Hope Dealer with MAJOR.

Summary

Podcast Summary: Keep It Positive, Sweetie
Episode: Hope Dealer with MAJOR.
Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Guest: Major (MAJOR.), The Hope Dealer
Date: July 16, 2024

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Episode Overview

This episode of "Keep It Positive, Sweetie" centers on hope, purpose, faith, and healing through raw, uplifting storytelling. Crystal Renee Hayslett welcomes soul singer, actor, and self-proclaimed Hope Dealer, MAJOR., for an honest conversation about his personal journey—the highs, the lows, and the unshakeable force of hope that keeps him going. Together, they explore purpose, rejection, survivor’s guilt, maintaining faith in tough times, and choosing joy through life’s battles.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Major: The Hope Dealer

• Background: Born and raised in Houston, Texas, one of 13 siblings, Major grew up in church and attended performing arts schools before studying at Berklee College of Music.
• Purpose and Authenticity: Major emphasizes his earnest commitment to joy and hope, explaining, "hope is literally my fuel. ... It doesn't mean everything’s perfect, but it is very much who I am and who I've always been." (02:31)
• Impact of Name: His real name is Major. His mother prayed he’d make a "major" impact, and the journey has made him reflect on what impact truly means. (12:08-13:44)

2. The Reality of Rejection and Success

• Rejection as a Teacher: Major shares that rejection has been his "greatest disrespecter, but my greatest teacher," viewing it now as redirection or protection instead of merely a ‘no’. He reframes "no" as "next one." (07:36-08:10)
• Candid About Confidence: Despite perceived success, he acknowledges times of self-doubt and imposter syndrome, noting that being extroverted does not equal confidence. (15:50; 23:10; 24:31)
• Fame & Recognition: He discusses the desire for acknowledgment in award seasons—but cautions against making accolades an idol. "We have to make sure that the reward, the award, the accolade is not my idol because that in lies the problem." (10:40-11:06)

3. Family, Survivor’s Remorse, and Responsibility

• Big Family Achievers: While Major is the most publicly known, his siblings also have impressive careers.
• Managing Survivor’s Guilt: He openly addresses the guilt related to the attention and perceived pressure to "rescue" others. "You may be vessel, but you ain’t savior." (21:19-21:32)
• On Loving Others: He reminds listeners, "The as you love yourself is the operative. It’s not just give all the love away and whatever is left, I’m going to use it for me..." (22:18-22:33)

4. Hope, Faith & Purpose

• Hope Defined: "Hope is not the denial of reality. It’s the commitment to believe greater is on the other side of it." (30:25-30:57)
• Navigating The In-Between: Major frequently discusses living at the "intersection of faith and culture," feeling called to bridge inspiration across both realms—even when he feels alone in that space. (26:17)
• Hope as Fuel: The act of sharing hope is central in his music and his life’s mission. "Lock into hope. You get your joy there, you get your peace there. You get your abundance there." (33:09-33:17)

5. The Major Hope Foundation

• Programs:
  • Major Hope Experience: Acoustic/motivational music experiences
  • Random Drops of Hope: Pop-up acts of kindness
  • Confidence Coaching: Training for effective communication and self-worth
• Purpose: "My intention is just to help redefine our understanding of hope... a real tangible answer and remedy to the tough times of life." (33:27-35:50)
• Foundation Website: majorhopefoundation.org

6. New Music & Artistic Mission

• Latest Work: Hope of My Soul Deluxe EP, blending soul, Americana, and southern roots: "Think Bill Withers meets Ray Charles and ran into Mumford and Sons. It’s anthemic. It’s good. It’s message music." (36:30-36:49)
• Music Message: Major shares lyrics reflecting resilience:
  • “It’s all working together for the win...” (37:49)
  • “You shouldn’t let yourself get tangled up in worry because that kind of living takes its toll... Joy in the battle, joy in my victory.” (38:07-39:00)

7. Listener Letter: Grief & Purpose

• A listener grieving her grandmother asks how to rediscover her light and restore her sense of purpose.
  • Major’s Response: Encourages her to "catch your breath," reframe grief as "love finding a new rhythm," and remember purpose is never tied to a single person alone. "There is so much more life to live. ... We honor legacy when we continue to live when the familiar has changed." (41:00-43:54)
  • Quote: “Grief does not just come at the loss of loved ones. It comes when the familiar changes. ... Grief is simply love finding a new rhythm.” (41:08-43:54)

8. What I’m Going Through & Growing Through

• Current Season: Major shares he’s navigating uncertainty, trusting God for “what’s next”, and deeply hopeful despite not knowing the specifics. "It feels crazy because I’m often the one that helps so many people get through stuff, and it’s… I’m just in a season where I’m just trying to figure out how am I to be used next?" (44:25-45:48)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Hope is literally my fuel... It doesn’t mean everything’s perfect, but it is very much who I am and who I’ve always been.”
  — Major (02:31)

