Keep it Positive, Sweetie - After The Love Story

Episode Date: October 11, 2026

Lauren Speed-Hamilton’s love story may have started in a way the world watched unfold, but the life she’s built since then has required a different kind of faith, growth, and intention. In this episode, Crystal sits down with Lauren to talk about becoming a mother after years of waiting, making room for joy and grief at the same time, and what marriage looks like years after the cameras stop rolling. This is a conversation about love, identity, and answered prayers—and what it means to live fully inside the life you once hoped for.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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and at this point in my 50s, I've lived it all. Now in my 30s, being the founder of new shoes, Good Taste is my business. Listen on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Lacey Mosley, author, actor, stand-up comedian, creator, and host of Scam Goddess Podcasts. The True Crime Comedy Podcasts all about robbery, fraud, and those who practice it. Each week I bring on an amazing guest. Ooh, I scammed them. I can talk to you for an hour.

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Today I'm sitting down with Lauren Speed Hamilton, entrepreneur, wife, mom, and one of the women who helped redefine what a modern love story could look like on Love is Blind. But so much life has happened since we first met Lauren. So today, we're talking about motherhood after years of waiting, protecting love in public, and what she feels called to build in this next chapter. Kitts family, please give a very warm welcome to Lauren Speed Hamilton. Lauren, welcome. Thank you so much for having me. It is an honor to be here. I've been waiting, so I'm excited.

I'm excited. I remember the first time, was it, remind me, was it at a Hawks game? Where did I initially meet you? I know we were out somewhere. I think it was a Hawks game. Yes. And then I saw you at another event that you were hosting. And I feel like we've seen each other out a couple times.

We have. We finally made it here. So I'm so happy. Yes. I think your season may have been one of the only seasons that I watched of Love is mine. So when I saw y'all, I knew exactly who you were. Yes, yes. Thank you. It was so, so honored to meet you, but to have you here today, I'm so excited.

It's an honor. Yes. Before we get into everything, we like to break the ice. I want to play a little game with you because we've got a lot to talk about, honey. Yes, we know. The first, so many people met you like I did through Love is Blind, and we see what love looks like to you now that you're living it as a wife and a mother. But I want to know if we give you a few real-life relationship situations, we want to know if you're going to

let it slide or if it needs your attention. So if it's something that you feel like love can let it slide, you're going to put your mask on. Okay. Yeah, you don't have to put it all the way on because your hair is perfect. We don't want you to match your hair, so you can just put it to your eyes. Okay, okay. And then if it's something that needs some attention, you're going to grab the glasses.

Okay. All right. All right. So the first one is your partner says, I'm fine, but clearly is not fine. Mm-hmm. Attention is glass. Mm-hmm. I go here.

All right. Because communication is everything. You know, we can't just be letting stuff slide because then it fester. So I'm just, you know, put the glasses on. I need to see what's going on. I know that's right. I love that. So the next one is you're both mad, but somebody still asks, do you want me to bring you food?

Okay, if I like it, if I like it, you're going to let you're going to sleep, let it just like, you're going to let that slide, whatever you were mad about. Oh, I do like it. Uh-huh. Me too. It's food and off? Yes. Heck yeah.

Well, well, I'm going to say both. I'm going to say both because once again, you don't want to ignore what's happening, but I'm eat first. Give me that food. Because I might be in a better mood after I eat. That conversation may go better. We can see. I love that.

I love that. Your husband puts an outfit on that you absolutely hate. You don't even got a finish. Look, you represent it. Me too. Hello. Go on here to change. that.

You know what? I like to say at nice. I like to put a little sugar with my salt. So I say, you know, how about let's try this? So we should coordinate, you know. Petey talked about it in relationship.

Exactly. A little sugar with that song. He said, listen, baby, how about this? Yeah. I love that. That's good. You finally get a night to yourselves

and one of you falls asleep at 930. Are you letting it slide because you might be tired? I'm going to be the one to fall asleep. Hello. There would be me too. It's me. I'm hurt. shoot, make it nine o'clock, okay?

Because I'm excited this new motherhood and not being a nursing mom and waking up in the middle of night. It is I. It is I. I love that. I romantic these days.

I love it. All right. So the last one, your partner forget something you've already reminded them three times before. I'm that person. I'm going to remind you a fourth time,

okay? Because sometimes you need it to keep the peace in the house. Like, come on, you don't hear me? I know. That's good. Now, it depends on what it is at the same time because, you know, I don't want to be a nag. Right.

But at the same time, and that's happening a lot. I know I keep bringing up being a new mom, but this is just the season that I'm in. Yes. So, yeah, I see it. Let's fix it. Let's do it. I love it. Thank you so much for playing.

Of course. That was fun. Yes, I love that. So that was fun. It was fun. And I love that. You're very balanced in your answers. You're not too hot or too cold.

I love that. Good, good lukewarm in the middle of it. Exactly. So we talked about everybody first meeting you through Love is line. I want to know now that you are a mother, how has motherhood changed you? And what have you learned about yourself in this season? Oh, wow. I mean, motherhood has literally changed me in every single way.

