Keep it Positive, Sweetie - What God Has For You Is For You w/ Terri J. Vaughn

Episode Date: December 28, 2025

In this episode of the 'Keep it Positive, Sweetie' show, host Chrystal Renee shares an anecdote about her challenging travel experience and emphasizes the importance of having supportive, prayerful people in one's life. She welcomes actress Terri J Vaughan, known for her roles on the Steve Harvey Show and Netflix's Miss Governor. They discuss their journeys in the entertainment industry, touching on faith, perseverance, and finding success despite numerous challenges. Terri reflects on her 20 years of pitching her show and the importance of living life fully, balancing career and family, and trusting one's inner purpose. The conversation concludes with a prayer for all attendees, asking for God's guidance, grace, and swift answers to their prayers. Connect @luvCrystalRenee @terrijvaughn Visit: CrystalReneeHayslett.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm Marcus Grant. And I'm Michael Flaureo, and together we host the NFL fantasy football podcast. Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season? Then you need the NFL fantasy football podcast, your ultimate source for player news, draft tips, and winning strategies. Whether you're a rookie manager or a fantasy vet, we've got the insight to help you crush your opponents. Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. You know the shade is always Shadiest right here.

Season 6 of the podcast Reasonably Shady with Jazelle Bryan and Robin Dixon is here dropping every Monday. As two of the founding members of the Real Housewives Potomac were giving you all the laughs, drama, and reality news you can handle. And you know we don't hold back. So come be reasonable or shady with us each and every Monday. Listen to Reasonably Shady. from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your

podcasts. Welcome to Decoding Women's Health. I'm Dr. Elizabeth Pointer, chair of Women's Health and Gynecology at the Atria Health Institute in New York City. I'll be talking to top researchers and clinicians and bringing vital information about midlife women's health directly to you. A hundred percent of women go through menopause. Even if it's natural, why should we suffer through it. Listen to Decoding Women's Help with Dr. Elizabeth Pointer on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. From tips for healthy living to the latest medical breakthroughs, WebMD's Health Discovered podcast keeps you up to date on today's most important health issues. Through in-depth conversations with experts from across the health care community, WebMD reveals how today's health news will impact your life tomorrow.

It's not that people don't know that exercise is healthy. It's just that people don't know why it's healthy And we're struggling to try to help people Help themselves and each other Listen to WebMD Health Discovered On the IHeart Radio app Or wherever you get your podcasts From NBA champion Stefan Curry

Comes shot ready A powerful never-before-seen look At the mindset that changed the game I fell in love with the grind You have to find joy in the work you do When no one else is around Success is not an accident I'm passing the ball to you

let's go step curry redefined basketball now he's rewriting what it means to succeed order your copy of the new york times bestseller shot ready today at stephen curry book dot com calling all my sweeties to the forefront i'm your host christ renan hazel and this is the keep it positive sweeties show can we just say thank you jesus that was not loud enough can we say thank you jesus There we go. Listen, I had to travel to New York yesterday, and I was on the first flight out to get back so I could hear Pastor Sarah preach last night, and I get on the plane, and this woman was, I'm talking about saying a very fervent prayer. She was, and I looked over, she was on my row, and I said, we're going to be all right. We're going to make it, because it was storms all over, and since January, the year has been yearing. Can we all agree on that? And I said, Lord, if there's a delay, I'm going to thank you for the delay, because I just want to make it there safe, whatever it is. And because I used to get agitated, and I felt that agitation creeping in after two hours sitting on the ground. We finally get in the air, and we're almost to Atlanta.

I got, gone to the bathroom on the plane, changed clothes. I was going to hit the ground running, and the pilot comes on the intercom and says, well, we're going to be in a 30-minute holding pattern in the air. So I hit my team up, and I said, y'all, we're not going to make it. And shout out to Big Wes, one of our managers. Big fella, y'all don't put us in church jail, but he bootlegged the sermon so I could watch it because that's how thirsty I am for the word. And I know if you're here today,

it's because you're also thirsty for the word. Shout out to that praying woman who was praying like a grandmother on that plane. We made it safely, and I still got the word. But it also goes to show who's on your row. You know what I'm saying? That woman was on my row, and I want you to always be cognizant of the people on your road,

in your life. Are they praying for you? Are they there for you? Are y'all praying to the same God? You know what I'm saying? Because there's a difference. And without further ado, I want to welcome one of my sisters in Christ. She is absolutely amazing. You may remember her as LaVita Alisei Jenkins on the Steve Harvey Show. Or you may know her from her new hit show on Netflix, Miss Governor. Ladies, put it together, put your hands together for my sister, Miss Terry Vaughn. Yes. Hey, y'all. Thank y'all.

