Marcus D. Wiley is a Comedian, Author, Radio Personality, Producer and a Co-Host on the “Yolanda Adams Morning Show.” Mr. Wiley has been serving up comedy in congregations, arenas, and various platforms with side-splitting laughter for years. Marcus D. Wiley is a Comedic talent that will be delivering countless joy for years to come.

I Ascend: Who is Marcus D Wiley?

Marcus: Marcus D Wiley is a male, a man. He’s grown. He’s a husband, father, son, friend. Marcus is a pretty, pretty intelligent guy, you know, he has a good perspective on life and last but not least, he is saved.

I Ascend: We would like to let readers know if they do not already that you are a college professor, what university do you currently teach at?

Marcus: I am a Professor at Texas Southern University. However, I have taught at American International University (AIU), the University of Houston and I have had the pleasure of teaching at ACC, but mainly I teach at Texas Southern University.

I Ascend: Do you use humour in your lessons?

Marcus: I think I use humour and wit in everything. So it does not matter whether it is my job or a funeral, I am going to have some humour attached to it.

I Ascend: What subjects do you teach?

Marcus: Communications and all things that fall under the communications umbrella. Like Subjects in business, professional communication, nonverbal communication, group communication, health communication, interviewing. What else is there? Public address, so yes, all things that fall under the communication umbrella.

I Ascend: As a college professor, what is one of life’s lessons that you try to instil in your students from your experiences?

Marcus: First thing I try to instil in my students is to be on time. I’m a very timely person. It was instilled in me at a young age to know that time matters, time is money. People who typically have time down, their money is up. In my classroom if you are not on time you cannot even come in. I do not accept late work, there is no makeup work in my class. The second thing is to concentrate more on your purpose than your problems. Your problems are going to keep coming. It doesn’t even matter what tax bracket you are in, how much money you make, or where you live. Problems have a way of finding you. Those who can concentrate on their purpose will handle problems better because they see a bigger picture. When you focus on your purpose you will not become overwhelmed with the problems.

I Ascend: That is an excellent nugget; how do you juggle your time to teach and pursue your craft as a comedian?

Marcus: Well, it is the bills, the bills help me to juggle. I know that the bills keep coming just like problems and so I have to, I must, juggle my time properly and do the things I need to do. I am blessed to have the type of jobs where I can create my own schedule. My comedy performances are typically on the weekend. My teaching schedule is flexible. So whether I’m going to teach twelve hours, which is four classes, or nine hours, which is three classes. I’m able to work around it. So it is not as difficult as it may come across.

I Ascend: Okay, that is great, that is God’s favour.

Marcus: Yeah, that is what they call it, favour.

I Ascend: Have you always known that you were called to be a comedian?

Marcus: No, not at all; actually I went to school for radio, television and film. I wanted to be a part of the entertainment industry. I thought I would be creating commercials, maybe sitcoms, and things of that nature. I had a lot of ideas for stuff like that. Then while I was working on a program at BET (Black Entertainment Television), I produced a show called hits from the streets. I would write the jokes for the star of this show and everybody would be laughing at them and saying he is so funny. I wanted to say no, that is me but at the time, I was in the background. I was behind the scenes writing, producing and directing. When I completed that job, I was back in Houston working at a church. I was known as the funny guy at the church and I was hosting a lot of the church events. It was at that time somebody saw something in me, a guy by the name of Ramon Harper. He said “Man, you might want to try this comedy thing.” We decided to try it and we have been rolling ever since.

I Ascend: When did your journey as a stand-up comedian begin?

Marcus: It started in two thousand two, this is when I did my first show. I did a show that was kind of off the books in a place called Killeen, Texas. Ramon the guy I just mentioned he had a brother in the service in Killeen, which was also a promoter. They had put together a show in Killeen for me, just to see if I could do it. I went up on the stage that day and the show went pretty well. When I got back home, my first official show was at a coffee shop called Muddy Waters in Pearland, Texas and from there things began to happen.

I Ascend: In regards to the Yolanda Adams Morning Show, it has had longevity, in addition to being a great program. I have laughed my way into work or wherever I’m going with Bishop Secular many mornings. What has the experience of being on that show been like for you?

Marcus: It has been great; we have been doing the “Yolanda Adams Morning Show” right at fourteen years. First let me say, just to get up every morning and be a Co-Host alongside Ms. Yolanda Adams, is amazing. You are talking about over thirty years of experience in the business, plus class personified she is a really good lady. I have been able to suck up all the wisdom and knowledge that she has taught me throughout the years. In addition to all of the people, all the connections that I have made by being on that show. Whether it is with ministers across the country, with promoters or just regular people in all walks of life. Some who I can now call on, you know, if I need anything, need any advice or something like that. The show has been a true blessing. It has changed the course of my income, my area code, I was living there, and now I’m living here, it changed everything.

I Ascend: You have written a book titled “Hustle and Faith”. Can you share a little bit about the book?

