Podcast Summary: Keep it Positive, Sweetie

Episode: What God Has For You Is For You w/ Terri J. Vaughn
Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Guest: Terri J. Vaughn
Date: December 28, 2025

Episode Overview

This uplifting and deeply personal episode centers around faith, purpose, perseverance, and sisterhood, as Crystal Renee Hayslett sits down with acclaimed actress and producer Terri J. Vaughn. Together, they reflect on Terri's multi-decade career in entertainment, the journey to her own show "Ms. Gov’ner," the challenges and joys of building a family, and the importance of trusting God’s timing even through seasons of uncertainty and waiting. The conversation is candid, emotional, and full of wisdom for anyone navigating dreams, transitions, and self-doubt.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Significance of Who’s "On Your Row" (03:29–05:45)

• Crystal shares a story about praying passengers during a turbulent flight, symbolizing the importance of surrounding yourself with people who spiritually support you:
  • "Are they praying for you? Are y’ all praying to the same God? You know what I’m saying? Because there’s a difference." — Crystal Renee (05:12)
• Sets the tone for the episode’s focus on spiritual community and support.

2. Journey to "Ms. Gov’ner"—The Power of Persistent Faith (06:52–12:20)

• Terri Vaughn discusses her 30-year career and the two-decade journey pitching her own show:
  • "I've been pitching my own show for 20 years. Now it is upon me, and I have that show." — Terri Vaughn (08:49)
• She credits divine timing, explaining she wouldn’t have been ready any sooner:
  • "I know why it took 20 years... I wouldn’t have been ready. I would have messed it up." — Terri Vaughn (09:11)
• Shares the impact of sudden career changes and needing to find new ways to stay grounded in authenticity, despite success and external pressures.

3. Sisterhood, Self-Sabotage, and Readiness (12:20–13:35)

• Both women reflect on how important it is to have a tribe to lean on and the tendency to self-sabotage after finally achieving what you prayed for:
  • "You start second guessing everything that God has put in your toolbox to make you ready for that moment. Has anybody ever done that? Self-sabotagers in the building?" — Crystal (12:45)

4. From Bay Area Beginnings to Big Break (13:35–17:35)

• Terri shares her humble beginnings in San Francisco, her struggles and perseverance as a working actress, and the emotional moment she landed her breakout role on The Steve Harvey Show:
  • "It just felt easy. It felt right. She fit on me and in me because I knew her." — Terri (14:51)
  • The joy of finally hearing a “yes” after constant rejection:
  • "In our business we’re used to hearing 'no' all the time. But we keep going because we know we are in line with our purpose." — Terri (17:11)

5. Lessons on Financial Literacy in Entertainment (17:39–19:00)

• Terri laughs about her frugal instincts but addresses a larger issue: talent often lacks financial guidance, emphasizing the importance of saving and planning for the future.
  • "There are things I could have done with that money that would have been smart to set me up better for future. And I didn’t know that." — Terri (18:52)

6. Navigating Post-Show Transitions & Avoiding Typecasting (22:53–24:48)

• Terri speaks honestly about expecting roles to roll in after The Steve Harvey Show but being met with “crickets,” then pivoting to "Soul Food"—a move crucial to breaking typecasting.
  • "You just have to stay true to yourself and just focus, and the things will come... stay the course." — Terri (24:34)

7. Balancing Personal Life and Career (24:48–29:04)

• Terri’s acting teacher’s wisdom: "Never put your personal lives on hold for the business because the business fluctuates, and it doesn’t love anyone." (25:10)
• Crystal and Terri discuss the pressures women face in entertainment around relationships and family, highlighting their own journeys (26:24–28:57).

