
Loading summary
Commercial Announcer
Did you know Microsoft has officially ended Support for Windows 10? Upgrade to Windows 11 with an LG Gram laptop? Voted PCMag's Reader's Choice top laptop brand for 2025. Thin and ultra lightweight, the LG Gram keeps you productive anywhere, and Windows 11 gives you access to free security updates and ongoing feature upgrades. Visit LGUSA.com iHeart for great seasonal savings on LG Gram laptops with Windows 11. PCMag Reader's Choice Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
@ TJ Maxx feel more you than ever without compromise. Because we never make you choose the quality you want, the styles you crave, and the prices you love. It's all at TJ Maxx, so.
Marco Summers
You can focus on just being.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
You. With so many finds arriving daily, that means so many ways to show your unique style. Shop in store and online@tjmax.com and.
Marco Summers
Max what makes you.
Julian Edelman
You? This is Julian Edelman from Games With Names. This message is brought to you by Pizza Hut because if you're yelling Hut on Sundays, why not yo, Pizza.
Pizza Hut Promoter
First. So Pizza Hut just put out one of the coolest, like, funniest challenges maybe.
Julian Edelman
Ever. Pizza Hut. What is.
Pizza Hut Promoter
It? Basically, if a quarterback says pizza before they say Hut, Pizza Hut will give that quarterback city a pizza.
Julian Edelman
Party. Is this.
Pizza Hut Promoter
Real? Yeah, Isn't that.
Julian Edelman
Crazy? You think coaches are bringing this up in team.
Pizza Hut Promoter
Meetings? You think a pizza party is worth a false.
Julian Edelman
Start? What if they got the other team to jump off sides with a Pizza.
Pizza Hut Promoter
Hut? Hey, whatever it takes this time of.
Julian Edelman
Year. 100% this weekend. Let us know if you hear Pizza Hut. I know I'll be.
Jacob Goldstein
Listening. This is Jacob Goldstein from what's yous Problem? When you buy business software from lots of vendors, the costs add up and it gets complicated and confusing. Odoo solves this. It's a single company that sells a suite of enterprise apps that handles everything from accounting to inventory to sales. Odoo is all connected on a single platform in a simple and affordable way, you can save money without missing out on the features you need. Check out Odoo at o d o o.com that's o d o o.com.
Orangetheory Fitness Promoter
Ready to change your life. For just $2 a day, Orangetheory Fitness delivers one hour workouts that combine strength and cardio to help fat build muscle and feel unstoppable. Right now, get a full month of unlimited classes for just $62. Don't wait. This offer ends soon. Visit orangetheory.com or your local studio and start your transformation today. Offer ends January 31, 2026. New members only Premier membership performance monitor and monthly billing required. Discount applies to first month only. Other terms apply. C Studio for.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Details. Calling all my sweeties to the forefront, I'm your host, Chris Renee Hazlett, and this is the Keep It Positive Sweetie Show. Marco Summers, you know him as Funny Marco. He's built one of the most distinct voices in comedy. His timing, stillness, and humor have made him a standout in a world that is usually loud. With his series Open Thoughts entering season two, Marco keeps proving that being yourself is the brand. Sweetie family, please give a very warm welcome to Marco Summers, also known as as Funny Marco. Marco, how you.
Marco Summers
Feeling? Fine. I've been waiting on this.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Moment. You have? So you remember you DM me, like, yeah. Probably over a year ago. Yeah. And you were watching the Tyler Perry episode, and you were like, I want to come.
Marco Summers
On.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. And I was like, is this really funny Marco? I was really shocked that you could DM me, but I was also honored because I'm a big fan of your work. And then you hit me recently, and you were like, I want to come on for.
Marco Summers
Real.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. And talk, like, show the people who I really am. So I'm excited to have you.
Marco Summers
On. And you know what? I learned, too. I'm learning, too. Patience is key. Because, like, even at the time when I did ask you to come on, like, I'm in a different world now from then, so I feel like we got to learn that. And sometimes in the industry, when some people don't give you what you want, then you can develop a nasty.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Taste.
Marco Summers
Yeah. But sometimes you gotta understand right now, let that moment. And I learned that from Kevin Hart, because when we were talking and, like, Kevin Hart is talking to me, he's like. One thing he told me is, like, have patience and ownership. And he was just like, I'm talking to Kevin Hart every.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Day.
Marco Summers
Wow. And I'm like. And he telling me, like, all this information, and I'm like, come help me. Like, come on. You got like, come, like, what's happening? And I'm urging, like, I'm sitting here, I'm recording, like, you know, like, I'm in that moment, living happy, like, my life about to change. And at the time, it just. It start developing. And then when our interview happened, it happened at the right.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Time.
Marco Summers
Yes. And, like, when the G herbo situation happened, when that went crazy, Kevin Hart reached out and said, let's do it now to get the spotlight off of that. You know what I'm saying? But if I would have got it.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Then.
Marco Summers
Exactly. Yeah.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. So patience is everything. Patience is everything. I love that. Who is Marco Summers? The father, the son, the friend, and the.
Marco Summers
Lover. Sound like Oprah referee. I love it. I receive it. Look, we'll start with the.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Father. Who are.
Marco Summers
You? The father is becoming something that you never had. My daddy was a street guy. He was known in the streets, and he was real respected. And what I learned and what I got from that is growing up having, like, a daddy that's known for what he did. All you got when he not there for you no more is people telling you he was that nigga. But again, I didn't get to see him as a father, so it's just, like, it can help you and hurt you. Because I feel like some people try to make their daddy legacy live on, and you want to be like, damn, I want to see how he felt. I wanted that same type of fame. And you only know two things that come with that, and it's like jail or dead when it comes with that street fame. And I feel like, what our legacy is no different from Big Meech and him. And it's like, even playing as Daddy in a role, it probably had in his mind, right? It could traumatize him. Like, dude, I gotta move now. Like, how he was. And again, what if we got a different. What if you was supposed to be the star, like, the actor? What if you was supposed to be our Michael B.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Jordan?
Marco Summers
Yeah. And you weren't supposed to be who your daddy was. But when you from that, people push that narrative on you, right? To be who your daddy was. So me not being, like, a street dude, and then people knew I was funny. It was like, you ain't like your daddy, and it can hurt you like that.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Right? You're like, wait a.
Marco Summers
Minute. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You goofy as hell. And, you know, so just being able to create a path for my kids, to let them know that you don't have to be where you came from. You could develop a new you. So I want to show them something that I never got. And being a father, I know my daddy really cared because he. He made money for us. But again, sometimes money in the wrong way can lead you into, you know, bad stuff. So him passing away really, like, made me want to be a better father because I knew he wanted to be there for us. And it's like, let me be there for them.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Right? Was he. Did he pass.
Marco Summers
Away? Oh, he got set up. Yeah. So, like. Yeah, so it was him. And that's Another thing, I learned a lot from that. Like, my daddy, he got. He was. He was. He was smart. So the person that. Like my daddy situation was, he got killed in the car. And the person who did it was somebody that he was comfortable with because my daddy never let nobody sit behind him. So the person who did it was. It was him and his girlfriend in the car. And the thing is, they said they feel like my daddy knew it was coming because he tried to get my girl, his girlfriend, out of the car. And he was trying to drop her out, but she was like, no, I want to ride with you. Like, I want to ride with you while you're making plays. And that person killed both of them. And that's why I tell certain people, even for women, you got to watch who you date, because just if she wasn't with him, she would probably. Probably still be alive to this day. So on the side, I feel sorry for her family, too, because she got what was coming from my daddy. So you got to watch who you date in the world because you never know what could come your.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Way. Oh, my goodness. How old were.
Marco Summers
You? I think I was like 11 or.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
12. How did that impact you in that moment as a child? Cause you're still growing, and those are formative.
Marco Summers
Years. Him dying, it didn't impact me a lot. I don't know. It's something me, I'm just numb. Like, I got a different type. I'm just numb to a lot of stuff. So it just felt unreal. But I understood he was somebody that did. What happened to him? He was in the.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Streets. And so you understood the.
Marco Summers
Concept? Yeah. Honestly. Yeah. Cause, like, you know, what goes around comes around. And it was just more. More of that. And, like, even at the funeral, like, it was funny because my daddy was like, a lot of people liked him. He was like a sex symbol. Like, a lot of people, like, he was. Buffy had braids. And when he came, it was so funny because he came to my. He came to one of my. He finally got to come to one of my parents. Teacher conference. And he came and all the teachers was like, you know, like, damn. Like, your baby's hot. Yeah. Yeah, he hot. Yeah. And it was white ladies, so it's different. Yeah. So. So they like, yeah, he hot. Like, he hot. Like, he's really. You know. And they was trying to dumb it down. Like, oh, well, he could do better and all this. So when my daddy, after. I remember me leaving with him, and he was upset about my grades, and I got my ears pierced Too. I had both my ears pierced. You know, back then, you can't get both your ears pierced because they used to say it was feminine.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Like.
Marco Summers
Yeah. And my daddy was upset, like, you need one ear. He got mad, like, roughed me up, took the earring out. He's like, get your grades together. And that was the first time I ever got, you know what I'm saying, told from a man, like, get your shit together. So then what happened was I started working, and I don't even think, honestly, I still didn't have my shit together. But the teachers liked him so much, they passed me, like, I swear.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
To God, that type of influence.
Marco Summers
Wow. So I got good grades all of a sudden. So I'm calling my daddy, and I'm calling to tell him, like, I got good grades. Like, when my report card came. And then he's like, he's not picking up. And I'm like, pick up. Like, I was trying to tell you, like, you know, doing good. So just. My mama was watching the news. She always watched the news, and she seen the crime happen, like, right then and there, like the crime scene, and somebody got killed, like, in the afternoon. So. And then my mama got the call from her daddy, was like, yeah. Like, you seen what happened on the news on such street in Grandview? So, yes. Like, yeah, that was. That was your baby daddy. So then my mama was like, call your grandma. So when I called my grandma, she crying on my eye. It happened. So it was just more of, like, we just started getting more relationship. And then, boom, that happened because he was in and out of.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Prison.
