2- Year Anniversary "Listener's Choice": Higher Is Waiting w/ Tyler Perry

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Keep It Positive, Sweetie

2-Year Anniversary "Listener's Choice": Higher Is Waiting w/ Tyler Perry

Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Guest: Tyler Perry
Date: June 8, 2025

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Episode Overview

This celebratory "Listener's Choice" episode revisits a powerful conversation between host Crystal Renee Hayslett and her mentor, the multifaceted entertainment powerhouse Tyler Perry. Marking Keep It Positive, Sweetie’s two-year anniversary, the episode explores themes of faith, self-worth, abundance, growth, and what it truly means to “keep it positive.” Perry shares deeply about his journey, the importance of vision, generosity, mental health, and practical approaches to rising above adversity. The episode is filled with honest storytelling, laughter, spiritual wisdom, and actionable advice.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origin of the Show & Dealing with Negativity

• Crystal opens up about the show's title: The phrase “keep it positive, sweetie” was born from responding gracefully to online criticism and choosing to focus on supporting others, especially women ([02:14]).
• Perry expounds on avoiding negativity and gossip, advocating for positivity in one’s environment and social media feed ([04:00]):

  “If you keep letting that stuff in… your life is going to become that. So I’m very much about keeping it positive, sweetie, and staying clear of all that foolishness.” — Tyler Perry [04:00]

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2. Breaking Myths About Tyler Perry in the Workplace

• Crystal recounts being told to never look Tyler in the eyes as a new PA, only to discover he is approachable and supportive ([05:10]).
• Perry stresses the importance of leaders being present and accessible, working “side by side in the trenches” ([08:37]).

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3. Finding Your Voice and Boldness in the Workplace

• Crystal shares how speaking up for her department’s needs changed things for the better, with Tyler acting quickly to resolve issues ([07:15]).
• Lesson: Boldness and asking for what you need can change your trajectory.

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4. Uplifting Others' Dreams

• Perry reveals he had no idea Crystal wanted to act—she was working as his stylist and auditioning through proper channels ([10:11]).

  “I didn’t even know you had another dream…That should speak to anybody watching about having the boldness to speak up.” — Tyler Perry [11:14]

• Her eventual debut on “Sistas” is celebrated by the crew, a testament to her work ethic and character ([12:21]).

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5. Abundance, Scarcity Mindset, and Dreaming Bigger

• Both discuss initial fears about success not lasting, stemming from childhood insecurities ([02:34]).
• Perry encourages Crystal (and listeners) to release scarcity thinking and claim space unapologetically:

  “Our success has already been bought and paid for… you wouldn’t walk around apologizing for it.” — Tyler Perry [22:12]

• Crystal credits Tyler with helping her dream bigger, buy her first house, and trust that “life makes room” as you go higher ([21:20]).

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6. The Power of Exposure

• Crystal describes how seeing Tyler’s world—private islands, luxury, new experiences—expanded her beliefs about what’s possible ([23:56]).
• Tyler recalls his own mind being opened by Oprah’s generosity and mentorship ([24:11]).

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7. Generosity and Giving

• Both emphasize giving from a pure heart, regardless of amount ([31:04]).

  “Giving doesn’t have a value when it comes from a pure place. It could be $10 billion, it could be two pennies.” — Tyler Perry [31:04]

• Perry learned generosity and hospitality from his mother, highlighting the importance of compassion in leadership ([33:01]).

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8. Faith, Calling, and Surrender

• Perry shares how prayer and faith were critical in overcoming adversity and finding his path, recounting a vivid childhood story of answered prayer ([34:51]).
• He distinguishes faith in God from faith in fallible institutions, urging listeners to seek personal relationship over religious dogma ([35:25]).

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9. Relationships, Worth, and Wealth

• Perry counsels on finding love: meeting someone at your “worth”, not net worth. Money should never be the main qualifier for love ([41:00]).

  “That is okay. That’s not somebody who’s beneath you. That’s somebody who came to love you at your worth.” — Tyler Perry [39:40]

• He shares stories about Oprah and Stedman as examples of secure, supportive partnership ([42:17]).

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10. Success, Family, and Boundaries

• Both discuss the challenges of newfound financial success, including family expectations and survivor’s guilt ([47:37]).

  “If you have a boat that can help you get from this place to that place… don’t let everybody on that boat.” — Tyler Perry [48:19]

• Perry outlines the need for boundaries, accepting family as they are, and finding “family” in those who support and love you authentically ([46:54]).

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11. Letting Go: Growth, Purging, and the Loneliness of Rising

• The higher you go, the smaller your circle. Perry likens losing people on the journey to “the spin theory” — only those closest to the center can keep up as you grow ([51:08]).

  “That toxicity is poison to your wings. It will cause you to crash…” — Tyler Perry [51:08]

• Friendships and relationships must sometimes be pruned so growth can continue.

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12. Mental Health, Social Media, and Digital Wellness

• Perry notes the dangers of social media as a crisis equivalent to tobacco or opioids in its impact on mental health ([61:28]).

  “If you don’t believe me, try to turn it off and put it down.” — Tyler Perry [61:32]

• He discusses his own support network, including Oprah, T.D. Jakes, and late legends like Cicely Tyson ([59:39]), and emphasizes regular breaks and self-care.

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13. Surrendering to Divine Vision

• Perry distinguishes between his vision and God’s vision for his life, focusing on surrender and listening for guidance in stillness ([63:52],[65:12]).

  “I’ve learned to surrender to God’s vision. I don’t try to have him aligned to my vision.” — Tyler Perry [63:52]

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14. Wisdom for Listeners: Positive Outcomes & Growing Through Seasons

Positive Outcomes (Listener Letter, [69:20–73:39])

• Perry advises listeners to shift their self-talk from “I am stuck” to “I am not stuck” ([70:31]).
• He reframes fear as often being excitement and emphasizes undoing negative voices and beliefs ([71:52],[73:35]):

  “Fear and excitement can mimic the same emotions in you… be clear about what you’re identifying.” — Tyler Perry [71:52]

• Reflect on God’s track record in your life; don’t let fear keep you from your calling.

Growing Through

• Crystal and Perry discuss what they’re “growing through,” including faith, letting go of control, battling compassion fatigue, and the responsibility of sharing hard-earned wisdom ([74:49–77:42]).

Closing Words

• Crystal: “Keep it open minded, sweetie.”
• Tyler: “Keep it growing.” ([78:05])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Our success has already been bought and paid for. If we can get our mentality around what that means, you wouldn’t walk around apologizing for it.” — Tyler Perry [22:12]
• “Giving doesn’t have a value when it comes from a pure place.” — Tyler Perry [31:04]
• “That toxicity is poison to your wings. It will cause you to crash.” — Tyler Perry [51:08]
• “If you don’t believe me, try to turn [social media] off and put it down.” — Tyler Perry [61:32]
• “The most frustrating part of my life was having all that vision inside and not seeing a path.” — Tyler Perry [33:41]
• “Fear and excitement can mimic the same emotions in you.” — Tyler Perry [71:52]
• “Don’t let negative voices in your head become your reality, because they will.” — Tyler Perry [71:28]

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Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:14] – How “Keep It Positive, Sweetie” was born
• [07:15] – Crystal boldly asks for help; Tyler acts swiftly
• [11:14] – On boldness and pursuing dreams
• [21:20] – Perry’s advice to buy a home and live abundantly
• [31:04] – Lessons on giving and generosity
• [34:51] – Childhood faith and answered prayers
• [39:40] – Worth vs. net worth in relationships
• [48:19] – Survivor’s guilt and setting boundaries with family
• [51:08] – The spin theory: who can rise with you
• [61:28] – Social media and mental health concerns
• [69:20] – Listener’s letter: overcoming fear with faith
• [78:05] – Final advice: keep it open minded, keep it growing

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Tone & Style

The episode is warm, candid, faith-filled, and alternates between motivational storytelling and loving “tough talk.” Crystal’s openness about her own journey creates an honest atmosphere, while Tyler Perry’s presence brings impromptu humor, hard-won lessons, and a spirit of mentorship. The dynamic is familial and deeply supportive, always returning to the central value: Keep it positive, sweetie.

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For anyone seeking inspiration, practical wisdom, and a genuine look into the journeys of two resilient creatives, this episode is an empowering masterclass in faith, self-worth, and growth.

Transcript

[A]

Hey, sweeties. It's Chris Renee Hayslett, and you're about to hear a special re air of one of the most powerful episodes we've had on Keep It Positive, Sweetie. The one and only Tyler Perry sat with me and shared his journey with a level of honesty and intention that shook so many of us. From his early struggles to building an empire with faith and vision, his story and his words lit a fire under this community. I've heard so many of you say that this episode gave you clarity, courage, and confirmation to keep going. Whether it's your first listen or your third, Tyler's story is the kind that hits different every single time. Hello, and welcome to this episode of Keep It Positive, Sweetie. Guys, I am so excited about this episode. I have none other than my boss, the biggest boss, multi hyphen. You are an author. You are a writer, a director, a philanthropist, a father, everything. Tyler Perry. My God.

[B]

Hey.

[A]

Hey.

[B]

How you doing?

[A]

Like, I literally feel like this is my first time doing this. I was so nervous. I could.

[B]

Like, that's so crazy. Cause we talk all the time.

[A]

All the time. Isn't that crazy?

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

I just wanted to make you proud and do this right.

[B]

I'm already proud. I'm already proud of the other episodes. I'm proud at the title. You gotta tell me how that came about.

[A]

Okay?

[B]

Yeah, keep it positive, sweetie. Yeah, keep it positive. How'd that come about?