• "Rejection has been my greatest disrespecter, but my greatest teacher."
  — Major (05:27)

• “The word ‘no’ has now turned into ‘NO: Next One.’ Because, Crystal, if it ain’t this one—”
  — Major (07:36-08:10)

• “You may be vessel, but you ain’t savior.”
  — Major (21:19-21:32)

• “Hope is not the denial of reality. It’s the commitment to believe greater is on the other side of it.”
  — Major (30:25)

• “Grief is simply love finding a new rhythm.”
  — Major (43:54)

• “Even when your feet don’t touch the ground, to still believe—that’s faith.”
  — Major (46:06)

• Crystal’s Affirmation: “Keep it hopeful, sweetie.” (47:01)

• Major’s Final Word: “Keep it joy, sweetie. Choose joy—anyway.” (46:56-47:01)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:32 — Crystal introduces Major and his achievements
• 07:16 — Major reframes ‘rejection’ as ‘redirection’
• 12:08 — Story on Major’s name and his mother’s prayers
• 18:24 — Family achievements and survivor’s guilt
• 21:19 — “You may be vessel, but you ain’t savior.”
• 23:10 — The difference between courage and confidence
• 26:17 — Navigating spaces between faith and culture
• 30:25 — Defining Hope
• 33:27 — Major Hope Foundation explained
• 36:30 — Description and preview of new music
• 41:00 — Listener letter on grief and loss; Major’s response
• 44:25 — “What I’m Going Through & Growing Through” segment
• 46:56-47:01 — Final word: “Keep it joy, sweetie. Choose joy—anyway.”

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Tone & Style

The conversation is warm, faith-driven, and candid, blending soulful encouragement with practical wisdom. Both Crystal and Major model authenticity and vulnerability, openly sharing their own doubts and triumphs to empower listeners on their own journeys.

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Final Takeaway

This episode is a heartfelt testament to resilience, hope, and authenticity. Major’s story and insight affirm that being human means embracing both turbulence and triumph, and that hope is not a denial of pain but a promise to keep showing up. “Keep it joy, sweetie. Choose joy—anyway.”

Transcript

[A]

Foreign.

[B]

Hello and welcome to this episode of Keep It Positive, sweetie. I'm Krystal Renee Hayslett, and if you cannot tell, I am not at home. I'm in Los Angeles catching up with some of my favorite people right here in LA. We are at 13 Loon in Los Angeles. It is a black founded store by Nikao Graco and. And 90% of the products sold here are bipoc founded. Thank you so much. 13 loon. Today I have with me none other than Major, also known as the Hope Dealer, my brother. I'm so excited to have you on the couch today.

[C]

I'm super honored to finally be on the couch.

[B]

We've been working this out because of the way I shoot. It's very unorthodox. A lot of people just shoot whenever I shoot mine in blocks. So I'm glad we were able to make that happen.

[C]

It's called organization.

[A]

Yes. Yes.

[C]

Yeah, you got intention to it all. And I'm honored. First things first, I want you to know that I'm extremely proud of you. You're impacting in more ways than one. And as I shared right before we started shooting, I was saying that it's an effortless relatability that you represent. You give people permission to just show up, show up fully, dream big, and keep it positive, period. That's what it is. That's what it is. So congrats.

[B]

Thank you so much. For those of you who may have been under a rock, Major is also known as the Hope Healer, but he is also a platinum Hope dealer.

[C]

I said Hope Healer, but I'll go with Hope Healer. That works. A few folks have said that before because I do believe a Hope mindset does heal, but we'll get into that. Keep going. Keep going.

[B]

He's the Hope.

[C]

Come on, prophet.

[B]

Come on. He is the Hope Dealer. He's a platinum American soul singer and an actor. So just in case you don't know, that's who he is. Major, you and I first met, I feel like it was through Instagram.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Through ig. And then we ran into each other at the NAACP awards dinner, and I was like, wait, you're fine. I was like, I get to actually meet you. And you've always been such a beautiful light and spirit and just amazing. A lot of people know you from your songs and your music and the joy that you bring into our homes, but meeting you, I was like, I see. It translates through.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

For sure.

[C]

You realize it's real.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Cause I wanna make sure that people know that this ain't some front, like, I really choose Joy, like, hope is literally my fuel. And it doesn't mean everything's perfect, but it is very much who I am and who I've always been.

[A]

I love that.

[B]

I love that.

[C]

So.

[B]

So for the people who don't know, just tell us a little bit about yourself.

[C]

So I'm originally from Houston, Texas. H town. Yeah, H town. I went to performing arts schools all my life. I'm one of 13 siblings.

[B]

Wow.