From my perspective of the world, how I balance my time. You know, I'm very, I was already kind of picky about the things that I do. but now for sure if I have to leave my son, my time management, it has to be something important. And just being a mom has made me soft and fierce at the same time, you know, all the ways. I mean, he's just literally my world, he's my heart. Yes, yes. So you were open about when you first had your child that you also lost your father. You're going through one of the most happiest moments of your life and also going through one of the saddest and lowest,

moments of your life. I want to know how did you find a way to be present for both? A lot of prayer. A whole lot of prayer because it was a very difficult time, like you said, especially since I did IVF. So I had to find a way to balance my grief with being sure that my body was in a state that could accept a child, which was very difficult. But I did a lot of therapy at the time and one of the things that my therapist told me that really helped me was to look at my dad's death in a way of being grateful not that he passed but the time that we had together as opposed to being like oh he's not here and you know I'll never see him again which I did have those moments don't get me wrong for sure yeah but it was more so like I am so grateful

that he was here for these significant moments in my life and the things that we did together and just keeping in mind. In my mind, I like to think that, you know, he told a little word to God. Like, now's the time. Let me go ahead and usher this baby in from her. Because literally my dad passed and I was pregnant within like three weeks after he passed. Really? I have been trying for four years. Yeah. So, you know, so I think the balance had to come from just a place of perspective, trying to be grateful for everything that was happening and resting in my faith, knowing that God makes no mistakes and everything is divine and exactly how it's supposed to. Absolutely.

Always. I think we can find rest in that. Yeah, absolutely. You know, yeah. I love that. You said you were trying to have a baby for how many years? Four years. Yeah, four years.

That is crazy. In that process, because I know a lot of mothers, that is something that they want and that they desire. How did you even keep your faith in those times? And what was that journey like? Was it constantly trying or did you try different methods or was it just like, would just going to keep trying. So we try naturally for about two years. Once I noticed that, you know, this isn't happening as easy as we thought that it would be. Then it was like, okay, let me go ahead

and go to the doctor. One of the things I realized that I have fibroids. Same. Yeah, a lot of black women have fibroids. I feel like we need to talk about it more. Let's talk about it. Did you even know that you had them? I had no idea. I've heard the word before and I was like, okay, fibroids. But then once I, you know, she was looking up there. And she saw it, I instantly cried because to me it was just like, fine. It just sounded like something that was like not good. Wish they're not, but it's not the end of the world. It's not the end of the world.

So she said it's things we can do. We can have them to move. Some women still get pregnant, you know, while having fibroids. So just walking you through my journey a little bit. I decided to actually proceed with the fibroids after having a couple unsuccessful. for IVF cycles. I started going to Dr. Jackie. Shout out to Dr. Jackie and Dr. A.

Okay, we love an intelligent, powerful black woman. And when I tell you her and Dr. A changed my life. Literally, we decided to remove the fibroids in the next cycle. Is Dr. A, the African doctor? Yes, she is. Oh, she's fantastic. Oh, my gosh. She's so good.

Yes, I went to her. My doctor recommended her. Okay. And I was one of the same one. But yes, Dr. A. Yes, that's her. And she's the one who let me know that I had fibroids as well, but they weren't inside of you there.

So I was okay. The same with me. Same with me. And it's just like, what a journey. And I feel like whenever I bring that up, there's always at least one or two, sometimes more women in the room that are like, me too. So it's like, I don't know.

I don't know. Yeah, don't have to be ashamed. And you're not going through it alone. So I also, and I know I'm kind of going off the rails. No, no, this is good conversation. Yeah, absolutely. That's one of the reasons why I decided to talk about it publicly as well because it's like, one, I'm a normal person just like everyone else,

but everyone's like, Lord, what are you going to get pregnant? We're getting pregnant? And it's like, y'all, people have, yeah, they're going through things. So once I announced that, I think people, one, they realize, like, okay, that I understand, but two, so many women were like, me too, please continue to share your journey. And still, women send me messages about it. Yeah, yeah. So through the IVF situations that did not work out, then finally you were able to get pregnant naturally?

No, no, no. Okay. Yeah, IVF. I still have IVF. Okay. So you continue to try the IVF until it worked. But now Cam's trying to, you know, he's trying to go for another one. I'm like, okay, hold on.

I'm still getting used to be in the mall right now. My son is about to turn one next week, literally. Wow. Yeah. That is amazing. Eating well shouldn't be complicated, but somehow it turns. into recipes, prep, cleanup, and half your Sunday gone. Factors solves all that.

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I've heard so many different experiences that women have with IVF. What was yours like? Because some people are like, oh, it's fine, I just gave me the shots or my husband gave me the shots. Or other people were like, I was like bloated and I was tired and I didn't feel like doing anything. hormones are all the place. What was your experience like? I'm definitely the latter. The last one you just said, IVF for me was very difficult. I mean, it was a process of constantly doing the medications, the injections, the hormones.

Also, in the process of doing IVF, I experienced the miscarriage as well. So for me, it was times I know that you had asked me about, you know, how do I stay hopeful and keep my faith strong. After that, it was definitely a time where I was challenged. I feel like my faith was challenged. I wouldn't say I turned my back to God, but I had a lot of questions. Rightfully so, yeah. Yeah, and it was, honestly, my husband, he was like, I praise God, and it's going to happen, and we're going to be okay, whatever you need, just take a break for whatever it is.

