The Breakfast Club - INTERVIEW: DeVon Franklin, Serayah & Tyler Lepley Talk Preserving Biblical Stories In "Ruth & Boaz" Film

Episode Date: September 29, 2025

Today on The Breakfast Club, DeVon Franklin, Serayah & Tyler Lepley Talk Preserving Biblical Stories In "Ruth & Boaz" Film. Listen For More!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BreakfastClubPower1051FMSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Wake your ass up. The breakfast club. Do y'all finish or y'all's done? everybody it's dj nvv jas hilarious charlemagne the guy we are the breakfast club we got some special guests in the building this morning yes indeed devon franklin sariah and tyler lepley welcome hey if you call her saraii yeah what's sorry sarah i was sorry sarah yeah i'm sorry sarah i got to go to cbis for i got to get something for the sarai on my mom if you just read Alright, you're talking to me by reading?

Oh, oh, don't believe it. Because I got a lot better, don't do that. Thank you. This is a godly film. Amen. Good morning. Welcome to the family. Thank you.

They have a movie on Netflix called Roof and Boas, right? And, you know, if you know anything about Roof and Boas, it's a biblical story. So what elements of the original biblical story of Roof and Boas did y'all preserve for this film? Man, we preserved a lot of the elements. I mean, when you go and you read the book. of Ruth and then you look at the movie, you know, everything that we did in the film was basically rooted in the word, you know, her journey, you know, with Naomi, how she finds Boaz. And we really wanted to say, okay, this is what the scripture says, but then how do we make

it modern? And so everything you see in the film, it's, I think we did a pretty good job, you know, of making sure that anything that you see in that film, you can go back to a verse and say, this is where we got it from. Was it difficult modernizing the story, though? I mean, there's no rule book on how to modernize a Bible story. So it was challenging, but then there were certain things that were pretty easy because the story itself lays out like a movie. You know, and that's one of the reasons why I wanted to produce it.

This is why I wanted to make it is because when you see how Ruth and Boas come together, they're not looking for love. They're actually looking to be of service. And as part of that commitment, they find each other. And so when you see it, it was like, okay, you know, what would Moab look like? Well, maybe that's like the Atlanta music scene. And what would, you know, Bethlehem look like, okay, well, maybe that's like Pagram, Tennessee. So it was difficult, but ultimately we just had to kind of take those creative license and hopefully the audience will enjoy it. Now, you have a deal with Tyler Perry.

How did that come about? Man, so listen, so about a couple years ago, after I did my film Flaming Hot, I'm sitting at home and I didn't have a production deal. So if you know anything about Hollywood, in order to have a production company, you have a production deal with the studio because that's how you have employees and that's how you make your films. So even though Flaming Hot did very well, I did not have a deal.

And so I was sitting at home and I was like, okay, God, what do you want me to do? And out of the blue, my phone rings and it's Tyler Perry. Wow. And he said, hey, man, I hear you're making a deal with Netflix. Now, I had a meeting at Netflix a few months before, but I didn't know there wasn't really a whole lot of follow-ups. I wasn't sure what was going on.

But he called me and said, yo, I hear you're making a deal with Netflix. Let's partner up and do it together. And I was like, yes, let's do it. And so we negotiated a three-picture deal with Netflix. This is the first of its kind. You've never seen two black men of faith coming together to make content of faith, you know, with the biggest streamer in the world. And that to me, like, when you look at Tyler, like,

I don't know why God put that on his mind. But here I am trying to figure it out, and boom, and there was the answer. And to be able to make Ruth and Boaz, I mean, to be able to make it the way we wanted to make it, to have the creative, creative autonomy and the authority and to be able to put it together, you know, with such an incredible cast, it all came from the partnership. How did it feel? Because when the screen opens for the movie, it's your name, and it's Tyler Perry Studios. And I was like, that is so cool.

How did it feel for you the first time you saw that on school? Listen, if this is what faith works. That's how it felt. It felt gratifying. You know, as a kid, I always had the dream of making my own films. That's why I came to Hollywood. I wanted to have my own production company. And to see that on screen, Devon Franklin Entertainment, Tyler Perry Studios, and Ruth and Boas, it's like, wow, dreams do come true and faith work.

So, Soraya and Tyler, did y'all know the story of Roof and Bois? Soraya. Soraya, I'm sorry. Tim. I'm sorry, Sarah. I knew that, too, my dumb ass. I'm sorry. Torea and Tyler.

