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Shelly
This is an I Heart podcast. Guaranteed human.
Wheezy
This is wheezy. WTF from Decisions decisions, ladies. Let's talk about taking control of our sexual health. That's grown woman energy. You may think HIV affects someone else somewhere else, but the truth is it's impacting our community and some of us are being hit harder than others. Black women make up just 13% of the women in the US yet account for nearly half of new HIV diagnoses amongst women. Taking care of ourselves is community care. Know your options, ask questions, and protect your peace and your body. That's using your power. Sponsored by Care for the Culture from Gilead Sciences A lot of you ask
Crystal Renee Hazlett
how I actually run my business behind the scenes, and honestly, Shopify is the reason it exists. For me, Shopify is the place where I took this little idea I had and turned it into a real business. I still remember the first ever sale I made for my fashion brand. Embellished. It was a huge moment for me and Shopify made it all possible. Build your store, own your audience, and create something that lasts. Start now@shopify.com Ben Peace of mind starts
American Family Insurance / Nissan / CVS Announcer
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Crystal Renee Hazlett
Calling all my Sweeties to the Forefront, I'm your host, Chris Renee Hazlett, and this is the Keep It Positive Sweetie Show. Welcome to Keep It Positive Sweetie, the place where we heal, grow, and learn together. And we are back with part two. You guys loved all that I shared about personal branding and showing up. But I also get a lot of questions about my business because I am a businesswoman. Since I was younger, I used to always just know that it could be done. But I do know that it's not everyone's vantage point. So today, sweeties, we're talking about doing it all and what that really looks like. As I said in the last episode, a lot of people feel like they need to have everything figured out before they show up. And that is just not the truth.
Shelly
So social media is popping. We got, you know, you're doing the work. You got your team. Team. But you are like that girl. Like, you are really that girl. You are.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I mean, you're everything.
Shelly
You have fashion, acting, singing, your hair care line, a soccer team owner. You're investing. You have your foundation, which is focused on financial literacy. And, I mean, it's so much unfolding. There's a phrase that people always say, jack of all trade, master of none but your journey. I just feel like that doesn't apply. So when you hear that idea, especially as someone who's been able to build excellent and I mean, just amazing across platforms, what do you say to that?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I got a scripture for you. We're gonna go to the book, the good book of Romans.
Shelly
Come on now.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Chapter 12. Let me open this thing up. You got a scripture, too. So Romans, chapter 12, verse 6. In his grace, God has given us different gifts to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you're a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If your gift is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness, do it gladly. Don't pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take light in honoring each other. Don't be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Okay, I'm in the book. I'm in the book. He says he's given us different gifts. Yeah. So do them well. So I don't believe in that. I'm not a monolith. I don't subscribe to that. You can't box me in. And anything I do, I'm going to do it well. I'm not half assed on anything. So I feel like if you're going to do it and God has given you the ability to do it, do it well and do it enthusiastically. So I love that scripture. I live by that. And I feel like anybody who works with me knows, like, that is who I am. Operated, excellence or don't do it. Yeah.
Shelly
Do you think that you not master? Maybe. But is there a certain point to where you like get somewhere and you're. And you say, okay, I'm good, that's good enough that I can go start a new thing? Because there is. There are some people, you look at you like, they ain't gonna start another thing. They ain't even do the. What is the. What is the balance for that? You think for someone that's like, okay, I really like doing this, but now I kind of want to do this, but I don't want to look. What are your advice to them on that?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
You know, you have to figure out there's a time and place for everything. Figure out, okay, in this season, I'm working on this, you know, and sometimes it's multiple things that you're working on, but you're having to carve out the time and really balance it all so that nothing's getting left on the back burner. For me, that back burner is sometimes music. Been working on music for like two years now, but it's like getting in the studio and then I got to go film or I got to go travel. It's like so many different things come up where it's like, we gotta carve out the time to get back in the studio. So music has been that one thing where I'm like, I gotta like, just carve out. Same way I do my blackout dates, I have to carve out studio time dates so that we can get some music done. But I feel like you have to really just carve out the time for whatever it is that you wanna do. And if you realize I'm not giving this 100%, maybe that's not the thing you need to be focused on, you know? And sometimes if it's just you, you gotta do what you can do and, and know your limits. A lot of times we put more on our plates than we can actually eat, literally. And we need to know how to course out those servings. Something Amani from CultureCon asked me. I went to do CultureCon last year and she said, crystal, how are you doing it all? And I said, it's like dinner. You get different servings. Course it Out. I was like, you're not gonna have. Well, some people do. You're not gonna have your salad, your meal, and your dessert all on one plate. You're going to course it out. So I think the main thing is understanding what serving you are or what course you're on in your life.
Shelly
Yeah, I like that you reference the music and, you know, the time span of you, you know, working on it, what in you. But you're still a singer, right? And people still relate to you for the music. So was that a defining moment for you where it's like, okay, I'm doing acting. You felt weird calling yourself a singer or a mute. Like, was there ever a time for that? And people that feel like that, what is your. What can you encourage them to, like, you still got it. You just gotta do it. You know what I'm saying?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. No, there was never a time where I didn't want to call myself one or the other. It was more so finding the time, you know? And I think it really hit me when we had our live show in Washington, D.C. last November, and I was singing cover songs, and I told Ashawn and Wes, I was like, I don't want to do this. Next time when we go on tour, I want to have my own original music. So it'll almost be like a live concert where I'm putting out my own music versus singing other people's music. We can still incorporate other people's music because I'm influenced by so many different people, and I love all different types of music, but it's something about having your own. And I think in that moment, I realized, now is the time to focus on this. But for me, I have to have that. I have to have that unction or like, okay, it's time to go. I have to feel it. You know, it's not just like, okay, I'm gonna get in the studio. I can't do that. Like, I have to feel. And there's moments where I'm like, hey, Wes, we gotta go. You know, worlda hit me. So I think the main thing is just knowing that time. Yeah, that's good.