And so I'm so grateful for him because he actually really brought me back, like, you know, you're right, this is a difficult time. Everything happens for a reason. Indeed. You know, I trust God. but it was a hard, hard time for me. Yeah, very difficult. Let's talk about what it felt like to have your husband Cam be the one to kind of bring you back.

Yeah. You know, because a lot of times we don't think about how important it to one be equally yoked, but also to have a partner that can pray when you're not feeling like it. I just went through a moment where I was telling, I'm not sure I told everybody on the team, but I had a moment a couple weeks ago where I felt so disconnected from God, where I couldn't even like form or get in the. spiritual posture to pray. Yeah.

Because, and it wasn't like anything was wrong, but it was just like this heaviness and a cloud over me. So, and I'm sure you went through the same thing with these moments where you're like, God, why? Why does this keep happening? But to have a partner who can fill in the gap when you're not feeling that, what was that like? I was grateful for it.

I was actually a little surprised. I was like, wait a minute. But so grateful just because as he, you know, was speaking life into me and our future child that we were praying. for it kind of brought me back like you know what you're right yeah you know you are right god is good it made me change my postures we say yeah and um really just switch my perspective in in a way um i feel like whenever these things happen to me in my life whether it was losing my dad or having a miscarriage or going through IVF something always brings me back to my face you know

even if i'm challenged or whatever happens i always come back to center yeah Getting my word. That's why I'm so grateful for Change Church and PD. Shout out, PD. He be preaching. Listen. All of in our business. I told him that too.

Yes. I was like, you be preaching, man. You really help me in the way that you preach the word. Really brought me through a lot of tough times. So that definitely helped me to get through and come back to center and bring my hope back. Because definitely doing Ivy up there at times when they can seem hopeless for a lot of women. Yeah. And I think, too, sometimes you have to realize whatever dream or goal you have,

sometimes it may not look how you initially pictured it. For sure. You know, and even for me going through IVF, I was like, okay, well, you know, I want to be a mom, but maybe it'll look different. Maybe, you know, some women may have to do adoption or surrogates or they become a mother in a different way in their communities. So I think also realizing those things. And being open.

Yeah, you know, like I could still have this, but my dream just may not look exactly. how I thought it was and that can be across the board for so many people for so many different things. Come on. Yeah. That is so true. I'm in that season of my life. I'm getting older, not married. I might need to go in love as blind. Girl, I don't know if you want to do that at night.

It's different. I'm joking. I'm joking. I'm just joking. But, yeah, I'd definitely be a decision. I'm putting a good word if you're for real. No, I'm joking. But I am in that season where I'm like, okay, maybe it won't happen the way I thought it would.

You know, from a small town where, like, girls are getting married like at 25, you know, like married children, the whole nine from Martin, Tennessee. Okay, okay. So that was like the thing, like that was ingrained in us at a very young age. So it's like, yeah, I'm going to be married by 25 and then da-da-da. No. I know all about it. Yeah.

So I think now also just being open to how I can be a mother, you know. I feel like I'm a mother to a lot of people. Yeah, I was going to say, you are. my mom yes my daughter exactly so you know

sometimes it just looks different that you pictured it but and it's so crazy because in a lot of ways what you picture is actually smaller than what guy

every time every single time it's like God it's like it reminds me of that meme where it's like God please no don't take this small

teddy bear and it comes back in a huge yes yes so that's what that reminds me of every time

blows your mind. That is so true. Absolutely. And I know all your sweeties, you know. Listen, they, all of my children. Yes, exactly. Exactly. Mublin.

I love that. So I want to talk about your love story. I'm so fascinated. So girl to girl, I need to know where you were when you decided, like mentally, relationally, where were you when you said, I'm going to go on this game show, Love is Blind? Because I want to find out, was it the dating pool? Was it your track record was like,

you just wasn't finding me, you needed help? And what were the things that you tried? Did you do dating sites? Like, you had explored all options, you were like, all right, let's do this. It was a combination of things. One of them was I was in the season of my life where kind of life wasn't going how I planned.

Okay. My business was getting back on track, but it was struggling a little bit. Prior to going on, Love is Blind, I was also doing media back there I have a home company business that slowed. I quit my corporate job to pursue this. Stuff was kind of slow.

But also the dating pool. The dating pool in Atlanta, it has peeing. It's for sure. I say that. Still does. Yeah, maybe a little, I'm not even going to go there. Yep, it's other things in there too. But so, and then at the same time,

I can relate to what you're saying about getting older because I was starting to feel the pressure. People are like, where are you going to get married? Where are you going to have kids? we're going to do this. And at that point, I really just accepted that, you know, I'm going to be like Oprah. I'm going to have my own show. I'm going to travel.

Okay, I'm telling you. I'm telling you. I'm telling you. I'm okay with that. Yeah, I'm going to have me a sedent. You know, when I need them, I pull them out, when I don't want to be buying and gone somewhere. Like, I was okay with that. And then so this opportunity came.

When they first approached me to be on Love is Blind because for season one, you know, now people auditioned to be on the show. Season one they handpicked us, which was very interesting. Yeah, I was like, I'm not going on a dating show. I don't even want to do reality TV. But then the more I thought about it, I was like, well, what's the worst that can happen? You know, but my life, yeah, exactly. Or not. Or not.