[C]

Grew up in a household, a family of. It was 10 of us. A blended family, 10 siblings. And yeah, I was very, very close to family. Have always been. The church is where it all started for me. The church is where it ends for me. You know, it's the kingdom assignment that is something that I've embraced. Early on, I went on to do some work in music. Did an intensive at Juilliard before going to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where I graduated. Was very active at Berkeley with student body president.

[B]

I know that's great, you know what I mean?

[C]

Because I believe our voices should be heard. You know, that was my slogan. That's just like, let your voice be heard. Nah. But I then fast forwarded, moved to Los Angeles to pursue this dream of singing and acting and. And voiceover work. It's been disrespectful, yet rewarding adventure, A lot of lessons along the way. I'm married now. Three and a half years married. I call her doctor wife, you know, and, yeah, so we're here. I was a worship leader for a very long time with one church. You know, it. For Torre Roberts and Sarah Jakes Roberts. And I'm still, you know, just a church boy living out a soul singer.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

You know, I love that dream.

[B]

Yeah, I love that. Let's talk about some of the disrespect and rewards along your journey, because a lot of people see you and feel like, oh, man, he's made it. Like, I'm trying to get there, you know? But as artists, we feel like we have so far to go. Let's speak to that.

[C]

Well, you said it. As artists, we feel like we have so far to go. And I think really the word is as humans, because I think once we step into some of these seats of opportunity, people forget that we're human first.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[C]

And so I try to live in a way to bring people back to I'm human.

[B]

I'm human first.

[C]

I'm human first. And rejection probably was my greatest disrespecter, but my greatest teacher. I have a New relationship with rejection. But rejection is very much a part of this journey that I've lived pursuing entertainment as a career. Because people don't know that we get way more no's than we get yeses in this thing. Like, a whole lot more. We just present well in the midst of the turbulence and all of that good stuff. And I think of it very similarly to, you know, a plane ride, you know, when we're in flight, when there's turbulence, if we see the pilot or the stewardess, you know, or they say flight attendant. Don't say stewardess no more. Flight attendant tripping during turbulence. We're gonna act up.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

We gonna be like, oh, no, no, no. Yeah, yeah. So they know how to keep their composure in the midst of the turbulence. Because turbulence isn't new.

[B]

Right.

[C]

It's a part of the journeys. And so rejection and its great side of disrespect has definitely challenged me to question if what I'm longing for, I'm chasing after or seeking, is worth my chase or my seeking. And it doesn't always feel good, especially when rejection is not necessarily an indicator of you're not qualified.

[B]

Right.

[C]

So that's the teacher in it. Because I realized that it's not always about not being qualified. That doesn't mean that that is the reason why a thing isn't a thing for you yet. It's not your time. Or this one. This ain't what? This ain't a part of the plan?

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Or, you know, just a redirection. You know, we say rejection is God's, you know, protection and a redirection. And now for me, my reclaiming and my renaming of rejection, the word no has now turned into no, and that that acronym is next one. Because, Crystal, if it ain't this one.

[B]

We don't get the next one.

[C]

And if it ain't that one, we.

[A]

Gonna get the next one.

[B]

I love that.

[C]

My only thing is to show up well every time so that I don't have a regret.

[B]

Exactly. Have you always had that mindset or did you.

[C]

No, I just told you it had been a journey. Imagine being the talented big fish in your ponds or rivers or oceans, wherever you come from, and then being dumped in LA where it's a whole bunch of talented big fish a lot, you know, and you have to figure out where your place is amongst all of these talented folks. And so you start to question, am I as talented as I thought? No, you're still talented, but there's a whole lot of others. And so it's just about where you belong and where God needs you ultimately in the season that you're in. And so it took some time and some growing and conversations. Like my uncle play, him and his wife Ladonna. D.L. hughley had a conversation with me about rejection, and he was like, man, I've been rejected way more than I've been accepted. He says, but when I was accepted, I leaned into that thing with everything I had.

[B]

Right.

[C]

And so when people see that, that's what they remember.

[B]

Yes, absolutely. I know for artists, I don't know how it is for musicians, but I know as an actor, we long for the awards and the award season. We feel like that is as stamp of our worthiness.

[C]

It's us too.

[B]

You feel like that's it. So how do you deal with that? I know a lot of times when award season comes around, it's just like, dang, like, there they go, you know what I'm saying? And I'm not there. You know, how does that feel? And how do you deal with that?

[C]

It's the count it all, joy of it all. I'm speaking from a place of learned behavior now because it wasn't always like that for me. But it does frustrate when what we do is public. We want to be acknowledged by the public. You know, at the end of the day, people get super churchy and they're like, you know, it's for God. You know, God, you know, heaven is the reward. Yes. While I'm on earth, I would love to enjoy some benefits. Who doesn't want to smell the flowers? Look at that bouquet right there. You know what I mean? Like, who doesn't want to enjoy treasure? It's. I just have to make sure that the reward, the award, the accolade is not my idol because that in lies the problem. And that's what I think many of us get caught up in. We chase the thing as if that's the thing.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

But that's just an indicator that you're doing what you're doing and you're doing it well. And along the way, for me, I counted all joy by just counting up the moments. Like, you literally are pulling in some influential people. So if you don't realize that that's your perpetual reward and accolade for the impact that you're making. Because people don't just say yes to things they don't believe in, right?