Shelly
So how do you know when. How do you personally know when something is an extension of your brand versus something you're interested in? Which I think, again, you've done very well. Again, from. We talked about posting in the last episode about how your Instagram told the story and everything, you know, flew together, came together. But how do you know that? And when you feel that, do you kind of just like, it's a hobby. Do you have hobbies? How does that work?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
That's good. I am. How do I know if it's an extension of my brand or if you just like it? Just like it. If it's not something I organically do, it's an extension, you know, I like a lot of things, but, like, what is a part of my brand? You see it in my daily life, in my daily walk, and I think that's how I can identify it. When people bring stuff to me, I'm like, is this something? Oh, actually do this? You know, we had a meeting today, and they were like, well, we noticed you do this. I'm like, oh, yeah. Like, we could do that too, because it is a part of who I am versus, like, oh, yeah, I like doing that, but if I don't do it all the time, then that's not really my thing.
Shelly
Yeah, so you kind of covered it, but just, like, to get a bit more specific for people that feel like, again, they're in that pressure tank, maybe this one thing isn't making as much money as the other one. Have you ever felt that you had to narrow it down? And when you felt like that, did you try it and you were like, no, y' all get me out this box. Or like you said, are you sorting it out every time? Are there different instances for. For that?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I think it depends on the season you are in your life, you know, I mean, and this is in so many areas, not just work and building a brand. There's times where you're focused on relationship, love, whatever that may be. There's times where you may be just focus on business and building your brand and trying to get to where you're trying to get to. There may be times where, like, I'm in my saving season, you know, I'm trying to be more fiscally responsible. There's times, I feel like in every season, there's a time where you're focusing on one thing more than the other, you know, and you may have a lot of different things going on, but the main thing is the main thing. If it's business, it's business, you know? And for me, being transparent, I realized, like, things take the backseat because I'm so driven on my business. Love takes a backseat. I don't have the capacity for a lot of things when I'm focused on this, you know, like, can't you see what I got? This, this, this. I'm trying to study for this, and I got this. There's so many different things going on But I, I, I get fuel from it, you know, Like, I love all the things happening. And it's like, okay, we got this going, we got this going on. I feed off of it. But I noticed that when if I'm focused on one thing too much, something is going to take the backseat. And I think as an entrepreneur, as anybody who's in business, you kind of just become okay with that to an extent and don't allow yourself to feel guilty about it and then just carve out seasons where like, okay, no, I'm focused on that now. I'm focused on this, you know, So I don't know about, like, feeling boxed in or just focusing on one thing. I feel like it's just a season for everything. Yeah. And I'm still struggling with that.
Shelly
Like, are you just okay with it? Because naturally that's just how things line up is if you're giving 110 to something, something else is going to fall.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. I mean, people always say you can't have it all. You know, you're like, yes, I can. But no, you can't. Something is, you know, like, you're going to have to learn to delegate or kind of bal. Back off of something to make time for something else. And it's something I struggle with. I'm still struggling with it, you know, because things are popping. And like, even, like, if you look at my schedule, it's like every hour there's something like, I had to, all right, I gotta go. I gotta be out of here. Cause I got a study session at 6. You know, like, from the moment I wake up, it's something happening whether they see it on the calendar or not. Like, I have, like, everything. Yeah. And I'm very detail oriented in that way where, like, I have to write everything out. I like to check it off as something very satisfying when I cross it out that I've completed it. But I'm so driven. And the thing that is feeding me right now is me fulfilling all my dreams and seeing it come true and seeing my prayers being answered where nothing really can distract me right now, you know? And I feel like it's been like this for, God, the last six years. Really. Or maybe honestly, no. Last 10 years. Yeah. Since I was, like, really started, like, living out my purpose and seeing things finally happening. Because you go through these seasons where you're like, gosh, it's not happening. You know what I'm saying? When is it gonna break? When am I gonna have my moment? And then when it hits, it's like this Is what I've been praying for. I gotta hit it. I gotta strike while the iron's hot, because one day they're not gonna be calling me. That creeps in, you know, and you're like, I gotta make sure that I make every single moment count. So I don't. I'm unapologetic about it. That's the season I'm living in. But I also can be honest and say that I am aware that certain aspects of my life are taking a back seat.
Shelly
We're gonna get to that. But right before we get off the bat, I am always just so intrigued by actresses and things, because I'm like, they really are remembering all of these lines like you are. I don't think people understand the intensity of being a star of your caliber and what that looks like. So being a businesswoman and then you have this creative side. How. How do. Do you practice any mindfulness? I guess how could someone that's like, I'm a creative, but I'm also a business person. How do you. What do you practice to. To, I guess not shut off the business side when you're in that mode. But, I mean, you couldn't be thinking about all these thousand things on set. So what does that look like for you?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
But I do.
