Podcast Summary: "The Business of Betting on Yourself"

Podcast: Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Guest: Brian Jordan Jr.
Date: December 14, 2025

Overview

In this uplifting episode of Keep It Positive, Sweetie, host Crystal Renee Hayslett sits down with actor, singer, director, and storyteller Brian Jordan Jr.—best known for his role as Maurice in Tyler Perry’s Sistas. Their heartfelt conversation dives into Brian’s origins, perseverance, self-discovery, and the journey to betting on himself—both in his career and his creative ventures. They explore the power of resilience, representation, and purpose, showing listeners the business and heart behind "doing impossible work for impossible dreams."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Roots & Early Aspirations

(04:16–06:28)

Brian hails from rural Louisiana, raised in Baton Rouge with four siblings and a single mother.
As a child, Brian dreamed big: “I wanted to be so many different things…I wanted to be Michael Jackson for like the first six years of my life.” (04:37)
Hurricane Katrina was a pivotal disruption: “You look up one day and it’s one thing, and then the next…and it’s disaster. And you’re like, trying to get out and trying to find somewhere to go and trying to find food and water and shelter…” (08:03)
Discovery of theater in college was transformative—fueled by a formative encounter with Debbie Allen, who recognized his raw potential.

2. Resilience Through Adversity

(06:28–13:28)

Katrina to Gustav to ongoing Louisiana floods: Brian describes the trauma, rebuilding, and community impact (“The rebuilding has been so challenging for the city, for the state. Still now, I mean, 20 years later, it’s just not the same.” (10:23))
Navigated cultural differences transitioning from all-black schools to predominantly white institutions (PWIs) at LSU and NYU/Tisch: “When you move somewhere else, it’s like living in another country.” (11:02)
Importance of arts education: “Debbie Allen… is really the reason that I’ve clung to arts education, and that has really helped me to like, navigate my path.” (12:18)
Overcame financial hardship, including losing a fellowship, sleeping on trains and friends’ couches: “I spent some nights on a train in New York… I was determined not to go home.” (14:33)

3. Navigating the Industry & Self-Worth

(15:11–17:44)

Confidence wasn’t innate: “I would pretend a lot. If I can be honest, I didn’t really believe that I could have all this until maybe 2018…” (15:36)
Breaking into Sistas came after realizing self-belief, moving beyond trying to convince others: “We spend so much time trying to convince other people that we don’t even do the work to make ourselves believe.” (16:07)
Discussed challenges of being a Black actor in white-dominated spaces and telling Black stories to wider audiences.

4. The "Sistas" Breakthrough & Character Work

(17:44–23:49)

The path to Maurice: Brian at first auditioned for other roles, faced unexpected obstacles getting to the audition (“…the car wouldn’t start. Carolyn Martin had a shoestring tied to the hood.” (19:12–19:16)) but went all in.
After his audition, Maurice was upgraded from a recurring to a major role—over 200 episodes now.
Crystal on the audition: “I remember sitting in the back of the room...and I was like, that’s Maurice.” (17:59)
Differentiating himself from his character: “Maurice is such an escape from who I am... Brian is a person who has such a big heart for people.” (22:03–22:07)

5. Visibility, Body Image & Discipline

(28:12–35:02)

Navigating fame and its challenges: Being recognized, security issues, and shifting personal boundaries.
Body image struggles: “Film and tv…there is a conventional standard of beauty that I did not meet… Then it happened even more because I was on TV every week.” (29:09)
Candid dialogue on comparison, discipline, and shifting fitness/nutrition habits: “I had to figure out what was more important. And I still love to eat…but it’s in a very different way.” (31:36)
Running and lifting weights became anchors. “I intermittent fast...when I say I was working out from the wrong place and trying to accomplish something based on somebody else…” (34:04)

6. Lessons from Tyler Perry & the 'Sistas' Family

(36:19–40:19)

Tyler Perry's master class in ownership: “Nobody is talking about the master class in techniques that it requires for someone to amass [that success] on their own...Tyler Perry has a method.” (36:59, 37:33)
Lessons in discipline, finance, and leveraging every opportunity: “This thing could go away fast...You can go from being on TV and then there’s Covid...then there’s a strike…” (39:20)
The importance of building community and interdependence among his castmates.

