Darnell Blackburn joins Christine Kawai and Mark Smith covering various topics including first impressions, authenticity, mindset, encouragement, and overcoming challenges. Darnell shares his experience of meeting Mark for the first time during their MBA program and how Mark's consistent personality made a lasting impression. They discuss the importance of being true to oneself and embracing vulnerability.

Darnell also talks about his role as a traffic reporter for WDIV Detroit and the challenges of speaking in front of a camera. The conversation highlights the power of encouragement and the impact it can have on others. Darnell shares his personal experience of losing his son and how he uses his own struggles to inspire and uplift others. He also talks about his TEDx Detroit talk on implicit bias and the importance of empathy education. Darnell discusses his training consulting company, PRAT International, and the bias training programs he offers. He emphasizes the need to treat people the way you want your loved ones to be treated and shares his plans to start a nonprofit and an endowment in memory of his son. The conversation ends with a discussion about Darnell's signature bow ties and his future plans for a bow tie line.