The Ministry of Storytelling w/ Mignon Von

Summary

Podcast Summary: "The Ministry of Storytelling w/ Mignon Von"

Podcast: Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Guest: Mignon Von
Release Date: July 27, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode of Keep It Positive, Sweetie is a heartfelt and authenticity-driven conversation between host Crystal Renee Hayslett and guest Mignon Von, known for her scene-stealing performance as “Danni” on Tyler Perry’s Sistas. Beyond celebrity and success, the dialogue explores the deeper themes of faith, purpose, healing, female empowerment, career struggles, legacy, and what it means to make an impact through storytelling. Expect candid insights, spiritual wisdom, laughs, and the kind of sisterhood energy that defines the “Sweeties” community.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Room Shifters and Quiet Impact

• Kris (Crystal) kicks off discussing people whose “presence shifts the room” and the value of lasting impact versus fleeting “cuteness”.
• Mignon is introduced as someone embodying this quiet power: “She’s bold, funny, real…a woman of faith… with that signature Mignon sparkle.” [00:00]

2. On-Screen and Real-Life Sisterhood

• Crystal and Mignon reflect on their “Dani & Fatima” dynamic on Sistas, joking about fandom shipping (“Fanny”, “Datima”) and their natural chemistry—as well as building a sisterly relationship off-screen.
• Memorable banter: “We make a really good team.”—Kris [01:43]

3. No Gatekeeping: Sharing Wisdom Within the Tribe

• Both emphasize the importance of sharing knowledge in the industry, especially for women of color: “We talked about in our prayer about not gatekeeping and making sure that we’re sharing the knowledge. And this season, we’re not gatekeeping. I don't. Because for what?”—Kris [03:32]
• Mignon: “An abundance mindset.” [03:51]

4. Mignon’s Journey: Faith, Struggles & Career Turns

• Mignon opens up about being born in D.C., raised in Augusta, GA, and her early attraction to performing: “It was just a knowing… before there was an understanding of what being an actor was.” [05:27]

• She shares her detours—working behind the camera in Hollywood before taking the acting leap, facing size discrimination, and turning to faith and fasting for clarity.

  “So I actually tried to get away from it. I thought I was going to be a marine biologist…I was dealing with different struggles and traumas…then God was just like, nah, shawty, nah. I put something in you for a reason.” —Mignon [05:57]

  • The Alchemist was a pivotal book; her brother encouraged her to remember her childhood dreams. [07:24]

5. Breakthroughs, Rejection, and Mentorship

• Mignon returned to Atlanta in 2016, initially struggled, then landed her Sistas breakthrough in 2019, with Crystal relating her own parallel journey.
• Crystal recalls helping Mignon discover the confidence and power of wardrobe:

  “Oh, I have a shape, honey. Didn’t know.” —Mignon [11:21]

6. Navigating Fame & Safety as Women in the Spotlight

• Both openly discuss discomfort with sudden public recognition and fears that come with it (“I hide in public… I’m pretty shy… I’m introverted” —Mignon [12:43]).
• Safety concerns, anxiety, and adjusting to new boundaries in dating as public figures, with honesty about navigating fear and caution:

  “With fame, it’s like, I’m in the house… fame has given me that [primal fear] even more.”—Kris [14:25]

7. Dating, Referrals, and Breaking Old Patterns

• Real talk about dating as women of faith and fame:

  “I’m so used to being by myself. I’m fine… but I tried to even meditate on it yesterday, and my mind was like, ‘I have better things to think about.’” —Mignon [17:07]

• Kris advocates for telling friends when you’re ready to date and using “referrals” for safety:

  “If you know anybody, that’s great, shawty, swing them my way…” —Kris [18:09]

8. Questioning Gender Roles & Advocating for Women

• Mignon reflects on seeing unhealthy expectations placed on women in her Southern family—and how those early questions shaped her values and standards in relationships:

  “How can a man love a woman, see she’s tired, and there’s nothing in you that says, ‘How can I help?’… I remember at 12, 13, 14, saying, ‘Lord, I want better than what I’ve seen.’” —Mignon [20:08]

• A discussion about “mutual submission” and how biblical directives are frequently misused.

  “It’s not about tit for tat…it’s about love, sacrifice, and realizing you’re marrying someone’s fears, traumas—marriage is a ministry.” —Mignon [23:23]

9. Faith, Fasting, and Spiritual Discipline

• The importance of fasting and spiritual practices in Mignon’s life, starting young by watching her parents:

  “If y’all did nothing right except raise me in the fear and ammunition of the Lord—that was enough.” —Mignon [29:10]

• Crystal and Mignon’s shared practices of fasting, seeking spiritual alignment, and building faith-based community.

10. Storytelling as Spiritual Ministry

• The heart of the episode: viewing storytelling not just as entertainment, but as spiritual work and ministry.

  “Storytelling is spiritual… what did Jesus do to share his message? Stories. Storytelling is a ministry, and that’s why there’s so much darkness in Hollywood.” —Mignon [32:12]

• Dialogue around being mindful of the message behind the characters they play, and using their platforms for good.

11. Handling Criticism, Playing Flawed Characters, and Legacy

• The tension between faith, public expectation, and playing flawed (sometimes sinful) roles on television:

  “Isn’t it almost self-righteous if we think we have to play perfect characters, if we aren’t perfect? …Look at the people God used. Rahab is in the lineage of Jesus.” —Mignon [37:40]

• The power and responsibility of representation; the need for “redemptive arcs” in their characters’ stories.

12. Finance, Career Growth, & Difficult Lessons

• Real talk about financial growing pains moving into higher income post-fame—learning to save, invest, work with advisors, and the pain of bad investments.
• Memorable, vulnerable anecdote from Kris about losing money in an early cannabis business investment:

  “I put $100,000 in…do you hear me when I tell you I ain’t got a dime…that kind of scared me, and I was afraid to invest in people and their businesses for a while.” —Kris [48:15]

• Mignon’s learning curve with savings vs. investing, and why trusting her own discernment is key when it comes to business.

13. Healing, Boundaries, and Trust

• Both discuss how personal disappointment, trauma, and boundary-setting play into professional choices and romantic relationships.
• Mignon on healing before seeking the right partner:

  “Heal me from the disappointment and the lack of trust. Because if it’s a good dude, you’re gonna sabotage it…” [53:24]

14. Impact, Legacy, and Lighting Others’ Candles

• When asked about her legacy, Mignon shares:

  “I want to have left a mark, especially with storytelling, that will make people feel less alone…so that ripple effect—a candle doesn’t lose fire when it lights another candle. I want to light other people’s candles.” —Mignon [55:29]

• Both reflect on the feeling of responsibility that comes with success and wanting to help others find their gifts and purpose.

15. Collaboration, Building Positive Teams, and Trust

• The challenge—and joy—of assembling a trustworthy team, especially in Hollywood:

  “That’s the warfare, too—relationships…finding good people, the people you don’t feel like you need a mental health screening for.” —Mignon [59:34]

• Appreciation for their creative teams, supportive friends, and leaders like Tyler Perry who see “diamonds in the rough.”

16. The Orbital Tribe: Purpose and Community

• Mignon introduces her new project, The Orbital Tribe—a movement and media platform for those who “walk their own path.”
• The name: For those “God has called out even amongst the people He’s called out…you might not get there the traditional way, but you can get there.” —Mignon [61:20]
• Both praise Tyler Perry’s pattern of giving overlooked talent a real shot and changing lives generationally.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Cute is cool, but impact is forever.” —Kris [00:14]
• “An abundance mindset. That’s it.” —Mignon [03:51]
• “God was just like, ‘nah, shawty, nah. I put something in you for a reason.’” —Mignon [05:57]
• “Fame has given me that [primal fear]—even more than before.” —Kris [14:25]
• “Marriage is a ministry. It’s work…when you marry, you marry their fears, hopes, flaws, traumas.” —Mignon [23:23]
• “Storytelling is spiritual…what did Jesus do in order to get his message? Stories. Storytelling is a ministry.” —Mignon [32:12]
• “A candle doesn’t lose fire when it lights another candle. I want to light other people’s candles.” —Mignon [55:29]
• “That’s the warfare too—relationships. Where two or more are gathered… sometimes that’s why it’s so hard, finding the good people.” —Mignon [59:34]
• “The Orbital Tribe…for those people God has called out…even amongst the people He’s called out.” —Mignon [61:20]

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Key Timestamps

• 00:00–01:45 Introduction, Mignon’s impact, setting the episode’s theme
• 03:29–04:55 Sisterhood, candid talk on not gatekeeping, sharing resources
• 05:27–07:37 Mignon’s origin story, acting as a calling, The Alchemist
• 10:02–12:20 Landing Sistas, industry break, wardrobe & confidence
• 12:38–17:10 Navigating fame, public anxiety, dating with trust issues
• 19:08–24:46 Gender dynamics, love, faith, biblical women’s empowerment
• 26:44–29:10 Fasting, the power of faith in career and healing
• 30:01–34:43 Storytelling as spiritual, redemptive arcs, representation
• 44:11–50:33 Real talk on money, investments, trusting intuition in business
• 53:22–55:29 Healing from disappointment, readiness for love
• 55:29–59:04 Legacy, impact, and lighting others’ candles
• 59:30–61:57 Teamwork, the struggle & gift of trustworthy collaborators
• 60:54–62:06 Introducing The Orbital Tribe project, meaning, and mission

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Closing

This episode is a masterclass in authenticity, storytelling, and the conscious use of influence. With laughter, wisdom, and transparency, Crystal and Mignon draw powerful links between their faith, creative careers, inner healing, and the ministry of impact. Mignon’s advice to “light other people’s candles” is a torch for all listeners seeking purpose and positive connection.

