The All In Podcast

What happens when Hollywood doesn’t open the door for you so you decide to build your own?In this episode of The All In Podcast, host Rod Watson sits down with filmmaker, director, producer, entrepreneur, former professional athlete, and Hidden Empire Film Group co-founder Deon Taylor for a conversation about breaking into Hollywood, betting on yourself, ownership, relationships, family, and building a legacy on your own terms.Deon shares his unconventional journey from growing up in Gary Indiana and playing college basketball at San Diego State to playing professionally overseas and ultimately making the pivot into filmmaking without the traditional Hollywood background, connections, or résumé.After realizing that competing for the same writing, directing, and producing opportunities as everyone else wasn’t going to be his path, Deon took advice from one of his earliest inspirations his mother and started making his own movies and creating his own opportunities.That decision would eventually lead to building Hidden Empire Film Groupalongside his wife and business partner, Roxanne Avent Taylor, and establishing himself as one of Hollywood’s leading independent filmmakers.In this episode you’ll learn:✅ How Deon went from professional basketball to becoming a Hollywood filmmaker
✅ Why realizing he couldn’t follow the traditional Hollywood path became an advantage
✅ How rejection pushed him to stop waiting for opportunities and create his own
✅ Why ownership and independence became central to his career
✅ How Deon and Roxanne built Hidden Empire Film Group together
✅ Why relationships and collaboration are critical to long-term success
✅ What Deon has learned navigating Hollywood as an outspoken Black filmmaker and entrepreneur
✅ How his athlete mentality continues to influence the way he approaches business and filmmaking
✅ What investing, family, and building generational legacy mean to him today
✅ The mindset and lessons behind building a sustainable career on your own termsDeon also discusses what’s next, including his passion for sports storytelling and the film and documentary projects helping shape the next chapter of Hidden Empire.Whether you’re an entrepreneur, filmmaker, creator, athlete, entertainer, or someone trying to break into an industry where the traditional doors aren’t opening, this conversation is about understanding that sometimes the biggest opportunity comes when you stop waiting to be chosen and build your own lane.Subscribe to The All In Podcast for more conversations with elite athletes, entrepreneurs, entertainers, filmmakers, business leaders, and wealth advisors.👍 Like the video
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What happens when you stop just building your brand and start building something you actually own?In this episode of The All In Podcast, host Rod Watson sits down with entrepreneur, actor, model, creator, and investor Don Benjamin for a conversation about ownership, entrepreneurship, family, and building a legacy beyond entertainment.Don shares his journey from breaking into the entertainment industry to expanding his vision as an entrepreneur and launching Dramatik, his vertical drama streaming platform.In this episode you’ll learn:✅ Why ownership is critical to building long-term wealth
✅ How Don transitioned from talent to entrepreneur
✅ The vision behind Dramatik and why he decided to build his own platform
✅ Why your personal brand can become one of your greatest assets
✅ The importance of betting on yourself and taking calculated risks
✅ How Don balances marriage, fatherhood, business, and career
✅ Why family and legacy have changed the way he thinks about success
✅ The mindset required to turn influence into something you ownWhether you’re an entrepreneur, creator, athlete, entertainer, or someone looking to build something of your own, this conversation is about moving beyond success and influence toward ownership and legacy.Subscribe to The All In Podcast for more conversations with elite athletes, entrepreneurs, entertainers, business leaders, and wealth advisors.👍 Like the video
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What does it take to earn the trust of elite athletes, entertainers, and high-net-worth clients?In Episode 2 of The All In Podcast, host Rod Watson sits down with Reggie Gooden, Founder & CEO of 360 Business Management and a four-time Billboard Top Business Manager honoree.Reggie shares his journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most respected business managers in sports and entertainment, while managing the financial lives of some of today’s biggest names.In this episode you’ll learn:✅ How Reggie built one of the industry’s most respected firms✅ What athletes should know about building long-term wealth✅ Why trust is the foundation of every successful client relationship✅ The biggest financial mistakes professional athletes make✅ Smart tax and investment strategies for high earners✅ What it takes to succeed in sports and entertainment business management✅ Advice for young professionals looking to enter the industryWhether you’re an entrepreneur, athlete, entertainer, or simply interested in wealth creation, this conversation is packed with practical lessons on leadership, trust, business, and legacy.Subscribe to The All In Podcast for more conversations with elite athletes, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and wealth advisors.👍 Like the video💬 Leave a comment with your biggest takeaway🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode

Description Four-time NBA Champion John Salley joins, Rod Watson host of The All In Podcast for a in-depth conversation on championship culture, ownership, investing, wellness, leadership, and building a legacy that last long after the final buzzer. Executive Producers: Laura Watson & Jimmy Vibert

On this segment, Rod goes All In with television host a, Kelvin Washington.  To know Kelvin is to know that he is truly living his dream.  He has mastered the art of storytelling, and understands the importance of entertaining, informing and inspiring his audiences. While attending Eastern Michigan University, Kelvin had an internship a sports reporter with a local new station.  Not long after graduation, he landed a job as an on-air personality.  Kelvin spent several years in radio prior to making the jump to television, where he has affiliated with Turner Broadcasting, CNN, and Spectrum 1. If you are in Los Angeles, you can catch Kelvin hosting The "Afternoon Beat" and "Weekend Beat on 1" for Spectrum News 1, and he is also a contributor on "LA Times Today." Listen as Rod and Kelvin discuss his journey to become a tv news anchor, and the importance of resiliency and grit to make your vision come to life. Go All In with this episode.

