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

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.

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.

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]

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

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]

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