Did y'all know the story of Ruth and Boaz? I did, like, roughly, you know, just growing up in church, you hear of Ruth and Boaz, but I had never really explicitly read the book of Ruth, and until doing this story, getting more information on it. Yeah, I mean, not to sound like a heathen, but I didn't grow up in the church or nothing like that. But I have heard about, you know, I have heard about the story of Ruth and Boas a little bit. So when it was time to actually dive into it, once I, you know, once I had booked it, you know, I read up on it a little bit.

to, you know, just at least have to have some type of foundation in terms of, you know, find the truth and how we're going to figure it out. After you read it, Sarah, how much of Ruth's story could you relate to? Personally, I mean, she went through so much.

She has a lot of baggage and trauma there, deep, deep traumas. But I do resonate with her on having, like, an instinct to reroute and change things in my life and maybe stepping out, on faith on things that I'm not necessarily sure is going to work out but hey I want to be an actress that sounds pretty far-fetched to a lot of the world so I can I can get where her her

fire and her passion is coming from she uses oh go ahead how are you how are you just had a baby mommy her looks good on you well thank you thank you you you as well thank you yes thank you mental everything is good I mean because you're working you had that baby you're working out you know you're your mommy but now you're still actress singer mommy how does that all fit it's um it's actually one day at a time yeah you know and just having that grace for myself that i don't have to have it all together no um has been the biggest i guess lesson for me throughout all of this um but it's been great thank god i mean you know after that first month where i was like oh my gosh and i'm You know, now it's just like, I can use some sleep, but that's about it.

I'm good, I'm good. I want to ask, you know, when doing a faith-based movie, right? Growing up as a kid, when you hear anything faith-based, you're thinking it's going to be nothing but Christian singing, it's going to be that type of thing. Did you have, did you ever think about, well, maybe I don't want to do it because it's faith-based, or did you just dive right in? Personally, no. I mean, I feel like God has always been very much a part of my life. and I do think that Why are you laughing?

Something made you laugh Yeah, because Devon actually We worked on kingdom business together B&T Plus which was also faith-based And I really feel like sometimes God is funny In the way of presenting me with characters That I kind of like in life Or a little bit mirroring

As far as like their relationship with God So it's kind of funny for me to have played Rebel and Kingdom Business and now Ruth and Ruth and Boaz, right? So that's why I laughed. But no, it really did not deter me at all. If anything deter me, it was the music element. Because I played so many music characters. So that was the part that I was like, I don't know.

I was like, come on, Saraya. She said, no, at first. Well, she didn't want to come in to audition because it was a little music driven. So I had to hit her up. I was like, yo, trust me, you're going to want to do this. Come on in. And so thankfully, thankfully she did. So what was it mirroring in your life?

So, Ray, because, you know, this is like, this story is about God's timing and divine orchestration. So what was going on in your life when you got the call for this? Oh, my goodness. So much. But I could say that love was also on the brink for me. Like, I was in a new relationship. With this role, I found out I was pregnant, like, during while filming. There was a lot of things kind of with Ruth that I was in, in.

in the script and some of the things she says kind of just rang true for me. What about you, Heathen? What you, did you dive right in? Yeah, I think for me, you know, when I got the call, I was just in a space last year, I mean, even before last year, you know, like I said, I never grew up in the church,

but it was something that I was always seeking, you know, it was sought after for me. And you know, it started spiritually, but then I, you know, then I kind of wanted to go to church more and, you know, just show up in the place of worship, not just to kind of feel it on the inside. So I think for me, outside of the artistry, me wanting to be able to tackle a role like this, I've never done a, you know, a love story before. You know, the aspect of it being a faith-based film is actually something that was kind of right on time for me. You know,

I had just proposed to my, at the time, you know, my girlfriend, we were, obviously, my fiance now. So even just, thank you. I appreciate that. but but even to enter name miracle period but even you know making a choice to to go ahead and and and honor our union under God and you know making that choice and walking forward in it or you know I've just I've had a I've had some issues in life where you know choosing to handle it with with grace is something that's continuing to be on the forefront of my mind and whatnot so it was just a it was just perfect time so I actually actually love diving into the faith-based aspect of it.

Love that. In the movie, both of you guys spent Saraya and Tyler, y'all spent a lot of time learning to trust each other's love so that you guys can depend on each other. What from your real aspects of your relationship did you bring into that to be able to, like, show it on screen?

I think for me, just, you know, without getting too specific in terms of what's going on day to day, I think just the idea of pouring into my relationship as opposed to, you know, showing up the table, figuring out what I'm going to eat, you know. Let's pour into it and be of service. And I feel like that's the best way to, you know, to bear the fruits of any, of any flower, you know. So that's probably what I, you know, what I connected with in terms of me and Boas.

