We have a very special guest, Michael Bivens, also known as "Juss Mikey." Born in Columbus and educated at North Carolina A&T, Michael's journey from a kinesiology degree holder to a vibrant entertainment personality is nothing short of inspiring.

We'll explore how his early passion for hosting events shaped his career, the influence of his HBCU experience on his personal and professional growth, and the importance of positive energy in everything he does. Michael sheds light on the pivotal advice from his parents, his unique take on civic engagement, and the impact of his work in political content creation. We'll also chat about the role of nostalgia in entertainment, his upcoming projects, and his recent accolades from Nike.

Memorable Moments

04:45 HBCUs inspire camaraderie, motivation, and shared goals.

08:08 Matching my family's high-achieving legacy.

10:48 Motivation comes from embracing challenges, seeking advice.

13:26 First asked about confidence in her presence.

17:46 Political influence through celebrity endorsements in elections.

21:58 Currently not interested in pursuing politics.

23:16 Attention spans are short; use influencers for impact.

27:52 Nike honors me with gifts for influence.

31:30 Start shows with nostalgic 2013-2017 music.

33:17 Conflicted feelings about past music preferences.

38:15 Balancing demographics, valuing guest perspectives on talk.

39:20 Discuss, acknowledge challenges, ensure actions follow.

Top Takeaways

1. Identity and Tribute: Michael Bivens adopted the name "Juss Mikey" from his birth name Justin, changing his name to Michael to honor his father.
2. Educational Journey and Career Shift: Despite having a bachelor's degree in kinesiology, Bivens pursued a career in entertainment, drawn by his passion which started in elementary school.
3. Positive Energy and Experience: Bivens stresses the importance of transferring positive energy and creating enjoyable experiences for everyone he interacts with.
4. HBCU Experience and Personal Growth: Bivens praises the supportive community at North Carolina A&T, an HBCU, which significantly contributed to his personal and professional development.
5. Parental Influence and Decision Making: Bivens acknowledges the beneficial impact of his parents' advice, which led him to attend North Carolina A&T, drawing parallels to finding an unexpectedly perfect fit.
6. Civic Engagement and Voting Importance: Emphasizing participation in democracy, Bivens advocates for voting and being informed about political issues to ensure personal interests are represented and to counter misinformation.
7. Role of Celebrities and Influencers: Bivens highlights the importance of celebrities like Taylor Swift and influencers in engaging young voters and capturing attention on political and economic issues.
8. Addressing Challenges and Personal Growth: Bivens navigates the pressure of living up to family expectations and finding his unique path outside traditional roles, emphasizing resilience over multiple setbacks.
9. Media and Information Flow: The necessity of quickly sharing accurate content to combat misinformation is discussed, highlighting the effectiveness of concise digital content like graphics and short videos.
10. Music and Nostalgia in Engagement: Both Wilson and Bivens agree on the universal appeal of iconic songs and how nostalgia plays a crucial role in engaging audiences, with Bivens frequently using music from 2013-2017 to connect with his listeners.

talkofthecounty@franklincountyohio.gov

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/tropicana

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