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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20 episodes
Updated July 19
Explicit

Episodes20

Newest first

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.
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.
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.
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.
June 21 · 51 min
More Than Couple Goals
In this episode, Toya Johnson and Red Rush open up about marriage, blended family, entrepreneurship, fatherhood, and what it really takes to build love intentionally in public. From balancing business and family to navigating visibility through reality TV and their content, they’re redefining modern Black love and leadership. This conversation is honest, warm, and deeply grounded in partnership. This episode is about love, family, and building a life rooted in intention. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 14 · 56 min
Building Beyond Yourself
In this episode of Keep It Positive, Sweetie, Dr. Key Hallmon talks about community, wellness, entrepreneurship, and the mission behind building The Village Market Enterprises. From expanding Village Retail into the world’s busiest airport to growing Our Village United into more than 30 states and releasing her book No One Is Self-Made, this conversation explores what it means to build intentionally, lead with purpose, and create opportunities that extend beyond yourself. This episode is about collective care, responsibility, healing, and the power of community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 7 · 28 min
More Than Hair: Confidence, Care & Building ORS Unapologetic
In this solo episode of Keep It Positive, Sweetie, Crystal talks all things ORS Unapologetic, from the inspiration behind the line to the deeper relationship Black women have with hair, confidence, self-care, and identity. She opens up about building the products, stepping into founder territory, the emotional launch experience, and why this line is about so much more than just hair. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 31 · 56 min
The Woman Behind the Armor
In this episode of Keep It Positive, Sweetie, Keisha Lance Bottoms opens up about the deeply personal journey behind her memoir The Rough Side of the Mountain. From childhood trauma and family secrets to faith, leadership, motherhood, body image, and reclaiming the parts of herself she once felt she had to hide, this conversation explores the humanity behind public strength. This episode is about healing, identity, authenticity, and what it means to finally show up as your whole self. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 24 · 52 min
Family, Healing & The Life We Didn’t Expect
In this episode of Keep It Positive, Sweetie, Jess Hilarious opens up about motherhood, co-parenting, healing, faith, and the emotional journey behind her memoir ’Til Death Do We Parent. From becoming a mother at 19 to navigating survival mode marriage, and redefining family, this conversation is honest, funny, emotional, and deeply relatable. This episode is about healing, softness, and learning how to move forward even when life doesn’t look the way you imagined. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 18 · 33 min
Yung Miami: Beyond the Persona
In this live episode of Keep It Positive, Sweetie, Yung Miami opens up about growth, motherhood, business, relationships, confidence, and stepping fully into her solo era. From relaunching Caresha Please and navigating public perception, to entrepreneurship, faith, and evolving in real time, this conversation goes beyond the persona and into the woman behind it all. This episode is about reinvention, confidence, and embracing every version of yourself along the way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 10 · 48 min
The Right Things, In The Right Season
In Part 2 of this solo episode, Crystal talks about what it really means to expand with intention. From being multi-hyphenate, to maintaining privacy while building a public brand, to navigating purpose, faith, and the fear of oversaturation, this conversation is about alignment, timing, and trusting your own path. Because success isn’t about doing everything at once, it’s about doing the right things, in the right season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 3 · 1 hr 1 min
Build As You Are: Personal Branding Without Perfection
In PT.1 of this solo episode, Crystal breaks down what it really looks like to build a personal brand while you’re still becoming. From navigating pressure to be perfect to staying consistent, avoiding burnout, and building a brand beyond social media, this conversation is a reminder that you don’t have to have everything figured out to get started. Your brand isn’t something you wait to become; it’s something you build as you are. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 26 · 57 min
Stillness, Clarity & the Courage to Transform
In a world full of noise, what does it really mean to be still? Touré Roberts joins Keep It Positive, Sweetie to talk about his new book Knowing: The Journey to Certainty in an Uncertain World, and what it really means to find your calling, move through uncertainty, and embrace the power of stillness. This conversation explores how to slow down, trust yourself, and move with clarity, even when the path isn’t fully clear. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 19 · 54 min
“From Survival to Strategy: Owning Your Narrative”
