition from one thing to the next. And movies was kind of the apex opportunity for, for a comedian, I guess, right?

Yeah.

Movies and TV.

Yeah.

Movies was kind of like, all right, if you're in the movies, that's the biggest thing. Um, and what I'm hearing you say is if, if you're not riding it high consistently or the next hottest thing constantly growing up, then for you is like, well, let's try to make sure that TV, I can get the consistent gig for my lifestyle, my family, but also to really stay, I don't want to use the term relevant, but worthy of being in the industry at this high level consistently.

Yeah.

Right. Is that accurate?

Yeah, yeah. It became a, you know, a, a smarter strategy because, you know, becoming a TV star, you're in homes every week. and you're in the home, people go to the theater, which is kind of, you know, Denzel can explain that really great. And I thought that was, it was really wise. When somebody sees you on a 100 foot screen, you're a big.

You know that old saying, it's not what you say, it's how you say it. I think that goes for how we live too. It's not just what we do, it's the energy, the intention, the presence we bring. And that's exactly what the Range Rover Sport brings to the road. The Range Rover Sport is built to take on roads anywhere without any unnecessary details. It combines a dynamic sporting personality with elegance and agility and delivers an instinctive drive. Its assertive stance hints at an equally refined driving performance. Defining true modern luxury, the Range Rover Sport features the latest innovations in comfort and convenience. The Cabin Air Purification System alongside the Active Noise Cancellation creates a new level of quality comfort and control. Terrain Response 2 offers seven terrain models to choose from, fine-tuning the vehicle for any challenging roads ahead. Build your Range Rover Sport at range.rover.com/us/sport. We all know that staying hydrated is.

So important, and we've heard it a million times.

But let's be real. You can really feel the difference when you're hydrated properly. You're sharper, you're energized, and you're ready to go. And when you're not, well, you feel foggy, sluggish, just drained. And with the summer heat coming, staying on top of hydration isn't just a good idea, it's a must. And that's why I love Liquid IV. It's powered by live Hydra Science, which is clinically studied to maintain hydration better than water alone for up to four hours. And I've been loving the new sugar-free raspberry lemonade hydration multiplier. It's so refreshing. And I don't know about you, but if I'm not hydrated, it's hard to function. Whether I'm gearing up for a workout, recording a podcast, or pushing through a packed day, liquid IV always keeps me hydrated. And if you've ever hit that mid-afternoon slump or struggled to keep up, trust me, This is a game changer. Maximize your hydration with Liquid IV and get 20% off your first order of Liquid IV when you go to liquidiv.com and use code LEWIS at checkout. That's 20% off your first order with code LEWIS@liquidiv.com this is an advertisement from Better Help. You know, one of the biggest stigmas we still need to break, especially for men, is the idea that asking for help is weakness. In reality, it's the most courageous thing you can do. Taking care of your mental health doesn't make you soft. It makes you strong, focused, and grounded. We live in a world that puts a lot of pressure on men to man up, stay silent, and just push through. But bottling it all up only leads to burnout, anxiety, or worse. And the truth? It's okay to struggle. It's okay to not have all the answers. And there is real power in opening up. BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, helping over 5 million people get the support they need without the hassle of waiting rooms or long commutes. You can talk to a therapist from wherever you are and switch anytime if needed. As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise. Talk it out with BetterHelp. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com/Lewis. That's betterhlp.com/lewis.

Deal. You know, when I come into your home, I'm a family member. So it's the thing of like, you know, people seeing you and actually feeling like they know you already. And I get that reaction a lot. You know, somebody can just be doing their thing and they look over and they be like, say it! And they'll say it like, I'm their man. And I'll be like, what's up? You be like, no, no you, I just know you. But the way they said it, you're like, yeah, yeah, yeah. oh, okay. But is that, is that real familiar nature of, like, you sitting in your own living room and this person is a part of it? Right.

Is there a different energy to when someone sees you as a movie star versus when someone sees you as a TV star?

Oh, for sure.

Yeah.

Really?

Yeah. Yeah. It's more of, like, they feel like they know you. You're part of the family when you're on TV. Yeah. This movie. It's more of, like, shock and awe when you see them or.

Yeah. The movie energy is way bigger. For some reason, it's more of the kind of screams and pandemonium energy, you know?

Gasps.

Yeah, like it's a little more shocking, I feel like, you know, and you react that way a lot, you know, even as a human being, you can react that way to people that you see in a movie, like they just kind of like, you know, I saw you and McGregor one time and like, you know, and I was like, Really?