Shelly
You do?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I'll be on the side. Like, really? Yeah. I mean, it's just a part of it. I mean, heavy is the crown, you know, Heavy is the head that wears the crown. And you gotta pay the cost to be the boss. And sometimes while you working on one passion, this ain't stopping, you know? So, like, things still have to happen. So I think for me, like, even right now, like, I start filming next week. Yeah, normally I shut everything down, like, the two weeks leading up, but my schedule has been so busy, I haven't been given that to be able to, like, just shut down. So scheduling, making sure that, okay, when I leave here, I'm carving out my two hours. When I wake up, I'm studying. So, like, in order to fit in what I need to fit in so that while I'm filming, everything is taken care of. I have to sacrifice and really, like, make how. They always say you and Beyonce have the same amount of hours in the day. I have to make sure that I maximize every single hour. And it is hard sometimes. It's like I had to spray magnesium on my hands and feet every night just to shut my brain down. Because I will be running lines in my sleep, like, close my eyes and, like, Angela, and I'm like, what is happening? Because these. I mean, I had 20 episodes. Sisters is 22 episodes. And these were. I had to know all these lines because on day one, I'm shooting from episode one to episode 19. So it's not like, okay, I know this day, I'm just gonna have to know these five episodes. No, I have to know all 20. Like, it's a lot of information. Then I had to come and have a conversation with you while I'm still trying to hold all this information I've been memorizing for the last month so that when I get on set, I can live in it and not feel like I'm reciting and reading off a piece of paper. So it is so much that goes into it that people don't. They look like, oh, she's just easy. She just. It's the. No, it's a lot of hard work and a lot of preparation, a lot of focus. And to even be who I am and be this character that people have fallen in love with takes a level of being able to shut out everything that is going on and be present on that set. To be able to evoke the emotion that makes people like, oh, my God, I really feel her. I see what she's going through. But they don't know. The things I've had to shut out in real life to be able to tap into that, to give that emotion, you know? And I recently, I remember doing a scene, and as I was talking, I was speaking to the character Andy K.J. smith. And I was so present in it, I didn't realize that the character was speaking to Crystal. And I could see myself. I'm like, this is me. And I literally was, like, tearing up, and the dirt's like, are you crying? I'm like, yeah. But I was so present because I was able to shut everything out and really, like, sit in it. And it happened so many times because I was able to finally just, like, be and not have to feel like, okay, I gotta. I gotta do everything. And I was able to kind of, okay, when I'm in the chair, just having a little break, I can take my text messages and, like, everything good. All right. Whatever the case may be, but it's a lot to be able to shut it off. It is.
Shelly
You seasoned you a season. That comes from the reps. It's. Cause you have the reps too.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yes. I'm a Meisner girl, so I love repetition. Like, that's how I learn everything. And thank God I have a photographic memory. I can, like, see the lines on the pages, like, as I'm. I'm like, oh, I can know. Like, fill the page because I can see it. Okay, that's so Raven.
Shelly
So you talk about you. We talked about how things have gone the back burner, right?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yes.
Shelly
And you talk, I think you do really well about being transparent. People feel like they know you, but at the same time, it's like, y' all don't. I don't know my business for real. So your circle is tight. If you know, you know all those things, how have you been able to be so transparent and relatable while still maintaining that privacy?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Mm. You have the right to tell people what you want to tell them, you know, And I think that you have to make a conscious decision what you want to share. Everything isn't for everybody. And I'm very intentional about the things I want to hold close to my heart, and that's my relationship. Whoever I'm in a relationship with, until I'm ready to share that, if I'm even in a relationship, you know, those are things that I think I had to learn the hard way because I was such an open book at one point. And then I realized I share so much. Certain things. It's okay to keep it to yourself, Crystal. And it's not being secretive. It's just. No, I just. It's none of your business, honestly, you know? And until I'm ready to share those things, I feel like it's okay. And what I've noticed is that it keeps peace in those relationships. There's less distractions and less input from people who aren't even in it, you know, so that you can actually get to know the person for yourself. And I think that's very important, but it's really just figuring out, okay, what do I want to share? And I am. I'm an open book about what I'm going through. I'm an open book about business. I'm an open book about where I am in my faith walk. My. You know what I'm saying? When I backslide, when I pick it up and figure it out again, you know? And I think it's important to show people the human side of you. But showing people who you are doesn't always mean you gotta, like, disclose everything.
Shelly
Yeah, that's good. I feel like your discernment is very, very high and very good for someone that feels like maybe they aren't practicing that well or, you know, they. They don't know what discernment is, or is that something you think that you're born with, or you think it's something that life, or do you think it's something that can be, I guess, created or cultivated in someone?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Honestly, for me, I feel like every woman is born with their gut instinct or intuition, as they say. I believe that is a gift that we've been given. But when it comes to discernment, for me, that has been with my growth in my relationship with God and having that constant conversation and communication with him to know, okay, this is for me, or I have a good feeling about this. What I do know is that God is not the author of confusion. So anytime I feel a little confusion about it, I take a seat back, you know. But I don't know if it's something that can be taught, definitely can be cultivated through. For me, I don't know what everybody else's experience has been, but for me, it's been cultivated through my relationship with Christ. But I will say you can go through things and still not learn a lesson. And I think we've all been there where we like, you know, the gin. Like, how did I get. Lord, I told you if you got me out of this last time, I wouldn't do it again. And here we go, you know, So I don't think it's one of those things that it can be taught. I do feel like experience is a great lesson for a lot of people, but that doesn't necessarily build discernment. Yeah,
Shelly
we talk about like not being transparent and I mean about, about being transparent for those people that just like, okay, I want to be popping. And we see online people like spilling they whole, you know, everybody, you know, they hold the. All the tea. Right?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Shelly
What would you say to people who want to maintain privacy but still want to build real connection online? Because again, I think you do very well at that. But then there's the flip side of people that have, I mean, we know A to Z the whole story and some people just not like that, but they still want to show up and connect and do that. What is some of your advice to.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah, and I say to each his own, you know, like, if that's what you want to do, that's what you want to do. And for some people it works, you know, but for me, I feel like for the person who wants to, you know what I'm saying, have that presence online and share some things, figure it out is what you want to share. Set your boundaries. Like if you do want to keep certain things private, just know that, hey, I'm not crossing this line. I'M not going to talk about this. This is off the table. Even when you do interviews, just let people know, hey, I don't want to talk about this. We can talk about that. But, yeah, I feel like just setting your boundaries with yourself is the main thing. But honestly, when you get on there, like, it's just a lot. I don't think everybody needs to know everything. Is it going to help anybody when they finish watching this video? Are they going to be impacted for the better, or is it going to push them to go do something that they shouldn't do? I think carrying that responsibility, when you get on the phone or get on a microphone, whatever the case may be, thinking about how it's going to be received on the other side is very important.