Find The Orbital Tribe:

• YouTube, Spotify, iHeart, Apple Podcasts, Amazon
• IG: @mignonfof

Crystal’s Closing Gem:

• “Keep company only with those who uplift you and whose presence calls forth your best. Until next time, keep it positive, sweetie.” [67:30]

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For more conversations that inspire, empower, and heal, subscribe to “Keep It Positive, Sweetie” wherever you listen to podcasts.

Transcript

[A]

Calling all my sweeties to the forefront. I'm your host, Kris Renee Hazel, and this is the Keep It Positive Sweetie Show. Sweeties, have you ever met someone who doesn't just show up? They shift the room? Yeah. We are talking impact. Today's episode is all about that quiet power, that loud purpose, and that kind of presence that leaves a mark after you've walked away. Because cute is cool, but impact is forever. Let's get into it. This is Keep It Positive Sweetie. Today's guest is someone I not only admire on screen, but deeply respect off screen. She's bold, she's funny, she's real. And, you know, she's one of those women who brings that light with her everywhere she goes. You might know her as Scene Stealing Dani from Tyler Perry's Sisters, but trust me, Mignon Von is so much more than a character. She's a storyteller, a creative, and a woman of faith. She has worked her way up in this industry with grit and grace and that signature Mignon sparkle. I am so excited to have this honest, joyful, and impactful conversation with my sis today. Sweeties, please give a warm welcome to Mignon, my sister. Hey, boo. Now, the people been wanting this one.

[B]

I know they've been wanting.

[A]

No. Thank you for coming.

[B]

Thank you for having me.

[A]

Yes. I'm so excited.

[B]

Happy. We could make their dreams come true.

[A]

I know. See, this is what we do. Once again. No. People, People. Every week, they're like, we want more of Danny and Fatima. When are we gonna get some Fanny? Or. What's the name? Fanny. Fatima. Yeah. Fanny. I think that'd be our nickname.

[B]

Datima.

[A]

Datima.

[B]

Because the team was like. The team, too.

[A]

Exactly.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

And we make a really good team.

[B]

I like it.

[A]

We do. I do. Come on out, put it together. I love it. Thank you so much.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

We. When we're working, we don't get to talk as much in the past few seasons. We didn't have a lot of work together the past. Now, like, I think the last two seasons we filmed, we've actually gotten to work more together. We built our own relationship, our own language. Like, I can just look at her, and she's like, now I know exactly.

[B]

What she's talking about.

[A]

It's so funny. I'm like, you good? She like. I'm like, got it. I read. I read all that. I read it.

[B]

They all talk about how I go mute. I do have. Like, I just start kind of. You'd be like, yeah, but she has mumblecore. She'd be like, sim, you know, my time we did with it, I was like, I didn't understand anything, but I understood everything.

[A]

The crazy thing is me and my brother had that language. So I guess you really are my sister, because he's the only one that understands me and you. Now my mom be like, what are y' all talking about? Be like. And he's like, is that Tennessee? It must be. It must be. I don't know what it is, but that's what. Yeah, I mumble and you get it. Yeah, I love it.

[B]

I love that. It don't even matter. It's like just. She's telling y' all that the pickup is wrong. Listen, get it together.

[A]

I love it. So. Because we haven't got. We work. When we're working, we are working. And I was like, I really want to sit down and talk to you. And even for the audience to get to know you more, because the times that we have talked have been so enriching for me. Learning more about your faith. We have financial talks. We talk about so much. Like, in our breaks, it's like, what about this? Who do you use for this? We talk about so many different things.

[B]

Helps me so much. You've got impeccable taste.

[A]

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. But that's what it's about. We talked about in our prayer about not gatekeeping and making sure that we're sharing the knowledge. And this season, we're not gatekeeping. I don't. Because for what?

[B]

For what?

[A]

Somebody told me. Hello. Why? Why should I take what somebody else gave me and keep it all to myself?

[B]

An abundance mindset.

[A]

Yep. That's it.

[B]

You got it.

[A]

That's it.

[B]

You got it.

[A]

But no, I wanted to have you on so we could learn more about you, because when we are working, we don't really get to dive into those things. So I was like, let's have Ming on so we can really dive in, you know, dive into who you are, some of your goals and everything. We can know more about who you are. So you started. You were born in D.C. raised in.

[B]

D.C. and then raised in Georgia.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Raised in Georgia. Augusta.

[A]

Augusta. Georgia.

[B]

Augusta.

[A]

Born in D.C. raised in Augusta. I did go to the Masters last year. You did?

[B]

Yes. It was crazy. Was it? I've never been. It was cr.

[A]

What? Mercedes. We need to. We need to make that happen. Because you drive a Mercedes. Come on, now.

[B]

Make it with Mercedes as, like, a Ambassador or something.

[A]

Yep. So they make that happen. Don't get cute.

[B]

I got you.

[A]

You can keep and I drive a Mercedes. That's a double win right there. You need to go to the Masters next year. It's an experience of a lifetime. I got to go, and Tiger was there, so it was, like, really dope.

[B]

Well, that's the thing. Like, growing up in Augusta, literally lived down the street from the golf course, but you might as well live a world away because, you know. You know, it's an exclusive club, so. And I was like, child, whatever. I'm trying to get out of Augusta and go to LA anyway.

[A]

Right. Seriously, what was it like? As young Ming, like, were you always. Did you know you were funny? When did you realize that you had this knack for acting or even wanted to act?

[B]

So I always say that it was annoying with, like, acting. I didn't necessarily know I was funny until a certain age. But, like, the thing about acting, it just. It was understood. I was watching. I used to love Muppet Babies. And you know how there's the, you know, rolling credits and, like, there's Miss Piggy. Just being an actress. Oh, that's what I do. And I was like, three. So it was just a knowing wow. Before there was an understanding of what being an actor or being Hollywood or.

[A]

Movie star was right.

[B]

So I actually tried to get away from it. I thought I was going to be a marine biologist. I thought I was gonna go into psychology just cause of different struggles and traumas and insecurities. And then eventually, God was just like, nah, shawty, nah. I put something in you for a reason.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

What were some of those struggles and traumas that you went through that got you to that? Nah, shawty, you got this.

[B]

Well, just. So I went to Pepperdine University for film school, graduated, had a hard time finding a job in film, so I worked in a nonprofit world. Eventually got a job in tv. I used to work on Dance with the Stars. Really? I was a PA Girl. I've been a pa, A production coordinator, post production coordinator, coordinating producer, story assistant on short films, like, with other people's short films. I've been like an ad. I've been, of course, a PA Me. I did not know all things, ma'. Am.

[A]

Our stories are so parallel. I had no idea.

[B]

Yeah, see, this why you find out. But, like, I just. I. I tried to work behind the camera. Then I was like, okay, I can work behind the camera and eventually put myself and stuff.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Because of the. You know, you experience rejection in life and you experience trauma, and you experience being told, oh, that's not for you. Delta Burke was Delta Burke, like, You don't get to be your size and do this. How many people your size are doing this? You know? And so I was like, okay. So I was like, all right, I'll just make my own stuff. And then doors started closing, and I started fasting, like, in my 20s. And one of the times I was fasting, I was reading the book called the Alchemist. Well, listening to it.

[A]

That is one of my favorite books.

