The Marissa Mitchell Show: July 22, 2026

your kids birthday extra special at any age. Plus below deck stars captain and carrying Captain Sandy joining us live ahead of their city cruises event this weekend. Looking forward to it going to be a beautiful weekend out there for any sort of city cruise or outdoor event or whatever it may be. It's going to be a good one on deck Marissa and I know you've got a good show on deck. Oh my gosh, I cannot believe sugar bear is here live. I've seen you several times over the years. This is the first on the Marissa Mitchell show. That's right. That's right. I thank you for having me. Oh no, thank you for breathing the same air as me. I'm just happy to be here. You're tuned in to a really good show on the live and living color out. Welcome on into the Marissa Mitchell show on this Wednesday and you are certainly in for a treat because we have it all something we've been working on for weeks and he's finally here. I'm talking about one of the greatest artists ever go go of D. C. Of the world. He is here the unmistakable voice and basis behind E. U. Sugar bear and the party is cranking up early today ahead of his birthday bash. That is this weekend. And guess what? You are invited first. So I invite you to be a part of our conversation and squad. You know what to do. Scan that QR code on the screen to connect with sugar bear. Send him your questions, your comments, your birthday love. He's going to answer those a little later in the show now from a school days hit. Remember the but I know I do to actual school almost back in session. We have a group on to talk about preparing kids with emotional tools. They are just as important as those backpacks and those supplies. Also we're gonna walk it like we talk it with the lesson and confidence and posing with international image consultant Brittany Hills. Get ready for some tips to stand out. Now, if you know D. C. If you know music, you definitely know our first guest is the legendary front man of E. U. Sugar bear has been bringing the energy and the funk and keeping go go alive and well for decades. And this weekend he's celebrating his birthday the best way he knows how with an unforgettable birthday bash. Please welcome E. U. Sugar Bear Gregory Sugar Bear Elliott. That's your whole yes. Do I have a that's right. It's so good to have you. It's truly an honor. Thank you. Happy early birthday. Thank you. Okay. And you're gonna bring all of that for two nights at the Bethesda theater. That's correct. What else is in store for the concert? I got some surprises. So my friends from in the industry and around D. M. B. Gonna come out, it's gonna be a treat. They're gonna come out and show out for you because you've done so much two days this weekend at the Bethesda theater is actually right down the street from the studio. So I certainly have no excuses. I'm gonna have to be there. I'll be there. Talk about this season of life for you as you celebrate another trip around the sun. What are you most looking forward to? Uh, world peace. Yeah, because we have war now with Iran and all that, you know, and D. M. B. Is still, it's not right to me. You know, uh, the youth are really lost from what I see. It's a lot of stuff going on. So I always try to use God's like and preach and talks to him. You know, what's up? Come on, man. Try music, try boxing, try basketball. You have to be in the streets and do all that. Yeah, use that energy in a productive and helpful way. And you've certainly done that. I know, too, that a key to your longevity has been working with the youth. That includes special needs Children. Yes, out of T. C. Williams High School, Alexandria City High School. Shout out. But I've been doing that for 30 years. Yes. You know, leading into this show, I said, you know, D. C. Music icon, go go legend. And then I went on air and said, no music icon worldwide legend. Because even though we know and love you here, you belong to the world as well because your music has spanned as such. I was just at the R and B tour with Chris Brown and Usher enjoying that at Northwest Stadium. And before the show, you know, to want to keep the crowd hype and whatnot, they had a D. J. When they dropped the butt, everybody dropped their butt. Even people sitting down had to do it in their seats. When your hit comes on, what are you thinking? Knowing that you did that decades ago, and it's like it just came out. I'm really happy. It's like mixed emotions. I'm happy like I hear it on the radio and TV, etcetera. But when they people tell me that I feel so electrified, it's amazing. It's like when it first came on the radio. Uh huh. I feel the same thing. We're looking at the music video to Spike Lee directed that from the school days in the eighties. What was he like on set? Professional and funny. Really? Yes. Same time. And he told me to be myself. Let me be me. So I was cool. So you're cool. Everything went smooth. Oh, man. I love the song. It's something that you hear it every cookout. You hear it at weddings. You hear it at 35 years old. Yeah. And did you see Glenn Close? Yes. At the Oscars? No, I did not expect where people blowing you up saying, Did