Keep it Positive, Sweetie - The Let Go and Let God Lifestyle w/ Lil Rel Howery

Episode Date: November 23, 2025

In this episode of the Keep It Positive Sweetie Show, host Crystal Renee Hayslett chats with actor, producer, and writer Lil Rel Howery about his career, faith, and new film 'Unexpected Christmas.' Lil Rel shares stories from his early years in Chicago, his breakout role in 'Get Out,' and his journey through standup comedy. He opens up about the influence of great comedians, the importance of faith, and how he found healing through prophecy after his mother's passing. The conversation also touches on his experiences in the industry, the importance of owning up to mistakes, and how he maintains balance between his family, faith, and fame. Lil Rel emphasizes the significance of representation in holiday films and offers advice for young comedians. This insightful chat underscores the power of laughter and faith in navigating life’s challenges. Connect @luvCrystalRenee @comedianlilrel  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm Robert Smith, and this is Jacob Goldstein, and we used to host a show called Planet Money. And now we're back making this new podcast called Business History about the best ideas and people and businesses in history. And some of the worst people, horrible ideas and destructive companies in the history of business. First episode, How Southwest Airlines Use Cheap Seats and Free Whiskey to fight its way into the airline is. The Most Texas Story ever. Listen to Business History on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get it. your podcasts. Hey there, Dr. Jesse Mills here.

I'm the director of the men's clinic at UCLA, and I want to tell you about my new podcast called The Mail Room. And I'm Jordan, the show's producer. And like most guys, I haven't been to the doctor in way too long. I'll be asking the questions we probably should be asking, but aren't. Every week, we're breaking down the world of men's health from testosterone and fitness to diets and fertility. We'll talk science without the jargon and get your real answers to the stuff you

actually wonder about. So check out the Mailroom on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your favorite shows. On this week's episode of Next Chapter, I, TDJ, sit down with Denzel Washington, a two-time Academy Award-winning actor and cultural icon. I don't take any credit for it. I just didn't put me first.

I just put God first, and he's carried me. Listen to the next chapter podcast on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. New episodes drop weekly. On the podcast Health Stuff, we are tackling all the health questions that keep you up at night. I'm Dr. Priyanko Wally, a double board certified physician. And I'm Hurricane de Bolu, a comedian and someone who once Googled, Do I Have Scurvy at 3 a.m?

And on our show, we're talking about health in a different way, like our episode where we look at diabetes. In the United States, I mean, 50% of Americans are pre-diabetic. How preventable is type 2? Extremely. Listen to Health Stuff on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What do you get when you mix 1950s Hollywood, a Cuban musician with a dream, and one of the most iconics it comes of all time? You get Desi Arness.

On the podcast starring Desi Arnaz and Wilmer Valderama, I'll take you in a journey to Desi's life, how he redefined American television, and what that meant for all of us watching from the sidelines, waiting for a face like hours on screen. Listen to starring Desi Arnaz and Wilmer Valderrama on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Calling all my sweeties to the forefront, I'm your host, Chris Renee Hazlett, and this is the Keep It Posit Sweetie Show. Lilbril Harry has built a career that blends humor and honesty. He's an actor, producer, and writer who always stays rooted in purpose. And he continues that legacy with his latest film, Unexpected Christ.

A story about love, family, and finding laughter in the chaos. Kids family, please give a very warm welcome to Lil'Rail Hauri. Real, thank you so much for coming today. I know you had a busy schedule. You are promoting your new film, Unexpected Christmas. We're going to talk about that. But first, I want to get into Little Rail Howery. You're from the west side of Chicago.

Everyone knows you from your breakout roll, Get Out, which you stole the movie. You stole the movie. Like, everybody really took to you in that much. movie and it's crazy because you were like in small parts but you were you very intentional about how you delivered because you really like were memorable in that movie i mean a lot of credit goes to jordan pill he knew where to slice in comedy in the very intense moments right um but it's also one of those things like you know from like the berny mack school of performing where where there's one line or two lines you're just going to bring it yeah you want to be memorable yes yes yes you

were and the rest was history. Yes, that's awesome. When did you know that you were funny? I knew I was funny early, but I knew I could be performative funny. It was really my senior in high school. Really? I did a play my senior year, and the teacher let me write my lines, my comedic lines. And so I went to a hood school on the West Side of Crane High School,

and I throw that out there because them kids don't laugh. nothing like they mostly heckle you it's like the toughest all like they like people come and give like a speech to tell us that we're going to be somebody but man shut up no I'm not like they'll heckle anybody wow and so like to impress them was a big deal so my first big laugh came from my peers and I remember being like okay I can actually do this yeah I'm making these group of students yeah that's amazing yeah I hear that Chicago is a tough crowd it's not it's not a tough it's not necessarily tough you just you just because it's a lot of funny people there that don't do comedy.

Just funny. They're just funny people. So imagine if it's already funny people. Yeah. You got to make those people laugh. Right. You know what I'm saying? That's true.

Yeah. Yes. So what was that journey like getting from the high school, when you realized in high school that you were funny to getting the get-out role? What was that journey like for you? I mean, stand-up. Stand-up is where I started right after high school. Really?

Yep. And I wasn't doing it all the time because I was still working and I was still going to junior college at the time. But yeah, I stand-up. Stand-up created the life for everything. You know, I'm a big stand-up comedy fan, like, for real, for real. Like, Richard and Eddie was literally who I looked up to. And then, like, you know, watching Def Jam and Comic View. I'm in this very beautiful place now where I kind of, like, been reminiscing in a way, kind of, like, replaying my own journey in my own way.

And I'm like, wow, I was influenced by so many great comics, you know what I mean, watching Comic View, watching Ricky Smiley. Watching earthquake, watching R&SJ, watching Tony Roberts, watching Rob Stapleton. And it's like very specific bits of people doing stuff that, you know, wow. Like, I mean, even watching Kevin Hart on Comedy View. And it wasn't that he was just so hilarious on that we just looked like we was the same age. And so I was like, if he can, if he's doing this, I definitely can make it on TV. Right. You know what I'm saying?

Yeah. No, I love that. It's funny because I just had fun. Marco on and he was talking similar things about where you are and reflecting on how far you come. How do you feel now that you are one of the people on that list where people like, oh, I'm inspired by Little Rail along with the greats as well? It feels great, you know what I mean? Because that's been very intentional. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? And I was just telling somebody that because I've never really said it out loud how intentional I was about doing what I saw

my heroes do yeah so you know me having a sitcom called real on network tv yeah that was a real checklist it's like you know because of red fox because of martin yes you know what i'm saying like it's like oh i need a show that's with my name in it yep and it has to be a sitcom you know what i'm saying yeah no for sure the stand-up specials i've done you know even the movies they're now a lot of the movies stuff that god surprised me i mean it was prophesied to me but it was more or less a surprise to be like It was a surprise and not a surprise because when I started seeing my friends like Tiffany Haddish and Gerard Carlin. Like I remember I saw Gerard and Tiff in a trailer I went to see. I forgot what movie I went to see and she was in a trailer for Keanu at the time and he was in a trailer for Transformers.

Wow. But I remember sitting in that theater like, oh, I'm close. Come on. Like these are my friends. Yes. Oh, this is about to happen then. Yes. That's so good that you saw that because sometimes people can see that they're close or not realize how close they are.

and be jealous of the ones that got it before they did. The fact that you were able to say, okay, I'm close to this. This can happen for me. And it came right after I was rooting for them. Like I was seeing them like, oh, this is amazing. And it was like, oh, I'm close. Yes.