[B]

It's absolutely one of my favorite.

[A]

I tell people to read it at the beginning of every year.

[B]

Top five. You know, I think it should be a ritual for me as well. It's so good, because Paulo Coelho, I think that's how you pronounce his last name. I mean, he's also a believer. So it's just like, understanding our journey, our life path is just really important. And that book really helps you in, like, visual storytelling to understand your own personal hero's journey. And so, anyway, so just kind of starting that. It was so at that time, it was kind of like the call to adventure. Cause my brother was kind of pouring into me. I was fasting. I was like, God, just tell me if this is for me or not. My brother was like, you remember that little girl who had these dreams, and she didn't care what anybody thought? And when you were a child, and then there's. You get to that part in the Book of the Alchemist where it says, well, if a child tells you in a dream, then it's true. And I put all those things together, and now I was like, okay, I'm gonna move back to Atlanta. They'll see that I'm LA trained. I'll get all the jobs.

[A]

Because that's the move, right? People think, go to LA and come here, they're gonna definitely hire me.

[B]

Doors will open.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

They'll fly open. Zero. My goodness, nothing. But that's because God was like, take acting classes. Get back. Really get back to it. Because even when I was in college, I was taking acting classes, but I still focused on film studies, right? He was like, no, you need to go after this hard, 100%. And then I did that. I think I really knew I was funny because, like, in school, I knew I was funny. I knew I could make people laugh. But I did improv here in Atlanta. And we would have, you know, those house teams, and people would come to shows, and I would see the laughs I would get in real time. And I was like, oh, okay. You know, I'd be a little funny. I'd be kind of cute at this.

[A]

Yes. That's funny.

[B]

So, yeah, I've always been funny, though. I don't know.

[A]

You are funny.

[B]

Thank you. I mean, yes, I am funny. That's why people think I'm Danny.

[A]

Because in real life.

[B]

That's what I think. I'm Danny in real life. Because, like, no. Yes. I'm hilarious. But I promise you, I'm not her. But.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, exactly. So from moving from Los Angeles to Atlanta, all the doors, the rejection, being closed, what was that first big break where you're like, okay, we got some traction here. Really?

[B]

Sisters.

[A]

Sisters was that moment. What year. What year did you move to Atlanta?

[B]

I moved back to Atlanta, like 2016.

[A]

So three years later. Because we got picked, like 2019.

[B]

That's so true. It was only three years later.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Which is.

[A]

I mean, it felt like a lifetime. I bet it.

[B]

Do you hear me?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Because 2018, I moved back to LA, thinking that's.

[A]

I remember you were in LA when we started. Yep, I remember that.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And thinking, okay, I gotta go back to LA if I want a real acting job. Because out here you getting day player roles. You're not getting a series regular role out here. Right. So let me go to la.

[A]

A lot of times they're casting from Los Angeles for those big. Those main roles.

[B]

And it was pre Covid, so I was like, let me go back to la, get LA representation so I can get LA opportunities.

[A]

Right. 0 my goodness. That was my story too. And I mean, you know, my story worked behind scenes for all those years and then finally got that shot. I remember the first day we met, you came into your fitting. I was costume designing season one, and I just loved your character because she was the. She was so much fun. And I was like, we are going to have fun with her wardrobe.

[B]

Changed my life. Oh, I didn't tailor clothes before that.

[A]

Really?

[B]

I did not. When you tailored my. I was like, oh, I have a shape, honey.

[A]

A good one, too.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Didn't know. Yeah, did not know.

[A]

A lot of people, they. Some people just don't even know, like, that's a thing, you know? You think like, oh, I can get alterations done when I need something, but actually buying something and tailored to your body can change the entire garment. Like, literally, you can get something from Walmart, y'.

[B]

All.

[A]

Like, if you ball it on a budget, go to Walmart. You got your auntie who know how to sew. Get that thing tailored to your body and it may look like it's from Louie. Okay. For real. But no, it's a Real thing. And I. I think even just knowing the woman's body and knowing what parts to accentuate to, like, it just. It brings out a different type of confidence, you know? But I remember you coming in and I got to watch your audition. I was like, oh, my goodness. I was like, yeah, this girl is funny. So funny. I saw you on tape and I was like, yeah, she's got it. And just to see where your character has gone from then to now has just been amazing.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Now I want to talk to personally because we talk about, like, just the anxiety and the. The awareness that we have to have now that we're celebrities and we leave the house. How did you adjust from going from just mignon to now? It's like, Danny, Danny, Danny, is that you like, every. Everywhere you go?

[B]

It's not Danny. It's not only on tv.

[A]

Right.

[B]

I hide in public. I hide in public.

[A]

We talked about this. Yeah.

[B]

Because I. I mean, I know for some people, the Lady Doff protests too much, but I'm not her. And I am pretty shy when it comes to new people. I am introverted. Yes, I'm funny. And yes, when I'm with people I'm comfortable with, and it's like one on one. Yeah. Like, making jokes, and I'm the life of a party. But it's a small party.

[A]

Right.

[B]

You know what I mean? It's a party of five people I know really well.

[A]

Right.

[B]

But if it's like a big club thing, like, I'm not getting on the stage and dancing, like. And so I'm shy. Like, when a stranger runs up on me, I'm like. It's survival mode, right?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And then it's even more so survival mode when you realize that people know who you are in a crowd, but you don't know who they are, that's scary. You know what I mean? And I've had some instances that were really sweet but a little overzealous.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And so it makes me. I was like. I said, I'm introverted. I've always been a homebody. I never understood the club scene. Even when I was like, you know, in my college years, I was like, guys, we're standing in line in heels and short skirts and. And it's cold. Why are we doing this? Just so we can get in for free by 11? Like, I did not get it.

[A]

Right.

[B]

I was the friend complaining the whole night.

[A]

I hate to say that is funny.

[B]

I was there. And so now I'm even more. But I will say with. With the fame it's like, I'm in the house.

[A]

Yeah, no, same.

[B]

I'm in the house. I need to be out the house, because I'm gonna meet somebody if I'm in the house.

[A]

But that's what my friends would tell me. They're like, crystal, how do you expect to get a man if you're always in the house? Who you say to your doordash man? I said, well, I don't even go to the door for him. My directions are leaving at the door, and then I watch them leave and drive off. Then I'm like.

[B]

No, turn the corner.

[A]

You know, a fear of mine is that, like, I'm gonna open the door, and they're gonna be right there. So I'm always watching, like, from the ring and all my cameras, I'm like, okay, they've driven off. All right. And grab it.

[B]

Primal fear.

[A]

Primal fear. And I feel like fame has given me that. Even more so before. Even more.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

That I really didn't have. You have that. That primal instinct. But when it comes to the fear that we have now, I know for me, like, I've gotten death threats.

[B]

Like, when you told me that, I was. Yeah, it was visceral for me when you told me that.

[A]

That's awful.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

It's scary because, like you said, I can be in a crowd where every. Like, I don't know who they are, but they know. And, like, what if that one person is just sitting there? The weirdo that.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

You know, you just never know. So it's always having, like, this awareness now, watching my back, you know, saying, there's so many different things we have to do now that we didn't have to do five years ago, you know?

[B]

And that's the thing that sometimes frustrates me about my family's advice or friends advice is like, do you know how to navigate what I'm navigating, though? Does your advice take into consideration that you a don't know how to navigate what I'm navigating and balance to navigate what I'm navigating?

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And when it comes to friends that are in the same field as us or, like, celebrities giving advice on dating, for me, it's more so recommendations and saying, hey, I know this guy. I think he'd be great for you. Like, that's kind of how I navigate it. But then I have other friends that do dating sites. I tried. That didn't work for me. So, like, I'm very much like, I need somebody to know you. So if you try something Crazy. At least I'm like, you said this guy was good, but he's not. And I tried, Raya, and I was just like. I'm like, I never would, like, try to match with anyone, so I'm not really that girl. But most people like that I know either do dating sites, and they've had great success with it. I'm just kind of afraid that primal fear that I'll be the one to swipe on a serial killer with my look.

[B]

I think. I think you're right about referrals. I think they say that no matter who you are, that's still the best way is to tell people, like, hey, I'm looking for someone. Yeah, I'm in the market, like, either way, so maybe that's what I have to do.

[A]

You're looking. Are you ready?