Marco Summers
Yeah. So you know what I'm saying? So that was, like, a thing. And then the funeral was crazy. Oh, my God. It's like a movie. Because at the funeral, we there, and then somebody running there. Like, all the people here that killed them, they're about to shoot it.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Up.
Marco Summers
What? And what's funny is the teachers came because they came to the white ladies. They like. They. In the same hour. The teachers are like, oh, my God, I've never been nothing like this. And they, like, scared, and they like, they better shoot this bitch up. They're like, everybody get down. And the white teachers and the teachers in there are like, oh, my God, this is crazy. And it was just, like, remembering that. And my auntie, like, we gotta get you out of here. And then that's when I left. I didn't even get to see the, like.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
The. You do this every time when you told your grandma you make everything.
Marco Summers
Funny. Yeah, it was. It was like, imagine two white ladies, they come, that's their first black funeral. Yeah. It's about to get shot up. This is real? Like. Yes. Will you be. Yes, it's real. Are.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
You. This. You need to be writing this.
Marco Summers
Down. What? I can't write. I'm not a.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Writer. You tell the story, I'll write it. Yeah, I'll write it for you. This is a.
Marco Summers
Movie. That was that. You know what's so funny? I wonder if, like, I'm gonna call. As we talk about my auntie, she like. She like, yeah, you gotta get you up out of here, like. Cause she's like, you can't die next because, like, you. You like, you know, and then just going through all that, it's like, damn, life is real. Like, this is real life.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
So.
Marco Summers
Yeah. I just feel like you can't be sad about everything because it. It'll just put a toll on.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
You.
Marco Summers
Yeah. Like it was just to move on and you be able to talk about what happened. And I just feel like, you know, just those things have. Like, seeing where my daddy live, it's like I noticed the street route. I know what come with it. So, like, how can I really chase my dreams and see that route and let them hear my story and let my kids talk about me once I'm no longer.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Here? Right. In a positive.
Marco Summers
Way.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. I wanted to ask you because you said that your dad never let anyone sit behind him and it was somebody that was really close to him that killed him. How did that affect you and your friends and even trusting.
Marco Summers
People? That's a good question. I never. I feel like that has opened eyes. Like, if anything, my daddy became one of my angels and now he protect me through energy. And I was talking to my friend about this. I can feel, I say, my friend, my brother. I'm sitting here. I can feel when something's not right for me. Like, and it just. I don't. I don't think about it. It's just. If it hit me like, this ain't right. And I pay attention to, like, how somebody is with themselves before they are. How they are with.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Me. Yeah, that's.
Marco Summers
Real. Yeah. And how they treat their friends, you know, So I just feel like I'm more awareness and just paying attention to my surrounding. But I want to go in loving.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Everybody. Yeah, right. Giving everybody a fair.
Marco Summers
Shot.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. And to prove who they.
Marco Summers
Are.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. Yeah. That's good, man. I did not know all.
Marco Summers
That. Yes. A lot. And this is like, when you see me, you don't be like, oh, yeah, he came from some. So I feel like some people. It's not good to just judge people because you never know what they've been.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Through. It's not. Yes. And you can't judge a book by its cover, that's for sure. You're from Kansas City? Born and raised. I actually lived in Topeka, Kansas. Were you in Kansas City, Kansas, or.
Marco Summers
Missouri? Oh.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. Missouri, Missouri. Okay. I lived in.
Marco Summers
Topeka. Yeah. Yeah. Topeka. Yeah. We don't claim y'.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
All. Yeah. Oh, wow. That's crazy. Who was young? Marco Summers. You said you were funny when you were.
Marco Summers
Young.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. When did you know you were like, oh, I'm actually.
Marco Summers
Funny? That's a good question. I think it. Damn. That's really. I feel like when I wanted to fit in with the popular kids, my personality got me in. That's where I knew I was funny because I didn't have the clothes, I didn't have like, the image. I was funny looking, like a little bit. So I was a snaggle too. But I used to chew on my. My shirt a lot. So it was like once my personality got me. My personality saved my life. Like, who I am, like, from jobs and everything. Like, I'm not good at nothing for real. But like. Well, I would now say I'm being real, like, because I know, like when I say not good at it because I'd have seen people be good at it. So I can say, damn, I can't do.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
That. So, like, do you feel like sometimes that's self sabotage? You kind of talking yourself out of something that you could actually be great.
Marco Summers
At? I mean. Yeah, but sometimes you gotta understand that it's such thing as good and bad. And it's okay to stand on the bad side sometimes. Like, it's okay to recognize, like, this ain't my.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Thing. That's.
Marco Summers
True. Yeah. Cause you can Never hoop like LeBron James ever. You can't. Or Asia.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Wilson.
Marco Summers
Exactly. Right. So you bad at it. So what I'm trying to say is I feel like people try to hide that. And it's okay to admit, like, who you are, what you stand for. And the I'm good at, I' ma speak on it. Yeah, I'm good at that for sure. Yeah. So that's it. There's no one to use the good. So that's smart. Now I struggle like into this day like people. Some people are naturally born with how they brain is set. And you can make it get better. And I feel like my mom, she didn't force me to Be better in school. She didn't force me to graduate. She didn't force me to do homework. So me already coming in this life with a disability or like, not really being able to read or.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Write.
Marco Summers
Yeah. And my mama not trying to help me get better with.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
That.
Marco Summers
Right. It's like my mama not making me doing it. So why did I listen to you? Sorry for cussing, but. Yeah, but like, to a teacher, like, a teacher, like, trying to help me, but I'm like, at home. My mama don't care. Like, so you trying to. Like, she don't. She ain't making me do this work. She making me come to school because she want me out the.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
House.
Marco Summers
Wow. You know, so it was. School was a, like, daycare for.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Me.
Marco Summers
Wow. Like, it was just a way, a place to get.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Away. How did that make you feel as a child.
Marco Summers
Knowing? I mean, that's all I.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Knew. Were you aware that my mom would just send me to school to.
Marco Summers
Get. Yeah. I mean, I understand it. Once I start growing up and thinking about my kids now I'm not thinking about.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
That.
Marco Summers
Yeah. Like, so it was just go to school. Like, I don't care where you go. Like, go just get out of here. Like, see you at three o'. Clock. So. And then so. But I just feel like I knew I was different in demanding me because I said I'm gonna graduate. Because I. I was. I did the same grade. When I tell you I got held back in first grade, Why are you laughing? I see.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
It. It's the face you.
Marco Summers
Made. Because I was like, let me see how she gonna take this.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. I'm not laughing at.
Marco Summers
You. Are you laughing with me?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Right? You're just so funny, is what you look to me.
Marco Summers
Like. Cause I knew it was coming, but I got held back in first grade. And they were like, what he do.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Wrong? Right. In first.
Marco Summers
Grade. And mama like, what do you do right? So, like, getting held back and stuff like that, it just. It just make you not like school. It's just when you going through school and people passing on and like teachers, it just. You develop a. Not like for it. So. But I also just told myself, I'm a graduate. I don't know why I wanted to graduate, but it was a.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Challenge.
Marco Summers
Right. One thing I do like challenges. I said, I don't know how I'm gonna graduate, but I'm gonna do.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
It.
Marco Summers
Yeah. Even when I graduated, I'm still like, man, they gonna call my name. I was still nervous, but I had to go to another school. So it was. It was. I graduated because of me. Because I could have dropped that because my mama didn't care. It was like, you older now. Like, whatever you do is do. So one thing I do like is challenges. So that was a challenge that I wanted to do to get a diploma because I feel like people think I wasn't gonna get it.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
So. Yeah. I love that you proved them.
Marco Summers
Wrong.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. Yeah. I wanna ask you, you talked about the disorder that you have, and it's dyslexia. How old were you when you realized something was off even if you didn't have the language to figure out what it.
Marco Summers
Was? That's a hard question because, like, when you. When it happen that it's hard because you don't know. You don't remember numbers. Like, I was telling my brother that I get anxiety with words and letters. Honestly, right now, I don't know how much money I.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Got.
Marco Summers
Really? Yeah. Marco, I don't want to.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Know. Are you.
Marco Summers
Serious? No, but I want some people. Like, I don't know how much money I got. Like, I know I'm good, but I don't want to know. I'm not. I have not looked at a bank account since last time. I overdrive at bank of America where I was trying to get extra money. That was the last time I look at a, like, bank.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Account. So.
Marco Summers
Finances. My brother.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Okay. This.
Marco Summers
Brother. No, my brother okay. But I'm like, damn. I'm like, damn, he gonna die one day. What I'm gonna do? So I need to start getting into. But I'm like, by the end, I hopefully have a wife. I don't like.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Numbers. Well, you need to, because.
Marco Summers
You'Re. No, I'm fine. I mean, cuz again, I mean, overall, I might be that person that go through life to be like, you know, I've been okay. Or I might be the one like them. I should have known. So it's gonna be one.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Side.
Marco Summers
Yeah. So I wouldn't say that. It's.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Me.
Marco Summers
Yeah. I don't want to.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Know. I don't know. I gotta disagree with you. I'm really big. Like, I don't. Yeah, I pay all, I write all the checks, I approve everything. Like, nothing goes wrong.
Marco Summers
Right? And then that's why people like you, every single thing. That's why we need people like you in our life. Because like, imagine just to say, like, oh, yeah, we had some kind. We met somewhere and like, whatever, we became sisters, brother, wife. It's like, okay, I do that now. So you got people that love.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
To do that we have our.
Marco Summers
Strengths. For.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Sure. I just want to make sure that I know people like Oprah and Tyler have talked about accountants, like, stealing. Not saying your.
Marco Summers
Brother. Yeah, no, it happens. No, it.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Happens. Yeah. They steal from you right on your nose. And the people that you trust. And that's why, for me, it.
Marco Summers
Happens. It's important to.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Know. It.
Marco Summers
Is. I wouldn't promote, but like. Yeah. Don't.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Know.