But my life was in an odd place. I had actually been praying to God for guidance. And it's so funny, I remember, and I'm talking crying and praying, because it was a point where I was actually depressed. It was a little dark. Things weren't going how I was planning. And I was feeling the pressure of life. And I'm like, God, just tell me what to do. What do I got to do?

And I heard God say to me, just be yourself. Wow. So I heard that. And I kid you not, maybe like a couple weeks later, that's when I was approached about the show. And I was like, this is interesting, God. Is this a connection? I don't want to do reality TV.

What? But when I had decided, like, I'm going to just go through the process and see what happens. And then I was like, well, if they do pick me, Lord, I'm going to be myself. I mean, I know that's what you said to do. and then that in turn changed my life. They picked me for the show. I decided to do it just to see what was going to happen.

Made a vow to myself no matter what. Don't go on there being a character. Don't try to be anything but yourself. And turns out that's what people connected with the most. Wow. Definitely for sure. Yeah. I love that.

So you met in this pot and then you guys were married by day 38. Yes. That is crazy. It is crazy. Like, okay. It's very crazy. ever a thought in your mind like what if he ugly or like I don't see because you know a lot of times we're visual first oh absolutely then we fall in love

with the personality but it's what we see first so what was it in that moment without seeing cam that you were like oh my gosh like I this is somebody I actually want to like get to know better and actually see in real life I would say the second date at first I thought the premise of the show was crazy. I'm like, I'm not really going to find I mean, I may have a little fun. I'm open to finding someone. By our first time I met Cam, it's like, okay, I like him, I like him on everybody else.

You know, I put him in my little notebook. You know how people have notebooks on the show. You're like writing who you like, you know, little notes. Then the second date, we ended up talking about family, and we both got teary-eyed, and we both cry. And I was like, crying on a date, this is different, but it feels good. This is weird.

This is weird. What's happening? Right. And then from then on, I was like, okay, this guy's special, something about him. Now, like you said, the whole time, I was kind of scared to get so emotionally involved. Keep in mind, this is the first season. I've never seen anything like this on TV. I don't know if this was a prank show.

I didn't know if they were serious about people connecting. I don't know if he was going to come on the other side and be, who knew. Like, who knows? Yeah. And so I was very, it was, I couldn't stop, like, starting to develop feelings. I even was like, okay, Lauren, don't. But I like him. But I was like, I was literally wrestling inside.

Yes. I was like, you know what? I'm going to just let go. Let's just see what happened. And now we are approaching our eighth year of marriage. That is a crazy. What's good family? It's your board of Wall Street Trapper,

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market. Now, what that will do is, it's going to one, make you check all the gifts that you buying, and two, it's going to make you understand that way. I'm giving my child ownership at her early age, and that opens up conversations. later on about ownership of them doing the wealth and that helps do away with that financial trauma you should order to wash you trap that's your financial tip of the week check me out on youtube on instagram wall street tap salute so another thing i want to know is do you feel when it comes to getting to no this now that you've gone through this literally blindly without actually seeing the

person you fell in love with him without actually seeing him do you feel like because we live in such a vain world. Do you feel that people need to put looks aside and get to know the person? I feel like that's a tricky question because I'm going to say this. I think being attracted to your partner is important. It's not something that you should say, well, I'm not attracted to them in any way, but I'm going to try. I think that it's important. Now, granted, as we were talking, sometimes little things can be adjusted. You know, maybe you can, like PD says, sometimes you can come into a significant other's life, you know. If you don't like their style, buy them a new shirt, some new pants, whatever.

You know, juz him up a little bit. You don't want to change them too much. Yeah. A little judge. Yeah. So I do think that physical attraction is important, but I think that love is blind definitely hit on something with connecting with someone that's bigger than that. It's bigger than just the physical attraction.

Because truth is, when you get older, things happen in life. You know, the person who you, fell in love with might not look like that if you're really in for it for the long haul 10 years from then 20 years from then so I think that there's something special about connecting with people on a deeper level about things that you're passionate about family values all those things like through conversation yeah um which I think is something that's being lost especially like you talked about social media people aren't like talking like people anymore it's like you go to a party everybody's on the phone texting people aren't you know it's like you're like

You go to an event. People aren't enjoying the concert. They have their phones up like, be present, talk. Like that is something that is so important. I feel like with building relationships, whether it's romantic, friendships, work relationships, just that art of conversation and really connecting with somebody. That is so true.

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It's called Don't Lie to Me. I'm Lexi Wano. We're two best friends, 22 years apart, but so close at heart. And I'm Lisa Di Giulio, the old one, which means we have wildly different references, occasionally different opinions, and at this point in my 50s, I've lived it all.

I'm not going to get anywhere fighting. That is wild. I learned that about you today. Now in my 30s, being the founder of new shoes, good taste is my business, and I've always got something to say. If men were just honest about this, There would be so much more peace in the world.

We're going to talk about dating, relationships, beauty, getting older, and a little wiser. We're best friends, but we don't always agree. Because you told us how accommodating you are. Obviously, I would do what I think I could do to fight the fight, but there's only so much fight I can fight. Don't lie to me. Don't lie to me. Don't lie to me. Don't lie to me.

