Podcast Summary: Keep It Positive, Sweetie

Episode: From Seat Filler to Stellar Award Winner w/ Vashawn Mitchell
Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Guest: Vashawn Mitchell
Date: September 7, 2025

Overview

This episode of Keep It Positive, Sweetie centers on the profound, intentional impact that gospel music—and its creators—can have, well beyond fame or awards. Host Crystal Renee Hayslett welcomes acclaimed gospel artist and worship leader Vashawn Mitchell for a deep, faith-rooted conversation spanning legacy, mentorship, navigating insecurities, bridging genres, the business of music, and the spiritual discipline that undergirds Vashawn's work. The episode is an uplifting testament to service, perseverance, and remaining true to one's calling.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Finding Your Lane and Overcoming Insecurity

• Vashawn discusses his rise from Chicago's gospel scene, initially unsure if he was "good enough" because he compared himself to greats and struggled to find his own lane.

  "When I was younger, so many others did it better than me. ... I had to find my lane." — Vashawn (01:47)

• Both Vashawn and Crystal reflect on not having the "runs" other singers do but finding significance and strength in embracing their unique gifts and lanes.

  "When I found my lane, I can only compare myself to me." — Vashawn (02:52)

Becoming a Minister of Music at 20

• At just 19-20, Vashawn was unexpectedly asked to lead music for a 5,000-member church. He admits he was unprepared but became a diligent student, seeking mentors.

  "I did not want to touch what was God's incorrectly." — Vashawn (03:45)

• Navigating clashes with a musically talented pastor, inheriting a legacy, and stepping into intimidating shoes were among his early challenges.

  "Ten years later ... those who came behind me had to step in my shoes." (05:01)

Mentorship and Legacy

• Significant mentors were Byron Cage and Kathy Taylor Brown, who guided his transition and opened doors, including his big break which led to "Nobody Greater."

  "Byron is the reason why I actually ended up leaving Chicago years later ... the beginning of Nobody Greater." — Vashawn (05:28)

The Birth and Impact of "Nobody Greater"

• The episode details the winding and serendipitous road that led to Vashawn recording the global hit “Nobody Greater,” initially intended for another artist. He expresses deep humility and credits God for the song's reach and impact.

  “I'm glad God chose me to carry a sound that's bigger than me.” — Vashawn (06:59)

• He shares a powerful anecdote of being a seat filler at the Stellar Awards just a year before winning six awards himself.

  “From a seat filler to a six-time winner in two years, God was proving himself.” (08:34)

Serving vs. Striving; Surreal Success

• Vashawn emphasizes that he “served his way up” rather than “sang [his] way up,” attributing his success to serving faithfully rather than chasing accolades.

  "I served my way up, I didn't sing my way up." — Vashawn (09:17)

• Receiving “Artist of the Year” from CeCe Winans was a career-defining, surreal moment.

  "Almost lost it." — Vashawn (10:02)

On Bridging Gospel and Secular, and the BET Awards Debate

• Crystal prompts a candid discussion around Glorilla and Kirk Franklin winning the BET Gospel Song of the Year award, sparking debate in the gospel community.
• Vashawn advocates for continued bridging while protecting gospel’s distinctiveness, calling for clear genre definitions but recognizing the value in gospel’s crossover influence.

  "Don't delete gospel. ... Now's the right time to have a conversation to say, you know, what is gospel?" (12:03, 13:39)

Global Impact & Universality of the Spirit

• Most memorable performances include a stadium of 200,000 in New Mexico, with audiences singing “Nobody Greater” in multiple languages, showing the spirit transcends language and culture.

  “They understood the spirit behind the songs.” — Vashawn (15:03)

Personal Surprises & Introversion

• Vashawn reveals he's “really introvertish,” a contrast to his public persona.

  “After everything is over ... I enjoy going on my solo moments ... because it takes a lot to just get me back.” — Vashawn (15:47-16:16)

Evolving Music & Genre-Blending

• Vashawn describes the creation of his new song “Make a Way,” blending hip hop, R&B, and gospel, inspired by his late grandmother and his awareness of gospel’s evolving sounds.

  “The message still remains Jesus. And that's what it was all about for me.” (17:08-18:11)

• He sees genre-mixing as carrying inspiration further than traditional church confines, making gospel “mainstream” and reaching more people.

  “Everyone needs inspiration. And I'm excited.” — Vashawn (18:53)

Collaboration & Songwriting

• Always a “songwriter first,” Vashawn says his superpower is hearing someone’s voice in his songs and being able to write with them in mind.

  “Being a songwriter who hears, I think has been my superpower.” (19:44-19:52)

Legacy and Impact Above Name Recognition

• Vashawn holds that his true legacy is the lasting inspiration of songs, not his own name.

  "That 20 years from now, somebody's pulling up 'Nobody Greater' ... and they're still being inspired and encouraged." (22:47-22:57)

Ministry vs. Art, Authenticity & Boundaries

• The need for regular prayer and meditation keeps him anchored; avoids diluting his message when collaborating across genres.

  "It starts before the studio..." (23:47)

• Stays true to his calling and musical identity, not bowing to fads or pressure.

