Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Episode: Full Circle Moments w/ Saint Jhn
Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Guest: Saint Jhn
Date: April 21, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into the transformative journey of Grammy award-winning artist, songwriter, and producer Saint Jhn. Host Crystal Renee Hayslett creates space for Saint Jhn to share candid reflections on his upbringing, artistic freedom, spirituality, and the hard-won lessons from decades in the music industry. The conversation is filled with real talk about failures, faith, resilience, and the importance of authenticity, punctuated by moments of laughter, nostalgia, and inspiration.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Roses & Rapid Fire: The Icebreaker
(00:42 – 01:37)
- Saint Jhn responds to a series of words with his instant associations, setting a playful but insightful tone.
- Fashion: "Sexy"
- Home: "Peaceful"
- Hair: "Luxurious"
- Grammys: "Must"
- Coachella: "Grandeur"
- Puerto Rico: "Political"
- Beyoncé: "Grammys"
- Book of Clarence: "Family"
- Guyana: "Home"
- Festival season: "On time"
- Memorable moment:
- Saint Jhn’s association with “Book of Clarence” leads him to reflect emotionally on James Samuel, connecting music, film, and family.
2. Full Circle: The 2017 Tyler Perry Party
(01:37 – 05:14)
- Crystal shares her first introduction to Saint Jhn, at Tyler Perry’s birthday (2017), in a room full of icons.
- Saint Jhn recollects the surreal experience:
"The world would shake if that room said, we're gonna all do something. The whole planet would shake." [02:46]
- Reminiscence covers powerful encounters (Mariah Carey, Michael K. Williams, Usher, Donald Glover) and the impact of James Samuel’s spontaneous encouragement.
- Notable quote:
"I trust him. It's my brother. So I'm showing up and pulling up for whatever he needs." (on James Samuel) [03:13]
3. Upbringing: Brooklyn & Guyana
(05:14 – 07:24)
- Saint Jhn opens up about growing up in poverty, single-parent household, and the nuanced meaning of “hustle.”
- His mother worked three jobs as a nurse’s aide to provide for four kids.
- "We lived a block away from the projects all the time, every time… Those centimeters and millimeters away made a magnificent difference in what she could make sure she embedded into us." [06:24]
- The difference in his trajectory hinged on these small but meaningful choices.
4. Spiritual Roots & Personal Faith
(07:24 – 10:14)
- Both host and guest were raised as preacher’s kids and discuss drifting and returning to faith.
- Saint Jhn reflects on how faith permeates his music:
"It's almost like I'm praying in small portions constantly… My name is St. John. My mom named me that. It's my birth name. It keeps following me." [08:54]
- He differentiates between institutional religion and personal spiritual practice, emphasizing authenticity over ritual.
5. On Confidence & Energy
(11:15 – 12:48)
- Crystal observes Saint Jhn’s presence and humility during Fashion Week.
- Saint Jhn credits constant failure and perseverance:
"I'm proud of myself, but not proud because I'm something special. I'm proud of myself because I've never given up on myself… When I walk in a room, even if it’s my first time, it might be my last time in that room. I might never get back in that room again. And I’m grateful to be there." [11:19]
- He emphasizes treating everyone with respect and “keeping the same energy” no matter the circumstance.
6. Overcoming Adversity & Resilience
(13:00 – 14:42)
- Both discuss the recurring nature of struggle and not outwardly showing pain.
- Saint Jhn highlights the mistake of presuming outsiders have it easy:
"If your skin is clear and you walk in bold and straight, there’s a presumption that you don’t have to deal with pain… I’m wrestling with things on a regular basis." [13:00]
7. Artistic Freedom & Creative Process
(14:42 – 18:07)
- Saint Jhn describes his genre-blending music as stemming from a relentless search for freedom:
"Because, in truth, quietly, I'm in search of freedom. I'm trying to project the thing that I’m in search of." [14:51]
- Recounts 20 years of working on his craft before finding mainstream recognition—“Most people give up on themselves long before the sun rises for them.” [16:24]
- Discusses using his unique voice as an instrument and how honesty drives his artistic evolution.