That is so important. That's so important. Now, you said you had your own show and that was something on your checklist. What was that process like? Because a lot of people don't understand getting a show greenlit in Hollywood can be hard. But was it easy for you or was it a lot of hoops

that you had to jump through? Yeah, it wasn't that complicated. And so it's interesting because I think I think people love telling this is so hard story But the great thing coming from stand-up is relationships And you know that wasn't my first series The first series I did was a sketch series called Friends of the People That was on True TV

But I did that with my friends We all create a show together We were all stars of the show, executive producers and writers Amazing So that was the first time getting all those checks at the same time but that's how I started can you imagine that like and so my start was very interesting

and that came because of the you know I got cast on the Unliving Color reboot that never came out but that changed I'm telling you I've been us having this conversation is very interesting because I've been replaying everything yeah because I'm like how did this happen

right because even with that nobody in LA really knew who I was for real outside you know the Robbie Reid's and stuff like that right right man who told me like I can see you being a star. And, you know, Kenyon Arbery Wayans,

whatever stamp he has, can you imagine the show never came out. Right. I felt like I was a basketball recruit, so I would leave the 11 color set and it'd be agents lined up in the lobby waiting to take me to dinner or buy me a dream.

Yeah. Wow. Wait a minute. UTA, CAA, W, all of them was there. And I ended up satin at the time of the UTA. which I'm still with but it was I've done them twice yeah but yeah it was man just watching Kenan

handpick me is one of my heroes like you got to stand some the way like the way God maneuvered a lot of this stuff was thoughts from a little kid and then like I'm talking about like even just meet my hero like the only person I haven't sat down and talk to yet like had a real sit down yet is Eddie Murphy wow everybody else I've talked to he's the only one okay it's gonna happen and I haven't talked to yet like I just want to just sit down and just just have a just a casual great like like I've had with Robert

Towns I've had with Keene and everyone yeah had those conversations with her I just can't wait to have that with Eddie I love that you speak about certain things are prophesied over you did you grow up in the church 100 but it's funny I grew up in a traditional Baptist church So, you know, it wasn't necessarily by anybody. Like, they always had to one old lady. You know Mother Johnson, she said. But it wasn't until later on where I started understanding, you know, being prophesied. Yeah.

You know what I'm saying? And that happened after my mother passed, really. Wow. And when I was going through that craziness in my life and just struggling with grief and was in so much pain and didn't know what to do with it is I was doing stupid stuff. and put myself in crazy situations. But it wasn't until, like, I was on those crutches and I went to get a haircut from a random female barber who started just saying, you know, God, I want you to.

She was speaking a word to me. It's like, well, I want you to come to my church. It's not a real church. It's at a business center and a hotel. And that's why I met Pastor Katara, who to this day is, I think everybody should have a prophet. in their life that they trust if you can if you can no for sure but she everything she prophesized to me that first service get out was in that prophecy wow car michael show was all of it

and has it feel when you start to see those prophecies reveal themselves in real time it's just I was happy that it didn't go one year after other because a lot of times you can get a word spoken to you But, like, you know how people keep running to get a prophecy? It's because they haven't taken in the first thing they got it. So now they want one every week. Right. Yeah. I need a word.

I need a word. No. Like, you didn't even like, especially when you first get the first word. Yeah. It's long. It's very, who are you telling? I had to, do you have a recorder so you can go back and listen to it? No.

Because I was crying sometimes and miss it. I didn't know what's happening. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. It just stuck. It's stuck. Yeah.

It literally stuck. And so, because I believed it. Mm-hmm. I'm like, only, because, you know, if you're, if it's truly what it is, yeah. Your, your first reaction usually is like, dang, God. Mm-hmm. That was just me and you talking.

So for her to say, I know this got to be you. Right. Exactly. Nobody else knew. Nobody. Isn't that, oh, my goodness. I sit in awe when I, when I, when that happens, I'm just like, is my phone tap?

Did you hear me? Like, what? And I know it was just me and God. Yeah. So, like, you know, it's true. It's like, okay, I'm on the right path. I love those kind of moments. And it's funny because I didn't even know I was in the right path.

I just needed healing. You know, that became, I remember that first year was one of the most healing years of my life. That's why I think I'll never forget that. You know, once again, we was at a business center. It was like six or seven of us in there. Wow. And just what, she was so just on it. And, you know, I just want to have my moment of,

So it's funny, I kind of put it in my show. I mean, Fox had noticed what I was doing, but my mama episode, when I had her show at the Benigans, and she was already passed away, but we did it in the show, and we had that conversation, that was a version of what really happened. And the real version was, I was in church one day, and we were praying, and she came and just sat next to me. And it felt like everybody left. Wow. And we had a real conversation. The conversation is basically what I put in the show about, you know, she forgives me and I'm okay. Because it was stuff I really felt like, felt bad about.

Yeah. Were you living with guilt at the time of her passing? Yeah, because I couldn't see her in a hospital. I didn't feel comfortable. So I didn't come to the hospital as much as I should have. And she had left a journal. Oh. And she talked about that.

But she said she understood, but I felt so good. I literally was taking road gigs and shows. Like, the time I did go see her, I was like, I don't think I can come back in here. I'm going to tell her my brother's dad. Like, I'm not comfortable. Just seeing her in that state. Seeing her.

Yeah. And it wasn't even that bad. It was just seeing her in there. And you, look, you ultimately, I know, we all want miracles to happen, but, you know, some of the stuff, you kind of just own. You know what I'm saying?

Yeah. And I don't, but it was a lot at first. And so I felt really guilty about it. I think that became a lot of, a part of a lot of the pain i was going through but man when she said and talked to me and i'll never i'll never forget and when it was over with and i literally started everybody sitting there again it felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders but that was part one i think of like of the healing process where i can go forward a bit but it was always these little steps

like when i'm at now to me is after all of these steps since 2009 and it was a lot of I've been through and a lot of craziness, a lot of ups and downs, but now it all makes sense. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? It always does. I love the after fact where you're sitting looking at everything that's happening. You're like, okay, now I get it. It's always comforting to know that it was for a reason.

It wasn't in vain. It's a beautiful moment when, and when you get to this place, I am in, because I'm in my leg, I was like, I call this my let go and let God lifestyle. Mm-hmm. And once again, it was just a moment of replaying everything. Good and bad. Yeah. Good and bad.

I think I was on my balcony one day, and I was just crying. Like, God, you're so good, man. Like, you could have easily given up. He is. I made so many mistakes in the blessing. Talk about that. That is so true. I was praying this morning and just giving thanks for God's grace, you know,

even when I didn't deserve it, I look back. I'm like, God, you have continued to bless me, even when I mess up. And I was reading about the Israelites and how I was in judges. And it's like they went against God and started worship with other idols. And then they started begging, God, please forgive us. And he came back. And then they did it again. And he came back.

And I'm like, God, you are a merciful God. And I was like, it's crazy how he just continues. And it will bring you to tears when you think about his goodness. Well, you realize God never leave. you right that's that's the maturity of your faith it's like God is never all God is doing is just waiting on us with everything it ain't like God showing up well God show up right now like that's why like even you know you when you mature your prayers change yes I'm not asking for stuff mm-hmm yeah it's already it's already what it is yeah you know what I'm saying and so like

I'm extremely living that part of my life now and it's it's really fascinating I I think, you know, when I, it's about to be two years of me not drinking. Good job. Let's see, how many months, March, April, May, June, July, August, it's been seven months for me. Yeah. But I had to because I had to own, and this was why it's levels to it. Like, I had to realize how much I was abused, like, because I don't, you know, people

stop doing stuff and they're like, well, because that's, it's the best. Well, no, that's me. I abused it. Come, yeah, on it. Right. You know what I'm saying? Yes. I don't think it's evil to drink.

don't but if you're doing that you know if you're abusing it you're not doing it in moderation your intentions is to take you out of stuff because you can't handle stuff yes I had to own that and I'm like yo and then you start learning like what else have I abused my goodness you know what I'm saying so like you just start learning like you know god wants you to stop because you didn't you abused it yes yeah for me it was understanding like what it evokes me like the behaviors that happen when I start drinking. You know, I was like, I got to just get control of this. And it's so freeing to be sober-minded.