Marco Summers
Right. But I'm just being real with me. Yeah, yeah. I'm just saying it's. You should.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Know. Yeah.
Marco Summers
Yeah. But I don't want to know right.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Now. Okay. But you're.
Marco Summers
Good.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. When you were dealing with dyslexia as a. As a child, how did you ever. I know children can be cruel and mean and be bullies. Was there ever a moment in your life where you were bullied? Or were you kind of like, did you. Were you the kid that, like, I don't ever want to read. Like, don't follow me in.
Marco Summers
Class. That's what made me become, like, open and not be like, I know how to match the funny. When people try to pick on me, that's when I know they get like. Cause I came from a funny family. So you can't. Yeah, you can't. That's where it kicked in. Because if I got picked on, I knew how to get under your skin. And then you can't really. You can't mess with nobody that. Except who they are. I just feel like it's hard when some people didn't in denial or they don't want to face it. And then when people pick on you about it, it makes you feel bad, so you want to run away from it. So somebody that can't read, they want to run away from me. But if I come to classroom, I'll be the one coming. Like, I can't read. Don't pick me. I said in front of everybody, oh, wow.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. Get ahead of.
Marco Summers
It. Yeah. So then it's just like, oh, but if I don't tell them that and they pick me to read. And it's like, yeah, everybody looking like, what ain't taking so long? Like, you know, and it was a time where I'm like, I don't know where we at. And the teacher comes, show me. We right here. I'm like, oh, like, why are you showing me? I just said, I don't know where we have right now. I didn't say it. I blanked it out. I liked it. But yeah, so, yeah, it was just times where I tried to get Away from things that I was weak.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
At.
Marco Summers
Yeah. And I tried to avoid it, but I still had to face.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
It.
Marco Summers
Absolutely. Yeah. You still got facial.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Problems. I love that you. Even in what somebody may. Well, it is a disability, but you made it a positive. Like, you found a way to get ahead of it and combat it in a different way versus allowing people to make you feel bad about your.
Marco Summers
Circumstance. My sister told me it's another word and it's a such thing. I don't know how to say it, but I looked it up on YouTube and some people are to hear other people. And I wonder. I want to get help from her real quick, but when you hear other people that have stuff that you go through and think how you think, you'd be like, I'm not the only.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
One. You're not.
Marco Summers
Yeah. And that makes sense. It makes. It makes a better.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Feeling. I have a castmate that's dyslexic and he's thriving, but he does conferences where he speaks to children that are dyslexic and adults. I have a problem. Like, sometimes my numbers get jumbled up. Like, I'll read, like, when I see it. Like, I had to, like, really focus because, like, I'll start reading it backwards on numbers. But the more, like, I've gotten better, like, as an adult, but, like, as a child, that was something that I did, too. So you're not alone in.
Marco Summers
That.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. Yeah. It was one of those things where I had to, like, really look at it because my brain would be like, start back here versus at the.
Marco Summers
Top. And that's why I said, I want to give my daughter a tutor right now before she, like, ever needed. Yeah, it's in getting somebody that specialize in that. And you got money. The fact that I can afford it to do it right now so it can help her on top of what she already born.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
With. Yes. Yeah. I love that. I love.
Commercial Announcer
That. Did you know Microsoft has officially ended Support for Windows 10 upgrade to Windows 11 with an LG Gram laptop voted PCMag's reader's choice. Top laptop brand for 2025. Thin and ultra lightweight, the LG Gram keeps you productive anywhere. And Windows 11 gives you access to free security updates and ongoing feature upgrades. Visit lgusa.com iheart for great seasonal savings on LG Gram laptops with Windows 11. PCMag reader's choice. Used with permission. All rights.
Julian Edelman
Reserved. This is Julian Edelman from Games with Names. This message is brought to you by Pizza Hut because if you're yelling Hut on Sunday why not? Yo, pizza.
Pizza Hut Promoter
First. So Pizza Hut just put out one of the coolest, like, funniest challenges maybe.
Julian Edelman
Ever. Pizza Hut. What is.
Pizza Hut Promoter
It? Basically, if a quarterback says pizza before they say Hut, Pizza Hut will give that quarterback city a pizza.
Julian Edelman
Party. Is this real?
Pizza Hut Promoter
Yeah. Isn't that.
Julian Edelman
Crazy? You think coaches are bringing this up in team.
Pizza Hut Promoter
Meetings? You think a pizza party is worth a false.
Julian Edelman
Start? Or what if they got the other team to jump off sides with a Pizza.
Pizza Hut Promoter
Hut? Hey, whatever it takes this time of.
Julian Edelman
Year. 100% this weekend. Let us know if you hear Pizza Hut. I know. I'll be.
Jacob Goldstein
Listening. This is Jacob Goldstein from what's yous Problem? When you buy business software from lots of vendors, the costs add up and it gets complicated and confusing. Odoo solves this. It's a single company that sells a suite of enterprise apps that handles everything from accounting to inventory to sales. Odoo is all connected on a single platform. In a simple and affordable way, you can save money without missing out on the features you need. Check out Odoo at O D O o dot com. That's O D O o dot.
Orangetheory Fitness Promoter
Com. Ready to change your life. For just two dollars a day, orangetheory Fitness delivers one hour workouts that combine strength and cardio to help you burn fat, build muscle, and feel unstoppable. Right now, get a full month of unlimited classes for just $62. Don't wait. This offer ends soon. Visit orangetheory.com or your local studio and start your transformation today. Offer ends January 31, 2026. New members only. Premier membership performance monitor and monthly billing required. Discount applies to first month only. Other terms apply. C Studio for details. Wasn't that.
Marco Summers
Delicious? So good. Your bill, ladies. I got it. No, I got it. Seriously. I.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Insist. I insisted.
Marco Summers
First. Don't be.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Silly. You know me.
Marco Summers
Silly. People with the Wells Fargo Active.
Jacob Goldstein
Cash credit card prefer to pay because they earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on.
Marco Summers
Purch.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Okay. Rock, paper, scissors for it. Rock, paper.
Orangetheory Fitness Promoter
Scissors.
Marco Summers
Shoot. No. The Wells Fargo Active Cash credit.
Jacob Goldstein
Card. Visit Wells Fargo.com ActiveCash Terms.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Apply. You moved to Atlanta, however, when you moved to Atlanta. Because Kansas City and Atlanta are two different.
Marco Summers
Places. Yeah, I don't.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Remember. You don't.
Marco Summers
Remember? It's another number.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Thing.
Marco Summers
Okay. It's like. But I know. I. I know. It was like, probably 2019.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Okay. So.
Marco Summers
Recently.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. Okay. What made you want to come to.
Marco Summers
Atlanta? Because I knew I had to grow and I want to go somewhere. I was supposed to go to San Francisco and my cousin. It Was so funny. My cousin like, oh. I was doing videos, and he was like, yo, you can come stay with me. And he gave me a date. So now I'm, like, talking stuff on Facebook. Yeah. I'm about to move, y'. All. Like, I'm gonna chase my dreams. I might go to San Francisco. Like, yeah. Quit my job. And then when that day came, they're not picking up the phone. Like, they like, no, they're not picking up the phone. And now I'm like, okay, give me a job now.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. And I quit this.
Marco Summers
One.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. Oh, my.
Marco Summers
Goodness. But God is always working because I got a random dm and it was just a stranger in Atlanta. And he was just like, would you like to move to Atlanta? And I'm like, yeah. And I didn't know him. He flew me out here, and I started working with him. And just that. Just.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Energy.
Marco Summers
Yeah. And I didn't know him, and my family didn't care. I was like, I'm going to Atlanta. I took one bag and I came out here, and the rest is history. I just kept.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Working.
Marco Summers
Yeah. And the thing is, you, in life, when you gotta go, you gotta make sure you complete it. You can get distracted because I met Shout out to Ray Daniels. I met somebody that was so successful, Ray picked me up. Ray Daniels. Ray picked me up. And when I seen how Ray was living, I remember the dopest thing I seen him. We was out to dinner. He paid for everybody dinner. And I said, I can't wait till I could do.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
That.
Marco Summers
Yeah. Like, I was looking like, what he's pay for everybody? I ain't used to seeing it. I. Like, I would have got something better.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Like. Like, dang, I should have got the.
Marco Summers
Stick.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Marco Summers
Yeah. Felt like a baddie. I was like. And when he did that and just overall, just seeing how he moving, like sprinters and all this. And when he sat me down and he was like, what do you want? And I said, I want to work and I want to get better. And he said, what stood out for you, Mark? What? I wanted to work, which was. You never mentioned money. He was like, people sitting in this chair and be like, I need money to get me to this level. And he was just like. The fact that you seeing money before your.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Vision.
Marco Summers
Yes. It's hard to work with people like that. So. But when I was with Ray, I'm seeing his lifestyle, his cars, his sprinters. And now I'm like, now you got him. Now I'm like, I'm letting my town know. Yeah. Like, I'm on. So now I'm taking pictures, like, with his cars and his house. He, like, mansion, got my own room. And he like, this is the life. I'm like, this is the life. But I woke up and I was like, this ain't it. Like, this. This his stuff. Like, you need to get your own. And I, you know, left, and I randomly. I don't know how to distance myself in a good way. I didn't leave the best way with me and Ray. I just wanted more for.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Me.
Marco Summers
Yeah. And I started doing that, and it's like, I just kept. And I went through all the phases, like being homeless again, being in hotels and leaving, like, where I could have been at and having this. But I was just like. I got to see it and touch it, so I know I.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Can.
Marco Summers
Exactly. So overall, just with me working in now having my own house built from the ground, it's.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Like. It's.
Marco Summers
Beautiful. Yeah. But I never seen myself doing that at all. Because when you're growing up and your mama just getting apartments and then you say, I want a house. Like, well, you better get slapped in your mouth like, you ain't. You ain't getting no.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
House.
