Today we’d like to introduce you to Cedric Nelson.
Cedric, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Cedric D. Nelson, M.A.Ed., and I am a behavior therapist, entrepreneur, mentor, educator, author, and the host of the Life, Lessons, and Legacy Podcast. I grew up in Oxford, Mississippi, and my dedication to service, faith, and purpose underpins everything I do today. Helping people grow, heal, and overcome the challenges life presents has always been a passion of mine.
I’ve spent years working with children, teens, adults, and families across Mississippi and Tennessee, using my background in education and applied behavior analysis to support individuals who need guidance, structure, and someone to truly believe in their potential. Mentorship is my passion. Whether I’m helping a young person navigate school, identity, and emotions or supporting adults through behavioral or life challenges, I take pride in being someone people can trust with their growth.
I’m also the author of Life, Lessons, and Legacy: How to Take Life’s Lessons and Shape Your Legacy, a book that reflects my belief that our struggles, experiences, and faith can shape something meaningful. Through my podcast, I continue that mission—bringing on guests from all walks of life to share their stories of resilience, leadership, purpose, and transformation. My goal is always to inspire, uplift, and remind people that their story matters.
At the end of the day, I am a family-oriented man. I’m a proud husband and the father of two U.S. Navy sailors, and they motivate everything I do. My work—whether in therapy, mentorship, writing, or podcasting—is all tied to one mission: to help others rise, discover their purpose, and build a legacy that lasts beyond their lifetime.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all. My journey has been far from smooth, and in many ways, it started with some heavy challenges. I lost my mother at a young age (due to domestic violence when I was a month old), and that kind of loss changes you before you even understand what change is. Growing up, I saw alcoholism, substance abuse, instability, poverty, and the kind of generational trauma that can repeat itself if someone doesn’t decide to break the cycle. My first memory is that of one of my aunts telling me that she hated my father because he killed my mother. I am unable to articulate it precisely, but for a child aged two or three, it is quite a substantial amount to comprehend.
But even in the middle of all that, I was blessed to have people who held me together. My grandmother stepped in and became my foundation as she took on the duty of raising me. She and my grandfather raised me until he passed away when I was eight years old. She sacrificed for me, encouraged me, and taught me what love, faith, and perseverance really look like. And I also had aunts and uncles who treated me more like a younger sibling than a nephew. They helped guide me, protect me, and keep me grounded. That support was a lifeline, and it helped me realize that despite everything I saw around me, I could choose a different path. My grandmother and aunt basically told me that just because I was growing up in the projects didn’t mean I had to be my environment.
Even with that support, the road wasn’t easy. I still had to deal with self-doubt, moments of confusion, and the pressure of trying to figure life out without a clear roadmap or father figure. There were times when I had to rebuild myself, refocus, and push forward when it felt like life was testing me. I mentioned some of those challenges in my book. I purposely wrote the book on a level that anyone on a third-grade reading level or higher could understand. I wanted to ensure that everyone could learn from my story.
But those struggles are precisely what shaped my purpose. They gave me empathy, resilience, and a heart for mentorship. They pushed me into behavior therapy because I know what it feels like to need guidance, to want stability, and to hope that someone believes in your potential.
The road hasn’t been smooth, but it has been meaningful. And if my story can help someone else, especially a young person facing their own challenges, then every hardship had a purpose.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work is rooted in storytelling, mentorship, and creating spaces where people can share the truth about their lives. As the host of the Life, Lessons, and Legacy Podcast, I specialize in having real, authentic conversations with people from all walks of life—educators, authors, entrepreneurs, everyday heroes, and individuals who have overcome extraordinary challenges. I’m known for bringing out the heart of people’s stories and helping them connect their experiences to the lessons that shaped them.
Creatively, I focus on storytelling with purpose. My book, Life, Lessons, and Legacy, allowed me to share my journey and the principles that guided me through hardship, healing, and growth. My podcast expands that mission by giving others a platform to do the same. I want every episode to feel like a moment of honesty, encouragement, and reflection—the kind of conversation that leaves people thinking long after it ends.
What I’m most proud of is the impact. I’ve had listeners reach out and tell me that a particular episode helped them push through a tough moment or gave them a perspective they never considered before. That’s what fuels me—knowing that my voice, my guests, and our stories are helping people feel seen, supported, and inspired.
What sets me apart is the way I blend my personal journey, my behavior therapy background, and my creative passion. Growing up around generational trauma, loss, and instability gave me a level of empathy that you can’t teach. Working in behavior therapy sharpened my ability to listen deeply, notice details others may miss, and understand the “why” behind people’s choices. And creatively, I’m committed to keeping everything authentic—no scripts, no filters, just truth.
At the end of the day, my work is about impact. My goal is to inspire communities, bring attention to underrepresented stories, and establish a lasting legacy of healing, hope, and purpose. That’s what drives me, and that’s what I believe sets my work apart. My goal is to leave a legacy that my future generations will appreciate and be proud of.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love about Memphis is its rich history, great food, and long music history. You can feel a strong sense of strength, resilience, and community as soon as you arrive to this city. Memphis is a cultural, historical, and creative tapestry, but I love those who are always there for their families, neighborhoods, and communities.
I see that spirit in my work with the Shelby County Relative Caregiver Program. That program is very important to me because it is similar to my story. My grandmother took care of me after my mother died and did everything she could to raise me. The families in the Relative Caregiver Program make me think of that same love, strength, commitment, and sacrifice. When I talk to those caregivers or help their kids, I remember how important it is to help the people who step up when things don’t go as planned. One of the best parts of my job has been working with them.
The thing I like least about our city is how much pain many of our families and young people are going through. We see the effects of violence, poverty, and trauma that last for generations far too often. As someone who works with kids in schools and communities, I’ve seen how heavy their emotional burdens are and how much more support they need.
But I still see hope in those problems. I see families doing their best, schools trying to make safe places, and groups like the Shelby County Relative Caregiver Program working tirelessly every day to make a difference. Memphis is a city of fighters, and it knows how to get back up. That’s why I put so much time and effort into my podcast, my behavioral work, and my mentoring. I want to be part of the group that helps Memphis grow, heal, and do well.
Pricing:
- Podcast Guest Appearances: Free — I do not charge guests to be featured on the Life, Lessons, and Legacy Podcast. All I ask is that guests share the episode, clips, and shorts on their social media pages to help spread the message.
- Speaking Engagements: Rates vary depending on event type, size, and format. Keynote speaking: Starting at $500+ Workshops, youth sessions, and community presentations: Flexible and discussed per event
- Mentorship & Behavior Support Consultations: Available for families, schools, and youth programs. One-on-one sessions typically begin at $75 per hour School and organizational consulting available upon request Focus areas include emotional regulation support, conflict resolution, positive behavior strategies, and youth mentorship
- Book Purchases: Life, Lessons, and Legacy: How to Take Life’s Lessons and Shape Your Legacy Paperback: $14.99 Hardcover: $24.97 Kindle: $9.99 Available on Amazon
- Note: These prices serve as general guidelines. Special rates are available for schools, nonprofits, community groups, and youth organizations.
Contact Info:
- Website: cedric.nelson27@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cedric.nelson27/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cedric.nelson27
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cedric-nelson-27a823a2
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thelifelessonsandlegacypodcast?si=qisAC26_qRK6my3m
- Soundcloud: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2322335
- Other: https://a.co/d/e4pGdh8