Hey, John. All right. Since it is so good to be here with you, when we were going over people that I could interview for this. moment and hands down you were the one and it was because of our recent conversations that I knew I needed to sit down with you Terry and I well we met a lot we kind of met a long time ago I just reminded her that in 2010 we were in a short film called This Time directed by Matthew Cherry and I had one line so I'm like

this kid trying to get into the movie industry and he's a kid making short films and here's the Terry Vine in this movie and I found the cover art for it. And I was like, do you remember this? And she was like, oh my gosh. I had one line, your table is ready. And here we are. And look at her now, right? God is good. But recently, we were at a Sunday brunch at Tyler Perry's house. And Tyler does these brunches where we screen the latest project that he's worked on. And this particular Sunday, we were screening the first episode of your show, Miss Governor. And when I tell you, you, Tyler saw it and I saw it as well, but Terry was so full in that moment. And it was so

beautiful to see. And in that moment, Tyler looked at me and he goes, that was you when sisters came out. And he said, y'all need to talk. And you put it off for a little while, and you kept saying, we need to talk. And then finally you're like, I need to call you. And we had this beautiful conversation. And I want to start with that because we talk about the journey. Don't, don't you start. I know. You see I'm looking around. I'm like, y'all don't have tissue up here. I'm sorry. It's just that kind of party. It is. I was telling her backstage. I've been on the verge of crying all day.

I don't know what it is. I do know what it is. Just grateful. Yeah. Y'all might need to bring the clean eggs. Yeah. Just to have it on hand. Gratitude is real. But in that conversation, I thought it was so beautiful how vulnerable you were to have started off on this hit show.

Everyone watched the Steve Harvey show and we're going to get to the journey, but to where you are now, it was like a completely new ground for you. Yeah. like how do I navigate this? Let us know where you were in that moment. So first of all, thank you for choosing me. Of course. It's always nice to be chosen. Yeah. So in that moment, I was in the midst of a lot of press for the new show for Ms. Governor. And it was, everything was just so back to back to back to back to back. Yeah. And yes, I've been in this

business for a really long time, you guys. I've been in this business for 30 years. but yet though I've been pitching my own show for 20 years say that again I've been pitching my own show for 20 years yeah now it is upon me and I have that show thank you take it in and it was it was a bit overwhelming and I have several conversations with God and I know why it took the 20 years because feeling all the things that come with being in this position I wouldn't have been ready I wouldn't have

been ready I would have messed it up I would have freaked out or something and now is the time and I'm like just looking for a little direction or guidance because I don't want to mess up the moment, right? I don't want to, because everything just got different. The people that call, the people that don't call, the things being said, everything changed. And I'm still the same person, though. I haven't changed.

Everything is still, so I'm trying to navigate how to change to move in all the newness. of it without losing myself, losing my connection to my tribe, my real friends, my village, and not getting caught up in the newness, the new calls, the new, you know. And so I just was like talking to Crystal about how she navigated when she first got her show and now everything is on her, the light is on her, the calls are on her, and just make it because it's a huge responsibility. You are responsible for, you know, a lot of people.

You're the lead of the cast, so kind of your energy and how you move affects everybody. And I'm a mama bear, so I'm super protective. So I want to protect my cast. I want to make sure I'm standing up for them, making sure I'm asking, you know, that they get the things that I, you know, I'm just trying to be fair. We're Libra's too.

So I'm always balancing the scale. So I want, you know, everybody to be treated fairly and all the things. So I just wanted to talk to her and ask her how she navigated when she first plopped into it. Because when you plop into it, it's just like everything happens. At once. Yeah. It's not a buildup. And so I was in the midst of everything rushing at me.

