Podcast Summary: Keep It Positive, Sweetie

Episode: Keeping it 100 & Positive w/ KJ Smith
Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Guest: KJ Smith Black
Date: July 20, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features actress and entrepreneur KJ Smith Black, best known for her role in “Sistas,” in an in-depth, vulnerable conversation with host Crystal Renee Hayslett. The discussion centers on KJ’s pregnancy journey, overcoming infertility diagnoses, maintaining faith in uncertain times, and the importance of authenticity—both on a public platform and in personal healing. The episode is a candid reflection on positive impact, self-acceptance, and navigating life in the public eye.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pregnancy Journey & Body Changes

• KJ is in her seventh month of pregnancy and openly discusses the physical and emotional changes she’s experiencing.

• She emphasizes honoring her body and adapting to its daily transformations.

  • “I’m allowing. I’m not about to fight with this. I’m literally changing every day... this is a part of creating life and that’s cool.” — KJ Smith Black (01:38)

• KJ credits her ability to handle pregnancy while filming to support from her TV family and releasing control over her changing physical state.

• Physical challenges included severe acid reflux, motion sickness, gastrointestinal issues, and rapidly changing body size, sometimes requiring wardrobe improvisation on set.

  • “There are scenes where I’m literally behind my desk with my pants unzipped because the clothes no longer fit.” — KJ Smith Black (04:54)

• Her pregnancy is high-risk (“geriatric”), intensifying concerns over sleep and well-being during the demanding shooting schedule.

2. Struggles with Infertility and PCOS

• KJ candidly shares her experiences with being told by doctors she might be infertile due to PCOS and fibroids.
• She details her proactive approach: visiting fertility clinics, preparing for potential IVF, and healing her body holistically before trying to conceive.
  • “On the paperwork, it says infertile... The doctor, he said, you have plenty of eggs. He said, but you have this fibroid... it looks as if you would be infertile.” — KJ Smith Black (07:48)
• KJ highlights the importance of stress management, holistic health, and “going dark” (taking a break from public and professional commitments) to facilitate healing. She credits natural supplements and advice from TikTok for managing PCOS symptoms.
  • “For Black women, we have to release the stress. We cannot be everyone’s superhero. I went completely dark this summer...” — KJ Smith Black (09:12)
• KJ describes the joyous and surreal moment of discovering her pregnancy and how the timing wasn’t according to her plan, but ultimately divine.

3. Faith, Purpose, and Public Vulnerability

• The journey challenged—and ultimately deepened—her faith, teaching valuable lessons about surrendering to a higher purpose and relinquishing control.
  • “I realized... I have never given God the glory, like publicly... A part of me felt like being a free spirit did not give me the authority to talk about my relationship with God...” — KJ Smith Black (16:56 & 17:45)
• KJ reflects on her past hesitation to publicly express her spirituality due to fears of not being “worthy” or being judged for her authentic self.
• She acknowledges the transformative effect of faith and reveals her new commitment to transparency and giving credit to God for her blessings.

4. Navigating Fame & Maintaining Authenticity

• Both KJ and Crystal discuss the psychological impacts of fame—losing oneself, anxiety, and finding one’s voice amid heightened public scrutiny.
  • “I lost myself... I was trying to be what people wanted me to be. I played this attorney on television, so I wanted to make sure I was always pulled up and articulate...” — KJ Smith Black (20:52)
• KJ recounts feeling pressure to conform to public and industry expectations, “calculating” every move, and the turning point in reclaiming her authentic self.
• The conversation addresses the emotional toll of social media criticism and the protective walls that arise as a result.
  • “There was a point where I hit rock bottom... My wedding was one of them. That was me being like, I’m gonna be me... Then people kind of made it something ugly, and it was like the happiest day of my life.” — KJ Smith Black (24:29 & 26:24)

5. Resilience, Kindness, and Community

• The importance of owning one’s journey, teaching boundaries, and not seeking external validation is emphasized.
  • “I’m not about to open my wound to justify my joy to you... You can choose to be nice to me or you can choose to not be in my life. Because I’m gonna be nice to you regardless.” — KJ Smith Black (37:54 & 38:01)
• KJ and Crystal underline the significance of kindness and empathy, regardless of personal struggles or triumphs—especially in the entertainment industry.
• Both reflect on early career hardships and the perseverance required to arrive at their current success.