Yeah.

Oh, hey man. What's up, dog? Really? You had to play it off though, but it was like, wow. Because you're watching the film and you, you know, the film just seems like they're really far away. And I mean, I'm in the industry, but it's one of these things, like when that person, like right up on you, it just caught me like totally different. Like I was like, yo, then, you know, but you'll see a TV star, you know them, they feel familiar, and you kind of talk to them in a more familiar way. It's just different experience you're having with them, 'cause interesting. You're at home, you're watching them in the bed, you're watching them on the toilet. You know, you're watching on your phone.

In the toilet, you know, he's like, going to the bathroom.

Hey Paul Giomani, what's up, man? I'm a big fan. I'm a big fan of Billions, bro. What's up?

Billions is great.

I love that show.

He does amazing in that show. Yeah.

He'S one of those great dudes that, you know, again, you saw him in movies early on, but again, made some really cool transitional, you know, moves to see as an actor. That's what I love about, you know, the space nowadays with both streaming and the way it's done, you don't have to be locked in either. It used to be a time if you're gonna be a movie star, you can't be a TV star.

Really?

Yeah, you can be both. Like you gotta, you know, movie stars needed to stay movie stars, but now, you know, great actors can find a really good movie they love, and then they can also find a really great character on television, you know, such as, like, what we're talking about.

Yeah.

And run that and be like, yo, and you. And be just as beloved and just a big deal. And so, you know, I, you know, I think, I can't even think in the. What's the name, Brian? I love the, the character on succession, the dad.

Incredible.

But, you know, like, I mean, he was a big movie dude, and he had that brand. But on Succession is where you see him go like, man, that dude can get down. That's acting right there, man.

Incredible. Speaking of fame, what have you learned about fame over the last 30 years? You've ridden the wave of fame for 30 years, different stages and seasons and heights. What has fame taught you? And what do you think people don't understand about fame who want to be famous?

That'S, that's a going right there. I mean, for me, probably is, the false sense of finance fame gives you. Fame makes you think you're rich. You're not, you know, like you can be famous and don't have the money to back it up.

Be broke.

Yeah.

So I think that's one of the real things that I feel like, and I saw that kind of early on with people I thought was famous. when I first started to kind of get into the business and you thought you knew that they were famous, but then you saw the financial side and you realized like, oh, I believed that you were all of these things, not realizing that your fame can get you caught up because you think that that is enough to be famous is enough to take care of everything else. And so you do have to understand that inside the fame, you got to go to work, you got to be humble, you gotta have connections, you gotta stay busy, you gotta stay aggressive, you gotta still strategize about who you are. And you can't give your fame over to the machine. That's the other thing.

What does that mean?

This is most people, they kind of work very hard to build their careers. You know, you, you, you, you know, as a stand up, you build your stand up, you travel, you do a ride. What I did, you, you go to all these clubs, you grind, you grind. and then I get one TV show and I believe that the agents, the managers, the lawyers in the town know me better than I know me.

Oh my God.

And I give it up. I give it over to the machine.

Don't get me started on this.

Right? Yes. Yeah, this is like, you trust him.

Because you guys are the experts.

They know. And if you have any little pop and they were a part of it, in any way, then they make you think it was because of them. And now you kind of like, you don't do your part anymore. You show up as the commodity, not as the, you know, not as this thing that's there to do the work, like, you know, to build it off, to shape it. So only, you know, great creators and people who really grind, you know, you'll see people that, you know, that's able to do a number of things and that comes from their hustle. That's what I would say for me. I'm stand up, I'm movies, I'm television, I did Broadway, I write books. I'm not gonna be in your box, bro. I'm not in none of those boxes. I can do it all. I do side businesses. I'm an entrepreneur. I'm not sitting around counting on that I'm famous. so.

And even just saying, okay, I only do TV and. And that, yeah, TV is going to be around forever for me. Right. Always going to get a show or. I think a lot of people can get stuck in that if they're not willing to not Diversify, but have other projects going on as well. That's the main thing also.

Yeah. No, for sure. And I think that that's important, you know, and you put family on top of all of that, too. Like, I got a great family. I've been married. well, coming about 24 years, got kids, wonderful, good house, good life, good wife, all of those things, good friends, all those things are important to the ecosystem. And so Fame can oftentimes make you feel like all those people, oh, to be a part of that.

Really? Yeah.