And I was like, I need to pause and I need to talk to somebody. and Crystal talked to me and told me, you know, just share things that she did to stay focused and grounded. And, you know, I'm very spiritual and, you know, and obviously getting my prayers, my meditation. So I'm like, I know who I am. I know I'm grounded. But I also have to operate in a space that doesn't necessarily move or act like me sometimes. And not wanting to lose me, but still. have to navigate through it, you know.

So it was just nice to hear somebody else's perspective, somebody that I could trust because you can't really have these kind of conversations with everyone. So it was just beautiful that she opened up and we had a really great conversation. I love that. And what I think is so beautiful about that, about sisterhood is that you do have a village

and your tribe is so important to make sure that you can have those moments where you say, hey, sis, I am struggling with this. Am I ready for this? Because a lot of times we've gone through the 20 years, you know, whatever that looks like. It may not be 20 years for everyone, but you go through it and then you get to the moment and then you start second-guessing everything that God has put in your toolbox to make you ready for that moment. Has anybody ever done it?

Self-sabotages in the building? Yeah. Yes, right? I'm a big self-sabotager. Like, I can get in my own way. And I think a lot of us do that. But what I thought was so beautiful is that you knew that you could call, you know? And I think that's so important to be someone that your girl can call.

Or if you have a girlfriend, that they can call and say, hey, I'm struggling with this and this is the position that I'm in. But I want to do right by it and steward over it. How do I do that? And a lot of times we forget that, like, we are ready for that moment. Yes. You know? Yes.

Yeah. So I want to go back to when you first started. Let's go to the journey. We're going to, we started. It's like a movie where they started the end and then we're going to go back to the beginning. We're going to rewind. So we can go back to the beginning. Tell us about that journey.

and, like, the ups and downs and flows of that because you started off. What's Steve Harbyshow, your big break? Steve Harbyshow was definitely my big break. I had, I'm from San Francisco. I grew up in the Bay Area. All right. Bay Love.

Yep. And I was living in L.A. for about five years, just, you know, doing the actor thing, background work, waiting tables, worked at Benetton. You know, Benetton is so old. People are like, what's Beniton? Is it colors of Beniton?

Yes, the colors of Beniton. I know, that's so long ago. Okay, anyway. So, you know, just the life of a starving actor. And just auditioning, getting parts. And finally, this audition came through for the Steve Harvey show. And when I remember when I got that audition and I read the material, I was like, oh, my gosh, she's so fun. I know her.

It was like so easy. Yes. Right? I was like, I know her. So I did the audition, got callback and call back and call back and call back and call back. And it was like, it was definitely the easiest, up to that point, the easiest audition that I had ever had. It just felt easy. It felt right.

She fit on me and in me because I knew her. Yeah. And I really cared about her. We could tell. I really cared about her. and so finally I got a call for my agents and you guys so when you're when you're testing for a series like that and you're getting your callbacks over and over the last audition you go in for is with the directors and the producers and the networks so it's like tons of people and you and you have to perform like you always have.

And to me, that was my worst audition out of the whole journey of my LeVita auditioning with the last one. Because at that point, and I don't even know if it still happens like this now, but when you do your last test read, they give you your deal, what your deal will be.

If you get this, you're going to get this. many episodes, this much money. So now I have all this information before I didn't have that information. So I was just free. So now I'm like, oh, I can make this much money. Like I've never seen that much money.

So now I've got all these other things in my mind instead of staying focused just on her. So I kicked into my training. I was like, nope, focus on her. The only thing that matters is the role. The only thing that matters is the role. Yeah. And but I went in and I just

like it wasn't my strongest audition. I just felt like it wasn't my strongest. So I go home and I get a call from my agents and they're like, so how did it go? And I was like, oh, it was okay. I don't think it was my best. But I felt, I feel good. And they were like, well, you must have did something

because you got the part. And I just screamed in my little one-bedroom apartment, fell on my knees and just cried. I just, tears, tears, tears wide. The phone was on the floor by this time and I'm just on the middle of the floor crying because, you know, it's something that you work. Yeah.

So hard for work. Yeah. Yeah. And in our business, we're used to hearing no. Yes. All the time. We get up every day to hear no. Literally, guys.