[B]

You know, this week, I was thinking about that. I was like, I'm. I'm so used to. To being by myself that I'm like, I'm fine. You know what I'm saying? Except for there's, like, certain moments where it's like, oh, yeah, you wish you had a partner with you for certain things. But, like, I tried to even. Like, I was meditating yesterday, and I was just trying to think about, you know, the things that I wanted. And my mind was like, okay, we can think about the gentleman. And I was like, I have better things to think about. Like, you know what I mean? Because I tried to, like, just hit every area of my life, and I was like, yeah, you know? Yeah. Because I also think there's just phase that you go through in life where you think about it too much, and now you're just like, I'm tapped out. Like, yeah, like this.

[A]

I'm older than you, Ming, so I will tell you, you don't want to get my age and be like, I should have tried to focus on that a little. A little bit.

[B]

But how do you focus on something that you can't control?

[A]

Well, by telling your friends, hey, I'm ready. I'm willing to date. If you know anybody, that's great, shawty. Swing them my way. Because if they don't.

[B]

Crystal, I'm ready, and I'm willing to date. All right, you can send the right friends. See, there's only certain people that I want to send referrals because you got.

[A]

Listen, now, you can't have everybody sending referrals because everybody don't have the. I got you. I got you. You should trust me. Yes. No, I can't ask all my friends that because Sometimes they bring people. I'm like, do you even know me?

[B]

Do you even know me?

[A]

Do you know me?

[B]

I don't know if I like your relationship.

[A]

Come on.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah, that's real.

[B]

Because I remember being 12. I think a really big part of it, too, is, like, I remember being, like, 12, 13. Like, I wasn't always. I'm a smart dummy. Or like. Is that what I'm trying to say? Like, I'm highly intelligent, but I'm dumb. Sometimes I think we all have that.

[A]

Either we just. Some people are just dumb, but, like, yeah, some people. Some people are really smart and intellectual, but make really stupid mistakes. It's like, why did I just.

[B]

Because I remember being 12, 13, 14, trying to break up the patriarchy in my Southern black Christian family. You get what I'm saying? There's, like a billion women in my family, but we do so much cooking that everyone's still tired, right?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

But the men sit throughout the entire holiday.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

Well, hear us arguing about whose turn it is to wash dishes. Obviously, it's the teenage girls who are arguing like that. But we'll see that we're tired, and we'll only get up to get a plate that's already made for them. Won't wash their dish, won't help. The only thing they will do is maybe go to the grocery store when someone asks them to. But the bulk of the grocery shopping is done by my grandmother before we get there.

[A]

Like.

[B]

And I just remember being, like, smart, saying, well, why don't we get some of the men to help? And the main people down my throat were the women.

[C]

Wow.

[B]

And I just remember thinking to myself, and this is a knock against my dad, my uncles, all the men in my family, even though I know they love their partners. But I was just like, how can a man love a woman? See, she's tired, and there's nothing in you that says, how can I help you, my Lord? So I remember being 12, 13, 14, saying, Lord, I want better than I've seen. And I think God set forward and was like, oh, yeah, we can do that. But I think I didn't realize at that time that if I wanted something that I have not seen, I would have to go through a process that most people wouldn't go through.

[A]

Right. That is so true.

[B]

And so I think I'm still cooking.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because he was like, you want it better?

[A]

Let me. Let me.

[B]

Yeah, let me cook different. You want it more. So to whom much is given, much is required. So I think I'm still cooking. My gentleman is still cooking. And because I really. Because I feel like even in the church, a lot of men don't understand what it is to love like Christ. Because Jesus said. I think it was Mark 9 or Matthew 9. I can never quote the exact book, chapter and verse, but he said, the Gentile leaders, Lord, their authority over you. But in this kingdom, not so.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Whoever desires to be great desires to serve. And if you have the mind of Christ, and if you're going to love your wife the way Christ loves the church.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Yeah. A lot of men were like, I'll die for mine. Yeah, but will you live for yours? That wouldn't wash feet when you are equal to God.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Thought it not robbery to put on the flesh of a servant. Not a king, not a warrior, but a servant.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And then die a death you didn't deserve. Yeah. You. You got the dying part, but do you got the living part? And that's. That's something I think I saw at that age. But, you know, obviously, I didn't have the language and. Right. Still want that. And so that's what I love about.

[A]

You mean, like, even when we go on our press tours and stuff, and the way you speak on behalf of women, that started at a young age, the fact that you could see that and like. But why don't we get. Why are they not. And I grew up the same way I grew up on Sundays, all the men were in the living room watching football while the women were cooking. Same thing. Make your dad a plate. Like, it was. That was the thing. And I still do that. It's like when my parents say, here, dad, here's your plate. Like, that's just. It was programmed in me to do that. But of course, like, being who I am today. Of course I want someone where we can help each other, you know, and serve each other. Not just a give, give, give, give, give situation. That's one thing I was telling jb. I was like, I love the way she just speaks for women. And even some of the things that we go through and how you're like, I don't want this struggle of. We talk about that.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Even through your characters. Like, you want more for Danny. Like, it goes from your real. Like, you talk about what you want, and we talk about characters and like, yeah, this is what we want to make sure we're putting out. Because a lot of us are dealing with struggle, love, and it's not fun.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

It's not about tit for tat. You know what I mean, it's not about tit for tat. It's about. It's about. It's about love. It's about sacrifice. And it's really. And I think that's the other thing too. Me realizing, like, when you marry someone, you're marrying their fears, their hopes, their flaws, their traumas processed or unprocessed, their triggers. Like, marriage is a ministry. It's work. You know what I mean? And so I just think for women and men. Cause I can already see the comments and that's fine.

[A]

What if he's paying all the bills.

[B]

And da, da, da. It's like, so basically I'm a hire. Is a woman a hired help? Is that what you're saying? Like, is your partner hired help? Because you pay the bills, that means you don't have to pick up your draws. Like, you got the toilet looking like a Jackson Pollock painting. She gotta clean it. What are you telling me? What are you saying to me? That was gross, but I'm trying to be gross.

[A]

No. Right. Cause it's gross. It's gross.

[B]

And so it's not about tit for tat. It's just about understanding how certain ideologies have infiltrated our society. And it's the foundation of our society. I mean, if you want to cuss somebody out, it's a mother effort, what your mama had to do with it. You're a son of a bee.

[A]

A female dog.

[B]

Yeah, if you want to call somebody weak, you call them the P word. But P's push out babies, right? D's can't get hit without them hunching over. So why is it that everything derogatory is female related or female oriented? It's the substratum of our society. And I'm just. You know, sometimes I feel like that crazy person in a natural disaster movie with, like, a mustard stain on their shirt and, like, nobody will listen to them because their hair is crazy and all over their head, like, right now. You know what I'm saying? You got it. You know what I'm saying? Yeah, but at the end of the movie, the professor died in, like, the first act. And they're like, they were right, Right. But like, you know what I'm saying? Like, it's not Mel. It's not about upending traditions. It's not about not loving your partners. It's just about understanding what it really means to love. And I don't know.

[A]

No, I love it. Yeah. I love your. Your take on it. And I think this. It's a great conversation. To have with men.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I just wish they could hear because I feel like a lot of men will get defensive when they hear that. Yeah, some men hear it because they've been married and they're happily married. Yeah, emphasis on happily married. They understand that it's mutual submission. Especially the Bible talks about mutual submission. A lot of people don't focus on that either.

[A]

We pick and choose. We pick and choose.

[B]

We pick and choose. Like our parents do that too. Like honor your parents, but also parents don't provoke your children around.

[A]

Did they miss always stop?

[B]

Why you always stop? You know?

[A]

No, seriously.

[B]

I don't know. I just. I think that's part of it too. It's like when you're. When you're kind of on your own little. That's why I have the orbital tribe. When your own orbit, sometimes it takes longer to make a full revolution and encounter another in the same orbit.

[A]

Exactly. You talked about fasting. This is actually a conversation we had in the garage after we just finished filming and you were talking about fasting. I didn't know you started fasting at the age of 20.

[B]

Like that was when you started, even young. I think I tried one time when I was in. I tried in high school too.

[A]

I didn't do that until. Probably until I really like, got. Became an adult or I understood what it meant, you know, I saw my parents fasting. Yeah, See?

[B]

Yeah, I saw my parents fast and so I tried that. And yeah, my 20s is when I really picked up. And now mid-30s, trying to get right, kick back into the swing of it. Because, you know, with our job, it's not always, you know, always know where you're going to be, what you're going to be doing.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And you don't want to be trying to. So, yeah.