I love it here. Yeah, it's great. I mean, look, I wish I would have understood more about this early. And I didn't. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? Like, even when you think about it, it's, I mean, we can go deep, but it's like, it's just some things that couldn't be talked to you

because nobody had real understanding of stuff. Right. Certain things, you know what I'm saying? Absolutely. therapy and now I can explain why that's important and I think sometimes we tend to get in a place where we get better at something and we start you need to do to do that's not that's not it that's not it had to own that too like what they can function this way right that ain't me right our pastor just preached on that Sunday he was like I can listen to this because it's not going to make me do

something he said just because that's your issue doesn't mean that somebody else is that's real that's real yeah that's real I mean that's why I love a I you know, I laugh like sometimes if I go out and I'll have like some Walter Hawkins playing. They're like, man, we're going to the club. Like, eh? What that's going to take? Right.

Yeah, you're about here, Project Pat right at the Geelina Adamsville. Right, you never know what's the rotation. It is just what it is. I love that. You said that faith has always been your foundation, even when the world gets loud. How has your faith shaped and grown through your success? Man, you know, it's, I love that I've rediscovered everything more or less than the last few years.

It's like rereading the Bible and not just going with somebody telling me. I'm like, I'm smart. I'm a smart guy. Like, no other part of my life I'm listening to everything somebody tells me. Right. And so, and it's okay to disagree with certain things. thing. Andy, you've got to learn to go directly to the source.

I enjoy the way I've, I feel like I love Jesus in a totally different way now, and it's not just based off what was told to me. Yes, based on what you know, yeah. Like, when I'm reading this, it's what I'm reading. Yeah. Because, you know, this is going to sound terrible, but it's like, like some of this stuff,

we listen to people who's preaching over the years is just growing up, but like, some of them not even really educated. Mm-hmm. So if you could barely read and comprehend anything else, I'm gonna, like, take whatever you say. Like, that's crazy.

Yeah. You know, that's crazy. Crazy. Let me know for myself and work out by old salvation. Let me take this out. Like, man, that sounds crazy, fan. I love you. I'll be here next Sunday, but I don't know.

I don't necessarily agree with that. Right. No, that's so true. It's funny. Our pastor, he did, like, you know how, like, they'll start the scripture and people will finish it. And he's like, see, that ain't any way to say it. Because we've been taught wrong.

So we had to go through a whole season of unlearning false doctrine and things that we had been learning all our life that was wrong. And I'm like, dang, just because we've been listening. He's like, you got to get in your word. Well, also, too, you know, you get grace in that too, right? I feel like just, think about just as black people. We're the most educated we've ever been. We are.

And it was a time it wasn't even accessible that day. You know what I mean? Yeah. And so, like, I get it. And so a lot of that was them winking it. Yeah, you know, literally. But you are supposed to grow, grow, you know. Yeah, there's a responsibility with it.

So responsibility to like to, you should go to school. Yeah. You're going to be a pastor. Like learn everything. Right. No, for sure. You often use humor to talk about pain. We talked about your grief with your mom.

When did you realize that laughter can actually carry you through the hurt? You know, some of reading Richard Pryor's, prior convictions and other life sentences. I read that book when I was 16. Actually, I stole it from the library. Because I was reading the book. So I went to the library. I was a library guy. And I didn't have a library card.

So I tried to take all the senses out the books. And I forgot a page. And I walked out with this old lady and grabbed her. She's like, I ain't stealing no books. And I kept running. What y'all grabbing me? You waited to the old lady who was walking out. I'm like, I'm going to walk out.

He's like, wait a minute, I, I ain't never stole no book. That was just running. That was crazy. That is crazy. But that book was so important. And what they did in that book that was brilliant to me was like, it would be real things, facts about his life. And then the joke that matched the real fact. And so you just like, dang, this brother lived in so much pain, but he was ever to make it funny.

But also it made me feel bad for him, like when I think about it now, it's interesting, like a lot of our stars. I feel, I wish I could have been their friend. Yeah. You know what I mean? I wish they had a friend like me in the industry type of thing, like people I looked up to. Right. Just to have conversations with them, you know what I'm saying?

And I understand, yeah, nobody's judging you. You've been through this. This is what it is, you know. I think about that a lot with, you know, I think about Whitney Houston all the time. Yeah. And, you know, once again, and this is a faith question part two.

I tell people all the time, I thank God I'm not God. and when you have that mindset it's like because I'm not I can't just I don't want to I don't want to make those decisions yes and so because I don't want to make those decisions my only job here is to just love on people for who they are because I don't ultimately make the decision about whatever their consequences is anything yeah that's not on me no it is not yeah so you know it's and faith you know plays a big part in that you know for me and you know I even just think about like you know me a medium medium my wife and just shout out your wife she is beautiful inside and out just stunning she's amazing yeah and i i enjoy our journey together we have some really deep conversations man yeah and it's interesting like we've got to this beautiful place of like i remember it was a time you know especially like you know think of things in a relationship where you just irritate each other right I can't, I don't want to hear your voice and da-da-da-da.

I like that now we can disagree and have those moments and it doesn't change anything. Yes. Yeah. So that's growth, though. But that's why it's important, too, to bring God in the middle. You know what I mean, we joke about it all the time. We've literally had arguments like, God, you heard what she said. See, this is what I was talking about earlier, you know.

So we bring God in the middle. And keep it one and it's a different. You know what I mean? I love that. Keep them in the center always. That's key. That's a major key. Hey there.

Dr. Jesse Mills here. I'm the director of the men's clinic at UCLA Health. And I want to tell you about my new podcast called The Mailroom. And I'm Jordan, the show's producer. And like a lot of guys, I haven't been to the doctor in many years. I'll be asking the questions we probably should be asking, but aren't. Because guys usually don't go to the doctor unless a piece of their faces. hanging off, or they've broken a bone.

Depends which bone. Well, that's true. Every week, we're breaking down the unique world of men's health, from testosterone and fitness to diets and fertility and things that happen in the bedroom. You mean sleep? Yeah, something like that, Jordan. We'll talk science without the jargon and get you real answers to the stuff you actually wonder about. It's going to be fun, whether you're 27, 97, or somewhere in between.

Men's health is about more than six packs and supplements. It's about energy. confidence and connection. We don't just want you to live longer. We want you to live better. So check out the mailroom on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your favorite shows. What do you get when you mix 1950s Hollywood,

a Cuban musician with a dream, and one of the most iconic sitcoms of all time? You get Desi Arness, a trailblazer, a businessman, a husband, and maybe, most importantly, the first Latino to break prime time wide open. I'm Wilmer Valderrama, and yes, I grew up watching him. and probably just like you and millions of others. But for me, I saw myself in his story. From plening canary cages to this night here in New York, it's a long ways.

On the podcast starring Desi Arnes and Wilmer Valderrama, I'll take you in a journey to Desi's life. The moments it has overlapped with mine, how he redefined American television, and what that meant for all of us watching from the sidelines, waiting for a face like hours on screen. This is the story of how one-man's spotlight lit the path for so many others and how we carry his legacy today.