Literally, every day. But we still keep going because we know we are in line with our purpose. line with our purpose and we keep going and we keep showing up for the nose but still keep going and to finally get a yes is it's just amazing it is it's amazing feeling so you talked about like you get the deal and you're like oh my goodness I'm going to be making this much money yeah a lot of times we run into lack of financial literacy yes what were some of those moments where you're like okay I got this money and what no I was cheap I was cheap. I didn't do anything.

I was like, oh, no, I got to keep this. Nobody's going to take this. So, you know, I didn't really, definitely didn't have any financial literacy. I just was responsible. I've always been a responsible person, so I didn't really splurge or spend a lot. I know how to live in my means. I had been acting for a while, so I knew that jobs, you know, come far and in between, So when you are working, you need to save, save, save.

For those long months when you're not working, you've got to live off of that money. So it's, you know, it's different than people may really think. So I didn't mess up my money. I was able to not ever have to go back and get another job outside of our business. So that was a blessing. But with the lack of financial knowledge, there are things I could have done with that money that would have been smart to set me up better for future.

And I didn't know that. I was just in a bank account. Just sitting. Yeah, that's not good either, y'all. Hey, y'all, it's me, your man, M.G. Marcus Grant. And I'm Michael Florio. And I'm Lequan Jones. If you're looking to win your fantasy football league,

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Welcome to Decoding Women's Health. I'm Dr. Elizabeth Pointer, chair of Women's Health and Gynecology at the Atria Health Institute in New York City. On this show, I'll be talking to top researchers and top clinicians asking them your burning questions. and bringing that information about women's health and midlife directly to you. A hundred percent of women go through menopause. It can be such a struggle for our quality of life, but even if it's natural, why should we suffer through it? The types of symptoms that people talk about is forgetting everything. I never used to forget things.

They're concerned that, one, they have dementia, and the other one is, do I have ADHD? There is unprecedented promise with regard to cannabis and cannabinoids. sleep better, to have less pain, to have better mood, and also to have better day-to-day life. Listen to Decoding Women's Health with Dr. Elizabeth Pointer on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you're listening now. I'm Hunter, host of Hunting for Answers on the Black Effect Podcast Network. Join me every weekday as I share bite-sized stories of missing and murdered black women and

girls in America. There are several ways we can all do better at protecting black women. My contribution is shining a light on our missing sisters and amplifying their disregarded stories. Stories like Tamika Anderson. As she drove toward Galvez, she was in contact with several people, talking on the phone as she made her way to what should have been a routine transaction. But Tamika never bought the car. And she never returned home that day. One podcast, one mission, save our girls.

Join the search as we explore the chilling cases of missing and murdered black women and girls. Listen to hunting for answers every weekday on the Black Effect Podcast Network, IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. The moments that shape us often begin with a simple question. What do I want my life to look like now? I'm Dr. Joy Harden Bradford. And on therapy for black girls, we create space for honest conversations about identity, relationships, mental health, and the choices that help us grow. As cybersecurity expert, Camille Stewart Gloucester reminds us,

we are in a divisive time where our comments are weaponized against us. And so what we find is a lot of black women are standing up and speaking out because they feel the brunt of the pain. Each week, we explore the tools and insights that help you. you move with purpose, whether you're navigating something new or returning to yourself. If you're ready for thoughtful guidance and grounded support, this is the place for you. Listen to Therapy for Black Girls on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hi, Dr. Lori Santos from the Happiness Lab here.

It's the season of giving, which is why my podcast is partnering with Give Directly, a nonprofit that provides people in extreme poverty with the cash they need. This year, we're taking part in pods fight poverty campaign. And it's not just the happiness lab. Some of my favorite podcasters are also taking part. Think Jay Shetty from On Purpose, Dan Harris from 10% Happier, and Dave Desteno from How God Works and more. Our goal this year is to raise $1 million, which will help over 700 families in Rwanda living in extreme poverty. Here's how it works. You donate to give directly, and they put that cash directly into the hands of families in need, because those families know best what they need, whether it's buying livestock to fertilize their farm, paying school fees, or starting a

small business. With that support, families can invest in their future and build lasting change. So join me and your favorite podcasters in the Pots Fight Poverty campaign. Head to give directly.org slash happiness lab to learn more and make a contribution. And if you're a first-time donor, giving multiplier will even match your gift. That's give directly.org slash happiness lab to donate. Steve Harvey Show had an amazing run and like you said the jobs come far and few between what was that transition like

because we hear about like athletes when what they go through when the basketball is done how do they like navigate life what was that transition like when you guys got the call saying hey this is the last season that last day on the show

and then now it's like okay what do I do next so for me I was like oh the show is ending that's okay I'll get another show I'll just get another show. You know, LaVita's popular. People like her. People like me.