you see Glenn breaking it down doing the butt in the crowd? I was. Wow. Really? How did she do? She did good. She made you proud. I gave her a and extra credit. We talked about the music, and that's one thing that you the group has impacted over the years. But I want to get to your impact on culture because you all performed at the opening of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. That was back in 2016. Did you really sit with that moment to realize that you all have an imprint in our actual culture? No, be honest. I didn't. But afterward, I did. So I was like, This is really big. After I did the performance and people were saying, Thank you for blessing us. I said, What do you mean? And it didn't cut. It didn't click. So finally, about a week later, everything just came down. You know what you just did? You was asked to open up the African American Museum, and that was a gift to all of us, especially black people. And I was like, Wow, we must be the chosen. You still have an exhibit on the third floor, by the way. I know my stuff. Go see it. It's still up there in the museum for sure. You know, I was speaking with and I talk with artists all the time, many of whom look up to you about what they enjoy most about their art. Is it the playing the instrument? Is it the singing, the songwriting, performing live? You do it all. You act as well. If you had to pick one of those modalities, which one just really rings true for you? Playing bass guitar. Yeah, that's what I love. You know, a lot of people don't know I play bass guitar, but I do. I play bass and I lead my band and everything, and I'm just blessed. Yeah, that's why I made sure to say bassist, because I watch for that. People don't know this, but you know, I played a little bit of the trumpet. I can't stand with you at all. But yeah, come on. Come on. Middle school and high school. I gotta practice a little bit first, but I'll have to. I'll have to try. She's gonna come and play trumpet with you. I didn't say that much. How about a hum and dance in the background? I do have this question, though, and I've seen you out and about, but I said, if I ever get a one on one with you, I'm gonna ask. And now that you're here, I'm going to. Did you ever feel the pressure you and the other group members of EU to top the butt after it was such a massive? And how did you deal with it? It's hard, very hard to top a hit, a hit of that magnitude. We tried so many things. I did Buckwild. We did Shake Your Thing with Salt-N-Pepa. And all them hit chops, the hit number two and number hitmakers. Taste your love. We kept on. We was torn. It was just amazing. We kept on going to studio. We need it. We gotta do better than the book. We gotta do better. But I never thought the bubble gonna be big anyway. Exactly. That's the funny part. So even in 2026, I'm still trying to break that door. It's hard. It's very hard. But I thank God for the opportunity because he made it possible. Well, you know, you broke the door. You built the house. You built the house that a lot of people can walk in and enjoy as well. And we'll get one of those people. We'll talk about it in our hot sheet in a few minutes. We're also coming off of celebrating 50 years of Go Go. I see your 50 years. We are a real 50 year band. You are. We put in work, blood, sweat and tears from Southeast Washington from the projects to around the world and still doing it. What do you see for the next 50? Oh, my goodness. I see hope. I have a lot of hope for things to get better. I do one day at a time, but I think it's gonna be everything is going to electronics and I and all that. I hope for the best. Hope for the best. God bless us. Look, you can artificial intelligence. Go, go music. It is or it ain't. You know, that's the A. I. The A. I. N. T. On that. I do want to tell you something and I wanted to wait to do this live. Um, so have more more meaning for me. It was back in maybe 2022 or 23. It was the first emancipation day after the pandemic. And you were there. And so I'm there only had been in the market a few years and really getting to see and coming to love D. C. And I saw you on stage and I leaned in and we met eyes and you wave and then you summon me over. I went over. You shook my head and said you do a great job. That's right. I did not tell you. I broke down in tears after you know, look at you now. You went from this what you are to the number one. That is amazing. Nobody but God can do that. Nobody but God. I'm trying to tell you did the but for you and you didn't know it was coming. The same thing here. But I just want to thank you for being that gift and giving us the music and the confidence to live life and to live it boldly and fully. So thank you. That meant the world to me. Even having you here today, I was like, he sees me. He knows I exist. Yeah, because when I think of your music, every if your music is on, it was a good time. Yes. And I've lost a lot of relatives over the years. But I could turn to your music and remember where I was when I heard it and dance to it. So that's what it's all about. That's what it's about. 