Podcast Summary

Podcast: Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett (with guest/manager Dinorah Peña)
Episode: Heart to Heart with Dinorah Peña
Date: October 3, 2023

Episode Overview

This heartfelt episode features an intimate and candid conversation between host Crystal Renee Hayslett and her manager, friend, and "sister," Dinorah Peña. They navigate topics of faith, self-worth, healing, career leaps, therapy, and the complexities of ambitious women navigating relationships and self-care. The episode is packed with vulnerability, practical wisdom, spiritual insight, and infectious laughter between two women who have supported and inspired one another through transformative life seasons.

Main Discussion Themes

1. The Power of Belief and Taking Leaps of Faith

Timestamps: 00:29–10:30

• Crystal opens by giving Dinorah credit for inspiring her to start the podcast, even when she doubted her own voice.
  Memorable quote:

  “You really pushed it, though. You was like, you need to do this... I was nervous. I remember the first episode I did... But I found my footing and got more comfortable with it, and because of you guys, it's just grown, and the support has been amazing.” – Crystal (00:29–01:29)

• Dinorah describes being behind the scenes by nature and being pushed by Crystal to make space for her own growth.

• The two discuss the normalcy of being nervous and how discomfort is often a sign of imminent growth and elevation in one’s calling.

• Dinorah and Crystal both recall powerful moments when faith and leaps of obedience shifted the course of their careers, including quitting secure jobs to pursue greater purpose.

  Notable moment:
  Dinorah shares having prophetic words spoken over her and sensing God’s call toward visibility and leadership, even when it frightened her.
  Quote:

  “I see you on stages and on platforms, like, speaking to people.” – Crystal (02:46)
  “I've seen that manifest itself this year... I've just been finding more and more courage to share what God imparts on me on social media.” – Dinorah (03:08–03:37)

2. Navigating Career Transitions & Recognizing Worth

Timestamps: 05:28–17:12

• Dinorah recounts leaving a six-figure corporate job at Shea Moisture after sensing God’s call to entrepreneurship and dealing with the paralyzing fear and God’s persistent nudges.

  “God was literally warning me, like, if you do not do this, I'm going to cause havoc in your life and you're not going to like it because now you're making me force you to obey.” – Dinorah (06:30–07:06)

• She shares poignant moments negotiating deals for clients, risking being exposed for managing influencers while in her full-time job, and the eventual peace she felt after three days of fasting—a signal from God to step out.

• The emotional support from mentors and bosses who saw promise in her before she recognized it in herself.

• Dinorah discusses her journey in recognizing her ambition and drive, but not always her talent, due in part to family and cultural environments lacking in affirmation.

  “The irony is that growing up, I never thought of myself as a person with any skills or any talent... I always recognized the ambition and the drive in me, but never the talent and the gift.” – Dinorah (10:35–13:08)

3. Healing, Therapy, and Breaking Emotional Cycles

Timestamps: 17:12–29:21

• Crystal credits Dinorah with urging her to go to therapy and connecting her with Dr. Delana Zimmerman, which proved transformative.

  “You introduced me to Dr. Delana Zimmerman. And when I say completely changed my life…” – Crystal (18:33)

• Dinorah openly discusses her own healing journey, specifically addressing “daddy issues” stemming from an emotionally absent father and the ripple effects on her romantic relationships.

• A powerful spiritual encounter reframed her perspective:

  “I need you to see your father through my eyes. That is still my child.” – Dinorah, quoting God (21:15–21:38)

• Both discuss how patterns of seeking validation from emotionally unavailable men reflected unresolved trauma and low self-worth.

  “I found myself doing what I did with my father as a child... wanting to be chosen by him.” – Dinorah (24:11) “The thing that led me to finally say I need to go to therapy was that I was in a relationship. Non relationship... wanting to be chosen by him, and it never happened.” – Dinorah (23:07–24:31)

4. Ambition and the Challenge of Dating as Powerful Women

Timestamps: 29:21–39:46

• Both women reflect on how their ambition, drive, and work ethic make dating challenging, especially when societal expectations favor men as providers.