Being intentional. Yeah. Being intentional with what it is that we're doing here. We're not just, you know, we're not just walking down this path aimlessly. I love it. i definitely um resonated with her having a guard up um i was in a past relationship public relationship um i have gone through different things in my life that just presented me to like well it resulted me to being a little more guarded so i really understood her being guarded

because it wasn't that she wasn't trying to accept or excuse me she was trying to be difficult i think she just was tired of being let down so her guard is like let me just keep everyone out there so that I don't have to be hurt over here anymore I was working with the icon the legend miss Felicia Rashon oh my gosh talk about it she said something really cool I mean it was amazing for me I think we all have really cool stories about her she she brings this oar and this presence and this groundedness and she's also very humble like to be the icon and the person we're speaking about she's like oh thank you like you know you know let's let's talk about you now and i think that's really cool um aspect to her we many times in our cast chairs we're just talking about like

relationships and just different things like she's she's a really really dope human being they did you use a stunt double when she got pushed down like that was i would hope so okay and the thing about her is she was cool with being on the ground no oh she did she was yes the thing about her is that she was like y'all stop stop it like i got it so she did do she didn't get the hit part but she definitely fell on the ground she wanted to she wanted to and that's i'm telling you yeah when i she felt you know far enough to make it enough it was enough it was like in my heart i was like oh my god why would you i do that yeah because it's like this is felicia vashad like you cannot just put her on the ground she the reason why she is that way is because she takes her craft serious yeah and not only that

I mean, to what Saraya was saying, you know, every day that she was on set, her aura, you know, she brought, you know, excellent. She brought grace. She brought a sense of calm and peace. And I'll never forget, you know, one day we were shooting at the location for her house and it overlooks a lake. And so in between setups, you know, I hear this voice saying, you know, Devon, come here. And I turn around and it's Miss Felicia. She's sitting on a bench. She says, come here. And she pats on the bench. She says, sit down. And I said, yeah, she said, you know, you're working really hard. This is your movie. But you got to breathe. You got to take all this in. Wow. Don't just, you know, rush through the fruits of your labor. Take it in. And I said, wow. Took a moment to breathe. And then we started talking about, you know, our histories and, you know, sharing stories. And I said, wow, this is what it's like to have an elder in your presence.

They see the potential and they see it. But they also want you to know, hey, life is a is a marathon, not a sprint, relax, enjoy. And so that's a moment that just speaks to who she is. Do you ever get imposter syndrome in those moments? Like when you're doing a film and you ever think to yourself like, oh, man, I'm doing a film. I got Felix, I got Phileverly, I'm going to Tyler Perry. No, I don't, I don't get imposter syndrome. I mean, because, you know, I've been working in entertainment

since I was 18 years old, and I've been working specifically, you know, in film ever since then. And so when I'm making a movie, you know, I'm making a movie like from a place of experience and expertise and nobody knows how to make a movie of faith that's commercial better than me. Yeah. And so I, and that's not based upon arrogance. That's just based upon confidence and experience and having done it time and time and

time again and so when I'm on set you know if if anything I'm like okay what am I not thinking about you know is there and then also you know wanting to make sure that they're good you know at the end of the day I can do all things I can do but at the end of the day if the talent doesn't feel if I'm saying hey I want to make movies of inspiration and faith and the experience behind the scene isn't inspirational or positive then I think it kind of undermines what I'm trying to do and I make sure that they're good now I'm glad you said that because the film portrays these ideas of worthiness and acceptance, especially in regards to Boaz's, like, evolution and transformation. Yeah. Yeah. It was important. That was really important because I really wanted,

you know, any man watching this movie, any woman as well, but, you know, specifically, you know, any man watching this movie to see themselves in Boaz. And I think one of the things that's so, you know, noble and a powerful and also the way that Tyler plays Boaz is, you know, with the care and a tenderness. And he's not looking to get from Ruth. He's looking to give to Ruth. You know, And I think that that is, that's a different dynamic. And I really wanted to make sure that that was articulated and portrayed because that to me is where love is. You know, love that comes out of sacrifice.

Like, and I'm not trying to get from you. He didn't, he didn't need anything from her. All he really, I mean, what was cool about Ruth, all she provided him was a, was a safe space to be able to talk, to be able to communicate, to be heard. And that is how she expressed her love. And he expressed his love through giving to make sure she knew she was okay. So that was important. As far as casting went, right, like,

did you say, because I feel like every role that Tyler plays and every role that Saraya plays, it seems like it's specifically for them. They just do a great job with you. Did you know who you had in mind when you said, okay, I want to do Ruth and Boaz story? When I started the process, I didn't. I just was working on getting the script right.

Mike Elliott and Corey Tynan wrote the script and our amazing director, Lana Brown, you know, directed the movie. And so once we got into the casting process, that's when I said, oh, this is Saraya. And so I kept hitting up her team. Like, hey, when she coming in, when she coming in, audition. And then that's when I finally, you know, ultimately called her and said, hey, come in.