50 years and beyond. You're gonna hang around for the hot sheet. I gotta get you on some hot topics. Don't go sugar bear because coming up from go go to hip hop, we're gonna tell you who's on little Wayne's Mount Rushmore rap. Who does he really, really like? We'll see if we agree. Plus Lizzo is back on the hot sheet and she's gracing the cover of the sports illustrated swimsuit issue. We're gonna take a closer look once again while he is here, the icon sugar bear, please scan that QR code to connect with him. Send them your questions, your thoughts, your birthday love. He has a big birthday bash coming up at the Bethesda theater tonight. We're gonna dig into that and more after this quick for you. Okay. Yeah, the lights right, but I got a shirt for you. This has to be one of the hottest hot sheets we've had in a minute. I have the iconic sugar bear here. Yes. How does it feel hearing icon legend, the forever moment, stuff like that? It was good. And of course, media personality, our good friend, comedian intern john is back. I'm trying to be like sugar bear. I'm trying to get the icon one day standing around taking pictures. I wanted to meet him. Let's go. All right. You want to get into it? Let's do it because there are people out there who don't have to use their full names that can go by a first name or a nickname like sugar bear over here. Oprah. She's another one can go by one name. Well, the media mogul is going viral for what she told Kiki Palmer about success and working hard before expecting it. It looks like being able to make the choices that are based on what you, what do you really want? Which I think is the most important question. You know, I think when you're not free, not completely free, you can't make decisions based upon what you want. You have to do what you, this is what I say to my girls, uh, who, you know, graduating from college and starting their first jobs. And they're talking to me about, you know, work life balance at this point. I go, yeah, I don't know. Work life balance is 22. All right. Oprah's take hot or not. Essentially, don't expect to ride or to skate in the beginning of your career. Put in the work and enjoy the benefits years later, even if it takes years. Is that hot or not? I know you're going to say hot. I'm going to say a hot to sugar bear. I'll let you take it. Put it in the work. I think that, uh, she's 100% right. Put in the work and you get the blessing. If you believe in what you're doing, if you believe in it, you're going to succeed. If you don't believe, don't do it. Do you think some younger folks expect things to happen yesterday? Yes, that's the problem. They got to work for it. They don't believe in what before they have to work for. He's echoing. Oh, I mean, work life balance to me. I need money to have a good life. So I need to need to work. Oprah's worth $3.2 billion. So clearly worked for her. But for me, I have a speech impediment. So I had to go through like therapist and speaking classes. And that was, yeah, didn't pick the right career for a kid from Minnesota with a list. But here we are. It wasn't the most fun work, but it certainly paid off and comes out every now and then. But try to, oh, my gosh, you just dropped the gym here. You're a welcome success story. I did not know that about you. Thank you so much. Yeah, but again, with Oprah, it hard to argue. Yeah, too. And I mean, you're a product of it too. Hard work and things taking time. I think it's so easy for people to look on television and see something or in a magazine and say, Hey, I want that. But do you want what it took to get it? Well, nobody wants to put in work. I mean, it's easier to lay on the couch. But like, if you don't want to, it means competition doesn't. So you just get up a little bit earlier. You have a leg up. So the more reps, the easier gets also the longevity you have. And you can speak to that. Yes, 50 years in the game and still going strong. So put on the work. Your day will come. You got to believe what you're doing. Yeah. All right. Well, Lizzo, she's been putting in work to as an artist. She has another career to celebrate a career first. The Grammy winner is officially a sports illustrated swimsuit cover girl. A 38 year old singer is a magazine's July 2026 digital cover model. A milestone that comes just weeks after she released her latest album. That cover shoot following Lizzo's appearance at swim week. We showed that that runway show since you're here, Sugar Bear, you know that she's been making waves and go go with her cover of U. C. D. Sexy lady. I like that. I was gonna say hot or not. You give it a hot. Yeah. What did you like? Like about it? The fact that she did it. Did you like the whole cover? Embrace our culture. That's like a mind. We want salt and pepper. Embrace you. They were the hottest rap group in the country, and they came and got you over there. Shake your thing together. Unbelievable. Yeah, it takes it even higher. We didn't combine it with other judges. That's true. Hip hop culture. Yep, we cross right in there. All right. Well, speaking of hip hop, can't wait to get your thoughts on this because rap legend Lil Wayne was recently on friends. Keep secrets podcast of Benny Blanco. And