[A]

It came about because I had a young lady, I actually had posted a young woman's work who helped me organize my closet. And this woman got on. She was like, all this bragging and boasting, you need to go buy some land or a house. I said, I had time. Normally, I ignore, block, delete. Oh, we got time today. So my little fingers got turned and I was like. I said, what you should look is I'm supporting another woman's business and not looking at it from a negative standpoint. I just put, keepitpositive, sweetie.

[B]

Oh, okay.

[A]

And it grew legs. My fans were like. It just, like, literally went crazy. Denora, we were trying to come up with a title for the podcast, and she's like, every time I think of you, I just think of abundance. And in that moment, I was like, in the back of my head, I said, what if it's not always like this? Yeah, Abundant. What if my life is. It was crazy, but I just got chills thinking about it.

[B]

And what if your life wasn't always.

[A]

Isn't always like, this isn't always. Because Abundant. She's like, every Time I think of you, I think of abundance. And a part of me was like, but what if it's not always like this?

[B]

You know where that came from?

[A]

Uh huh.

[B]

Okay, we can get into that.

[A]

We can definitely get into that. Yes.

[B]

But that is clearly just that unfeathered fear from childhood of something that somebody said to you or something that somebody planted in you that immediately make you think this isn't gonna last. Always.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And that is a horrible, horrible sinking feeling. And it's also a lie. But it can serve you well because it can motivate you to keep going and work even harder.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

So that's what I used it for when I used to hear it. I don't hear it no more. I don't hear it no more.

[A]

I bet you don't.

[B]

I don't hear it no more. I think I'm all right now.

[A]

You are all right, honey. You are right. So we were brainstorming and I was like, you know, I want to do a little segment on the show called Keep it Positive, sweetie. And they were like, that's the name of the show.

[B]

The name of the show.

[A]

And that's how I came up with it.

[B]

That's great. I don't like addressing haters, but that's good. I'm glad something great came out of it because people, you know, in social media, in this world, they're sitting around, nothing to do. And what you have to understand about people who post negative things like that, the algorithms in social media, if you click on something negative, you're only going to get fed negativity. So the negativity is showing up in their lives in other things.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

And if you keep letting that stuff in, everything negative. Everything negative, everything gossip, everything this, your life is going to become that. So I'm very much about keeping it positive, sweetie, and staying clear of all of that foolishness.

[A]

Yeah, you do a really good job of that.

[B]

I try to. I try to. I don't let it in. I'll stop if somebody starts talking about somebody in front of me. A gossip. We don't do that here. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

I love that about you. That's why when I know they talking about me. You're not gonna let them talk about me.

[B]

No, no, no, no.

[A]

Same. I'll fight somebody over you now.

[B]

No, somebody tell me somebody's in. You will if somebody's in. And if you're telling me something because there's some situation that we need to help.

[A]

Yes, that's different.

[B]

That's different. But not just to be. No. No. If you ain't got no solutions to what people are going through, no offering. Trying to help. Don't bring that to me.

[A]

Nope. No, that's real. I love that. I love that. I want to do a little story time. We're gonna go. When we. When it first started?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

When I first started working at Tyler Perry Studios as a pa, the first thing they told me, do not look at him in the eyes. Don't speak to him when you see him. Don't do that. I was like, okay. And I don't.

[B]

You know, I don't even know what year was this, because I.

[A]

2012, going into 13. We started. Have. Have nots.

[B]

Who was starting all this shit? I mean, can I say shit on keep.

[A]

Absolutely.

[B]

Okay. Who was starting all this shit? Because I hear rumors, too. But then, oh, oh. Don't look. Don't talk to. Don't. I'm like, what are y'?

[A]

All.

[B]

Where does this come from?

[A]

I don't know.

[B]

Somebody told you that?

[A]

Yes. That was, like, a part of, like, my getting the ropes, learning the ropes. Like, so if you ever see him, like, don't get on the elevator. And it reminded me of Capitol Hill when I worked on the Hill. It was like, if you see a senator on the elevator, do not go on. If they're on the train going to the Capitol, wait. And I had an Obama incident where I was running, trying to get some papers to the floor of the Senate. And he was on the train, and I was, like, trying to get on there real quick. And I saw him, and I ran back. He said, come on. And I was like, you sure? He's like, yeah, come on. I was like, thank you. Out of breath. I was like, lord. But it reminded me of that where it's certain rules. I was like, maybe that's just a thing. So one morning, we were walking. Everybody points. Okay, that's where his office is. This is where catering is. I'm like, okay. And maybe a few weeks in, we were walking past each other on the sidewalk. You were coming, going to set, and I was going to get some coffee, probably for someone at that point in time. And I just said, just speak. That's how you were raised. You don't walk past. You acknowledge people when you see them. So I just said, good morning. And you spoke back. And I was like, it was like a movie. Like, if somebody had, like, a camera, it would have been so funny to see my reaction. I was like, he spoke back. And I was like, it was complete opposite of what everybody said.

[B]

I know it. And that's why I wanted, like, in the beginning, I was like, that's why I forced people to say hi. Now, because I see him walking, I'm like, hey, how you doing? You all right? Cause I'm like, if somebody's still telling y' all that that's not so. Because I want to check in. I want to know how people are doing. And I'll stop in the hallway and talk and see, you know, how's your mom, how things going?

[A]

You will? Yeah. Complete opposite of what I was told. And I just. I love that it was the complete opposite.

[B]

I'm just thinking Capitol Hill to here. Okay, go ahead, Go ahead. It's not lost on me, but go ahead, go ahead, go ahead.

[A]

And then I worked my way up. And a lot of people are always like, how did you and Tyler become so close? How did you even start working for him? How'd that even happen? And do you remember when we were doing Soul Cycle at Greenbrier?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And I came up to you and said, we need more money for the costumers.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And I was so scared. Cause we hadn't really. It was always just, good morning, sir. Keep it moving. And something was like, just tell him. Cause he has no idea.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

And you, I'm talking about. Within hours, accounting was up in that department, figuring out how we can get more money to get more people in there to help us. Because the way we shoot, we needed some good, good help. And you were like. Literally, you were like, we'll make it happen.

[B]

Yeah. Because here's the thing that people forget. I can't see everything. I can't be everywhere. So it takes somebody bold enough to say, hey, you working? We're all working side by side. We're working really, really fast. We need the help. And not everybody would do that. And there'll be people in departments who are suffering, who are shorthanded because accounting saying no or this other person saying no. Nobody's told me. Yep.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I was.

[B]

I was glad you said it.

[A]

Yeah. You made me feel very comfortable. I was like, okay. And I don't. Sometimes you're like, chris, why? You didn't say nothing? I'm like, oh, yeah. Like, I just sat back. But that was the thing where I was like, I need to talk to him. I was so scared. And that was just another instance where you literally was, like, so cool. Like, if people look at you because you're six' six, you're like, this giant is like, oh, gosh. Like, how do I even approach this man?

[B]

Like, you approach everybody like, hey, yes, sir.

[A]

But that was just another testament to, like, how you just make things happen. And you're like.

[B]

When people make me aware of it. Yeah. Because it's really important to me, working that hard. That's why so many people love working at the studio. Because we move. We do, but we are still together. I'm right there with them side by side in the trenches. So it makes it all just. We see everybody pushing in the same direction. That's why we've been able to do what we do.

[A]

Absolutely. And it starts with you because I remember even as a PA just coming on a set sometimes and we're all exhausted. Everybody's working these hours and you're right there with us from sun up to sundown and it's like, this man ain't gotta do this.

[B]

No.

[A]

At all. You can literally be on your island or one of your properties somewhere. Somewhere.

[B]

Nope, I don't have to be here.

[A]

Literally.

[B]

But I love it.

[A]

It was inspiring though, because it made me go harder. And I was like, okay, if I see this man who's already made it and doesn't have to do this, work this hard, I really gotta go hard. And it just inspired me.

[B]

And you did?

[A]

I did.

[B]

Started working for me and Crystal running behind me with my shoes going on gma, we hear some of these schedules. We should show them some of the schedules that we used to have to do. It was insane. When I'm promoting a movie or something and there you are, we're up, going to bed at 3, up at 5, 30, getting things ready.

[A]

Yeah, he got big feet too, so the shoes was heavy.

[B]

But you know, the thing about it though, that really moved me is just how much you honored the job and what you were supposed to do. That to me spoke volumes. Cause anybody who comes in and just, you know that their passion is what they're doing. I didn't even know you had another dream.

[A]

No, you didn't.

[B]

I had no idea you had another dream. Tell them about the audition.

[A]

I had auditioned for a role on if Lovin youg Is Wrong. And then also for Erica on have and have Nots. Actually, it was Darcy on if Lovin youg Is Wrong. And Erica who played. She was one of the young ladies on have and have Nots. I auditioned for those. Didn't get any of them.

[B]

You are working with me every day, holding my clothes. Went through the proper channels to audition and didn't get the role.

[A]

No. And when you asked me to style you. Because that was when I was just, like, working in costumes, Tyler. I would literally. We would be in Greenbrier. My agent would send me an audition. I would run upstairs, find something in the back, back. Remember we used to have that big warehouse behind the costume department upstairs. I would find something that fit that character, change into it, run downstairs, tape it, run and get lunch, run upstairs, change back, go back to work. Literally, like, grinding, trying to figure it out. Even auditioning for stuff for you. And once you asked me to be your stylist, I was like, this, man, don't think I can act.

[B]

And I had no idea.

[A]

You had no idea?

[B]

I had no idea.

[A]

I thought that was just a way of saying, you can't do this. But I got something.

[B]

But come hold my shoes.

[A]

Yeah, hold my shoes. Come hold my shoes. Let me show you the world.

[B]

No, no, no, no, no. But I had no idea because nobody ever told me, and I don't know why nobody told me that you were auditioning. That's crazy.

[A]

That is crazy. Yeah.

