Podcast Summary: Keep It Positive, Sweetie – 2-Year Anniversary "Listener's Choice" Episode: "Marinating Over Activating" with Sarah Jakes Roberts
Introduction
In this special re-air episode of Keep It Positive, Sweetie, host Crystal Renee Hayslett welcomes renowned author and speaker Sarah Jakes Roberts. Celebrating the podcast’s two-year milestone, Crystal and Sarah delve deep into themes of redemption, healing, self-worth, and navigating life’s challenges with grace and resilience. This episode, titled "Marinating Over Activating," provides listeners with profound insights drawn from Sarah’s personal journey and her impactful book, Power Moves.
Opening Quote from Power Moves
Crystal begins the conversation with an empowering quote from Sarah’s latest book:
"The only thing worse than being powerless is falling for the illusion that power can be amassed by what you have instead of who you are willing to become."
— Sarah Jakes Roberts [03:18]
This quote sets the tone for the episode, emphasizing the importance of personal growth over material accumulation.
Sarah’s Journey to Motherhood and Overcoming Shame
Sarah shares her early life experiences, particularly becoming a mother at the tender age of 14. She reflects on the profound shame and societal judgments she faced:
"That was the beginning of shame. That was the beginning of shame. I think before then, like, I knew my life had changed. I was still probably trying to figure out what that meant."
— Sarah Jakes Roberts [10:03]
Growing up as the daughter of Bishop T.D. Jakes, Sarah navigated the complexities of her father’s influential role in the church alongside her unexpected motherhood. The public acknowledgment of her pregnancy during church services intensified her feelings of embarrassment and isolation.
Navigating Parenting with Transparency and Grace
Transitioning into motherhood, Sarah discusses her approach to parenting, focusing on open and honest communication with her children. She emphasizes the importance of being approachable and fostering a safe environment for her kids to express themselves.
"Anything in the world that you ask, I will answer. Because if you were grown enough to ask me, like, if it's circling in your world, circling in your thoughts, I want you to know that no matter what, if you ask me, I will tell you the truth."
— Sarah Jakes Roberts [12:30]
Sarah illustrates her dedication to understanding her children’s world by engaging in meaningful conversations, ensuring they feel valued and supported.
Balancing Influence and Personal Well-Being
A significant part of the discussion revolves around the challenges that come with influence and public perception. Sarah opens up about the pressures of being in the public eye and the constant scrutiny that accompanies her role.
"But the idea that someone can love you, but you could disappoint them, and then you could be the girl that nobody wants to be around anymore makes me feel unsafe with that level of love."
— Sarah Jakes Roberts [30:50]
She shares her strategies for maintaining healthy boundaries, such as keeping a distance from the influence aspect while cherishing the genuine connections with her family.
Integrating Therapy with Faith
Addressing the stigma around therapy, Sarah discusses her personal journey with mental health and how integrating therapy with her faith has strengthened her relationship with God.
"My relationship with God has become much more deeper as a result of me being in therapy, because there were moments where I felt something that I could not give language."
— Sarah Jakes Roberts [33:02]
She highlights the synergistic benefits of combining spiritual practices with professional mental health support, leading to a more profound and articulate prayer life.
Legacy and Passing the Torch in Ministry
Sarah reflects on inheriting her father’s legacy, particularly the responsibilities tied to his influential ministry, Woman Thou Art Loosed. She shares the emotional weight of taking over such a significant role and her commitment to honoring her father’s work.
"I want to be a good steward over it. I love it, I respect it, I honor it, but I never wanted it."
— Sarah Jakes Roberts [27:09]
Despite initial feelings of unworthiness, Sarah embraces her role with humility and dedication, focusing on authenticity and obedience to God’s calling rather than seeking personal accolades.
Marriage and Partnership with Pastor Trey Roberts
A heartfelt segment explores Sarah’s relationship with her husband, Pastor Trey Roberts. The couple discusses maintaining individual identities while supporting each other’s unique callings.
