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What God Has For You Is For You w/ Terri J. Vaughn - Keep it Positive, Sweetie | Wave AI Podcast Notes

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What God Has For You Is For You w/ Terri J. Vaughn

Keep it Positive, Sweetie

Sun Dec 28 2025

Summary

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.

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Transcript

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Chris Renee Hazlett (3:29)

Calling all my sweeties to the forefront. I'm your host, Chris Renee Hazlett, and this is the Keep It Positive Sweetie Show. Can we just say thank you, Jesus? That was not loud enough. Can we say thank you, Jesus? There we go. Listen, I was, I had to travel to New York yesterday and I was like on the first flight out to get back so I could hear Pastor Sarah preach last night. And I get on the plane and this woman was. I'm talking about saying a very fervent prayer. She was. And I looked over, she was on my row. And I said, we gonna be all right. We gonna make it. Cause it was storms all over, and since January, the year has been yearing. Can we all agree on that? And I said, lord, if there's a delay, I'm gonna thank you for the delay because I just wanna make it there safe, whatever it is. And. Cause I used to get agitated and I felt that agitation creeping in. After two hours sitting on the ground, we finally get in the air and we're almost to Atlanta. I'd gone to the bathroom on the plane, changed clothes. I was gonna hit the ground running. And the pilot comes on the intercom and so says, well, we're gonna be in a 30 minute holding pattern in the air. So I hit my team up and I said, y', all, we not gonna make it. And shout out to Big west, one of my managers, big fella, he, y' all don't put us in church jail. But he bootlegged the sermon so I could watch it. Cause that's how thirsty I am for the Word. And I know if you're here today, it's because you're also thirsty for the Word. Shout out to that praying woman who was praying like a grandmother on that plane. We made it safely and I still got the word. But it also goes to show who's on your row. You know what I'm saying that woman was on my row. And I want you to always be cognizant of the people on your row in your life. Are they praying for you? Are they there for you? Are y' all praying to the same God? You know what I'm saying? Because there's a difference. And without further ado, I want to welcome one of my sisters in Christ. She is absolutely amazing. You may remember her as Lavita Alize Jenkins on the Steve Harvey show, or you may know her from her new hit show on Netflix. Ms. Governor, ladies, put it together. Put your hands together for my sister, Ms. Terry Vaughn. Yes.

Terry Vaughn (9:05)

And it was a bit overwhelming. And I have several conversations with God. And I know why it took 20 years, because feeling all the things that come with being in this position, I wouldn't have been ready. I wouldn't have been ready. I would have messed it up. I would have freaked out or something. And now is the time, and I'm, like, just looking for a little direction or guidance because I don't want to mess up the moment. Right. I don't want to, because everything just got different. The people that call, the people that don't call, the things being said said, everything changed. And I'm still the same person, though. I haven't changed. Everything is still. So I'm trying to navigate how to change, to move in all the newness of it without losing myself, losing my connection to my tribe, my real friends, my village, and not getting caught up in the newness, the new calls, the new. You know, and so I just was, like, talking to Crystal about how she navigated when she first got her show, and now everything is on her. The light is on her, the calls are on her. And just make it, because it's a huge responsibility. You're. You are responsible for, you know, a lot of people. You're the lead of the cast. So kind of your energy and how you move affects everybody. And I'm a mama bear, so I'm super protective. So I want to protect my cast. I want to make sure I'm standing up for them. Making sure. I'm asking, you know, that they get the things that I, you know, I'm just trying to be fair. We're libras too, so I'm always balancing the scale. So I want, you know, everybody to be treated fairly and all the things. So I just wanted to talk to her and ask her how she navigated when she first plopped into it. Because when you plop into it, it just like everything happens at once. It's not a buildup. And so I was in the. In the midst of everything rushing at me, and I was like, I need to. I need to pause and I need to talk to somebody. And Crystal talked to me and told me, you know, just share things that she did to stay focused and grounded. And, you know, I'm very spiritual and, you know, obviously get in my prayers, my meditation. So I'm like, I know who I am. I know I'm grounded, but I also have to operate in a space that doesn't necessarily move or act like me sometimes and not wanting to. To lose me, but still have to navigate through it, you know, so it was just nice to hear somebody else's perspective, somebody that I could trust, because you can't really have these kind of conversations with everyone. So it was just beautiful that she opened up and we had a really great conversation.

Chris Renee Hazlett (30:17)

That's so true. Yeah. It's funny. I went to the doctor probably two weeks ago. A fertility doctor and a guy who I'd only met one time through Rayonda, our costume designer had sent me a dm, and he said, hey, God gave me a word for you. Give me a call. And I was like, okay, we met, like, one time. What word did God give you for me? So I said, hey, I'll be free at this time. Just call me. So I was journaling that morning, and I was journaling about God protecting me and covering my womb, all these different things, and asking God to. To give me the desires of his heart. I was like, God, whatever you want from me, give it to me. And give me the discernment to know what you don't desire for me. So as soon as I put the pencil down, the guy calls me, and he told me the first part of it. He said, yeah, I was wrestling with this. And he said, because I don't know you like that. And then he's like, but then this morning, I woke up, and he gave me an addendum to the Word. And I was like, really? What's that? And he said, expect a miracle. And y', all, when I tell you. I just started bawling because I'm 42 years old, and I got. Look at my arm. Oh, my gosh. I started bawling, crying, and I said, you have no idea. I was like, I just went to the doctor, and I'm in my word. I'm reading about Sarah and Abraham. And my pastor, Pastor Darius Daniels, always tells us the Bible still applies. You're just the character now, you know, so replace Sarah's name with Crystal, you know, or whoever is out there wanting a child. And I said, you don't know what I just wrote down in my journal. And he was like, what? And I was like, I just went to the fertility doctor, and I said, I got a great report back, but I was asking God to protect my womb. I was like, thank you for protecting my family, but protect my womb. I said, and let it happen in your time, in your way, because I want to do it in the proper order. And I was like, this is just like. That's how quick God answers. Like, I literally had put the pin down, and I was showing it to Chanel, our hairstylist this morning. I said, do you see this wet drop on the page? I said, that was my tears. And she goes, oh, my goodness. And when you really, really get into your word and really have that intimate and cultivate that intimate relationship with God, he literally answers how I call, hey, Terry. Yes, Crystal. That's how fast God will answer you. And it keeps showing up. So you're absolutely right. It'll happen in God's timing for sure.