[A]

When you grew up in a Christian home and you said, I saw my mom and dad fasting, what did. Growing up in that Christian home, what did it do to shape who you are today? Because I was just blown away just by our conversation in the garage that day. Like, I, I love when things happen like that where we just start talking about the Lord and like, well, I fast and like, o, I want to fast. And I was doing this. We had just finished with Lent and you were like, let's do it together, you know, And I love that, that orbit. Who's your tribe? You know, people that, like, are in alignment and that can, like, help you along the way. So what was. Well, yeah, of course. No, thank you. I can't wait to do it together. Yeah. I just had Dr. Sebi's daughter and she was talking about the three day fast and I was like, we were talking about that.

[B]

I'm gonna have to watch that.

[A]

Yeah, it's so good.

[B]

I'm subscribed, so I'll see when it. I was like, tell me when it comes out. I was like, I'm subscribed. Thank you.

[A]

But yeah, I want to know, like, what was, what was that? How did that shape who you are today? Because I'm really fascinated by how even just in conversation, it's so enlightening when you talk to people about God and your faith. Yes.

[B]

I mean, I tell my parents all the time. My parents weren't perfect people, but I mean, the more that I heal, the more I look back, I'm like, I had a fun childhood, I think, when I was still healing and I'm still healing, but just when things were more. When I was more wounded, I should say.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

I was like, oh, there are all these things. But I look back and there was just so much good. And I tell my parents all the time, if y' all did nothing right, not one thing right, except for raise me in the fear and ammunition of the Lord. That was enough.

[A]

Yeah, that was enough.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Because they couldn't help me get on sisters. They couldn't help me through school, they couldn't help me through my job. Like, honestly, my parents didn't even qualify for a parent plus loan when I was in school because they just fell on hard times. My dad was an entrepreneur and you know, before Obama, like, it wasn't universal. Not that we have universal health care now, but it's iteration of universal healthcare. But I mean, so when my dad was sick, it was out of pocket on us. Like, you know, it's. Anyway, they couldn't help me in a lot of monetary ways, but raising me to love God.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Before anything and anybody, that was enough for me.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And that's the foundation that carries us. Yeah, I know. That is so true. Speaking of faith, something that I'm still trying to grapple with is who I am on TV and who I am in real life and is the character that I'm portraying. Is God okay with it? Have you ever felt it? Like, because you know what I'm saying, like the things that we do, but then how we live our real life, like, and we have me and Zach on that. We haven't really had to have sex a lot. Like we were that during that.

[B]

Oh, in the beginning.

[A]

In the beginning, it was a lot. And I was like, oh, my gosh.

[B]

But you never knew.

[A]

No, that's. That's one of my. In my rider. Like, no frontal. If it is, it's chest to chest. But I have on nipple covers, so, like, I'm not actually touching him. It was so much. Even with the intimacy coordinator, like, these are my guidelines. This is where he can grab me only on my waist. No butt grabbing. Like, I'm very, very particular about those scenes. And I love how now, like, I think with Armani, he's like. He'll see it, and it'll be, like, one minute of, like, passionate sex. And he's like, yeah, we're not doing that. He said, it'll be like, y' all are. Ha ha, ha. Then flip over. I'm like, okay, I like that we can do that.

[B]

It also takes too much time. You gotta get the intimacy coordinator in. You gotta get everybody out.

[A]

Way too much. Yeah, but are you ever, like, conflicted? Cause I've gone through these times where I'm, like, a little conflicted about what I'm putting out there on tv. And that's why I go so hard on this to put. Try to, like, kind of balance it out, you know?

[B]

I'm more concerned with messaging. Because Danny is a sinner. We all are. Yeah. Sinner's gonna sin. It's a character.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Is there a redemptive arc? What is. What's our messaging? What story are we telling? What. What messaging are we putting out into the world?

[A]

Right.

[B]

That's what I care more about. Because even Jesus praised the shrewd servant who was stealing, essentially.

[A]

Right? Yeah. Yeah.

[B]

Because, I mean, so I tell people anything about that, that storytelling is spiritual. Because what did Jesus do in order to get his message? Stories. Storytelling is a ministry.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And that's why. That's why there's so much darkness in Hollywood. Because the enemy understands how powerful storytelling is.

[A]

Right. I think that's my point. Like, yes.

[B]

And so I don't mind a character who's a sinner. I sin too. I might not sin the same way she does.

[A]

Absolutely.

[B]

But what is our message? That's where, you know, I'm trying to tweak things here and tweak things there.

[A]

It's like.

[B]

And I catch things from the female perspective.

[A]

I'm like, yeah, we've had those conversations.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Where we're like, okay, where is she going? What are we doing here? What's the story we're telling? And then we're able to go back and say, okay, like, this is Fine. But we need to see where she's going. When you say the redemptive arc, where is this going and how can she redeem herself? That's one thing I love about Denzel, when he plays all these characters and he talked about Training Day and he said, yeah, he was doing all these horrible things. He said, but at the end, he did. Originally, he didn't die. He said, I wanted him to have. Or he did die, but he said, I wanted it to be brutal. He was like. And that's why it was as bad as it was. He said, I need them to understand when you do wrong, these are the consequences. Like, you can't just get away with it, you know? And I. It made me look at it different. But just listening to you, even just now, really helped me kind of process it and not be so judgmental of the character or, like, overthinking it, because my parents are always like, it's storytelling. You're just portraying a character that's not who you are. But then I'm like, but what if somebody out there is really taking that Fatima serious? And, like, she's always carrying a gun and ready to buck up on people and think that's the way to live, you know? So I was always, like, mindful of those things.

[B]

And I understand that, and I agree with that. I think. I think it's the job of us, Crystal and Mignon, to be and embody our beliefs in our life.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Right. Our characters. And now if. If I can't say this, I'm sure you can cut it, but we had this discussion for season 10. The storyline is like, if this is not going to serve. Yes. A purpose, then I don't know why we're doing it again. Because we've done this.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Right. This is brutal. What are we saying?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, what is. What. What is the point of it? And I think that's what storytellers have to take into account, not just entertainment.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Because there are young girls watching us. And that's why I said it on Twitter this season with Jonah. I said, it's important for you to know, ladies and gentlemen, that we have to stop putting the onus on girls to not be attacked. Yes. Yeah.

[A]

And we talked about that, too, on that when we were on the phone.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

About just because she's wearing a short dress, she's asking to be raped. No.

[B]

Men. Men have to start teaching men to be safe. And, yes, I understand there's always going to be criminals in the world, but good girls get attacked, too.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Bad things happen to good people too.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

So how do we explain that?

[A]

Yeah, exactly.

[B]

How do we put the onus on the girl then?

[A]

Right?

[B]

She wasn't drinking, she wasn't wearing anything wrong. She wasn't teasing anybody.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

She was at the library.

[A]

Right. She was out jogging in the park. Yeah, exactly.

[B]

Okay, ladies, you need to take self defense classes, okay? She took a self defense class. He had a gun.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

So I think it's most important for us to understand what stories we're telling, what's the messaging? And I understand what you're saying about, you know, Fatima and Danny and all of that, but I just think that things like having Danny in therapy and having Fatima be the one who referred the therapist, that matters too. And I think that, you know, every TV show can't be the chosen.

[A]

Right, right, right. You know who else I talked to, Devon Franklin about this. I always talk to people who I know are strong in their faith about when I have questions. And he was like, crystal, he said, there's so many different characters in the Bible. And he was like, so what we're doing is just like, just we're acting. We're playing characters in real life. And he said, and those characters in the Bible were living their real life at that time. He said you had all different types of people. And he was.

[B]

Simpson was an acting baby.

[A]

Hello.

[B]

He was not acting.

[A]

He was not acting. Delilah might have been, but he was. But he still fell for it. He still fell for it. Seriously. So I've had these conversations with a lot of people, just especially they're in the industry, but also of the faith. They're like, how do you feel about this?

[B]

Also you don't control. You're not in the writer's room.

[A]

I'm not in the writers room.

[B]

You don't control. You don't control what your character does. I mean, obviously where we are, thankfully we're in a space to be able to call Armani and be like, do.

[A]

You mind about that?

[B]

You know what I'm saying? But I also don't think it's realistic to try to have every character be a saint.

[A]

No.

[B]

Because it's almost, isn't it almost self righteous if we think we have to play perfect characters, if we ourselves aren't perfect. I'm not saying that to you, but I'm saying like, because I did have some. I'm saying that because I did have a church lady email me season one about Danny.

[C]

Wow.