I'll get another job. Crickets. So, you know, it just go back to the grind. But again, you know, I have been working so I'd save my money. I was actually married at this time. I had my first son, the last year of the Steve Harvey show. I was pregnant. And so I had time, and then eventually I did, went on to Soul Food, thank God for Felicia Henderson, who, because, you know, because of the role of LeVita, she was very comical and all the things that she was, which I loved, I still didn't, as an actress, I didn't want to just be typecast as that kind of character.

Right. So I always thank Felicia Henderson for giving me that job on Soul Food, which was totally different than LaVita. She was an executive, you know, she was just a totally different character on a drama series. So that was a blessing. And I think you just have to stay true to yourself and just focus, and the things will come.

You know, I didn't panic. I just stayed the course. To stay the course. That is so good. So you built a family. You have three beautiful children. Yes, I do. You're married.

What was that building of the family life for you? Because did you take a little time off between soul food and like really to really hone in on your family? No, so not really. I didn't necessarily need to purposely take time off. In our business, we just have time off. Yes. but you know I learned a long time ago and I'm really thankful for this message from one of my early acting instructors she always told us to never put our personal lives on hold for the business

she said never put your personal lives on hold for the business because the business fluctuates and it's it's it there it doesn't love anyone it's not protecting you it's just the business So you have to make sure that you're living your life. And also just as artist, it's important to live your life because it makes you a better artist. Because you're experiencing life. So, yes, I knew what it was like to get married. I knew what it was like to have a baby. I knew what it was like to do these new different things because I'm living my life.

And now I can put those things into the characters that I play. That's so good. And so, yeah, that's one thing I definitely tell all. an aspiring actress. Well, where were you when I started my career? Girl, I'm telling you now. But you do live your life. You travel, you do things.

Yeah, I live, but I've put off the family, you know, because I didn't... On purpose? Yeah, because I didn't know if I... You know, like, you have this in your... I don't know if you guys like this, but you have in your mind, like, I don't have time to take off to have a child. And it wasn't even until this year seeing my castmate, KJ. Smith, be pregnant, work while the...

You know how we work. Yeah. We shoot fast at Tyler Studios, and it was in that moment where I actually saw it, where I was like, wait, I could do this. But now it's like, can I do this? You know, so going to the doctor, trying to find out if I can even carry, you know, because I put my life on hold. And I have that story, so many of my peers have that story. Yeah. And so, yeah, it is important because you can.

I mean, there are no limits to what God's going to do. if God blesses you with a family and it's not going to stop you from doing. You'll still, you can do both. Yes. I always tell you, you can do both. You can have a full family life and a full, beautiful, prosperous career

because I love them both equally too. Yes. I love what we do. I love it for many reasons. The stories we get to tell, the images we get to represent. I love that my daughter can turn on a television, and see people that look like her, that talk like her.

That's really important that my grandmother, who's 95, she can turn on something and, you know, it resembles her. That's important. And for me, in particular, I love to bring comedy into people's lives on purpose because there's so much trauma and heaviness in the world globally, not to mention into our individual lives, the things that people are dealing with. So if I can be a part of bringing some joy, some life, even for 30 minutes of your day where you just laugh or forget about that bill or whatever, and you forgot and you're laughing and you're laughing and you get those endorphins

and you have some sunshine for 30 minutes, that's good. That's good stuff. And then life is still there. It's fun. Right. Then come back next week and watch 30 more minutes and laugh again. but that's that's important to me and it's just important to me as I'm there for my kids and you know and God gave me you'll give you the kids that fit your life yeah you don't have to fit

their life they fit your life she preached to your son because she's preaching to me okay oh man that's good yeah because I think a lot of times as for me my career started late in life You know, my dream career started late in life. So I was talking to Sarah about this Thursday night. She was like, Crystal, are you resting? When do you have time to rest? How are you balancing it? And she's like, do you ever feel like you're missing out?