7. Creating 'Riley': Artistry, Authenticity & Ownership

(42:35–56:41)

Eight-year journey developing Riley, a musical celebrating HBCU culture and “what it looks like when Black people decide not to struggle anymore.” (58:02)
Initially started as a play, grew into original music—over 50 songs written, 19 on the album (“I’ve written 54 songs, and we’ve kept 32 in the musical, and there are 19 on the album.” (44:49))
Inspirations from his Southern University “lab school” roots and the broader Black college experience.
Lessons from directing “The Wiz” at True Colors Theatre: serving the people with culturally resonant art, and integrating business acumen from working with Tyler Perry.
Balancing creativity and practicality while producing independently: “You may want a lot more than what you can afford, and so you have to make those decisions...I learned a lot of lessons. I did a lot of scaling back on what I dreamed.” (55:23, 56:39)

8. Advice for Dreamers & Self-Care

(59:59–66:09)

Advice to young artists: “If the dream is insane, do an insane amount of work to dream...Dreams don’t make sense. So you have to do a senseless amount of work.” (60:29, 61:33)
On grounding himself: friends, food, therapy, boundaries, and faith. “There is proof...How many times does God have to show you until you’re able to say, you know what? You got it.” (66:01–66:04)
The necessity of saying “no” and finding inner peace.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Surviving Disaster:
“There’s always a silver lining on the cloud…I always say that there wasn’t enough warning. And you look up one day and it’s one thing, and then the next, and it’s disaster...”
– Brian Jordan Jr., 07:07
On Self-Belief & Success:
"I didn't really believe that I could have all this until maybe 2018. And then my life changed right after that whenever I decided—whenever I believed for real."
– Brian Jordan Jr., 15:36–16:07
On Comparing Self to Others (Body Image):
"My change was based in what other people looked like...it was. I was comparing myself to people all the time...And it was tough. It is tough."
– Brian Jordan Jr., 30:47
On Tyler Perry:
"Tyler Perry has a method...When we...hear about the Stanislavski methods...But Tyler Perry has a method. There is a method that he has developed...in the execution of television, film, and theater."
– Brian Jordan Jr., 37:33
On Independent Creativity:
“I want all the artists. I want 65 dancers in a 47 piece orchestra. And I’m like, hey, brother, pull it on back...I learned a lot of lessons. I did a lot of scaling back on what I dreamed…”
– Brian Jordan Jr., 56:39
On Self-Worth and Representation:
“What it looks like when Black people decide to not wait on the celebration of others. And what it looks like when Black people decide that there is wealth and real estate in our own selves.”
– Brian Jordan Jr. on Riley, 58:02
On the Dream-Work Balance:
“If the dream is insane, do an insane amount of work to dream...No one talks about the impossible work.”
– Brian Jordan Jr., 60:29–61:33

Important Segment Timestamps

Brian’s Early Life & Katrina: 04:16 – 10:23
Theater, College, and Debbie Allen Influence: 05:29 – 13:28
Auditioning and Landing Maurice on Sistas: 17:54 – 21:36
Fame, Body Image, and Confidence: 28:12 – 35:02
Tyler Perry’s Influence & Sistas Lessons: 36:19 – 40:19
Building & Balancing ‘Riley’: 42:35 – 56:41
Advice to Young Artists: 59:59 – 62:16
Faith, Grounding, and Self-Care: 62:28 – 66:09

Closing

The conversation peels back layers behind the public persona, revealing Brian’s resilience, heart, and the real business of staying true to purpose. Listeners are left with the encouragement to both dream big and do the relentless work required—to trust their calling, build their own tables, and “work, work, work.”

Find Brian Jordan Jr.:

Instagram/Twitter/TikTok: @brianjordanjr
Riley-related merch & updates: hbcusical.com
Riley the Mixtape: available on all streaming platforms

"Work for the impossible dream. Serve your community. And always keep it positive, sweetie."