All In with Stephon Leary On this segment, Rod goes All In with coach, author, business owner, and shoe inventor (How many people can say that?!?), Stephon Leary. Stephon has truly dedicated his life being a coach.  He has intentionally focused his career on building legacy; prioritizing long-term vision over day-to-day tasks. Countless athletes can attribute aspects of their success to Stephon’s teaching and guidance. Stephon has coached at Liberty, Palm Beach Atlantic, and Texas A&M International universities, He is highly regarded in the AAU organization, and has coached at the high school level. As the Owner and Director of Reaching New Heights Basketball, Stephon focuses on player development.  Stephon is also working to launch his shoe invention in the near future. Listen as Rod and Stephon talk basketball, the NBA, AAU, and business ownership. If you work for an athletic shoe company and are listening to this podcast...reach out to Stephon.  We want to see his shoe on the market soon! Go All In with this episode.

On this segment, Rod goes All In with New Orleans Saints’ Wide Receiver, Juwan Johnson.  Prior to starting his career in ‘The Big Easy,’ this New Jersey native excelled in high school basketball and track.  Juwan surprised his family when he shifted and made football his focus. Juwan was a college football star at Penn State while balancing his undergraduate studies toward a degree in telecommunications.  Soon after the passing of his Dad, Juwan made the decision to become a graduate transfer for the University of Oregon.  While he may not have known it as the time, his move to another part of the country was a part of Juwan’s healing and continued growth. As an Oregon Duck, Juwan continued to shine on the gridiron, including the best performance of his college career in a game against USC...after overcoming an injury. Sports are a family affair for Juwan.  His Dad was an athlete, and his brother, George., Jr. played in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints.  They are a close-knit family who push each other to be the best versions of themselves. Listen as Rod talks with Juwan about his family, his success in sports, and the beginnings of an investment strategy.  Go All In with this episode

“Hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t work hard.”- Tim Notke On this segment, Rod goes All In with Drew Lasker.  Not only are Rod and Drew former teammates, they share a brotherhood that transcends basketball as they have supported each other in their successful business careers. Drew is a 16-year veteran of the British Basketball League (BBL) who currently plays for the Newcastle Eagles.  Giving to back to others is in Drew’s DNA and his reach extends from the US to the UK. As the founder of Train Harder 21, Drew has trained hundreds of young athletes who one day hope to follow in his footsteps.  Drew recently co-founded 21 Media which distributes podcast content that educates and inspires its listeners centering around its anchor podcast, 21. 21 Media also produces The BBL Show, a dynamic, one-stop, interactive media experience that brings all the basketball action to BBL fans in a podcast format.  Drew is a co-host for The BBL Show , providing BBL fans with an opportunity to know learn more about him off the court. With all of his success, Drew still finds his greatest joy in his faith and his family as a loving husband and doting father of two children.  Listen as Rod and Drew “chop it up” about family, professional basketball, and the unexpected aspects of life’s journey that always turn out better than you anticipate.You will be inspired to resurrect an old dream.  Go All In with this episode!

The upside of your upside is always going to be greater than the upside of your downside.” – Paul Morris On this segment, Rod goes All In with Paul Morris.  To say Paul is smart is an understatement; he holds degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, Oxford, and Cornell but he will also be the first to tell you that most learning experiences do not take place in the classroom.  Paul is a prolific entrepreneur, real estate investor, trainer, business consultant, and New York Times Bestselling author of one of Rod’s favorite books, Wealth Can't Wait (www.wealth.org).  As Keller Williams' Regional Owner and Regional Director for 3 California Regions (Central & Southern California, Westside LA, and LA Coastal), Paul has oversight of 36 offices and more than 7,000 realtors who close more than $18 billion in sales volume per year. Listen as Rod and Paul take a deep dive into the concept of wealth generation, while working smart...not just working hard.  This podcast summons powerful reminders: 1)  Poor is not always a financial condition.  Oftentimes, poor is a mindset. 2)  Where your start is not what matters; it is where you end that counts. 3)  Attract a mentor who knows you and can show you how to maximize your journey. As you listen, be prepared to take notes and to take action.  Go All In with this episode!

“It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”  Excerpt from “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley On this segment, Rod goes All In with “Mr. Buy Back the Block” Christopher Senegal. Simply put, Chris is a rock star in business! His firm, Invictus Development Group, is a real estate investment company specializing in the redevelopment of distressed areas primed for revitalization, with a presence in Texas and Louisiana. After 1 year in a corporate job, Chris was determined to become an investor, shedding the 9-to-5 to grow his own enterprise. Chris did not take the transition lightly; he created a plan and studied business principles that drive success. Listen as Rod and Chris discuss the HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) experience, the importance of having a strong network, the impact of gentrification in our communities and how you can be a part of neighborhood revitalizations while generating income for you, your business and your family. Chris is also a heralded scholar and proud graduate of Southern University (Go Jaguars!), and member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Go All In with this episode.