during this conversation, he was asked, Who are your favorite rappers? Here's what he had to say. Who are your favorite rappers besides you? My favorite rapper is Jay Z. He's in my top five and Missy Elliott. You listen any current rapper? No, not not making current rap. I just feel offended. He said to. He listens to his kids music, and he goes, It's not good. But then they kind of blame Wayne because he inspired this generation. He's an icon to us, but he did. Kids don't even know. What do you think about the names? He did drop Missy Virginia Beach in the house. Obviously, me, Jay all day long. Jay, but he should put himself in the list, too. I mean, the Carters were absolutely legendary album. I was singing lollipop, but I should not have been singing. I thought about candy. Okay, bring lollipops into the club. And then, yeah, all of a sudden I talk to me was a way. You got it. And I think to go go deserves more credit in hip hop. Yes, we've been sampled four times and you can count. Yes, yes, too many times. Yeah, I never got credit for. Yeah, Jill Scott. Even Beck, I believe, used one of you songs and one of his back in the day as well. So everybody does it, but they never give us credit. But now you know, okay, we don't want any foolishness. Give him his credit. All right, we're coming. You don't want that smoke. I don't. It's time now for Tucker's taken Tucker is alive today. Capital Area Food Bank in Northeast D. C. With how we can all give back Tucker to those less fortunate. You got him, Marissa. The hot take is it's important to help out others, and that's what we've been doing here all morning long. Earlier, if you're with us, Fox donating $2500 to the Capital Area Food Bank. But they need more than money. They need volunteers. And we watched a group out volunteering, packing boxes this morning. 65. This is an amazing stat. 65 million people were served in our region last year by Capital Area Food Bank and by groups like them. So that there's a real need across our region, and we're gonna be out here all afternoon. We just got started this morning. We'll be out here all afternoon with more of our staff here, volunteering and telling you more about it. Okay, gonna be a nice day. I'll toss it back inside to you. Mid to upper eighties and tomorrow. The weather gets only better, so it gets great from here. Back to you. All right. Thanks so much, Tuck. I miss you in studio, but he's out doing the good work. Yes, make sure you all stop by and volunteer. Yeah, donate money to if you can. All right, well, coming up. What separates a good appearance from an unforgettable one? Well, an international image coach is here to show us how to pose with purpose, walk with poise and project a powerful presence. Then get your appetite ready. We have fresh D. C. In our kitchen. Look, it looks so good. I want to lick the screen in the kitchens right there. I can't wait. They're here to serve up some fresh flavors. They're also going to show us a demo of one of their standout dishes. We'll be right back. Put a good game on me. But it's the same. I think just the way she's so you know, I've always said Marissa got a big old, but I think it's Melissa. But I put Marissa in. It was Marissa. Say it louder for the people in the back. Marissa, do you ever do the butt to the butt? No, really? People do it, like I'm here for the music. You all do the dance. Well, you have so many people writing into you with questions, with comments, got a big birthday coming up. So let's check out our M squad and what they are sending in like this one from Dean out Atlanta. He says you talk about working with the youth over the years. What has been your most memorable moment when impacting the youth when they graduate? Because our kids and especially these children go from 14 to 22. So when they graduate that all my work is done smiles and they're nonverbal. A lot of them, but they smile and they know I am. They reach out to me and I make them laugh every day. Every day I make them laugh and like one of my special students, Abby, she passed away. 24 years old. Sorry. Touch my heart. It was my baby. She was. She never could walk. She never. She's in a wheelchair, but she always smiles. She saw me and I was grabbing her face and she was flat. Dress her head off. May she rest in peace that you don't know what that does. It just that's number God pointed spirit and letting the light shine. It's amazing. Yeah, I feel your energy here. I mean, since you walked in the studio, it's almost like we went to a different level energetically. You can't fake that. No, you can't. If you got him, you don't. Yeah. All right, let's look at some other messages. I believe all of these are happy birthday messages like red. Happy birthday, sugar bear. Looking forward. Thank you so much. Partying with the E. U. This Saturday, Saturday and Sunday. But there's a theater. You got to July 25th is my actual birthday. The 26 is my extra birthday. All right, Carmelito. Thank you for sending that in. He says just wanted to give Mr Sugar Mr Sugar Bear. I should have said Mr Sugar Bear. Thank you. Some more praise because people don't know how iconic he is, especially being at