You know, I mean, you've seen it, you know, it's kind of a very telltale Hollywood story. When people get extra famous, they started to kind of believe it's all them. but that's what kind of fame will lead to.

Friends and family or the person?

Both. Yeah. The person usually believes it's all them and then the friends and family have to fit into that. And, you know, and if they don't, then that's why divorce is big. And that's why, you know, you know, kids are, you know, all separated and don't know your dads. And it's a very Hollywood tale.

How have you navigated that? Obviously, being from the Midwest, I think might might have helped support you with those roots and the values that you grew up with. But how have you stayed happily married? Have kids that are grown and still want to be in your life and like you. Yeah. And without. And also navigated. I'm assuming that for 30 years there have been people and friends and family who said, I want money. I need this. I need, you know, give me this. I deserve this now. how have you navigated those elements of friends and family maybe wanting something from you at different times and you just being okay with all of it or navigating that?

Yeah, I think, you know, again, it's a combination of being honestly, you know, being, you know, true to who you are. We kind of go back to that Steve Harvey, you know, untrust that part. Like, so, you know, people gotta earn and they gotta be, you know, they gotta earn their space around me. So, you know, you know, yes, is there some, you know, benevolent behavior for, you know, certain family members that you just take care of and love and give it to them, you know? Yeah, but most people, you want them to, you know, learn to be self-sufficient and independent and, and if they gonna be a part of this, they gotta come, truly come in and contribute. And so find, find the space for that.

Earn it.

Show me something.

I value it.

I value it. and if you can add value, then, you know, good. We'll figure out how to make that work. And I think that that kind of goes all around again. You kind of say that to your kids. Y'all wake up every day. Y'all got this beautiful home. You got all these things. What do y'all bring to the table?

Really?

What y'all do? Y'all just keep. So good grades is a part of your thing. Being a kind person and a good. That's a part of what you offer to the family. you don't, you don't, you don't do none of those. You're gonna be a jerk. You're gonna be, you know, mean to people, then, you know, then you're gonna have to have a talk with me. Like, that's not. So what is your contribution until you become an adult? Until you, you know, get a skill set or something you love where you can start earning money, you know? You know, but, you know, I always say, I got a scholarship program, and I tell the kids, that's what I. My scholarships are loans. like, you know what I'm saying? Yes, you can go to school, but, like, if you quit, I want my money back. Wow. It's a joke, but that's what I. But I. But I say that to let people know there's no real free money. Like, people can take that attitude. Like, if I. If I do something for you and you did. You decide, like, ah, I'm not gonna do it, then, you know, hey, I'm all right. Yeah, run that back, right? Yeah, you don't get to just.

Yeah, kick it.

Right, yeah.

You gotta deliver on something. Yeah. You have a number of things happening right now, which I love about you, 'cause you're multi-talented. You're not just on TV or just doing one project. You're creating a lot. Flipping Box Cars is the book that is about to drop. Can you explain a little bit about this book and why you're deciding to do a book right now?

Yeah, man. So Flipping Box Cars is a novel. And it's a novel loosely based on my machinations of my grandfather that I never met.

Okay.

So this is my father's mother who I would just, as I started to climb in my career, he would pop in my head sometimes with, Nice to meet him. Never met him. He would say things to me and I could see how he's dressed. I knew what he smelled like and he would have these cool sayings about, you know, the suit don't make demand, but it makes the difference. You know, you'll be like, okay. You know, like, you know, it was like, and I would wake up and be like, oh, you know, even if it was a daydream, I would just have that and I'd write it down. I was like, yo. And so I would have, I had these for a long time. And so, when I had the opportunity, they asked me, did I want to write a book? And I said, I got this novel idea about My grandfather, I never met him, but I have these little tidbits. I got little stories from my mother, little stories from my uncle, but I see him as a whole character.

Wow.

So we created this fictionalized tale and made him the center of it. So it's Little True and a fictional tale.

Interesting.

So, and that's what Flipping Box Cars is. It is so much fun, man, because of course I had to go in and dig up some family history and go back and do some research. and all that was great. And then at the same time, get to tell this imaginative story of someone in the 1940s, if he could have been me, he would have been. That's basically what I feel is the connection, is that he was a person that, you know, the world was totally different. He was in a small southern town in Missouri where, you know, as a black man, there's only so much you can do. But if he could have literally been who he wanted to be, he would have been his whole self, like me, like a person that's like, I can't be stopped by nothing. And I don't have nobody stopping me. So I can literally get up in the morning and try and try to do things and not do things and it's on me. Nobody's saying, say you can't do that. So in 1948, 1948, 1948, we based the story around that. Wow. The 4th of July, he used to host this, but he was a gambler, like a famous gambler shooting dice. And back in those days, dice players were likened to the poker players we know today, like how we know famous poker players.