[B]

No, that's so true.

[C]

They believe you. That's why people are showing up, and that's why you have to have waiting Lists for certain people. You know what I mean? So whether it be the trophy or the success of your podcast. We winning. Yeah.

[B]

I love that. We are winning. That's it, brother.

[A]

That is it.

[B]

Some people don't know that your real name is Major.

[C]

Yeah, my mama named me that.

[B]

That's right. Exactly. And when you. Your mom was pregnant with you, her prayer was that you made a major impact in the world. And I guess it's safe to say that her prayer was answered.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. It has been. It's been an interesting journey into the fullness of understanding what impact is. Because oftentimes we define impact with certain accolades.

[A]

Yes, we do.

[C]

Which is what we just talked about. But when you get a message in your DMs of a person hearing, this is why I love you, and, you know, that's my love letter to God, you know? And I'm not realizing that it's impacting people in a way that they decide not to commit suicide because they realize that they're worthy of the love that they see.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

And so I'm like, oh, so this is the impact. It's not just about I'm, you know, getting. I'm selling the most. You know, I'm on this TV show or I'm on this radio station. It's about how you are speaking to the cry of the earth. And that's what I'm most moved by. And every day, I have to reset.

[A]

Mm.

[C]

My perspective and intention to make sure that that's first. The other stuff can come. But when you touch your heart, when you respond to a hurt, to a need, to somebody's yearning to be reminded that they're worthy.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

That's impact.

[B]

That's impact.

[C]

So my mama knew.

[B]

She did.

[C]

My mama prayed.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

And I love her for it.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Shout out to moms. I love that. So speaking of your childhood, what was that like growing up in Houston? You said you were in the church, but, like, how was that? And then how did you end up going to Juilliard? And what was that journey like from a child?

[C]

Oh, I've always been extra. So my mama named me. Right. For that. Major has always been in. I've always been bold and courageous, not always confident. And we can talk about that later, because that's the thing that I think a lot of people confuse with extroverted people. They just think they're confident, but it's not always that, because I've wrestled with the imposter syndrome big time. But growing up, I've always just had audacity and I would just step into spaces fully. And I think that that is what has attracted the support of my village, because coming from a big family, you know, of course, finances were challenged because we didn't, you guys, spread out all of the resources with all of us. And so I think my community and my village did a great work in supporting the dream. My mom's whole philosophy was, if you want to do something, do it well. Don't waste time doing it if you're not going to do it well. And so I always just showed up that way. And I think to a degree, it kind of made the extra perfectionist in me kind of come up. But I got. Tame that beast, because perfection will never be accomplished. Excellence will.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

So that's what I realized. That's what she meant.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[C]

Showing up well is a spirit of excellence, not perfection. But, yeah. I went to performing arts schools. The High School for the Performing Visual Arts was a very popular performing arts school. Robert Glasper, Brian Michael Cox, Latoya Luckett, and this real humble, you know, lady by the name, you know, a few people may know her. Beyonce. Beyonce. You heard of her?

[B]

I have heard of her.

[C]

Yeah. A lot of great, talented folks came from hspva. And when I was at pva, I did an intensive with the Houston Grand Opera High School Voice Studio and also did an intensive with Juilliard called the Juilliard Experience, where they select, you know, certain students throughout the country. And I then, you know, transitioned to Berkeley, and Berkeley was an experience that opened me up to the. More. It was just so much. It was just so much. But I'm grateful for my upbringing. Church has literally guided and steered my way. I was choir boy. They used to call me choir boy. I was the one singing in the choir and. And obviously the one that was supposed to have the solo. Cause. All right, blend, Major. Blend a little bit more.

[B]

Be like, this is mine.

[C]

All right, just give him the song. Just let him sing the song. But, yeah, it's been a really cool journey, but I always did, as much as I showed up well, and as much as it brought me opportunities, I was always just an odd kid, too.

[A]

And.

[C]

And I didn't always like it because I was like, why can't I just be a little bit more normal? You know? And.

[B]

Well, some people don't realize they're a little odd.

[C]

It's like, at first, for the longest, I didn't. I was just like, yeah, catch up, everybody. Like, you know, this is what we all supposed to do. And Then I was like, wait a minute. Nobody else is doing it like this. And so just realizing that different was a stamp on me.

[B]

Yeah, I love that, you know. So you come from a really big family. 13 siblings. Are you the only one that has made it to this level of fame and, like, success?

