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Keep it Positive, Sweetie

The Black Effect Podcast Network and iHeartPodcasts

Keep It Positive, Sweetie is more than a podcast—it’s a movement rooted in purpose, faith, and healing. Hosted by Crystal Renee Hayslett, this show creates a safe space for raw conversations and real connections that uplift, inspire, and empower.
Each episode brings together culture-shifting guests for unfiltered talks on love, self-worth, growth, and navigating life with grace and grit. Whether we’re laughing, learning, or leaning into tough truths, the goal is always the same: to keep it honest, keep it healing, and always… Keep It Positive, Sweetie.

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35 episodes
weekly
Avg 52 min
English

Episodes 35

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S2 · E7
Yesterday · 1 hr 35 min
The Fruit Is Not The Reward with Pastor Phillip Anthony Mitchell
Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell, founder and lead pastor of 2819 Church and New York Times bestselling author of Contend: Standing Boldly for Biblical Truth While Winning the War Within, joins Crystal Renee Hayslett for a conversation that becomes much more than an interview. Philip and Crystal talk about why truth can initially feel extreme, the urgency behind his preaching, and what it really means to suffer well. The conversation moves through singleness, marriage, holiness, ambition, influence, purpose, and the danger of allowing the things we pray for to become more important than the God who gave them to us. And in one of the most personal moments of the season, the conversation turns toward Crystal’s own surrender, the responsibility that comes with influence, and a reminder Philip returns to throughout the episode: the fruit may be beautiful, but God is still the reward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S2 · E6
November 1 · 52 min
Every Version of Me with Kirk Franklin
Kirk Franklin has spent more than three decades changing the sound of gospel music, connecting with generations of listeners, and making choices that continue to push culture forward. But after 20 GRAMMY wins and a career most artists could only dream of, Kirk says he still approaches every record like he’s a new artist. In this episode, Crystal sits down with Kirk to talk about where that hunger comes from, knowing the difference between evolving and chasing relevance, and what he’s learned after more than 30 years of creating and leading. They also get into his new album I AM WHAT I AM, working with GloRilla again, writing about hope when life has shown you how hard things can get, and what success can make both easier—and more dangerous. This is a conversation about hunger, wisdom, and purpose—and what happens when you’ve already made history but still believe there’s more ahead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S2 · E5
October 25 · 1 hr 6 min
Healing In Real Time with Chandler Moore
Chandler Moore has spent years helping people find language for faith, surrender, and worship. But in this season, he’s using that same voice to tell a much more personal story—one that includes treatment, recovery, and the parts of healing that don’t fit neatly into a testimony. In this episode, Crystal sits down with Chandler to talk about why he chose to share I Checked Into Rehab, what he thought honesty might cost him, and how getting healthy has reshaped the way he sees strength, surrender, and his relationship with God. This is a conversation about truth, healing, and surrender—and what it looks like to choose yourself, trust God, and keep doing the work while the story is still being written. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S2 · E4
October 18 · 43 min
Living ALOUD with Lucky Daye
Two-time GRAMMY Award winner Lucky Daye joins Crystal Renee Hayslett for a conversation about freedom, emotional growth, creativity, and what comes after you’ve already proven that your gift works. With more than 2 billion global streams and a new album, ALOUD!, Lucky is entering one of his most expressive chapters yet. In this episode, he opens up about what living without permission means to him, how he knows when to trust his vision, and how vulnerability continues to shape the way he writes about love. He and Crystal also talk about staying focused when comparison is everywhere, resetting when things don’t go as planned, and what still feels exciting after the accolades. This is a conversation about freedom, self-awareness, vulnerability, and growth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S2 · E3
October 11 · 45 min
After The Love Story with Lauren Speed
Lauren Speed-Hamilton’s love story may have started in a way the world watched unfold, but the life she’s built since then has required a different kind of faith, growth, and intention. In this episode, Crystal sits down with Lauren to talk about becoming a mother after years of waiting, making room for joy and grief at the same time, and what marriage looks like years after the cameras stop rolling. This is a conversation about love, identity, and answered prayers—and what it means to live fully inside the life you once hoped for. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S2 · E2
