Keep it Positive, Sweetie - The Right Things, In The Right Season

Episode Date: May 10, 2026

In Part 2 of this solo episode, Crystal talks about what it really means to expand with intention. From being multi-hyphenate, to maintaining privacy while building a public brand, to navigating purpose, faith, and the fear of oversaturation, this conversation is about alignment, timing, and trusting your own path. Because success isn’t about doing everything at once, it’s about doing the right things, in the right season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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I'm your host, Chris Renee Hazlett, and this is the Keep It Positive Sweetie show. Welcome to Keep It Positive, Sweetie, the place where we heal, grow, and learn together. And we are back with Part Two. You guys loved all that I shared about personal branding and showing up, but I also get a lot of questions about my business

because I am a business woman. Since I was younger, I used to always just know that it could be done. But I do know that it's not everyone's vantage point. So today, sweetie, we're talking about doing it all and what that really looks like. As I said in the last episode, a lot of people feel like they need to have everything figured out before they show up. And that is just not the truth. So social media is popping. We got, you know, you're doing the work, you got your team.

but you are like that girl. Like you are really bad girl. You are, I mean, you're everything. You have fashion, acting, singing, your hair care line, a soccer team owner, you're investing. You have your foundation, which is focused on financial literacy. And, I mean, it's so much unfolding. There's a phrase that people always say, jack of all trade, master of none. But your journey, I just feel like that doesn't apply.

So when you hear that idea, especially at someone. who's been able to build excellent and, I mean, just amazing across platforms. What do you say to that? I got a scripture for you. We're going to go to the good book of Romans. Come on now. Chapter 12. Let me open this thing up.

You got a scripture too. So Romans chapter 12, verse 6. In His grace, God has given us different gifts to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to provide. Proposite, speak out with as much faith as God is giving you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you're a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.

If your gift is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness, do it gladly. Don't pretend to love others, really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection. and take light in honoring each other.

Don't be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Okay? I'm in the book. I'm in the book. He says he's giving us different gifts. So do them well. So I don't believe in that. I'm not a monolith.

I don't subscribe to that. You can't box me in. And anything I do, I'm going to do it well. I'm not half-assed on anything. So I feel like if you're going to do it and God has given you the ability to do it, do it well and do it enthusiastically. So I love that scripture. I live by that.

And I feel like anybody who works with me knows, like, that is who I am. Operated excellence or don't do it. Yeah. Do you think that you, not master maybe, but is there a certain point to where you, like, get somewhere and you say, okay, I'm good. That's good enough that I can go start a new thing because there is, there are some people you look at and you like, hey, ain't start another thing.

They ain't even do the, like. What is the balance for that you think for someone that's like, okay, I really like doing this, but now I kind of want to do this, but I don't want to look. What are your advice to them on that? You know, you have to figure out, there's a time place of everything. Figure out, okay, in this season I'm working on this, you know, and sometimes it's multiple things that you're working on, but you're having to carve out the time and really balance it all so that nothing's getting left on the back burner.

For me, that back burner is sometimes music. We're working on music for like two years now, but it's like, getting in the studio and then I got to go film or I got to go travel. It's like so many different things come up where it's like, we got to carve out the time to get back in the studio. So music has been that one thing where I'm like, I got to like just carve out. Same way I have to do my blackout dates.

I have to carve out studio time dates so that we can get some music done. But I feel like you have to really just carve out the time for whatever it is that you want to do. And if you realize I'm not giving this 100%, maybe that's not the thing you need to be focused on, you know? and sometimes if it's just you, you got to do what you can do and know your limits. A lot of times we put more on our plates

than we can actually eat literally and we need to know how to course out those servings. Something Amani from CultureCon asked me, I went to do CultureCon last year, and she said, Crystal, how are you doing it all? And I said, it's like dinner. You get different servings. Course it out.

I was like, you're not going to have, what some people do, you're not going to have your salad, your meal, and your dessert all on one plate. you're going to course it out. So I think the main thing is understanding what serving you are or what course you're on in your life.

I like that you reference the music and the time span of working on it. What in you, but you're still a singer, right? And people still relate to you for the music. So was that a defining moment for you or it's like, okay, I'm doing acting? You felt weird calling yourself a singer or a mute?

Like, was there ever a time for that? and people that feel like that, what can you encourage them to like, you still got it, you just got to do it, you know what I'm saying? Yeah. No, there wasn't ever a time where I didn't want to call myself one of the other. It was more so finding the time, you know, and I think it really hit me when we had our live show in Washington, D.C. last November, and I was singing cover songs. And I told Ashana and West, I was like, I don't want to do this next time.

When we go on tour, I want to have my own original music. So it almost be like a live concert where I'm putting out my own music versus singing. in other people's music. We can still incorporate other people's music because I'm influenced by so many different people and I love all different types of music, but it's something about having your own and I think in that moment I realized now is the time to focus on this.