Or like if you take a break that you're going to miss out in a moment because you have to strike while the iron is hot? And I was like, wow. Yeah, I have had those moments. Yeah, for sure. But I feel like now I'm more intentional about, okay, I have to pencil in the rest. You know, God, you have made my plate. very full and I'm grateful because this is what I asked for. But now I have to intentionally

schedule in, okay, these days I'm going to go on vacation or, okay, I can't do it. Because sometimes my team will be like, all right, we get in on this day and we're going to shoot a podcast episode on this day. As soon as we get back, I'm like, I can't do that. I know my limits now. Very good. And I love you all for obliging.

No, that's very good. You have to listen to yourself. Yeah, you have to. You have to trust your instincts. That's number one. That's God talking. That's your intuition. That's the connection. It's not the talk and chatter outside of you. It's the talk inside. Yes. That's so true. Yeah. It's funny. I went to the doctor probably two weeks ago, a fertility doctor, and a guy who I had only met one time through Rihanda, our costume designer,

had sent me a DM and he said, hey, God gave me a word for you, give me a call. And I was like, okay, we met like one time, what word did God give you for me? So I said, hey, I'll be free at this time just called me. So I was journaling that morning, and I was journaling about God protecting me and covering my womb, all these different things, and asking God to give me the desires of his heart. I was like, God, whatever you want for me, give it to me, and give me the discernment to know what you don't desire for me. So as soon as I put the pencil down, the guy calls me, and he told me the first part of it. He said, yeah, I was wrestling with this, and he said, because I don't know you like that. And then he's like, but then this morning I woke

up and he gave me an addendum to the word. And I was like, really, what's that? and he said, expect a miracle. And y'all, when I tell you, I just started bawling because I'm 42 years old, and I got, look at my arm, oh, my gosh. I started bawling crying, and I said, you have no idea. I was like, I just went to the doctor. And I'm in my word. I'm reading about Sarah and Abraham.

And my pastor, Darcyon, always tells us the Bible still applies. You're just the character now. you know so replace Sarah's name with crystal you know or whoever is out there wanting a child and I said you don't know what I just wrote down in my journal and he was like what and I was like I just went to the fertility doctor and I said I got a great report back but I was asking God to protect my womb I was like thank you for protecting my family but protect my womb I said and let it happen in your time in your way so I want to do it in the proper order and I was like this is just like that's how quick God answers like I literally had put the pen down and I was showing it to

Trinnell, our hair styles this morning. I said, do you see this wet drop on the page? I said, that was my tears. And she goes, oh, my goodness. And when you really, really get into your word and really have that intimate and cultivate that intimate relationship with God, he literally answers how I call, hey, Terry, yes, Crystal, that's how fast God will answer you. And it keeps showing up. So you're absolutely right. Yeah, yeah. It'll happen in God's timing for sure. Absolutely. And it's going to be perfect for you. Yes. Thank you. I received. I received. that. And I hope you guys too. Were there ever any moments in this journey where your faith was tested, where you're like, all right, Lord, now things are moving? In that 20 years,

were there ever moments where you were kind of like, all right? Absolutely. In the 30 years, yes. Absolutely. There's been several times when I was like, because my entry into this career wasn't something that I pursued. It was something that was offered to me. It was something that was offered to me because I was going to school for advertising. I thought I was going to work in the advertising agency and I was invited to participate in this pageant, one of the judges of a pageant with a producer of a play that they were casting the tour of the country and he asked me if I want to audition for his play. So I had never pursued it just on my own. It was offerings that I just kept saying yes to. And so in those

many, many times where it has been dark moments when I felt like, God, this industry is not for me. I'm not, why am I here? What am I doing? I didn't even ask to be here. So this is me talking to God. I was like, I didn't even ask to be here. So you brought me here. So you need to fix it. You need to make something happen. Because I didn't ask to be here. I could been at grades advertising in San Francisco. And so that conversation has happened several

times along this journey because it's tough. It is. And I'm telling you, the only thing that keeps me going and actually joyful and fulfilled in going is because I know I'm

living in my purpose. I know it. I know it. I know it. that's the only way I kept going with pitching my own show for 20 years. Because even though everybody kept telling me no for 20 years, I kept feeling the yes on the inside.