6. Love Story: Meeting Her Husband Sky

• KJ recounts meeting her now-husband, Sky, on the set of “Sistas,” and how their connection grew during the isolating “COVID bubble.”
• She shares the pivotal moment she knew he was her life partner, discussing positive relationship boundaries and self-worth.
  • “Our first date, I was like, so are you, like, available for the rest of your life? Cuz you’re mine.” — KJ Smith Black (51:33)

7. Legacy and Impact

• The episode closes with a discussion about legacy, mentorship, and impact on the next generation.
• KJ is honest about not having all the answers, choosing to wait for spiritual guidance regarding her life’s impact.
  • “I am asking God that question right now... And I’m gonna wait for the answer. I’m not going to create my own answer. I’m going to wait on it.” — KJ Smith Black (55:06 & 55:47)

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• “What would you do if you knew that you could not fail? Go ahead, get your journal and write that vision and go ahead and make it plain...”
  — Crystal Renee Hayslett (00:02)

• “I feel good. Really excited and energized.”
  — KJ Smith Black (01:04)

• “I was trying to be what people wanted me to be... I lost myself.”
  — KJ Smith Black (20:52)

• “On the paperwork, it says infertile. My husband was fine... But you have this fibroid.”
  — KJ Smith Black (07:48)

• “For Black women, we have to release the stress. We cannot be everyone’s superhero. I went completely dark this summer...”
  — KJ Smith Black (09:12)

• “TikTok girlies were right. I went on TikTok and I started taking wild yam, using wild yam cream... and that also shifted. I started having easier cycles.”
  — KJ Smith Black (09:59)

• “I can honestly say it didn’t happen until this miracle... My purpose is bigger. I can’t control when or what happens in my life... Everything is on God’s time.”
  — KJ Smith Black (19:19 & 20:00)

• “I’m not about to open my wound to justify my joy to you... You can choose to be nice to me or you can choose to not be in my life. Because I’m gonna be nice to you regardless.”
  — KJ Smith Black (37:54 & 38:01)

• “Our first date, I was like, so are you, like, available for the rest of your life? Cuz you’re mine.”
  — KJ Smith Black (51:33)

• “I am asking God that question right now... And I’m gonna wait for the answer.”
  — KJ Smith Black (55:06)

Notable Moments & Timestamps

• KJ’s Pregnancy Physical Challenges (03:53–06:23)
• KJ Receiving an Infertility Diagnosis (06:45–08:53)
• Holistic Healing for PCOS (08:54–10:51)
• The Raw Story of KJ Finding Out She's Pregnant (11:00–15:30)
• Faith Journey and Surrender (16:02–20:11)
• Losing & Reclaiming Authenticity in Fame (20:36–24:29)
• Responding to Public Criticism and Social Media (27:44–34:46)
• Reflecting on Early Career Struggles (36:39–38:48)
• Meeting and Dating Sky, Falling in Love (46:13–53:10)
• Legacy and Waiting for God’s Guidance on Impact (54:28–57:23)

Closing Thoughts

The conversation is genuine, encouraging, and full of practical wisdom for anyone navigating self-worth, transitions, or pressure—whether in the public eye or in everyday life. KJ’s transparency about her journey, both personal and professional, is an inspiring reminder to trust the process, honor oneself, and keep it positive, sweetie.

For more uplifting, honest conversations, tune in to Keep It Positive, Sweetie with Crystal Renee Hayslett every week.