  “Dating as an ambitious, successful woman is even harder... it requires you to step into parts of yourself that you perhaps have not exercised before.” – Dinorah (28:33–29:21)

• The desire for emotional safety, rest, and a partner who creates space for them to be soft and embrace femininity.

  “What I need to be able to do is... need someone that's going to be able to create an environment for me to flourish. I need somewhere... I can be just soft and where I can exercise all of my femininity.” – Dinorah (29:49–30:27)

• Dinorah reflects on always being “the realest man in the room,” serving and nurturing in relationships but also holding expectations for her partners to step up.

  “If you gonna be a man, be a man.” – Dinorah (34:08–34:20)

• Both stress the importance of not settling and the value of waiting for a partner who is truly right—resisting desperation and temporary “substitutes.”

5. Overcoming Seasons of Waiting and Self-Worth Obstacles

Timestamps: 43:42–49:19

• The two share candidly about long seasons of singleness and what it reveals about sacrifice, career choices, and sometimes a struggle with feeling “late” or missing out on love or motherhood.

• Dinorah addresses how self-worth issues can keep women in less-than-ideal relationships.

  “When you don't see yourself good enough to get what you almost dream of for you, it's like, but you're not good enough to get that, like. And so you end up settling.” – Dinorah (42:20–43:26)

• Both agree on the need for personal boundaries and not losing oneself in work and others’ needs.

6. The Necessity of Self-Care, Rest, and Enjoying Solitude

Timestamps: 49:19–54:22

• Crystal challenges Dinorah to consciously make time for self-care amidst managing high-profile clients and always pouring into others.
• Dinorah admits she still struggles with taking time off, setting boundaries with work, and recognizing her worth outside of productivity.
• Both find joy in their own company, emphasizing the value of “liking yourself,” not just “loving yourself.”

  “It's so important to just like yourself, to enjoy your own company.” – Dinorah (53:54)

Listener Letter: Affirming Confidence and Self-Acceptance

Timestamps: 55:23–61:18

• Crystal and Dinorah address a heartfelt letter from Meg in Kenya, who struggles with self-confidence and seeks validation from men.

  “For instance, if a guy shows me a little bit of attention, I tend to give in much because all I want is validation and to know that I am loved. ...when I sleep over at a man's house, I wake up before him to apply my makeup and feel fear of him seeing my face naked.” (56:04–56:04)

• Both advise starting with self-reflection and incremental self-appreciation practices, such as writing affirmations on the mirror and praying to see oneself through God’s eyes.

  Dinorah’s advice:

  “Confidence is a revelation... take it on a post-it and write it down. ...It is okay if the post, it only has one thing. Put that thing on the mirror and allow God... to reveal yourself to you so that you can see you through God’s lens.” (59:19–61:10)

Closing Segment: “What I'm Going/Growing Through” and Takeaways

Timestamps: 61:29–69:41

• Crystal and Dinorah share openly about current personal challenges and growth, including navigating uncertainty, the need to rest in faith and obedience, and feeling called to bigger things (especially ministry for Dinorah).
• Key takeaway words:
  • Crystal: Keep it faithful, sweetie.
  • Dinorah: Keep it obedient, sweetie.

Standout Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Therapy is a gift from God... it’s meant to be a resource—not the source.” – Dinorah (22:58)
• “Healing, we love it.” – Crystal (27:02)
• “I need to just walk in and be able to rest... where I can exercise all of my femininity.” – Dinorah (30:26)
• “I like myself. I really enjoy my own company.” – Dinorah (53:54)
• “Watching you step into the fullness of who you are as a woman... inspires me.” – Dinorah, to Crystal (67:49–71:29)

Overall Tone & Atmosphere

The episode is conversational, uplifting, emotional, and honest. Crystal and Dinorah laugh, support, and challenge each other while pulling back the curtain on their journeys of healing, ambition, and faith. The dialogue feels like “girl talk” with profound takeaways on growth, therapy, faith, and friendships that transcend business.

Final Note

For those seeking inspiration on embracing vulnerability, trusting God in transitions, and learning to love themselves while succeeding professionally, this episode is a must-listen.

Listen to Keep It Positive, Sweetie wherever you get your podcasts!