Don't lie to me. Don't lie to me. Liar. Listen on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I don't really care. I'm Lacey Mosley, author, actor, stand-up comedian, creator, and host of Scam Goddess Podcast. The True Crime Comedy Podcasts, all about robbery, fraud, and those who practice it.

Each week I bring on incredible guests like Conan O'Brien, Iowa Deppery, Lamorne Morris, and Nicole Beyer. Ooh, I scammed them. What? I can talk to you for an hour. You're a generational yapper like me. That's why I had to make yapping a job. And the scams run the gamut.

I'm talking about scams from the 18. all the way up to today. I also warn you and keep you safe against scammers. Call your grandparents. Tell your parents to stop clicking on links, please. And now you can catch full episodes of my show on YouTube. If there's a scam, I'm here to protect you. And I'm also here to laugh with you.

So if you like fun, if you like comedy and you like learning and protecting yourself from criminals, start listening to scam goddess on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Whether you're stepping up to the starting line of a marathon or just trying to take the first step toward a big, scary goal, the conversation in your head is usually the same. Do I have what it takes? I'm Emily Abadi, and on hurdle with Emily Abadi, we dive into the grit, vulnerability, and mindset that fuels our greatest comebacks. I talk to elite athletes, Olympic champions, industry change makers, and everyday runners about how they face self-doubt, redefined success, and keep moving forward when life gets heavy. I'd just love to say I never know who's watching.

So you want to make sure you, you through and through, and you just stay true to who you are. Yeah, your path might change because different things come on your path to disrupt it, but it's just putting you on a new path, and the skills you have to have faith at the skills that you've learned and developed over time are going to continue to bring you success. When the world is burning and crashing around you, will you still say fight for your dream?

Will you still say it's possible? Will you still believe you're a good person? Can you still see the brighter side of tomorrow? It's motivation. real talk and practical wisdom for life on and off the run. Listen to Hurtle with Emily Abadi on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Now, as a single woman, something that a lot of my friends have asked me, including Tyler and other friends who are like, Crystal, like, why are you not in a relationship? Like, oh my gosh, like you, somebody would be lucky to have you.

They've asked me, have I been open to dating outside of my race. And at this point, I'm like, yes, I am. Girl, I'm new. I want to ask you, I mean, of course, like, my preference is to find someone, I want to preserve the black family. But was that something that you were always open to, like, or had you done it before? Because I dated a white guy in high school. Yeah, okay. Like, because I'm from a country town.

How'd that go? It was like, high school. You know what I'm saying? It wasn't like one of them things. It was like a little, yeah, a little crush. Yeah. He was like, one of them like. Paul Walker Tories.

Okay. RIP, but like, fine. Right, right. Okay. Paul Walker was. Fine. Yes. God, rest his soul.

But you know what I'm saying? Like, after that I didn't date any other white guys. But I've been like, I traveled. I'm like, I can see like a little Italian or like a, you know, saying Grecian. Listen, I went to Italy. Now, this is before I was married. And it's a nice look, Italian man. And if you like Italian, a fool girl, yeah.

I love it. I love it. So Cameron was the first. white guy I've ever dated I've um well married okay we skip the date I'm part basically straight to it um but for me when it because honestly people were like did you know he was white honestly no like I did not try to be like okay he sounds right and you know it was kind of hard to tell with cam and for me anyway um so when I saw him I was like okay no I'm not going to lie it was a moment where I was like he's white the first thing I thought about was my dad

I thought about my dad I thought about my friends like see she didn't went on this show she had found a white boy I knew it I knew it so there was a twin just something else like oh they get everybody going to think of the cell out

they're going to think but then I was like you know what I really connected with him we had a good conversation before even knowing if he was white Asian whatever so I'm to just see this through and I'm so happy that I did

because I feel like it's important for women and men to go where they're loved, respected, appreciate it. Now, I completely understand people's preferences, and, you know, I love to see black love and black families in that platform. And it's so important. I mean, I am the product of a black family. And my son, I consider him to be black.

You know what I'm saying? So I absolutely love to see it, but I also think that it's okay to go where you're loved and respect. I think that's the most important thing. For sure. Yeah. So, but yeah, he was my first. interracial situation.

Yes. Yes. I love them. Y'all look so beautiful together. Thank you. I do want to ask you because you come from two different worlds. Yeah. What are some things that you both had to learn about each other and some of the sometimes

struggles of like learning each other's culture differences? Yeah, girl, because I know. Let me tell you. We can be a lot. Oh my goodness. Our first holiday together. Okay, you know, when black folks get together and we, you know, we get a little excited, loud.

And Kim was like, is everything okay? I was like, no, this is how we are. Like, we're not fighting. And sometimes we do argue, but it's out of love. Like, you remember 20 years ago when I told you? And then it turns to argue. Don't let a spade game start, girl. Girl.

He probably looked. And don't let the, you know, you got a little alcohol out there. You know what I'm saying? But so, that was an adjustment. Kim was kind of like, it was so funny because while my, you know, we play music loud. We have a good time throwing on the Frankie Beverly and Mays, you know what I'm saying? Play a little. Temptations Christmas all that.

Oh, you got to. And I think it was so funny because I just remember looking over at Cam and he was just like taking everything in. And then we had our first Thanksgiving together with all the families together. His parents, my parents, and that was fun. Yeah. Because the same thing. You know, we're going to do us.