Listen to starring Desi Arnaz and Wilmer Valderrama. That's part of the MyCultura podcast network available on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Podcasters, it's time to get the recognition you deserve. The IHard Podcast Awards are coming back in 2026. Got a mic? Then you've got a shot. Every year, we celebrate the most creative, compelling, and game-changing voices in podcasting.

Is that you? submit now at iHeartpodcastawards.com for a chance to be honored on the biggest stage in the industry. Deadline December 7th. This is your chance. Let's celebrate the power of podcasting and your place in it. Enter now at iHeartpodcastawards.com. What up y'all? It's your boy, Kevin on stage. I want to tell you about my new podcast called Not My Best Moment, where I talk to artists, athletes, entertainers, creators, friends, people I admire who had massive success about, their massive failures. What did they mess up on? What is their heartbreak? And what did they learn from it? I got judged horribly. The judges were like, you're trash. I don't know how you got on

the show. Boo. Somebody had tomatoes. I'm kidding. But if they had tomatoes, they would have thrown the tomatoes. Let's be honest. We've all had those moments we'd rather forget. We bumped our head. We made a mistake. The deal fell through. We're embarrassed. We failed. But this podcast is about that and how we made it through. So when they sat me down, they were kind of like, we got into the small talk, and they were just like, so what do you got? What? What? What ideas? And I was like, oh, no. What?

Check out Not My Best Moment with me, Kevin on stage, on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcast. On the podcast Health Stuff, we are tackling all the health questions that keep you up at night. Yes, I'm Dr. Priyanka Wally, a double board certified physician. And I'm Hurricane Dibolu. comedian and someone who once Googled, do I have scurvy at 3 a.m. On health stuff, we're talking about health in a different way.

It's not only about what we can do to improve our health, but also what our health says about us and the way we're living. Like our episode where we look at diabetes. In the United States, I mean, 50% of Americans are pre-diabetic. How preventable is type 2? Extremely. Or our in-depth analysis of how incredible mangoes are. Oh, it's hard to explain to the rest of the world that, like, your mangoes are fine because

mangoes are incredible, but, like, you don't even know. You don't know. You don't know. It's going to be a fun ride. So tune in. Listen to Health Stuff on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. You've said that God's timing often shows up in unexpected ways. Can you think of a moment in your career where you felt like things are off, but then God

revealed something you were like. But it was in his divine timing. Man, it ain't even just timing. It's like growth. It's times I felt like I was, I remember for one of the movies, I felt like, you know, I didn't like, I didn't like the way they was moving. Look, I'm big on standing up with myself

and I do it all the time. Good. But sometimes it's deeper than that. It ain't just about you. Yeah. And I had a moment where, like, it was all about me at once. You know, I kind of made it about me. I'll never get it.

I did this movie, and we was doing reshoots. And I was mad at them because they didn't send me the music. I'm like, dude, I just shot another film. I don't remember any of this stuff. I told you all to send me this stuff ahead of time if you want me to do it again. Right. And they didn't do any of that. So I was like, I ain't performing.

So they were like, action. I was just standing at. I'm like, I'm going to show them. Uh-huh. and you know you know it put a bad taste in name out and you know they tell other people that it's difficult to work with and all that stuff which is fine I was like I own that but I know the truth you know what I'm saying yeah but here we go this is the deep part about that okay fast for I'm on this journey of just rediscovering everything myself read my word and I'm at

I'm at the premiere of that director's movie for a newer movie. This was recently, maybe like a couple months ago. And I asked a question I didn't ask God at all. I said, God, was I wrong? I felt like I was wronged. But I said, but God, I had a moment I was sitting there quiet like, was I wrong?

Yeah. And God was like, yeah. You didn't think about all those other people that was there? Wow. That showed up that day. that was excited to be in this film I know you was taking a stand

and it's another way you could have did it but you were wrong wow I was like dang I guess I ain't ever asked I ain't want to know that answer right I wanted to be right I want to be on my side guy because they were wrong but it's a bigger

you know what I mean and I was like wow I'm gonna tell her wife you like we're sitting there I'm like babe I just asked God this question. She's like, wow, I'm like, yeah, I'm going to apologize to him after the screening. He don't even know why I was saying, I'm sorry. Wow. It's funny, he don't know a lot of things.

He don't even know that I know what he's said to other people about me. You know what I mean? Yeah. I can understand his side of that. You know, you've got to think about everybody's. And, you know, sometimes we can be really selfish. You're like, this is about me. Mm-hmm.

Yeah. I'm taking a stand for me, but it was. deeper than that. And I just wasn't in a mature place to understand that. But now I get it. So it's things I'm replaying now that I'm owning that. I'm like, yeah, I could have did that different. Yeah. And that's good, especially for the position you're in now as a director.

Yeah. Working on the other side. So these are the lessons that you learn now. You can walk into that. When I tell you directing this feature, I've done a bunch of movies. I'm actually almost, I think I'm at like 50 movies since 2018. which is crazy. No, every time I turn around, you're in another movie. And it's not just because I'm saying yes to stuff.

It's like, these are stuff I want to do. Right. But, man, directing this movie, and I got a chance to talk to everybody at every different part of the crew. Yeah. And it was such a great experience. And that's when I realized,

like, oh, while I'm helping all these other people's dreams come true, that's helping me. Yes. And so when you're having these conversations, when you're having it, you ask them how the day is, and action on some collapse stuff, what would you do if you were shooting this? Yeah.

You know what I mean? Yeah. It just was a great, one of the greatest experiences in my career. Yeah. And this is the haunted heist. Yeah. I was talking about your directorial debut.

My directorial debut. And it was beautiful and it was so much fun. And I'm like, wow. And I'm like, wow, I guess I didn't look at it. I'm in this different place where I'm not in this, I'm not letting the persona run things anymore. Right. And you can't.

It's tough because it gets you way, it gets you far. You create this thing so nobody won't hurt you or whatever case may be. But once I let that go and just start a truly experience and everything for what it is, the change in the game. No, that's so good. And that takes into protecting your peace, you know, and the cost of protecting your peace. What does peace actually cost when you're juggling family, faith and fame all at the same time? And have you been able to manage that?

man I am I'm in such a great place you know why we hear people say oh you know God want you to rest I'm I sit in the rest so well and the thing about it is I get where like people hear rest and they think all that means I'm being lazy and I'm not being active especially if you're an active person you want to make things happen you want to strike the iron wise hot all that stuff but God make moments for you where you're supposed to just chill yes and that doesn't mean you don't do anything is just you just do everything in a chill a chill version of it. Right.

You know, so if I'm writing instead of like sitting in the office and sitting at home being intense, it's like, no, I'm going to go get a blanket and sit on some grass. Yeah. And pull up my laptop and happily write. Mm-hmm. And I'm not forcing anything.

Yeah. Because what I started noticing was I was getting tired in my blessing sometimes. Talk about that, real. My goodness. Because I was like, because of the hustle part of everything, I'm over grinding. I'm trying to do as much as I can before God showed up for me

instead of doing things on God's timing. Sometimes I was tired when I was being blessed. Yeah. And so I got tired of that. Right. And so now I feel like I've been experienced. I'm still really busy, but I'm not tired in it, though. Yeah.

That's good. You know what I'm saying? Because I've learned to rest, and that, you know, that comes with peace. Yeah, it does. And so I do whatever I like to do peacefully for myself, I love sports. You know what I mean? Like I truly love sports. I love watching tennis.