[B]

I just ignored it, but I was just like, mm, mm, it's hypocritical like it's, it's self righteous. I mean, no. Like, I don't want little girls to live the way Danny lives, but I still don't think Danny's deserved the stuff she went through. You know what I mean? Like, so I just. It is, it is a tightrope. But I think it's also just understanding. Like Devon said, like, look at the people God used.

[A]

Come on.

[B]

Rahab is in the lineage of Jesus. Like when you look at Matthew.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

That worker girl.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Is in the lineage of Christ.

[A]

Yes, she is.

[B]

So I don't think it's about God looking for people who are perfect. It's about God looking for people who have hearts that are looking for him.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

It's not to say that we continue in sin so that grace may abound.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

No, but I mean. Yeah. I think playing a character who is imperfect is. Is not only natural, but why would people watch it if it's not relatable? And then it's my job as a storyteller to have some message in there.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

That I'm trying to download to people.

[A]

Right. I love that. I love that. In the industry, is there any roles that you like or genres that you're like, I won't do that. Is there any type of.

[B]

Probably horror? Because I don't like it. I don't watch it in my own.

[A]

Me neither.

[B]

I be scared.

[A]

Like, even there's a. I'm like, I'm so scary. And if I do watch something, people say, like, you gotta watch it, it's so good. I'll like, try to watch it during the daytime because I am. I won't be able to sleep at night. I'm so scary. Can't do it. Yeah. Horror is definitely one of those. And then I used to say, like, those like demonic movies, like, I'm really big on spirits.

[B]

We were talking about that too.

[C]

Uh huh.

[A]

Yes, sure did. Yes.

[B]

Talking about that too.

[A]

Yes, yes. That's another one. Like, I think. What was it like the Exorcist and the one that Lee Daniels just did where they had the preacher there.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Talk about that one. Those are true stories, you know, so it's like. And demons are real.

[B]

I didn't realize the Exorcist was a true story.

[A]

No, the one that Lee Daniels did.

[B]

What was it called?

[C]

The.

[A]

The something. I said the something. But yeah, that was. That was a true story. But they had a pastor on set praying every day. But the deliverance. But I know that. And then in the. I didn't I never watched it, but I watched a lot of the commentary about it when people were getting online, talking about it, the importance of binding demons in the name of Jesus. And that was like the biggest part, takeaway from that movie. And I was like, okay, I guess if I had to watch it, when I see stuff like that, I'm like, it makes me more comfortable because I know you can.

[B]

Well, they did cover that in the movie.

[A]

That's good.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Yeah, so that was good. I. I still didn't watch it cuz I'm scary.

[B]

That's why I stopped watching that show Evil, because I like that show a lot. I liked it. But I realized why they didn't talk about the power of the name of Jesus. Because the show would have been over in two minutes. Wouldn't have been a show. It been a short. Wouldn't even been a short film. Been a skit like. Because they tremble at the name of Jesus.

[A]

They do, baby. Yes.

[B]

You. You see what I'm saying? So, I mean, I. I believe in portals being opened up. I believe in. I believe that demons have territory. Like when Jesus cast Legion out of the gentlemen in the gatherings and they were like, don't make us leave this area, huh? Let us go into the pigs.

[C]

Yep.

[B]

And then they went to the water. But water is a body too. That's why it's called a body of water.

[A]

Come on.

[B]

They need to stay in their territory.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And I believe that demons have like, territory on bloodlines because of, you know, great granny putting roots on Granddaddy because he wouldn't stop messing with Shirlene. And now, now there's. Now there's. The devil has a demonic contract with his bloodline because of grandma playing in witchcraft, not realizing the ramifications of it.

[A]

No, you are associates. I was just having a conversation with a friend of mine. He's also in the industry, he's Nigerian. And he found out that the strongholds that were on his life came from his lineage and how they were practicing witchcraft back in Africa. And it passed down to his father, to him. And he didn't know that, but he's been delivered since then. But he was like. It was so much that I learned when he finally went to go visit his father. And I was like, goodness, that bloodline is serious.

[B]

I called my grandma and my dad. I said, did we have a root lady in our family or did anybody put roots on anybody?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And my dad said on his side, he had an auntie. People came to her for roots. Now explain roots literally A plant root, and, like, I don't know what they would do, but I think you would drink it or get them to eat it or get them to drink it. I don't know the whole process of roots. But she had a book on. I mean, I hate to say witchcraft, but that's. I guess that's what it is. It was. It was. It was esoteric, and it was spiritual, and it was so, you know, witchcraft is the act of rebellion. I believe it's the act of rebellion because instead of using the power of God, you're trying to use your own power. Yeah. You trying to control the circumstances. And that's what her book was. It was just, like, roots and different things to make people do, you know, control things and manipulate and.

[A]

Right. And I feel like when people do that, it's them veering off. It's rebellion, but also some type of hurt where something didn't go, or you feel betrayed by God that causes you to veer off, you know?

[B]

And I'm a witch of light.

[A]

No, you're not.

[B]

You a witch? No, no. It's love and it's light, but it's. You're trying to control an outcome.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

That's why I. There isn't as much condemnation in my heart. It's like you want to control things, and I get that.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But the same way we're a host for the Holy Spirit, which becomes a host for the.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Of the enemy of our soul.

[C]

Yeah. Yeah.

[B]

So that's so true. Yeah.

[A]

My goodness. I want to talk about. We're going to switch gears a little bit, talking about how coming into where we are kind of still in the same thing, but how life has changed, even dealing with, like, finance. Because there's something else we talk about all the time. We talk about finances. I've talked to you about my financial advisor, my accountant, and how she's, like, got me. Right. Because taxes is something that just hits different now. Devale called me one day about eyes.

[B]

Red, not eyes red.

[A]

He said, I just paid the irs. I said, oh, brother, I feel your pain.

[B]

Y' all better not ever come get me.

[A]

Listen.

[B]

Because the amount of money I give y', all, you better not ever come get me.

[A]

Seriously, too much.

[B]

It's too much.

[A]

Too much. What did you like going from? Both of us going from making what we were making to now $12. 12. Going from maybe what we're making to now. What are some of the lessons you've had to learn and even pivoting and some of the even mistakes that you made. And like, ooh. Not just not knowing, because I know where I'm from. I wasn't taught how to save. I wasn't taught, like, my dad taught us not to overspend. Like, if. If you're going to give somebody something, if don't expect it back, just give what you can give. If you. If you can't give it without expecting it back, you don't have enough, you ain't got it.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And he would always say, I'm like, daddy, I need this. He's like, I ain't got it. But if he didn't have it. But he still had a lot of money in the bank, but he had a bottom line. And that was one thing he did teach me, the bottom line. But when it came to, like, learning how to save, I didn't know how to do that. I didn't know how to budget, you know. So what are some of the mistakes that you made once you, like, really started or were you already ready once you started making a lot of money?

[B]

So similar. But my mom is a big saver, so I didn't know how to save. So I do have a lot saved.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

But that's the problem. It's time to make my money. Start making money. Yes. Especially because of the way this industry is.

[A]

Oh, gosh. After that strike, I said, ha ha. What you're not going to do is ever catch me slipping jokes on you. Right. It will not be on me. Yes.

[B]

So now that's what I'm trying to figure out as well, too. What does it look like to really start to build?

[A]

Well, yeah.

[B]

I think I've been playing chess as time started playing chess. So I gotta really. And I would say a mistake I made was taking the. The LMA with my portfolio.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

I shouldn't have done that.

[B]

I shouldn't have done that because it's. It eats away that all the money that the money the accounts are making in the market. And I'm like. Because the interest rate on it is insane.

[A]

Right.

[B]

It was low when I got it, but they didn't tell me that. Oh, hey, this is a variable interest.

[A]

Rate that could change, not a fixed. Yeah.

[C]

Wow.

[B]

And so they still haven't lowered the interest rates and I'm still haven't been able to lock one in. I just trying to think about it.

[A]

Right. Because.

[B]

Because I also invested during a bear market, so.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And then now it's like a. It was a bull market for a while. Right. Now I don't know what it is.