Shelly
That's good. So this is season 11. Keep it positive, sweetie. That's big. Congratulations.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,
Shelly
sweeties. So I'm not gonna say you were one of the. You were the first, of course, but I think that you made us women feel very confident and boldly about just sharing about Christ and what God was doing and all these things. When you first came up with, keep it positive, sweetie. And it was cool, like, I said to scroll back and see you, like, say, I got something for y'.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
All.
Shelly
I got something for y'.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
All.
Shelly
And just seeing, like, the graphics change and all those things we talked about on a previous episode. Did you. Of course. You're a big dreamer and stuff, but did you see 11 seasons?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Girl, I didn't even see the first season. Somebody had to show it to me. I was like, a podcast. I don't know about that because I was such a private person. And it was devale who brought it to my attention. When he looked at my social media, he was like, I really don't know who you are. He's like, you have these cool videos. I know you like to cook. You like to do hair and makeup, but it's all voiceovers. I'm not really seeing your personality. And he said, and you are really dope and funny. He said, people didn't know how funny you are. And I'm like, I be telling people I'm funny. And he was like, nah, for real. You need to show more your personality. And then when it came to the podcast, my manager at the time, she was like, it's time. And I was like, I don't know if I'm ready for that. That's a lot, you know, and it is a lot of transparency, a lot of sharing and moments that I had to be ready to share, you know, that wouldn't only impact me. They impact the people that may be on the other side of that story, you know, so. And we talked about that even with writing a book. So, yeah, I. Eleven seasons. I don't know if I can say that I actually saw that in the future. I'm grateful for what we have built with this platform, but even getting season one was a lot for me. Yeah.
Shelly
What made you say yes, though? Like, of course the balance. But what made you actually, like, hit it? Like, okay, let's get the cameras, let's get the art. Like, what made you go there?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I think it was praying about it and saying, hey, like, is this something I really want to do and can I do it well, you know, and how am I going to go about it? Because for me, I always want to do things different. Like, I don't want to do exactly what everybody else is doing. So I went into it with the intention of wanting a talk show. Oprah Winfrey has been one of my north stars since I was a kid. And it was something about this opportunity building something. It's been like that since day one. Like, doing it before, like, giving this the proof of concept, you know, so everything I've done, kind of even with doing my hair, was a proof of concept for what I have now. So I feel like the thought of, like, yo, this is something that you've been wanting to do, do it this way, you know, it doesn't have to be like the traditional podcast. So. So I think that was the thing that really one, being ready to open up because you have to have a level of transparency to do a podcast. Unless you're just talking to other people and them telling their business, which we could have done that too. But I think for them to draw to you and relate to you, you have to share something.
Shelly
And so again, like, it's faith based. It's about God. It's about your walk. It's about people talking about that and about purpose and things like that.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
And so I do wanna say it didn't start off like that. Like, God was always the foundation of it. But season one, I had watched Jazzy on. We were talking about body count and whole phases and who else did I have on that was a little controversial?
Shelly
I'm trying to think. You had the watch Jazzy episode was who? I said no, I said the watch daddy.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. And then the girl talk episode with three of my homegirls.
Shelly
So how did that shift?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I think one, my relationship with God grew And then taking that seriously, you know, and understanding. If you're gonna proclaim my name, I need you to. I need to see that. I need to see it in the fruit of your actions. I need to see it. I need people to see it on you. And I just. I took that very serious, you know? And one thing I don't play about, I don't play about God.
Shelly
Yeah.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
And it was like, if I'm gonna do it, like, there's. I feel like there's a way that I could still be who God created me to be in my own lane where I don't have to be. Shout out to my big sis, Sarah Jakes Roberts. I don't have to be at sjr, you know, like, she does her thing. I don't have to be at Tasha Cobbs. You know, like, there's so many women in the face based space, and they are who they are. But I'm Crystal and I can do it the way I do it. And even Sarah helped me see that. She was like, Crystal, she was like, you are you. But all these women, they're here for you, you know, so she's like, there's something that you're doing that is still doing the job. So understanding my lane and figuring out, which I think everybody has to kind of figure out, where do they fit in whatever lane they're trying to pursue? And for me, it was like, God, where do I fit in in this space where I don't feel like I'm losing myself, but I'm honoring you. And I feel like there is parts of me that had to die naturally to honor him the way he needs to be honored, but to not lose, like, my wit and lose, like, the parts of me that people are just like, oh, my God, I love that about her. She's so real and understanding that, like, he knows who I am and this is how he made me. And. And I'm just going to walk in that, you know, and give him the glory and speak his name so that people can be drawn to him.