Right?

Like then, but dice players were known. People knew these guys, you know, Blackie Johnson and then Babe Boys, they were known. Like they would be on billboard, like on the the flyers that you stick on a light pole like that. And you said they're coming to town to gamble. You like, so my grandfather was one of those guys. He also had a business with my grandmother. They had a cafe in this place called the Sportsman Hall that also had a big banquet room in the back that they would turn into a casino certain nights of the week. And then he was friends with the sheriff. and these were real things. And so I took that whole story and tell this, this made a caper. And so flipping box cars is about dice. So, you know, two, a pair of sixes is the box is considered the box car. Oh, cool. And then on the dice, then it's, it's a whiskey caper going on because they're moving liquor. He and his partner, the sheriff, are doing this big caper. and they have to do it with the trains. So the box cars on the train. So you flip the box cars. There's a whole little thing that's going on.

That's cool.

And so it's a great story. We had so much fun writing it. And Harper College, Amistad, and Harper College is putting it out September 12th. People go check it out, man. And it was special and a real great journey for me to like allow that kind of creative come out, you know? That is beautiful.

You know, it's interesting, it reminds me of my great, great grandfather wrote a book about, wrote just the history of his life. And we have it in a book format. Yeah. I think like 20 people have read it in our family, but I have this historical data of what life was like back in the 19, early 1900s. Yeah. From a grandfather's perspective. And I'm, it makes me want to go back and read through this and really dig in and see what this perspective was. So I appreciate you. Yeah, man. Doing that. I want people to get the book flipping box cars. We'll have it linked up. We'll put a graphic up. Make sure you guys grab a few copies of that. for some friends. That's really cool, man. I'm glad you're doing that.

Yeah.

You've also got a show on a e called Kings of Barbecue. I love the nod. It's a comedy, but amazing stuff. So people can watch that Saturday nights on a e. It's all barbecue related stuff. You've got an amazing brand also out there called acing barbecue, which is in Walmart, and I think it'll be in other places as well. Sauces, rubs. more things. So look for AC barbecue. I think it's a brilliant thing, you know, that you're matching media and your own business and brand, which I think is brilliant that you're not just thinking, I'm a talent and I'm just gonna do talent work.

Yeah.

But you're building businesses, you're building products, you're adding value to your community and. And extending and using media to promote these things. I think it's really smart how you've. strategized your career and your business mindset through the process. It's really impressive. Then you also have your sixth season of the Neighborhood, which you're, I believe you're an executive producer.

Yeah, yeah, executive producer on the show.

As well, which is hilarious. I think I told you, I used to, I used to do CrossFit with Max, like, 10 years ago, almost for, like, every day.

So my guy, right?

Funny guy. This is probably like just a tenth of what you're doing. Yeah, but it's amazing everything that you're up to. So I want people to check out flipping box cars.

Yeah.

You can order that now. I want you to check out Kings of Barbecue if you want to laugh and see barbecue on Saturday nights, A&E, and then the neighborhood.

Yeah, man.

We can't get enough of you, man.

We need more from outside.

You got so much other great stuff, but where can we follow you just to see everything else in your work?

Yeah, yeah. You follow me. You know, my IG is said the Entertainer. You look for the blue check down on IG, and I am Cedric is my website that kind of has everything. And then I, you know, and I know that, you know, I'm on Facebook and Twitter and all the.

But your website and Instagram are kind of like the main.

That's what I mainly rock with.

Okay. Said the Entertainer.

Yeah.

I am Cedric.

Yeah.

Cedric.com as well. We'll have all the stuff linked up.

Yeah, it has all the other links to everything.

Amazing, man. We'll make sure to link all this stuff in the show notes too, but this is powerful. I've got two final questions for you. This is a question I ask everyone towards the end of my interviews called the Three Truths. Okay. So it's a hypothetical scenario, hypothetical question. Imagine you get to live as long as you want. Okay. long as you want. And you get to continue to live your life the way you envision it. Family, friends, career, it all goes the.

Way you want it.