I'm taking tennis lessons. I'm doing the most peaceful stuff that I like to do. Right. You know what I'm saying? I love that. I put on my Mike Dicker sweater to watch the Bears play. That is just what it is. That is what I like to do.

If I miss the Bulls game, guess what? I find time to watch the replay like I'm a scout. I do all the things that I like to do. You know what I put stuff in my house. I love working out, so I have all the equipment there. I get up in the morning, I get it in. You know, I make my play. even if I want to sit and just praise God.

Like, it's just, I'm just, I'm in such a chill. Yeah. I feel it. Your energy is so, you fall in it. It was just like calm. You know, like you can feel energy with people in our room. It was like complete peace and calmness about you. I feel that.

You live in it, brother. You live in it. It's wisdom, man. Like, you know how you start to become that person in your family? I had to own that too. Like, I'm that, I'm the wise guy now. So when everybody, Like, you're done?

Okay, this is what we're going to do. Right. I can sit in there and it doesn't change my energy. Right. Yeah. Because some people just got to get whatever they got to get out. But when you become that person in your family now, you just, you know. Yeah.

Yep, you figure it out. I love that. Now, speaking of family, you have a blended family. Yes. Seven children total between you and your wife. Is it Danella or Daniel? That's perfect. Danella.

De Nella. I got it right. Danella. What has fatherhood taught you about? patience. Ooh, a lot, man. Yeah. Especially like,

man, it's interesting you said. We were just talking about the rest. Mm-hmm. Like when you, and we still, it's still happening now, but like,

you know, especially with the girls, I know what I can offer them as far as, you know, my dad energy and dad or. But you got to wait on them

to one. to receive it i can't force it um i don't want to yeah but i'm in my let go and let god lifestyle i truly let go and let god like god whenever you're ready for me to say like it's been good too because it's like it's moments when i want to say stuff and god's not time yet you're like okay cool yep you know what i'm saying and so you just you just move a little more peaceful like that yeah you know what i'm saying and so it's really interesting like and i'm enjoying the relationships getting better and just growing, but it's not forcing anything.

Right. Yeah, I let things naturally be what it is. No, that's true. That's true. You look amazing. You just talked about you have a gym in your home now. What really made you fall in love with working out and just really taking on as a lifestyle?

Man, first I needed energy. I was actually inspired by Kevin Hart, right? Oh, yeah. It works a lot. He does. And so I started doing, like, for me to be at 50 movies, That means I'm doing like four or five films a year. Yes.

And I was doing them back to back. And we got great at negotiating stuff I could do at the same time. And under the day. Wow. But I was so tired. And honestly, it helped, you know, fast. It was a clear fast that helped a lot. But then just being active again.

And most men, honestly, it's a lot easier for us to lose weight if we truly put the work in. For sure. I know it may seem crazy to say, but it's a lot. it's a lot harder for y'all it is oh i know because i got so much more going on right um but man boxing you know i like god's due to divine connect stint like i go to mayweather's gym and i remember out the first time i started going my trainer sloan before he was my trainer he was just some random dude i was like at the class one day he's like come on come on what brother i'm tired come on we ain't done yet you're like i'm done What the hell you're talking about?

But I appreciated it. He became my trainer. So when the shutdown happened, he was, and I didn't even know I was inspired of the people like my cousin Rashida, I didn't know she had, she was going through some help things too. And she started seeing me meet up with him and him come to the house.

So when the shutdown happened, we could all just only meet at the park. So we would meet him at the park. And so it turned it to work out Sundays. I have my gospel playlist. And we'll be working out to every Sunday. and we did that for like a year and a half. That's fire.

And just watching where she's at and just everything. Like I didn't even know she needed that. And that's one of those things when you start learning that it's bigger than you. Yeah. It became my own thing. But it honestly, and then I have to tell people this all the time. It wasn't just physical weight that was on me. Once I started going to therapy and rechanneling my journey in my faith and building my relationship.

it lit like I never get and then when I stopped drinking that's when the six pack popped up come on now like seriously it was it was crazy uh-huh because I you know I dropped weight and I started toning and all this stuff but then the six-pack showed up when I stopped drinking mm-hmm yeah isn't that crazy yeah I didn't think I was like I'm just got his dad body forever whatever but no it was it was crazy and so like now when I'm mad and it's interesting people that like you know especially people that work out like you could be swaller brother i don't want to be a like y'all can have the swownness right i don't want swore right i like being tone i like being ling i don't want to be swore i don't want to drink all

the swole juice i don't want to take the swole pears leave me alone i'm not going bigger than 25 right i like tone yes i'm good that's why i put everything in my house because i know you'd be at the jail everybody like you could go oh my gosh you're not listening to me i don't want to participate in this I love where I'm at. Right. You know what I'm saying? Leave me alone. That is so true.

My trainer is an ex-N-FL player, and this man trains like, we're getting ready for the combine. You can go heavier, and I have a really good poker face. So a lot of times it's hard, but I'll push through with a straight face. And he's like, oh, that's not heavy enough. And I'm like, no, it is. Don't add anything else off to this plate. That's why I don't, my boxing guy is my only guy that I like, you know what I'm because he's participating in it with me.

Right. I don't necessarily need nobody. Do this, do that? I mean, which is why I got the Pelotan. Pelotan was such a huge. Shout out, Pelotan. Especially during COVID. Man.

Is that when you really got it to me too? Yeah. Same. Yeah. And it's crazy because, you know, it's funny. People don't know this, but your body has to catch up with how committed you are to this. You ain't going to lose no way to your body believe you. That's real.

Your body would be like, you're just doing this for a week. Right. We're going to stay chunk of. Right. And it's like, are we doing this again? But if you're committed to it. Yeah. then it just started, you know what I'm saying?

But it was interesting. It was things attached to me. It was trauma attached to me that I didn't realize that was holding weight. You know what I'm saying? And once all that stuff started shedding, I could feel it in the fast one day. What kind of fast did you do? I forget how much when we did. I did it with Cali Worship, which is where I go to.

And when I first started going back there regularly, it was literally the fast was happening right out. I'm like, damn, I just got here. Right, right. You wanted a fast. and so you know we didn't do any sweets any treats any meats and

and man those conversations with God so clear it was crazy clear it was and I've done fast before but it was a different commitment because once again I'm looking at things different right yeah

and you know it just it made me even like see Denella in a lot in a lot of different ways too like I love the way I see her now and more understanding of her and having real conversations with God about her. You know what I'm saying?

That's powerful, yes. And so it's, it's, I don't know, I'm lucky in that aspect of it. Like I really feel like, I think about that all the time and I guess now, like, once again, it feels different now that we're a husband and wife and we can say that. Yes. we both talked about this because we both been married before but this time felt like it was really our choice wow

you know what I'm not saying the first time it wasn't that but it was other factors in that right this one was like I mean I ain't got to do this but I want to do this I want to do this that's good yeah yeah that's so good because I think every couple you want to be with somebody that wants to be with you not like i have to be with this person like i want to be here yeah i mean it's it's interesting how like when you want to be there and want to experience and want to talk

and want to and it was it's been a beautiful journey with that because i mean even like just even my journey where her was big for me even just to change my ideal of like just even just colorism in a way. Because for a long time, I would even date of light skin. Really? Because I didn't want nobody to think, because I made it. That's what I did. Right.