Marco Summers
Right? Like, so just overall seeing a vision that I never got to see growing up. Some things don't make sense. Life don't make sense sometimes. But you just gotta live through it and create. So that's the best thing I like to create. And even with me graduating, I never seen it happening when I did it. So you gotta understand life. You got a blank piece of paper. Just write on it every day. Write. Yes. And don't stay on that same paper. Turn.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
It. Come out again. Yes. That's good. Now that you've built your own house from the ground up, how's your relationship with your mom? Is she proud of.
Marco Summers
You? That's. It's still hard to connect with her. Because my mama was always like, a person. It's about me. I grew up off of survival, and I love. So my mama's in survival mode, and I be trying to help her now. Like. Like, I told her, like, pack your stuff up. I got you your own apartment, like, out here. And I, like, had it furnished. And she's like, well, I just can't leave. I gotta do this. And I gotta get this mail. Javon. I'm like, so it just. It kind of like, she's still in that phase. My mama got to move. How she see.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Stuff?
Marco Summers
Yeah. Sometimes it don't make sense. I'm like, I didn't matter. Like, I just. Sometimes you got to leave some things to get new.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Things.
Marco Summers
Absolutely. So it's hard for me to, like, have a relationship with somebody that's trying to keep up with a life that they see in. Sometimes life ain't what you see is what you make.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
It.
Marco Summers
Mm. So it's hard and it.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Sucks.
Marco Summers
Yeah. But I love my mama to death, but it's just like, she's in this place where it's like, I just gotta. Like, honestly, I just gotta make sure. It's just like, when you got a mom like that, you just gotta make sure, like, her last day here, you gotta make it the best day and make sure. You make sure that it's set. Because while she here, it's hard for me to bring her to this real. Cause she's stuck.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
In. She's stuck. Yeah. Literally. Yeah. I'm from a really small town, and I see it often where people just get stuck in that mentality that life, and they don't. They're really blinded to. Or they're not exposed. How when you moved in with Ray, you were exposed to something different. We were like, oh, wait, I can. I can do this. I can have this. And sometimes that's all people need. But if they've never been exposed, they can't see past where they.
Julian Edelman
Are.
Marco Summers
Yeah. And it's hard. And it's a system because she only doing what her mama.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Did.
Marco Summers
Yep. It's the food stamps, government assistance. And then it's just like, food stamps get, like, section.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Eight.
Marco Summers
Yeah. And then when you see that, it's like, you don't see.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
More. It's a vicious.
Marco Summers
Cycle. And it's like, why would I move and rent $32? And that's one reason, like, me and my first child. Mother didn't work out, because my mama was like, you know, you can move out here, like, get food stamps in. Like, my. She gave her the plan. And then she like, okay. And then I'm like, all right. You know, I moved in with her. Me and my baby mama stand together. But I'm like, all right, let's get jobs now and then, but you can't make a certain amount of money. So she like, yeah. So she like, I ain't. I ain't ready to get no job. So I. I was. So I had to move on from that. So me and my first baby mama didn't work out.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Because. Because of.
Marco Summers
That. Yeah.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. She was seeing your.
Marco Summers
Mom. You were like, yeah, I already seen this before. Yeah, I've seen it. It's okay to, like, had it as an open door, but let somebody else enjoy the food. Subsection eight, like, just don't. Yeah. Just don't sit on it. Like, let that be a stepping stone to move on. But I feel like some people get comfortable. Like me, I was working at a warehouse, and then I'm in there working with. He like, yeah. He like. He said, what you in here for? Like, what you do? I'm like, nothing. I'm just working. Like, you ain't got no feeling? I'm like, no. He's like, you better get up out of here. Like, these are all feelings because we can't get jobs. So when you grow up, you're taking a job. Yeah. So he like, yeah. He like, yeah, get on up out of here. I was scared I gotta run up out of here, too. Well, yeah. So I'm just. Overall, it's like, when you grow up, you just think those jobs are it. Like, they put you. And I ain't a lot. It depends where you're from, too. Because I'm from Kansas City. A lot of. You know, I've seen a lot of whites with the successful jobs, the airports and then all the black people in warehouses, like, we put up underground working. But when I came to Atlanta, I'm like, y' all got black people at the airport working? Oh, I never seen it before. So I never seen, like, so many, like, black people have successful jobs. Because where I come from. But I seen out here, Atlanta is so beautiful because it gives opportunity to a lot of people. And it's like, we don't discriminate. This is. Yeah, so. But some people do. But it's still. It'll give you more dreams and open it up that you can do your own.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Thing. That's so true. You started with doing pranks in the store. What was that video that changed everything for you, where you're like, wait a minute, we've got.
Marco Summers
Something. When I came up with a strategy of using artist lyrics, and they started reposting it. So it was promotion for their.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Songs.
Marco Summers
Yes. So I started doing that, and artists were posting it. And then Ray, he seen that, and he got me a deal with record labels. So it's like, all right, Little baby about to drop a song, go do the Walmart video and run up on people, and then drop at the same time to promote it. And it was making, like. You know, a Walmart video is making, like.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
20,000.
Marco Summers
Wow. Like, each video, I'm just going in there and I'm just like, you know, and I'm just in there working in. You learn. You learn the business, too. Because, like, Ray was setting up deals, and then I'm thinking, like, okay, I got 20,000. Then he had to take his.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Percentage.
Marco Summers
Yeah. I don't know math. I'm like, what is.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
That?
Marco Summers
Right? And I'm like, where's the 20,000? Like my percent? Because, you know, I'm saying he worked and he's busting deals and taking this time. So I start to learn that.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Too. So.
Marco Summers
Yeah. I'm like, I didn't know nothing about.
Jacob Goldstein
Percentages.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Right. That's another good question. Because I have a team, and that is a part of the business. They take their percentage, but they're bringing so much to the.
Marco Summers
Table.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. What are some of the lessons that you learned, even in business and financial, that as you continue to rise.
Marco Summers
I mean, now that the government shutting down, I'm about to figure out how much money I gotta.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Look. I'm seeing, like, billionaires sell assets. Something is happening. I don't know what it is, but I'm seeing people sell stuff.
Marco Summers
Yeah. I learned for business, like, ask for help and it's okay to get help and don't go looking for it, but ask God and he gonna send it to you. I was asking for help and I was looking for it, and I found some people that I shouldn't have ran into. But I started finding my team once I started doing me and I tell, like, my friends, I feel like a lot of people are in the phase that I need help. But you just gotta ask yourself, you get. If you set yourself up right, people will want to work for.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
You.
Marco Summers
Yes. So I feel like you got to ask yourself, like, if I seen my company, would I quit my job to go work for you? So, yeah, like, nah, because that was me. I was asking for help while I was doing Walmart videos. I'm like, well, why would somebody quit their life and come work for me? But now that I started adding more to my.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Life.
Marco Summers
Yes. It's like, oh, I love to work for you. You know, the same thing like with Juski. Like, he has a great program when you see how he moving. And if you say, I need an assistant, it's like, I'm ready to work for you. Because what he got set up.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. They seen.
Marco Summers
It. So I feel like sometimes people are trying to stop what they got right now. Just keep going and let it grow. Right. And everybody you need gonna come and work for you. It's like you got to build your. Your image or your. Or Your.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Brand. That's so true. You built a whole style around pauses, intention. Like, you'll just sit there and stare. Like you did earlier when you said you had to repeat the first grade. You.
Marco Summers
Just. Oh.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Thanks. It was in.
Marco Summers
Pauses. Yeah, thanks for saying that.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Again. When did you realize that silence could hit harder than a.
Marco Summers
Punchline? Oh, when the teacher used to call me to read and I just had to sit there and I look at her. How was then? Started when she.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Like, is it crazy how, like.
Marco Summers
Yeah. And then look at it like, you know, I can't. So it start from that instilling, too. I was stealing a lot. When you get caught, you just gotta look at them. So a lot of it came from that, like. Cause I ain't good at lying. So it really start from, like, you know, that, like. All right. And when I used to do Walmart videos and I say some crazy stuff, I knew I was saying some crazy. I knew I like. Yeah. Cause I used to talk to customers normal, and I'd be like, what is this, toothpaste? And they be like, oh, it's really good for your teeth. It's. You know, it has no blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And then I just say a young Miami lyric. And then it's just like I said. You said what? Right, so people think I was on drugs when I was doing them videos. And then I was dressing, like, with Goodwill clothes on and everything. So overall, just sitting in that.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Moment. That's.
Marco Summers
How. That's where. Yeah, just sitting in that moment. So, like, good or bad? So that's where it came.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
From. I love that. Like, yeah, no, I'm telling you, I watch your videos and those pauses, I would just die laughing. Like, it's just. It's so much that's not said. We call it an inner monologue and acting. But it's so much through the silence that, like, literally makes everybody laugh. Yeah, it's genius. I love it. Your. Your videos almost feel like experiments. Like, how. Have you seen the evolution of starting in the stores, doing pranks to where you are now with full.
Marco Summers
Productions? I honestly just got a full production, like, what, two months ago? Yeah. With wave and. But I had people helping me. But the thing is, when people was helping me and they come with ideas, I wasn't listening and I wasn't taking advice, and I was so ready to put out content. It was hurting me. And even with my podcast, I'm shooting it, I'm dropping. When we done editing, like, I'm dropping clips when I feel like it or I was so urgent, I didn't let the build up and let it be like, let's come up with the proper plan. Like, we post at 8 o', clock, you post at 3. Even when I did the Nicki Minaj interview, she was like, all right, you did an interview. I want to see every clip. I want to see everything. I was so urgent, I put that reel out before she went off on. Yeah, she did. On the page, on the reel. You couldn't. She commented on that. She was like, I didn't approve this. And she was like, and the interview might not come out now. Like, she said it on there. Everybody was like. And I'm like.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. So did you take it down and you kept.
Marco Summers
It? No, I did because our team resound said, thank God it was a good clip that she did. But if it was something she didn't like and I was just so urgent to get it out, it was because I'm like, oh, raw. I'm seeing castanet clips. Because she did castanet right to that. So his clips are going.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Everywhere. So you like, I need.