- "You're watching honest experiments. I’m genre diversion, because I'm just honestly experimenting, trying to find it." [17:59]
8. Songwriting for Self vs. Others: The Aha Moment
(18:36 – 23:00)
- Saint Jhn’s break came when he realized his songs sounded “too much like you” for other artists, which became his turning point:
"It took me 12 months from that point to see the value in that statement. That statement changed my life… Oh, I got it. I'm not invisible. You hear me." [21:06]
- Describes the journey writing "Roses" for Beyoncé (eventually becoming his breakout hit) and the resilience needed after initial rejection:
"If I think this is what I think it is, then it's for me. I'll go put it out." [22:53]
9. Work-Life Balance & Living Authentically
(24:47 – 25:41)
- Saint Jhn rejects compartmentalizing work and life:
"I don't have a work life balance… I record in my living room because I don't want there to be a separation between church and state." [24:52]
- Recalls early days of recording in 1.5-hour spurts due to lack of money for studio time—emphasizes honoring both the struggle and the present.
10. Relationships & Legacy
(26:00 – 28:39)
- Open about his relationship and what attracts him:
"She has to be humble and bold and I'm in love with a hustler... I'm a big fan of a triple melanin girl. Of a super chocolate woman." [26:13]
- On children, he’s thoughtful:
"It’s not a simple thing… you’re going to have to figure out how to feed them, how to love them, how to provide for them mentally, how to safeguard their future, how to craft a plan for them." [26:49] "I'd love to… but I need to be able to give them all the things that I know that are important. Because now I'm wiser than I've ever been when my mom had me." [27:09]
11. What’s Next: Touring and Staying Real
(28:52 – 29:53)
- Prepares for festival season and tour—where, he says,
"Tour is my most honest version of myself… On tour, because it's just me and a microphone and a captive audience… I gotta give you my truth. So touring me is the most vulnerable, open, unhinged me possible." [29:14]
Notable Quotes
-
Saint Jhn on perseverance:
“Imagine keeping the same energy for 20 years and keeping your skin glowing for 20 years. Most people give up on themselves long before the sun rises for them.” [16:04]
-
Saint Jhn on authenticity:
“I found my truth. And my truth is the core of my sound, because I'm always just telling my story... no matter what it sounds like.” [18:10]
-
On serving others:
“Songwriting, for me, was the first time in my life that I was in service of something else… by virtue of asking other people what I could do for them, it changed my life.” [20:14]
-
Crystal on faith and honesty:
“We are the church. It’s not a building… How do you carry that out in your day to day life now?” [07:54]
-
Saint Jhn’s wisdom on life and career:
“Long as you stay the same, it’ll come back around.” [12:46]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Icebreaker: Roses & Rapid Fire: 00:42 – 01:37
- 2017 Tyler Perry Party / First Meeting: 01:37 – 05:14
- Upbringing (Brooklyn/Guyana/Single Mom): 05:14 – 07:24
- Spirituality / Faith: 07:24 – 10:14
- On Confidence / Failure: 11:15 – 12:48
- Struggles & Ups and Downs: 13:00 – 14:42
- Artistic Freedom & Process: 14:42 – 18:07
- Songwriting Turning Point: 18:36 – 23:00
- Work-Life Balance: 24:47 – 25:41
- Relationships / Family / Legacy: 26:00 – 28:39
- Tour & What's Next: 28:52 – 29:53
Memorable Moments
- Vivid recollection of Michael K. Williams’ generosity and humility at Tyler Perry’s party [04:01 – 04:41].
- Saint Jhn’s “aha” realization when his sound was “too much like you” for others—embracing his signature style [21:06].
- The playful, authentic exchange about candles and home scents at the end of the episode [30:23].
Tone & Language
- The episode is marked by warmth, introspection, humor, and directness. Both Crystal and Saint Jhn offer vulnerability and realness, lifting the conversation beyond celebrity into universal lessons about purpose, faith, and personal growth.
For More
- Follow Saint Jhn: New album and festival tour dates coming up—find him on major streaming platforms and social media.
- Support Crystal & the Show: Subscribe, share, and write in to keepitpositivesweetiemail.com. Candles coming soon!
Saint Jhn leaves a lasting message about perseverance, honesty, and staying the course—a masterclass in keeping it positive and keeping it real, sweetie.