[B]

Until sistas. When you again. Cause this should speak to anybody watching about having the boldness to speak up. Like, the boldness that started us talking was you saying we needed help. The boldness of you actually getting the role of Fatima started with you saying, I really would like to try to do this. Yeah. I'm like, oh, okay. First time I'm here at it, I'm thinking. And you remember what I told you?

[A]

Yeah, yeah. I'm not gonna give you anything. It's gonna be small. And what you do with it is.

[B]

Yep. If I give it to you better kill it.

[A]

You better kill it. And I was like, I will not let you down.

[B]

And the first day, I remember you shooting in a blue dress on Sisters. And I remember all of. Was it blue or black? But all I remember is all of the crew coming, wardrobes, just to support you.

[A]

Yes. It was so beautiful.

[B]

Yeah. But that tells the world the kind of person you are. That all. Think how many of your damn co workers gonna go to support you or something. All your co workers came down, and when you finished that scene, they were all applauded, yelling.

[A]

We all. They jumped on it. Was. I have actually have footage that's still on my phone.

[B]

Oh, you should put that in. Ready, Crystal?

[A]

Yes, let's. This is my costume designer who wants to be an actress, and she just got casted for her first role at Tyler Purdy Studios, where dreams come true.

[B]

And action.

[A]

Yes, Ms. Barnes, Mr. Bellman would like to see you. And he Said to bring you things. Yeah.

[B]

Ripple. Yeah. Get there, Brian. Get them. Get there. Get them. Get on. Get on the girl. Get on the girl. All right, all right. But what's beautiful about it is I sat in the corner going, oh, no, no, no. That's something else. That's not just talent. That's not just acting. That's not. That's something else. That's something that is anointed, that is special, that is called for that particular purpose. And I'm always looking for that. So when I saw it, I was like, okay, I see. Same way with Cassie and Levan. We were on tour, and I'm in the Madea costume getting ready to go on stage, and I looked at them sitting over in the corner. I said, I'm gonna do a sitcom with you two.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

We're gonna do House of Pain. I gotta go.

[A]

Hello.

[B]

Walk out on stage. Yeah. And we did House of Pain.

[A]

And all those episodes all these years later, still going, yeah, I hope my show does that.

[B]

I totally, 100% believe it will. And whatever it is, if it doesn't, you gonna be in abundance. And won't he do it?

[A]

Won't.

[B]

He will say, won't, won't.

[A]

He will. Hey, I love that. And even when I called you that day, I was still styling you to ask you about, just to let you know this is what I wanted to do, just to speak to who you are as a friend. You were backstage getting ready to go on to do your farewell tour. I thought you had the day off because there was so many dates that the calendar was really small. So I was like, okay, he off today. So I called you thinking you were off and you weren't. And you literally answered the phone, and I was like, hey, what are you doing? And you're like, I was just sitting backstage waiting to go, and I was like, oh, well, call you back. And you were like, no, what's up? And I was like, t. I was like, you don't know this, but I'm reading the scripts, and it's literally the stories are just jumping off the pages. And I was like, I really want to give this a shot. And you were like, I love this idea. Yeah, let me call you back when I'm done. And then. Hello?

[B]

Exactly. Because I got to walk on stage.

[A]

Yeah, but the fact that you took the call, you know what I'm saying? That speaks to, like, the. I mean, that's just the type of friend you are. Because some people are like, oh, I called him back, you know, but as Busy as you are. As busy as you are. Even when you're working, you still make time for your people.

[B]

Of course.

[A]

I just want people to know that that's who you are.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Ok. Because that's like a lot of people think that you're just as. Even they don't know you on a personal level. They just see this huge, giant man who just does so many great things and is so talented. But, like, on a real personal note, you are really. That you're available to your people. I appreciate it, and I love you for that.

[B]

I appreciate that. I love you too, Chris. Thank you.

[A]

You're welcome.

[B]

Cause people always look at where you are. They look at the top, they're like, oh, wow, look up there. Look up there. They don't look at all the steps that it took to get there and how the bottom. All they can see is, wow, you're all the way up there. No, look at all of that. That's the journey.

[A]

It is a journey.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That's the journey. Yeah. Wow. Was there any time in your life, like, as you continue to climb that you're like, whoa. Like, I know even where you are now. Billionaire, like, established new studio, still expanding. Have that. You have the biggest studio right now. Bigger than I feel like in the United States, period. You have. Yours is large.

[B]

Landmass.

[A]

Yeah, Landmass. Yeah. So is there any time as you're.

[B]

Maybe Pinewood may be bigger, but anyway, go ahead.

[A]

Is there any time where you hit moments where you're like, ooh, like, God, can I go higher? Because you have a book. Higher is waiting. But do you ever even doubt yourself? Like, oof.

[B]

No. At 53, I've had enough experiences to know that I have to surrender. When I did my. When I bought my first studio, I thought, okay, this is it. It's great. I'm not building another studio. I got. It's paid for, you know, Outgrew it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Next studio, same thing.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

Outgrew it in no time. Greenbrier. I thought I'd be there forever. Outgrew that thing. We were on top of each other in that building.

[A]

We were.

[B]

But what I learned is that every time I was supposed to move to the next level and I didn't because I was comfortable, because I didn't want to pay more. I didn't want to grow. I thought I was where I wanted to be. Everything in my life got uncomfortable until I moved. So I completely. Everything all right over there.

[A]

Everybody. All right.

[B]

Everybody.

[A]

All right.

[B]

So I completely learned the hard way, like, Just case in Point, Cross Street Market right now, which was my first bigger studio on Krog Street. I was hired. I had hired these bootleg carpenters to come in and fix it up and all this other stuff. And I'm like, good. I got this building. I paid for it. This is where I'm make my studio. That thing wasn't even as big as stage one is right now, right? So I'm there trying to force it. And ended up on the news. Monica Kaufman, Darby Richard Belcher talking about chapter two dudes. Tyler Perry's building a whole studio without permits, I tell you. So I was just like, I was so devastated because I had hired this guy to do the job. But the message came to me very clear. You're too big to do it wrong. Oh, too big to do it wrong. You got to do it right.

[A]

You got to do it right.

[B]

Got to do it right. I was still. Still pushing for try to make it work. The neighbors started complaining every. We didn't have enough parking. There was only parking for maybe 80 cars. And I was mad and I didn't want to go. And so when my lawyer called me and told me about Greenbrier, I went over there and I was like, I don't want to be over here. I laid down, couldn't sleep, went over there late at night, and I was praying about it. And I looked closely at the gates, and there was. Because it's all padded, locked and chained up, and the gates had Bible scriptures on it. Psalms 91, my favorite scripture was on the gate. I was like, okay, God, I get it. So I bought it. Thought I would not grow it, but I did. But. But right after that, outgrowing it, here comes this offer for Fort McPherson. You know, I told. I called the mayor and said, I'm leaving. I'm going to move to Douglasville. He's like, no, no, no. I want you to come see Fort McPherson. When I walked into Fort McPherson, the first thing I thought was, oh, I'm supposed to do this.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

It wasn't. It wasn't where I had been before with the thought of, oh, gosh, let me just get paid for this, is I had to learn to be open to where I was going and build for where I was going, rather than living and being closed and staying where I was. Right? So understanding that through some hard trials, I learned to just surrender when it shows up.

[A]

Wow. I want to touch on something that you've helped me in my personal life when it comes to going higher, when.

[B]

We'Ve Been talking about men's.

[A]

No, not yet.

[B]

We're gonna get.

[A]

Yeah, because you. We talked about that.

[B]

Relationships. Yes, yes.

[A]

But it was in my living. It was. We were shooting. I want to say Madea, maybe in Halloween, the second one. One of the movies. And that's why I was still styling you. We're in the bathroom changing Madea's wardrobe, and you were like, where are you living? And I said, oh, I'm renting a townhouse. And he was like, okay, you, like, you don't own it? And I said, no. And he goes, you need to go buy a house. And I was like, well, sir, the way we work. I was like, we work and then we save our money to live when we're not working. It's hard to save when you're just, like, living. You know what I'm saying? Basically living paycheck to paycheck. And you were like, okay, well, how much is the house? And I was like, well, the ones I'm looking at would be like 250, 300,000. And you're like, well, how much? The down payment. I was like, if you put 10% down, you may do, like, 15,000. Between 20 and 15,000. You're like, okay, so what are you waiting on? I said, well, you, like, go get your house. And it was in that moment, I was like, good lord, what a boss. Go get your house. So I got that house and I came back to it instead of. By then, we were shooting have and have nots because we moved on to the next project.

[B]

That quick.

[A]

You were like, chris, she got her house. He was like, I'll give you four years. You'll be in a mansion within four years. I don't know if you remember saying that. We were on set, you called me, and you like, it's time for you to get out of that little apartment. He called my townhouse and apartment, y', all, a four bedroom, three and a half bath.

[B]

It was beautiful. It was beautiful. But I knew again in my life what I learned and what I understood was be open when it shows up.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

That's not arrogance. That's not anything. There's so many people who I know, I've met in this lifetime being. Having been very poor and now doing very well, who on that side of it, they never apologize for it. We, as black people, constantly apologize when we have something good. Like, you talk about that lady who talked about, stop showing off. You should be. You should be. See, that's somebody who don't even understand that it's Based on the experiences of what we have done as black people in this country, the things our ancestors did, our success has already been bought and paid for. If we can get our mentality around what that means, you wouldn't walk around apologizing for it.

[A]

I know that's right. And you've taught me to live unapologetically.

[B]

Yes. It's okay.

[A]

Yep. And even when I was living in a scarcity mindset, you're like, chris, I know you feel like you just got through the door or just one foot. You're like, you're in the door.

[B]

You're all right.