T. C. Williams and not knowing who you were walking around. Yeah, thank you. So one more time. What can people expect to see? I know you said some surprises. You're gonna bring your trumpet. No, don't put me on the spot. Come on. You know what? It's in Atlanta. I'll see if my mom can rush it. Okay, I gotta warm up a little bit. I'll do the sea scale. How about that? I'll be there for sure. I can guarantee that. But that's where you all can go tonight to help him celebrate his birthday. Go, go live. Live. No, no tracks, no tapes. All live music. Yeah, no way. I perfect. Thanks for coming. Thanks for having me. I mean it. Thank you. I don't take it for granted. I don't either. Well, coming up, what's the one back to school essential? We're just talking about schools and working with young people. What's the one essential you don't find on any supply list? Well, it's emotional well being. We're gonna show you why it's actually a must for students, families and schools. Then lights, camera confidence coming up. An international image coach is here to show us how to walk, talk and pose with confidence. It's a lesson in serving and I'm here for that. We'll be right back. Just back to school season. We're looking beyond the backpack. What if the most important preparation isn't what students bring to school, but how they feel when they actually get there? That's what I call a whole word. And we don't talk about it enough. I have Carol Campbell Fuller. She's here. Founder and CEO of I am pieces LLC and coach Cheryl McKinney. Ladies, thank you so much for coming. Thank you for having you know, why is that? Why is it that we don't think about the emotional health and mental health when we're getting everything else? Because I think we have just been, you know, as a society, the first thing you think about is what goes in the book pack. You know, the supply list is there. Um, what are the schedules going to be like? How are we gonna do extracurricular activities and athletic stuff? And we think about academics, but we don't think about emotionally preparing our students. It's just not something that comes to mind, not for students, not for parents and even not for educators, because we're so busy in the weeds of everything else without realizing you need that as a foundation. We're in our own way. Yeah. I'd also add that when you think school, there's just a tendency not to think or equate that with emotions or even mental health. Yeah. So what happens when we neglect our emotional mental health, particularly when it comes to kids and teens? How does that show up? Right? So we frustration will turn into impatience. Stress can be overwhelmed. You know, um, basic miscommunication can turn into misunderstandings and upset assumptions. And then it turns into sort of like a tug of war between students, between students and adults. And now you're trying to figure out a way to navigate it. And so I just think it's really important that we map that out before we start the school year. You said map emphasis in a P because this is actually a framework that you created that we can all live and operate by. How does it work? So while we're shopping for the books, let's talk about what is your mindset? Who do you want to be when you walk into that school building? And that's just not for the students. That's for the adults as well. Who do you want to be when you walk in that building? How do you want to show up? But also realistically realizing where my emotions right now? That's the A for awareness. What am I? Emotions recognizing it and recognizing how to navigate it as well. And then last but not least, very important is finding partnership. Who cannot connect within the school? Is there an adult? Is there another student? But going to school thinking that I'm going to connect with at least one or two people in order to navigate the school year. So you're not in isolation. Coach Cheryl, when it comes to math that you so brilliantly mapped out, what word or area or letter I should say, do you find people, it comes to them easier than maybe the others? And what is that the hardest one out of math, the M A or P? I don't know. Honestly, I would probably say mindset. I think it requires a huge mindset shift. Um, so with part of that framework with map, we have I am, which is our strategies on, you know, how to navigate when we have challenges. As Carol had mentioned, if we aren't paying attention to our emotions and our mental health, then there's a tendency for there to be interruptions in the school day and an educational process. And then that presents challenges. And those disruptions sometimes result in either the educator or the student or sometimes the parent meeting at each other, meeting each other in the place of disagreement and discord. And so when we apply our strategy of I am, which is to interrupt, assess and then move forward, then we can overcome those challenges. How do you interrupt in a way where there isn't a major interruption? Right. You know what I mean? If both people are essentially coming in hot. So then the first thing you've got to do is just pause. Take a step back. Breathe. Yeah. Instead of being