  “I still want to stay true to who I am and not neglect the call of what I was given.” (24:29)

Grief, Therapy, and Chapter X

• The loss of his grandmother prompted Vashawn to seek therapy and confront deeper emotional pain, including issues around his father.

  “As much as we love God ... when those who we love are taken from us, we still question Him.” (24:44)

• Therapy helped him process authentic forgiveness and fuel his music (“Chapter X” about overcoming grief and getting stronger daily).

  “Channeling from grief to overcoming it, knowing that the feelings will always be there, but you just get stronger daily.” (24:40, 25:51)

Self-Care and Personal Development

• Practices include vacations, daily solo time, and consistently finding moments just for himself to recharge.

  “You got to come apart before you come apart.” — Vashawn (28:22)

Business Lessons & Music Industry Knowledge

• Stresses the importance of reading and understanding contracts; learned the hard way after initially signing away 100% of his publishing but later negotiated ownership and better deals.

  “Read your own contracts. ... Educate yourself on the industry.” (38:37)

Mentorship, Pouring Back, and Serving the Next Generation

• He consistently supports and mentors emerging artists like Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Anthony Brown, striving to bridge generations through the Gospel Heritage Foundation and music business education.

  "I've always been that bridge ... for other artists in some type of way, and I can't stop it." (20:52)

• Advocates for transparency, knowledge-sharing, and generosity rather than gatekeeping.

  "If we don't pour to the next generation, then we're not equipping them ... The Bible says greater works shall they do." (37:17)

Faith Anchors, Affirmations, and Overcoming Doubt

• Returns often to Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

  “...I have to know where my strength comes from. So when I'm sitting in a meeting ... I'm bringing my strength with me.” (30:38-31:37)

Advice for the Next Generation

• Vashawn and Crystal strongly encourage discovering one’s calling and defining success by assignment rather than applause. Serve faithfully, honor humble beginnings, and never scorn small stages.

  “…Find out your assignment on the Earth. Right. Because ... you define success. It don't define you.” (32:59—33:12)
  "A lot of how I got here was a lot of non mainstage moments." — Vashawn (34:20)

Fun Segment: Hymnal Challenge

• The episode closes with a joyful back-and-forth remembering classic gospel hymns, underscoring the deep-rooted connection to church tradition and the healing, joyful nature of gospel music (44:17–47:34).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Serving Before Rising:

  "I served my way up, I didn't sing my way up." — Vashawn (09:17)

• On Mentorship:

  "If we're not so selfish, we're able to pour into where gospel is going. It would take nothing away from where we are." — Vashawn (32:36)

• On Chasing Success vs. Assignment:

  “When you know your assignment on the Earth, it doesn't matter if it's one [person] ... God wants to know, how would you honor the one? How would you handle the one before I can trust you with thousands?" — Vashawn (33:49–34:08)

• On the Universality of the Spirit in Music:

  "The spirit is universal ... that's why he says 'until everyone knows about, has heard of my name…'" — Crystal (15:24–15:39)

• On Grief and Therapy:

  "I sit here, a whole person because of therapy, and I believe that it only gets even better as long as we continue to pour into ourselves..." — Vashawn (27:52–28:07)

• On Industry Savvy:

  "Read your own contracts. ... I've signed something years ago that gave away all my publishing ... I want to understand what we're talking about." — Vashawn (38:37–39:28)

• On Legacy:

  "Many may not remember my name, right? But the songs that I've produced, written, and sung will lift up. And that's more important than my name being remembered." — Vashawn (22:35–22:49)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:24 – Vashawn's Chicago roots, discovering his lane
• 03:01 – Becoming Minister of Music at 20, lessons and mentors
• 05:57 – The story behind "Nobody Greater"
• 07:58 – From seat filler to Stellar Award winner, legacy moments
• 10:25 – Mentoring, serving up, surreal moments at awards shows
• 11:34 – Bridging gospel/secular, BET Awards debate
• 14:37 – Most memorable performances: stadium in New Mexico
• 16:25 – Revealing his introverted side and self-care
• 17:08 – Evolution of gospel sound, new song "Make a Way"
• 19:17 – Hearing voices for songs, power of songwriting
• 20:52 – Songwriting, mentoring, bringing up new writers
• 21:04 – Gospel Heritage Foundation and industry education
• 24:40 – Grieving his grandmother, therapy, Chapter X
• 28:14 – Daily self-care and protecting mental health
• 29:31 – Learning about fake forgiveness, father-son dynamics
• 31:38 – Advice for young artists and remaining true
• 38:37 – Hard lessons in business (contracts and rights)
• 41:23 – Revenue share vs. points in the music industry
• 44:17 – Hymnal challenge and joyful reminiscing
• 48:57 – Where to find Vashawn and his latest music

Final Thoughts

This honest, unfiltered conversation is a blueprint for anyone seeking to live and create with authenticity and purpose. Vashawn Mitchell’s story exemplifies resilience, servanthood, and the transformative power of music that uplifts and endures. The episode is rich with wisdom for aspiring artists, creatives, and anyone pursuing impact over applause.

Find Vashawn’s music everywhere you stream; check out the new single "Make a Way."