[A]

You're all right. Go get what you want. I was like, well, I don't know if I can. He's like, stop living like that. Because you said that you would go buy what you could afford. Like, I know I can handle this. And then you're in there for two years, and you're like, I should have just got what I wanted. Because God continued to multiply. Multiply. You're like, I could have just got what I wanted.

[B]

Got what I wanted.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And many times in my life, I've been in a situation. Why did I buy this? Why am I. Why didn't buy this? I didn't. When. That's right there.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. So you helped me to one dream bigger. To open my lens and be like, okay, I can do this. And every time I go higher, my life just makes room. It makes room. My ideas get bigger. The money, it comes and it. It's never like a, oh, God, how about I take care of this?

[B]

No, there you go. And then. And then you realize after four years, you go, man, I just breezed through that. I wasn't even. That wasn't even a stretch. Because your mind became open to the possibility of what it could be.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Yeah, it is.

[A]

But that also comes with exposure. I'm a young girl from Martin, Tennessee. Population 10,000 people. Like, super small. And you have one. I remember the first time you invited me to the island, and I was sitting at the table with everybody, and I don't know if you can feel the timidness. And you were like, if you're at this table, it's because you belong. And I remember one morning, just walking around, just touching the leaves. I had never seen an island. A private island. A private island. I've been on an island, but not an island like that. And I was like, this, man. This is his own island. Like, just. What if I. I don't even need all this. Like, this is Possible.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Then that's exposure. You know what I'm saying? Just knowing that I know somebody who has done it, this is something I can do as well. And the places you've taken me, we've traveled the world together, has opened my eyes to so much where a lot of people aren't privy to seeing.

[B]

Think about a couple things burned that traveling the world. But let me just say this. Then I go to traveling the world. Oprah did that for me when I first went to her house. She did that for me. I was like, oh, this is possible. You can actually dream and be. And I'll never forget, I'm on video saying this. I'm probably 35 at the 36. My first movie had just come out, and I was just like, oh, I could have this. It took all of the reins and blinders off. And I was just like, okay, God, what you got?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I'm gonna do the best I can to honor it. I'm gonna be good to people. I'm gonna. Everybody who comes in my life, I'm gonna make sure that they are touched and affected in a beautiful way, that their lives are changed, that they really see and dream. Everything you show me, God, I'm gonna try to pass it on to somebody else. And everybody who can get it, I'll take it.

[A]

Right.

[B]

So that's the feeling I want the people around me to have. That's the feeling I want the people at the studio to have. Because at this point, what else is there to do?

[A]

Exactly. Exactly. That's so good.

[B]

Yeah. They're traveling the world just like, she don't like roaches. So we were in Bora Bora Bora. Really nice. Hot. Do y' all know them beautiful places over the water?

[A]

Yeah. Little bungalow. It was nice.

[B]

If you walk in the hotel that's very expensive, and there's roach spray in the closet. Something. Something's up.

[A]

So I didn't catch that.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I didn't read the room.

[B]

As soon as I walked in and saw that roach spray, because the place is beautiful. The glass bottom looking. I was like, oh, okay. I thought 101. Doug Crystal doing in her room screams. Just screams, she don't do the roaches. She don't do the roaches.

[A]

I do not do roaches. I was like, they're like. The people came in the room. The manager and he was like, oh, I'm talking about. Yeah, it was a big roach. He was like, oh, this is a water bug. I said, nah, that's all.

[B]

That's a cockroach we from the south, and we ghetto as hell. That's a cockroach. Y' all gotta get that thing get.

[A]

Y' all came in there moving furniture for me. Y' all like, it's hot in here. Turn the arrow.

[B]

Turn the arrow on.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yep. Or anytime I said Beyonce, she was ready to go.

[A]

Oh, my gosh. The first time you said me, I was in Miami. You guys on a vacation. I always. I like to travel by myself sometimes. And then my girls would come meet me after I've had my me time. And so it was before my girls landed, and I had unpacked. I was staying in Miami for a while. I had unpacked my clothes, and I never do that. I never unpack and hang things up. I just live out the suitcase. This particular trip, I had unpacked. I get a call, and he's like, hey, I need you to pack some things for me. I've gotta go to Copenhagen. And I was like, okay. And I said, okay, I'll get some things done. So I had called Armani. I was like, hey, armani, can you FaceTime me so I can you can help me with this? I'm not in town. And then I get another call, and you were like, well, I need you to pack your things, too. Cause we're going to see Beyonce, y'. All. I ain't never packed. I ain't never got to the airport that fast.

[B]

I called you. I called you back. I called you back. Cause I knew you had friends. I knew you had pac. I call you back, I say, so you think you go, you go. I'm at the airport.

[A]

I'm gonna call you back. Going through security.

[B]

I'm going through security. I'm gonna call you back. I'll call you back on the way.

[A]

And that was the most amazing experience. We flew on your jet to Copenhagen. I got to meet Beyonce for the first time. Y' all like, do we need a landing pass? She gonna faint. What's gonna happen? Oh, my goodness. And that was just. That was crazy. Thank you for the many experiences. But that was when it started.

[B]

Exposure.

[A]

Exposure.

[B]

That's what I completely love and hope that more of us have, you know, and it doesn't take. You don't have to travel the world to. You could just get out of your neighborhood, go to other neighborhoods, see other things. Like when I was struggling and broke in my 20s, man, I would. I barely had nickel or anything to eat, but I would go to an open house in the nicest neighborhoods, and I would drive test Drive cars. Just not for the materialness of it, but just to know it's possible.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Right. And because in my neighborhood, there was the drug boys or the preachers who were the only ones doing well. So I didn't see anybody else that, you know, was in the movie business or anything. I didn't see any of that. So coming to Atlanta really opened my mind up to the possibility of there are other things you can be other than those two.

[A]

Absolutely. Wow, that's good. Something else that I have learned from you is generosity. I've always just naturally just been a nice person, speak to everybody. But it was first it was Andy Norman, who we love, works at the studio.

[B]

That's my right hand over there.

[A]

Oh, my goodness. Love him. And he called me. He called me one day. He always goes to church on Wednesdays, and he said, I don't know why God put you on my spirit, but he told me to tell you, your living is in your giving. He said, I don't know what this, why, what it was. And at this time, I was. I wasn't even costume designing. I was just a costumer. So that, you know, that's just like, okay, what does that mean? You know, it's like, your living is in your giving. So we take a break. I get a call from Ozzie, who was the president at the time, and he goes, hey, Tyler, want me to call you to see if you'd be interested in costume designing the next season of shows? And I was like, ooh, that's a big job. Like, I don't know if I'm ready for this, if I'm prepared. And I end up praying about it and I end up taking the job. And when I walked in for our first day, Andy was like, I didn't know where you were going or what it was about. He said, but you're. You're going like, baby, you're going higher. And I was like, andy, this is crazy. And he's like, don't forget what I said. And he always reminds me, and I never forget that. But just being around you and styling you for the years I styled you and actually getting a close up look at how you run things, the way you give silently. People don't even know the half of the things you do because you can be sitting in your living room watching tv. Like, I want to help that lady and figure out, find her. I want to help her rebuild, whatever, you know what I'm saying? You always bless people. And I remember it was during COVID and you called Me. And you said, hey, I just want to check on you. Are you good? Because we weren't working. You wanted to make sure I was okay. I said, no, Tyler, you're taking good care of me. I'm good. And in turn, I turned around and called Herman. Remember, he had told us the story on the island. And it just. That's. I feel like when you're around somebody of your caliber, those are the things you need to take from them, you know, like, learning how to. Like, that was a valuable thing for me. Like, this man, he just gives freely and with a cheerful heart. And that was one of the things I was like when I'm in this position, like. Cause I would already do it. Like, when we come back to work, I'd buy people lunch because I knew they weren't. Had been working for a while. So I would do what I could do, you know, I couldn't buy a car.

[B]

That's the same thing, though. Giving doesn't have a value when it comes from a pure place. It could be $10 billion. It could be two pennies. It doesn't have a value when it comes from purity. Giving is about what it does for the other person.

[A]

Exactly. And I learned that from you. So that's another thing, like being around you. I've learned so many things, just even how to carry myself. Because a lot of times you don't know why God's putting you around someone. I had no idea why you chose me or why God put it on your heart to be like her. I want her to come and help me with this, but in that it was literally molding me to be able to sit in the space I'm in now and to be able to carry it. You know what I'm saying?

[B]

That's why I tell everyone who is around somebody who they are wondering. Like, I was around people like Oprah and, you know, TD Jakes and things. I was like, why these people are so amazing. How am I? What am I? What is this about? But they were there to teach me something. And I watched the grace of how they carried themselves. I watched the compassion, and I watched how they treated everybody around me. You know, all people want to do is be seen and heard, right? So sometimes that's all they need. And so when I'm helping someone, and as you said, most of it's private because the world don't need to know it. But there are moments where people want to know it, and then there are moments where I say, okay, people should know this, because there's so much hell in the world right now. So let's see how much good this can spread.

[A]

Yes, exactly.

[B]

But it's really, really important to be able to have what you have and have an open hand and heart to help other people.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

I get that from my mother. I mean, I would wake up when I was a kid and step out of the bed. I would step on somebody on the floor, like, who are these people? She's like, shh. They needed a place to stay, Right. So she wouldn't give them no money, but she would. You couldn't get $20 out of my mother, but she would feed them, she would clothe them. She was just amazing.

[A]

I love that. I love that you talk about your mother. I know she's someone who. Oh, it's a dear, dear place in your heart. And you talked about the dysfunction of your home growing up. What was it with that little boy? Because you say in your book higher is waiting. You say that ever since I was a little boy, I've known there was something greater than myself, something bigger, something stronger, something higher. Yeah, I know. For me, as a kid living in Martin, Tennessee, I didn't see anything that God had put in my mind. I didn't see anything that even reflected that. I'm like, so why do I feel like I can. I only saw it on tv. What was it? That little boy living in New Orleans that was like, it's something bigger for me than this.