Marco Summers
To. Yeah, I need to get in. Like, yeah, yeah. I'm like, yeah, I need to get in there and get something too. So overall, even that when you look at certain people, like, don't worry about they success, like, let it be theirs because you can hurt yours trying to watch.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Theirs. That was a word.
Marco Summers
Marco.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. That's so.
Marco Summers
Good. Yeah. Some people get, you know, it's okay to get motivated, but when you're trying to keep up with somebody, it can hurt.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
You. Oh.
Marco Summers
Absolutely. Just get motivated.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Understand?
Marco Summers
Yes. It stay time and your time will come. And if it don't come, it don't come. It didn't.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Come. Exactly. What did you learn in that moment with hurrying up and putting the video out and then Nikki going off like, what did that teach.
Marco Summers
You? I can run relationships. Yeah. Even her saying that comment people like, oh, I ain't going if you don't listen. So I'm not used to people. When I do interviews, I'm not used to people saying I need to watch it because nothing happens or I make sure I. I know what I talk about. But again, when you are talking, you know, women are different. I like this angle. I like this. Like, I don't want to. Like, I don't like that under. You know what I'm saying? I didn't like that shot. So I got to understand that. Yeah, everything ain't about me and what I.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Want. Wow. That's maturity and growth. I love that. And it's important, especially in our industry. We, like, we have other people's images we have to worry about. It's not just. It isn't just about us. And then the professionalism. What? You also said you had a team that was giving you ideas, but you weren't listening. Have you been able to, like, get a team that you actually listen to.
Marco Summers
Now? I'm learning to listen.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Now. That's.
Marco Summers
Good.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. Because you are the creative, you know? But it's also good to, like, have a strong team that can pour into you as well, so you're not carrying the load on yourself. Yeah, yeah, that's good. He said, I'm learning.
Marco Summers
Now. Yeah. I'm learning day by.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Day. He ain't looking too.
Marco Summers
Convincing. Yeah, no, I'm learning. I'm learning a lot now. And you got to sit back, and you got to let them create and understand this is what you've been asking for. And I learned that from Steve Harvey. He said, sometimes people ask for a car, ask for new things. While I broke down cars in the driveway. Pull that out, get that garbage out, accept the new.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Car.
Marco Summers
Right. So I was asking for a lot, but I wasn't ready to receive.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
It. That's a real thing. I recently. I'm not gonna say what I prayed for, but I prayed for something, and then I said, God, this is what I'm ready for. If you feel I'm ready for it. Because a lot of times, like you said, we think we're ready for something, and then it comes and we blow it. It's like, okay, I wasn't ready for.
Marco Summers
That.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. So now I'm like, if you think. And when you think I'm ready, then bring it. But this is what my heart wants right.
Marco Summers
Now.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. So that. That is so true. What is one of the biggest lessons you learned so far that you can think of besides. Because I feel like that was a big lesson with Nikki, but is there anything else that stands out that you were like, that was a big.
Marco Summers
Lesson? I mean, a big lesson is. It's. It's hard to. When you passionate about something and you feel like it ain't going how you want it to go. But overall, it's like every day matters when you putting something towards your dreams. And that's another thing I talked to my brother about. He a designer, and he got dope ideas, and I see the vision, like, you can be the biggest, but the world got to see it. A lot of people work hard, but they don't show the world that they work hard, and now people are becoming more successful when people seeing the work because they're invested and they, like, they become the fan. And people love to be like, I remember when I was there when you was, you know, you got them.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
People packing up the merch itself.
Marco Summers
Yeah. And you don't know how it feels sometimes because I don't know how to take it. Because some people like, man, I used to watch you, and like, what you mean, why you stop? So, but, yeah, but again, it's still like, they were part of a journey. And some people just grow. Like, you know, there's some shows you used to watch that you don't watch no.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
More. That's so true.
Marco Summers
Yeah. You know, I used to watch Pyre when they came out, but now I'm like, man, Tariq, I remember I used to watch you, but he, like, why you not watching the scenes? So, but it's like, it's okay because you got new fans there, too. So again, except that you're going to lose people. You don't gain people. So I got to accept that. Just understanding there's going to be some people that grow away from.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
You. That's so true. You said the biggest part of comedy is reading the room. What is one of the lessons you learned just because you've been in many rooms? What is something that you learn from people just by just sitting and.
Marco Summers
Watching? That's a good thing. Reading the room is important. And sometimes you can probably say, I don't belong in this room. And sometimes you can create a spot in that room. So it's up to you to, like, figure that.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Out.
Marco Summers
Yeah. In some rooms, I've been like, I need to create a spot in here. Even doing stand up, Desi allowed me. He gave me a spot to open up, and that was my. I had no experience. It was just the fact that I bought my ticket, I flew out there, got my own hotel. All right, if you did that, then come. And I kept telling myself, I was like, I want to.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Come.
Marco Summers
Yeah. And when he allowed me to go on stage and I felt it on stage and people were excited to see me, it was just like, I need to be in this room. Like, I need to create my own room now. And instead of me asking Desi, can I go on tour with you? I was like, let me.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Go. Create your.
Marco Summers
Own. Create a room. And thank you for allowing me to come in your.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Room.
Marco Summers
Absolutely. It's okay to come in people room, but go create one.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Too.
Marco Summers
Exactly.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Marco Summers
Yeah. Some people not meant to Create their room. It's okay to help your room. Build it.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Too.
Marco Summers
Right? It's.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Okay. That is so true. Yeah, that's so true. I love that you're doing your own comedy show now. Did you, like, after you said you had no experience in this, so when you left opening for Desi, did you get back in there and like, okay, now I got to figure out how to really do this. What was that process like for.
Marco Summers
You? It's still going. It's still going with learning comedy. You got to learn comedy and you got to care. Every time I get off stage, they'd be like, oh, you did good. And it's like, I. I could have did something.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Better. Are you like your own worst.
Marco Summers
Critic? Yeah. I don't like listening to my, like, listening to myself over on tape. I don't like watching.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Myself. Oh, my.
Marco Summers
Gosh. I only watched two interviews I didn't done, and that was Orlando Brown and.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Nikki. Are you serious? I hate, like, hearing my.
Marco Summers
Voice.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. Oh, my gosh, it annoys.
Marco Summers
Me. I don't. I don't do it at all. And he said, mojo Brooks. It's a comedian out there. He said, you got to listen to.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yourself.
Marco Summers
Yeah. Because you got to know what you mess up.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
On. Exactly. Yeah, you.
Marco Summers
Do. And I talk. If you listen to me. Like, and, but. And like, and those are gap filling. Yep. Like, if you.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Pause.
Marco Summers
Yeah. And you.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Talk.
Marco Summers
Yes. And let words come to you. Come on. Sounds so more professional. I'm like, nah. But Kevin Hart got it good. Kevin Hart can speak. When you listen to Kevin.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Hart.
Marco Summers
Yes. It's like, who raised you? Like, I love that. Like, he has a great brain. Like, God took his.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Time.
Marco Summers
Yeah. Like, it's just in him. Kevin Hart can.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Speak. He's.
Marco Summers
Brilliant. He say some words and you don't know what he talking about. Like, like he can speak. And just watching people to know their communication level is, like, high. It's like.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Amazing. I love that. That is.
Commercial Announcer
Amazing. Did you know Microsoft has officially ended Support for Windows 10 upgrade to Windows 11 with an LG Gram laptop? Voted PCMag's Reader's Choice top laptop brand for 2025. Thin and ultra lightweight, the LG Gram keeps you productive anywhere. And Windows 11 gives you access to free security updates and ongoing feature upgrades. Visit LGUSA.com iHeart for great seasonal savings on LG Gram laptops with Windows 11 PC Mag. Reader's Choice. Used with permission. All rights.
Julian Edelman
Reserved. This is Julian Edelman from Games With Names. This message is brought to you by Pizza Hut. Because if you're yelling Hut on Sundays, why not yell pizza.
Pizza Hut Promoter
First? So Pizza Hut. Just put out one of the coolest, like, funniest challenges maybe.
Julian Edelman
Ever. Pizza Hut. What is.
Pizza Hut Promoter
It? Basically, if a quarterback says pizza before they say hut, Pizza Hut will give that quarterback city a pizza.
Julian Edelman
Party. Is this real?
Pizza Hut Promoter
Yeah. Isn't that.
Julian Edelman
Crazy? You think coaches are bringing this up in team.
Pizza Hut Promoter
Meetings? You think a pizza party is worth a false.
Julian Edelman
Start? Or what if they got the other team to jump off sides with a Pizza.
Pizza Hut Promoter
Hut? Hey, whatever it takes this time of.
Julian Edelman
Year. 100% this weekend. Let us know if you hear Pizza Hut. I know I'll be.
Jacob Goldstein
Listening. This is Jacob Goldstein from what's yous Problem? When you buy business software from lots of vendors, the costs add up and it gets complicated and confusing. Odoo solves this. It's a single company that sells a suite of enterprise apps that handles everything from accounting to inventory to sales. Odoo is all connected on a single platform in a simple and affordable way. You can save money without missing out on the features you need. Check out Odoo at o d o o dot com. That's o d o o dot.
Orangetheory Fitness Promoter
Com. Ready to change your life. For just $2 a day, Orangetheory Fitness delivers one hour workouts that combine strength and cardio to help fat build muscle and feel unstoppable. Right now, get a full month of unlimited classes for just $62. Don't wait. This offer ends soon. Visit orangetheory.com or your local studio and start your transformation today. Offer ends January 31, 2026. New members only. Premier membership, performance monitor and monthly billing required. Discount applies to first month only. Other terms apply. C Studio for details. Wasn't that.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Delicious? So.
Marco Summers
Good. Your bill, ladies. I got it. No, I got it. Seriously, I insist. I assisted first. Oh, don't be silly. You don't be silly. People with the Wells Fargo Active.
Jacob Goldstein
Cash credit card prefer to pay because they earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on.
Marco Summers
Purchases.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Okay. Rock, paper, scissors for it. Rock, paper.
Orangetheory Fitness Promoter
Scissors.
Marco Summers
Shoot. No. The Wells Fargo ActiveCash credit.