But for me, I have to have that unction or like, okay, it's time to go. I have to feel it. You know, it's not just like, okay, let me go get in the studio. I can't do that. Like, I have to feel, and there's moments where I'm like, hey, Wes, we got to go. You know, where it hit me. So I think the main thing

is just knowing that time. Yeah. That's good. So how do you personally know when something in an extension of your brand versus something you're interested in, which I think, again, you've done very well again from we talked about posting in the last episode about how your Instagram told the story and everything, you know, came together. But how do you know that and when you feel that, do you kind of just like, it's a hobby?

Do you have hobbies? How does that work? That's good. I am, how do I know if it's an extension of my brand? Or if you just like it. Just like it. If it's not something I organically do, it's an extension. You know, I like a lot of things.

But like, what is a part of my brand? You see it in my daily life, in my daily walk. And I think that's how I can identify it. When people bring so to me, I'm like, is this? something, oh, I should do this. We had a meeting today and they were like, well, we noticed you do this. I'm like, oh, yeah. Like, we could do that too because it is a part of who I am versus like, oh, yeah, I like

doing that. But if I don't do it all the time, then that's not really my thing. So you kind of covered it, but just like to get a bit more specific for people that feel like, again, they're in that pressure tank. Maybe this one thing is in making as much money as the other one. Have you ever felt that you had to narrow it down? And when you felt like that, did you try it? And you were like, no, y'all get me out this box?

Or, like you said, are you sorting out every time? Are there different instances for that? I think it depends on the season you are in your life. You know, I mean, and this is in so many areas, not just work and building a brand. There's times where you're focused on relationship, love, whatever that may be. There's times where you maybe just focus on business and building your brand and trying to get to where you're trying to get to. There may be times where, like, I'm in my savings season. You know, I'm trying to be more physically responsible.

There's times, I feel like in every sense. season, there's a time where you're focusing on one thing more than the other, you know, and you may have a lot of different things going on, but the main thing is the main thing. If it's business, it's business, you know. And for me, being transparent, I realize, like, things take the backseat because I'm so driven on my business. Love takes a backseat. I don't have the capacity for a lot of things when I'm, I'm focused on this, you know,

like, can't you see what I got this, this? I'm trying to study for this and I got this. There's so many different things going on, but I get fuel from it. You know, like I love all the things happening. And it's like, okay, we got this going. We got this going on. I feed off of it. But I notice that when, if I'm focused on one thing too much,

something is going to take the backseat. And I think as an entrepreneur, as anybody who's in business, you kind of just become okay with that to an extent and don't allow yourself to feel guilty about it. And then just carve out seasons, we're like, okay, no, I'm focused on that. Now I'm focused on this, you know. So I don't know about like feeling boxing or just focusing on one thing. I feel like it's just a season for everything.

Yeah. And I'm still struggling with that. Like, are you just okay with it? Because naturally that's just how things line up is. If you're giving 110 to something, something else. It's going to fall. Yeah. I mean, people always say you can't have it all.

You know, you're like, yes, I can't. no you can't. Something is, you know, like you're going to have to learn to delegate or kind of back off of something to make time for something else. And it's something I struggle with. I'm still struggling with it, you know, because things are popping. And like, even, like, if you look at my schedule, it's like every hour, there's something. Like I had to, all right, I got to go.

I got to be out of here because I got a study session at six. You know, like, for the moment I wake up, it's something happening, whether they see it on the calendar or not. Like, I have, like, everything. do. Yeah. And I'm very detailed oriented in that way where like I have to write everything out. I like to check it off. It's something very satisfying when I cross it out that I've completed it. But I'm so driven and the thing that is feeding me right now is me fulfilling all my dreams and seeing it come true and seeing my prayers being answered where nothing really can distract me right now. And I feel like it's been like this for God, the last.

last six years really or maybe honestly no last 10 years yeah since i was like really started like living out my purpose and and seeing things finally happening because you go through these seasons where you're like gosh it's not happening oh what is you're saying when is it going to break when am i going to have my moment and then when it hits it's like this is what i've been praying for i got to hit it i got to strike while the iron's hot because one day they're not going to be called me that that creeps in you know and you're like I got to make sure that I make every single moment count. So I don't, I'm unapologetic about it.

That's the season I'm living in. But I also can be honest and say that I am aware that certain aspects of my life are taking the backseat. We're going to get to that. But right before we get off of that, I am always just so intrigued by actresses and things. Because I'm like, they really are remembering all of these lines. Like you are, I don't think people understand the intensity of, being a star of your caliber and what that looks like. So being a business woman and then you have this creative side,

how do you practice any mindfulness? I guess how could someone that's like I'm a creative, but I'm also a business person, how do you, what do you practice to, I guess not shut off the business side when you're in that mode, but I mean, you couldn't be thinking about all these thousand things on set. So what does that look like for you?