And then once she auditioned, it was like, oh, well, there's root. But with Boaz, I didn't know that Tyler Leppley was going to come in. I knew, like, I wanted a guy who, you know, had the gravitosh, who had the sex appeal, but also had the heart. But I didn't know that he was, you know, I didn't even, it wasn't even the thought. Right. And then we had a couple guys, we were chemistry reading with Soraya. and at the 11th hour, Tyler Lepley sends in a self-tape.

And I watched the self-tape, and I'm like, well, there's Boas. I mean, without any direction. He just dropped into the essence of the character. And we were like, okay, we did it. And we brought him in, did a chemistry read. And it was evident that they were the ones destined to play these parts. Tyler, how you know this was few. That's right.

I had to finish real quick. You never know God's plan because Tyler said that it was right on time from him because he was already talking to the Lord. All right, my baby. Amen. I was going to say, how did you know this one was for you? Could you send in that tape immediately? So how did you know, like, this parts for me?

I think it really dawned on me. After I had sent the tape in, we did the chemistry read, which is funny, too, because we were actually on a different set shooting something else together. So, you know, that was a unique experience. But after I had booked it, we had a scheduling conflict with a... with this in Pea Valley. We're shooting at the same time. And, you know, there was a period of time where, you know,

per the line producers, these are the ones who deal with the schedule, this wasn't going to work. So there was a few days, like, even me and Devon were kind of chatting back and forth on the text. And like, you know, the energy was kind of like, all right, well, you know, I'll see you. I'll catch you next time. And it was like, damn.

That's what I was, that's kind of one. That's what they hit you at a hot. I said, man. I said, there was something about this that just, it just felt special because kind of what I was talking about earlier, you know, trying to get in touch with the Lord and then, you know, it just felt like this was going to be special. And, and I was like, man, I ain't going down without a fight. I played baseball for one year. And I was always, I was always striking out, but I was always going down looking. My mom told me like, man, you got to, at least

if you're going down, you got to swing. So I was like, all right, well, let me pick the phone up. Let me call, let me call Devon and let me call Coturi because, you know, everybody at the studio is saying they can't figure this out. And, you know, really, really, really. it was because of you and Cotori the reason that I was blessed enough to be able to step into this role you know what I'm saying so as I look back on it and you know hindsight is always 20-20 when I look at how

you know God orchestrated it it was like man it was I was right on point this is something that I felt like I was destined to do so man I appreciate you no absolutely I would just interject on that you know what God has for you is for you and so Cotori and I you know got on the phone and went through that schedule and said okay you need him here I need him here

okay I can't give you that date but can you give me that date and then we went to the line producers and then the studios and say this is what it is and a lot of times they're like well you gotta have insurance and I said nah

me and Katori a brother and a sister we worked it out because he needs to be able to do both so whatever is for you just stay in it and keep fighting for it because when it's meant to be it'll be we fought for that thing

we did that we did that that's important to be working with people that understand you and look like you too because y'all advocate it. That's so big having a person that will advocate for you.

1,000%, it's critical. You know, the secular ambitions that Roof has, right, but the spiritual calling she's dealing with, too, have any of y'all ever had to deal with that in the industry? And if so, how did you resolve it? I'm sorry, what was it again?

The secular ambitions that Roof has, but also the spiritual calling she's dealing with, have y'all ever had that battle with your personal experiences in the industry? been a long week break it down secular in layman's terms what's that secular is worldly uh non-religious niggish shit i don't know like that's a perfect example i'm trying to be successful like money cards jewelry i love you but god is saying no i don't i want you to be over here yeah yeah for sure i would say i would say for me um when i was coming out of uh now i'm from right outside of philly

and i was uh you know on my own level i was you know i was making a little bit of money i was i was i was kind of doing my thing, you know, at least so I thought. But nothing made sense for me to go out to L.A., you know, but something was calling me. I felt like God was, you know, God was pushed me in that direction. And it was, you know, it was a battle to leave everything that I've ever known, you know, to chase something that I've never seen, you know, but I feel it. And so I do feel like I can connect with Ruth on that because I forget what the actual line is, but, you know, like it's one of those lines, one of those memorable lines.