Podcast Summary: "The Business of Betting on Yourself"

Podcast: Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Guest: Brian Jordan Jr.
Date: December 14, 2025

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Roots & Early Aspirations

(04:16–06:28)

Brian hails from rural Louisiana, raised in Baton Rouge with four siblings and a single mother.
As a child, Brian dreamed big: “I wanted to be so many different things…I wanted to be Michael Jackson for like the first six years of my life.” (04:37)
Hurricane Katrina was a pivotal disruption: “You look up one day and it’s one thing, and then the next…and it’s disaster. And you’re like, trying to get out and trying to find somewhere to go and trying to find food and water and shelter…” (08:03)
Discovery of theater in college was transformative—fueled by a formative encounter with Debbie Allen, who recognized his raw potential.

2. Resilience Through Adversity

(06:28–13:28)

Katrina to Gustav to ongoing Louisiana floods: Brian describes the trauma, rebuilding, and community impact (“The rebuilding has been so challenging for the city, for the state. Still now, I mean, 20 years later, it’s just not the same.” (10:23))
Navigated cultural differences transitioning from all-black schools to predominantly white institutions (PWIs) at LSU and NYU/Tisch: “When you move somewhere else, it’s like living in another country.” (11:02)
Importance of arts education: “Debbie Allen… is really the reason that I’ve clung to arts education, and that has really helped me to like, navigate my path.” (12:18)
Overcame financial hardship, including losing a fellowship, sleeping on trains and friends’ couches: “I spent some nights on a train in New York… I was determined not to go home.” (14:33)

3. Navigating the Industry & Self-Worth

(15:11–17:44)

Confidence wasn’t innate: “I would pretend a lot. If I can be honest, I didn’t really believe that I could have all this until maybe 2018…” (15:36)
Breaking into Sistas came after realizing self-belief, moving beyond trying to convince others: “We spend so much time trying to convince other people that we don’t even do the work to make ourselves believe.” (16:07)
Discussed challenges of being a Black actor in white-dominated spaces and telling Black stories to wider audiences.

4. The "Sistas" Breakthrough & Character Work

(17:44–23:49)

The path to Maurice: Brian at first auditioned for other roles, faced unexpected obstacles getting to the audition (“…the car wouldn’t start. Carolyn Martin had a shoestring tied to the hood.” (19:12–19:16)) but went all in.
After his audition, Maurice was upgraded from a recurring to a major role—over 200 episodes now.
Crystal on the audition: “I remember sitting in the back of the room...and I was like, that’s Maurice.” (17:59)
Differentiating himself from his character: “Maurice is such an escape from who I am... Brian is a person who has such a big heart for people.” (22:03–22:07)

5. Visibility, Body Image & Discipline

(28:12–35:02)

Navigating fame and its challenges: Being recognized, security issues, and shifting personal boundaries.
Body image struggles: “Film and tv…there is a conventional standard of beauty that I did not meet… Then it happened even more because I was on TV every week.” (29:09)
Candid dialogue on comparison, discipline, and shifting fitness/nutrition habits: “I had to figure out what was more important. And I still love to eat…but it’s in a very different way.” (31:36)
Running and lifting weights became anchors. “I intermittent fast...when I say I was working out from the wrong place and trying to accomplish something based on somebody else…” (34:04)

6. Lessons from Tyler Perry & the 'Sistas' Family

(36:19–40:19)

Tyler Perry's master class in ownership: “Nobody is talking about the master class in techniques that it requires for someone to amass [that success] on their own...Tyler Perry has a method.” (36:59, 37:33)
Lessons in discipline, finance, and leveraging every opportunity: “This thing could go away fast...You can go from being on TV and then there’s Covid...then there’s a strike…” (39:20)
The importance of building community and interdependence among his castmates.