We're going to play the music loud. We're going to laugh loud, tell stories. And his family is from a very different background. They're very, I'm not going to say, they just don't get that, uh, excited yeah look I'm trying to find my words like more conservative like more conservative like absolutely so I think that that was a different world for them now the same for me because when I went to Maine for the first time child and they lived there from the woods he's from Lee Maine and they be having deer and animals and moose and all types of stuff was a given get out

girl they eat something called mint meat meat pie I said what is this oh meat and fruit how that go together, but no offense to all the people in Maine. Shout out to y'all. That's definitely a main thing. But that was new for me. Did you like it? I'm just going to say it wasn't for me. Yeah, not everything wasn't for everybody. That's fair.

But it was just different. Like the culture in Maine is very much outdoorsy hunting like with the Elkin's on the and I was like, uh-uh, why y'all got dead animals on the wall? Looking at you. You know, it was just, it was very different. It's a lot different than Detroit girl.

Yeah, for sure. The South, Tennessee. So y'all be having the elk and the hunting? Yeah. We eat deer meat. Yeah, they do that too. Yeah. Bears. I'm like, no.

See, we don't do that in Detroit. Yeah. You know. Y'all people. Well, yes. Unfortunately. Unfortunately. Detroit is rough.

But you know what? Detroit is rough. Issues. Because Chicago feels like that was Chicago and I didn't feel that. I was like, Oh, Chicago? It is so bad. You ain't feel it.

I guess the area I was in. I was like close to the Obama's house. I'm going to say this though. Detroit has been gentrified, girl. I go to Detroit now and they got white women walking dogs and they strollers down the street. Yes, it's dog parks and it's different. So the meets and stuff, y'all still got that, but it ain't like it was back in the day. No, I feel like Detroit has always been an interesting place.

It's a world of its own. Oh, so much character and history and the best music. I can't believe I said everything. No, a lot of people think that about Detroit. As soon as people hear Detroit, they're like, oh, well, oh, you're from Detroit. I don't think BMF made it any better.

No, they did. Like, the show made it, like, feel really, really rough. But Detroit is such a, it's a great place. And I feel like people from Detroit are, like, one of a kind because one, we hustle, like, no other. Come on. But we also always hear people be like, oh, I got a girlfriend from Detroit.

She the best. Like, I love her personality. All of my girls that are from Detroit are so cool and fly. You know what? I'm saying. Yes. Yes. Yes. What up though? Shout to Detroit. We're going to bring Crystal there. We're going to show her a good time. Okay. We're going to get her some Connie. We're going to get her some yays. We're going to hook her up. Give me. I want a mink to the flow. Oh, yeah. We're going to get you a bank, girl. We're going to take you around on Detroit Street. I love it. I can't wait. Thank you so much.

I take everything I said about Detroit back. Yeah. I was just going off of what I heard. okay that's what we got to show you we're gonna take you we're gonna get the tour i love that i love that so i love that you you guys both like learn how to be in each other's world so has he acclimated now are you both like oh yeah the families get it now look camp be on the grill okay he'd be hooking it up he'd be uh chefing it up he loves it i love yeah he loves it and for me i'm acclimating as well i love it yeah i'm aclimating you know it something that me and cam say like i'm from the hood i grew up on the of Detroit. And he's say he's from the woods, which it is. Yeah, because, you know, it's a lot of similarities.

It sure is. Yes, it is. A lot of similarities. Yeah. So, just in its own way. Yes, no, absolutely, absolutely. All right, so I want to get into where you are now, motherhood. You're finding who you are now. This is a new version of you. Also getting back into what you love to do, which is create. Yeah.

Let's talk about that and how you're handling that pivot. Yes. So something about having my son really inspired me to do everything I ever wanted to do. I don't know if that's something that like most moms go through, but that's definitely where I'm at now from launching my foundation this year to now getting back into my creative bag. Like creating has always been something that I've been passionate about. It makes me happy. So this year I decided I gave birth to Ezra. Now I'm giving birth to something else.

I love that. It's a project that I've been working on. and I am so excited. It is a activity-based interview show. Okay? Fun. Yes, I have guests and we do an activity together. And then we talk about life.

And it is the best. Like, just unarming people while having an experience together is unlike anything. So we don't have to get you on there. I'm definitely down. We're going to have to revisit that and rearrange that. Yes, absolutely. But it's so much fun. And it has been such a labor of love.

It's something that I'm doing all self-funded. on my own. We can talk about that. Independently, all while also being a new mom. So I don't know what the heck I was thinking, girl. Yeah, because you got to be one. So this is like a busy time for you. Girl, it has been some nights of struggle.

And, you know, I feel like being an entrepreneur, I mean, struggle is just always in the backseat. You know, it's something that you're like, we're going to do the best we can with what we got. Literally. Shout to Mariah. But this is something new, just going from, being on set for hours and then coming home to a screaming baby is something that takes a lot of

strength and patience. Yes. But I also feel like I'm so proud of what I'm doing because Ezra is going to see it. Like, wow, mom, you did this. And being inspired. Yeah. And you're scared me at the same time. Yes, son.