[C]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

I. One of the investments that I made early on, when we started making. It's funny because Deuce, our first ad, for the first few seasons we shot, he called me season one, and he goes, you need a financial advisor. And I was like, okay, yeah, I do. Like, you know somebody. He's. I got somebody. I'm gonna send them to you. He said, because you're about to start making more money than you used to. He said, so I want you to make sure that you stew it over it properly. And I was like, thank you. Shout out Deuce for that. You know, just always looking out good people, you know. And so I met with the guy and. And then he actually introduced me to Alicia. That guy did. So it's like, just. I just kept meeting good people. And I remember it was this kid that I grew up with. His family had left him a farm.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And he started growing cannabis on it. And this is like, cannabis. It was booming. I was like, yo. I was like, this is built right in my hometown. We can create jobs with this. I was like, I'll put 100,000 in it. And he was like, okay, great. The return was supposed to be. I could either get equity in the company, or within the next two years, I could get my money back with, like, interest added onto it. So I would make a profit. And we agreed that we would do the profit part. I mean, the. The get my money back with the profit on top for interest. Give him money. I ain't got a dime. Do you hear me when I tell you? I felt. And I mean, this is a part of investing. And you have contracts and you, like, Wes knows, like, he was. He did business with him, too. And I will find you. I will hunt you down.

[B]

Wait, wait, wait. No, wait. You're not telling what happened. Wait, what happened, honey?

[A]

This man done went and spent the money on his wedding. Yes. Flexing. It was crazy. And then I had my dad call his aunt. Cause she, like, worked with him as well. And he kept telling, I'm gonna send you, like, 70 something thousand now. I'm gonna go ahead and send you, like, a portion of it. I was like, okay. And then he's like, the should be hitting anytime now. My aunt just went to the bank.

[B]

He forgot.

[A]

Martin's a small town. I said, daddy, you know, so and so's aunt. He's like, yeah. He said, I'm doing some work on her house. I said, give me her number. I called her. She said, I have no idea what you're talking about. Just lying, girl. Like Monte, this is. I was so excited about this investment. Thinking like this about to be something really big. And it.

[B]

When you.

[A]

When that's one of your first investments and you're. You're just starting to really make money, but you want to, like, this is something. I saw the return on it. I'm like, people are making a lot of money, and if I get in it early, like, this could be something great. And we're giving back to my hometown community. It was one of those things that kind of scared me, and I was afraid to invest in people and their businesses for a while. And I. To this day, I just. When we were talking about it, I hadn't thought about that in a while. I want my money back now. Man. Man, like, I had to fell on her. The guy was dating at the time, and he was just sending us in circles. But that was like. That was. I mean, it was a mistake that I made.

[B]

Why do you think it was a mistake?

[A]

I don't know. It wasn't a mistake. It was just a bad investment. Yeah. He just wasn't an integral person.

[B]

See, that's why I'm slow to do.

[A]

Stuff, because I think that's why it's hard for me to, like, even do business with people. Like, let's do this together, because I just don't know how you're gonna act, you know, Like, I got good people around me now where I trust them. Like, me and Wes got. We go back years, like, when I had nothing. We both was struggling, you know, so that's somebody that I know. Like, if we did business together, he's not gonna, like, screw me over, you know, but it's hard. That's always in the background.

[B]

I was literally yesterday asking ChatGPT, is it legal to do a mental health screening before hiring someone?

[A]

It needs to be legal. Yeah.

[B]

No, because people be pre hospital dealing with you.

[A]

No, seriously.

[B]

And I don't know. I don't know what you want me to do, because I'm human too. I make mistakes too.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

I'm dealing with things too. And I. And. And I just.

[A]

Yeah, it's.

[B]

It's tough.

[A]

It is so tough.

[B]

You'll be trying to help people, trying to put people on, trying to work with people.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

But that's the other thing that I think part of the reason why I haven't done as much investing too, is because I'll see something about somebody, but then I'd be still trying to make it work. It's a lack of trust in myself too.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Man.

[A]

I Know exactly what you mean. Yeah, yeah.

[B]

And be feeling like a bad person because they're so nice. But I'm like, I can just.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

Something, this ain't it.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

You gotta trust that.

[B]

You do.

[A]

You have to trust it. God has given us that. That's that spirit of discernment that he has blessed us with. And I'm telling you, there's been so many times just like you where I've ignored it and it came to bite me in the butt every single time. Every single time.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

That's like now, like for me, safe things are like real estate. Like, I'll buy a house in a heartbeat, you know, any type of property, I'll do that. It's just, that's a safer, low risk investment for me that I know I can control. You know, I have a little more control over it. But when it comes to investing in people and really taking a risk with other people, it's really hard. That really damaged me. It really did. Yeah.

[B]

That's the other thing I was thinking too about a relationship. I was like. Because I saw this one woman talking about how God wanted to heal her disappointment because she realized that if God were to send the right person in her life, she would still see life through the lens of disappointment. And would you even be able to open up to him and trust him? I'm like, because out of all the videos that got suggested to me that day, that one did. And I was like, ooh, that's good.

[A]

Heal me from disappointment.

[B]

Heal me from the disappointment and the lack of trust. Because if it's a good dude, you're gonna sabotage it. I don't even think it's. I think that's part of it, but I think it'll be more so like the only people, like, if I'm a boundary person, you know me, I'm a boundary person. I'm kind of guarded. I'm like, but like, you can still see, it's like, yeah, you know, you're a decent human being so you're not going to try to climb over those boundaries.

[A]

Right.

[B]

So if he's a decent person, he's gonna be like, I like her, but I don't think she's. I wouldn't even. He wouldn't even feel like he had the opportunity to be like, hey, so.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

But somebody who is a narcissist would be like, I can break down those bones.

[C]

Uh huh.

[B]

You know what I'm saying?

[A]

But is he a narcissist or somebody that like really likes you and it's not going to give up.

[B]

I think that a good man will be in proximity and will be. It's kind of like when people rescue dogs.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

They just sit. They'll sit there for an hour until the dog comes to them. But human beings don't have that type of time.

[A]

Right.

[B]

If he's also a good man, he would have to really hear from God. Just wait, give her a second.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And not too many people gonna hear God that clearly and be that obedient. I'm not saying it's impossible.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

But, like, why should he have to go through all that? Let me do my healing. I'm not a rescue German shepherd. Like, I need to, you know, continue to work on myself. But I just think. I just think. And it doesn't make them a bad person. Some of them people who are super overzealous and go try to pet a rescue, they get bit. Yeah. Now you mad at the rescue, and then the dog got to get put down, and it's like, read the room.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

You know what I mean?

[A]

But people can't read.

[B]

People can't read. People can't read. People are socially illiterate.

[A]

Literally. Yes. That is funny. When you think about your legacy and your future, what is something that you want to leave behind that's impactful to other people?

[B]

I haven't been asked that in such a long time.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yeah. So it's like, gosh, I want to be concise. I want to have left a mark, especially with storytelling that will make people feel less alone, will guide people to the one who created them and have empowered them to operate in their gift and their purpose so that they can do the exact same thing. Like that ripple effect of, you know, a candle doesn't lose fire when it lights another candle. So I want to light other people's candles. I want people to see my stories and feel like, all right, I can go. I can take on the world. I can take on this classroom. I can take on this disease. I can take on this research project. And people are walking in their gift and operating in their gift, and they know who they belong to and who they are, and they feel empowered and they love themselves because of the work that I've done. And right now, in this moment, I'm like, I got a lot of work to do. We all do.

[A]

When you answer that question, you do think you're like, oh, wait, there's more I gotta do. I'm the same way.

[B]

And the disappointment and the trauma, and it's the trying and Being pushed back down. Like, I don't know. When you got Fatima, maybe season two at least, because season one, you were reoccurring.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

Season two, when you saw that, he was like, all right, he's giving you a shot.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

I don't know about you, but when Raven called me and told me I got the role, I enjoyed it for, like, 62 seconds. And then I felt something in my spirit. Say, now the real work begins.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Oh, I had no. I went straight to. Back to studying school. Like, I gotta get this. I can't mess this up. It was real work.

[B]

Just even. Just starting stuff, like starting your podcast, I'm sure, like, do. Getting other deals, doing, like, the amount of work we still have to do, even though we're series regulars on a hit show, like, it's. It. It's almost harder because it's the mental warfare of what am I doing? Like, what is the problem?

[A]

Like, oh, my gosh, man. Yeah, it's a lot. I was just telling my friend driving here today, she was like, what are you doing? I said, I'm headed to the office. I've been filming episodes all week. And she goes, oh. And she was like. She said, you've been busy. I was like, yeah, I went straight from filming, straight to BET Awards, straight to abff, Home to work. I said, even when I'm off work, I'm working. You know, it doesn't stop. And we. We've built these brands. We've been blessed with the platform to be able to build brands off of it so that when, say, whenever sisters may be done, you know, then we're like, okay, I've built enough that I. I'm okay. You know, we're not like, oh, gosh, like, what am I going to do now? You know, but it's a thing, like. And people think it's. We make it look so easy. It's not.