reactive, let me step back and make sure that what I'm thinking is correct. Do I have all of the answers? Or is this just a story I've created? Let me find out what all what all the information is. Um, and then assess right when we assess we are reflecting on whether or not we have assumptions that we're bringing with us hidden biases or you know, are we being triggered by something that's outside of what's actually happening at that time? Can I add a letter? Sure. P. I. M. P. P for pick your own battles. I think that in every at work and in other places, there are some things where you just have to let it fly and just say, and keep it moving. You cannot fight every single battle. You wear yourself out for what truly matters. Absolutely correct. Pick your choices, right? Pick what you want to go after. And I think if we take the time because a lot of times within a minute, you know, people are at each other. And if we just take the moment to step back and say, well, is this what I'm really hearing and seeing? Or have I already created a conversation in my head that's not really happening? Or is it that deep? Is it that serious? You know, the kids like to say that a lot. Yeah, you must do that. So practically for for parents and guardians who are watching and they say, Hey, we're just a few weeks out from school. I love the I. M. Strategy. I love mapping things out. What are some things I can do today to get my kids ready and in the best shape to take on the day that first day of school? I think it starts with the conversation because most of us, you know, I've been a parent, I've been a student, I've been a teacher, so I've been in all the roles. But most of the time we don't sit down and have this conversation. That's not true. That's not part of the dinner table conversation. Are you emotionally ready to go to school? What are your fears? What do you think you're gonna struggle with? Can we figure out a way that if that arises, how do you navigate that process so that they know what to expect and what's expected of them once they get there? And you're right. I think my parents did a great job with me, but we would normally do those check ins at the end of the school day when they were picking me up from school. I could notice something's not quite right, or they saw a progress report, but really deciding to start the day that way, almost like an affirmation. Absolutely. It puts you on the right course. Where can people go to learn more about the work that you both do and stay connected for themselves and their families? So you can reach us at I am my pieces dot com or Carol at I am my pieces. We're also on instagram at at I am my pieces and facebook. And so I would love to hear from you, have your questions answered. If you have anything, just reach out. All right, well, thank you, Carol. Thank you. Cheryl is what I have to work really hard on that this morning. I was like, Carol and Cheryl, Carol and Cheryl say that 10 times fast. Thank you ladies for coming. And I think it's great advice, not just for back to school, but for anybody who's back in the habit of whatever they're working on. I want to do it to the best of their ability. All right now, when we combine feeling good, you got that energy here with looking the part that includes how we walk, even how we pose for pictures. Okay, now you did not have to hit us like that. I was not ready. Skinning. The smile is cheesing. Oh my goodness. I'm just gonna let her cook. How about that? And then we're going to eat for real for real because everybody ate. We're going to go in in our kitchen, but it's going to be elevated with fresh, bold flavors and a live cookie demo. I got a team behind fresh D. C. With us today. We try every day here. We work very hard to make you feel better about yourself, about your day when you watch our show. And it's important in every walk of life, whether you're stepping onto a stage heading into a job interview or simply just wanting to feel more confident the way you walk, the way you carry yourself can make a lasting first impression. And Brittany Hill, she knows that full well. She's an international image coach and gorgeous. Might I add as well inside and out and is teaching us how we can do the same. Brittany, thank you for coming. Thank you for having me. Now you want to tell the people how I was stalking you on instagram. We were talking during the commercial break. You popped up in my feed. I want to say three times before I finally said, okay, the third time's a charm. Let me reach out only to find out you actually have courses that are going to be happening here in the DMV. Oh yes, absolutely. I think it's my second time here this year. So this divine time. Listen, how did you get into this line of work? Oh man. So I've been doing this since I was a little girl and I started in pageantry and through pageantry, I learned how to pose, how to walk, how to talk, how to just present myself confidently. And I realized the skill set that I had learned through pageantry wasn't just for pageant queens. It was just for anybody who wants to feel comfortable in front of the camera, walking into rooms with confidence. So that's how