Keep It Positive, Sweetie
Episode: The Truth Isn't Always Pretty with B. Simone
Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Guest: B. Simone
Release Date: December 15, 2024
Episode Overview
In this raw and lively episode, actress, comedian, and entrepreneur B. Simone joins host Crystal Renee Hayslett for an unfiltered conversation about authenticity, transparency, faith, personal growth, relationships, money management, friendship, and forgiveness. The discussion underscores the podcast’s mission of honest healing—digging into the messy parts of life, learning to be real, celebrating progress, and honoring boundaries.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Power of Transparency
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B. Simone opens up about her commitment to honesty and being transparent about her life, including struggles and past mistakes.
“Nobody can say anything about me that I haven’t already said about myself. You know, she was on Ozempic. You know, she had an abortion. I already said it.”
— B. Simone [00:08] -
Crystal reflects on her more reserved nature, highlighting the tension between mystique and being open in a public world.
“I was always taught...there was something about being a mystery. And don’t let everybody know everything you have going on.”
— Crystal [05:14] -
Both discuss learning to draw boundaries between public transparency and necessary privacy, especially regarding intimate parts of their lives.
“Some things are sacred and private...It’s not that it’s a secret. I’m not hiding anything from you guys, but some things are sacred and private.”
— B. Simone [07:17]
2. Personal Growth: Resilience & Progress
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When asked for a word to describe her current season, B. Simone says “progress,” highlighting changes in her career, faith, health, and boundaries.
“I just feel like I’m in such a new space and I’m such a different person than I was six months ago...I feel like I’ve made progress. The word is progress.”
— B. Simone [03:28] -
She is transparent about weight loss journeys, publicly acknowledging using Ozempic and later choosing healthier paths for well-being.
“I was on Ozempic for like a year, and I lost 45 pounds...but it messed up my gut health...the back end of it is, like, it’s not healthy long term...Now I’m back in the gym. Doing it the healthy way.”
— B. Simone [04:08]
3. Relationships & Love
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Crystal shares her experience with a new long-distance relationship centered in faith and intentionality.
“You search and hope and pray for, like, the person that, like, understands...Even if they don’t understand this, like, they understand you.”
— Crystal [09:16] -
The two discuss the importance of protecting romantic relationships from public scrutiny and maintaining some privacy despite social media expectations.
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Both highlight the importance of faith as a non-negotiable in choosing a partner.
“Because I want to be the submissive woman that can be led. But you can't lead me if you have no relationship with the King.”
— Crystal [17:17]“If I truly believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life...I just believe you’re deceived. So I can’t be with somebody who I feel is deceived.”
— B. Simone [19:05] -
They explore the topic of healthy boundaries, readiness for love, and being specific in prayer and intention for a partner.
“You have to be very intentional and specific in what you want...Because I literally write...God, I want this, this, this and this. And God gave me exactly what I wanted.”
— Crystal [14:01]
4. Money Mindset & Financial Stewardship
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Candid talk about big earnings, big spending, and the learning curve of financial discipline as public figures and high earners.
“I show my million dollar journey on YouTube...That was the year I made my first million...It took me 30 years to make my first million, 30 days to make my second...Them zeros ain’t in that account no more.”
— B. Simone [24:39-25:00] -
Discussion about budgeting, overspending (especially on food and treating friends), and becoming more diligent and accountable.
“My accountant hit me. He said, you spent $20,000 on food in a month.”
— B. Simone [30:28] -
Both admit being “recovering people pleasers” who once gave impulsively, learning now to ask for Divine guidance and mindful stewardship over resources.
“Helping people that God calls you to in the way he calls you to do it, not just impulsively giving. So I’m learning that in this season...”
— B. Simone [28:33]
5. Friendship: Loyalty, Support & Boundaries
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They deep dive into their mutual support and what makes for great friendship.
“I really support my people...I’m very supportive.”