[B]

That was the most frustrating part of my life and career is having all of that vision inside of me and not seeing a path, not seeing anybody else who had done it, not seeing anybody around. I was just like, how is this even possible for me to obtain this? But for me. My mother took me to church all the time, so. So I just would hear my uncle preaching about, you know, if you pray, God will answer your prayers. And I just believed from a little boy that God was answering my prayers. Especially when I got these. I thought that the television, floor model television, y' all don't know what that is?

[A]

Oh, I do.

[B]

Floor model television. I thought that the people inside on Gilligan's island, the TV show, were inside the tv, and I wanted to go behind it and open it up and find them. And my father would have killed me, though. So I prayed. I said, God, send me some little people to take care of. And I'm leaving school. I come home, and there's a house, a bamboo house, sitting on the porch. The lady across the street had left, had moved away, and she asked my Mother, if I could have her parakeets, Fifi and Pierre. And they spoke. So as a little boy, I'm like, God heard my prayer.

[A]

He heard it.

[B]

Yeah. So from then on. From then on, it was like, okay, this prayer thing works.

[A]

It works. Yeah. It's prayer.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Still works.

[B]

Yeah. Gotta get my coffee to get up there with you. The morning. Right?

[A]

The Lord is up here.

[B]

Yeah, right. Exactly. Exactly. Right, right, right, right, right, right, right, right. Gowns. Nice gowns. Nice gowns. Aretha. Aretha. She was something. Yeah, Yeah.

[A]

I like to ask that question because a lot of times when people see where we are now, it's like, where did that start? So I definitely wanted to touch on that.

[B]

Can I just say this about God in faith? I know the world is changing, and people are getting away from so many things, and it makes sense because. Because of what church has become. But my whole hope is that if people have a relationship with God and believing that they never, ever equate that to something that man is. Because they will always let you down, preacher. Pastor. Priests will always let you down. They are not God. They are human. They're allowed to be flawed. They're allowed to make mistakes.

[A]

Get out of my business.

[B]

So I give them the grace of being human.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

But when I need grace, I go to God, not for them.

[A]

You understand? Yes, absolutely. I literally just yesterday had this conversation with my brother Marquis, and he was like, you know, I just. Church hurt. He was like, I just don't feel. He said, I just don't want to go through this again. And I was like. I literally told him. I said, marquis. I was like, the pastor is not God. I was like, he's human, just like we are. I said, we're going to church to get closer to God. If that person is delivering the message the way you need it, we have to give them grace in their personal life.

[B]

Right? Like, we can't judge that or that ain't your business. If God sends a message and you know, when that message is yours coming through that person, you know, God spoke to you through that person, it's easy to start to see the person as God and miss the spirit that came through.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Listen, I've gotten messages from winos on the street that was like, oh, that was. God just spoke to me. So I've learned to completely. When you listen and you're open and you hear, you know, you know, because. And in my life, if I pray something and, like, I have friends who are praying for me, a prophet like Andy will do you God will send somebody to confirm the exact prayer, the exact thought, the exact thing I'm going through almost in the exact words. And I go, okay, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

Dinor, he keep talking to me. He all in your business.

[B]

What you been listening to. Right, right.

[A]

So good, so good. So let's talk about something that you and I talk about. My man.

[B]

Oh, Lord. Oh, Lord.

[A]

My man. My man. My man.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So for the longest, like, you've seen me go through different relationships. And recently, it was the night that we all went to dinner after you moderated Michelle Obama's book tour here in Atlanta. And you said, crystal, you are vibrating here. Yeah, your man is here. And I was like, ooh, you trying to tell me I'm low vibrational? Tyler, what you trying to say? And I was like, ooh, I had to think about that. I was like, wow. Like, am I. You know what I'm saying? You were like, you're here and he's up here. You got to go higher in that to get to.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

And I was like, wow, that's crazy.

[B]

I probably had a gummy that night. So I was, look, I get super spiritual when I'm on them gummies, but that sound good. Okay, go ahead.

[A]

It was real good.

[B]

Just 5 milligrams of weed. That's all I could do. You know, if I try anything else, I'd be like, no, no. Y' all come get me. I'm going to the hospital. Five milligrams.

[A]

Going to the hospital.

[B]

Yeah, five milligrams. But understanding. Yeah. And having people meet you at your worst.

[A]

That's what I was. Yes. When you said that we were one of our many nights at your island, darling, in the King's Landing room at the table, you said, it just hit you. You probably was on the gummy then, too. You was like, meet me at my worth. And we were all like, wow. Yeah, that's it. Yeah, that's it.

[B]

And anybody who can't do that, that doesn't mean they're not worthy of you. That means that they need to either attempt, try, learn, find out enough about you to be able to figure out what that is. And that's because you listen a lot of women, especially black women. And I might get in trouble for saying this, but I will. In the. In our society right now, Black women are making a lot more money, for the most part, than black men. Right. There are a lot of black men who are successful, but for the most part, Black women are making the money. So you. If you can Find love. If that man works, you know, at whatever job and is a good man and is good to you and honors and honors the house and honors his wife and does what he can because his gift may not be your gift.

[A]

Exactly.

[B]

That is okay. That's not somebody who's beneath you. That's somebody who came to love you at your worth. Right. And as long as he's secure in himself to know that. Yep. She makes most of the money. All I can pay is the light bill. As long as she's comfortable enough to say, I'm going to cover the mortgage and all the other stuff, you handle the light bill, baby, you can take me to dinner every now and then. That is fine. That's fine. Yeah, but that's so hard for a lot of people to take in, because that means. No, no, no. I need somebody to. Who is. They need to make five times more. And I got to have. I got to have. Well, you keep looking. Go and keep your list, baby. God bless you. Hope it happens. Go and keep your list. But when you talk about just someone to love you and support you, I know people who have. Whose men can't touch what they make, but when you see them together, that love, that support that I got you, babe, it's a beautiful thing.

[A]

It is. It is. I remember I was having a conversation with you, and I was going. I can admit that I had fallen under that, like. Okay, I actually may have misunderstood what meet me at my worth meant. I thought meet me at my worth was meet me at my net worth.

[B]

Meet me at my network. Right? No, not your net worth. Meet me at least meet me at my net worth. Yeah, that's your net worth. Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

And I was talking to you, I was like. And, Tyler, I was like, this, this, and this, this, and this. And I've done this, this. And you're like, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, stop. You was like, don't make it about money. And this is when I was like, oh, my gosh. Like, it was like. Like it just went off. And I was like, I see what you're saying. You were like, crystal, I used to do the same thing. I would, like, be doing all these things for someone or people around me, and I'm like, they not doing. I'm not getting anything in return. You know what? I. And we fall into that sometimes. And you said, but then I thought about it. They can't do for me the way I do for them. No, it's just like, they can't. You got. When you explained it like that. If he is giving you all these other things, then that's something you work with. And I did. I literally, completely misconstrued what made me and my worth meant in that moment. But worth is more than that.

[B]

Right.

[A]

You know, and that's when I was like, wow, this is way deeper.

[B]

Yeah. You gotta remove the money from the situation because it's just gonna cloud it. And then you have your girlfriend and this friend. He ain't got that. He. You don't understand the love that we have for each other. And that is what is important. And I'm telling you, there are some good men who can't meet you at your net worth.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. And if you can find a man who is secure enough within himself to stand in that space.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. I'll tell you the story. Oprah tells a story about her and Stem. And they were in Hawaii. And she was walking. This was years ago. She walked in the store, he was behind her. And. No, I'll tell you this story. Cause I was there for this one. We were coming out of the Color Purple premiere in New York, and it was Tina Turner, Oprah, me and Gayle, we're all getting in the car.

[A]

You just said that. So it was Tina Turner.

[B]

Well, listen, that's when I first knew. That's when I first knew something had shifted.

[A]

Okay, wow.

[B]

Cause Oprah walks out and they scream, oprah, Oprah, Oprah. Tina walks out and go, tina, Tina. I go out and hear, Tyler, Tyler. I go, whoa. This is very early on. So they're pushing us into the limo, and I've turned back, and Stedman, the security is pushing him out of the way, not letting him in.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

I watched him tap the man on the shoulder and say, hey, hey. Oh, oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Graham. And he let him in the car. But do you know, when I saw that man, who's 6 foot 6 in that situation, I went, wow, look at the grace in how he carried it. He didn't get a car with an attitude. He wasn't mad. Which takes me back to the story in Hawaii, when they were in the store and everybody swarmed around Oprah. He was watching protectively. And after she was leaving the store, the store owner, older person, said to her, listen, I watched that man, how he loves you. I watched that man, how his aura is all around you, making sure you're okay and safe. So. So. And Stepman does well in life.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But I don't know nobody doing well as Oprah.

[A]

Hello.

[B]

You know what I mean?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So it can't be about the money. It can't be about the money.

[A]

That was a good nugget that you gave me recently. And I was like, wow. Because you do get caught up in the. What your girls are saying and what society says.

[B]

Because that's gonna. But that's, that's. And if you try to make it about the money, then it's always gonna be about the money. And the money is. You have to understand that when you start to make money and do well, that becomes a part of the perception of who you are. Right. And that's okay.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That was the thing that bothered me about it all. He sees my money. All he sees my money. And I'm a good person. I had to let all that go. I was like, well, money's a part of your person now, so let that be.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

And that's okay.

[A]

Yeah, it is. Now when you started making money, we talk about money as a part of the person.