Wheezy
Yeah, this is weezy. WTF from Decisions, Decisions. You know, a lot of us grew up not fully trusting the healthcare system. And honestly, the system has given us plenty of reasons to feel that way. But now it's time for us to take control of the conversation, to take control of our sexual health, learn the facts, ask questions, and advocate for ourselves. That's how we start changing the story. So let's talk. We like to think HIV is something that affects other people, but it is hitting our own community. Hard Black women make up about 13% of women in the US but account for nearly half of all new HIV diagnoses around women. And being proactive doesn't mean you just don't trust your partner. It just means you trust yourself enough to stay in control. So know your options, ask questions and protect your peace and your body. That's real power. Because protecting yourself isn't embarrassing, it's responsible. Sex is normal. Protecting yourself should be normal too. Actually, it's kind of badass. Taking control of your sexual health is grown woman energy Sponsored by Care for the Culture from Gilead Sciences.
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Shelly
my next question because again, like you said, it didn't start off like that. You wanted to keep it positive and you wanted to have the good talk and be relatable and things like that. And it's kind of cultivated into this massive thing. Right. And where God is definitely getting the glory every time.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Shelly
But on our algorithm now, of course, you know, we type it in now, you're gonna start seeing all, just the way the algorithm works. You'll start seeing all this Christian based trends and all these things. And I hate to call it a trend or exploitation, but some of it is right.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Because some people just get on and like you come on now, you know, you just doing this because it's popular. Like you can tell like what are you. Like that's not even who you are. Stop, like stop playing. Like literally stop playing. I think that you have to be careful because a lot of people try to make being a Christian transactional or like, oh, I can. This is what's poppin right now. Let me hop on this. Like you, it really needs to be a part of who you are. And God knows, you know, it's only so long you can fake it like with anything else. So I think when people do that, you gotta be really careful with that. That's not something to play with. It's not.
Shelly
Yeah, and that's what I was gonna ask you. When you see that, and I mean especially being so inner circle and knowing that, how do you, for the person that's watching that, what are your thoughts to them? What are your things to them? Because again, sometimes it's like you can get the message maybe not the right messenger. So you know, what are your thoughts on that and knowing like.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Right.
Shelly
But you saying you may be saying the right thing, you may be saying the word, you may be delivering the message, but it's just like that messenger is a little sketchy. Sketchy.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I think it's a fine line of one not judging people, you know, because God could truly be working on somebody's heart. They just might not be dressed the way we think they should be. Like I've seen people online speaking the word in the book, but everything's out. It's like what we doing? You know, like, it's like I feel like there should be reverence, you know, when you are doing whatever you're doing in the name of God. But I feel like we can't be judgmental. We've all, like, for me, I know, like, we talked about things I've archived. There was a lot of stuff that I used to post that was very risque, Thirst, trappish, you know. And when I went through those are things I did clean off my page as I began to take it serious. One, because there's so many little girls that are following me. I don't want them feeling like this is what you're supposed to do. Because they're like, oh, Crystal's doing it. Oh, I'm gonna go take this bathing suit picture. I'm gonna show my ass. Whatever the case may be, I didn't want to be that example for them. I wanted to be the example of a woman who dresses modestly, you know, but still fly.
Shelly
Yeah.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
You know what I'm saying? Like, my mama always told me, crystal, you ain't gotta let everything hang out. You know what I'm saying? Like, if you gon show a little top, be covered at the bottom, you gonna show a little leg, be covered at the top. Like, if you gonna have your back out, everything don't have to be out, you know? And I feel like there's a tasteful way to do everything when it comes to being dressed. But who when we get online and we see people online, we're like, I don't know. All I do is pray, like, God, if this person is really speaking for you and it is genuine just because I've been there, I know the transformation that God can do in people. Even I could be in church every Sunday. Saturday, I might have been smoking, doing edibles, partying, getting drunk, whatever the case may be. But I was still going to church praising the Lord every Sunday tithing. But it was something about cultivating and refining that relationship where God started to change me. And then I started being more mindful about how I dress, where I hung out, saying no to drugs, and really being that example of who he is and showing people, yo, you can be popping as country Wayne say, Jesus is popping. And, like, knowing that, like, your life can be blessed and you can live an amazing life and honor him in the same way. I think we kind of get caught up in what that looks like and forget about the come as you are.
Shelly
Yeah. And I think that that kind of shows just on some. The several guests you've had and the conversations that have come from those things. And so how in this, when we go back to you being this businesswoman and I mean, you're in some really major spaces where people don't even maybe talk about religion or talk about God, how are you maneuvering through that? And how are you? How are you? I guess, you know, moving through that and knowing, like, okay, they might not even have a religion or have these things. Does that impact how you move? If God says, okay, you still good? Or is it all have to be based on that? And what does that look like?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
That's a really good question. When it comes to being in rooms, I always look at Jesus. He hung out with people that the Pharisees and Sadducees judged him for. Why are you hanging out with him? He's a thief. And why are you hanging? He was a killer. He's an adulterer. And the thing is, is that Jesus would tell stories, he would be who he is, his light would shine, but he would never judge them. You know what I'm saying? He always, like, was welcoming. And what ends up happening, I don't have to shove it down their throat. They're going to see the light on me. You know, sometimes it's just being in your presence where it's like, yo, it is something about this girl.