8. Intentional Rest, Trusting Intuition, and Waiting on God (29:04–32:33)

• Both women stress the need for penciling in rest and trusting inner guidance:
  • "That’s God talking. That’s your intuition. That’s the connection." — Terri (30:04)
• Crystal shares a powerful personal testimony about fertility, journaling, and an unexpected prophetic call:
  • "Expect a miracle... When you really get into your word and cultivate that intimate relationship with God, he literally answers how I call. That’s how fast God will answer you." — Crystal (31:57)

9. Seasons of Doubt and Holding on to Your “Yes” (32:33–37:27)

• Terri admits to deep moments of doubt and wrestling with God, but knows her calling is rooted in purpose:

  • "I kept feeling the yes on the inside. So I’m just gonna listen to that, and I’m just gonna keep going. They can keep telling me no. 'Cause they just don’t know. But I know there’s a yes inside." — Terri (34:45)

• The importance of holding to your inner calling, even when loved ones don’t understand:

  • "My yes inside of me is not in them. So they don’t know... it’s yours alone." — Terri (36:06)

10. Creating Space and Stories for Black Women (37:27–43:13)

• Terri introduces her production company, TJV Enterprises, committed to telling stories about women of color in leading roles. She’s excited about "Ms. Gov’ner" on Netflix and encourages more content through her lens:
  • "I want our stuff to be us telling these stories from our own mouth, laughing at ourselves and all of our flaws and all." — Terri (38:21)
  • "That laughter is healing. It is healing for your soul to laugh. Literally. It’s medicine." — Terri (40:41)
• The show’s inspiration came from London Breed’s real-life historic mayoral victory in San Francisco, merged with Terri’s own experiences (41:04).

11. Race to Freedom—Personal Reflections and Takeaways (43:13–44:54)

• Both women share their “Race to Freedom” intentions for the year:
  • "I want to be free from self-sabotage, the spirit of self sabotage." — Crystal (43:31)
  • "I want to be free from judgment of myself. I’m really hard on myself. So I want to free myself of having to set a certain bar for everybody myself, making sure everybody’s pleased and I’m taking care of everybody..." — Terri (44:02)
  • Both emphasize giving themselves grace and releasing what is out of their control.

12. Closing Prayer & Blessing (44:54–46:33)

• Crystal closes with a heartfelt prayer for the audience, asking for healing, answers, and God’s grace for all listeners.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Divine Timing:
  "I know why it took 20 years... I wouldn’t have been ready." — Terri Vaughn [09:11]

• On Purpose and Perseverance:
  "We keep going because we know we are in line with our purpose." — Terri Vaughn [17:11]

• On Representation:
  "I love that my daughter can turn on the television and see people that look like her … that’s really important." — Terri Vaughn [28:02]

• On Self-Doubt and God’s Affirmation:
  "Expect a miracle... that’s how fast God will answer you." — Crystal Renee [31:57]

• On Saying Yes Against All Odds:
  "They could keep telling me no. 'Cause they just don’t know. But I know there’s a yes inside." — Terri Vaughn [34:45]

• On Releasing Control:
  "I want to give myself grace. I want to release the things I have no control of." — Terri Vaughn [44:46]

Important Segment Timestamps

• 03:29 – Importance of spiritual community and those "on your row"
• 08:49 – Terri discusses pitching her show for 20 years
• 14:51 – Landing the Steve Harvey Show; the breakthrough story
• 17:39 – Financial literacy and industry survival as an actor
• 24:34 – Navigating life after a hit show and fear of typecasting
• 25:10 – "Never put your personal lives on hold for the business"
• 29:04 – The need for intentional rest and intuitive decision making
• 31:57 – Crystal's testimony of faith and receiving a prophetic word
• 34:45 – Terri on holding onto inner faith through years of rejection
• 38:21 – TJV Enterprises and creating new stories for women of color
• 40:41 – "Laughter is healing... It’s medicine"
• 43:31 – Crystal and Terri share their “Race to Freedom” affirmations
• 44:54 – Powerful closing prayer for faith, healing, and grace

Recap & Tone

Keep it Positive, Sweetie continues to deliver raw, inspirational, and grace-filled conversations. This episode overflows with honesty, laughter, vulnerability, and faith. Both Crystal and Terri stress the importance of perseverance, trusting God’s timeline, supporting each other, and championing Black women’s stories. The entire exchange is gentle yet powerful—a true affirmation that what God has for you is indeed for you.