Keep It Positive, Sweetie – "The Chapter of Gratitude" w/ Ciara

Podcast: Keep It Positive, Sweetie
Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Guest: Ciara
Date: August 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This uplifting episode welcomes superstar Ciara back to her hometown of Atlanta for an inspiring, heartfelt conversation with host Crystal Renee Hayslett. The theme is gratitude: celebrating giving back, embracing purpose, maintaining faith, and finding balance, all through the lens of Ciara’s dynamic life as a mother, wife, artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. The two women dive deep into chapters of change, personal empowerment, vulnerability, and the power of prayer, making this an enriching listen for anyone, especially women navigating purpose with grace and grit.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening & God-Centered Spaces (00:00–01:53)

• The episode opens on an intimate note: Crystal shares a story about chasing and finally manifesting her dream interview with Ciara, underlining “God always be looking out.”
• They highlight their mutual practice of praying before starting any interview or new experience.
  • Ciara: “We keep God first in everything.” (00:54)
  • Crystal: “That’s one of the things in everything we do. We always make sure we pray.” (00:58)

2. Giving Back & The Why Not You Foundation (02:15–04:39)

• Ciara’s impact in Atlanta: She reflects on opening the second Why Not You Center (in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club) and the personal significance of "Ciara Day."
  • Ciara: “Atlanta is a city that made me. My next tier of growth and leveling up is giving back in my hometown.” (03:40)
• Emphasizes making “Ciara Day” a day of real impact, especially for the kids.

3. New Musical Chapter & Ownership (04:39–07:24)

• New Album ‘Cece’: Ciara discusses how this project is deeply personal—named after her family nickname, a gift for her fans, and an expression of gratitude.
• Owning Masters & Independence: She highlights becoming an independent artist and the transformative power of really owning her work:
  • Ciara: “I own that song. I own the master.” (06:00)

4. The ‘Level Up’ Story: Self-Belief & Pushing Through Doubt (07:24–11:40)

• Ciara shares her process: The creation of “Level Up,” knowing she had a hit, but initially being dismissed by her label’s CEO.
• Turning Rejection into Power: Ciara reframed disappointment into motivation and started her own label.
  • Ciara: “If I didn’t believe in myself in that moment, I would have been so discouraged and I would have given up.” (10:43)
  • She received her masters back for free: “That’s how you know he didn’t believe… but it’s like, okay, God, you got me.” (11:41)

5. From ‘Goodies’ to Beauty Marks Entertainment: Lessons in Ownership (12:01–14:59)

• Financial Literacy & Autonomy: Ciara gets candid about learning the “numbers game”—the realities of payouts, taxes, and creative control as a young artist.
• Legacy Building: She expresses intentions of creating generational wealth and protecting legacy for her children.
  • Ciara: “Legacy is everything, right? That’s the one thing I really work hard to protect.” (14:02)

6. Purpose, Passion, and Balance (15:23–20:29)

• Ciara’s Drive: She loves performing and feels blessed, but also shares that her ambitions are about more than legacy—they’re about deep, personal fulfillment.
  • Ciara: “I love being an artist. … It’s a heartbeat, a drum pattern I feel. It fills my cup.” (16:12)
• Time Management & Motherhood: Ciara uses strict scheduling (right down to date nights!) to create balance.
  • Ciara: “Schedules, you know. That's a game changer, for any mom.” (19:41)
• Mastering Rest: She’s intentionally leveling up her self-care, especially rest and immunity, realizing “Rest is so vital.” (20:41)

7. Motherhood, Real Bodies & Self-Love (23:27–27:01)

• Food, Body Image, Moderation: Ciara talks honestly about her love for food, her favorite cuisines, and the journey of embracing her body postpartum—all bolstered by Russell Wilson’s loving support and affirmation.
  • Ciara: “No, I ain’t going to lie. I loved every step of the way… I got to give my husband some love because Russ really made me feel even more like, okay, I’m liking my curves.” (26:14)

8. Marriage & Partnership with Russell Wilson (27:15–34:11)

• Communication & Intentionality: They keep their marriage strong with open communication, mapped-out schedules, and regular date nights—even synchronizing TV shows when apart!
  • Ciara: “We say Jesus at the center.” (29:57)
  • On their engagement: “The first thing we did is we went and prayed … having Jesus at the center is significant.” (30:13)
• Trust, Forgiveness, and Humility: Both lean into forgiving each other, being accountable, and embodying humility in their partnership—a practice inspired by their pastor.
  • Ciara: “To be able to say, will you forgive me... it’s game-changing.” (32:41)