my classes were born. Taking the skill set that I learned from this industry and turning it into something that everyone can use. I'm so glad you said that because we actually have that in common. I'm a Miss Georgia and a couple of other pageants. And I think that is a misconception that people have about pageantry. That is just lights, camera, action, big hair, makeup. You can learn a lot about yourself and there's a scholarship component too that people don't talk about enough. Why is it so important to know how to pose, how to walk, how to stand firm and proud in who you are? Yeah. Well, I tell people it's more than just posing. It's more than just walking. It's more than just speaking what it is that I do. I encourage people to be seen. I give people the confidence to be seen. Everyone's given gifts and talents. Everyone has a purpose and you can either hide that purpose or you can show it and you only get one life. And so I'm here to coach you on how to show up and show your talents and show your gifts. So it's not just about taking pictures. It's about being seen at this point. We're all public figures where you want to be or not with social media with zoom calls. We have to care about it all. There's value invisibility. You can't ignore it. Nope. It can determine how, how you go, how you go in a lot of fields. I know that we were looking at some video of some of your classes there. How have you seen both women and men transform after spending a few minutes with Brittany Hills? It's so interesting. People will come into the class and they start off so nervous and I can see them literally shaking sometimes. And then by the end of the class, they're in the front, they're volunteering themselves for different segments. They come up to me at the end and they're like, I'm not going to let you grow. I was so nervous before I got in here and now I feel like I can do anything. I can spread my wings and fly. And so within that two and a half hours, they just transform from being a little bit more shy and reserved to being a butterfly. Okay, well we're going to do a demo and see if I can turn into a butterfly as well. What do you find that people struggle with the most? Is it the walk, the pose or public speaking? I would say it's before all of that. It's mindset. Mindset. Yeah. Get my mind right. Yeah, yeah. What should I be thinking? Think, you know, I'm giving today. I look beautiful. I'm accomplished. I got this. I'm worthy. Exactly. Okay, so I want to see you walk. Yes. Okay. You got the walk and the strut. Yes, let's do this. Now you should have told me that you were going to be all oiled up and glistening because I would have done a little bit more if I was standing next to this one. This is a part of my brand at this point. I'm always, I'm always glowing. I love to see it. So let's get the walk down. Yes. And then I'll try to do my best. Okay. So with the walk, we want shoulders back. I tell people to walk as if there's a string pulling you up. Okay. So with length and then eye contact. We don't want to look at the floor as we walk because there's nothing on the floor. We need to look forward. And then last but not least, you just want to slow down. We live in a big city that's always trying to rush us. Just slow down. Yeah. Take your time. Exactly. All right. So she's going to do it first and then I'm going to follow. Amazing. Shoulders back and we walk. Now what are you thinking when you're walking? What song is playing, Brittany, and things are going really well. We're appreciative of all the support. This past couple of weeks have been hectic, very busy with a new thing, a new happy hour menu. People have seemed to take to it. So we're thankful. Listen, it's all over my feed. So the people are happy. I want to see what you're getting into, chef J.R. So right now I'm doing that fried snapper with the mumbo sauce. This is one of the number one selling dishes on the menu after the Golden Gate noodles. Did you know that red snapper is my favorite fish? Did you know that? Yeah, that's why I put it on the menu. I should have known. I should have known. And we got some oysters too because you know right now oysters are going crazy in D.C. So we got that special. That's what's bringing everybody out. I'm kind of scared to mention it. We're doing dollar oysters on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but only at the bar. From 4 to 7 p.m. Only at the bar. So I can't come there at 2 o'clock and say I'm going to sit at the table with 2,000 oysters, a dollar apiece. How would you describe the vibes of a fresh for those who haven't been? I would say like it's a chill R&B vibe on Tuesday. So you could come in, listen to some good music, eat some good food. Then you will see either me and Matt walking around greeting everybody. I'm the guy that's gonna make everybody happy. He's a tastemaker. I'm gonna make sure y'all happy. So when you see me, just know you're gonna have a good time. When you see Matt, you're gonna have a good time too. Oh man, come for the food, stay for the energy. Ray, what are you up to over here? So we're making some of our classic cocktails that we have on our happy hour