Marcus: Yes, I did write the book Hustle and Faith. This was during a time Ms. Yolanda Adams would always say to me, “Hey, man, you need to put your story in a book”. I finally listened to her, and hustle and faith was published. It is my memoir, I share how I became a comedian, a radio personality, a professor, and about things that were going on at the time, and things that I have learned. It is a really good book; “Hustle and Faith” backdrop theme focuses on how God, honours your faith, but He rewards your hustle. Now, I do have a skeleton outline of my second book, which I thought would have been out by now. I’m kind of waiting, just waiting for stuff to happen. And so, um, I think my final chapter of that book, it hasn’t happened yet. Yes, eleven chapters are written, but I’m waiting on this twelfth chapter, because I’m only doing twelve chapters. This book is called “Things happen”, and it’s going to be pretty good. Like I said, I’m waiting on this final thing to happen, so I can write chapter twelve. It will be out when it happen, we would be happy for it to happen now. Amen. The one that is already out you can get that on my website.

I Ascend: (Chuckling), you also have a podcast, titled “Designated Driver”, can you tell us a little bit about that?

Marcus: Yes, “Designated Driver”, is something that began when we got hit by the pandemic. People would always say, Marcus, you need to do a podcast. Different people had been telling me that probably since two thousand twelve. I did not really know what a podcast was at the time, I was on radio, and I didn’t even investigate it. When we had all this time, quarantining during this pandemic, I went and brought the equipment and I started the podcast. I got the title from what I was in college, I was the designated driver. Everybody that hung with me, were drinkers and smokers. They needed leadership, somebody who could get them from point A to point B, without judgement. They needed someone to get them there in love even though they knew I would talk about it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not judging, but I will talk about it. The podcast represents me getting folk on whatever the topic is, from A to B, in the conversation without judgement. I am just enlightening the audience, on different perspectives, it is not about being right or wrong; it’s more about being real. You can find it on all the podcast platforms. We have completed three seasons.

I Ascend: Mr. Wiley, you are a radio personality, an author, and a stand-up comedian. However you mentioned having produced something as a television producer. How did you venture off into this field with all the hats that you already wear, my goodness?

Marcus: Well, that actually happened first, when I graduated from Texas Southern University. When you go to college it is important for you to not only hang around your day one friends, but you need to hang around people that are going in the same direction of your goal. My best friend was an engineer and the other one was a pharmacist, they were not in my field. I needed to hang with some people doing what I wanted to do also. One of the guys I met and began to hang out with, put me on. That is why it’s important when you get to college to expand your circle. My friends and I agreed while we were in college that when one of us makes it, that person would open the door for the others. Then one of my guys named John Tucker, he got a job at BET. He is an honourable guy, he did what we agreed on when he got to BET, he went up the ladder real quick. Every time an opening came, he would pull one of us, one of the guys from college. It was about seven of us that hung together, and he got six of us jobs working at BET. When he pulled me in I became the producer of the show called “Hits from the Streets” it was the number two show, on BET. It was a great learning experience on how television works. Texas Southern University prepared me very well to be at BET, not with necessarily the job I performed. They helped me with being able to remain focused, so when things are not going well, I did not fall apart. I think my school teaches you that indirectly. I worked there for three years, I also did some work with VH1, MTV, and on a few independent film projects.

I Ascend: What do you want people to remember about you?

Marcus: I want people to remember that I was a real one. What I mean by that is, what you see is what you get. I am not really big on social media because I just didn’t believe in it, I should get on it, don’t get me wrong, this is where the world is. This is how you build your following, and so forth and so on. This whole social media thing it just seemed so plastic to me, I just didn’t gravitate to it probably the way I should have. It probably would have helped my career. I wasn’t really on it, probably because I’m not good at it. With that said I truly want to be remembered like I said, as a real one. I am consistent, if I say I am going to do something, I do it. I am not going to lie to you, because I really believe I can get away with the truth if I say it the right way. That’s how I want to be remembered. I want people to say “Man, he was a real one.”

I Ascend: What word of advice would you give to readers to have them continue to ascend in pursuit of their dream, no matter where they are currently?

Marcus: I would say to everyone out there, they should stay flexible; that way they will not get bent out of shape.

I Ascend: That is a Golden Nugget.

Marcus: A man told me a long time ago that a man plans, and God laughs. God has a plan for you, so before you get set on, this is what I want, this is what I’m going to be doing. Which, is fine, I’m not saying don’t do that, I’m just saying remain flexible. I didn’t think I was going to be a comedian. I’m glad I was flexible to the idea because I excelled at being a comedian. That’s what I would tell each reader in pursuit of their dream.

I Ascend: How can our readers continue to follow and stay abreast of all the things that you are doing?

Marcus: Well, even though I’m not big on it, I think my team put some stuff on social media. You can follow me on Instagram, twitter, and Facebook @ Marcus D Wiley and of course my website www.MarcusDWiley.com where they can purchase the book and find out more about my podcast “Designated Driver.”