[C]

I would say I'm the only. Clearly, I'm the only one of my siblings that is made to this level of popularity and celebrity. But my. My siblings are impressive. Like, I have, like. Like, they're. They're moving. My brother Scotty is down in Dallas. He's a real estate developer and broker. Like, he's developing south Dallas and doing. He's. He's.

[B]

There's a lot of things going on.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Dallas is booming, for sure. My other brother is getting his doctorate in psychology, Family child psychology. You know, I have another brother that has a program for special needs, a sister that's a teacher, and, like, a brother that owns a trucking company. They doing it, you know.

[B]

So I was going to ask you, because a lot of times when we are the one that made it, we deal with what is called Survivor's Remorse, where we feel like we gotta bring everybody with us. But it seems like you haven't really had to deal with that.

[C]

Or have you?

[B]

Because I have.

[C]

I've had an interesting guilt of the attention that is on me where I'm like. I'm not trying to, like, to put the spotlight just on me. You know, I think people misinterpret the intention of an extrovert. Like, our nature is we show up. Like, we just show up. It's not, hey, only look at me. And I actually have a heart to share this space. And I think. And I'm an empath, so I feel people's burden and I feel their plight. So I'm always thinking my first duty is to respond and figure out how I can resolve people's issue. And I'm sorry, I'm in a season now where I'm exhausted of, like, doing that for so many people. And my mom tries to tell me, you're not responsible for everybody. And I'm just like. But I feel like I am. And they call me. And I. When my. I've always kind of moved like a patriarch in my spaces. No, not to my older brother, you know, which I care deeply for. But I've just been that one, you know, that has stepped in that seat. But, you know, I have to ride that fine line to realize I'm not savior. Yes, Major, you're Not savior. That's one.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah.

[C]

You may be vessel, but you ain't savior. Yeah. And so. Yeah. Hear that? You're not savior. Vessel, but not savior.

[A]

Yeah. That's good.

[C]

It can pass through you. The answer can pass through you. You're an instrument, but you're not savior. Relieve yourself of that. I'm saying it just in case. I encourage them and when I watch it back. Relieve yourself of thinking you have to be everyone's answer because that's not the case.

[B]

That's so good. Thank you for that. I needed that, too.

[C]

I know. I was. It's crazy because I did that and then when I looked at you, I'm like, oh, you needed that too.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[C]

Remember the standard in which we love? When it says love your neighbor as you love yourself.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

You set the bar on how you love yourself.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

The as you love yourself is the operative. It's not just give all the love away and whatever is left, I'm going to use it for me, remember you. So that you can properly measure and give to whomever else.

[A]

Wow.

[C]

God will never. I have learned. God never wants us to exist in a space where there's no give back. There's no return on the investment. The so reap.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That's real.

[C]

That's it.

[A]

That's it. That is it.

[B]

You talked about. People see that you're so extroverted and feel like you're confident. Let's speak to that. Because I know a lot of people, I. I wouldn't think that you're not confident. And I know there's moments where I don't feel as confident as people would think I should feel. Let's talk about that.

[C]

I am courageous, I am bold, and I am ambitious, and I am audacious. Audacious. For those that are like, why did he say that word? It means I have the audacity. I choose to just go for it because at the end of the day, I have seen lack. And if I don't want lack.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I gotta leap for more. If you don't want lack.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

You have to leap for the more. So my audacity is if I want more than what I don't have. More than what I want.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

More of what I want. I've got to take the leap. And so a lot of times I move in that. And that's faith, really.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I move in faith. And it has always rewarded me, so it pushes me to do it more often because I know that the reward is often better than not having Taken the shot at all. So. But I will say, sometimes I show up in store spaces nervous as heck, questioning, do I belong here? Did I manipulate my way into this space?

[A]

Wow.

[C]

And it's. I know that's nothing but the devil's work, because the devil only gets to the mind.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

That which you speak is his invitation to what you're thinking. Yo, it's so many downloads happening right now. But I will say that I wrestle with it, and I'm in an interesting season right now where I don't have a number one song at radio. I have a song that's doing why I love you that's still paying me well, listen, you know what I'm saying?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And we appreciate it.

[C]

The folks are still getting married. Huh? The folks are still getting married. So Major's still able to get all the chicken nuggets he wants, But I don't have a number one at radio right now. I have music on the radio, but I don't have, you know, a crazy engagement right now on Instagram, which throws me off. Whoever invented Instagram and this algorithm. Stop it, Alga. Stop, algo. Chill out. Because you're playing with my mind and my emotions. I start thinking I'm doing well one minute, and then the next.

[B]

It humbles you real quick.

[C]

That it'll humble you real quick.

[B]

I went through that. I'm like, what is happening?

[C]

It's crazy. And you start doubting everything. But that's why you got to remind yourself, human. Bring yourself back to human.

[B]

This is not real.

