Keep it Positive, Sweetie – “The Chapter of Gratitude w/ Ciara”

Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Guest: Ciara
Date: August 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This heartfelt episode features superstar artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Ciara in a wide-ranging, deeply personal conversation with host Crystal Renee Hayslett. The core theme is gratitude—reflecting on personal growth, legacy, the power of faith, self-ownership, and the intentional impact of positive living. The two women share stories and strategies for navigating success, relationships, motherhood, and spiritual alignment, offering listeners inspiration for living authentically with purpose.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Power of Faith and Keeping God First

• The episode opens with a discussion about the importance of prayer and putting God first in everything, including interviews and everyday life.
  • [00:53] Ciara: “Listen, we keep God first in everything.”
  • [00:56] Ciara: “It’s the best way to kick off the day.”
• Ciara and Crystal both credit their faith as foundational to their careers and personal well-being.

The Why Not You Foundation & Community Impact

• Ciara discusses celebrating the inaugural “Ciara Day” in Atlanta and opening the second Why Not You Center in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club.
  • [03:24] Ciara: “Russ and I, we’ve always had a vision with our Why Not You Foundation, and we have a big vision to do a few things right. One...create centers for kids.”
  • The focus is on making “Ciara Day” about impact and giving back to her hometown:
    [04:19] Ciara: “Every time I get a chance to celebrate this day, I want to make it a day of impact.”

The New Album “Cece” & Her Evolution as an Artist

• Ciara discusses her upcoming album, “Cece,” and the significance of the title—her nickname—and her special connection with fans.
  • [05:06] Ciara: “It’s my nickname...when someone calls you by your nickname, it’s personal.”
  • She reflects on being an independent artist and the gratitude she feels for her fans, who fueled her success and gave her the courage to own her music.
  • On viral hit “Level Up”:
    [05:53] Ciara: “It’s one of my most viewed videos to date. And I’m so proud because it’s mine. Like, I own that song. I own the master.”
• The project represents her “chapter of gratitude.”
  • [06:02] Ciara: “This is the chapter and season of gratitude for me. I kind of live my life in chapters.”
  • Goal for her music: “My goal is always to make the world dance… and to hopefully give inspiration.” [07:01]

Owning Her Career: Independence & Legacy

• Ciara shares openly about leaving her record label, the vulnerability in striking out on her own, and why ownership matters.
  • [10:11] Ciara: “You have to believe in yourself. If I didn’t believe in myself in that moment, I would have been so discouraged and I would have given up.”
  • On gaining her masters:
    [11:41] Ciara: “When we weren’t seeing eye to eye, I asked for my masters back, and he gave them back to me for free…God, you got me.”
• Key lessons: The importance of understanding the business side of music, numbers, and building generational wealth.
  • [12:18] Ciara: “The greatest thing is numbers…and it’s the ability to create how you want to and when you want to.”
  • [14:20] Ciara: “Legacy is everything…that’s the one thing that I really work hard to protect.”

Passion, Identity, and Why She Still Strives

• Despite having personal and professional success, Ciara explains why she continues to set goals and work hard.
  • [15:53] Ciara: “It’s my passion for what I do. I love being an artist. I love performing. I love traveling the world…and I have an appreciation for what God has blessed me to do.”
• On linking her drive to her identity:
  • [16:38] Ciara: “It’s a beat that’s like—it’s music. Movement within itself…these things feed me.”

Balancing Motherhood, Entrepreneurship, and Self-Care

• Ciara shares her strategies for balancing her career, family, and personal needs.
  • [18:34] — Admits to working on “mastering” self-care and scheduling, even penciling in downtime and family moments.
  • [19:55] Ciara: “Even the personal time…I’m also intentional with carving out the time.”
  • Emphasizes the importance of rest to both health and productivity.
    • [20:41] “Rest is so vital…we gotta get rest… your body can’t endure everything when you're grinding…”

Body Image, Moderation, and Self-Acceptance

• The conversation shifts to body image, food, and learning to love her postpartum body.
  • [26:11] Ciara: “I ain’t gonna lie. I loved every step of the way. And I gotta give my husband some love, because Russ really made me feel even more like, okay, I’m liking my curves.”
  • Encourages women to appreciate all stages of their bodies and prioritize moderation, water, and health, not perfection.