where she talks about, you know, God is leading me somewhere else, and it's nothing that anybody else around me may really be able to understand. But it's something that I feel and it's something that I'm going to honor. You know, so I really connect with Ruth on that aspect, for sure. What about you, Serra? Ooh, I don't know if I've ever felt like I was being pulled away from what God wanted for me, or what I felt like innately inside of me

but I could say that it is hard to navigate when you do have that voice inside of you because there is a lot to there's a lot to be involved with when it comes to our industry so when thinking about it from that aspect I can say I said no to a lot of hangouts and dealings with people and thank God I did

because I didn't really know why I was saying no but I just knew I didn't feel necessarily comfortable or I felt like a weird vibe so I just decided not to be out and about and doing different things and now looking back on that I am grateful that I kind of followed that voice

because there are a lot of situations that realize that oh yeah that person was definitely up to no good asking me to do A, B, and C, you know what I mean? So I think that there's definitely a lot of that while navigating this industry for sure. What about you, Devon? Because you have answered your calling,

spiritual calling. Yeah. But you still have, you still want to be successful in this business. Sure, sure. I mean, for me, all I know is what I've been told, and that's a half-truth is a whole lie.

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It was like the ambition always has been to go to a secular environment, right? When you look at Hollywood, you know, some may argue it's one of the most secular environments on the planet. But for me, you know, when I first started, I didn't know I was going to be making content. That would be inspirational or faith-based at all, but I did have a sense of, I don't want to compromise my soul to open the door of this business. So like at 18 years old, you know, first internship interview, they asked me, you know, this it was for the company that managed Will Smith.

And they said, is there anything else you want us to know? And I said, well, you know, I observe Sabbath. So if taking this internship would require me to work on the Sabbath, I won't take it. So at that point in time, I wasn't really doing it consciously. I was just saying, this is my conviction, you know, like I don't want to compromise who I am and my identity for this business. And then what happened was they said, sure, no problem. And I got the internship.

And every job that I've ever had goes back to that internship. And so what that showed me is that you can be in a secular environment and still. maintain your spirituality because I don't believe that God would ordain success for any of us that requires us to compromise who we are because if it's like wait if it's god no honor who you he's created you to be and if that door opens walk through it but if it doesn't do not conform yourself to get that because what's on the other side of that door is you're going to need the faith that you left in the identity you left outside the door to be successful yeah yeah yeah yeah so for me it was it was just about incorporating the essence of who I am and the identity and the spirituality and being a

Christian and allowing God to navigate my path in this, you know, secular environment. Earlier, Saraya, when you guys were talking about, you almost not answering the call to do the role. Did you say it was because music was involved? So you don't, that was something you didn't want to do anymore? Well, yes and no. I think that there are like, I think because of the last few roles that I have done or been a part of had that female who was you know navigating but also had a music element and um I am also like putting out music and so I wanted to just be mindful of got you just where that was placing me but honestly um like Devon said this this film is is a lot more than the music it's not just the music and I hadn't I didn't know it at the time but I got to work

with baby face so that was amazing um so but yeah that was kind of like my reasoning behind behind it just wanting to you know play different characters that's that's really all it is and expanding my creativity and things like that there's such a connection in the film between you mentioned Atlanta and Tennessee but like I feel like the way that we watch you go from being in the group that you were in to then getting in the country music to then go into gospel it tells a story about like how all the music genres are intertwined can y'all talk about like you know you displaying that but also putting that in the film and why that was important. Was it a West Country music?

Yeah. Oh, it was. Okay. I wasn't sure. Well, because when I got the records to sing and, you know, here are the records, a file of the records. I'm listening to them like, okay, they are like very country. And I've never sang country, although I love country.

I've just never recorded a country record. So when I started to record them and then when I got in with Babyface, I was like, wow, I really love this on my voice because you're able to. really like show a certain level of emotion in those records that I really enjoyed. Yeah, I mean, it was our writer, Mike Elliott, who was inspired by Cowboy Carter. And, you know, the renaissance, you know, of black music and country. And he was the one that said, you know, let's put her on a journey where even though she's going back to Tennessee, what she's discovering is her voice. And this kind of, you know, country music, you know, really becomes the vehicle. So that was, that was his idea.

And I was like, oh, that's brilliant. And then when you see, you know, Saraya sing these different records in the film, it feels very authentic. And then when you talk about baby face, you know, coming in and not only playing himself, but he actually produced the song at the piano, his version of it, the goodness of God. And then the song that Ruth sings to express her love to Boaz is an original baby face song that he wrote and produced for the film, which is pretty amazing. Wow. Y'all has somebody crying and he wanted to, uh, produces Sim, she was crying that you were singing one of the songs. It was like one of, it always makes her cry,

but she was like, her voice is so beautiful. So she was actually crying. She was watching the music. Wow. She was crying when you were singing that. Wow. I wonder if that was the goodness of God's song. I'm not sure, but she gave a goodness of God.

I'm not coming in and talking about something about sexy reading. She turned around crying. I was laughing. And she said, it was the goodness of God. I was like, oh, wow. Entile, I didn't know what secular men even. I don't go to church and don't know what secular me. You ain't never heard of an oral church.