But I do. You do. I be on the side like, Really? Yeah, I mean, it's just a part of it. I mean, heavy is the crown, you know, heavy is the head that wears the crown. And you've got to pay the cost to be the boss,

and sometimes while you working on one passion, this ain't stopping, you know? So, like, things still have to happen. So I think for me, like, even right now, like I start filming next week. Normally I shut everything down, like the two weeks leading up, but my schedule has been so busy. I haven't been given that to be able to, like, just shut down.

So scheduling, making sure that, okay, when I leave here, I'm carving out my two hours. When I wake up, I'm studying. So, like, in order to fit in, what I need to fit in so that while I'm filming, everything is taken care of, I have to sacrifice and really, like, make, how they always say, you and Beyonce have the same amount of hours in the day. I have to make sure that I maximize every single hour. and it is hard sometimes. I had to spray magnesium on my hands and feet every night

just to shut my brain down because I will be running lines in my sleep, like close my eyes and like, Angela, do-da-da-da-da-da. And I'm like, what is happening? Because I mean, I have 20 episodes, sisters is 22 episodes, and I have to know all these lines

because on day one I'm shooting from episode one to episode 19. So it's not like, I know this day I'm just going to have to know these five episodes. No, I have to know all 20. Like, it's a lot of information. Then I have to come and have a conversation with you. While I'm still trying to hold all this information I've been memorizing for the last month so that when I get on set, I can live in it and not feel like I'm reciting and reading off a piece of paper.

So it is so much that goes into it that people don't. They look like, oh, she's just easy. She's just, no, it's a lot of hard work and a lot of preparation, a lot of focus. and to even be who I am and be this character that people have fallen in love with takes a level of being able to shut out everything that is going on and be present on that set to be able to evoke the emotion that makes people like, oh my God, I really feel her. I see what she's going through.

But they don't know the things I've had to shut out in real life to be able to tap into that to give that emotion, you know. And recently I remember doing a scene, And as I was talking, I was speaking to the character, Andy, KJ Smith, and I was so present in it, I didn't realize that the character was speaking to Crystal. And I could see myself, I'm like, this is me. And I literally was like tearing up in the dirt. Are you crying?

I'm like, yeah, but I was so present because I was able to shut everything out and really like sit in it. And it happened so many times because I was able to finally just like be and not have to feel like, okay, I got to do everything. and I was able to kind of, okay, when I'm in the chair, just having a little break, I can take my text messages and like everything good or whatever the case may be. But it's a lot to be able to shut it off. It is. You're seasoned.

He was seasoned. That comes from the reps. It's because you have the reps too. Yes. I'm a miserner girl, so I love repetition. Like, that's how I learn everything. I love that. I have a photographic memory.

I can, like, see the lines on the pages. Like, I'm like, oh, I can know, like, feel the page because I can see it. Okay, that's all right. Yeah. So you talk about, we talked about how things have gone to back burner, right? Yes. And you talk, I think you do really well about being transparent.

People feel like they know you. But at the same time, it's like, y'all don't know my business for real. So your circle is tight. If you know, you know, all those things. How have you been able to be so transparent, transparent and relatable while still maintaining that privacy. You have the right to tell people what you want to tell them, you know, and I think that you have to make a conscious decision what you want to share.

Everything isn't for everybody, and I'm very intentional about the things I want to hold close to my heart. And that's my relationship, whoever I'm in a relationship with until I'm ready to share that, if I'm even in a relationship. You know, those are things that I think I had to learn the hard way because I was such an open book at one point. And then I realized I share so much. Certain things, it's okay to keep it to yourself, Crystal. And it's not being secretive.

It's just, no, I just, it's not your business, honestly. You know, and until I'm ready to share those things, I feel like it's okay. And what I've noticed is that it keeps peace in those relationships. There's less distractions and less, input from people who aren't even in it, you know, so that you can actually get to know the person for yourself. And I think that's very important. But it's really just figuring out, okay, what do I want to share?

And I am an open book about what I'm going through. I'm an open book about business. I'm an open book about where I am in my faith walk, my, you know what I'm saying, when I backslide, when I pick it up and figure it out again, you know. And I think it's important to show people the human side of you, but showing people who you are doesn't always mean you got to like disclose everything. That's good. I feel like your discernment is very, very high and very good.

For someone that feels like maybe they aren't practicing that well or, you know, they don't know what discernment is or is that something you think that you're born with or you think it's something that life or do you think it's something that can be, I guess, created or cultivated in someone? Honestly, for me, I feel like every woman. is born with their gut instincts or intuition, as they say. I believe that is a gift that we've been given. But when it comes to discernment,

for me, that has been with my growth in my relationship with God and having that constant conversation and communication with him to know, like, okay, this is for me. I have a good feeling about this. What I do know is that God is not the author of confusion. So anytime I feel a little of confusion about it, I take a seat back, you know, but I don't know if it's something that can be taught,

definitely can be cultivated through, for me, I don't know what everybody else's experience has been, but for me, it's been cultivated through my relationship with Christ. But I will say, you can go through things and still not learn a lesson. And I think we've all been there where we like, it's still it again. It's like, how did I get? I told you if you got me out of this last and I wouldn't do it again, and here we go. You know, so I don't think it's one of those things that it can be taught.