Partnership with Russell Wilson: Relationship Foundations

• Honest discussion about balancing two ambitious careers while nurturing their marriage and family.
  • [27:35] Ciara: “Communication is really important.”
  • They prioritize intentional time (date nights, shared routines), and make decisions as a unit.
• God at the center of their relationship:
  • [29:57] “We say Jesus at the center…when man leans on man, listen, that’s when it get a little murky…where is the spirit in all this?”
• On vulnerability:
  • [32:32] “Will you forgive me?”—the importance of humility, accountability, and forgiveness in relationships.

On Purposeful Love, Abstinence, and Intentional Dating

• Crystal shares her story of abstaining from sex to date “the right way,” and Ciara reflects on the difference between men and boys, intentionality, and prayer.
  • [41:04] Ciara: “When we start to envision who we want to be…cement it with prayer, the evolution starts to happen…overnight.”
  • Importance of a supportive circle and surrounding yourself with people who reinforce your values.
• Advice for women navigating dating and self-worth:
  • [44:08] Ciara: “The right guy will respect it…will wait for you…will hold your hand with you…men, they gonna wait for you, they’re gonna be patient with you…it’s the little things.”

Motherhood: Raising Confident, Grounded Kids

• Ciara speaks about her pride in being a mom and striving to be a positive role model.
  • [47:05] “What a gift…how sweet is that? My daughter looks at me and she looks up to me...God, please help me be the best example.”
• On raising boys and girls:
  • [47:57] “Boys think everything is a jungle gym…But I do get the best of both worlds.”
• On the importance of open communication with kids:
  • [48:21] “I’m trying to challenge myself to create a line of communication and also tell them about things before the world tells them.”

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “We ain’t stressed out, we blessed out.” – Ciara [17:57]
• “My goal is always to make the world dance, and to hopefully give inspiration.” – Ciara [07:01]
• “Ownership became significant for me because that’s where, to me, your true financial and wealth success is.” – Ciara [14:03]
• “You have to believe in yourself.” – Ciara [10:11]
• “Rest is so vital...you’re going to die if you don’t sleep.” – Ciara [21:43]
• “We say Jesus at the center.” – Ciara [29:57]
• “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.” – Ciara [41:04]
• “Being a mom is the best job on earth.” – Ciara [45:44]
• “Legacy is everything, right? That’s the one thing that I really work hard to protect.” – Ciara [14:20]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening & Prayer: [00:00 - 01:00]
• The Why Not You Foundation & Community Impact: [02:17 - 04:39]
• Cece Album & Independent Journey: [04:59 - 07:11]
• Level Up & Record Label Story: [07:11 - 11:49]
• Ownership and Building Legacy: [12:10 - 15:23]
• Why Ciara Keeps Striving / Identity: [15:53 - 17:56]
• Work-Life Balance, Self-Care, and Scheduling: [18:34 - 21:43]
• Body Image and Embracing Change: [24:32 - 27:01]
• Relationship Foundations with Russell Wilson: [27:15 - 34:11]
• On Love, Abstinence, and Dating Intentionally: [37:16 - 45:16]
• Parenting and Raising Kids in Today’s World: [45:27 - 49:47]
• Closing “Love it or Leave it” Game: [51:20 - 53:09]

Episode Tone & Vibe

The conversation is warm, vibrant, honest, and empowering. Crystal and Ciara freely discuss both triumphs and vulnerabilities with humor and openness, grounded in faith and intentional gratitude. There’s a spirit of mutual support and celebration as they encourage listeners—especially women—to “keep it positive, sweetie” as they level up in every area of life.

Takeaways

• Gratitude and faith are anchors for success, healing, and joy.
• Owning your career and legacy is a powerful act of self-love.
• Intentionality—in parenting, relationships, and self-care—leads to balance and fulfillment.
• Surround yourself with positive, faith-driven people who inspire growth.
• It’s okay to evolve, rest, and embrace every chapter.

This episode is a must-listen for those seeking motivation, spiritual encouragement, and practical wisdom for living purposefully—with grace, grit, and gratitude.