Butternomics the Business of Culture

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, sits down with Dr. Kevin James, the president responsible for the extraordinary resurgence of Morris Brown College. Dr. James shares the gripping story of how he led the Atlanta-based HBCU from bankruptcy and lost accreditation back to national recognition. From his audacious decision to pursue the presidency, to rallying alumni, partners like Arthur Blank, and the AME Chur...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, sits down with media powerhouse Dawn Montgomery to discuss how she's mastered the elusive art of going viral. Dawn shares her journey from modeling to journalism, revealing the intentional strategies and authenticity behind her most talked-about moments. From valuing her work and pivoting careers to leveraging cultural insights, Dawn breaks down exactly what it takes to tur...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, sits down with Michael MacDonald, the behind-the-scenes architect of Earn Your Leisure and Invest Fest, to share the real story of how it all came together. Michael opens up about his early hustle designing flyers, the pivotal equity deal that taught him the power of residual income, and the bold moves that helped EYL grow into a global brand. He also breaks down the busine...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, sits down with Playboy Tre and B Rich, hosts of Atlanta’s hottest sports podcast, The Waterboyz Show. They dive into the real struggles and triumphs of being Atlanta sports fans, revealing how they've turned that passion—and pain—into a powerhouse podcast. Hear the behind-the-scenes stories of their journey, how their entertainment background shaped their ...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, talks with financial strategist Nicole Garner Scott about breaking down the myths that keep people from true financial empowerment. Nicole shares her journey from PR powerhouse to financial expert, revealing the common misconceptions about wealth, generational financial literacy, and why cultural narratives around money often keep communities stuck.

See omnystudio.com/listen...

From humble beginnings in Milwaukee to building one of the South’s most respected hip-hop platforms, Spitty shares how he turned a camera, a porch, and a passion for storytelling into a full-scale media business. He opens up about working with legends like Young Dolph and Snoop Dogg, surviving the pandemic, and stepping out from behind the camera to become a voice of the culture. This is a masterclass in consistency, vision, ...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, sits down with CJ and Kelli Stewart to break down how they’re using baseball to build character, confidence, and cultural pride in Black youth. From turning $40,000 into a million-dollar mentorship program to creating coaching certifications that heal generational trauma, they’re transforming more than just talent. The Stewarts share real talk on pricing your va...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, sits down with Curtis Daniel III to uncover the real story behind Patchwerk Studios, the legendary recording space that helped shape the sound of the South. Curtis breaks down how he built a world-class studio without outside backing, earned trust across the music industry, and stayed relevant for 30 years. From working with Outkast and Jeezy to running a studio with zero d...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, talks with J-Bizz about what it truly takes to create authentic content that resonates and goes viral. J-Bizz shares insights from his journey—from growing up in Richmond, Virginia, to becoming a cultural force in Atlanta—detailing how consistency, creativity, and community connection led to his breakthrough moments. He breaks down the secrets behind leveraging ...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, talks with Jarvis George, the creative powerhouse behind VibesInATL, about the secrets to creating content that consistently goes viral. Jarvis shares his journey from Navy veteran and grad student to one of Atlanta’s most influential creators, detailing how he leverages culture, consistency, and authenticity to drive engagement and build community. From content creat...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, speaks with Sarah Oak Kim, co-founder of Our Bar ATL, about the intersection of nightlife, culture, and community advocacy. Sarah discusses how Our Bar became a gathering place for meaningful change, offering insights into initiatives like Hug the Block, Narcan training, and community-driven events. From challenging misconceptions to addressing social issues head-on, Sarah ...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, talks with Chilly-O, a cultural pioneer and community advocate who has shaped Atlanta’s creative identity for decades. From his early work in the city’s housing projects to becoming a streetwear innovator and action sports enthusiast, Chilly-O has consistently leveraged his influence to uplift the youth and creative communities. In this conversation, he shares t...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, sits down with marketing legend Darryl “DC” Cobbin to explore what it truly means to create culture, not just chase it. From his groundbreaking work at Sprite, shaping hip-hop’s first mainstream brand partnerships, to driving billion-dollar success at Boost Mobile and marketing blockbusters like Avatar, DC shares strategic insights on how brands can authen...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, sits down with Wintter Alex and Chic Lauren of The Manner Co to discuss their journey from styling one of Atlanta’s most iconic music videos, “Bad and Boujee,” to building a thriving creative empire. Wintter and Chic share how they’ve navigated fashion, marketing, and community to create a business that blends style with strategic success. This conve...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, sits down with marketing expert Mahdi Woodard to explore his proven blueprint for turning content into commerce. Mahdi shares insights on the real definition of marketing, the secret behind finding product-market fit, and how he transitioned from hobby to thriving business without losing authenticity. This episode is a masterclass in translating your ideas, hobbies, and ins...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, sits down with Isaac Hayes III, the force behind Fanbase, a groundbreaking social media platform redefining creator monetization. Isaac opens up about his unique approach to raising capital through equity crowdfunding, his journey transitioning from entertainment to tech, and why building infrastructure is the key to securing the financial future of black creators.

See omnys...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, talks with Henry Mason about what it means to build a healthcare company rooted in care, not just code. From a tech background to running one of Georgia’s top hospice providers, Henry shares how he’s navigating the business of medicine with honesty, grit, and a clear vision. If you’ve ever felt like the healthcare system isn’t built for you—thi...