And it wasn't just, yeah, it was mostly that. And I had to stop all that and just let love be loved. Yeah. And on that, I'm like, dude, but real, you ain't these dudes that you don't want to look like. That ain't who you are. Yeah. yeah yeah and so just loving on her in every way i can and just this is beautiful dope black woman who's a great mom and a great partner you know watching her just you know open her salon

and just the way she's just thriving right now yeah you know it's just amazing and i look forward to whatever our future is together yeah how we continue to build well for our children and Children's children, our children's children, our children's children. Yes. Come on, generations. Yes, and as important. Hey there, Dr. Jesse Mills here. I'm the director of the men's clinic at UCLA Health.

And I want to tell you about my new podcast called The Mail Room. And I'm Jordan, the show's producer. And like a lot of guys, I haven't been to the doctor in many years. I'll be asking the questions we probably should be asking, but aren't. Because guys usually don't go to the doctor unless a piece of their face is hanging off or they've broken a bone. Depends which bone. Well, that's true. Every week, we're breaking down the unique world of men's health

from testosterone and fitness to diets and fertility and things that happen in the bedroom. You mean sleep? Yeah, something like that, Jordan. We'll talk science without the jargon and get you real answers to the stuff you actually wonder about. It's going to be fun, whether you're 27, 97, or somewhere in between. Men's health is about more than six packs and supplements.

It's about energy, confidence, and connection. We don't just want you to live longer. we want you to live better. So check out the mailroom on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your favorite shows. What do you get when you mix 1950s Hollywood, a Cuban musician with a dream, and one of the most iconic sitcoms of all time?

You get Desi Arnest, a trailblazer, a businessman, a husband, and maybe, most importantly, the first Latino to break primetime wide open. I'm Wilmer Valderrama, and yes, I grew up watching him, probably just like you and millions of others. But for me, I saw myself in his story. From plening canary cages to this night here in New York, it's a long ways. On the podcast starring Desi Arnaz and Wilmer Valderama, I'll take you in a journey to Desi's life.

The moments it has overlap with mine, how he redefined American television, and what that meant for all of us watching from the sidelines, waiting for a face like hours on screen. This is the story of how one man's spotlight lit the path for so many others and how we carry his legacy today. Listen to starring Desi Arnaz and Wilmer Valderrama.

That's part of the MyCultura podcast network available on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Podcasters, it's time to get the recognition you deserve. The IHart Podcast Awards are coming back in 2026. Got a mic? Then you've got a shot. Every year, we celebrate the most creative, compelling, and game-changing voices in podcasting. Is that you? Submit now at iHeartPodcastawards.com for a chance to be honored on the best.

biggest stage in the industry. Deadline December 7th. This is your chance. Let's celebrate the power of podcasting and your place in it. Enter now at iHeartpodcastawards.com. What up y'all? It's your boy, Kevin on stage. I want to tell you about my new podcast called Not My Best Moment, where I talk to artists, athletes, entertainers, creators, friends, people I admire who had massive success about their massive failures. What did they mess up on? What is their heartbreak? And what did they learned from him. I got judged horribly. The judges were like, you're trash.

I don't know how you got on the show. Boo, somebody had tomatoes. I'm kidding. But if they had tomatoes, they would have thrown the tomatoes. Let's be honest. We've all had those moments we'd rather forget. We bumped our head. We made a mistake.

The deal fell through. We're embarrassed. We failed. But this podcast is about that and how we made it through. So when they sat me down, they were kind of like, we got into the small talk. And they were just like, so what do you got? what ideas? And I was like, oh, no.

What? Check out Not My Best Moment with me, Kevin on stage on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcast. On the podcast Health Stuff, we are tackling all the health questions that keep you up at night. Yes, I'm Dr. Priyanka Wally, a double board certified physician. And I'm Hurricane Dibolu, a comedian and someone who once Googled, Do I have scurvy at 3 a.m? On Health Stuff, we're talking about health in a different way. It's not only about what we can do to improve our health,

but also what our health says about us and the way we're living. Like our episode where we look at diabetes. In the United States, I mean, 50% of Americans are pre-diabetic. How preventable is type 2? Extremely. Or our in-depth analysis of how incredible mangoes are. Oh, it's hard to explain to the rest of the world that, like, your mangoes are fine because mangoes are incredible,

but like you don't even know. You don't know. You don't know. It's going to be a fun ride. So tune in. Listen to health stuff on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We talked about you being a direction now, but you've literally said in every single seat. What does it feel like being a leader?

You're a leader in your household. But what does it feel like when you walk on set and you're the leader of all those people that, how you said, you're making their dreams come true and helping them create their own dreams. Man, it's next level. I had to graduate to that. You know, when I had my show, I was so comfortable with the persona leading the way. You know what I'm saying?

So it was me acting like I knew I was doing. I didn't. I would be in a writer's room giving out notes and instructions and then go in my office, like, I don't know what the hell I'm talking about. But I'd rather, you know how crazy it is? I'd rather front instead of asking questions about things and stuff like that.

And sometimes I believe that's a part of our car. culture, you know, because, you know, you get certain opportunities. You don't want to look like you don't belong. That's so true. And I heard Shonda Rhimes talking about this the other day. She said, one of the greatest things she did was just asked questions. Yes, I saw that too, yeah. And that's so, I'm like, dang, I wish I'd have thought of, knew that early.

But, you know, sometimes hip hop is a part of that too, right? The people I looked up to, you know, that time looking at the dame dash, snapping at everybody. Like, that's a boss. Right. That's not. That's not it. That's not leadership. Yeah.

And no diss to him, but, you know, how is he supposed to know, too? A lot of us are first generation to whatever we're doing. Say it, that's so true. You know what I'm saying? So, like, how do you know what to do if nobody's really telling you? And then sometimes, you know, especially being black, especially being black men in our business, we tend to want to act like we know everything and just act like, you know, just provado. Which is crazy that I'm even talking to you.

Like, I had to own, and this is just real talk. And I've said it's a couple times. But I guess what you hear is great. Like I had to own like how, like how I was wrong about anything I've ever said about Tyler Perry. Like I was like wrong. And a lot of that came from, I guess, the locker room version of our industry. Right. We're just like, well, that's not how you do stuff and da-da-da-da.

and you start to learn like with art with art it's whatever that person's voices it's art yeah I don't think we're supposed to be judging art the way we judge art right yeah to be quite honest with you like even just critics it's like I don't why do that exist right yeah you know what I'm saying and so like I had to own that and it he became actually one of my

newer bigger inspirations yeah because I had to but that's God stepping in and hearing God Mm-hmm. Yeah. God is like, I'm giving you out a prime example of somebody doing something through faith. Yeah. Wow. And I want to talk crazy.

Yep. Because everybody else is doing it. Mm-hmm. You know what I'm saying? Right. It'll be our own people. Be your own people. So it's like, no, like, and so I had to own it.

And I'm so, I see it. I see them now in this bigger light that I, it's kind of crazy. I'm like, I guess I never paid attention like that before. Mm-hmm. Yeah. You know, how smart of a business man, his brother is. Yes. man you know like literally right now like my top people I'm like really inspiring to like be

people I'm really inspired by it's Tyler Perry George Lucas mm-hmm Ava Duvenet Issa Ray Shonda Rhimes so it's so many though I mean yeah Quentin Quentin Brunson Gerard Caram like it's so many people I look up to yeah Donald Glover Questlove Love. The way he's getting these documentaries. Yes. He's figured out a great way to get people their flowers. And I think we've got to do such a better job at this.

You know, losing DiAngelo was like, and watching a video of him kind of like, you know, I think he was mad about somebody probably posted something on social media for one of his performances. They're like, man, they know what's coming. And he felt like, I almost feel like he didn't know he was getting love, but his manager showed him like people showing love. Yeah. And that made me sad because that means so many people don't know how love they are. And artists, we'd be in our head. We do.

