JVN sits down with Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon—educator, entrepreneur, and founder of The Village Market—to unpack one of the biggest myths of our time: being self-made. In a culture that glorifies individual success, Dr. Key challenges us to rethink the power of community. Together, they explore why no one truly makes it alone, how the myth of self-sufficiency keeps us isolated, and why collaboration is the real key to overcoming systemic barriers. Dr. Key shares the economic, social, and emotional costs of hyper-individualism, as well as practical steps to start building meaningful, values-driven communities.

Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon, better known as Dr. Key, is an educator, entrepreneur, and founder of The Village Market, an organization dedicated to supporting and uplifting Black entrepreneurs. Dr. Key challenges us to unlearn the myths of individualism, rethink our obsession with being “self-made,” and explore how collaboration and community are the real keys to overcoming systemic barriers and achieving economic prosperity. Her new book No One Is Self Made is out now!

You can find Dr. Key on Instagram @drkeyhallmon.

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Transcripts for each episode are available at JonathanVanNess.com.

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Our senior producer is Chris McClure. Our editor & engineer is Nathanael McClure. Production support from Julie Carrillo, Anne Currie, and Chad Hall.

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