menu, but also on our new summer menu. So our honey bear right here. It's a gin, lemon, honey. So kind of like a bee's knee, but we put our own twist on it. I should have saved the honey bear for sugar bear. I wonder if he's still in the building. Okay, so we got honey bear. It's cute too. So I garnished it with a little honey stick, which also is shaped like a bear, a little dehydrated lemon, because you can't garnish what's not in the drink. And then we also have our strawberry basil margarita. So it's strawberry, honey, lemon, and a little bit of basil. And it's a new summer cocktail. All right, so is this it? That's already done? This is it. All right, I'm gonna let you keep shaking it up. Do whatever you need to do. I don't want to interrupt. I don't want to get in the way. That's his world famous drink too. He thinks he's slick. He's not going to tell you. Let's put them on the mat. Come on Riggs. It did kind of put me on the map. So as you know, I'm from Atlanta. I know you're from the ATL as well. I originally made it and called it the basil baby. So it's kind of been kind of going crazy around Atlanta. And I was like, well, let me bring some Atlanta flavor to DC. You had to share the wealth. That's another reason why it's been going crazy. That's fresh DC. Okay, so you got the fish down here. So we got the fish down. And then, you know, we're keeping it DC, so we got to add the mumbo sauce. Oh, you must. And I feel like the good thing about this dish is you don't have to pick through the bones. So like if you have kids, they can enjoy this with you because a lot of places you go and it's whole and you don't know what you're gonna get. You get in trouble, have to have a big slice of white bread on the side of the bar for just in case. I don't like picking through the bones either. Yeah, so I just like to, I like the whole fish. I ain't gonna lie. I like to eat with my hands. So I like the head. Some people want the head off. But when you come, do not ask for the head off. This is how you getting it. You ask for the head off, we're going to do it. I went fishing the other day and this guy was like, you want the head off? Absolutely not. Exactly. I want the whole thing. You're right. That's part. Thank you. I got you. Because, you know, I don't want to mess up a pretty picture, but this fish looks amazing. And the ribs. Tell me about the ribs. They look like a headliner as well. So these are pork spare ribs. We do them in the style of like what's a traditional sticky rib flavor, like an Asian style barbecue sauce. We top it with fried shallots and chives. So how did you come up with that? I mean, I know there's a fusion to the different cities that are representing. I mean, do you all have meetings and say, OK, then I'm going to do this and then I'm going to add. We originally did the menu at the house, at JR's house. Yo, a hundred dishes and we had to shrink it down. What? People don't understand what it takes to come up with these. You know, I like when kids try to try the food because they tell you the truth. I feel like y'all be like, oh, I was an artist. You know, if I'm not talking like I'm struggling to talk now, like I need my daughter London and his son, little Matthew, try to fool. And then soon as they put it in their mouth, you see their face. Yeah, that's not it. We would just have French fries and cornbread. Yeah, that's what that's what London loves to. She come there for the truffle fries. But we're having so much fun. You all are still cooking. You're still mixing. Let's hang out here. We're going to go to a quick break and come back with more from Fresh DC. Y'all are so much fun with Fresh DC. And you all, you are making it feel like a Friday here in the kitchen. Like every day is Friday. Everything. We got the snapper nuggets, whole snapper. What else? Oh, there's more oysters. This is what y'all coming for, too. You all have been open about a year and a half now. I'm Chef Matt. Where can people find you? You can find the restaurant at Fresh underscore DC. Fresh DC dot com. You can find me at Mr. Make It Happen on all social media platforms. This is a watermelon mignonette that we serve with our fresh oysters we get in daily. Wow. And it's one of my favorite things on the menu. OK, well, we're going to do a cheers, a toast to all of you. Which one do you want to have the watermelon drink? You said it's the most popular one. It is. I know the chefs. OK, I'm doing drugs a lot. Can I get a little? OK, well, yeah, just for the for the shot. Oh, for the shot. OK. Cheers to Fresh DC. I'm so proud of all of you. Thank you. And I cannot wait to go in and we'll be back with the end notes and a preview of what's up tomorrow. It's gonna be a tough act to follow. We got Fresh DC here. Delicious. What a heavy hitting show. I've already heard from so many of you saying that you enjoyed it. My big thanks, big thanks to Sugar Bear for stopping by to celebrate his birthday, which is ahead of his shows coming up this weekend at the Bethesda Theater. Shout out to all the people who came on. You made this show great. And hopefully we'll get to do it again tomorrow on the show because motivational speaker.