Shelly
She got it.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
And then the conversation is naturally going to come up, you know, and even if it doesn't, they're always going to feel some type of peace and be drawn to you. And eventually it's going to come up where they're going to want to know more. What is this? It's something about you. Like, I can't put my finger on it. Or they're going to follow you on Instagram and see, oh, wow, she's a Christian. Or she's really in her word. She's a believer. I want to know more about this because I see the light that she has on her life. Sometimes it's not about being in the space and Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. You know, like, sometimes it's just being, you know, like you can shove Jesus down people's throat and not be living it and not be a reflection of him. So I think the most important part is being a reflection of his light, treating people with kindness. And when people come to you for advice, if they're struggling with something, give them sound advice on how to turn away from it. I think as Christians, we've gotten so comfortable with the God knows my heart, or, you know what I'm saying, this is just who I am. Knowing it's wrong. No. If you know that, then, okay, let's think about how we got here, you know, and let's think about how we can turn away from this. Because it's one thing to be like, oh, yeah, because Jesus, he hung with these people and this people, but most of those people turned away from what they were doing. And some of them, they was right there with him and even turned their back on him. Come on. They turned his back on him. We talk about Judas and Peter. Like, one of them, he said, get away from me, Satan. And there's one thing that Petey taught me is about when you have people around you. You have Peters and Judases. You have people that make mistakes, but then you got Judases that you cut off and understand the difference of, like, who's a Peter? Somebody who has a good heart but made a mistake, but who is a Judas that you need to get out, cut it off, you know? So I think when it comes to just understanding your space in different rooms and how to navigate it, it's really just one allowing your fruit to show so people can see, like, oh, wow, she really is who she speaks of. Like, I see that in her. It's reflected, you know. So, yeah, I think just getting away from the rigidity of religion and really living the life of Jesus is what was the main point that I try to push off.
Shelly
I know for a lot of people in that space and who, you know, they start off with, you know, the faith and pushing to Christ, but then maybe they backslide or maybe they just. Right.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I've been there.
Shelly
Talk about that, though. Even if you were to do something now, that may just be like, but I'm pushing. How do you. How do you come back from that? And if you did have to, I mean, maybe not explain, but what does that look like for you in those instances where it's like, dang, I kind of didn't want to post that, or maybe I did too much, or. Do you ever have those moments and when you do, or when you did have them, what was that like for someone? And this is just for, like, the businesswoman that. That is her brand. She loves God. She, you know, she's working on herself, but maybe try to post it a little risque. But now she wants. She doesn't want that to define her, you know, to make it where people don't trust what she's.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
What she's putting out, what she's getting. Yeah, listen, Paul and he wrote a scripture about the very things that I hate to Do I do them? Like, we know we not supposed to do it. We talking about Paul.
Shelly
Yeah.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
You know what I'm saying? A man that was killing Christians, but he, like, turned his life over to Christ and even said, like, there's things like, I know I shouldn't be doing this, but the very thing I hate doing, I end up doing it anyway. PD talked about this on Sunday, too, about the growth turns when that. When the. I know I'm doing this, I don't like it. I hate it. The growth is in the hate. There was a time where it didn't bother me when I did that. It was like, oh, whatever, you know, so there's growth in that. And I feel like to the people that are still growing, give yourself grace. You know, when you know you are truly trying to do better, be better, to turn away from things, understand that you are working and combating years of habits that you've been set in. You know, certain things that don't cut off, like cold turkey, like a light switch. Certain things you really gotta work at. And it's. We talk about dying to our flesh daily. Certain things you really have to work at, quitting. And, like, sometimes that urge is gonna pull back at you, you know, I talked about. I don't know if I. I've talked about it privately, but I don't know if I opened up publicly about it. But there's things like, I've turned away from and those urges come, you know, like, masturbation for me was one of them. Things, like, sex hasn't been an issue. Like, I can be like, no, I'm not having sex, and I've been good on that. But the urge. Because there's something about a vibrator that a man can't do, which is private.
Shelly
No one would even know.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Nobody would know. But guess what? God knows. And it hurts my heart when I do it, you know? So, like, that's something where, like, I've let that go as well, but it took a while to let that go. I did talk about that. It took a while to let that go. And even God was like, you're gonna have to stop this.
Shelly
Yeah.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Like, please, please stop. Because no man will ever be able to satisfy you if you keep using this thing, you know? So I think it's. Understand being real with yourself, knowing and I think sharing and being transparent about things like that. Where it's like, yes, I cut this off, but this right here was hard for me. This was tough. So that people don't feel alone when they're trying to do right now. That doesn't give permission. Admission. Yeah, just keep going, girl. Because God know, like, just keep doing it. It's okay because God will keep forgiving you. But like, it's like, no, like really work towards trying. But it's understand that it is hard and we all fall short. And I think that's the main thing that I want to drive home is that even when you fall short, just don't stay there. Get up and try again. Clean slate, you know, every day, daily bread. That's why we pray for that give us our daily bread. Because I know yesterday I messed it up. Okay, so I need a new loaf today. Lord, let's try this again. But yeah, just don't allow we call them first way Christians. Don't allow them to push you away from doing what you know is right even when you fall down. And I think that's the main thing. We get so caught up in the scripture that we lose sight of the foundation and the act of it. Yeah.
Shelly
So good, Crystal. So again, you're all these businesses and some of them are first, and then some of them, you are, you know, recreating and redoing. Even with the hair care line. Hair's been around for so long, right?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Shelly
And you weren't the first, but you are popping with it. So I want to connect that because a lot of people feel like everything is oversaturated. Podcasts, hair products, just all these things. Right. Because they've been done and people make money. So people gonna try it and things like that.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Shelly
For someone who has a calling or a gift but feels like a space is already full, what would you say to them? And I think you have so much
Crystal Renee Hazlett
to say because, yes, do it anyway. You know, this is something that you've been called to, something that you feel like you could add something different to as well. There's space for everybody. I mean, this is like a multi billion dollar area space when it comes to beauty. Even podcasts. Like, there's so much money everywhere to make it. Why not be you? You know, I feel like a lot of times we allow doubt and fear to creep in when we see so many people doing it. It's like, well, where do I fit in? You're you. That's where you fit in. And I think once you get that into your head and realize, wait, there is something about me, there's something special about me. And for me, I walked into it confidently knowing that this is something that I was doing before this opportunity came. So I Was able to say no. Like, I can do this, and I can definitely sell this because I've been doing it before. I was making some money off of it. So I think when you know you've done the work goes back to doing the work. When you've done the work, there is no stopping you. And I feel like there's space for everybody and there's room for me, and I'm living proof of it, so there's room for you, too.