I kept feeling it. So I'm like, I'm just going to listen to that and I'm just going to keep going. They can keep telling me no because they just don't know. But I know there's a yes inside. I know it's good. I love it. I know there's a yes inside. How many you all can resonate with it?

You don't have to be in the entertainment industry to realize, wait, this is what I'm supposed to be doing. And I think a lot of times we talk about this backstage how often and how quickly we give up. And I think sometimes, like you said, that giving up is an, it's actually an indication that you may not be running after your purpose. Because if it's something that you are supposed to be doing, we keep going no after, no after, after no, because we know there is a yes. You know what I'm saying? Yes. Come on. That's right. Clock. you better

I'm preaching y'all but no there is and I think a lot of people give up way too soon yeah they do I mean and it's like you said it's whatever you want to do in life and again

you know even our loved ones people that really love us and care about us they give us guidance and advice from their best yes from their best but my yes inside of me is not in them so they don't know they're just they're giving me advice based on their experience their life their limitations of what they think can happen and they're they're being you know loving and think they're being supportive but who am I going to trust?

You know, am I going to listen because my mom said she's never done this? Like, this is crazy. You got to get a job. You need to go do this. So I stop and go get a job because my mom doesn't feel that burning yes inside of me. Terry.

No, I still got to follow my yes. So sometimes it's really scary because you feel like you're alone. And you are. You're alone with, you're alone. because it's yours alone. Because it's yours alone. It's not for my mom.

It's not for my sister. It's not for them. This is mine. And because I followed what was mine, look what I get to do and who I get to talk to and how I get to live and y'all get to laugh.

You know, if I didn't do that, there wouldn't be the things. There wouldn't have been a levita. There wouldn't be a misguided. You know, if I didn't listen to that Bernie, Yes. Yes. Oh, my goodness.

Ooh, sis. I'm just saying it. I love that. Now, you are in a place now where you're starting your own production company, TJV. Enterprises. Yeah, Enterprise.

Enterprise, y'all. Okay, that means multiple things happening, okay? I love it. Yes, ma'am. Tell us about that. What else do you have going on? So, you know, we, of course, our show Ms. Governor

on Netflix but we have more shows that I am actively pitching It never stops y'all Oh Lord, it never stops So we're doing that Yeah, we're just creating You know, I don't know

I have a slate of things that I want to do It's like I'm sure you do like the list is long Yes So you grab about three at one time and I'm trying to pursue the first three, see what happened. So, yeah, so we have movies and television series. I'm just really inspired to tell stories that feature women of color in leading roles and comedic roles.

And, you know, because a lot of times we're the girlfriend of somebody or the neighbor or the, I'm like, nope, I want our stuff to be us telling these stories from our own. mouth laughing at ourselves and all of our you know our flaws and all you know we're not perfect but that's what makes the world so great and interesting and I want to be able to feature women of color in those leading roles so all of our projects pretty much are that I love that I love that like you I'm getting more into the producer side of things I was having a conversation with my friend Woody McLean from power yeah and yeah shout out Woody and he's working on something he's been

public about it. He's working on a rom-com and he had done a podcast and he broke down crime because he has twins on the way and he was like, I don't want my daughters to see me in that light as the character that I'm playing. Yeah. And I felt him in that moment because I want to see different content that shines a different light on us. Yes. You know, and in that moment, he was like, y'all want you to EP this with me and I was like, bet, I'm down. But I'll say, it's crazy you're calling me because I want to start creating the content that I want to see. It's only so much I want to see something different, then make it. You know?

So I love that you are doing that. Yes. And that's the path that I'm forging next as well. Yeah, yeah, yeah. We have to. It's very important. And it's for us, and that's the thing. It's all purposeful, right?

It's a part of my ministry is to bring this to y'all. I want you to be filled with joy. I want you to laugh. I want you to think and be chat. challenged and reconsider or whatever it is that, you know, is needed in the moment. I want to create images that look like you that are helping you through that, navigate. I just, I think it's really important. And I totally believe that laughter is healing.

Yes. It is healing for your soul to laugh. Yes. Literally. It's medicine. It is. Speaking of laughter and medicine, Ms. Governor is a show that, have you guys watched Ms. Governor on Netflix?