October 4 · 1 hr 4 min
Come As You Are, But Don’t Stay There with Dante Pride
Dante Pride has built a life at the intersection of realness, music, ministry, marriage, and faith. In this episode, Crystal sits down with the artist and pastor to talk about what happens when visibility increases and why grace should never become permission to stay the same. They get into growing alongside your spouse, protecting what matters as success grows, the tension between faith and fear, and what real transformation looks like when God is still working on you. This is a conversation about grace and growth — and the courage to let God change you without losing who He called you to be. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S2 · E1
September 27 · 49 min
Culture, Calling, And Becoming with Imani Ellis
Imani Ellis has built more than an event—she’s created a space where culture, creativity, and community can grow together. In this Season premiere episode, Crystal sits down with the CultureCon founder to talk about what it means to evolve something that’s already successful, how faith shapes the way she leads, and why building something meaningful should never cost you your identity. They get into the woman behind the work, the responsibility that comes with creating for a community, and how Imani is learning to make room for her own growth along the way. This is a conversation about culture, calling, and becoming, and the work of staying grounded while the vision keeps getting bigger. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 20 · 49 min
Petty Prayers, Real Healing
In the Season 12 finale of Keep It Positive, Sweetie, Crystal sits down with bestselling author, speaker, and faith leader Nona Jones for an honest conversation about what healing really looks like when forgiveness doesn’t immediately take the hurt away. Inspired by her new book, The Power of Petty Prayers, Nona opens up about trauma, rejection, betrayal, anger, boundaries, and the difference between saying you forgive and actually doing the deeper work of healing. This conversation is about faith without pretending, healing without rushing, and learning how to tell God the truth about what still hurts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E48
September 13 · 38 min
Okay Sweeties, Let’s Talk
In this special episode of Keep It Positive, Sweetie, Crystal turns the mic around and answers questions straight from the Sweeties. Nothing is off the table as she opens up about the woman she’s becoming, love, boundaries, and discernment. This episode is honest, fun, and a personal check-in about faith, growth, love, purpose, and becoming. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E47
September 6 · 50 min
Standing On My Own Name
In this episode of Keep It Positive, Sweetie, Crystal sits down with Grammy-nominated artist and songwriter Johnny Venus as he steps into a new chapter and gears up for his solo album release. Johnny opens up about what it feels like to carry the vision more personally, how his solo work is revealing new sides of his creativity, and what he’s learning about trusting his own taste. It’s a conversation about identity, creativity, purpose, and what happens when you give yourself room to follow your own voice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E46
August 30 · 39 min
Giving Back, Building Forward | The Crystal Renee Hayslett Foundation
In this episode of Keep It Positive, Sweetie, Crystal sits down with Foundation Director Ari for a deeper look at the heart behind the Crystal Renee Hayslett Foundation. They talk about how the Foundation came together and what it means to build something that creates lasting access, opportunity, and support for others. This conversation is about service, stewardship, community, and building something that can keep making an impact long after the moment has passed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E45
August 23 · 50 min
Love, Risk, & Donuts
What happens when two completely different journeys come together around one shared vision? In this episode of Keep It Positive, Sweetie, Crystal sits down with Cloudy Donut Co. founders Zewiditu Jewel and Derrick Faulcon for a conversation about the people behind the brand, building a business together, and creating something that challenges what ownership can look like in communities that are often overlooked. Derrick opens up about the years he spent incarcerated and the life he built afterward, while Zewiditu shares how her background in education shaped the way she approaches leadership and impact. Together, they talk about taking a chance on Cloudy, navigating business and their relationship, and their philosophy of “reverse gentrification. It’s a conversation about love, risk, representation, partnership, and the responsibility that comes with creating a path someone else can follow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E44
August 16 · 51 min
The 20 Year Overnight Success
