Mellody Hobson, one of the most influential business leaders in the world, sits down with Bishop T.D. Jakes for a powerful conversation about money, trauma, identity, leadership, and the calling behind her work. As the President and Co-CEO of Ariel Investments and Chair of Starbucks, Mellody has ...
Mellody Hobson, one of the most influential business leaders in the world, sits down with Bishop T.D. Jakes for a powerful conversation about money, trauma, identity, leadership, and the calling behind her work. As the President and Co-CEO of Ariel Investments and Chair of Starbucks, Mellody has advised CEOs, shaped boardrooms, and partnered with cultural icons from Oprah Winfrey to her husband, filmmaker George Lucas.
In this intimate episode, Mellody opens up about growing up in poverty — living with clothes packed in garbage bags and moving constantly — and how those early struggles shaped her extraordinary rise. She reflects on how pain, when unwrapped, always brings a gift, and how tragedy creates the canvas for triumph. Her story is one of grit, faith, and relentless purpose.
Mellody and Bishop Jakes dive into generational wealth, financial literacy, and the emotional journeys behind money — discussing figures from Warren Buffett to Jamie Dimon and the leaders who shaped her worldview. She shares what she learned working alongside global icons like Oprah, appearing on Super Soul Sunday, being named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, and partnering with industry giants across finance and entertainment.
She also speaks candidly about motherhood, her daughter Everest, and the legacy she hopes to leave: peace, grounded identity, and a responsibility to make the world better. Her reflections on leadership, representation, corporate culture, and trusting oneself offer rare insight into what it means to rise to the highest levels of business without losing your humanity.
This conversation is emotional, honest, spiritually grounded, and filled with wisdom for anyone navigating purpose, money, trauma, or personal transformation.
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