[B]

Listen, that's a whole nother podcast. Financial literacy. Yes, yes. Go ahead, let's. Yeah.

[A]

Even, like, with, like, family and friends, what did you go through when you started? He said, because, like, that's the thing I start to deal with now. You know, just the entitlement or like, gimme, gimme, gimme, and the random text messages and you're like, I'm just waiting on them to ask me for something.

[B]

I had to. Yeah, because usually what happens is, you know, they don't. They don't talk to you forever. And then they're like, hey, how you doing? You've been on my mind. God told me to pray for you on my heart. And I'm thinking, okay, 10, 9, 8. Can you send me $30,000? Because I need. Yeah. And then I had another family member sent. And they said. And I was hurt by it. I said, listen, you sent me a text asking for $30,000. That's offensive. Like, call me, see how I'm doing.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And then I don't mind, you know, I don't mind giving you the money. Well, this family member got offended, so I've never asked you for nothing else. I was just. Well, I was just saying how impersonal the text is.

[A]

Yeah, absolutely.

[B]

Little while later, I get another text. I need $30,000. Same person. And then the follow up text was, make it 40, Tyler. I kid you not. And I was hurt by the fact that.

[A]

Make it 40.

[B]

Yeah. Yes. Just that. It was just so blatantly like, I'm just the money. Right?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I get to this place called. There's this thing called compassion fatigue, where you just get exhausted from giving, like, and you. And for me, I have to go away and. And pray and get myself back together. Cause I get to get out of my face kind of place. You know what I mean? So I have to go back and get right with that. But having that, having family members, you don't.

[A]

That's crazy. Yeah. I just wonder how you do it on your level. Cause nobody's calling me for 30. Well, one time they did call me for 40 years.

[B]

Right, right. So let's go back. Let's go back. But you know what? I learned to accept them as who they are. And family doesn't necessarily have to be the people that are your blood. So I started surrounding myself with people who genuinely cared about me. If we were on a boat, that's when we're in our groups on trips. If we're on a boat, if we're on the island, you know, these people care.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

They can't pay for it, but they're there because they want to support you and care for you. And that feels more like family to me. So I. My family gets money, but they have to work or they won't get money because I'm not the bank and I'm not the government. And I think it's important that people work. So working is so important.

[A]

I agree. I agree. Was there ever a moment where you had survivor's remorse, where you. The only person in your family that has made it, where you feel like, no, I feel bad that I'm the one that made it and everybody else did. And so I got it. I have to do these things.

[B]

First year I made money, I went from being dead broke. I was 28 years old. I made $130,000. I was like, oh, my God, $130,000. Got to the end of the year, had nothing to pay my taxes because I had given it all away. I had so much guilt that I'd given it to all family, all friends. Next year, I think I made a million and a half. Same thing happened again.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Next year, I made 7 million. Same thing happened again because I had so much guilt because I had. And I think this is something that we as black people carry because of what we've been through. And when you have, you think, oh, my God, I need to bring everybody else up with me. That's a beautiful thought, but in the beginning, that's bullshit.

[A]

Talk about it.

[B]

That's real shit. Take that out of your mind, because I'M going to tell you right now, if you have a boat that can help you get to one from this place to that place, so that you can get a bigger boat and you can only take two or three people, don't let everybody on that boat. And you gotta be also careful, because when you put too many people on the boat, there's some trying to put holes in it because they want it to sink because they don't like that you're sailing. Yeah. So you have to be careful. Right. Or there's some that are putting holes in the boat because of. They don't feel that they're worthy of it. And I've had that, too, where I was trying to pull people up to. Come on, come on. This is as far as we can do. We've been together all these years. We can make this happen. It's going to be wonderful. It's going to be great. But the whole. The whole thing that I had to realize is that some people cannot survive at certain altitudes. So if you're pulling somebody up a hill who. When you get to 10,000ft, they can't breathe, you're going to kill them.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So it's okay to leave them there until they learn the conditioning of what it takes to be at 10,000ft.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That's good, T. That's good.

[B]

It's true.

[A]

I'm going through a season. I just did an episode called Purging Season in season one, and it was just about God.

[B]

Say that again. I'm sorry. Purging Season one? Yeah.

[A]

Yeah, Season one. I did an episode called Purging Season, and it was literally like God was just removing people like friends, family. He was just like, lord, what is happening right now? And you're starting to see that, like you said, people can't breathe at the altitude that you're going to. Or you did a speech about. I think it was a commencement speech on. You talk about rocket boosters.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I was like. When you said that, that's exactly what came to mind when I thought about, lord, what is this that you're taking me through right now? Because I felt like I was losing people I was really close to, but everybody can't go, you know?

[B]

And you ever seen a bunch of kids on a merry go round? And it goes faster and faster and faster and faster and faster. What you find is that the people who are closest to the center can hold the tightest. The ones who are out toward the. Who are holding on are getting the most of the G forces. They can't handle it. So those people are falling. So I call it the spin theory. Sometimes in your life, you'll start to spin, and you're spinning up to the next level, and people start to fall off. And let me tell you something. It hurts. It's lonely. Especially when it's somebody that you really, really loved and had a great time with and wished that they could be there with you. But you have to understand and realize that that toxicity is poison to your wings. It will cause you to crash. So you have to be able to say, I love you, but I'm sorry, this does not work for me anymore. Then you get this shit. Oh, you bougie. You changing what's. Oh. Now you got all this, and you don't want. None of that matters.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Walk through the pain of the loneliness. Come. Tell you something. The higher you go, the smaller that circle gets.

[A]

It is. You're so right.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

I'm just getting started. And I see it.

[B]

And it's okay. It's okay. Because I promise you, if you ask God to give you what you need, they show up.

[A]

Wow. They do. Yeah.

[B]

They show up.

[A]

And I have what I need. I do. Like, I really have a good core. And everybody that's around me, I know they love me. They support me wholeheartedly. We all have our own thing going on. And it's no jealousy.

[B]

Right? That's what. That's what you want. Somebody. Because jealousy will show up in ways that you didn't even expect. People who've been right up under you as long as you didn't exceed what they thought you could be, the minute you start to go higher than they believed you could go, it's ugly.

[A]

Yeah. No, absolutely. Yeah. That's a real thing.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it is lonely. It is. They say it's lonely at the top, but. No, we're not lying.

[B]

But here's what I had to learn how to do. I had to learn to get all of my friends. Nobody can give you all everything you need. So all of my friends were. Brought something. It's like you have a potluck. What you could bring. Everybody brings something to eat. And some people may be able to bring fruit. Some can bring vegetables. Some can bring chicken. Some can. So I had all of my friends bring me something different.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

So that I have all that I need.

[A]

Ooh, I love it.

[B]

Because you can't get it from one person.

[A]

Absolutely. That's so good. I love that Denorah had actually spoken something recently that piggybacks off of what you said she goes, a lot of times when God brings people in your life, you're like, why am I not getting what I'm putting into this? Like, I'm pouring. I'm pouring. I'm pouring into this person, but I'm not getting it back. And she said that sometimes that person isn't put in your life to pour back into you. You're on assignment to them, and it's somebody else that's going to bring you what you need.

[B]

That's. You're 100% right. That's exactly right. And you have to understand that when it's your time to pour, do that.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And hopefully that seed that you're watering will start to grow in that person. Because I've seen this, like, in you. Like, seeing you come up to this place of like, look, I poured into him now. Look. And I've got thousands of those examples at the studio. Like, I poured in. Look at him now. And it warms me so much. Because when you're pouring, pour with pure intention.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And then you don't worry about being hurt if it doesn't work out. Just be pure in your intention. Don't let people change your intention. Even if they give you their ass to kiss after you were trying to help them, don't stop who you are going to help the next person you know. So that is so important. So important. That's really good. That's really good.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. A little bit. Yeah. She's been dropping some nuggets. I'm like, girl, God is really talking to you and me. I love it. So I want to go, like, back to some of your journey. You started off in the Chitlin circuit with Madea plays. You worked your way up to owning your own studio. At the time that you were, like, doing the smaller plays, what was it from, like, even. Actually, I want to go back to when you decided, like, what was that in between phase of, like, right before things went crazy, like, when you were doing the smaller plays, what was that?

[B]

Like, there was no in between phase. I was 28 years old. I was 27, broke, homeless. 28. I had been trying to do the show for seven years, and in 1998, the show took off. So it was famine, famine, famine, struggle, struggle, Desert, desert, desert, Jesus. And then all of a sudden, it was abundance. It was the abundant rain pouring. So I went from 90 when I started in 98. This is why I feel like I missed 12 years of my life, though I was working so hard. 98 at 28 and I kind of came to myself at 40. Like, I woke up going, whoa, you did it. But you missed everything. Because there's so many of those moments I don't remember. I was so laser focused on making the success work. And also, I was afraid of going back. As we talked about earlier, I didn't want to be broke again. I didn't want to, you know, I need to have my medicine for my mother. That's how it all started. I just need to. If I. Lord, just. My prayer was, lord, just let me make enough money to take care of her. And I had millions, and it still wasn't enough in my mind. So I was still going really, really, really hard until she died. When she died, it had reset me. Like, everything I was pushing for was gone.

[A]

Yeah. Ooh.

[B]

Yeah. But. But those. Those times were so such a blur because I just worked all the way through.

[A]

Yeah. Do you have any regrets?

[B]

Sometimes I do, because I look. I feel like I'm 12 years younger because I went into this silo of working, and I came out 12 years later of like, okay, oh, wait, this is what the world is. This is what. Wait, people were out. They were enjoying themselves at these parties and Oscars and award shows. I wouldn't. You know how I would walk in, in and out, I was like, I'm not enjoying. Nope. This is work.

[A]

Back to work.