9. On Love, Prayer, and Healthy Relationships (37:00–45:27)

• Imperfect Love and the Power of Prayer: Crystal and Ciara discuss what it means to “seal it properly” in relationships, emphasizing spiritual alignment and authenticity over perfection.
  • Ciara: “In imperfect love, that’s where perfection is.” (37:47)
  • On intentionality: “When we start to envision who we want to be within ourselves and we cement it with prayer, the evolution starts to happen, like, overnight.” (41:04)
• Abstinence & Standards: Encouragement to wait for “the right person” who values and respects you.
  • Ciara: “The right guy will respect it and hold your hand...that’s what I do know.” (44:08)
  • “There’s a difference between boys and men. Men will be intentional, patient, thoughtful.” (45:16)

10. Motherhood: Raising Boys & Girls in Today’s World (45:28–49:44)

• Instilling Values: She discusses being a role model for both her daughter and sons, fostering confidence, and ensuring open, honest communication from home before outside influences reach her children.
  • Ciara: “I’m challenging myself to create a line of communication and tell them about things before the world tells them.” (48:34)
• Parenting in a Changed World: Acknowledges the new challenges of parenting in the age of digital access and shifting societal norms.

11. Entrepreneurship: Skincare & Spirits (50:04–51:21)

• OEM Skin: Ciara shares the growth and evolution of her skincare business, with a transparent look at small-business challenges and her commitment to continual innovation.
  • Ciara: “I’m on a mission to keep evolving in this space.” (50:04)

12. Fun Segment: Love It or Leave It (51:27–53:07)

Quickfire Q&A covering everything from 5am workouts ("leave it") to TikTok dance trends ("love it"), group chats, long phone calls, food cravings, and relationship rituals.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Prayer and Success:
  “We keep God first in everything.” – Ciara (00:54)
• On Self-Belief:
  “If I didn’t believe in myself in that moment, I would have been so discouraged and given up.” – Ciara (10:43)
• On Legacy:
  “Legacy is everything, right? That’s the one thing I really work hard to protect.” – Ciara (14:02)
• On Rest:
  “Rest is so vital. I never knew I needed rest until this stage in my life.” – Ciara (20:41)
• On Love and Faith:
  “We say Jesus at the center. … It brings everything back down, like, to the right place.” – Ciara (29:57–31:02)
• On Parenthood:
  “Being a mom is the best job on earth. … God, please help me to be the best example I can be for her [my daughter].” – Ciara (45:39, 46:04)
• On Relationships:
  “The right guy will respect [your boundaries] and hold your hand with you. That’s what I do know.” – Ciara (44:08) “There’s a difference between boys and men. … Men will be intentional, patient, thoughtful.” – Ciara (45:16)
• On Vulnerability:
  “To be able to say, ‘Will you forgive me?’ ... it’s game-changing.” – Ciara (32:41) “I really have been in an emotional, like, gratitude. Yeah, it is, it's gratitude. It's real.” – Ciara (30:32)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–01:53 – Opening, prayer, Atlanta homecoming
• 02:15–04:39 – Giving back, Why Not You Foundation, Ciara Day
• 04:39–07:24 – New album ‘Cece,’ gratitude, ownership
• 07:24–11:40 – ‘Level Up’ story, rejection and independence
• 12:01–14:59 – Financial lessons, legacy, building her own label
• 15:23–20:29 – Passion, motherhood, time management, importance of rest
• 23:27–27:01 – Postpartum, body love, Russ’s support
• 27:15–34:11 – Marriage to Russell Wilson, intentionality, forgiveness, structure
• 37:00–45:27 – Love, prayer, abstinence, being intentional about relationships
• 45:28–49:44 – Parenting philosophies, open communication, preparing kids for the world
• 50:04–51:21 – OEM Skin evolution and small business insights
• 51:27–53:07 – “Love It or Leave It” rapid-fire fun
• 53:09–End – Closing affirmations, gratitude

Tone & Style

The conversation is warm, honest, faith-driven, and empowering—full of laughter, vulnerability, and straight talk about navigating fame, family, and faith. Ciara and Crystal maintain a supportive, optimistic tone throughout, making listeners feel like part of an intimate sister circle. The wisdom is practical, the encouragement genuine, and the energy affirming.

For the Listener

This episode delivers real talk on gratitude, ownership, love, and the power of staying grounded. It's for anyone navigating their own chapters, striving for balance, or needing permission to choose faith and self-belief in a fast-paced world.

Memorable Sign-Off:
“We ain’t stressed out, we blessed out. In the meantime, in between time, keep it positive, sweeties.” – Crystal (Closing)