The Making of You with Deante Young

SEASON ONE FINALE: In this deeply personal episode, Deante Young sits down with his wife, entrepreneur and author Billie Jo Young, to uncover the experiences that shaped the woman she became. Billie Jo reflects on growing up poor in Cleveland, the grandmother who taught her strength and independence, and the father who showed her unconditional love despite not being her biological parent. She speaks candidly about childhood trauma, abusive relationships, anxiety, low self-worth, caregiving, and the people who helped her recognize her own value. Along the way, Billie Jo reveals how those difficult experiences ultimately reshaped the way she loves, serves others, and approaches family. It is a raw conversation about pain, growth, forgiveness, self-love, and turning one chapter of your life into wisdom for generations that follow. 

Deante Young sits down with Greater Cleveland Film Commission President Bill Garvey to uncover the unlikely journey that took him from a movie-loving kid in Queens to helping build Northeast Ohio into a serious filmmaking destination. Garvey shares how a college filmmaking class changed his direction, why mentors and relationships became critical to his rise, and how experiences on The Sopranos, Law & Order, Shutter Island, and other major productions shaped his approach to leadership. The conversation explores perseverance, work ethic, mentorship, opportunity, and Garvey’s belief that aspiring filmmakers must “make your own way.” Today, his vision extends far beyond movies: he wants Cleveland to become a filmmaking mecca where tens of thousands of people can build sustainable careers.

In this powerful conversation, Deante Young sits down with civil rights icon Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr. to explore the formative experiences that shaped one of America's most influential pastors and activists. From losing both parents as a teenager and growing up in segregated Georgia to marching alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Moss shares how faith, family, community, and purpose sustained him through unimaginable hardship. Together, they discuss the lasting impact of Jim Crow, the Civil Rights Movement, Brown v. Board of Education, mentorship, legacy, and why the greatest inheritance we leave is not our accomplishments, but the values, dignity, and hope we pass to future generations. A moving conversation about resilience, calling, and the enduring power of formation.

What shapes a life after surviving one of history's darkest chapters? In this unforgettable episode, Deante Young sits down with Holocaust survivor Erika Gold, who recounts her childhood in Nazi-occupied Hungary, the loss of dozens of family members, and the extraordinary moments that led to her survival. More than a story of tragedy, this is a conversation about resilience, family, purpose, and choosing hope over bitterness. From escaping the Holocaust to building a loving family, a career in medicine, and spending nearly three decades educating future generations, Erika reminds us that our past doesn't have to define our future—it can become our greatest contribution to others.

Deante Young sits down with veteran broadcaster, former Woodmere mayor, and Emmy Award-winning journalist Ben Holbert for a powerful conversation about resilience, race, and refusing to let other people define your future. From growing up in Cleveland during the Civil Rights era to overcoming racism, bullying, and discouraging voices that underestimated his potential, Ben shares the defining moments that shaped his life and career. Along the way, he reveals the mentors, family values, and hard-earned lessons that carried him from an inner-city childhood to a lifetime of public service and journalism. This episode is a reminder that the voices you choose to believe can shape the rest of your life. 

What truly shapes a leader? In the debut episode of The Making of You, Deante Young sits down with Cuyahoga County Public Library CEO Jamar Rahming to uncover the defining moments behind his remarkable journey.From an inner-city childhood in Denver and the wisdom of grandparents who stood in the gap, to a life-changing encounter with Josephine Baker's story, this conversation reveals how ordinary experiences create extraordinary lives.Together, they explore faith, mentorship, purpose, leadership, and why our greatest legacy isn't our accomplishments—it's the people we influence along the way. This isn't an interview about success. It's a conversation about the experiences that make success possible.

The official teaser trailer for The Making of You with Deante Young, which features clips of interviews with Jamar Rahming, Ben Holbert, Otis Moss Jr., and Bill Garvey.