Keep it Positive, Sweetie

Episode: Bold Manifestations w/ Edwina Findley-Dickerson

Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Guest: Edwina Findley-Dickerson
Date: November 9, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the power of faith, obedience, and bold manifestation through the inspiring life and career journey of actress, author, and philanthropist Edwina Findley-Dickerson. Crystal and Edwina explore how purpose, prophetic calling, and leaning into divine guidance fuels personal and professional breakthroughs. The conversation is rooted in honest storytelling, memorable testimonies, and practical advice for listeners to claim their God-given destiny—while always keeping it positive.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Roots, Early Calling & Obedience

• Background: Edwina grew up in Washington, DC, immersed in the arts and church.
  • "[At] 16 years old, hearing God speak and tell me, I'm calling you into arts and entertainment. And that was the turning point." (05:30)
• Attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts & NYU Tisch; her arts journey was defined early by faith and listening for divine direction.

2. The Power of Obedience and Small Steps

• Shared stories of writing inspirational columns and acting in obedience, not knowing the long-term impact.
  • Her early blog, Edwina’s Words of Wisdom, was unknowingly published in a Christian women’s magazine for years—demonstrating seeds sown in faith bear unseen fruit.
    • "Things that were done 10 years, 15 years out of obedience... it's just so funny how everything comes full circle." (10:17)

3. Acting Range and Honoring Community

• Edwina's career spans gritty dramas like "The Wire" to comedic roles.
• Discussed the importance of representation and multidimensional black female characters.
  • "What I want to do is honor the people that are not always honored on screen...I wanted that to be reflected." (12:50)
  • Leveraged her DC roots to create authentic characters with humor and heart, notably in "The Residence."

4. Manifestation & The Divine Timetable

• Story of manifesting her Shondaland role through a whimsical April Fool’s social post—later realized for real exactly a year later.
  • "By that exact day the following year, I was on set at Shondaland...there’s this chapter in my book called 'this Time Next Year.'" (15:09)
• Stressed aligning personal action with God's timing:
  • "God does have a plan for all of our lives that is very specific and even dated...there's a sense of urgency around the timing of your obedience." (18:20)

5. Navigating Darker Seasons & Career Uncertainty

• Vulnerably recounts feeling lost and worried after a show ended—especially during pregnancy.
• Transformation happened when her family was suddenly called to London for a career opportunity, directly tied to her daughter’s prophetic naming.
  • "God said, Brooklyn is our past. London is our future. She's going to bring great joy to our family." (21:00)
  • "The late is not denied...that waiting season and how we just have to keep our faith and move in obedience." (23:15)

6. Balancing Career, Family, and Purpose

• Shared practical strategies and time-mapping techniques from her book for managing marriage, motherhood, and career on a global scale.
  • "Our purpose stays the same, but the methods shift...if [God] gives you the vision, he'll give you the provision." (28:35)
• Emphasized preparing for what you’re praying for and adjusting life to receive new blessings.
  • "There are adjustments we have to be prepared to make in our lives in order to accommodate these new things." (30:52)

7. Mentorship, Humility, and Giving Back

• Edwina attributes much of her growth to Viola Davis’s mentorship and examples of servant leadership.
  • "She modeled...being a star, but also being a servant. Yes, right. That was so key." (33:08)
• Abundant Life U and the God Dreamers Academy: Edwina and her husband Kelvin’s faith-based mentoring program for realizing purpose “no matter where you start.”
  • "You don't have to have some big platform in order to do that. Whatever you have, that's what you’re called to give." (34:14)

8. Industry Convictions: Integrity Over Opportunity

• Both guests candidly discussed setting firm boundaries around nudity and compromising roles for the sake of faith and integrity.
  • "I want the opportunity. I love the role. But...if I have to perform nude in order to get it, then that means I have to wait a little longer. And so I didn't sign it." (36:36)
• Edwina’s spiritual “promise land” moment (a supernatural sign at Runyon Canyon) affirmed her Hollywood breakthrough was divinely orchestrated.
  • "My camera suddenly takes a picture by itself...it said, From Harlem to Hollywood, you’re a star. Congratulations." (38:43)
• Crystal shares her own experiences of holding firm boundaries on set, echoing Edwina’s cautionary tale of stardom without peace.

9. Aligning with God’s Plan: Real Fulfillment

• Emphasis on peace and fulfillment coming from spiritual alignment, not fame or money.
  • "You don't have to compromise your peace for prosperity. You can have both." (45:45)
• Referenced Ty Tribbett’s Grammy testimony: "He got back to the room...it was a reminder of everything he sacrificed...and it didn't fill him the way he thought it would." (46:41)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Edwina on Faith & Acting:

  • “Sometimes God will call you to do things or maybe drop something in your spirit. You may not quite understand why, but you just go for it.” (13:51)
  • "I always tell people God does have a plan for all of our lives that is very specific and even dated." (18:20)

• Edwina on Setting Boundaries:

  • "We can be afraid to have clear lines. As a young actor...God's voice and their [Hollywood's] voice was always in conflict... If there are certain things that you don’t feel comfortable with...lean into that spirit that's gently guiding you. It's okay to say no while also believing there’s a yes that’s gonna come straight from God that’s even bigger and better." (42:08)

• Edwina on Fame and Fulfillment:

  • "The stardom and the fanfare and the money was not enough to fill him up compared to how he was giving his soul every day. But if you know you are rooted and grounded...there’s a sense of peace." (44:29)

• Edwina on Service and Humility:

  • "You started your career serving...when we humble ourselves, we will be exalted. A lot of times we think we have to exalt ourselves, but you started your career serving." (48:31)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Topic | |------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:15 | Host introduction & Edwina’s entry | | 05:30 | Edwina discusses childhood, arts calling, first divine nudge | | 07:58 | Working with Michael K. Williams, power in encouragement | | 09:31 | Transition from blogging to book writing | | 11:14 | “The Residence” character & authentic Black humor | | 13:51 | April Fool’s manifesting-to-reality story (“This Time Next Year”) | | 16:39 | Visiting OWN & Tyler Perry Studios as acts of faith | | 19:44 | Divine timing, obedience, and urgency | | 21:00 | Naming daughter London—faithful waiting rewarded | | 28:35 | Balancing family, career, and expanding vision | | 32:05 | Lessons in humility from Viola Davis | | 34:14 | Abundant Life U & God Dreamers Academy | | 36:07 | Major contract with nudity clause—choosing obedience | | 38:43 | “From Harlem to Hollywood”—prophetic fulfillment | | 42:08 | Setting industry boundaries, mentorship testimony | | 45:45 | True prosperity requires no compromise | | 48:31 | Crystal’s journey: service, humility, and elevation | | 49:36 | Where to find Edwina and her book |

How to Connect & Learn More

• Book: The World is Waiting For You — available wherever books are sold
• Website: theworldiswaiting.org — info & sign up for God Dreamers Academy
• Socials:
  • IG: @EdwinaFindley
  • X/Twitter: @EdwinaFindley
  • TikTok: @EdwinaFindley
  • FB: Edwina Finley Dickerson

Final Takeaways

This episode is a heartfelt reminder that purpose, timing, and success are divinely connected. Through Edwina’s real-life manifestations, steadfast convictions, and commitment to serve, listeners are encouraged to stay obedient, take bold faith-steps, and trust that “the world is waiting for you”—right on God’s schedule.

"You don’t have to have a big platform to affect the people around you. The world is waiting for you."
—Crystal Renee Hayslett (50:15)