I do feel like experiences a great. lesson for a lot of people, but that doesn't necessarily build discernment. Yeah. We talk about not being transparent and about being transparent. For those people that just like, okay, I want to be popping and we see online, people are like feeling they hold, you know everybody, you know they hold the all the tea, right? Yeah. What would you say that people who want to maintain privacy but still want to build real connection

online? Because again, I think you do very well at that. But then there's the flip side of people that have, I mean, we know A to Z, the whole story, right? And some people just not like that. But they still want to show up and connect and do that. What is some of your advice to them? Yeah, and I say to each is on, you know, like, if that's what you want to do, that's what you want to do. And for some people, it works, you know.

But for me, I feel like for the person who wants to, you know what I'm saying, have that presence online and share some things, figuring out what you want to share, set your boundaries. Like if you do want to keep certain things private, just know that, hey, I'm not crossing this line. I'm not going to talk about this. This is off the table. Even when you do interviews, just let people know, hey, I don't want to talk about this. We can talk about that. But yeah, I feel like just setting your boundaries with yourself is the main thing.

But honestly, when you get on there, like, it's just a lot. Like, I don't think everybody needs to know everything, you know. is it going to help anybody? When they finish watching this video, are they going to be impacted for the better? Or is it going to push them to go do something that they shouldn't do? I think carrying that responsibility when you get on a phone or get on a microphone, whatever the case may be,

thinking about how it's going to be received on the other side is very important. That's cool. So this is season 11, keep it positive, sweetie. That's big. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. you. Right. So the sweeties. So I'm not going to say you were one of the, you were the first,

of course, but I think that you made us women feel very confident and boldly about just sharing about Christ and what God was doing and all these things. When you first came up with Keep it Positive, sweetie, and it was cool, like I said, to scroll back and see you like, say, I got something for y'all, I got something for y'all, and just seeing like the graphics chain and all those things we talked about. on the previous episode. Did you, of course you're a big dreamer and stuff, but did you see 11 seasons? Girl, I didn't even see the first season.

Somebody had to show it to me. I was like, a podcast? I don't know about that because I was such a private person. And it was DeVal who brought it to my attention when he looked at my social media. He was like, I really don't know who you are. He's like, you have these cool videos. Like, I know you like to cook.

You like to do hair and makeup, but it's all like voiceovers. I'm not really seeing your personality. and he said, and you are really dope and funny. He said, people don't know how funny you are. I'm like, I'll be telling people I'm funny. And he was like, no, for you need to show more your personality. And then when it came to the podcast, my manager at the time, she was like, it's time.

And I was like, I don't know if I'm ready for that. That's a lot. You know, and it is a lot of transparency, a lot of sharing and moments that I had to be ready to share. You know, that wouldn't only impact me. They impact the people that may be in the, other side of that story, you know. So, and we talked about that even with writing a book. So, yeah, 11 seasons, I don't know if I can say that I actually saw that in the future.

I'm grateful for what we have built with this platform, but even getting season one was a lot for me. Yeah. What made you say yes, though? Of course, the voucher, but what made you actually, like, hit it, like, okay, let's get the cameras, let's get the art. Like, what made you go there? I think it was praying about it and saying, hey, like, is this something I really want to do and can I do it well? You know, and how am I going to go about it? Because for me, I always want to do things different.

Like, I don't want to do exactly what everybody else is doing. So I went into it with the intention of wanting a talk show. Oprah Winfrey has been one of my North Star since I was a kid. And it was something about this opportunity, building something. It's been like that since day one. like doing it before like giving this a proof of concept you know so everything i've done kind of even with doing my hair was a proof of concept for what i have now uh so i feel like the thought of like you know this is something that you've been wanting to do do it this way you know it doesn't have

to be like the traditional podcast so i think um that was a thing that really one being ready to open up because you have to have a level of transparency to do a podcast unless you just talking to other people in them telling their business. Which we could have done that too, but I think for them to draw to you and relate to you, you have to share something. And so, again, like it's faith-based. It's about God. It's about your walk.

It's about people talking about that and about purpose and things like that. And so. I do want to say that it didn't start off like that. Like, God was always the foundation of it. But in season one I had watched Jazzion. We were talking about body counting whole phases. and who else that I have on? That was a little controversial.