That's what you're saying? That's secular music, turn that. No, he didn't grow up in the church. I did, and ain't none of my old folks ever say, the secular stuff, no, they didn't. It's not going to give him to read up on something. Yeah, so. What does it mean for you to retell a Bible story?

Because I know the church folks, if you get it wrong, they'll be on your head. I know, I know, and they might, you know. But, you know, for me, it's like when I think about, you know, Tyler and I, Tyler and I having this deal, you know, the genesis of this story was very organic. organic. I had been doing a sermon series on, you know, what it means to be, what it meant to be

single as I was navigating, you know, my single, my season of singleness. And in the sermon series, I started studying the book of Ruth. And in the book of Ruth, you know, as we were talking about earlier, it's very interesting. You know, neither of them are looking for love at all. You know, as a matter of fact, when Ruth makes a commitment to go serve Naomi, Naomi says, go back. Yeah. You're there, you're not going to find love where, where I'm going. And Ruth, says it ain't about love it's about you and where you go I go and that idea of committing to something greater than ourselves our purpose our calling and then as a reward of that as part of the journey then we receive love that really spoke to me

so you know I was like I think we need to make this a movie I said this has never been done before and then I did my research and there had never been a modern version of this story that had ever been told and definitely not a modern version you know with people of colors I think this is the first Bible you know inspired movie that has ever been done this way. And so what it meant to me was like being able to start our deal rooted in the word was really, you know, strong and very significant. And again, there is no rulebook on how to do it. So everything that we did in this film and the creative license that we took to interpret scripture for modern time, other filmmakers would do something different, you know,

but everything I feel very confident when people see this film and they read the word, they'll say, oh okay you know this is cool and then there will be something be like well you left this part out well you're right we had to make a 90 minute film you know so expound on that what does it mean to tell the story through a black lens then oh my goodness it's it's everything because I feel like especially when you look at faith-based content faith-based content the majority of it tends to be white evangelical content and and there have rarely been you know movies of faith that feature you know diversity that are made by you know producers directors writers writers of color like that this is a almost like a brand new thing i mean the last movie that i was involved with

that did that was jumping the broom and that was when i was an executive at sony and oversaw that film and that was you know what 2011 yeah so you know it's very significant to to show that you know people of color are people of faith and and and not just that we want great content too you know and that this segment you know of the faith-based audience and the general market who you know want content that is diverse and that does celebrate that this is a type of movie to let people know like we're here yeah and we want more and so that was very very important for me to make sure that that was represented now the the the because it's a three picture deal right three picture deal so the other two are going to be rooted in the world as well you're going to do other biblical stories no you know

well i don't know what the third one's going to be but the second one is actually going to be a true story i can't speak about it yet because they go if i speak about they're going to get but it but you're going to hear about it very soon it's a true story it's an amazing uplifting story we have one of hollywood's biggest stars that's going to uh star in the film and i'm really excited about it so so for me like i'm excited to see what stories come together you know and what stories so i don't go into it saying okay i want one two and three to be this yeah you know i pray i stay open to god and he just you know aligns me with the right stories to tell at the right time and you know the craziest thing is right Because I've been dealing with a lot, so I wasn't even going to come in to work today,

but God had told me like, you know what, Devon might got a role for you, so just go. So I was like, you know what, I'm just coming here. I'm so glad. I got you. I got you. I got you. If you down to audition, I do got you, actually. Absolutely down to audition.

Okay. For real, in the new movie, there is a very significant part that you would be like, you're like the prototype. Thank you. Look at that. And I grew up in the church. So, you know, it would be easier with me You know what if you said? It's a crackhead that needs saving

And we need to crack at the way I got a schedule now It might have a telehealthic thing type of thing You know what I mean Because you just got a job You know what I mean We got to figure that out Please take me away

Just already Just already agreed to a role Devon like I got a very specific role Ain't no crack Nick It ain't no Shut up But you know one of the themes

Oh I love it One of the themes about Roof and Boas is faith in Providence, right? Y'all know what Providence means? Okay, but it talks about how God works through ordinary people, the shape history. And I wanted to ask you as a minister, we always hear about the Bible, in the Bible, it talks about God working through ordinary people. What's considered an extraordinary person? You know, I think that when you think of extraordinary, you think of someone you,

you don't feel you can become. Right. You know, so you look at the greatest of the greats. And you say, oh, well, I can never be that. And when you look at the word, God's like, no, look at David. Look at Joseph. You know, these were people that nobody thought would be anything, but I use them. So I think that's what it means.

I think when people think, like, oh, someone who's extraordinary is someone that I can't touch. Well, so who are the examples of that in the Bible? In the Bible, it's all full of just, all of us are just ordinary people. John Legend said. Well, this is true. This is very good. This is the truth, though. No, I agree with that.

