Keep it Positive, Sweetie

Episode: Success & Second Chances With Gail Bean
Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Guest: Gail Bean
Release Date: November 10, 2024

Overview

This heartfelt episode features actress, writer, and producer Gail Bean in an honest, revealing conversation about perseverance, second chances, faith, and community. Host Crystal Renee Hayslett guides the discussion through topics ranging from Gail’s career journey and personal setbacks to the importance of giving back and maintaining one’s self-worth in the entertainment industry and beyond. Together, they explore how to overcome adversity, trust divine guidance, and uplift others while keeping it "positive, sweetie."

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Power of Second Chances and Redemption

• Gail candidly shares her personal story of running afoul of the law while in college, being placed on probation, and ultimately not allowing that mistake to define her future.
  • “One mistake doesn't determine your path. Like you can – you're not your one mistake.”
    (Gail Bean, 00:22, 33:36)
• Her message emphasizes hope and resilience:
  • “When I moved to LA, I was on probation. I continued to follow the things and not get in trouble. So I did get off early, but when I moved out there, I was not off.”
    (Gail Bean, 00:02, 33:24)

2. Career Journey: From Atlanta to LA & New York

• Gail’s non-linear career path included interests in photography, hair styling, cheerleading, and law before she discovered a calling in acting.
  • “I wanted to be a photographer. Then a hairstylist, then a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, then the female Johnnie Cochran. And then I decided I wanted to just go with God and act.”
    (Gail Bean, 05:59)
• Her mother, a retired educator, required a solid educational plan before supporting Gail’s dream. Gail earned a double major in accounting and finance and studied abroad before making her move.
  • “I graduated. I want to move to LA.”
    (Gail Bean, 08:18, 08:23)
• The early years in LA were marked by struggle, culture shock, and determination. A series of serendipitous signs—what she describes as God and her ancestors guiding her—led to her first big break after a year.
  • “I booked ‘Unexpected’ August 2014. It was a year, but I was head down, grinding.”
    (Gail Bean, 15:01)

3. Recognizing and Following Divine Guidance

• Both Gail and Crystal share how they pray for clear signs from God, emphasizing the importance of listening and being open to guidance.
  • “I'm real upfront with God. Like, don't give me no half sign… I need an obvious. Slap me in the face with a sign.”
    (Gail Bean, 16:57)
• Gail recounts powerful moments of encouragement, including a pastor speaking a prophecy over her and a message from Samuel L. Jackson, reinforcing her faith in a bigger future even when doors seem closed.
  • “The pastor was like… ‘the opportunity that you think you missing out on, God got something bigger’... then Samuel Jackson sent me a DM and said, ‘I'm working on putting us in something.’”
    (Gail Bean, 23:13-23:47)

4. Navigating the Entertainment Industry as a Black Woman

• Both women reflect on the unique opportunities for redemption and community within their industry.
  • "We can do things no matter what our past is correct… That second chance is so important."
    (Crystal Renee Hayslett, 34:16)
• Gail stresses the importance of focusing on the positive and rejecting stigmas about Hollywood, encouraging listeners to see the light and community present in the work.

5. The Role of Community Service and Political Activism

• Gail’s give-back work, including her foundation “Dream Above the Influence,” focuses on helping young people rise above their circumstances and dream bigger.
  • “I really think mindset is everything… people dream above their influences to know what you want.”
    (Gail Bean, 43:36)
• Heavy involvement in political movements—like supporting Kamala Harris and participating in voter outreach—is inspired by a commitment to be part of real, living history, encouraging Black communities to be informed and proactive.
  • “Being a black woman, seeing all the things VP Harris is doing, just to be able to aid in any of that… I'm all for the support.”
    (Gail Bean, 45:35)
  • “I've been telling everybody you vote? Are you registered to vote?”
    (Gail Bean, 47:02)
• Both share frustration and perseverance around recent elections and voter suppression, but always return to hope and preparation:
  • “We failed, but, you know, we lost the battle. We didn't lose a war.”
    (Gail Bean, 50:02)

6. Balancing Personal Life, Mental Health & Relationships

• Gail admits she is still working on balancing family, friendships, rest, and a busy work schedule, particularly when back in Atlanta.
  • “I'm still figuring it out. Like, okay, where are we gonna sleep, y'all?”
    (Gail Bean, 36:05)
• Navigating dating while under public scrutiny is a challenge for both, leading to reflections on authenticity, boundaries, and the importance of having a supportive partner.
  • “It’s hard. Especially finding someone who likes you for you and not what you can–the light that you can bring to them.”
    (Gail Bean, 39:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Second Chances:
  “One mistake doesn't determine your path. Like you can – you're not your one mistake.”
  (Gail Bean, 33:36)

• On Perseverance and Self-Belief:
  “I believed it and knew without a doubt that I would gain success there.”
  (Gail Bean, 16:13)

• On Divine Guidance:
  “I’m real upfront with God. Like, don't give me no half sign… I need an obvious. Slap me in the face with a sign.”
  (Gail Bean, 16:57)

• On Community and Giving Back:
  “I really think mindset is everything. … people dream above their influences to know what you want.”
  (Gail Bean, 43:36, 43:55)

• On Black History & Activism:
  “You're not teaching us about what's currently happening right now. … It's like you hide our actual Black African American history and you fill us up with social studies. That girl. It's not helping us be social.”
  (Gail Bean, 46:39)

• On the Importance of Voting:
  “You do what you can and you hope and pray for the best, but you can't sit in, ‘okay, we didn't win.’ So now it's like, okay, this is the result. How do we move forward?”
  (Gail Bean, 49:24, 49:36)

• On Navigating Relationships in the Spotlight:
  "It’s difficult… Are you here for me, and do you really like me? And are you gonna be supportive, or...screw up my moment?”
  (Gail Bean, 39:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Gail’s introduction & career highlights | (00:51–02:15)
• Journey to acting, education background | (05:33–09:05)
• Moving to LA, family support, and faith | (09:30–18:29)
• Redemption story: probation and the law | (27:49–33:43)
• Second chances in Hollywood, positive industry stories | (34:05–35:08)
• Personal life & relationships, support systems | (36:05–38:51)
• Dating, friendships & public perception | (38:51–43:24)
• Dream Above the Influence Foundation | (43:34–45:15)
• Political activism & community service | (45:30–48:39)
• Election outcomes, hope, and preparation | (48:39–52:15)

Tone and Atmosphere

The episode is warm, uplifting, and unvarnished—equal parts motivational and practical. Both Crystal and Gail keep the conversation honest, supportive, and full of laughter, inspiration, and sisterhood.

Final Takeaway

Gail Bean’s journey is a testament to perseverance, faith, and self-belief—mirroring the larger mission of Keep It Positive, Sweetie. Audiences are reminded that no one mistake defines your life, that you can listen for the signs guiding your steps, and that giving back to your community—whether through storytelling, activism, or personal example—creates waves of positive change.

“We gonna be all right.”
(Gail Bean, 52:11)

For more: Follow @lovecrystalrenae and @KeepItPositiveSweetie on social media. Keep it positive, sweetie!