Jacob Goldstein
Card. Visit Wells Fargo.comActiveCash terms.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Apply. You said that you never chase approval, only consistency. How do you keep focus when the algorithms and opinions of others are constantly.
Marco Summers
Shifting? Don't read. Oh, my. Don't read because it can get to you. And I just did a. I did a podcast, and it was a different type of setting, different type of fan base. And no matter how much I seen good, I seen the bad. And there's no way for you to be able to read that. Like, sometimes if it's like, okay, I can take this and change it. It makes you better. But they were saying some stuff like I disagree with. But I was only reading that and installing it to me. So I said, let me get out of this. You know what I'm saying? It's already done. And they gonna have an opinion. Whatever they type, they already said it. And they are a.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Viewer.
Marco Summers
Yeah. And that's their job to show you how they feel. That's why comments are such.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Thing. That's real. Unless we open ourselves up too. So we open our.
Marco Summers
Mouths. Yeah. Don't read no comments. If you start making it and it gets. You just don't read it. Read a little bit. Right when they post. I like to read the beginning comments because it'd be nice. Yeah. Right after a honey, it's like, oh, like, yeah, yeah. So I like. Yeah, as long as you get five good comments. Okay, I did something good. Yes. Just read like five good ones that get out of there. Because you'll be stuck in.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
There.
Marco Summers
Yeah. And then you start to think, you know, and then, you know, it was comments like on my skin journey. It was like, you know, it wasn't the best, but people made me feel bad. And it's like, okay, I start wearing makeup. Then I start wearing makeup. I'm covering up who I am. It's like, now he wearing makeup. So no, no matter what they say, you try to fix it now. Like, even with my skin now, it's like they try to like, you know, oh, what is he doing now? What is he getting surgery now? Giving. So no matter what, it's like, you got to understand you are somebody that they're gonna have a pit. That's a public.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Figure.
Marco Summers
Exactly. Where they gonna have good and bad things to say about.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
You.
Marco Summers
Right. And you just got to know who you.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Are. Know who you are. And whatever you do, do it for.
Marco Summers
Yourself.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. Because that, I mean, I think all of us can attest to that. We all have flaws and things that we want to fix. And we hear people, like, for me, even for me, like, my weight fluctuates. So people are always talking about my weight and they couldn't get to you. If you're reading the comments, I have to stay out of those.
Marco Summers
Comments. Everybody in this room, do not read no.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Comments. Yeah. Stay out of it. So I totally get that. And I'll tell you like I tell myself, do what makes you happy. You know, I'm saying whatever it is and that's not something that you can help. You know, I'm saying, like, your skin is not something you can, like.
Marco Summers
Just. Yeah. God gave it to.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Me.
Marco Summers
Yeah. You know, so I can fix it. I can do my.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Best. That's all you can.
Marco Summers
Do.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. Yeah. That's so good. That's for somebody else who may be dealing with some type of insecurity or something that they may want to change or can't help. Just do what you can do for you and not the opinions of others. For sure. I love.
Marco Summers
That.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. You had so many opportunities and so many deals, I'm sure. Is there a deal that you can remember that you said no to and it was the best no that you could have? Because, you know, sometimes you're like, oh, yeah, I really want to say.
Marco Summers
Yes, but it was a movie role I had, and they said the character was. Yeah, but we don't. You have no gender. You don't like nothing. You don't know what you like. And I'm like, no, I'm.
Jacob Goldstein
Okay.
Marco Summers
Yeah. Like. And overall, it's somebody out there that would love that role. So now I don't want to take something for money. Right. Because I'm uncomfortable with it, but it's somebody out there that will love the money in that.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Position.
Marco Summers
Yeah. But I didn't want to lead into nothing that didn't make me feel.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Comfortable.
Marco Summers
Yeah. And they not wrong for offering it to me, but give it to somebody that I love.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
It. Yeah. And they can commit to.
Marco Summers
That.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Marco Summers
Yeah. But just to say, like, I'm reading a script and I'm going in, and it was like, tell me more about this character. It's like, but you don't have a gender you like. And I'm like, wait a minute.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. So there's people out there that don't like anybody, or is it fluid where you.
Marco Summers
Like. Yeah. But I'm just saying certain stuff can lead into something else. Because if this is serious, it's like, okay, now you like.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. And you're like, and I got.
Marco Summers
You.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Marco Summers
No. So it's like, overall, it's like I didn't want to figure out. I didn't want to find out. Yeah. You know what I'm.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Saying?
Marco Summers
Yeah. And let me do a role that even if it's not me, like, I can grow into that role, but that's not something I want to grow.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Into.
Marco Summers
Absolutely. But overall, let me not stop. Somebody else that would love that role. So I feel like sometimes in this spotlight and who you are, they're giving Stuff away to people just because of the.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Following.
Marco Summers
Absolutely. And that's like no difference for people that's doing stand up. It's people out there that's. That's great comedians, but they don't have a.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Following. Yeah. So they don't.
Marco Summers
Get. And it's like. Yeah, but again it's like just pray for them. And I hope they get that spotlight because they really deserve it because now they going off of your face card. Life is changing. It is where talent used to be everything. Now it's just about how much.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
We see you and how much money can you bring.
Marco Summers
Us.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Right? Yeah. Because they look at followers as dollars.
Marco Summers
Now. Yeah.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. That is so true. Maybe that's something that you can do on your stand up, like breaks. Figure out who.
Marco Summers
Those. No, I try to get people open, like in the city. I give, you know, like come and get to your.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Time. Kind of how Desi did.
Marco Summers
For. Yeah, yeah.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. I love that. I love that. Open Thoughts started online as an online idea and now is in full production with wave. Your second season just.
Marco Summers
Dropped.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. Last Tuesday, October 21st. And you have new episodes to drop Every Tuesday on YouTube and Spotify video. That's amazing. Approaching this new season, how did you approach it.
Marco Summers
Differently? Getting.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Help. Getting.
Marco Summers
Help. Now it's a. It's a team. We have team meetings now. I gotta show up, I gotta talk. And like, I got to learn to put my pride to aside because sometimes I'm like, that's not funny. And I try to tell them, but I gotta learn, like even take the challenge. Even if I don't think it's funny. It's my job to make it funny. And there's no difference from Kevin Hartnet. Got a script before he probably. But let me say it in Kevin Hart.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Way.
Marco Summers
Yeah. And now it's.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Funny. Yep.
Marco Summers
Exactly. So that's something I gotta do. And now as you know, talking to you and me saying it, I gotta stand on that and Because I'd be so picky, like, nah, nah.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Nah. And also too, I mean, credit yourself. You are the brand, you know, and God bless you with this gift and talent to know what is true to yourself. So yes, take on ideas, but also staying true if it doesn't sit well. You have to stay true to who you are because that's what people love, you know? So I get that though.
Marco Summers
Yeah. But and also, you gotta accept the challenge too, because again, that thing that I thought wasn't funny was probably gonna be the biggest.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Moment. Yeah. Cause people like God gives everybody different.
Marco Summers
Ideas.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. If we all thought the same, it'd be so.
Marco Summers
Boring. Yeah. You.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Know? Yeah. Because there's something west and Ashana come up with that I may not even thought of. I'm like, oh, my gosh. Yes. I didn't. I never thought of that. You know, and it ends up being.
Marco Summers
Huge.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. So that's so important. I love the. You're becoming a mogul. Do you understand.
Marco Summers
That?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
No. You really are. Yes. Like, all the different brands, you got podcasts, you have a tour now. These are things that you're building and brand partnerships, having those meetings and.
Marco Summers
Being able to get people, like.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Jobs.
Marco Summers
Yeah. It feel.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Good. I know it does. Yeah. There's a lot of responsibility that comes with it, but it's definitely.
Marco Summers
Rewarding.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. Yeah. I love that you said that. Every conversation teaches you something. What is something that you learned from someone? I know you speak of Steve Harvey and Kevin Hart. What is something that you've taken away from.
Marco Summers
Them? Oh, it's a lot. Because I listen to on podcast positive messages in the morning a lot. I have taken a lot. I also. Let me see what's the best one I can tell people. Like, I have picked up because there's so much and. Oh, that's a good question. I wasn't. And that's like, even I got to sit back and I watched. I think it was on Hula Hoo, and I watched the Tyler Perry story like that. And when I watched that, I learned so much. And it was just like from the plays, when you feel like they didn't do that. Like, the grind. The grind is so.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Beautiful.
Marco Summers
Yes. Like, the grind is beautiful. And when you get to go back and look at it and you say, this is my documentary, it's everything. But some people stop that documentary because that one stop. But again, that was supposed to be a part that was the headache that people are like, oh, you made it through.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
That. Yes. When nobody was showing.
Jacob Goldstein
Up.
Marco Summers
Yeah. The Iverson thing that's on there, like, which is everybody talking about and what he been through. So I feel like sometimes we got to understand that ugly. Appreciate the ugly to get to the good. Like, the ugly is the best.
Jacob Goldstein
Part.
Marco Summers
Yeah. It just to say I had an ugly moment and I had to learn. Like, when I first started my season, I had a. I had an ugly situation. But that woke me up and made me a better person through my. My first season of my show when I started doing interviews. And I needed that. I needed that. So now moving forward, we reading. Yeah. We reading contracts. We doing Stuff. Right. And we're not rushing it, and we getting on the same.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Page. Yeah. I love that. That is so good. You recently started using your real.
Marco Summers
Name.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. Marco.
Marco Summers
Summers.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. What was the shift? What happened? Were you like, no, I need people to know who I am. I don't want to just be funny.
Marco Summers
Marco. Oh, the challenge. Another challenge, everybody, is when you think of comedians, you got Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Bernie.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Mack.
Marco Summers
Yes. Jamie Foxx. Not his real name. Jamie Foxx. You're wrong for that. But he the only one that's probably making it through. Like Martin Lawrence. So you think about that. People are known by their.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Name. Eddie Murphy. Yeah.