I'm trying to think you had. The watch the episode was. Who? I said, no, I said, yeah, definitely. Yeah, and then the girl talk episode was three of my home girls. So how did that shift? I think, one, my relationship with God grew, and then taking that seriously, you know,

and understanding if you're going to proclaim my name, I need to see that. I need to see it in the fruit of your ass. actions. I need to see it. I need people to see it on you. And I just, I took that very serious, you know, and one thing I don't play about God. Yeah. And it was like, if I'm going to do it, like, there's, I feel like there's a way that I could still be who God created me to be in my own lane where I don't have to be, shout out to my big sister Sarah Jax Roberts. I don't have to be SJR, you know, like she does her thing. I don't have to be at Tasha Cobbs. You know,

like there's so many women in the face base space. They are who they are, but I'm Crystal. and I can do it the way I do it. And even Sarah helped me see that. She was like, Crystal, she was like, you are you. But all these women, they're here for you. Yeah. You know, so she's like, there's something that you're doing that is still doing the job. So understanding my lane and figuring out, which I think everybody has to kind of figure out,

where do they fit in whatever lane they're trying to pursue? And for me, it was like, God, where do I fit in this space where I don't feel like I'm losing myself, but I'm honoring you. And I feel like there is parts of me that had to die naturally to, to honor him the way he needs to be honored, but to not lose my wit and lose like the parts of being that people are just like, oh my God, I love that about her.

She's so real and understanding that like he knows who I am and this is how he made me. And I'm just going to walk in that, you know, and give him the glory and speak his name so that people can be drawn to him. Yeah. Bell Pure Fiber Internet? It's fast, like really fast.

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Bell, connection is everything. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast, Superhuman, documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth.

Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball, of college football or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined.

And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told,

and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to The Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok.

Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do a little kill? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English.

Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack.

So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years

for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. And I'm sure that ties to my next question, because, again, like you said, it didn't start off like that. You wanted to keep it positive, and you wanted to have the good talk and be relatable and things like that.

And it's kind of cultivated into this massive thing, right, and where God is definitely getting the glory every time. But on our algorithm now, of course, you know, we type it in. Now you're going to start seeing all, just the way the algorithm works, you'll start seeing all this Christian-based trends and all these things. And I hate to call it a trend or exploitation, but some of it is, right? Because some people just get on and, like, come on now, you know, you're just doing this because it's popular.

Like you can tell like, what do you, like, that's not even who you are. Stop. Like, stop playing. Like, literally stop playing. I think that you had to be careful because a lot of people try to make, being a Christian transactional. Like, oh, I can, this is what's popping right now. Let me hop on this.

Like, it really needs to be a part of who you are. And God knows. You know, it's only so long you can fake it like with anything else. So I think when people do that, you got to be really careful with that. That's not something to play with. Yeah, and that's what I was going to ask you. When you see that, I mean, especially being so inner circle and knowing that, how do you, for the person that's watching that, what are your thoughts to them, what are your things to them?

Because, again, sometimes it's like you can get the message, maybe not the right messenger. So, you know, what are your thoughts on that and knowing, like, right? But you say, you may be saying the right thing. You may be saying the word. you may be delivering the message, but it's just like that messenger is a less catchy. I think it's a fine line of, one, not judging people, you know, because God could truly be working on somebody's heart.

They just might not be dressed the way we think they should be. Like, I've seen people online speaking the word in the book, but everything's out. It's like, what we do? You know, like, it's like I feel like there should be reverence, you know, when you are doing whatever you're doing in the name of God. But I feel like we can't be judgmental. For me, I know, like, we talked about things I've archived.

There was a lot of stuff that I used to pose. There was very risque, thirst trap-ish, you know. And when I went through, those are things I did clean off my page as I began to take a serious, one, because there's so many little girls that are following me. I don't want them feeling like this is what you're supposed to do because they're like, oh, if Chris was doing it. oh, I'm going to go take this bathing suit picture. I'm going to show my ass, whatever the case ain't be.

I didn't want to be that example for them. I wanted to be the example of a woman who dresses modestly, you know, but still fly. You know what I'm saying? My mom always told me, Crystal, you can't let everything hang out. You know what I'm saying? Like if you're going to show a little top, be covered at the bottom. If you're going to show a little leg, be covered at the top. Like, you can have your back out.

Everything don't have to be out. You know, and I feel like there's a tasteful way to do everything. when it comes to being dressed. But when we get online and we see people online, we're like, I don't know, all I do is pray. Like, God, if this person is really speaking for you and it's genuine, just because I've been there. I know the transformation that God can do in people.