— B. Simone [37:28] -
B. Simone reflects on shifting her expectations in friendships—requiring loyalty and supportive actions, but also letting go of those who keep themselves in negativity.
“I’m not willing to drag them out the dark...if you got that victim mindset, I’ll come check on you, but I’m going to keep walking. I’m not sitting in the dark with you.”
— B. Simone [39:22] -
Both agree on the importance of communication, constructive criticism, and embracing different needs in different seasons.
“You have to treat each friend different because each friend requires different things.”
— B. Simone [39:51]
6. Forgiveness: Family & Self-Healing
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B. Simone grades herself a “B” on forgiving others, and credits therapy and honesty for her progress.
“The more I heal, the less family is a trigger. It used to trigger me being around family sometimes, but that just come from unhealed wounds. I’m glad I could bring everybody together. I’m working through healing. Therapy has helped me so much.”
— B. Simone [43:10] -
On self-forgiveness, B. Simone shares how she’s grown from being overly critical to practicing grace.
“You only did what you knew...I thought I was being the best version of myself that I could be then. So with forgiving myself, I’m much better now. But I have been hard on myself...You’re bullying yourself...You need to extend the same grace to ourselves.”
— B. Simone [45:33-46:33]
7. Big Announcements & Looking Forward
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B. Simone announces for the first time the launch of her LTTA (Let’s Try This Again) app—a women's community platform featuring shows, devotionals, affirmations, journaling, workouts, and more.
“This is my first time sharing this...the LTTA app, just community for women...producing shows for the app, extra content, daily motivation, daily devotionals, daily affirmations, journaling...a whole healing. Mentally, spiritually, physically.”
— B. Simone [48:59]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On authenticity:
“The truth isn’t always pretty, but I rather just be honest.”
— B. Simone [06:27] -
On vulnerability as superpower:
“Vulnerability and transparency is a superpower.”
— B. Simone [07:00] -
On readiness for love:
“When the good thing comes...is he love bombing me? Or maybe he’s a good person and this is how a healthy relationship should be.”
— B. Simone [13:53] -
On spiritual leadership in relationships:
“You can’t lead me if you have no relationship with the King.”
— Crystal [17:23] -
On financial stewardship:
“If you’re spending the money, take care of it...You stewed over it.”
— Crystal [33:54] -
On boundaries and energy:
“I’m not sitting in the dark with you...I’ll help you and walk with you, but I’m not going to drag you.”
— B. Simone [39:22] -
On forgiveness:
“No one in this world will control how I feel...You address it and you find the proper steps and tools to move through it and move forward. You don’t have to forget. But it’s no more anger.”
— B. Simone [44:20] -
On self-grace:
“You’re bullying yourself…You need to extend the same grace to ourselves.”
— B. Simone [46:33]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Transparency and vulnerability: [00:08] – [07:16]
- Personal growth & progress: [03:13] – [04:46]
- Ozempic and weight loss journey: [03:50] – [04:31]
- Privacy in relationships: [07:17] – [08:12]
- Faith and non-negotiables in love: [17:09] – [19:05]
- Money mindset & budgeting: [24:39] – [30:28]
- People pleasing and boundaries: [26:36] – [28:33]
- Friendship loyalty & boundaries: [36:41] – [39:22]
- Forgiveness and self-healing: [42:37] – [46:33]
- New project announcement (LTTA app): [48:59]
Episode Takeaway
Crystal summarizes one of the main lessons of the conversation:
“Transparency is fine. But privacy is definitely important. Keep the things that are sacred to you close to your heart.”
— Crystal [49:32]
This episode serves as an uplifting reminder that growth comes from honesty, boundaries, faith, and intentional progress—while always keeping it positive, sweetie.
Connect:
- @lovecrystalrenee
- @keepitpositivesweetie
- B. Simone’s LTTA App: [lets try this] (newsletter sign-up available)
Summary compiled for listeners and anyone seeking inspiration on authenticity, boundaries, and growth—without losing their joy.