Shelly
Of course, we know about God's timing, and you know that this is the perfect timing. But for someone that's maybe not there quite there yet with understanding that, what are some steps that you can give them to? Like, it's not too late, or like, what is something, of course, doing the work, but what is some other things that you think you could just instill or just some practices people could be doing who, again, they. They know what they want to do, but they just kind of scared.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah. Yeah. So I have known that I wanted to be an actor since the age of five. I wanted to be an entertainer. I was 36, okay, 36, when I got my big break, which is late in the entertainment industry. But I was right on time. And I say that to inspire someone who feels like they're late. And I feel like it's never too late to pivot. You know, so many people, like, I'm at this age, and I don't like what I'm doing. What do you like to do? Is it something that you can make a living off of, or is it a hobby? You know, and if it is something you can make a living off of, start working towards that while you have a job and create your exit strategy. You know, I think that we get so stuck in what's safe that we miss out on living in our purpose. And I think there is a level of responsibility that you have to have. Don't be reckless with it and just. I'm just gonna quit my job today because I don't like it. You know, don't do that, but be responsible. And sometimes you're gonna have to put in the extra shifts where it's like, okay, I'm gonna work during the day on my main job, but at nighttime, I'm going to really work on my passion so that I can leave this other job and this can be my main thing. But you're never too late. You're never too late.
Shelly
I love that.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Shelly
So I know that you are doing the soccer, you're doing all of these things. I want to go back to that, because again, we know that you've always. You've always been into the hair and the fashion, and of course, you. We see you into the sports. But what does tell us more about that and what does that look like? And this is more so to inspire someone who may have a secret love or a secret thing. And then what does that look like, to actually step into that role like that?
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah, that's a great question for me. I always said that when I started making a certain amount of money where I could invest, I wanted to create generational wealth. So the great thing is, some opportunities come. You can get in on the entry level, and it can turn into something crazy as you let it mature over the years. When it comes to investing in sports teams, it's the long game. This is not something I get dividends off of at the end of the year or quarterly. This is something that when I get older, say the team sells or we end up doing an evaluation, I would get a big payout for that. So this is playing the long game and understanding, like when you have money that you can. Same with investing in stocks and bonds and treasury bonds, whatever it is that you may be investing in, you're gonna let that money sit, you know, and let it continue to compound interest. This is one of those things where I have money that I could do without. You have to be smart about it. Is this money that you can do without? Because this isn't something I can go in and be like, oh, I need this now. I could go sell some of my shares if I needed to. Which is always smart to have something in a reserve that can't touch it because taxes. Which is another good thing about that business. Listen, you want to make sure that you're putting your. Your money investing in things where Uncle Sam can't touch it until you start pulling money out of it. So for me, this is another way that I can cut back on what I have to pay for. But in the long run, it's going to be a huge payout. So I think sometimes we get caught up in the. I want the money right now that we're not thinking about the long game.
Shelly
That's good.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yeah.
Shelly
A little business, a little more business talk. So the last thing I want to say, want to touch on for the person that is, you know, they. They work hard. They, you know, they're in their word, they're being patient. What are some things, when you were right at that moment, what are some things that you actively did? Maybe it was like you rolling your planner every day, or you did. What are some things that you. Not instantly, but you saw that shift when you started implementing the. These daily, I guess works or things like that, just to give people, again, like, some stuff they can do, charge them with.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I think practicing discipline, you know, having a schedule, sticking to it. There's something about routine that helps be structured, that helps you understand, like, you're just not going with the flow. It's like, oh, I just wake up and I do whatever I want to do. No, like you, every successful person, they're up early, they're up before everybody. They are taking care of their bodies, taking care of their mind, whether it's meditation, journaling, working out. For me, my workout is meditation for me. I can, like, just be with myself, put my headphones in, and I'm fueling my body for the day. There's something about discipline, and if you don't have it before it hits, before that prayer is answered, it's going to be hard to, like, jump into discipline when it does come, and a lot of times you'll fumble it. So I think for me, it's making sure that before it comes, whatever you're asking for, also pray for the discipline and then start practicing discipline before it actually hits. Yeah, that was good.
Shelly
That was good.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Listen, I'm telling you, like, I would not be where I am today if I wasn't structured. Yeah, I had to have that discipline, and I've had that since I was a kid. You know, my parents put me in organized sports. I was a competition cheerleader. We had practice right after school. Sometimes we would go home. Then we had to be back at a certain time. We had competitions. We had basketball games, football games, softball games, track meets, whatever it was. We had to make sure that we were there on time, also taking care of our studies. So it's so much that I was juggling at a young age that gave me that structure. And I think it's something that I carried into every part of my life, even how hard it was, the mental fortitude to be able to handle difficult things at a young age, whether it's getting hurt or being mentally exhausted, physically exhausted. But pushing through is something that you can't buy. You know, sometimes you don't even. Some people don't have it, you know, and that's why I don't feel like everybody is in the same position, because some things you just have to have or you have to build a stamina for it. So I'm grateful to my parents and I always shout out my middle school cheerleading coach, Ms. Fran, who instilled in me at a very young age what hard work was. She didn't care if a bone was popping out of our arm. You finish it. I don't care if your nose is bleeding. If you just got it knocked out of the whatever, Finish the routine, and then we'll figure it out. Like, and I think I just carry that with everything I do. Yeah, just finish it.