I mean, when you look at the Bible, the Bible is, and I think people highlight that as a way to make sure that anyone reading the Bible reads it from a lens of relatability. Because sometimes, you know, when you're looking at these biblical stories and the amazing things that happen, you can say, well, God, I don't see you doing that in my life. So I think it's more about relatability to understand that, you know, the book is not about extraordinary people, it's about ordinary people serving an extraordinary God. and if you can then relate to that then you can believe that that extraordinary God can do something extraordinary in what you may perceive as your ordinary life you always want to know with all three of you guys

your relationships are all public right how do you turn it off to say you know what F was going on on on social media I got to dive into a character I got to make sure I'm present every time I got to make sure that I'm the best me so Tyler's the best Tyler and that you know how do y'all do you do that

Or do you? Maybe you don't. Maybe you don't. Maybe I mean, yeah, mine, you know, I got a unique way of thinking about it. I feel like it's a bit harsh, but it just, you know, it's just my reality. It just is what it is. And I've been like this since before I was in a relationship before I had kids. You know, it's kind of just who I am. You know, I feel like I came from a life of, excuse me, of like mediocrity. I feel like I've done that. I feel like I've settled. You know, it's what made me kind of leave. You know, it's what made me kind of leads. being from right outside of Philly and I think for me the way I look at it is like either either I'm gonna either I'm gonna be that what I see when I close my eyes and I think about like everything that I'm trying to be I'm be on the top of that mountain or or I'm gonna be you know in a box so there is no in between really for me so if I'm really gonna go ahead and take that shot you know what is it that you have to do in order to get that you gonna have to really lock in and be focused and really have like a you know

unwavering sense of it. So when it comes down to that and I got a, you know, my fiance may be calling me about this and my parents may be calling me about that and, you know, we're all humans outside of our professional life. And when that feels like it's really

starting to weigh on me, that's when I know I'm right where I'm supposed to be. Even though it's tough and it kind of sounds like it's a little harsh to think about it like that. You know, you, you know, no one that leaves a storm, you know, the one that leaves a storm isn't the one that walks into it. That's what the storm is really about.

No one likes to get rained on. But you know, when you're in those things, when you're in those storms, you got to understand that God is really just sharpening your swords so that you can get to the top of that mountain. I love what you said when you said when you feel it weighing on you. Yeah. I feel like that's the fight. Now we're in it. Serreya? Yeah.

I can definitely relate to that. I feel like for me, yeah, I just, I've always had this kind of like work ethic that kind of just, it's just, it's in every fiber of me. I think that that's something that the people around me know and they accept and they appreciate and respect, even my best friends. Like, I've had to miss so many things over the past 10 years. You would know with my best friends with my family and just different things. So I think that also choosing the partner that I have, he understands, right? Because he has a similar lifestyle. Right, yeah.

Also, it helps a lot. But when, like you said, when things do get overwhelming, I think that for me, it became very important in this past year to advocate for myself and to express that, hey, this is, excuse me, this is what's going on for me and today looks like this for me and can we talk about this, you know, later because sometimes everyone makes their emergency, like their emergency, like your urgency, like your urgency. Do you know what I mean? And I'm such a person that wants to satisfy everyone that I love so much where it can be to a fault sometimes. So I've really had to learn how to just communicate what it is I actually need. And it tends to work because of, oh, you're right. My bad.

I forgot you may be been at work since 4.30 this morning, you know? Just different things. Sometimes you just have to kind of like throw that out there so that they can be like, all right, cool. We're going to talk about this later, whatever the case might be. Did you learn that from new motherhood or preparing for motherhood? I know you said you took a lot away from leaving the last relationship and having a transition into your happy place now. What did you learn that from?

Yeah, you know what? To be honest, I give credit to my partner to Joey. He's an amazing communicative. Yeah. He also does the work on himself. He does. And he really does. I'm there every day.

He really does. He's really reading all the books. He's doing it all. So I really have learned how to communicate better just from him kind of like just showing that. Because sometimes I would feel before that communicate. Some people can make you feel like communication is too much. So you kind of learn how to hold back what you need to express so that you make them comfortable. And I feel like in this relationship, I've really learned to open up that communication and be like, hey, I'm feeling like this today just so you know.

you know it's a lot I'm tired and and then we can go from there because everyone's not it's not always going to be a hundred sometimes you you only have 30 percent you know but let me tell you today is my 30 percent that you that you can't that's just how I'm coming from and I think that that's just how I navigate now and I can't I have to express that for myself yeah and when you have that level of communication and you're able to express those feelings you enable each other to not take things personal Correct. Correct. Yeah. Guys, they have to go. Oh, I can't talk to you off for so much longer. Damn. Ask one more question.