I can be in church every Sunday. Saturday, I might have been smoking, doing edibles, partying, getting drunk, whatever the case may be. But I was still going to church, praising the Lord every Sunday, tithing, but it was something about cultivating and refining their relationship where God started to change me. And then I started being more mindful about high dress, where I hung out, saying no to drugs, and really being that example of who he is and showing people, yo, you can be popping. As country Wayne say, Jesus is popping. And like, knowing that, like, your life can be blessed

and you can live an amazing life and honor him in the same way. I think we kind of get caught up in what that looks like and forget about the come as you are. Yeah, and I think that that kind of shows just on the several guests you've had and the conversations that have come from those things. And so how in this, when we go back to you being this businesswoman, and I mean, you're in some really major spaces where people don't even maybe talk about religion or talk about God. How are you maneuvering through that and how are you, how are you, I guess, you know,

moving through that and knowing like, okay, they might not even have a religion or have these things. Does that impact how you move if God says, okay, you're still good, or is it all have to be based on that? What does that look like? That's a really good question. When it comes to being in rooms, I always look at Jesus. He hung out with people that the Pharisees and Sadducees judged him for. Why are you hanging out with him? He's a thief and why are you hanging He was a killer. He's an adulterer. And the thing is, is that Jesus would tell stories.

He would be who he is. His light would shine, but he would never judge them. You know what I'm saying? He always, like, was welcoming and what ends up happening, I don't have to shove it down their throat. They're going to see the light on me. You know, sometimes it's just being in your presence where it's like, yo, it is something about this girl.

He got it. And then the conversation is naturally going to come up, you know. And even if it doesn't, always going to feel some type of peace and be drawn to you and eventually it's going to come up where they're going to want to know more. What is this? It's something about you. Like, I can't put my finger on it. Or they're going to follow you on Instagram and see, oh, wow, she's a Christian or she's really in her words. She's a believer. I want to know more about this because I see the light that she has on her life. Sometimes it's not about being in the space and Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.

You know, like sometimes it's just being, you know, like you can shove Jesus down people's throat and not be living it and not be a reflection of him. So I think the most important part is being a reflection of his light, treating people with kindness. And when people come to you for advice, if they're struggling with something, give them sound advice of how to turn away from it. I think as Christians we've gotten so comfortable with a, God knows my heart or this, you know what I am, knowing it's wrong. No, if you know that, then, okay, let's, let's think about how we got here, you know, and let's think about how we can turn away from this. Because it's one thing to be like, oh yeah, yeah, because Jesus, he hung with these people and this people,

but most of those people turned away from what they were doing. And some of them, they were right there with them and even turned their back on them. Come on. They turned his back on them. We talk about Judas and Peter. Like one of them, he said, get away from me, Satan. And there's one thing that PD taught me is about when you have people around you, you have Peters and Judas's.

You have people that make mistakes, but then you got judas that you cut off. And understand the difference of like who is a Peter, somebody who has a good heart and made a mistake, but who is a Judas that you need to get out, cut it up. off. You know, so I think when it comes to just understanding your space in different rooms and how to navigate it, it's really just one allowing your fruit to show and so people can see like, oh, wow, she really is who she speaks of. Like, I see that in her. It's reflected, you know. So, yeah, I think just getting away from the rigidity of religion and really living the life of Jesus is what was the main point that I try to push off.

I know for a lot of people in that space and who, you know, they start off with, you know, the faith and pushing the Christ. Then maybe they backslide or maybe they just, right. I've been there. Talk about that, though. Even if you were to do something now that may just be like, uh, when I'm pushing. How do you come back from that? And if you did have to, I mean, maybe not explain, but what does that look like for you in those instances where it's like, dang, I kind of didn't want to post that. or maybe I did too much or do you ever have those moments and when you do or when you did have

them what was that like for someone and this is just for like the business woman that that is her brand she loves God she you know she's working on herself but maybe by the post it a little risque yeah but now she wants she doesn't want that to define her you know to make it where people don't trust what she's what she's what she's putting out there yeah um listen uh Paul and he wrote a scripture about the very things that I hate to do, I do them. Like, we know we're not supposed to do it. We're talking about Paul.

Yeah. You know what I'm saying? Amanda was killing Christians. But, like, turn his life over to Christ and even said, like, there's things like, I know I shouldn't be doing this, but the very thing I hate doing, I end up doing it anyway. PD talked about this on Sunday, too, about the growth turns when that, when the, I know I'm doing this. I don't like it. I hate it.

The growth is in the hate. There was a time where it didn't bother me when I did that. It was like, whatever, you know? So there's growth in that. And I feel like to the people that are still growing, give yourself grace. You know, when you know you are truly trying to do better, be better to turn away from things, understand that you are working and combating years of habits that you've been set in. You know, certain things that don't cut off like cold turkey, like,

like a light switch. Certain things you really got to work at, and we talk about dying to our flesh daily. Certain things you really have to work at quitting. And, like, sometimes that urge is going to pull back at you. You know, I talked about, I don't know if I've talked about it privately. But I don't know if I opened up publicly about it. But there's things like I've turned away from and those urges come.

You know, like, masturbation for me was one of them things like sex hasn't been an issue. Like I can be like, no, I'm not having sex. And I've been good on that. but the urge because there's something about a vibrator that a man can't do. And it's private. No one would even know. Nobody would know. But guess what?

