Podcast Summary: Keep It Positive, Sweetie

Episode: “Praying for Destiny Helpers” w/ Jekalyn Carr

Air Date: October 12, 2025
Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Guest: Jekalyn Carr (Grammy-winning gospel singer, author & entrepreneur)

Episode Overview

In this uplifting and insightful episode, host Crystal Renee Hayslett sits down with gospel music sensation and entrepreneur Jekalyn Carr for a candid conversation about purpose, faith, embracing one’s assignment, building a legacy, and the power of strong support systems—aka “destiny helpers.” The two women discuss Jekalyn’s journey from prodigy to Gospel Hall of Fame inductee, creating a family-run business, branching into beauty and acting, and how to stay grounded as a leader, creative, and spiritual motivator. The tone is warm, faith-centered, encouraging, and occasionally hilarious.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Success & Family Foundation

• Starting Young: Jekalyn reflects on singing in church and at home as a child, always knowing music was her destiny.
  • “Every time I turned around, I was singing… My cousins come over, I would make a choir.” (05:19, Jekalyn Carr)
• Family’s Role: Her parents recognized and cultivated her gift early, placing her in homeschooling in 4th grade to nurture her career (14:49).
• Staying in Her Lane: She never considered leaving gospel music, drawn to its unique power to inspire and uplift (06:47).

2. Living the Assignment & Building a Legacy

• Embracing Calling: Jekalyn discusses when she realized music was both a gift and an assignment, emphasizing obedience and trust in God’s timing (13:37).
  • “All He needs is your yes, that’s all. And your willingness to move forward.” (51:36, Jekalyn Carr)
• Entrepreneurship: The Carr family operates their own label and publishing, with her father as manager—offering protection and independence.
  • “When you’re graced for it, it kind of just flows a little differently for you.” (09:47, Jekalyn Carr)

3. Business Wisdom and Community

• Know Your Business: Jekalyn stresses the importance of understanding contracts and the business side, encouraging others to do research and pray for trustworthy partners (10:04).
• Teamwork & Destiny Helpers: Recognizing the need for specialists, not just loyal supporters, in every endeavor—from music to her Jacalyn Beauty line.

4. Artistry and Creative Process

• Songwriting: All songs are written in-house with family. Jekalyn prioritizes only releasing music she feels God has inspired (“never releases anything if God has not given it to me”—21:23).
• Studio Habits: She preps thoroughly, asks God for guidance even on ad-libs, and records ideas on her phone when inspiration strikes (22:39, 23:28).
• Bridging Gospel Generations: Her recent project “Jacalyn and the Legends” features icons like Yolanda Adams and John P. Kee. Pulling in legends honors the past and connects new generations (16:34).

5. Stepping into New Arenas

• Beauty & Branding: Her Jacalyn Beauty line focuses on fragrance and skincare. She only launches products she passionately believes in and tests herself:
  • “Anything that I do, I’m passionate about. It’s not just something I wake up overnight… I invest time.” (28:57, Jekalyn Carr)
• Acting: Moving into acting was about the right timing and authentic roles that match her brand. She loves bringing her fun side to screens, as seen in “Praise This” (32:07).
• Public Speaking/Preaching: Jekalyn began preaching at 13, traveling the world before her musical big break. She views both preaching and singing as intertwined (“that catapulted my music”—38:52).

6. Faith, Motivation, and Self-Care

• Spiritual Recharging: She highlights the importance of having support systems and regularly listening to motivational messages to “keep my spirit fed” (41:45).
• Work-Life Balance: Jekalyn enjoys movies, the spa, and being a homebody, balancing her heavy workload with rest and family time (42:22).
• Health Routines: She’s a “gym girly,” enjoys functional training/boxing (43:43), and discusses adopting wellness habits as part of her lifestyle.

7. Wisdom & Encouragement

• Advice for Dreamers: For young women seeking purpose, Jekalyn advocates moving forward even without a full plan—emphasizing obedience, faith, and praying for “destiny helpers.”
  • “Every day that goes by, I’m allowing greatness to be wasted. All He needs is your yes… and your willingness to move forward.” (51:36, Jekalyn Carr)
• On Difficulty & Breakthrough: Recognizing that the enemy resists those on the verge of breakthrough; perseverance is key (41:08).

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Faith and Destiny:
  • “You got to know the business too, you know, and it’s OK to not know. That’s what research is for. And also, praying and ask God to send those people who can also handle you the way you’re supposed to be handled. Because nah, we not finna mishandle nothing over here.” (10:04, Jekalyn Carr)
• On Staying Authentic:
  • “What I have and what God has given me is assigned to somebody’s destiny. So yeah, I stay true to Jaqualyn. I love my lane.” (18:21, Jekalyn Carr)
• On Receiving Inspiration:
  • “I never release anything if God has not given it to me. Because He knows what His people need. And who better to ask than Him?” (21:23, Jekalyn Carr)
• On Motivation:
  • “If I don’t feed myself, I will have nothing to give.” (41:45, Jekalyn Carr)
• On Stepping Out in Faith:
  • “Sometimes it’s like that with us. All He needs is your yes, that’s all. And your willingness to move forward, to keep going, to keep pushing and also pray for destiny helpers.” (51:31, Jekalyn Carr)
• Advice from a Legend:
  • Pastor Shirley Caesar told her: “Never let people change who you are. Stay true to who you are.” (18:21)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:05] Reminiscing on working together and early success
• [04:59] Jekalyn’s early family & church experiences
• [06:47] Why she never left gospel music
• [08:55] The reality of being a young independent artist
• [10:04] Learning the business, working with family
• [12:22] Achieving 9 #1 Billboard gospel songs
• [13:37] Realizing her gift was also an assignment
• [16:34] Collaborating with gospel legends
• [18:21] Advice from Shirley Caesar & staying authentic
• [21:07] Carr family’s unique approach to songwriting
• [22:39] Her creative and spiritual process in the studio
• [27:41] Launching Jacalyn Beauty
• [32:07] Stepping into acting & role choices
• [37:34] Speaking and preaching—how it began
• [40:12] A moving sermon experience & the importance of stepping into God’s promises
• [41:45] Sources of her own motivation and support
• [43:00] Day-to-day life, gym routines, and self-care
• [51:31] Heartfelt advice for anyone struggling to pursue their destiny
• [52:43]–[54:22] Lighthearted gospel “This or That” rapid-fire game

Conclusion

This episode is both a masterclass in following one’s purpose with clear-eyed faith and a warm embrace for anyone needing courage to keep going. Listeners gain spiritual encouragement, practical advice, and real-life examples of balancing big dreams, business excellence, and creative joy. Jekalyn and Crystal’s chemistry is sincere, playful, and endlessly uplifting—making this a must-listen for anyone seeking to “keep it positive, sweetie.”

Find & Support Jekalyn Carr:
Follow: @jekalyncarr | Music & Jacalyn Beauty: all major platforms
Don’t miss her new single “Don’t Faint” and upcoming album “Jacalyn and the Legends.”