Podcast Summary: Keep it Positive, Sweetie

BET MEDIA HOUSE: All Power, All Purpose (July 7, 2025)

Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Produced by: The Black Effect and iHeartPodcasts

Overview

This episode of Keep It Positive, Sweetie is a vibrant, heartfelt roundtable from the 25th BET Awards Media House, focusing on themes of positivity, service, ownership, faith, mental health, and resilience within the entertainment industry. Host Crystal Renee Hayslett welcomes an impressive lineup of culture-shaping guests—including Angie Martinez, Kirk Franklin, Major, Shamia Morton, Salt (of Salt-N-Pepa), and more—for intimate, uplifting conversations. The episode offers honest reflections on personal growth, faith, community, and surviving in competitive spaces, aiming to inspire listeners to lead with authenticity and grace.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Healing Power of Podcasting and Honesty

• Angie Martinez discusses the difference between radio and her In Real Life podcast, emphasizing the vulnerability required:
  • “The podcast is like, you know, we're talking about real, real things...ways that we got to the other side of things, just with the things we learn in real life.” (01:04)
  • Both Crystal and Angie acknowledge that positivity is an active choice and not always easy to maintain in an often negative industry.
• On the show’s title:
  • Angie: “I love the name of this. I hear the name, I know exactly where I stand. I feel comfortable sitting with you.” (01:32)

[Notable Quote]

Crystal: "I'm one of those people, too. Like, if I were to do something that was not positive...I would immediately feel the blowback of that." (02:05)

2. Staying Positive and Grounded

• Lee Vassey shares that Pilates and mindful habits are her ways of staying grounded:
  • “I’ve now become a Pilates girly... it's become a big part of my weekly...day-to-day things that keep me grounded and taking care of my temple.” (03:38)
• Fun “this or that” game: Guests choose between habits like “pray first or journal,” “paperback vs. audiobook,” and more, illustrating the intentional choices that support positivity.

3. Faith and Navigating Transitions

• Kaiser reflects on her journey and reliance on faith through new experiences:
  • "God's the only reason why I’m on this journey, to be honest. If it were left up to me...I’d keep myself one-dimensional." (06:07)
• Mental health as a priority: Kaiser speaks candidly about stepping away from a thriving sports career to prioritize emotional well-being and create boundaries for herself.
  • “I realized I'm going to choose me instead of choosing the world. ... Now it is part of, like, my boundaries. I need my solitude. I need to recharge and check in.” (06:53)

[Notable Quote]

Kaiser: “The better that I am, the better I can be for others around me.” (07:55)

4. Spiritual Memory and Consistency (Kirk Franklin)

• Kirk Franklin shares the story behind his new single and speaks on “spiritual amnesia”:
  • “It’s easy to forget what God did because you come up to another problem and...panic... my song reminds us: If he did it before, he'll do it again.” (08:47)
  • Conversation about keeping faith even when doubt creeps in and trusting in God’s track record.

[Notable Quote]

Kirk Franklin: “He don’t throw us away because of that [spiritual amnesia].” (09:40)

5. Service and Leadership at BET (Kimberly Paige)

• Kimberly Paige describes her journey to leadership rooted in a spirit of service:
  • “As I’m thinking about anything—work, family, friends, team—I try to center from a space of service.” (10:55)

6. Breakthroughs and Divine Timing (Major)

• Major shares his unconventional journey toward recent career breakthroughs, including his single going #1, and the story behind “I Prayed For You,” inspired by Chadwick Boseman:
  • “Oftentimes the things you expect to happen, happen out of order... Only a God like our God can plan a rollout like that.” (12:27, 13:43)
  • On perseverance: “When you’re in a season as you are... Only a God like our God can plan a rollout like that.” (13:43)

[Notable Quote]

Major: “If [Chadwick] had the audacity to hope for the world while he was going through his own thing, I think I can lock in on that, too.” (13:01)

7. Surviving the Spotlight (Shamia Morton)

• Shares about the emotional rollercoaster of joining Real Housewives of Atlanta as a full cast member:
  • “Such high highs and low lows... But what it gave me is thick skin.... reliving something over and over again is just overwhelming at times. But I survived my first season.” (15:43)

8. Longevity, Authenticity & New Projects (Salt of Salt-N-Pepa)

• Salt reflects on 35 years of Black Magic, timeless music, and remaining authentic:
  • “We were authentically ourselves and I feel like that's why we lasted this long.... We also made timeless music.” (16:49)
• Also discusses her upcoming solo music, which is deeply personal and testimonial.

9. Creativity, Collaboration, and Mentorship (Courtney, Zatima Director)

• Conversation around new artistic collaborations, importance of choosing relationships that build you up, and Crystal’s own growth as an actor.
  • “Now I can show who Courtney is versus kind of... trying to make money for this and adjusting. I don't have to adjust.” (21:20)
  • Value of mentorship and supporting newcomers in the industry.