[C]

This ain't real. This ain't real. But, yeah, I wrestle with the confidence in this season because I'm. I think I'm called. I believe. And I think as we continue to evolve, we get more clarity on our why.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

But I think I'm called to speak to the intersection of faith and culture because I know how to break down complex things simply. I know how to say it simply. And I've always had that gift. But it's frustrating when it's not either or. Because most of the time, as an artist, you're either a gospel singer or you're not a gospel singer. And I'm right in the middle because my faith is what drives me. But my audience a lot of times is mainstream. And so I'm doing something that mainstream is not asking for, but in need of. And gospel is like, well, do more. Just do it over here, because that's what we do. But God didn't call us to be club church. He called us to go out into the world, to spread the church, to expand the church. And so it feels very lonely in this space. And so my confidence isn't as strong every day, but moments like this and people reaching out to me and encouraging me and saying, yo, what you said, Or I was listening to the song the other day, or I watched an interview, or I saw you on this, and I'm like, okay, Okay. I belong here.

[A]

Yeah, I belong here. Wow.

[B]

And that's important to feel that as an artist, because a lot of what we do is off the reaction of other people. So when you're not getting that love or the reaction or the feedback that you need, it's like, what. What am I doing wrong? Or do I need to reevaluate? Do I need to do something different to move the needle? So I totally understand where you are.

[C]

Yeah. I also think that we have to position ourselves in environments that speak life, because as fame becomes our reality, you're forced to be in environments that they don't. That's not their duty. Their duty is not speaking life. Their duty is just to speak on what they see.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And sometimes you. You just. You just have to. It's just that reset, that artistic, that creative reset. And this isn't just for the creatives. It's for the people that are in business that are venturing as entrepreneurs. Bring yourself back, center and make sure you have a village of support and that you're just not drawing, but you're also giving. Because if you're the only one giving and receiving nothing in return, that ain't the way. If you're the only one receiving and giving nothing in return, that ain't the way. But if we're both pouring, if we're both giving, that right there is the way. And that is love, and that is God, and that is life.

[B]

Yes, I love that. I love that you are known as the Hope Dealer. I want to call you the Hope Healer. I don't know why it keeps coming out. The Hope Healer.

[C]

All right, I'm going to go with the flow of what this prophetess is saying.

[B]

But Billy Johnson is the one that gave you the name the Hope Dealer. Can you just give us the story behind that?

[C]

So Billy Johnson is a journalist. He a music journalist. He used to work with Yahoo. Music when Yahoo Music was a big thing. And he did an interview and he brought attention to this term that had been floating around about me. He's a Hope Dealer. He's a Hope Dealer. My team was like, yeah, we the Hope Dealer. You, the Hope Dealer. And because. And. And he said in this article that Major is filling the void of hope and inspiration that is missing in mainstream music. And I was like, oh, yeah, I like that. That's an assignment.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

I rock with that. Hope has always been my theme. I define hope as this. Hope is not the denial of reality. It's the commitment to believe greater is on the other side of it. I put break it down even more that hope is not the pretending that circumstance and hardship and difficulty ain't real.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because it is.

[C]

Because life is on life.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

Hope or no hope.

[B]

Right.

[C]

But hope is a commitment to anchor yourself to the promise. And the promise keeper.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

If he did it before, he could do it again.

[A]

Yes. Yes.

[C]

And that the fact of the matter is every storm runs out of rain. Every single one.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

So all I have to do is hold to this hope that is attached to this phenomenon called faith.

[B]

Right. Yes.

[C]

That is shown and proven to always work as long as you hold to it and you put in the work. Because you can't talk faith unless you talk hope. Because faith is a substance of things. Hope for. But hope has changed my life. It has been the fuel to what I do. It has given me perspective to shift in moments, to pivot in moments, to say, no is next one.

[B]

I love that.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

You know, I even had it tatted on my arm. I have a foundation called Major Hope.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

Major Hope. I put this. I tatted hope on my arm right after why I love you blew up the first time. And then I'm like, what do I have next? I felt this pressure of needing to outdo this, this, you know, the success of that and thinking that people were putting pressure on me, assuming pressure that wasn't even real.

[B]

Right.

[C]

And I realized I had to. Major, you gotta start living the hope you're giving. And so I tatted on my arm as a reminder. Never thought I'd ever get a tattoo, but I tatted on my arm as a reminder that the hope you live is a hope you give. The hope you give is a hope you must live. And it has been the current that has kept me. And I'm telling you, it delivers well.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

Lock into hope. You get your joy there, you get your peace there. You get your abundance there.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Lock into hope.

[B]

Lock into that. I love that. That's amazing. You speak about your foundation. Tell us how we can support it, what it's about.