Marco Summers
Everybody. And then just for me to have funny in front of, it's like, let me. Let me mold and get the respect that this is Marco Summers. And it ain't gonna be.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Easy.
Marco Summers
Yeah. Because some people, like, they don't look at my page. My engagement had went down really, like, it was a lot. Yeah, it was a lot. Just changing that because it's like, you so used to seeing this, it's no different from one bow. I signed it. Change his name to Sean Ma. So you understand it where I'm bigger than that. Like, I'm a real life.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Person.
Marco Summers
Yes. So it was that I was just letting people know, like, I'm ready for that challenge because I gotta earn that respect, too. I gotta earn it to be like, okay, we. Let's keep going. And I'm thankful to still have viral moments and still be funny with this name. Carrying.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
On. Right?
Marco Summers
Yeah. You know, and just believe in God, because he gonna work for you as you're.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Working. Come on.
Marco Summers
Now.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. He preaching, y'. All. I love.
Marco Summers
It.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Now. You talk about staying grounded and protecting your peace. What does that look like for you? Because I'm really big on protecting my.
Marco Summers
Peace. Because it gets loud talking about protecting peace. My peace is unlimited. I. I feel like it can't. It goes through so much. I got one time. I feel like I got one time a month to get upset or get mad. And I started learning, like, don't give everybody your energy that make you upset. Just imagine there's somebody out there that's getting upset by everything. I went to McDonald's. They got my coffee wrong. I'm driving. They cut me off. Now I'm at work. Huh? I'm at work, huh? I just got a call from the school. My son acting bad. I get home, huh? I gotta go to the grocery store. Just listen to all that. All this through one day, and it's draining you. And sometimes you gotta accept that we're living. So if you're living, you're gonna have to have these moments and it's happening to you because when you die, you ain't experiencing.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Nothing.
Marco Summers
Wow. So life is an experience. So you got to enjoy everything that you go through. And you just can't get mad at everything. And I gotta, you know, I gotta save my anger for, like, you know, like, gotta save it. Like, don't mess with my kids. I gotta save it for them. Like, I gotta save it. Reserve your anger. Sometimes I just feel like everybody give it to you, give it out. Too easy. It's like you, like, angry, you know, like. And you just can't be.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
That. You can't be.
Marco Summers
That.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. Cannot be.
Marco Summers
That. I love it. Yeah. It's like, save it. Like, save your energy because it's gonna be a time where can have a bad day, but if you have.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Any, you can't do it every.
Marco Summers
Day. So easy. Yeah. Like, everybody getting your feelings.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Protected? No, for sure. I love that you talk about your children. You are the dad of three beautiful children. And you've been pretty private about your private life. What has fatherhood done for you as you continue to.
Marco Summers
Evolve? It's done a lot. I wish I. I wish I could have my kids living with me. And they all in different. They got one in. My son is in LA and my daughter's in Kansas City. And I want more for them because I'm grateful to be where I'm at. And I'm like, telling their moms, but I understand how women, they want their kids like this, the nest. So I got accepted. And that's why us as men, we got to watch who we create with and be with the parent go through marriage. And, you know, I gotta understand that I went to these places and I created a home knowing, like, we might not work out together. So I gotta understand too, like, next go around, you have another kid, make sure it's we. We together, locked in. Yeah. Because I don't like that experience. But I can't get mad at them because they doing what's best for them and they don't want to, you know, pass it through. So sometimes it, like, you know, don't feel good. Because I would love to get them, like, putting them in school, putting them in private school, because I can afford.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
That.
Marco Summers
Right. I can show them. I don't want my daughter growing up in Kansas City because it ain't nothing there. Like, let me bring her to.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Atlanta.
Marco Summers
Yes. But her mom don't see what I see. It's not nothing to get upset with her about because it's like she see what she see as she. As I see what I see. Yep. And it's like, no, seeing is wrong. But I just be like, you know, like I can build a brand around my daughter right.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Now. Oh my.
Marco Summers
Goodness. Yeah, yeah. Like, let me like, you know, so. But I don't want her growing up thinking like getting a job. Like, like, if you want to get it, fine. But I want to show you that you can be your own person. You can be whatever you want to be in the world. You got to see it. Because I didn't see it growing.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Up.
Marco Summers
Right. So sometimes when you next to it that exposure. Because I don't think Kevin Hart son is saying, I gotta go to Walmart, I'm gonna work at Walmart. No, because you see how his dad is. And if he do it.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Cool.
Marco Summers
Exactly. Yeah, do it. But I don't think like we mold our kids to like, like this is what you can be, but do what you want to.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Do.
Marco Summers
Right. Same thing with LeBron James son. He playing.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Ball.
Marco Summers
Yep. You know, but sometimes when you grow up, I just feel like when you so used to seeing people getting jobs. Yeah, but I got to get a job. Like, that's all. Yeah. So I never seen my mama or and like my daddy selling drugs. Some people I got to sell drugs. So when you grow up and you see this program, you think this is all I can do because this is what I'm seeing growing.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Up. That's what it.
Marco Summers
Is. I'm in the apartment. All I can get is an.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Apartment.
Marco Summers
Yeah. That's all I.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
See.
Marco Summers
Yeah. So everything ain't about what you see.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Sometimes. Yeah. I pray that you're able to influence your daughters from.
Marco Summers
Afar.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. You know, and your son. Yeah. Because I know that is important. And as a parent, you want the best for.
Marco Summers
Them.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. You want them to see all the opportunities that they have, especially that are afforded because you are who you are, you know, So I get that. Yeah, I get that. Next up, you have open thoughts. National Comedy Talk tour. I'm excited about.
Marco Summers
This.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. I need the Atlanta.
Marco Summers
Date. Yeah, no, I'm gonna get Atlanta date. And that's what I had to learn too because I had Atlanta show and they gave me a theater. Theaters are different. So I gotta work on my promotion because how my shows are, they are selling out last minute. So like the box, the tickets are not saying sold out, but people are doing walk.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Ups.
Marco Summers
Yep. So me, I'm like, I'm coming to Atlanta. People show up. But when you got a business and people are opening, they hold theater for you and they paying their employees. You got to have a set amount.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Sold.
Marco Summers
Yeah. So I'm like, you know, Atlanta coming. They like, oh, we can't do Atlanta show because tickets looking tight. I'm like, nah, people gonna pull up. Trust me. My cousin said he pulled up at the door with 50 people. You know, his 50 people got like, a girlfriend, boy, so we good. Like, nah. So learning business. So I learned with the shows, do promotion and do well to understand that, like, you know what I'm saying? I needed that moment to realize, okay, this is serious to sell.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Tickets. Like, it is so.
Marco Summers
Serious. It's. It's like, push it. Like, keep it in their face. So me, I was so used to, like, I'm okay. I ain't got to promote because they gonna hear about it and they gonna come. So, you know, and shout out to Floyd Mayweather because he'd be big on his.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Promotions. Like, come.
Marco Summers
On. Yeah. Like, you know, I'm fighting, but I'm still pushing.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
It. Yes.
Marco Summers
Yeah. That's the thing. Don't. Don't become your own enemy. And that's what I did in that part where I like, I'm.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Okay. Or get too.
Marco Summers
Comfortable.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. Like, I'm. Yeah, because that's how we feel. Like, that they're.
Marco Summers
Gonna. And then Kelly Kels, that's a comedian. Shout out to her. You gotta tap in her. You'll love her. Kelly sure is somebody that's like, keep going. Like, you know, And I got her opening up in front of me. Kelly is a beast at stand up, and she's so good. And some people will be like, how can you have, like, opener so good and you still learning comp you not scared? And I'm like, nah. I needed that, like, to put me on fire. And it was times where people like, yeah, Marco was good, but Kelly was a beast. So overall, to hear that, and it never made me feel jealous. It's like, get on that page. Like, get on it. To have, you know, people leave your show and say, the opener was better than you. Comedians can't take.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
That. But me, I'm like, I give props to Kevin Hart for that. Because a lot of people, Naeen Lim is the one that goes on right before him. I've heard so many people say they love Kevin. They come for Kevin. That's who I ticket. But they.
Marco Summers
Love. Yeah, yeah, he's.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
So. And he is I mean, I love Naeem. He's so funny. But it takes a very confident.
Marco Summers
Person.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. To let people come that are just as good as you are.
Marco Summers
Better.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. To come up before you.
Marco Summers
That'S. Yeah, that's. It ain't easy, but when it's in you, it's in you. Like, I don't have a jealousy bone. I want to see everybody.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Win.
Marco Summers
Yep. And I've been seeing people win since I was broke, so I was like, if you got it, I got.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
It. Come.
Marco Summers
On. So, like, my brother had money. I had money. That's right. My brother had clothes. I had them, even though they didn't want me to. He had to. He got the new.
Commercial Announcer
Jordans. I got.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
It. I got.
Marco Summers
Him. So me having that mentality, like, it helps me. Did I say right?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Mentality. Mentality. Oh, it's okay. Do what you.
Marco Summers
Get. The.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Silence. I gotta master.
Marco Summers
That. No. Did you embarrass me? You should have just told me, like, yeah, you was.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Right. But then you, like, Chris lied to.
Marco Summers
Me. No, I didn't. I would have said it on another podcast. You can't be killing people dreams. That's like telling somebody Santa Claus ain't.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Real. Marco, you are so funny. Yeah, really? All right. This is amazing. I'm so happy we finally got to do.
Marco Summers
This.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. I wish you the best with everything you have coming up. Definitely gonna catch you on the road for Open Thoughts Tour. Make sure you guys check it up. Get your tickets now. Don't wait to the day. Get them in advance. All right. We're gonna sell them.
Marco Summers
Out. Yeah. And shout out to you because you've been doing your thing. Shout out to your team. This is.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Amazing. My team is.
Marco Summers
You. Listen, I feel like I'm in LA right now, so it's something feel like we like you know, to have that.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Vibe.
Marco Summers
Yeah. Different, because Atlanta's.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Atlanta. Atlanta's Atlanta.
Marco Summers
Baby. And LA is la. Yeah. But when you go to la, you feel.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Like.