God knows. And it hurts my heart when I do it. So like that's something where like I've let that go as well. But it took a while to let that go. I did talk about that. It took a while to let that go. And even God was like, you're going to have to stop this. You know, please stop.

Because no man will ever be able to satisfy you to keep using this thing. You know, so I think it's understanding being real. and being real with yourself, knowing, and I think sharing and being transparent about things like that, where it's like, yes, I cut this off, but this right, he was hard for me. This was tough so that people don't feel alone when they're trying to do right.

That doesn't give permission and mission. Yeah, just keep going, girl, because you got to know, like, just keep doing it. It's okay because I'm going to keep forgiving you. But, like, it's like, no, like, really work towards trying, but it's, understand that it is hard and we all fall short. And I think that's the main thing that I want to drive home is that even when you fall short,

just don't stay there, get up and try again, clean slate. You know, every day, daily bread. That's why we pray for that. Give us our daily bread because I know yesterday I messed it up. Okay. So I need a new loaf today, Lord. Let's try this again.

But yeah, just don't allow, we call them first way Christians. Don't allow them to push you away from doing what you know is right even when you fall down. And I think that's the main thing. we get so caught up in the scripture that we lose sight of the foundation and the act of it. It's so good, Crystal. So again, you're all these businesses and some of them are first, and then some of them you are, you know, recreating and redoing. Even with the hair care line, hair's been around for so long, right?

Yeah. And you weren't the first, but you are popping with it. So I want to connect that because a lot of people feel like everything is oversaturated, podcast, hair products, just all these things, right? Because they've been done and people make money, so people are going to try it and things like that. For someone who has a calling or a gift but feels like a space is already full, what would you say to them?

And I think you have so much to say because... Yes, do it anyway. You know, this is something that you've been called to, something that you feel like you could add something different to as well. There's space for everybody. I mean, this is like a multi-billion dollar. area space when it comes to beauty even podcasts like there's so much money everywhere to make it why not be you you know i feel like a lot of times we allow doubt and fear to creep in when we see

so many people doing it's like well where do i fit in you're you that's where you fit in and i think once you get that into your head and realize wait there is something about me there's something special about me and for me i walked into it confidently knowing that this is something that i was doing before this opportunity came. So I was able to say, no, like, I can do this, and I can definitely sell this because I've been doing it before I was making some money off of it. So I think when you know you've done the work,

goes back to doing the work. When you've done the work, there is no stopping you. And I feel like there's space for everybody. And there's room for me, and I'm living proof of it. So there's room for you, too. Of course, we know about God's time and, you know, that this is the perfect time. For someone that's maybe not there, quite there yet with understanding that,

what are some steps that you can give them to, like, it's not too late? Or, like, what is something? Of course, doing the work, but what is some other things that you think you could just instill or just some practices people could be doing? Who, again, they know what they want to do, but they're just kind of scared. Yeah. Yeah, so I have known that I wanted to be an actor since the age of five. I wanted to be an entertainer.

I was 36, okay? 36 when I got my big break, which is late in the entertainment industry. But I was right on time. And I say that to inspire someone who feels like they're late, and I feel like it's never too late to pivot. You know, so many people are like, I'm at this age and I don't like what I'm doing.

What do you like to do? Is it something that you can make a living off of? or is it a hobby, you know? And if it is something you can make a living off of, start working towards that while you have a job and create your exit strategy. You know, I think that we get so stuck in what's safe that we miss out on living in our purpose.

And I think there is a level of responsibility that you have to have. Don't be reckless with it and just, I'm just going to quit my job today because I don't like it. You know, don't do that. But be responsible. And sometimes you're going to have to put it in the extra. shifts where it's like okay I'm going to work during the day on my main job but at night time I'm going to really work on my passion so that I can leave this other job and this can be my main

thing but you're never too late you're never too late I love that so I know that you are doing the soccer you're doing all of these things I want to go back to that because again we know that you've always you've always been into the hair and the fashion and of course you we see you into the sports, but what does, tell us more about that and what does that look like. And this is more so to inspire someone who may have like a secret, like love or a secret thing. And then what does that look like to actually step into that role like that? Yeah, that's a great question.

For me, I always said that when I started making a certain amount of money where I could invest, I wanted to create generational wealth. So the great thing is some opportunities come. You can get in on the entry level and it can turn to something crazy. as you let it mature over the years. When it comes to investing in sports teams, it's the long game. This is not something I get dividends off of at the end of the year or quarterly. This is something that when I get older, say the team sells or we end up doing an evaluation,

I would get a big payout for that. So this is playing the long game and understanding like when you have money that you can, same with investing in stocks and bonds and Treasury by the money. treasury-wise, whatever it is that you may be investing in, you're going to let that money sit, you know, and let it continue to compound interest. This is one of those things where I have money that I could do without. You have to be smart about it.