At 14, Tiffany Willis was a teen mom facing homelessness. Today, she’s a Fortune 100 executive and author. In this episode, she shares how she rewrote her story, from being labeled and overlooked to owning her voice, her power, and her purpose. Through her journey and her new book, Own Your Narrative, Tiffany opens up about family, faith, leadership, and the mindset it takes to turn struggle into strength. Connect @luvCrystalRenee Visit: CrystalReneeHayslett.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 14 · 56 min
Real Life, Real Love, & The Truth In Between
Chrystal Renee welcomes KevOnStage to talk about how humor helps him tell the truth and cope in real life, especially through his one-man show “Grief Sucks,” inspired by losing his brother. He explains that comedy can help people hear hard things, “People can listen, are more open to listening if you’ve made them laugh”—and admits jokes are part of how he processes grief, even when it’s messy and too soon. Kev also gets real about boundaries and burnout (why he stopped meet-and-greets), parenting two very different sons, and what he’s learned in 22 years of marriage—like how you can “do hurt and harm with good intention,” and how marriage requires staying updated, “like being up to date on your cell phone.” Biggest takeaway: growth is ongoing, and Kev is choosing to be “unapologetically me,” even if everyone won’t like it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 29 · 57 min
The Voice Within: Faith, Success & Self-Trust
From music to business to authorship, 2 Chainz has lived many chapters, but this conversation focuses on what’s beneath it all. In this episode, he reflects on his latest NY Times Best Seller, The Voice In My Head Is God, the role of intuition in his life, and the difference between success and peace. Connect @luvCrystalRenee Red: The Voice In My Head is GOD By 2 Chaiz Visit: CrystalReneeHayslett.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 22 · 39 min
Ten Seasons Later: Growth, Boundaries & Becoming
Ten seasons. Over a million premiere viewers. Years of growth on screen and off. In this solo episode, Crystal reflects on Fatima’s journey since Season 1, what Season 10 reveals about higher stakes and shifting dynamics, and how playing a strong woman for nearly a decade shapes identity in real life. This conversation is about longevity, visibility, maturity, and what it means to grow in public while still becoming. Connect @luvCrystalRenee Visit: CrystalReneeHayslett.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 15 · 1 hr 14 min
Celebrating 10 Seasons of Sistas w/KJ Smith-Black & Jordan Coleman
Crystal Renee welcomes KJ Smith Black and Jordan Coleman to celebrate 10 seasons of Tyler Perry’s Sistas and talk about what it’s like playing sisters on screen while building real sisterhood off set. They share how their chemistry came naturally, Jordan’s nerves joining an established cast in season 10 (including a vulnerable first-day scene), and how KJ made space for Jordan to shine. The conversation touches on character growth, family trauma and deflection, the pressure of carrying a show, and how fame can feel isolating even with strong support. They also discuss We Got You Sis community events, handling social media negativity with boundaries and blocking, and why their platforms come with responsibility. KJ plugs her Black Coffee business, and Jordan shares she’s producing an action short film. @luvcrystalrenee @KingJayBarnett See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 8 · 44 min
From Peloton to Prime Time w/ Tunde Oyeneyin
Crystal Renee welcomes Tunde Oyeneyin to the Keep It Positive, Sweetie Show to talk about stepping into acting as Madison Truitt on Tyler Perry’s Sistas, joining a series in its 10th season, and what it takes to be ready for a fast, one-take set. Tunde shares how she and Chris first connected through Peloton and later met in person, then reflects on pivoting publicly—from 16 years in cosmetics to cycling after a life-changing first class, to becoming a New York Times bestselling author, and now a series regular. They discuss ambition, being a successful Black woman who’s sometimes misunderstood, balancing strength with vulnerability, and choosing not to shrink your life for a relationship. Tunde also talks about soul care, guarding her peace as visibility grows, and upcoming projects, including Sports Illustrated Swim. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 1 · 1 hr 16 min
Black Women and the Power of the Group Chat
Crystal sits down with Jotaka Eadd, Founder of Full Circle Strategies and known as the Olivia Pope of Silicon Valley, for a heartfelt conversation about grief, healing, and finding strength in heavy moments. From navigating personal loss to continuing the work of community, advocacy, and leadership, Jotaka shares how she moves forward through challenges, learns from missteps, and stays connected to purpose. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keep it Positive, Sweetie

Building What Lasts

The Woman Behind The Mission

Growth, Grace & Starting Again.

Season Reunion | The Conversations That Stayed With Us

More Than Couple Goals

Building Beyond Yourself

More Than Hair: Confidence, Care & Building ORS Unapologetic

The Woman Behind the Armor

Family, Healing & The Life We Didn’t Expect

Yung Miami: Beyond the Persona

The Right Things, In The Right Season

Build As You Are: Personal Branding Without Perfection

Stillness, Clarity & the Courage to Transform

“From Survival to Strategy: Owning Your Narrative”

Real Life, Real Love, & The Truth In Between

The Voice Within: Faith, Success & Self-Trust

Ten Seasons Later: Growth, Boundaries & Becoming

Celebrating 10 Seasons of Sistas w/KJ Smith-Black & Jordan Coleman

From Peloton to Prime Time w/ Tunde Oyeneyin

Black Women and the Power of the Group Chat