Success doesn’t always come when you expect it—but that doesn’t mean you’re behind. This week on Keep It Positive, Sweetie, Crystal sits down with marketing executive, entrepreneur, and IBest Wines founder Ingrid Best to talk about what it really means to bet on yourself after years of building someone else’s vision. From becoming a young mother to spending more than two decades helping shape iconic luxury brands before launching her own, Ingrid shares the lessons she learned about courage, preparation, faith, and trusting God’s timing. If you’ve ever questioned whether it’s too late to start, wondered if your current season is preparing you for something greater, or needed the reminder that your biggest leap begins with believing in yourself, this conversation is for you. Because sometimes the greatest investment you’ll ever make… is betting on yourself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E41
August 14 · 52 min
Beyond The Jersey
Who are you when the thing that introduced you to the world is no longer the thing that defines you? This week, Crystal sits down with basketball legend, analyst, and coach Ty Young for an honest conversation about life after the game, reinventing yourself, and discovering purpose beyond the jersey. It’s a conversation about identity, fulfillment, and becoming the woman behind the titles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E43
August 9 · 49 min
The Weight Of The Truth
What does it mean to carry the weight of the truth? This week, Crystal Renee Hayslett sits down with Dr. Charis Chambers, known as “The Period Doctor,” to celebrate the release of her new book, The Period and Puberty Parenting Revolution. Together, they explore calling, motherhood, and the courage to have the conversations that shape generations—revealing how truth, when shared with compassion, has the power to heal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E42
August 2 · 44 min
Built on Belief
Some people wait for proof before they move. Others move because they believe. This week, Crystal Renee Hayslett sits down with entrepreneur and founder Jhalesa Seymour for an honest conversation about faith, discernment, discipline, and the courage to build with conviction. Together, they explore what it means to trust God before you have all the answers and keep moving when the evidence hasn’t caught up to the promise. Whether you’re building a business, stepping into a new season, or simply learning to trust God’s timing, this episode is a reminder that purpose often requires belief before proof. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E40
July 19 · 57 min
Building What Lasts
What does it really take to build wealth that lasts? This week, Crystal sits down with Earn Your Leisure founders Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings for a conversation about entrepreneurship, friendship, and influencing the future leaders of America., From building Invest Fest into a global movement to preparing the next generation for financial freedom, they share the lessons that transformed a podcast into one of the most trusted platforms in business. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E39
July 12 · 57 min
The Woman Behind The Mission
What happens when your purpose becomes bigger than you ever imagined? This week, Crystal sits down with Jasmine Crowe-Houston—founder and CEO of Goodr, author of Feeding Hope, and one of the nation’s leading voices in fighting food insecurity. From recovering millions of pounds of surplus food to building free grocery markets in underserved communities, Jasmine shares the courage, faith, and stewardship behind a mission that’s changing lives. This is a conversation about purpose, leadership, and becoming the woman God was preparing all along.e. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E38
July 5 · 53 min
Growth, Grace & Starting Again.
Crystal Renee sits down with Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and actress Keri Hilson for an honest conversation about purpose, peace, relationships, and embracing every season of your journey. Together, they discuss her first studio album in fifteen years, why she chose to tell this chapter of her story now, navigating relationships as a woman in the music industry, trusting God’s timing, and the lessons that shaped the woman she is today. This conversation isn’t about looking back—it’s about moving forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E37
June 28 · 50 min
Season Reunion | The Conversations That Stayed With Us
This season gave us more than unforgettable interviews—it gave us perspective. Join Crystal Renee, Shelly, Ashauna, and Wes as they look back on a season filled with powerful conversations, unexpected laughter, personal growth, and life-changing moments. Together, they revisit the stories that stayed with them long after the cameras stopped rolling—from healing and purpose to leadership, relationships, and finding your voice. It’s a celebration of the lessons, laughter, and humanity that defined Season 11. Whether you’ve watched every episode or you’re discovering Keep It Positive, Sweetie for the first time, this special invites you to reflect, grow, and remember why honest conversations matter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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