[C]

The Major Hope Foundation. Major all caps with a period. That's the clever part. While my real name is Major, I Capitalize every letter and put a period after that. Because I mean that thing. Major Hope All CAPS foundation is a social action initiative committed to the amplification of hope in communities and people near and far. My intention is just to help redefine our understanding of hope. To not just see it as some fluffy cliche that's just said when circumstance. Circumstance, but really a real tangible answer and remedy to the tough times of life. Major Hope foundation, majorhopefoundation.org you can go on there. We have three programs. The major Hope Experience, which is like a concert experience. We do it acoustic or with the full band where it's music meets motivation, where motivation and music collide. Think MTV Unplugged meets Super Soul Sunday. It's special. That's one program. The other program is random drops of hope, like into random acts of kindness, where it's pop up charitable activations where we just respond to needs and it's super dope. And the last one, which I really love is confidence coaching. We do this intensive that helps young people and also adults on building esteem and value systems because I think we live different when we feel that we're worth something.

[B]

Absolutely.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That's so true.

[C]

We really live different. We move different when you feel that there's value in your living. And. And so we work on effective communications ways to communicate more effectively, understanding that you might talk a certain way, but there's other environments that require a different way of communicating. And it's not denying who you are. The code switch is necessary for everybody. Oftentimes it's a very necessary thing, but making sure that there's authenticity in whatever switch you make.

[B]

Absolutely.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That's so true.

[C]

So, yeah, I love that.

[B]

Amazing. So we'll make sure we support that for sure.

[C]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

So I want to talk music.

[C]

Okay, let's.

[B]

I want to know what you have coming up. Let the people know because I know we've been waiting on some music. So what do you have next?

[C]

Well, I have a new EP called the Hope of My Soul. We just released the Hope of My Soul Deluxe. That's available everywhere. I'm a soul singer.

[B]

You are.

[C]

And I sing from the heart of my experiences. A church boy. The sound and the sonics of this particular project is soul meets Americana. It takes her to church.

[A]

Wow.

[C]

So it's real. It's real good. You can feel my. My Southern roots coming out. Think Bill Withers meets Ray Charles and ran into Mumford and his sons. It's anthemic. It's good. It's Message music.

[B]

Is that what you were playing when you walked in?

[C]

Yeah. For the Wind was one of the songs, the lyric. There's a process to it all so many lessons, great and small should you go under? Struck by the thunder Embrace the rain? There's a testing in the fall how will you rise up to it all? Do you surrender, Return to sender? Or do you face the pain? It's all working together for the wind. Yay. It's all working together for the wind so all you gotta do is let it flow. Let it flow, Let it flow.

[A]

See?

[C]

Gotta encourage myself.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

Because life is gone. Life.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

But the fact of the matter is it ain't over till it's good.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

It ain't over until it's a win.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

God doesn't have us just out here. Just out here.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

There's intention and there's a reason.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And we will meet that reason, sure as we show up and show up. Well, it gets tough. I got a song on there called Joy in the Battle, and there's a verse that I. That says. The second verse says, you shouldn't let yourself get tangled up in worry because that kind of living takes its toll. You better take that pencil back, rewrite your story and write the best one ever told all over me. You want my peace, but you won't get it. But it says, joy in the battle, joy in my victory. I keep my eyes to the heavens so my joy never slips from me. This is. This is real life. We don't need the permission of our storm, our circumstance or hardship to choose joy. You choose it anyway. And your circumstance has no other choice but to fall in line.

[A]

So good.

[C]

We keeping it positive. Sweetie.

[B]

Sweetie.

[C]

Yeah. Yeah.

[B]

The hope of my soul. My goodness. Okay. We definitely got it. I love that.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

My goodness. Now, I really.

[C]

I really think it's gonna. I really think it's gonna be soundtrack to the get back.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

To the get back to winning, to the reset. Be it in the morning, but in the evening, shout out to everybody that just.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

Decides to show up. Well, I love it.

[B]

I love it. Major, thank you so much.

[C]

Thank you for having me.

[B]

Yes. No, I appreciate you. Before we close out, if you'd like to hang out just for a bit, we do what is called positive outcomes.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

That's where our listeners write in and we give them advice.

[C]

Yeah. Yeah.

[B]

All right. So this one says, hi, Crystal. I just watched your episode with Eva Marcel. You talked about multiple things, but what stuck out is that when you asked why she wanted to get back into to the word. She said it was you, your light. When she said that and followed up by saying, because I've been feeling empty, I felt that I immediately shed some tears. These past six months of my life have been indescribably painful. I have always been extremely close to my grandma. She raised me and I've always taken care of her. She became sick in November 2023, and I was in and out of the hospital until January 2024. Both my mom and I are only children. My mom and I were working around the clock. We're working like clockwork to make sure that my grandmother was safe and healthy. My grandma was getting better. And then one day my mom called and said she was gone. I have never dealt with this type of loss, and I have been devastated ever since. So many firsts without my grandmother have flown by. When Eva said that she was feeling empty, it really struck a chord. I have been feeling empty and down. I feel like I'm losing my light that God gave me. I want my light back. I want my energy back. I want to feel whole again. What do I do now that my purpose is gone? And how do I grow my dim delight?