So you better be appreciative. That's right. I'm going to play this for you in the next 10, 15 years. But, yeah, so it's been an interesting season. Definitely one of getting back into myself. I feel like being a mom, like you said, it's this whole transition of refinding who I am in this season and who I want to be. Right. Absolutely.

And you were thrust into the world, newfound fame. How are you even handling that as well as like handling your family, your relationship? Because it started out so public, but now you have a child. Are there moments as you're even rebranding that you're having to keep close to the chest versus where you probably, at being we're sharing more? than you would now. How have you had to adjust to that as well? Oh, absolutely. I feel like I'm going through this interesting relationship with social media right now. Like you said, me and Cam have been pretty public for the most part. But let me tell you, I want to protect my baby with everything I have.

And I know how people can be online. We haven't showed his face yet. There is a part of us where we're like, well, he's so cute. I want to post this picture right now. Oh, my God. So we are considered. it but we just really want to be sure that it's on our terms and we always want to protect our sons. Yeah, especially in this AIA, there's so much going on with, make sure the children are protected. It's a lot of weird and strange and terrible things going on online, especially involving children. So my first thing is to keep my son safe no matter what. And people are like, oh, you know, you should make a page for him.

You're here to see me. You ain't here to see him, but you wouldn't need all that for. When he wanted to do that, he can do that. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? So that type of stuff kind of. kind of and even like online when because as I mentioned we've been kind of concealing his face people are like oh my god I'm just here to see him and that type of stuff just rubs me the

wrong way so I see that's why I'm not going to do it that's why I'm not going to do it because why you so eager and people are like well we've been through this whole thing with you I understand but you're here for me he is a part of my story yes but yeah we're going to introduce him to the world how how we see fit right when we're ready and you know the more y'all push the more we ain't going to do it. Yeah, so stop pushing. Okay. So keep that in math.

But yeah, we've been considering it just because we're so proud of him. We're so in love. So it's almost like for me, and I'm going to show you a picture. Okay. For me. Ha-ha. Ha-ha. But it's like, I'm so proud of him.

I want to show everybody like, this is my baby. Like, he's so cute. But at the same time, I have to protect him from millions of people. Yeah. I don't know if you did that thing. You know, you can go on like, I know, I know AI is bad work for some people. If you don't like AI, I don't listen to what I'm like. But you can go on there and you can type,

show me 20,000 people, show me 50,000 people and what that group of people would physically look like. Really? So just thinking about if I post a picture of my son's face, and I already know it would go crazy online, it would get, who knows how many 300,000 people. Do you know how many people that is?

That's a lot of people. Like, it's scary to think that many people are looking at my son. Oh, even at you, it's like, wow. Yeah, it's kind of scary. No, I never thought about it like that. because we as creators, we look at it as ways to promote and push like, hey, these are all the eyes and visibility that we'll get if you allow us to work together or partner together. But when you think about it like that, you put it in different perspective. Yeah, our supporters are like family, but it's the same 10.

I don't want them going up to my son. Hey, I'm your auntie such and such. I know your parents. No, you don't. No, you don't. Yeah. You know, I don't want to confuse him in that way because that could be bad. Yeah, no, that's so true.

I mean, Auntie, you come with me, uh-uh. Yeah. We ain't doing that. Stranger Danger. Exactly. Exactly. So those are all the things I'm taking into consideration. Yeah, that's good and that smart and wise.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, keep doing that. Absolutely. Gotta protect my baby now. No, for sure, for sure. So you also talk about you have a foundation. Yes.

I would love to know more about it. Absolutely. So my foundation is called the Eddie Mae Robbie Foundation. I named it after my grandmother's. Okay. Because growing up, I heard so many stories about them about how they love on the family and people in the community. So I really wanted to honor them by doing the same thing, but for my community.

So we focus on creating programs for the youth that are based in creativity, financial literacy, wellness. You know, that's a big thing. We could all use a little support when it comes to mental health, physical health, all the things. But I'm somebody who grew up in programs like Focus Hope, the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club. So this is my version of creating things that can really support people. to help them live their best lives.

So I'm super excited about it. This year, we had our first event in Atlanta where we brought together a lot of women in one room and we talked about mental health. There was a lot of women that had creative backgrounds, kind of like you talked about social media and feeling the pressures to show up when you are empty. And that is hard. It is. It is.

It was just really great to get everyone together and have a conversation and how can we support each other and give us some tools that we can get through things. And just partnering with, like I said, the Boys and Girls Club has been a blessing. So I'm excited. I'm excited. The boots on the ground, okay? You have to do that. And using this platform for something.

That's it. I think to me, that is one of the most important things is using my platform to spread light, help people, whether I'm entertaining them, making them laugh, teaching them something, anything. I do not take this lightly, especially being a mom. I'm like, I care about what I'm putting out and who I talk to. So I also feel the same about this platform. Like, I love what you're doing. I love how positive it is. So, yeah.

Thank you. Thank you so much. I love that. We will make sure that we support in any kind of way. Please let us know. Okay. Yes. And we'll make sure we put that in the lower thirds.

Absolutely. So we can support you. Absolutely. Yes. So before we get out of here, we brought something back that I started the podcast with and it's positive outcomes. Okay. Where our listeners write in, they ask us questions, and we give an advice.