[Notable Quote]

Crystal: “Great friends aren’t people that just tell you, you good at everything. This one... will be like, I don't know about that shit, bro...” (23:02)

10. The Importance of Ownership (LaRussell)

• LaRussell, the independent artist, speaks on creative control:
  • “You don't have the ability to fully execute your vision if you don't own it... Ownership allows you to move from your heart.” (23:28)

11. Pausing to Breathe & Receiving Wisdom (Kiki Lane)

• Kiki Lane reflects on advice from Regina King:
  • “She just said, 'Breathe.' ’Cause, you know, we get to going and going and going, and... forget.” (24:25)
• Discussion on the importance of breath, pausing, and self-care in ambitious circles.

12. The Power of Community, Fatherhood, and Being Present (Marco)

• Marco, a comedian and father, on impact:
  • “Being something you never had. ... When my dad got killed, it just showed me to be there for my kids, because I knew how it was not to have a father.” (26:51)
  • Stresses building genuine connections and being present for loved ones.

13. Independence, Community & Giving Back (Mýa)

• Mýa describes building her independent career:
  • “Since end of 2007—been producing projects independently through my own label... an educational journey... empowering.” (28:50)
• On philanthropy and giving back: “Community to me means a reflection of self... The simplest thing is your gift. Each and every one of us.” (29:33)

14. Vulnerability in Storytelling & Representation (Michael Cooper Jr.)

• On embodying his character in Forever on Netflix:
  • “When I got the script... He has one foot in confidence, the other foot in insecurity... He's such a vulnerable dude. Through that character, I was able to become more vulnerable, more in tune with my feelings.” (31:54, 32:04)
• On representation and learning from castmates:
  • “To work with these people who I've seen on my screen for so long. It's like, what is going on?” (33:07)

Notable Quotes & Moments by Timestamp

• Angie Martinez on podcasting vs. radio:
  “The podcast is like, you know, we're talking about real, real things... lessons... ways that we got to the other side of things.” (01:04)
• Angie Martinez on positivity in the industry:
  “Being positive and trying to take the high road and do right by people... that just feels better.” (01:54)
• Kaiser on faith and calling:
  “God’s the only reason why I’m on this journey, to be honest.” (06:07)
• Kirk Franklin on his new song and spiritual amnesia:
  “It’s so easy to forget what God did because you come up to another problem...if he did it before, he’ll do it again.” (08:47)
• Major on prayer and hope:
  “If [Chadwick Boseman] had the audacity to hope for the world while he was going through his own thing, I think I can lock in on that, too.” (13:01)
• LaRussell on ownership:
  “You don't have the ability to fully execute your vision if you don't own it. ... Ownership just...allows you to move from your heart.” (23:28)
• Kiki Lane on Regina King's advice:
  “She just said, 'Breathe.' ’Cause, you know, we get to going and going and going, and... forget.” (24:25)
• Marco on fatherhood:
  “Just being there for, like, being something you never had... when [my dad] got killed, it just showed me to be more about for my kids.” (26:51)
• Mýa on independence and community:
  “Community to me means a reflection of self... the simplest thing is your gift.” (29:33)
• Michael Cooper Jr. on vulnerability in acting:
  “He's such a vulnerable dude. And through that character, I was able to become more vulnerable, more in tune with my feelings.” (32:04)

Key Takeaways

• Authenticity and vulnerability are celebrated as keys to personal fulfillment and professional longevity.
• Faith and service are recurring themes, serving as foundational principles for guests navigating challenges.
• Mental health awareness, self-care, and boundaries are critical in high-pressure industries.
• Ownership and independence empower artists to pursue and maintain their truest visions.
• Community, legacy, and giving back are positioned as pathways to meaning and resilience.

Memorable Moments

• Angie Martinez’s warmth and humor about being on the “other side” of the mic (00:26)
• Kirk Franklin’s analogy about “spiritual amnesia” (08:47)
• Major recounting the influence of Chadwick Boseman on his hit song (13:01)
• The playful, genuine rapid-fire “this or that” game with Lee Vassey (03:56)
• Michael Cooper Jr. and Crystal's in-depth actor-to-actor exchange on craft and vulnerability (31:12)

Conclusion

This episode is a powerful mosaic of insight, faith, laughter, and candor. Through honest storytelling and community, Crystal Renee Hayslett and her guests demonstrate that keeping it positive isn’t just a motto—it’s a practice and lifestyle. Whether you’re in the entertainment world or not, these conversations offer tools for anyone seeking inspiration and authenticity on their own journey.