Yes. But I think we just got to do a better job as black entertainers giving our flowers to our legends. Absolutely. They don't know it. It's no way we, you know, we haven't honored Loretta Devine yet. We haven't even honored Marla Gibbs, for real. Not for, yeah. You understand what I'm saying?

That's crazy. She's like, she's in our 90s now. She is. We, essence women of Hollywood honor her this year at our luncheon, but like on a higher level, yeah, definitely needs to be bigger. I don't need to be no luncheon? No, for sure. Like, that's, like, I'm saying, like, that's the only time I heard it. It need to be a whole network.

Yeah. Honor Marla Gives. Yes, literally. Yeah. Lifetime achieving. Two and a half hours. Right. No, seriously.

Yeah, that's the only time really seeing her get any flowers. Yeah. And that's funny, like, I was thinking about that now to the point where I'm, I'm like, all, let me figure this out because it has to happen. Right. You know, and she's such a blessing. I mean, she did my show. She did a Carmichael show.

Yeah. We did a movie together. And I threw a birthday party where you, my best birthday party, L.A. Best birthday party happened. First person at that party, guess who it was? Marla. Marla Gitt. Are you serious?

Came in there, we got a dance on. She had a drink and then she left. Now, she ain't stay. Right. She showed up. I know that's right. She literally was like, and then she was gone. And I respect that.

Yes. First person at the park. Wow. My favorite party ever, Marla Gibbs kicked that party up. I love that. She showed up. I love that. You recently launched, or not reasoned, but you launched What's Funny Comedy Festival in Chicago.

Was this about legacy, frustration, or just a love for home? Oh, wow. Well, it was the first is a love of comedy. Yeah. It was kind of birth from somebody else. approaching me, wanting me to help them with their festival. But they didn't seem as serious as I was about it. And so I kind of declined it, which I think that's probably why me and this person

ain't talking. Because they're like, you're going to do a festival at that? Like, yeah, because I want to do it the way I want to do it. Yeah. And what it really represents, too, is that as an artist, as a stand-up comic, that we need to be in more boss positions. I notice, I love it. So why wouldn't I start a festival?

Why I'm going to keep letting all these other people do these festivals, and they're not a comedian. I know exactly what we need. I know exactly what the opportunities should look like. I know what the shows are like. And when I tell you, it's been one of the biggest blessings of my career. Wow. You know, we just finished year two, and we're already planning year three.

But, like, watching how, and the first year we did it was when, like, the beats was happening, you know, at the cat said what he said. And so it was a lot of tension. Yeah. And so to have like everybody loving on each other, every single day God blew my mind because I was nervous. Right. You know what I mean? I'm like, God, I ain't ever did this before.

I'm looking shows to do well. And when I tell you, every night was crazy, it was sellouts, but the comics was so happy. Yes, I'm sure. But it was crazy because I was like, God, how can I be the one to lead this? You know what I'm saying? Yeah. Like at first I was like, shouldn't it be people who have more money than me and this and that? It's like, no, you, you, oof.

I love when he says, no, you. You. Yes. And year two was even crazy or even better. Wow. It's getting better and better. And it's not necessarily about legacy. It's about what's right, but it's kicking off everything else.

All of this is a part of my random workout session I had while fasting. And God started listing things. This is what's interesting. I talked about it was prophesized. to me, but now things prophetically happen for myself. I don't have to have nobody tell. Because God's going to tell you directly. Because I hear it clearly. Yes. And so it's been a list

of things and God just been having me walk into my boss season a lot differently. And so I've been like, everything's been about business. Like when we was on strike, that was my prayer. I was like, God, can I understand why the CEOs don't want to give us this?

I don't want to keep begging for stuff. Yes. Because it can't be just because they're all evil. Right, right. Some of this got to just be business. And so I asked, and God, I started putting me around some very powerful and wealthy people. And they were saying really, you know, rich people love to talk about how they got rich. They do. You know what I mean?

And so, like, listening to a lot of the stuff was just business thing. You start to learn, too, even in our business, that a lot of these executives are not necessarily about entertainment. These are corporations. Yeah. And so all these people that are investors, they only care about their bottom line. They hired these people to make sure their bottom line is good. So with us learning the business, too, of it, they do need some of us in there, though, that are creators that can do both,

they understand both. Right. You know, which is why I, like, you know, even just, you know, with the What's Funny Comedy Festival, I learned how to raise money. With the movie, I learned how to raise money. Yeah. With my special, Real Talk, you know, I did that independently and became Toobie's first original special,

but we did it on, and I co-directed that. And so, but what I learned was more than anything is, I can't ask for money and can't tell people how they're going to get their return. That's, listen. That's all we care about. I need money for my movie

and then they'd be like, yeah, maybe it's going to go on Netflix and you don't even know nobody over there. Come up with a real business plan before you ask for this money. Yes. At the least you should get people the money back they invested into you.

Literally. And so once you understand all that stuff, you know what I mean? Like, I've been like, I've been learning a lot of business stuff and sharing as much as I can. Yeah. When I tell you, that festival is what kicked it off because it was like, God was like, just do it.

And what it did was it literally kicked out. That's when I ended up directing the movie. Like a string of things. Yeah. Like, pop, pop, pop, like, well, just do it. You're not crazy. Yep. Take this stuff, these divine connections, there's information.

Yeah. Just do it. Sometimes we overthink. Yes. Sometimes we just need to do it. That is so true. I'm an overthinker. We just got to do it.

Just got to do it. I love that. But for young comics coming up, what is some advice you would give them? Because you talk about doing things independently. And when you're starting off, it's just you. What advice would you give them? You know something truly, I do believe you learn the business or the business. But don't forget that this is a fun job.

I think things can get really serious at times and we forget how fun it is. Which is why, like, collaboration is so important. Collaborating with your fellow comics. You know what I'm saying? I'm hoping in this next season that is more collaborations. Like I did something maybe like a month ago for no reason at all, but I went and decided to, you know, let me tell you what happened.

This is real tough. I was thanking God, right? When I was thanking God. And God challenged me to thank some people that helped me along the way. Wow. Whether directly or indirectly. So I went through my phone, leaving voice notes and texting messages to just some of my comedy O.G.

Some of them called back, like, in tears. I didn't know they needed to hear what I was saying. Yeah. Which is about giving flowers, you know what I'm saying? Once again, whether it was directly or indirectly. Yeah. I mean, I squashed the beef. Like, you know, shout out to Cory Hockel.

You know what I mean? Like, man, was kind of, you know, at odds. But I hit him up. I said, look, let me say this to you, man. I don't necessarily like anything you said. I don't agree with it. But, man, thank you for opening doors, though, bro. I know whatever got murky.

and it's a part of the grind and we all got the same dream, which is that's the honest guy, true. A lot of the crab in the barrel comes from, we all have the same dream. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? And it can come with animosity if you see somebody, and then that's when you love to make up something like,

well, they only got it because they did. Because everybody, every time you do well, you got to sell yourself. Nobody ever just say, so I just can't be blessed. Right. Had to sell my whole soul. I worked really hard and I'm blessed. Right.

We was at the same showcase, same festival. same audition right same everything you know baby it's a mindset right also what's only was yours is yours yes you're not going to get everything yeah and only your success we're all successfully different right yeah all of us are mm-hmm yeah if as long as you don't you know you don't have this bitter thing about you because you're watching everything like I should be no don't do that right yeah like that's the one thing I can I hate the fact that that we got all these rich black comedians now and people bumping heads

and it's like, why? Right. You all are doing well in different versions of it. We're not going to do the same exact thing. No. And it's okay. Yeah, that's good.