Is this money that you can do without because this isn't something I can go in and be like, oh, I need this? Now, I could go sell some of my shares if I needed to, which is always smart to have something in a reserve. They can't touch it because taxes, which is another good thing. Talk to that business. Listen, you want to make sure that you're putting your, your money investing in things where Uncle Sam can't touch it until you start pulling money out of it.

So for me, this is another way that I can cut back on what I have to pay for, but in the long run, it's going to be a huge payout. So I think sometimes we get caught up in the, I want the money right now that we're not thinking about the long game. That's good. Yeah, a little business. I'm a little business talk. So the last thing I want to touch on for the person that is, you know, they work hard. They, you know, they're in their word.

They're being patient. What are some things when you were right at that moment? What are something that you actively did? Maybe it was like you rolling your planner every day or you did. What are some things that you, not instantly, but you saw that shift when you started implementing these daily, I guess, works or things like that, just to get people again, like some stuff they can do, charge them with. I think practicing discipline, you know, having a schedule, sticking to.

it, there's something about routine that helps be structured, that helps you understand. Like, you're not going with the flow. It's like, oh, I just wake up and I do what everyone do. No, like every successful person, they're up early. They're up before everybody. They are taking care of their bodies, taking care of their mind, where there's meditation, journaling, working out. For me, my workout is meditation for me. I can, like, just be with myself, put my headphones in, and I'm fueling my body for the day. There's something about discipline, and if you don't have it before it hits, before that prayer is answered, it's going to be hard to, like, jump into discipline when it does come, and a lot of times you'll fumble it.

So I think, for me, it's making sure that before it comes, whatever you're asking for, also pray for the discipline, and then start practicing discipline before it actually hits. Yeah. That was good. That was good. Listen, I'm telling you, like, I would not be where I am today if I wasn't structured. Yeah, I had to have that discipline. And I've had that since I was a kid.

You know, my parents put me in organized sports. I was a competition cheerleader. We had practice right after school. Sometimes we would go home. Then we had to be back at a certain time. We had competitions. We had basketball games, football games, softball games, track meets. Whatever it was, we had to make sure that we were there on time, also taking care of our studies.

So it was so much that I was juggling at a young age that gave me that. structure and I think it's something that I carried into every part of my life, even how hard it was, the mental fortitude to be able to handle difficult things at a young age, whether it's getting hurt or being mentally exhausted, physically exhausted, but pushing through, it's something that you can't buy, you know, and sometimes you don't even, some people don't have it, you know, and that's why I don't feel like everybody is in the same position because some things you just have to have or you have to build a stamina for it. So I'm grateful to my parents. And I always shout out my middle school cheerleading coach, Ms. Fran, who instilled at a very young age, what hard work was. She didn't care

if a bone was popping out of our arm. You finish it. I don't care if your nose is bleeding. If you just got it knocked out, whatever, finish the routine. And then we'll figure it out. And I think I just carry that with everything I do. Yeah. Just finish it. I love it. I mean, It's no surprise, of course, where your personal brand is. I'm so excited just to see what more businesses will flourish. I know a lot is coming. Listen, I'm telling you, like, God just gives me ideas. I'm like, okay.

And sometimes, even to that, you may get an idea and it may take time for it to come to fruition. Don't give up on that. You know, like, God gave me an idea last year. I just had the meeting today a year later, but it was right on time because I've learned more. I'm in a better position. You know, so I think understanding guys timing, understanding what you're supposed to learn throughout the gaps, when you feel like, oh, my God, what is it happening? Take a moment to sit back and be like, wait, what am I supposed to be learning right now? Because there's something that, a reason why there's a delay.

It's not a denial, but it's a delay so that you can be ready for when it does come. My job. Oh, this is good. Yeah, that was good. Thank you, Shelly. Questions? What I really want you to understand is this. You don't have to choose one version of yourself to be successful.

You can evolve, you can expand, you can build in multiple spaces. But the key to doing it well is alignment. Everything you do should connect back to who you are, what you believe and how you want to show up in the world. And when you leave from that place, it's not about doing everything. It's about doing the right things in the right season. So don't let fear, comparison, or the idea that, it's already being done, stop you. What's for you is not crowded.

Thank you so much for tuning into another episode of Keep It Positive, sweetie. Don't forget to download the Season 11 Kipps Reflection Guide at Krista Renee Hazelot.com. Subscribe and share this episode with someone who needs it. And if you ever need advice, positivity, or just want to share something you're going through,

email us at Keep It Positive Outcomes at gmail.com. As always, stay blessed, stay encouraged, and keep a positive, sweetie. I'll see y'all next time. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and Friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman

help make you funnier. This week, my guest, S&L's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter.

Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the I-Heart Radio, app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all,

embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app. Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying.

Yep, that's me, Clivert Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Cliford Show. This is a place for raw, unfills of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84's big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a hear, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors.

Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild. I mean, it was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.