But for whatever reason, in this hypothetical scenario, it's the last day on earth for you. You gotta turn the lights off. And you can't leave anything behind that you've created. So flipping box cars, any other book, this interview, kings of comedy, all the TV shows you've done and gonna do the movies for whatever reason, They're gone. But you get to leave behind three lessons to the world. So without having access to your content anymore, you get to leave behind three final truths. This is all we would have to remember you by. What would be those three lessons you would leave behind or those three truths for the world?

Oh man, I think that, well, nobody can be you but you. So trust that your DNA is necessary, it's an individual thing, and that it is a reason to be. You're you. Trust that part. Be a good citizen. I think that we just live in a space where civility, understanding, sensitivity to others, what their circumstances is, is super important. If I can give you that as a citizen, you just you live and I'm civil, we good. Don't come over here with your nonsense. I won't come over there with mine. And then, you know, laugh, man. Laugh, man. just try to get, get a good laugh here, man. That's it. Find, find, find a way to laugh, man, in life and, and, and, and, and find joy. That's, that's the, those are the things I think are really important, man. Like, you know, if you can, you can have those moments, those, those, they, they lift you and they help you rise, they heal you. And, you know, they always say laughter is a good medicine, but really you know, that, that good laugh is one of those things that can really change the trajectory on a rainy day, on a sad day, on anything. So figure out how to get you a good laugh.

Those are good truths.

I love that.

Before I ask the final question, Cedric, I want to, I want to acknowledge you for a moment, like I did in the beginning, for, man, you showed up for, again, the St. Louis Community. You showed up for the country in so many different ways you bring. healing energy through your entertainment, your laughter, your ability to be creative and bringing people together through your way of being. So I just want to acknowledge you for your consistency. I don't think people realize how challenging it is to show up at the level you do for 30 plus years.

Yeah.

And do it with a good heart, a kindness to you, a good energy. a consistent creativity to you. So I really want to acknowledge you for being a leader in this entertainment world, in comedy and beyond the way you've done it. It's been really inspiring to, to grow up watching you, to know you now, and to see you continue to thrive.

That's big. I acknowledge you, man.

I acknowledge you.

It was big.

My final question. What's your definition of greatness?

Definition of greatness, man. That's a, that's a that's a really interesting one, man, because I think you have to, I think my definition of greatness would be to be excellent and then one step past that. Like, so be as, be as excellent, as proficient, be as, you know, unique as you can in the, as a person, as an individual. and then to be great, you gotta somehow cross step right past that. And you know, it's a thing that's so that means that you, even when you are excellent, when you are at the top, that you've decided that I can actually put something else in the world that will, that everybody else can now aspire to. The line has changed. and that's what greatness is. It moves the line. It moves the line up to where now we gotta keep going. 'Cause if we all right here, that's dope. We're killing it. But that one person that did that, you like, oh, I didn't even know we can go there.

Right.

And then you keep doing it, and now that's what greatness brings about.

I hope today's episode inspired you on your journey towards greatness. Make sure to check out the show notes in the description for a rundown of today's show with all the important links. And if you want weekly exclusive bonus episodes with me as well as ad free listening experience, make sure to subscribe to our Greatness Plus channel on Apple podcast. If you enjoyed this, please share it with a friend over on social media or text a friend. Leave us a review over on Apple podcast and let me know what you learned over on our social media channels at Lewis Howes. I really love hearing the feedback from you and it helps us continue to.

Make the show better.

And if you want more inspiration from our world class guests and content to learn how to improve the quality of your life, then make sure to sign up for the Greatness Newsletter and get it delivered right to your inbox over at greatness.com/newsletter. And if no one has told you today, I wanna remind you that you are loved, you are worthy, and you matter. And now it's time to go out there and do something great.

Sun's out, snacks out. And my Mochi ice cream is your go-to summer treat. My Mochi's bite-sized Beauties are only around 70 calories each. They're packed with cool, creamy ice cream and wrapped with soft, chewy dough. Totally satisfying, perfectly portioned and ready to cool you down with every delicious bite. My Mochi ice cream fits summer Vibe. Treat yourself smart with a joyfully chill sensation of my Mochi. Look for the purple box of my Mochi at Walmart or visit mymochi.com to find a store near you. Prices keep going up these days. It feels like being on an elevator that only goes up. But not at Metro. We're pushing the down button. We've lowered prices. Get one line of 5G data for $40, period. That's 20% lower. And you get a free Samsung 5G phone when you bring your number only at Metro. Five-year guarantee on eligible plans. Exclusions apply.

See website for details. Not available at Metro with T-Mobile in the past six months. Tax supplies.