Real Life, Real Love, & The Truth In Between - Keep it Positive, Sweetie

Transcript

Crystal Renee (0:00)

This is an I heart podcast.

Kev On Stage (0:02)

Guaranteed human.

Crystal Renee (0:05)

Yes, it's me again.

Kev On Stage (0:11)

We prepped.

Crystal Renee (0:20)

It's the time for empowerment and I've got a message for you.

Kev On Stage (0:27)

Guess who. Guess who. Guess who's back.

Crystal Renee (0:30)

You gotta think about sexual health no matter what, when, when, or with who.

Kev On Stage (0:37)

Yeah.

Crystal Renee (0:38)

Yeah. To all you lovers out there, ain't no judgment. This is your cue.

Kev On Stage (0:48)

Guess who. Guess who's back.

Crystal Renee (0:50)

It's time to talk about pre special prophylaxis, a part of HIV prevention. Talk to a healthcare provider and visit carefortheculture. To learn more.

Michael Easter (1:04)

Liberty Mutual customizes your car and home insurance. And now we're customizing this rush hour ad to keep you calm, which could help your driving. And science says therapy is great for a healthy mindset. So enjoy this 14 second session on us. I think you've done everything right and absolutely nothing wrong. In fact, anything that hasn't gone your way could probably be blamed on your father not being emotionally available because his father wasn't emotionally available, and so on. And now that you're calm and healing, you're probably driving better, too.

Crystal Renee (1:31)

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

Michael Easter (1:34)

2%. That's the number of people who take the stairs when there is also an escalator available. I'm Michael Easter, and on my podcast, 2%, I break down the science of mental toughness, fitness, and building resilience in our strange modern world. Put yourself through some hardships and you will come out on the other side

Kev On Stage (1:54)

a happier, more fulfilled, healthier person.

Michael Easter (1:57)

Listen to 2%. That's 2% on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Summary

Podcast Summary
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
"Real Life, Real Love, & The Truth In Between"
April 14, 2026

Overview
In this heartfelt and humorous episode, Crystal Renee Hayslett welcomes comedian, creator, and storyteller Kev On Stage (Kevin Fredericks). The conversation dives into authenticity, the complexities of parenting, partnership, grief, and personal growth—always balancing laughter with truth. Kev shares candid insights from his career and family life, reflecting on what it means to nurture gifts, process pain with humor, and evolve in love and partnership. The episode is rich in personal anecdotes and lessons about staying true to oneself while moving through life’s ups and downs.

1. Atlanta Energy, Authenticity & Being “On”

[04:07 - 06:33]

Crystal welcomes Kev, highlighting his authenticity in person and onstage. They bond over Atlanta’s vibrant Black culture and the infamous ATL traffic.
Kev discusses intentionally being “the same person” everywhere, explaining the importance of genuine presence in an industry that values authenticity:

“We live in a world of authenticity. If you aren’t who you are, people will find out anyway.” —Kev On Stage [06:07]
Kev shares why he stopped doing meet-and-greets, emphasizing the human cost of fame:

“I always love the people, but I can't keep up the energy to make their experience good if I've just done a show… Imagine you just worked your full shift, and instead of going home, you gotta shake 300 hands and take 300 pictures.” —Kev [07:00]

2. The Misconceptions of Comedy & Kev’s Family Origin Story

[08:11 – 13:47]

Kev reflects on the unrealistic expectation that comedians are always “on.” He explains how, at home, he is simply himself, not “performing” for his family:

“Once I leave my house, I am on. But at home, be at the house. I recharge.” —Kev [09:15]
He shares the roots of his comedy—imitating church antics for his grandmother, realizing very young that humor brought value and attention.
They discuss the importance of nurturing gifts in children, especially in Black families, and how access (or lack thereof) can impact a prodigy’s opportunities.

3. Parenting, Generational Differences & Work Ethic

[13:58 – 18:46]

Crystal asks Kev about nurturing his sons’ gifts. Kev details honoring each child’s unique path: one is behind the camera, the other has innate on-camera charisma.
Kev references the “tough love” that often shaped Black excellence in previous generations and questions if “simply loving” a child is enough for achieving greatness:

“We ain’t loved nobody into greatness yet… Love ain’t enough. I got to hate you to get where I want to go.” —Kev, jokingly [16:44]
The conversation pokes fun at how every generation sees the next as “softer” and contrasts their work ethic with their own parents’ approach to discipline.