Marco Summers
Yeah. Like, even New York. I was just in New York, and it makes you feel in work.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Mode. Like, I say that all the.
Marco Summers
Time. New York is like, work. Like, LA is filled. Like Miami, too. So, like, Atlanta just feels so comfortable. Like, it's. So to come in here and feel the energy of your team and work, it's like, they ain't playing. It makes you be like, okay, like. And it's good. Like, it's. It matters because you know, it pass on. And when your name get brought up. And we created a moment because in life, you know, life is Short. So now it's done. So it's. It's this moment to be able to go back and look at.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Something. Thank you so much. I appreciate that. Because we work really hard. I have all these big dreams and visions like you as well, and it's my team that helps it come to life. You know, so many things I want to do, and I want to do it excellent, you know, because like you said, the name and the. Here I am losing the word reputation precedes itself. So I want to make sure that everything I do is top tier. You know, when you come in here, you got water, your ginger ale, whatever you need, we got you. You know, I want you to feel at home because I started this in my house, and then it got too big because you can't hear about everybody in your space. But I still wanted people to feel safe when they come in here.
Marco Summers
Yeah. And everybody, you know, in a room. Your spot is a place for a reason. And understand that your role is important. And it's like, you know, the game don't go on without no referees. Like, the game don't go on without a.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Basketball.
Marco Summers
Yeah. You know what I'm saying? Like, as well, the game don't go on without LeBron James. So it might not be LeBron James, but that ball's important, too. So understand that your spot is important no matter what you're doing and show up and do the best. And I told my brother cameraman that I always know somebody would love to have your spot. And all you can do is perform well and, yeah, do your thing, you know, at what you.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Got. For.
Marco Summers
Sure. Whatever you're doing. If you. The mopper, be the best mopper, you can be better. Listen, you know, okay. And then you'll be able to learn it. And, you know, it's not. I don't look at people at positions that they in. I look at it how they carry their personality. That's what I'm saying. I go to McDonald's. I try to make them feel, you know, like I'm with. Like, you still be somebody in a uniform like you were for a company, but you're a real life person outside of that. So I'm not gonna treat you wrong because, you know, I know you got a job. Not gonna talk crazy. I don't agree with people that do.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
That. No, me.
Marco Summers
Neither. Because again, it's. Yeah. Before, I think. Who said it was somebody that said it. Like, if we took money away from everybody, then.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
What? Then what? Yeah.
Marco Summers
Exactly. That's all it.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Is. So that is.
Marco Summers
So. Those things are powerful. When you realize that we are one and just appreciate good people. Because, you know, it's. It's some people out there that's bad. So we just gotta appreciate the good people and be part of that Good.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
People. Yeah. No, that's so.
Marco Summers
Good. You're not bigger than the.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Program. That's it. That is it. Kids, family, please give it up for Marco Summers. Marco, please tell the people where we can find you. You change your name on Instagram. We need to let them.
Marco Summers
Know. Yeah, overall, just. I'll be at home, so it's gonna be hard to find me. I'll be at home with my kids. So you do. I'll be at Target, too. It's okay to say that. Okay, well, I'll be at Walmart. Well. Okay. T.J. maxx, is he a black.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Man? I have no idea who TJ.
Marco Summers
Is. TJ Maxx and Marshall sound like two. Two guys. Two black dudes.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. I didn't even think about.
Marco Summers
That. Yeah, because they cheap, too. You go in there. Yeah, it's like, in, like, T.J. maxx is not. It's somewhere you gotta work on. Like, you'll get a shirt today, probably get a pants next year. So it's.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Like. See, I.
Marco Summers
Like. It's like black people. So, like, it's like, you ain't gonna get everything right now. You gotta work with.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Me.
Marco Summers
Yeah. Yeah. It's like, we might not be. You're not gonna be able to sell today, probably tomorrow. So.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. You are so silly. Unless you do.
Marco Summers
Instagram. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh, Marco Summers in. Yes. And. Yeah, that's it.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Really?
Jacob Goldstein
YouTube.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
What's. Is it under.
Marco Summers
Market? YouTube. Yeah. Open thoughts. You go to Open.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Thoughts? Open.
Marco Summers
Thoughts.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. So tap in, subscribe, and go get your tickets for the Open Thoughts national.
Marco Summers
Tour. Oh, and if you watch the episode this long, she's giving away a thousand dollars. So thank you for watching. All you got to do is DM her and send her why you need the thousand dollars. And it gotta be good. I will read it. It might take some time, so I'll take a little bit to read. So we get back to you in a couple.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Months. I love.
Marco Summers
That. Yeah. So it could. You could be.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Lucky. You could.
Marco Summers
Be.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. So you gotta watch it all the way.
Marco Summers
Through. Senior Social Security. Social Security number.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Two. We need.
Marco Summers
Everything. Yeah. We did. In your bank card, so we can send it over. Yeah, that's it. Well, thank you guys for tuning.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
In.
Marco Summers
Yes. And we're here with the one and only Marco Summers. No, you. You say your.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Name. Crystal Renee Hazelitz. That was so.
Marco Summers
Good. That was.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Dry. I love it. Okay, let's do it.
Marco Summers
Again. All right, we're here with the.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
One and only Crystal Renee.
Marco Summers
Hazlett. And shout out to the team. Team, make some noise. See, it's real life, people out.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
There. We got a live studio.
Marco Summers
Out. Yeah, it is. This is Rich. Back to you.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Dad. Oh, my goodness. That was such a dope conversation with funny Marco. Also, a reminder that being different isn't something you have to fix. It's something to master. Thank you for tuning in to another episode of the Keep It Positive, Sweetie Show. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with someone who could use a little light today. As always, stay blessed, encouraged, and remember to keep it positive, sweetie. I'll see you all next.
Commercial Announcer
Time. Did you know Microsoft has officially ended Support for Windows 10 upgrade to Windows 11 with an LG Gram laptop? Voted PC Mag's Reader's Choice, top laptop brand for 2025. Thin and ultra lightweight, the LG Gram keeps you productive anywhere. And Windows 11 gives you access to free security updates and ongoing feature upgrades. Visit LGUSA.com iHeart for great seasonal savings on LG Gram laptops with Windows 11 PC Mag. Reader's Choice. Used with permission. All rights.
Marco Summers
Reserved. This is Lavar Arrington from Two Pros and a Cup of Joe. Pizza Hut threw down a challenge, and it's genius. Quarterbacks say hut constantly. It's like they're asking for Pizza Hut by name. Pizza Hut is challenging any quarterback who put pizza before they say hut. During the televised game, Pizza Hut will throw an actual pizza party in the city. For the first QB that does it during a televised game, fans get the win. Literally. Listen closely. On game day, when you hear Pizza Hut, you know something big is about to happen. Visit pizzahut.com for.
Commercial Announcer
Details. Live CBS, January 11th. Hollywood's biggest party is now bigger than.
Jacob Goldstein
Ever.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Perfect. No.
Commercial Announcer
No. The Golden Globes. With more stars, more glamour, more.
Marco Summers
Chaos, and more host Nikki.
Orangetheory Fitness Promoter
Glaser. We're gonna laugh at the celebrities.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
That can take it and completely ignore the ones who can't. I'm just kidding. They're not safe.
Commercial Announcer
Either. The Golden Globes. Live CBS, Sunday, January 11th, and streaming on.
Jacob Goldstein
Paramount. Plus, this is Jacob Goldstein from what's yous Problem? When you buy business software from lots of vendors, the costs add up and it gets complicated and confusing. Odoo solves this. It's a single company that sells a suite of enterprise apps that handles everything from accounting to inventory to sales. Odoo is all connected on a single platform in a simple and affordable way. You can save money without missing out on the features you need. Check out odoo@odoo.com that's O D.
Julian Edelman
O O.com this is Julian Edelman from Dudes on Dudes with Gronk and Jewels Sunday mornings I've got my game day ritual, coffee, Lucky socks and now new Morning Uncrustable.
Marco Summers
Sandwiches. It's all about that 12 gram protein boost with the new Uncrustables Bright Eyed Berry or Up and Apple.
Julian Edelman
Flavors. Bright Eyed Berries got a feisty.
Marco Summers
Receiver energy up an apple. Your classic do it all tight.
Julian Edelman
End, soft, pillowy, packed with protein and easy enough for Gronk to grab from the.
Marco Summers
Freezer. Whether you're on the couch, driving to the tailgate or heading to the.
Jacob Goldstein
Locker room, New Morning Uncrustable Sandwiches are the MVP of.
Julian Edelman
Snacks. Your new Sunday kickoff ritual starts here with New Morning Uncrustable sandwiches packed with 12 grams of.
Host: Crystal Renee Hazlett
Guest: Marco Summers (aka Funny Marco)
Date: January 4, 2026
This episode of “Keep It Positive, Sweetie” is a raw, heartfelt, and frequently hilarious exploration of identity, resilience, and the power of authenticity. Host Crystal Renee Hazlett welcomes comedian and content creator Marco Summers, better known as Funny Marco, for an open conversation about his challenging upbringing, personal and professional evolution, and his journey from viral Walmart pranks to major multi-platform success. The two dive deep into Marco's background, the lessons he’s learned, the importance of patience, healing generational trauma, managing dyslexia, and his approach to comedy and life. It's an empowering dialogue on creating your own lane, standing in your truth, and uplifting others while you rise.
Crystal and Marco deliver a heartfelt, engaging conversation full of humor, wisdom, and actionable insight—especially for anyone navigating their own path or overcoming adversity. Marco’s journey is a testament to resilience, creativity, and remaining true to oneself, while also recognizing the responsibility to uplift and empower others. The episode’s core message: find your own path, honor your story, ask for help, and always “keep it positive, sweetie.”
Instagram: @marcosummers
YouTube: Search “Open Thoughts”
Tour Info: Tickets for Open Thoughts National Comedy Tour available online (check Instagram and YouTube for updates)
“Being different isn’t something you have to fix. It’s something to master.” — Crystal Renee Hazlett ([73:15])