7. Creating 'Riley': Artistry, Authenticity & Ownership

(42:35–56:41)

Eight-year journey developing Riley, a musical celebrating HBCU culture and “what it looks like when Black people decide not to struggle anymore.” (58:02)
Initially started as a play, grew into original music—over 50 songs written, 19 on the album (“I’ve written 54 songs, and we’ve kept 32 in the musical, and there are 19 on the album.” (44:49))
Inspirations from his Southern University “lab school” roots and the broader Black college experience.
Lessons from directing “The Wiz” at True Colors Theatre: serving the people with culturally resonant art, and integrating business acumen from working with Tyler Perry.
Balancing creativity and practicality while producing independently: “You may want a lot more than what you can afford, and so you have to make those decisions...I learned a lot of lessons. I did a lot of scaling back on what I dreamed.” (55:23, 56:39)

8. Advice for Dreamers & Self-Care

(59:59–66:09)

Advice to young artists: “If the dream is insane, do an insane amount of work to dream...Dreams don’t make sense. So you have to do a senseless amount of work.” (60:29, 61:33)
On grounding himself: friends, food, therapy, boundaries, and faith. “There is proof...How many times does God have to show you until you’re able to say, you know what? You got it.” (66:01–66:04)
The necessity of saying “no” and finding inner peace.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Surviving Disaster:
“There’s always a silver lining on the cloud…I always say that there wasn’t enough warning. And you look up one day and it’s one thing, and then the next, and it’s disaster...”
– Brian Jordan Jr., 07:07
On Self-Belief & Success:
"I didn't really believe that I could have all this until maybe 2018. And then my life changed right after that whenever I decided—whenever I believed for real."
– Brian Jordan Jr., 15:36–16:07
On Comparing Self to Others (Body Image):
"My change was based in what other people looked like...it was. I was comparing myself to people all the time...And it was tough. It is tough."
– Brian Jordan Jr., 30:47
On Tyler Perry:
"Tyler Perry has a method...When we...hear about the Stanislavski methods...But Tyler Perry has a method. There is a method that he has developed...in the execution of television, film, and theater."
– Brian Jordan Jr., 37:33
On Independent Creativity:
“I want all the artists. I want 65 dancers in a 47 piece orchestra. And I’m like, hey, brother, pull it on back...I learned a lot of lessons. I did a lot of scaling back on what I dreamed…”
– Brian Jordan Jr., 56:39
On Self-Worth and Representation:
“What it looks like when Black people decide to not wait on the celebration of others. And what it looks like when Black people decide that there is wealth and real estate in our own selves.”
– Brian Jordan Jr. on Riley, 58:02
On the Dream-Work Balance:
“If the dream is insane, do an insane amount of work to dream...No one talks about the impossible work.”
– Brian Jordan Jr., 60:29–61:33

Important Segment Timestamps

Brian’s Early Life & Katrina: 04:16 – 10:23
Theater, College, and Debbie Allen Influence: 05:29 – 13:28
Auditioning and Landing Maurice on Sistas: 17:54 – 21:36
Fame, Body Image, and Confidence: 28:12 – 35:02
Tyler Perry’s Influence & Sistas Lessons: 36:19 – 40:19
Building & Balancing ‘Riley’: 42:35 – 56:41
Advice to Young Artists: 59:59 – 62:16
Faith, Grounding, and Self-Care: 62:28 – 66:09

Closing

Find Brian Jordan Jr.:

Instagram/Twitter/TikTok: @brianjordanjr
Riley-related merch & updates: hbcusical.com
Riley the Mixtape: available on all streaming platforms

"Work for the impossible dream. Serve your community. And always keep it positive, sweetie."

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The Business of Betting on Yourself w/ Brian Jordan Jr.

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Summary

Podcast Summary: "The Business of Betting on Yourself"

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Roots & Early Aspirations

2. Resilience Through Adversity

3. Navigating the Industry & Self-Worth

4. The "Sistas" Breakthrough & Character Work

5. Visibility, Body Image & Discipline

6. Lessons from Tyler Perry & the 'Sistas' Family

7. Creating 'Riley': Artistry, Authenticity & Ownership

8. Advice for Dreamers & Self-Care

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Important Segment Timestamps

Closing

Summary

Podcast Summary: "The Business of Betting on Yourself"

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Roots & Early Aspirations

2. Resilience Through Adversity

3. Navigating the Industry & Self-Worth

4. The "Sistas" Breakthrough & Character Work

5. Visibility, Body Image & Discipline

6. Lessons from Tyler Perry & the 'Sistas' Family

7. Creating 'Riley': Artistry, Authenticity & Ownership

8. Advice for Dreamers & Self-Care

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Important Segment Timestamps

Closing