4. Humor as Healing & Processing Grief

[18:51 – 24:56]

Crystal explores how Kev uses humor not just for escape, but to process—and help others process—difficult realities like grief. Kev traces this skill back to the role of the court jester, offering hard truths laced with laughter:

“People can listen. Are more open to listening if you've made them laugh.” —Kev [19:23]
He shares poignant, darkly funny stories from his brother’s funeral, showing how he instinctively processes pain through comedy:

“When I first saw my brother in the coffin...my initial thought was, this nigga really in here, dead?... Which is not funny, but like, it is funny.” —Kev [23:10]
On his show Grief Sucks:

“I think this new show is my way of helping people through grief and also helping myself through grief as well. To me, it's the best use of my comedy that I've done.” —Kev [21:15]

5. The Realities of Touring, Gratitude, & Money Talk

[27:27 – 34:14]

Kev opens up about the unpredictability of selling out shows and the financial realities fans face.
Discussion shifts to the high cost of living and touring (from flight costs to UberEats orders), and humorous anecdotes about his sons’ bougie food requests:

“My son ordered STK on Uber Eats…I said, can you order that for me? I said, McDonald’s, Chick-Fil-A…” —Kev [30:53]
Crystal and Kev discuss the legacy of family, sharing a powerful moment when his son expressed genuine gratitude for the loving home he’s experienced.

6. Intentional Parenting vs. Partnership & Learning from Therapy

[36:04 – 44:11]

Kev reflects vulnerably on how, striving to be a great father (compensating for his own absent father), he sometimes failed to include his wife in key family moments.
Therapy helped him realize:

“Unchecked, you can do hurt and harm with good intention. I just wanted to be a good father. But I realized, oh, I’m stealing moments from [my wife] to make sure I have them.” —Kev [38:01]
He underscores the need for communicating and course-correcting in relationships for the sake of both parents and children.

7. Evolving in Marriage: The Phone Analogy

[44:12 – 55:34]

The conversation turns to marriage and how both partners change, with Crystal and Kev tracing Melissa’s evolution from teen through motherhood and career.
Kev likens marital evolution to technology upgrades:

“Being married is like being up to date on your cell phone at all times, reading the terms and conditions, learning how to use it at all times. You can’t skip two or three phones.” —Kev [53:14]
Emphasizes that “marriage is work,” but more like tending a garden than hard labor—a daily nurturing, not taking the relationship for granted.

8. Authenticity, Boundaries & Being Unapologetic

[58:27 – 61:01]

Crystal asks what Kev is unapologetic about in this season of life.
Kev declares:

“I am being unapologetically me…You might not like me or what I say. And I’m okay with that…Earlier in my career, I was trying to make every single person happy, and that was not an attainable thing.” —Kev [58:42]
He talks about not feeding negativity online and choosing when to speak, maintaining his peace and authenticity.

9. Closing Reflections & Memorable Moments

Notable Quotes & Moments

On teamwork with his wife:

“She takes the weight of safety and comfortability so that I can do this. Because…the boys, although 19 and 17, they want a parent around a lot.” —Kev [40:08]
Crystal’s summary of the episode:

“Growth doesn't always look like clarity…Sometimes healing isn’t about having the right words. It's about being present, being real, and allowing yourself to keep going.” —Crystal Renee [61:02]

Key Segments & Timestamps

04:07 – 06:33: Authenticity & on-stage persona
08:11 – 13:47: The roots of Kev’s comedy & nurturing gifts
16:44: Generational work ethic and parenting styles
19:23: Humor’s role in truth-telling and coping
23:10: Using humor in grief
27:27 – 34:14: Realities of touring and finances
38:01: Therapy insights on family dynamics
44:12 – 55:34: Marriage evolution analogized with cell phone upgrades
58:42: Kev on being unapologetically himself
61:02: Crystal’s reflection and closing encouragement

Final Thoughts

This episode is a masterclass in blending humor with honesty, offering encouragement on parenting, partnership, and personal growth. Through candid storytelling, Kev On Stage and Crystal Renee create a space where listeners are reminded that healing and authenticity go hand in hand—even (and especially) when life isn’t sorted out.

To support Kev:
Follow him at @KevOnStage for updates on the “Grief Sucks” tour, upcoming shows, and more content.

“Stay blessed, stay encouraged, and keep it positive, sweetie.” —Crystal Renee