So we are. going to give advice to Kennedy Anaya. She is asking advice for young women in college who are finding themselves. This is good because I feel like when I was in college, that is when I found myself. And I think you have to give yourself grace, Kennedy, because you're still young, you know, and it's time for you to make mistakes. I think a lot of times we go into college with this fear of, I got to be perfect, got to be perfect grades. But you're also literally on your own for the first time in your life. Yeah.

So you have to give yourself grace for that. You have to make sure that even as you're finding yourself, stay grounded, understanding or having a better understanding. I don't think at that age I really knew who I was. I think you do. Yeah, I was a cheerleader. My identity was in the things that I did. I didn't really know who Crystal was, you know?

And I feel like sometimes even as adults, we still find identity and what we do. But I think in this season of your life, really look outside of the things that you do, what activities you partake in, and really find out who Anaya is. Watch the company that you keep. Iron sharpens iron. Look at the five people that you spend the most time with.

A lot of times, once you look back in the mirror, you're just like those five people. Do you like what you see? That's the advice I would give you. I think some adults need that too. I mean, she's an adult, but shoot. Yeah. I know some people that need to hear that right now.

They're not even in college. Wow. you took everything right out of my mouth. I think everything that you said is so true. I mean, especially about giving yourself grace. I mean, in college, I thought I had everything figured out. I thought I knew everything and what I wanted to do and this is what's going to happen. And God looked at the plans and was like, girl, let me tell you something.

You have no idea. It is so funny. So I would say, gosh, just really, I think for me during that time, it was important to kind of try. different things, even though, okay, let me backtrack. I was someone who did a lot of different things. I remember at the time, I was throwing parties. I was a host, still kind of doing the things that I wanted to do now. I was DJing. I was doing all these different things. And back then my mom was like, dang girl, you could throw the party, make the flyer, host the party, be the DJ, provide the music. And I was like, yeah, what's wrong with that? Like I was multifaceted.

And I think at the same time, I was discovering where my passion was and all those things. So I think it's good to try different things and do that because sometimes people are like, no, you need to stick to this and do that and da-da-da-da. Because a lot of times in life your path changes or branches off. At the same time, I utilize all those things right now. You know, the world changed and it's like, oh, you have to be multifaceted. You have to do this, this, and that. So I think just you're still getting to know yourself.

Thanks. You said something really great about look at the five people around you. that's good your friendships who you're getting close to it's going to be a lot of trial and error at this point in your life so you know be kind to yourself um and just stay stay to path you know stay the path i love that yeah thank you so much Lauren this is amazing thank you Kennedy for writing and thank you all for watching I have absolutely enjoyed this conversation I have too I have too thank you so much for having of course you can come back anytime yes I will Lauren, thank you so much for being so open with us and for letting us into this season of your life.

I hope today's conversation reminded you that sometimes the answer prayer is only the beginning. There's still growth, faith, intention, and purpose required once you're actually living the life you once ask God for. Be sure to like, share, and subscribe and keep the conversation going with us inside the Sweetie Social Club. And if we really want that exclusive access, check us out on Patreon. Until next time, keep it positive, sweetie. Lisa, tell them about our new show. We have a new podcast. It's called Don't Lie to Me.

I'm Lexi Youanu. We're two best friends, 22 years apart, but so close at heart. And I'm Lisa Di Giulio, the old one, which means we have wildly different references, occasionally different opinions, and at this point in my 50s, I've lived it all. Now in my 30s, being the founder of new shoes, good taste is my business. Listen on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Lacey Mosley, author, actor, stand-up comedian, creator, and host of Scam Goddess Podcasts. The True Crime Comedy Podcasts, all about robbery, fraud, and those who practice it.

Each week I bring on an amazing guest. Ooh, I scammed them. What? I can talk to you for an hour. You're a generational yapper like me. That's why I had to make yapping a job. And now you can catch full episodes of my show on YouTube. Start listening to Scam Goddess on the IHardust.

Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. The guy I've got it. Didn't catch the latest Roland Martin unfiltered podcast? Here's what you missed. People wake up and go, oh damn, wait a minute, hold up. They change all of that? Yes. It's real.

This is a wholesale attack. It is targeting black people in every federal agency. It's raw. White folks have never allowed that reckoning to last more than a decade. Catch Roland Martin's daily commentary on the Black Information Network. and download Roland Martin unfiltered on the IHart radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts. What up, this Jay Valentine, co-host of the R&B Money Podcasts

alongside my brother, R&B legend, Tank. Together, we've built a space for artists, executives, and fans of R&B music to reminisce and tell the real stories behind the music. I have no money. I was hood famous. They think you're going to get everybody out. We lived in a project. Real love came out. They're hearing the music, and we had nothing.

From Smokey Robinson to Mary J. Blige, B2K to Jill Scott. If you're a super dedicated R&B fan, this is where you belong. Listen to R&B Money from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, I'm Mike Yam. And I'm Trevor Sycamma, and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Show. Are you ready to dominate your fantasy league this season? Because if you aren't locked in with us on the NFL Fantasy Football Show,

you're already playing from behind. Whether you're a first-time player or a grizzled vet chasing another championship, We give you the advantage and the confidence you need to make every move count. Listen to the NFL fantasy football show on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. This is an IHart podcast. Guaranteed Human.