Yes, it will have you cackling, okay? What was the inspiration behind it? How did it feel when you saw the ratings on Netflix, all the things? So the inspiration actually started about eight years ago. My girlfriend, London Breed, became the first black, hey, Bay Area, became the first black female mayor of the city of San Francisco. and the city went bananas. It was crazy, so much pushback and drama she got being in that position.

And they did so many things that she had to, like, jump through these hoops and do a special election and all the things. And she still ended up winning. And when I watched my sister do that, like, and this is a girl from the hood, like, we grew up in the hood. And I'm watching her as she's climbing the political chain. and she became the mayor of one of the richest cities in the nation, the first black woman to do that, I was inspired. And so the character of Antoinette, and Antoinette is named after one of my childhood friends. So I always pull from my real life, my stories.

So the character of Antoinette was inspired by London's win for the mayor of San Francisco. And of course, you know, we changed the story to make it more saucy and made it south and made a governor instead of mayor and all the things. But that's where the inspiration came from. So that's been like seven years in the works of pitching, restructuring, partnering, meeting, and finally landing with our Tyler Perry. And so, yes. So now it's on Netflix. and you know I love my cast I have an amazing cast they're so funny and lovely great human beings and talented

and we get to tell these stories and get to play with each other and the ratings were great so you guys please keep watching we are hoping to get a second season so please watch it watch it spread the word so we can get that second season yes please definitely watch it

support support I love that so this year's theme is race to freedom so in closing I'm going to tell you what my race to freedom is and what I'm working towards and then I would love for you to share with us your race to freedom okay for me when I leave woman involved this year I want to be free from self-sabotage the spirit of self-sabotage I want to be free of that things that are out of my control, they're simply out of my control. Because I get worked up. So mine is very similar. I want to be free from judgment of myself.

I'm really hard. Yeah. So I want to free myself of having to set a certain bar for everybody, myself, making sure everybody's pleased. and I'm taking care of everybody in it and, you know, making people happy, being nice. And, you know, it's the thing in this business is like, I don't want to lose who I am because that's just who I am. But it can be very, very stressful carrying that in judging yourself if you feel like you've done something wrong. So it's very similar to what you're saying. I want to give myself grace.

I want to release the things I have no control of. I cannot control what people say, think, do, even though I, if I put up my best intentions, it doesn't matter. So I want to free myself with that. I love that. I love that. Do you mind if we close off in a prayer? Because I know everyone who is here, they came for a reason, and I just want to pray over you

guys before we leave. Is that okay? All right, make up our heads. Heavenly Father, we just want to thank you for this day, dear God. We thank you for safe travels. We want to thank you for every woman that is present in this room who is thirsty for your word, who is thirsty for your presence, dear God, and yearns for it. I ask that whatever is on her or his heart, I ask that you answer it and be very clear.

I ask that you move with swiftness, dear God, whatever it is. If there's a sickness, if there is hurt, if there's trauma, whatever it is, or God, I ask that you heal them from that. I ask that every person leaves this conference change with a new perspective and knowing that you are a gracious God. I ask that you allow us to give ourselves more grace the same way that you do, because I know even myself, I'm hard on myself.

But as I studied your word, I know that you are a good God, you're a gracious God, and every time we fall, you are there to pick us up. So I want to just thank you for this moment. Thank you for allowing me to use this platform to spread your word. Thank you, guys. Thank you, God.

I'm so undeserving. Thank you, God. But you let me know every day that I deserve everything that you have put in my life. And I appreciate that. And I want to continue to keep this humble heart. I ask that you continue to bless this platform that we can continue to spread your message. And I ask that everywhere I go that they see your light. In Jesus' name, we pray.

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over 100 never-before-seen photos order shot ready now at stephen curry book dot com don't miss stephen curry's new york times bestseller shot ready available now you know the shade is always shadiest right here Season 6 of the podcast Reasonably Shady with Giselle Bryan and Robin Dixon is here dropping every Monday. As two of the founding members of the Real Housewives Potomac were giving you all the laughs, drama, and reality news you can handle. And you know we don't hold back. So come be reasonable or shady with us each and every Monday. Listen to Reasonably Shady from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. From tips for healthy living to the latest medical breakthroughs,

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