"We have a lot of respect for one another. It's not a competition."
— Sarah Jakes Roberts [49:25]
Their dynamic is characterized by mutual admiration and understanding, allowing both to thrive personally and professionally without feeling overshadowed.
Insights from the Book Tour and Personal Growth
As Sarah recounts her experiences on the seven-city book tour for Power Moves, she shares moments of doubt, resilience, and triumph. The tour was a period of intense personal growth, marked by both joyous interactions and challenging moments, such as confronting her own mental health struggles.
"I wanted that to be one of our last experiences. And she was like, I decided to live. Something happened in that room where I know God's got something for me, that there's power in me, more power than this depression."
— Sarah Jakes Roberts [58:35]
This experience reinforced her message of transformation and empowerment, illustrating the profound impact of her work on listeners’ lives.
Listener’s Letter and Final Advice
In the concluding segment, Crystal addresses a listener’s heartfelt letter seeking guidance on overcoming fear and activating her God-given dreams. Both Crystal and Sarah emphasize the importance of "marinating" — taking time to reflect and understand one’s fears before taking action.
"I would consider. Why do you feel stuck? [...] Is there anything that you can do to get unstuck?"
— Sarah Jakes Roberts [62:39]
Sarah advises the listener to delve deep into the root causes of her fears, question their validity, and seek supportive relationships that foster growth.
Closing Affirmations
The episode wraps up with affirming messages that encourage authenticity and self-love, reinforcing the core theme of maintaining positivity and self-worth despite external challenges.
"I can do everything. If God can. If someone else can do it, I can do it."
— Sarah Jakes Roberts [45:07]
Conclusion
This episode of Keep It Positive, Sweetie offers a compelling narrative of resilience, faith, and personal empowerment through Sarah Jakes Roberts’ candid sharing. From her early struggles as a teen mother to her current role in ministry and public influence, Sarah embodies the essence of "marinating before activating." Listeners are left inspired to reflect on their own journeys, embrace their vulnerabilities, and pursue their destinies with authenticity and grace.
Notable Quotes
-
On Personal Growth and Power:
"The only thing worse than being powerless is falling for the illusion that power can be amassed by what you have instead of who you are willing to become."
— Sarah Jakes Roberts [03:18] -
On Overcoming Shame:
"That was the beginning of shame. That was the beginning of shame."
— Sarah Jakes Roberts [10:03] -
On Authentic Parenting:
"Anything in the world that you ask, I will answer."
— Sarah Jakes Roberts [12:30] -
On Influence and Safety:
"But the idea that someone can love you, but you could disappoint them, and then you could be the girl that nobody wants to be around anymore makes me feel unsafe with that level of love."
— Sarah Jakes Roberts [30:50] -
On Therapy and Faith:
"My relationship with God has become much more deeper as a result of me being in therapy."
— Sarah Jakes Roberts [33:02] -
On Legacy and Stewardship:
"I want to be a good steward over it. I love it, I respect it, I honor it, but I never wanted it."
— Sarah Jakes Roberts [27:09] -
On Marriage and Mutual Respect:
"We have a lot of respect for one another. It's not a competition."
— Sarah Jakes Roberts [49:25] -
On Empowerment Through Struggle:
"I decided to live. Something happened in that room where I know God's got something for me, that there's power in me, more power than this depression."
— Sarah Jakes Roberts [58:35] -
On Overcoming Fear:
"Why do you feel stuck? [...] Is there anything that you can do to get unstuck?"
— Sarah Jakes Roberts [62:39] -
On Self-Belief and Divine Support:
"I can do everything. If God can. If someone else can do it, I can do it."
— Sarah Jakes Roberts [45:07]
Final Thoughts
Sarah Jakes Roberts’ heartfelt narrative serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, illustrating that through faith, self-reflection, and supportive relationships, one can overcome profound challenges and step into their power with authenticity. This episode is a testament to the transformative power of honest conversations and the continual journey of personal and spiritual growth.