[B]

Okay. Yeah, we're good. Back to work, Literally. So I feel like I missed 12 years of my life, even though now I look back at and some wonderful things happened. I'm telling you, I miss them all. Like, I'll see photos or somebody remind me, you remember when I go, wow, you're right. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah, that's amazing.

[B]

But Instead of being 53, I'm 41.

[A]

There you go. We the same age.

[B]

There you go. There you go. There you go.

[A]

I love it. What does a billionaire like you, who has a busy schedule, what do you do for yourself? Like, when do you. You know, a lot of people say, like, I take. This is my me time. This is what I do. What do you do for fun? What do you do to, like, take care of Tyler, of your body? I know you work out. I know you like to travel, but, like, what are things that you do? Because a lot of people, like, you're working all the time. When do you have time for just you.

[B]

You know what? People think that I'm a lot busier than I am. But because we work so fast and because I build in breaks, I don't try to kill myself. Like, I would have back then, but now, no, I build and I'm work three months, really, really hard, non stop. I'm going to exhaust myself and I'm going to take two months off. I'm going to go to my place in Wyoming or Colorado. I'm going to walk through the woods and be in nature. I'm going to talk to God. I'm going to go down to the island, I'm going to cry, I'm going to pray, I'm going to lick my wounds to see who stayed, who didn't. Where am I hurt? Am I okay? Am I feeling loved? Am I feeling supported? I check in with myself, I talk to God about it. It's so important. It's so important. But the biggest thing that I do, because I can do it every day that I'm working is just build airplanes. Build model airplanes.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Oh my goodness, me and my son will sit there and just, he's loving it. We're, you know, it just, it's the simplest thing, but to build something that will be able to fly. I feel like I'm teaching my son how to literally fly.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

So those moments are really beautiful.

[A]

That's so beautiful. I love that.

[B]

And this kid, you know, he's amazing.

[A]

Yes, amazing.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

You are brilliant. Oh my gosh, I can't wait to see where he goes and what he decides to do with his life is gonna be amazing.

[B]

Yeah. And you know, whatever it is, I just want him to be the best at it and be happy.

[A]

I love that.

[B]

Yeah. Just be happy, son. Cause right now it's a race car driver, Astronet, and a track and field runner and a comedian.

[A]

So I love it.

[B]

We had a business meeting in my office a few weeks ago and I was asking him, you know, he was in the room when I was having all these meetings and he comes, okay, papa's my turn to meet. Okay, great. Have a seat. What do you want to talk about? I want to talk about my life and my career and what I'm going to do. It's like, okay, eight years old, you better.

[A]

I love it.

[B]

Yeah. So I recorded it and I can't wait to show him when he's older. Like, this is what you wanted to talk about that day.

[A]

That is amazing. That is amazing. When you are dealing with things, mental health is really big. Like the black community is like really honing in on it and understanding it more. We're more open to therapy. Who does someone like Tyler Perry talk to? Do you have someone that you can like, say hey, this is what I'm going through.

[B]

Jesus.

[A]

Jesus.

[B]

Yeah. No, Oprah, T.D. jakes. You know, I have Michelle Obama. I have really good people who have been through some things. I used to talk to Cicely Tyson, you know, about things, just that level of history and lessons that she's learned. And Sidney Poitier. I went to the Masters.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

I was flying to Africa, and I invited both of them to fly with me. So I literally sat at their feet listening to their stories. You know, Clarence Avon died a couple days ago, and he just was. He was the black godfather.

[A]

He was absolutely.

[B]

And anytime you needed anything or something, put together this. Or presidents or he. He was the man. So, you know, I had a chance to spend time with him. That's just Quincy Jones, these guys, Harry Belafonte on the phone with them. That's what I mean. Those are the people. But all our legends are getting out of here.

[A]

They are, yeah.

[B]

So I'm hoping that, you know, more of us will be open to sharing. You know, when I talk to Jay, Jay Z, he is one of those people who's like, listen, I got the information. Come get it. But as far as mental health goes, I tell you, the main problem that's happened. You look at the tobacco crisis when everybody was talking about how cigarettes were in the beginning, they were safe, but people made billions of dollars on it. Then you look at all the other opioid crisis. Crack cocaine. Right. There's another crisis that is happening that is affecting people's mental health in ways that nobody's talking about. And I'm hoping one day that it comes crashing down. Like the tobacco industry, like the opioid addiction industry, Purdue Pharma. And that is social media.

[A]

I knew you were gonna say that. Oh, my gosh, you are right.

[B]

If you don't believe me, try to turn it off and put it down.

[A]

I pick up my phone randomly. Like I'll be doing something, then before I know it, I'm just scrolling on Instagram. It's like a drug.

[B]

Yes. And you're being fed whatever algorithm you chose because it's attached to where you go, where you. They are tracking everything you're doing and whatever mood you're in, that's what it's going to enhance. So if you're a person who's already struggling, sad and depressed, and dealing with some things, it's going to be really, really tough to come up higher when you're constantly being fed things that make you sad and depressed. I'm not talking about clinical depression. I'M talking about people who are sad and depressed.

[A]

Yeah. No, I used to. I went through a phase where I had body dysmorphia because I would look on Instagram and I would see all these perfect bodies. Whether it was plastic surgery bodies or just everything is perfect. Everybody's just showing the highlight reel.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That's all you're seeing. You're never seeing the down times. And I would try to be more transparent with that because people just think our life is so perfect. And I'm like, no, it's not.

[B]

And listen, I know a lot of those folks and I be like, this your life for real. Cause T that ain't what you really going through. So it's just like, stop with the madness. Stop with the madness of trying to give this perfect image that everything's perfect. Because there are people who are really struggling, who are really looking to these images and thinking, this is how my life should be. Now, if it's aspirational, great. But if it's something that you know damn well, you got 38 filters on, 2,000 retouches and 48 something else to make sure it looks great. Come on. That's.

[A]

I was that girl. To be honest. I be like, let me go ahead. Little nip tuck, right?

[B]

Digital Botox. Nip tuck. Yeah. Yeah. All the things I worry about it for my son, who's not on it, who doesn't see it.

[A]

He doesn't.

[B]

You know, he reads books, so I don't want him to be so unaware of it, but I want him to know who he is before the world starts to try to tell him who he is.

[A]

That's so good. I love that. I love it. So when we talk about God and aligning your vision with God, how do you create the space for God to really, like, talk to you and say, hey, I know you said sometimes things get shaken up when you try to go against what God is saying. Maybe because you see something totally different.

[B]

Because your vision's not aligned.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I've learned to surrender to God's vision. I don't try to align, have him aligned to my vision. I let the opposite happen. I'm like, okay, where are we going? What are we doing? And I've learned so much, God, to trust you that this is the way I'm going to go. Because I don't want the resistance and the fighting or the other stuff. It's just to surrender to it. But again, I keep going back to social media because it is so hard to hear from God in noise. And if you are the type of person that is seeking advice from every friend you have online, every Instagram, every TikTok, if you're seeking advice, how can you know the still small voice that I believe is God? That's why I have to remove myself and not be on anything digital and just listen to see what I hear. Walking in nature is the best way. I was out in Colorado, and the wind just whispered past. I heard it. I thought it was traffic coming because we were up on this mountain. I thought it was traffic. And I asked the guy with me, is that the traffic? He said, no, that's the wind. It's coming. And I heard it come down over the mountain, down through the valley and come up over it. And for me, that's like how I think God will speak. Like, there'll be over there just a little bit of something that you missed.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

And then there's another something. Okay, you missed the acorn, so now the branch has to fall. Okay, you missed the branch. Now the trees got to fall on you. Oh, okay. You still missed that. The whole forest is burning. So I've learned to just. When I see the acorn, I'm gonna be like, oh, no, no, no, no. Let me get that. Cause I don't want the tree of.

[A]

The forest sitting on this tree.

[B]

Just give me the acorn.

[A]

Oh, that's good. Because, yeah, the whole forest be running around me. I'm like, no, I see it this way. Like, I need to get better at surrendering. I always ask for God to order my steps, but I still am very much like, okay, this is the way I see it. I'm just gonna go this way until God is like, girl, get.

[B]

Yeah. God in the Bible says, my thoughts of you are pure and of a good report and that you be in health and prosper as your soul prospers. Right. So all of that's good. Right. So if your vision isn't aligned with what's good, then I don't know how that can be God.

[A]

Right? That's so good.

[B]

And what's good for you may not be the thing that you're supposed to do at the time.

[A]

And that's normally what I be doing.

[B]

Yeah. Okay.

[A]

I always do things that. That I don't mean to be doing. And God's like, girl, we've been through this before. Why are you still doing the same thing?

[B]

But let me tell you something. I really didn't understand the love of God until I had a child.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

And if God loves us more than I Love my child. Then I can't even wrap my brain around that. Because this. And he does. Because this. When I see him making a mistake or when I see him going the wrong. Doing something wrong, I'm like, okay, how do I correct him? How do I get him on the straight and narrow? And I'm going to choose the level of correction based on how hard he's going. Yep, yep, yep.

[A]

That's good. I love that. I love that. So we talk about you having vision as a little boy. So as an adult, what do you. Once you have that vision, how did. How do you decide? Okay, God, I'm gonna partner with you to bring this to life. Is it through prayer, through meditation, or just always keeping him involved?

[B]

It's his vision. So you riding along.

[A]

He gave it to you.

[B]

Yeah. You ain't in partnership. It's his vision for your life. So it's surrendering to, where is this taking me? That's the thing. Like, where is this taking me? And that's what I'm saying. The most frustrating part of my early life was having all these visions and not seeing the path. So I could have did a million plays and never saw anybody ever saw. Never. God had to line all of that up for it to start to work, and I had to be willing to get in the middle of it and go hard. That's why I missed those 12 years, because I just. I was in the will. In the will.