[B]

Especially you. You make it look like warm butter on warm toast. Oh, warm butter on warm toast, baby.

[A]

My team probably say different.

[B]

Oh, I know she keep y' all running because she ain't stopped.

[A]

Don't stop. Yeah, that's what him and Nishawna always say. Crystal will outwork you if you let her. Like, I'm right there with him. Like, let's go. What we doing? I don't care what it is. We packing up. They, like, sit down.

[B]

Just give her her an Alani, honey.

[A]

And I'm good to go. Charge. Alani.

[B]

Give me Alani. Go ahead and send the money. Cut the check. Alani.

[A]

They send in boxes, but go ahead and send the check, please. Thank you.

[B]

Cut the check.

[A]

No, seriously. No, I'm so grateful for them. Because when God does bless you with ideas and you want to be creative, the team is what helps push it, you know? Like, I could not do this without them. So that's the warm butter on the bread because I couldn't do without them.

[B]

See, that's the. I think that's the warfare, too, is like relationships.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

You know what I mean? Where two or more are gathered.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

And that's why I feel like that's sometimes why it's hard. It's like just finding the good people, the people that you don't feel like you need a mental health screening for. Like, and I feel like that's been my struggle, and that's been the warfare for me. It's like, oh, God, can I just give me one, Lord? Yes, one. Yeah.

[A]

No, it's beautiful.

[B]

I'm glad you have that.

[A]

And then everybody just loves the Lord, you know? So, like, we're all like, you did.

[B]

Two or three prayers before we started.

[A]

Okay, we sure did. And I just got JB during BET Awards, when you came to BET House and I was. When we exchanged numbers, I was going to be psycho and put Christopher, Nat, Hazel. You're stuck with me as my contact name because I was like, you have to come work with us. Like, yeah, there's. Where are we going? Where are you? Where you thought she was going? No, you're stuck with us. But I felt it. Like, you feel it instantly. And it's hard to find good people, especially in this day and age, but in this industry as well, because everybody has ulterior motives. It's just like, who is just loves what they do? They're passionate. They're here to, like, just push the dream, you know, It's a lot. But, yeah, I think it's also a passion. So that's probably why it looks like it looks easy, because I just, I love it. I love it.

[B]

Yeah, you can tell.

[A]

Thank you. So I want to talk about Orbital Tribe.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

Let's talk about. How did you even come up with a name?

[B]

What I was saying, like, I've always felt like I've kind of been my own orbit, like, feeling like that crazy professor with a mustard stain dropping papers that nobody listens to. I, I, I've always just kind of been different and walked to the beat of my own drum, like, in my own family. It's been very, you know, like, just different.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You know and thank God for the Bible, because without the Bible, I would not be able to make peace with just kind of being vulnerable here. Not really having a sense of belonging.

[C]

Wow.

[B]

And so the Orbital Tribe was really kind of. For those people that God has kind of called out, even amongst the people he's called out and say, like, hey, you might not get there the traditional way. People might not always see you, but you can get there. Which is my story for. For this. This show.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And that's what I love about Tyler. Like, he will. He don't mind a diamond in the rough, baby.

[A]

He does not. He said, we gonna get this thing right and make it shine.

[B]

He is.

[A]

Oh, I was going through so much. Remember, I had the whole, like, breast cancer callback while we were filming, and we had a scene the day before. I had to go in for my appointment, and I was just. My brain was just, like, all over the place, and I was just like. And you were looking at me, and I was like.

[B]

Where are we?

[A]

Like, I could not track. And usually, like, I have a photographic memory. I can, like, see it on the pages. So, like, oh, I know where we are. Got it. Like, one line. Got it. That day, I could not. And I left, and I was like, oh, my God, I hope Mignon does not hate me. She probably like, girl, come on. Cause you had a crazy few days in your house, and it was a lot of content. So I always like to come in, like, when I'm coming, I'm helping. I'm your wing girl, you know? And I just, like. I feel like I let you down on that day. And remember, I hit you and I text you.

[B]

You're like, no, no. Because, like, I felt like. Because especially my storyline, I was like, there's got to be some grace. Because the day before, you were at the townhouse all day.

[C]

All day long.

[A]

Yeah, we all have our days.

[B]

You were at the townhouse all day. And then the scene we shot was. It wasn't seen. It was scenes.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Weren't they? Wasn't it? 20 pages.

[A]

20 pages, y'. All. It was crazy. It was like, boom, boom, boom, boom.

[B]

So I did not like me personally. I was like. I expected you to be like. Because, Right. We all were, like, supposed to do.

[A]

Yeah, you know what I mean?

[B]

What are you supposed to do? Like what? Like, you had the townhouse. When I saw the townhouse block, I was like, yeah, that was crazy.

[A]

Yeah, it was a lot.

[B]

Yeah. Not at all.

[A]

Thank you. Because.

[B]

Because, truth be told, I was like, is it me?

[A]

It Was not you. It was definitely me.

[B]

It's not you.

[A]

That's me.

[B]

I do that all the time. I be calling line. It'll be other people's line. I was like, oh, my bad, Sorry.

[A]

Y' all listen. And I feel so. I'm like, okay, good. It wasn't me. Oh, that was. Oh, that was your line. Okay, thanks.

[B]

God, I be feeling like, dang, I could have got away with it if I hadn't called line.

[A]

Because now I need it. When we get to this next one.

[C]

Line.

[B]

It could be anybody. I say it all the time. Brian will laugh because I'll be like, it could be anything. This could be anything.

[A]

Literally anything. I love. I'm so happy we're getting to work together now.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

They want it.

[B]

Hopefully. We got 11.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Keep on going.

[B]

Sunny days.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Yes. Love that. And there's so many people that Hollywood has overlooked that Tyler has given a chance and changed their life completely change their family's life, generations.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And that's what he does. So grateful for him.

[C]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

So, yeah, I mean, that's what the Oracle Tribe is. We're filming season two right now.

[A]

That's what, actually.

[B]

Okay, perfect.

[A]

So we'll make sure you guys tap in, subscribe so you can follow along with the Oracle Tribe. I love that. I'm so proud of you, Ming.

[B]

Thank you, Chris. I'm proud of you.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

I'm proud of you.

[A]

I'm glad we finally got to do this.

[B]

Me too. This was, like, so relaxing. Like, it's trying to look like it's trying to rain again.

[A]

It's like 40 days and 40 nights here in Atlanta. I don't know what's going on.

[B]

Yeah, I can roll up on this rug. Don't bother me. It's cozy here.

[A]

Thank you. Thank you so much. All right, let the people know where they can follow you. Your YouTube, your Instagram, all the things. We want to support you in any way we can. If there's anything else that you have going on that you can share, we would love it.

[B]

From what I can share, that's season two of the Orbital Tribe. We are filming right now, so it's dropping soon. Sc. Yes. So the Orbital Tribe is on YouTube. It is on. You can follow our Instagram page. The Orbital Tribe is on Spotify, Iheart, Apple, of course. I think Amazon.

[A]

Amazon have you up, too.

[B]

Anywhere you listen to your podcast. Anywhere you listen to your podcast. Yeah. And then share it, refer it to people if it helps you. And then, of course, you can follow me. At mignon. M, I, G, N, O, N, F O, F. On Instagram.

[A]

Fof. I always wondered, what.

[B]

It's just initials.

[A]

Okay. Yeah, got it. Okay.

[B]

I was like, it wouldn't give me mignon.

[A]

Are you. See, somebody already had it.

[B]

Somebody already has it, but they don't post. And. And. But Instagram said that they were. They were active, and I was like.

[A]

They'Re not active or.

[B]

It's a. It's their Finster.

[A]

Yeah, that's a thing.

[B]

Just give it to me.

[A]

Like, I'll give you mignon fo you give me mignon?

[B]

Yeah, just give it to me.

[A]

You can still creep with this one. That is so funny. I love it. But thank you so much, guys. Make sure you tap in with my girl Ming, and we will see you soon. Getting into today's fit, Today I am wearing a cream Louis Vuitton matching set. Absolutely love this outfit. It's super comfortable. Today we were just all the things. Keeping it simple with the jewelry. Today I'm wearing Bottega Veneta earrings and my Van Cleef bracelet. Sweeties, I hope y' all enjoyed this conversation as much as I did. Look, remember, keep company only with those who uplift you and whose presence calls forth your best. Until next time, keep it positive.

[B]

Sweeties.

[A]

Love y'.

[B]

All.