I love that. Your new movie, Unexpected Christmas, I watched the screener the other day. I had a red eye from L.A. to Atlanta. I told you about it. And I was literally in the airport cackling. And I kept looking at my manager. I said, this is so funny.

I was like, this is so funny. She's like, I got to watch. I was like, no, you have to watch this. Because you see Christmas movies, and a lot of them kind of have, like, the same storyline. I love this one. It was so funny. And a lot of stuff I didn't know. It was unexpected.

I was like, I didn't expect that. So tell me what brought this together and what made you want to say, I want to do this. Well, it was the script first, right? Great script. Yes. It was funny. They offered for me to play the uncle. The offer came.

Really? No, the uncle's so. But I was like, but who plays? playing the lead. Yeah. Yeah. And so I saw the tabb that was producing it, so I called her. Low tab.

Playing the league. Right. Because if they ain't gave it to the money, why they ain't offered that to me first? Right. Yeah. And we ended up, you know, calling Trail to producer, and we talked. And, you know, it was more or less like they wasn't sure if I would want to do anything, like, because they didn't have, the money wasn't big. But this is what I learned, and this is such a beautiful lesson in this.

Stop pigeonholing yourself. black producers just ask yeah white producers can have $20 and they'll ask Eddie Murphy if he'd do the money for $20 it just took the note right what's the worst it can happen all is just hey man no yeah all right cool all right cool what about on we play yoke but see that's the problem I think sometimes we like to look like we don't like to look like we're less you know I mean like whatever that mindset is it's ridiculous yeah and so one of the biggest things with, you know, when I saw I jumped on for real, I'm like, yo, we can make this a

bigger movie. Yeah, wow. Because you know what value you bring to the projects. I know what Tabitha brings. I know who, and guess what? You know, making these calls, it was a collapse. What Phil and Trell is doing is something very special. Even just where we are now,

even with this movie going to theaters and the way it is, when I tell you, this is real talk and maybe I will because you told me, that's the camera. honestly y'all don't look at things just on the surface like god is like literally cleaning the house in so many places evil people be thinking they doing evil stuff and a lot of times they don't even know they're working for god come on it is some things happening where like this is a wealth

season a lot of us can sneakily get wealthy really fast if we pay attention and don't fall into the group of complaining and like this is so hard no it's some doors open yeah yeah a lot of these movies ain't doing well i can't wait for this movie to go in theaters and surprise people yes it's all about giving the audience what they want yep cool if you don't want to give me distribution let's build our own relationship with these theaters yeah wow let me shut up but it's that's good no it's for the secret black meeting right right we're going to hold the meeting you know that we know stuff listen i love that that is so good so the film Right before the holidays

And the soundtrack dropped this week You got songs by Tony Braxton October London like Look look crazy Taymark Taymar Braxton, yes I don't want them arguing You know, you watch the episode

and show like wait a minute Yeah I'm joking Tay Mark Tony won't all my shout But no That's what makes this movie unique too Like it's been a long time since we had an original

soundtrack to No, seriously This is crazy The soundtrack is so good and it matches the movie I like when you can listen to a song you're like, oh, I know what scene that is you know, that's what this is

and like, you know, October London and Tamar Braxton and look, I mean, look, this is going to sound crazy because I listen to this soundtrack and baby boarded and both people so you know, KC's on that, KC1. Really?

From Casey's Georgia. Yeah. I think that's here. There's one song that sounds so old school it's hysterical. I mean, it's a good song You're like, it's a 90s movie? It's so funny because you can hit the raspy voice.

Come on, Christmas time. It is hysterical. But it's good. Oh, man. I'm mad to check this out. It's number nine, I think. Nope. Do you have a favorite song on the soundtrack?

I love, ooh, ooh. It's an unexpected Christmas of the theme song October London is amazing. But it's a song car I believe it's I'm not, I'm a, I don't want to be alone or I'm not alone. It's the alone song. and I think it's by Tay, I think it's the name Start with a T, but it's so good. Okay, I'm gonna check it out.

It's so, so full. But all the songs are good. All the songs are good. Those are my two favorites. Okay. It's being called The New Black Friday. How important is representation

especially with holiday movies? I mean, it's so important, especially like with also seeing a new group of actors. Yeah, yeah. For a long time, we've seen the same group through all of these Christmas movies. Yeah.

But you almost don't know the difference sometimes. Yeah. And so us being a new, fresh group with Tabitha, with me, with Dominique Perry. Yeah, shout to Dominique, yeah. Gomez, I mean, like Rico Ross. Yes. It's so, it's so Howie Bell. It's such a great group, you know what I'm doing?

And so, like, just having all this, oh, shout out to C.C. So it's a lot of, it's a lot of great. It's just a good ensemble group. It is. You know what I'm saying? And it's a theater laugh. I've enjoyed watching and hearing people laugh in the theater together. yeah that's always good yeah that's a good thing yeah no for sure what is the message that you

hope families take home after watching this is that at the end of the day let love lead we're going to have problems we're going to have disagreements but if you let love lee and faithly yeah promise you everything you'll work yourself out for sure it will I love that little bit so much to sit down with me today thank you for having this is literally one of my favorite podcast thank you yes that means a lot seriously it really is thank you no I'm was honored when we got the call and I was like yes I literally just wrapped a film last Thursday and I planned on taking the week off just to rest because I'd been filming for a month when they said you were coming I was like light it up let's go oh wow I appreciate no for sure

anytime you want to come back by you got another project please come by and talk to us tell us about it if there's anything you want to let us know that we can stay tapped in for you on yeah man make sure y'all watch real talk on 2B it's one of my best specials and I'm proud of my So many things about this special is amazing. Outside of co-directing it and financing it with like two people from my church. Wow. Who I meant today's son and that's how that happened. But just being so comfortable in my own skin in so many places,

even with me just wearing that vest. I got the arms out because I'm proud of my work I put in. So just go watch Real Talk. If you need a good laugh, it's a perfect, perfect, perfect special on Tube. I love that. All right. Thank you so much. Thank you.

Absolutely. That was such an amazing conversation with Lil'Rail. A reminder that laughter isn't the opposite of faith, it's proof of it. Thank you for tuning in to another episode of The Keep It Positive Sweeties Show. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use a little encouragement today. As always, stay blessed, stay encouraged, and remember to keep it positive, sweeties. I'll see y'all next time. I'm Robert Smith, and this is Jacob Goldstein, and we used to host a show called Planet Money.

And now we're back making this new podcast called Business History about the best ideas and people and businesses in history. And some of the worst people, horrible ideas, and destructive companies in the history of business. First episode, how Southwest Airlines use cheap seats and free whiskey to fight its way into the airline business. The Most Texas Story ever. Listen to Business History on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey there, Dr. Jesse Mills here. I'm the director of the men's clinic at UCLA, and I want to tell you about my new podcast called The Mail Room. And I'm Jordan, the show's producer.

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Whether you're rebuilding, reimagining, or just trying to hold it together, this one will speak to you. Listen to the next chapter podcast on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast, new episodes drop weekly. Don't miss one of them. On the podcast Health Stuff, we are tackling all the health questions that keep you up at night. I'm Dr. Priyanko Wally, a double board certified physician. And I'm Hurricane Dibolu, a comedian and someone who once Googled, Do I Have Scurvy at 3 a.m?

And on our show, we're talking about health in a different way, like our episode where we look at diabetes. In the United States, I mean, 50% of. of Americans are pre-diabetic. How preventable is type 2? Extremely. Listen to health stuff on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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