Shelly
I love it. I mean, it's no surprise, of course, where your personal brand is.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
It's.
Shelly
I'm so excited just to see what more businesses will flourish. I know more lives is coming.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
Yes. Listen, I'm telling you, like, God just gives me ideas. I'm like, okay. And sometimes even to that you may get an idea, and it may take time for it to come to fruition. Don't give up on that. You know, like, God gave me an idea last year. I just had the meeting today a year later. But it was right on time because I've learned more. I'm in a better position, you know? So I think understanding God's timing, understanding what you're supposed to learn throughout the gaps, when you feel like, oh, my God, what is it happening? Take a moment to sit back and be like, wait, what am I supposed to be learning right now? Because there's something that. A reason why there's a delay. It's not a denial, but it's a delay so that you can be ready for when it does come. Yeah. Mic drop. Oh, this is good. Yeah. Thank you, Shelly. Great questions. What I really want you to understand is this. You don't have to choose one version of yourself to be successful. You can evolve, you can expand, you can build in multiple spaces. But the key to doing it well is alignment. Everything you do should connect back to who you are, what you believe, and how you want to show up in the world. And when you leave from that place, it's not about doing everything. It's about doing the right things in the right season. So don't let fear, comparison, or the idea that it's already being done stop you. What's for you is not crowded. Thank you so much for tuning into another episode of Keep it Positive, sweetie. Don't forget to download the Season 11 KIPS Reflection Guide at Krystalrenaehazlett.com subscribe and share this episode with someone who needs it. And if you ever need advice, positivity, or just want to share something you're going through, email us at keepitpositive outcomes gmail.com as always, stay blessed, stay encouraged, and keep it positive.
Shelly
Sweetie.
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I'll see y' all next time.
Wheezy
This is Wheezy. WTF from Decisions, decisions, ladies. Let's talk about taking control of our sexual health. That's grown woman energy. You may think HIV affects someone else somewhere else, but the truth is it's impacting our community and some of us are being hit harder than others. Black women make up just 13% of the women in the US yet account for nearly half of new HIV diagnoses amongst women. Taking care of ourselves is community care. Know your options, ask questions, and protect your peace and your body. That's using your power. Sponsored by Care for the Culture from Gilead Sciences.
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Life's better with American Family Insurance because we know you love working weekends if it means working on your dream home both inside and out. And we're here to help protect those dreams so you can enjoy peace of mind. Save up to 40% when you bundle home and auto American Family Insurance Get a quote and find an agent@amfam.com Products,
Public Investing / NHTSA Announcer
pricing and availability vary based on the way you purchase insurance and by state. Some exclusions apply. American Family Mutual Insurance Co. SI and its operating companies 6000American Parkway, Madison, Wisconsin
Crystal Renee Hazlett
I'm US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. We all seem to be in a rush these days, from work to driving our kids around. But when you're behind the wheel, please do not speed. A few minutes saved by going faster is never worth the risk. So follow the speed limit, enjoy the drive, maybe bring some snacks for the kids, and know that along the way you're getting quality time with your family, paid for by NHTSA.
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Get a full body reset anywhere you go with Dr. Teal's magnesium spray. It's a concentrated magnesium blend of pure Epsom and Dead Sea salts, all bundled up in a convenient on the go bottle. A few quick sprays will relax your body and mind and keep you feeling recharged all day long. It's wellness you can feel, and you can find it in your local bath aisle. Dr. Teals Yep, you needed that.
Shelly
This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.
Host: Crystal Renee Hazlett
Date: May 10, 2026
Podcast Network: The Black Effect Podcast Network and iHeartPodcasts
In this episode, host Crystal Renee Hazlett dives deep into what it really means to "do it all," debunking the myth that you have to have everything figured out before you show up in the world. This conversation—part two of a personal branding and business series—is equal parts candid, faith-rooted, and practical. Crystal explores her journey as a multi-hyphenate (actor, singer, entrepreneur, investor) and offers listeners a grounded, honest look at pursuing multiple passions, living authentically, and doing things in the season they’re meant for. This episode is rich with spiritual reflection, transparency, actionable advice, and encouragement for women trying to balance ambition, purpose, faith, and boundaries.
On accepting seasons:
“If I’m focused on one thing too much, something is going to take the backseat… don’t allow yourself to feel guilty about it.” (10:28)
On discernment:
“God is not the author of confusion. So anytime I feel a little confusion about it, I take a seat back.” (20:35)
On showing up despite doubt:
“Why not be you? …once you get that into your head and realize, wait, there is something about me, there’s something special about me… there’s room for you, too.” (43:58)
On grace and imperfection:
“We all fall short… even when you fall short, just don’t stay there. Get up and try again… Don’t allow them to push you away from doing what you know is right even when you fall down.” (41:54)
On timing and growth:
“I was 36… when I got my big break, which is late in the entertainment industry. But I was right on time.” (45:34)
“Take a moment to sit back and be like, wait, what am I supposed to be learning right now? Because there’s something… a reason why there’s a delay. It’s not a denial but it’s a delay so that you can be ready for when it does come.” (52:13)
Crystal’s parting words:
“You don’t have to choose one version of yourself to be successful... It’s about doing the right things in the right season. So don’t let fear, comparison, or the idea that it’s already being done stop you. What’s for you is not crowded.” (53:23)
Download the Season 11 KIPS Reflection Guide at krystalrenaehazlett.com
For advice, positivity, or to share your journey: keepitpositiveoutcomes@gmail.com