[C]

So what we just did, naturally, after reading it, we took a deep breath in and we let it out.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

So to my sister that wrote that, I would encourage you to catch your breath first. So we gonna do that. Take a deep breath in. Let it out. Take a deep breath in. Let it out. That's surrender. Life does not need our permission to life. It won't ask for permission to life. Grief, which often comes not just at the loss of loved ones, but it comes as a result of the unfamiliar of the familiar changing. Grief does not just come at the loss of loved ones. It comes when the familiar changes. And you said something that really hit me. You said, you no longer have purpose. Your purpose will never only be in one individual, are assigned to one individual. I guarantee you that there is purpose that was connected to the one you love. And if you catch your breath, get back to your maker, you will discover and uncover that there are lessons that were learned while your grandmama lived that you learned along the way. And now is the time for you to walk in the fullness of what that was. That is where purpose is going to be. And remember this purpose reciprocates. It helps others, but it also helps you. So please don't ever think that you're missing in the equation of assignment and intention and what God has destined for you. There is so much More life to live. And we honor legacy when we choose to continue to live. When the familiar has changed, grief is simply love finding a new rhythm. We gonna be all right, sis?

[A]

Yes.

[C]

I've been there. Welcome to life.

[A]

That's so good, Major.

[B]

Thank you. Thank you. That helped me. I know. I know that's gonna help her.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

So good. So what we like to ask our. Our guest is what I'm going through and what I'm growing through. Is there anything in this particular season in your life that you are going through and growing through?

[C]

In this season, I am going through the unknown. I don't know what is fully next. I'm convinced that it is good, but I'm just trusting God. I'm trusting God in deeper ways than ever before.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

It feels crazy because I'm often the one that helps so many people get through stuff, and it's. I'm just in a season where I'm just trying to figure out how am I to be used next? And I'm grateful. I'm grateful. But I'm also hopeful that there is more. I'm grateful for what has already happened. I don't want that to be missed.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

But I'm hoping for so much more and a peace as I journey there.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah. It's crazy. Oh, my gosh.

[A]

Thank you.

[C]

Thank you.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

I'm gonna be praying for you because I know that's a. That's a tough space to be in.

[C]

Yeah, it is. It's like, so much good is happening, but I'm also, like, God wanted. What are you doing? It's like my feet aren't on the ground, and I. But that's faith.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Even when your feet don't touch the ground to still believe. That's faith. Man, I'm crying. You got me crying. Ah, man. I love Jesus Christ so much. He's my best friend.

[B]

Yes. I love that.

[C]

Cool.

[B]

All right, to close out, we're gonna. And I'm gonna leave because I know this is you having a moment right here. Yeah, yeah. We keep. We close off with keep it blank, sweetie. If you could leave a word for the people. How would you tell them to keep it blank, sweetie? What would your feeling be?

[C]

I'm just gonna go with what's on my hat.

[A]

There you go.

[C]

Keep it joy.

[A]

Yes, sweetie. I love it.

[C]

Choose joy. Anyway. Yeah.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And I'm gonna say keep it hopeful, sweetie.

[C]

Appreciate you. Yes.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. Thank you so much, Major.

[C]

Yes, indeed. I appreciate it.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Thank you guys so much for tuning into this episode of keep it positive, Sweetie. If you want to write into our open listener letter, you can write into keepitpositive, Sweetie gmail dot com. That's sweetie with an ie. You can follow me on all platforms at lovechrislarnee. And that's Luv Major. Tell the people they can follow you.

[C]

Now that's major.com. or now that's major on everything. And if you googling me, major is all capital letters with a period. Like I said, I meant that period. I love it.

[A]

I love it.

[B]

All right, guys, thank you so much for tuning in. In the meantime, in between time, you know what to do. Keep it positive, sweetie.

[C]

Father, we love you with our whole heart. We thank you for having us on your mind. And it is so clear that as breath moves in and through us, that there is more. So, Lord God, we say yes, we surrender. We make ourselves available for your great flow and intention. Yes, God, thank you for the heart of Crystal and her incredible team. They clearly seek to move in purpose and purpose alone. Yes, Father God, I pray that you continue to show favor and grace on it. I pray that this session be refreshing, be something new. Take us to a new dimension, even higher or deeper, wider. Whatever you have intended for today, may it fully be. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for today and now and for whatever tomorrow brings from this. Lord God, thank you for every heart that's connected. If there are any individual circumstances that the people are dealing with that they haven't shared. God, in this moment, as we take a deep breath in and we let it out, may they be assured that it, too is well.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

[B]

Amen. Come on, Pastor.

[C]

Amen.

[A]

Hey, hey.