[A]

You were in it.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. But I'm enjoying my life a lot more now. I'm enjoying the moment. I'm taking the moments now. I was just at an age where, you know, I'm just running hard.

[A]

I love you in this phase of your life. Yeah. Happy and enjoying it.

[B]

Yeah. Wearing nice clothes, going to concerts, all the shit. Got some bling, bling on, got a little reaching. Things I never bought before. Yep.

[A]

No, but you can, you know.

[B]

Yep. Had my zoot suits, my Steve Harvey suits, back in the day. I was clean. They had my rabbit jackets. They told me it was a mink, but it was a rabbit when I bought it at Greenbrier.

[A]

Never bought it at Greenbrier.

[B]

I sure did. I wondered. That store still there? I need to go by that store.

[A]

Just to see it. Probably is. That is hilarious. Tyler, thank you so much.

[B]

Much.

[A]

This is. No, I appreciate you.

[B]

I am beyond proud of you, my love.

[A]

Thank you so much.

[B]

So proud of you.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

Looking at you come through all of this, and I was right there with you to see it. Yes.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

To See it. Look at you. It's crazy when you wake up in here, you're like, when I open those.

[A]

Doors and walk in here, I'm like.

[B]

This is my life.

[A]

This is my life.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

It feels so good.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because. Thank you. So proud of you, baby.

[B]

So proud of you.

[A]

Thank you. I appreciate you coming today. At the close of the show, we do what is called positive outcomes, where our viewers actually write into us and we're gonna give them some advice.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

So our listener letter today says, hi, Crystal, thank you for taking the time to help me. Lately I've been feeling like I'm stuck. It's like I'm being pushed to bigger and greater things. But I feel like I'm getting in my own way. My fear and insecurity keeps holding me back and I feel myself battle with the fear of others saying, who does she think she is? By fully stepping into whatever it greater is. The best way I can describe it is that feeling when I'm on a boat and God is calling me to the water. But my fear of drowning is greater than my faith that God will help me float. So I'm just standing at the edge of the boat, not jumping. How can I get myself to jump?

[B]

Go back and read again. Read again.

[A]

Okay. Okay. Hi, Crystal. Thank you for taking the time to help me. Lately I've been feeling like I am stuck. It's like I'm being problem number one. Ooh.

[B]

I have been feeling like I am stuck. She's speaking that I have been feeling like I am stuck. So you speak things into existence. Power of life and death is in the tongue. I have been feeling like I am stuck rather than I am not stuck. God is going to make a way. I am not stuck. Go on. What's something else she said?

[A]

Uh huh. She says it's like I'm being pushed to bigger and greater things, but I feel like I'm getting in my own way.

[B]

It's like I'm being pushed. No, I am being pushed to bigger and greater things, but I am getting in my way. And understanding your own words, baby, you give the answers to yourself. I am getting in my own way. Well, why? What is your motivation? Why are you getting in your own way? What did mama say? What did daddy say? What did they say at school? What did the little girl in you deal with that makes you get into the way of the successful woman that's trying to figure it all out? So you've got to go back and undo some of those voices. And every time you Hear something negative. When I was coming through all this stuff, every time I would hear something negative, be like, nope, I'm not letting it in because I believe I can do this. God said I can do this. This is going to be okay. It's all going to work out every time. Don't let negative voices in your head become your reality, because they will. They will.

[A]

That is so true. She is. And then she said, my fear and insecurity keeps holding me back. I feel myself battle with the fear of other people saying, who does she think she.

[B]

By fully stepping into that, my fear and is holding. My fear is holding me back. Here's something you have to understand about fear. Fear and excitement can mimic the same emotions in you.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

So you can be excited, but you think you're afraid.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

So you have to be clear about what you're identifying. Right.

[A]

That's good.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

That's good. Wow. You helping me. My goodness. And it says, the best way I can describe it is that I feel like I'm on a boat and God has called me to the water, but my fear. Here goes. Fear again, of drowning is greater than my faith that God will help me float.

[B]

Yeah. Where did it come from? And let me tell you something. Fear is good. A healthy dose of fear is good to have because it keeps you grounded, it keeps you humble, and it keeps you praying. I never would have gotten to this place if I hadn't been afraid.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Every major decision was like, what if this doesn't work out? Like, nope, get that out of your head, because you cannot be afraid. Because. And as I. The more. And I say this to her, the more success that she has. Even if she looks back in her over her life, nine times out of 10 when I ask people this, it blows their mind. I look back. Look back at your entire life and tell me how many times God has let you down. Entire life.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And if you really think about that, your future days, you go, okay. Even when I thought he let me down, even when I thought I had failed, even when I. I thought I had messed up, that was good for me so that I could be in this position.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Yeah. I learned so much in the things that God didn't let me do. And when a door is closed, that is not a no.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

That. That is. There's another way. That's another path. It's like being in a maze. When you hit that. That brick wall, you don't. You don't stop. You go, okay, maybe I got to double back I got to go this way. I got to go this way. But you'll get there.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Wow. That's so good. And her last question is, how do I get myself to jump?

[B]

How do I get myself to jump? Yeah. By undoing all of those voices that caused you to have those feelings.

[A]

Yes. That's good. Wow. Well, y' all heard it from the man himself. Like, I ain't got nothing else to add to that. That was good. You broke that all the way down. Wow. Thank. That blessed me. My goodness. I don't even want to look at Dinora because I know she probably crying. I'm scared to look at her. So the next thing we do is what I'm going for.

[B]

I like that outfit. Who bought you the outfit?

[A]

You did.

[B]

Okay, go ahead. What are you saying, darling?

[A]

This came from the Dolce and Gabbana store in Portofino, darling.

[B]

Was it Portofino or was it Capri, darling? It was somewhere we were. Darling. It was so long ago to remember.

[A]

I had a rough night at sea, and I was. I couldn't get out to shop, and my dear friend Tyler Perry was.

[B]

That was a rough night.

[A]

I got you.

[B]

Yeah. Send this to her. Maybe she'll feel better.

[A]

I did. Immediately, I was like, oh, I think.

[B]

I can get up now. It did a black car to make a girl get out of bed. She like, baby flu and everything, literally. That's so good. That's so good.

[A]

So we also do what is called what I'm going through and what I'm growing. And in this season of my life, even based on things we've talked about, I am going through, especially right now, we're on a strike. Just stretching my faith, learning new things that I want to do and not putting all my eggs in one basket and just having faith that God is going to move.

[B]

Is that going through or growing through?

[A]

This is what I'm going through.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah, Right now. But then I'm growing. Yeah, I'm growing through right now. I'm really growing through. And I feel like this is something I'm always growing through. Not, like, having control of everything and allowing things to just be so. That'd be what. I'm just letting go. Yeah. What about you? Are you going through?

[B]

What I go through is just battling compassion fatigue, as we talked about before, and understanding that everybody's not gonna get and being okay with that. I still have to remind myself of that. That's what I'm growing through. I would say going through, I'm actually pretty good.

[A]

You Are, baby, you.

[B]

I'm really, really good right now. I've lived these 53 years and learned a lot of things. And all I want to do at this point is just take this wisdom, these things that I've learned, and share them with anybody who wants to receive them. Take them. But I also don't want to. Oh, my God. The older you get, I see some old people who, they are just impatient. The older you get is like, listen, I have one friend I've been trying to help for years. I was like, we've been over this. I've told you these things 10 different times. Because I never say, you should do this when I'm giving advice. Most times I let people talk so they can hear themselves work out the issues. But other times I'll say, well, if I were in your shoes, if I were, here is my thinking on that. But after sharing and sharing and sharing and sharing, and you still don't start making progress to that direction like, you're wasting my time. Because there's somebody else who could be.

[A]

Using this and who will listen and figure it out. Yeah. Take those nuggets you're giving and apply it. That's so true.

[B]

And anybody who can get to me, what I mean by that, it's like anybody who can get in my presence, like, I say this in the best way.

[A]

No, I know exactly what you mean.

[B]

I'm Tyler Perry, you know, and I'm a loner by nature. I like to be alone. And so when people make their way into my life, I go, oh, you are clearly somebody God has sent for me to pay attention to. Because you broke through all of that stuff and you're this close, like, okay, what am I supposed to teach here? God can't be selfish, can't be about you. No matter how tired, exhausted. Here's a moment. Because that moment may be something that saves or changes that person's life.

[A]

Yeah, I'm a witness. I'm a testimony.

[B]

I'm a testimony.

[A]

A living proof example. Okay? And the last thing we do is keep it blank, sweetie. Because the show is called Keep It Positive, Sweetie, but we fill in the blank. And I would say, keep it open minded, sweetie, because opening your mind to new things can, like, get you further.

[B]

I think we would say the same thing. I say keep it growing.

[A]

There we go.

[B]

Keep it growing. Just keep it growing.

[A]

Yes. Here we go again.

[B]

Here we grow again. Here we go again. This has been great.

[A]

I love it. Thank you so much, guys. Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode. If you want to be featured on our Positive Outcomes listener Letter, please write into Keep it positive. Keep PositiveSweetiemail.com you can follow me on all platforms at luvcrystalrenae. And then you can also follow Kips on all platforms at KeepItPositive, sweetie. And you guys can follow Tyler at Tyler Perry, because he's Tyler Perry.

[B]

So anytime somebody is being some negative and you don't want them to know what you're saying or they're being all that way, you just say, kips.

[A]

Keep off the kips. Just kips, baby.

[B]

Kips. T shirts.

[A]

Oh, it's coming. Merch. Merch.

[B]

Merch.

[A]

Merch. The merch is coming. Yes. Thank you, tv.

[B]

My pleasure.

[A]

I love you, man.

[B]

I love you, too.