I want to ask you. I want to be here. You ever tried to help a person and then you realize they are the reason they have problems? Nothing external. It's them. How do you convey that? Well, it's funny. Charlotte made it's hilarious.

Wait, can you ask the questions again? I'm just saying, you ever tried to help a person? And then you realize they are the reason they have problems. There ain't nothing external. Yes. It's you. Yes, yes, I have been in that situation. And the thing is to be compassionate, you know, compassion. Because a lot of times it's very easy to, well, let me put it this way. It's very hard for all of us to look in the mirror and actually hold and look at what we see. Because we don't like to look at the parts of ourselves that we want to change that we're not happy with. And so in the, those situations, it's like, okay, before I'm just like trying to call the person out or anything, I'd say, okay, let's just have compassion. You know, and like, hey, the problem you're trying to solve, it may be because of the perspective that you have. Okay, well, why do you have that

perspective? Well, let's talk about it. Because I think just create an environment where there's no judgment and there's acceptance and that there can be communication, because trying to unpack something, whether it's trauma or tragedy or disappointments or things that you may have gone through years ago, trying to unpack that takes time. And I think, Sometimes we get so mad at people for not being where we want them to be. And we're all on a journey in this thing called life. And we're at different stages. So I just try to approach it with compassion and still clarity.

You know, if someone comes to me for help and they're asking my opinion, then I will give it. I will say, hey, you know, I think the reason why, you know, you may have been going through different relationships is because, you know, you keep bringing that mentality to each relationship. Instead of being the love you want to receive, you're looking for this person to provide you with what you're not. doing for yourself. So, you know, I'm still going to be honest, but I'm going to do it hopefully in a compassionate and loving way so that then that they can actually take it in. Because if I come with the sledgehammer, you know, and I come with, why aren't you doing this? Then the help that I could have provided them, I missed the opportunity. Exactly. Because I'm trying to impose my process on them instead of being compassionate, loving. Hey, here's some things you could look at. And then

everyone then has to make a committee of one to make the decision. You know, okay i'm gonna make some changes and i'm gonna do the work because i want the reflection of my life to change so be compassionate boldie but what at one point do you you say you know what you got to figure this out on your own well you know again i think every situation is is different i mean i think everyone always has to figure out on their own so i you know it's never that but if someone is coming to me like specifically wanting me to fix their problem you know at a certain point i would be like hey you know it's not my responsibility to fix the problem but i can give you information I can give you strategy, I can give you a point of view that if you use it, given my experience, I believe it'll work, but ultimately if you're relying on me to do your work, then you want me to provide a subsidy to the work that you're not willing to do. And if I do that for you, it's not going to help you and it's certainly not going to help me. Yeah. So it really, it's a process, you know, but it's not, I try not to like cut people off, you know, even if they want me to do something. It's like, okay, I get that, but that's not my responsibility. My responsibility. My responsibility. My responsibility.

responsibility is to be a support system. And it's your responsibility to take on the charge to do the work. Do baptism? Actually, why are you checking your head, man? I'm cutting people off. I'm eager to be mad. He said show the little empathy. Don't cut them out. I know you ain't talking. I said me. I said me. I said you. You know me? I'm like, all right. Well, we appreciate you guys for joining us. Thank you so much. Make sure you check it out. It's on Netflix now. And Pete, out, we've seen the three on the way. It's right. That's right. We can wait. Devon Franklin, Surrey. And Tadale Lepley, thank you so much.

Thank you. I got your name, I made sure. I was in my head. It's the breakfast club. Good morning. Thank you. Hold up. Every day I wake up.

Wake your ass up. The breakfast club. You're all finished or y'all's done. The murder of an 18-year-old girl in Graves County, Kentucky went unsolved for years. Until a local housewife, a journalist, and a handful of girls came forward. with a story. America, y'all better work the hell up. Bad things happens to good people in small towns.

Listen to Graves County on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And to binge the entire season, ad free, subscribe to Lava for Good Plus on Apple Podcast. Hi there. This is Josh Clark from the Stuff You Should Know podcast. If you've been thinking, man alive, I could go for some good true crime podcast episodes, then if we got good news for you. Stuff You Should Know just released a playlist of 12 of our best true crime episodes of all time.

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The moment is a space for the conversations we've been having us father and daughter for years. Listen to The Moment with Jorge Ramos and Paola Ramos on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. People called them murderers. Ten years later, they were gods. Today, no one knows their names. A group of maverick surgeons who took on the medical establishment who risked everything to invent open heart surgery. Welcome to the Wild West of American Medicine.

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