Keep It Positive, Sweetie – Episode Summary

Episode: Where There's a Will, There's a Way with Will Packer
Hosts/Guests: Crystal Renee Hayslett & Will Packer
Date: November 14, 2023
Podcast Network: The Black Effect and iHeartPodcasts

Overview

This vibrant and deeply personal episode of "Keep It Positive, Sweetie" welcomes acclaimed producer Will Packer (whose wife is a real-life cousin of host Crystal Renee Hayslett) for a candid and inspiring conversation. The two reflect on their family connection, their years of growth in the entertainment industry, the power of positivity, navigating careers, relationships, and the challenges of living in the public eye—all anchored in purpose and faith.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Origins of “Keep It Positive, Sweetie”

• How the Podcast Got Its Name

  • Crystal recounts a social media story where she was criticized for showing her closet; her clapback included the hashtag “#keepitpositive, sweetie” which struck a chord and blossomed into the show's guiding theme. (02:12–02:40)
  • Quote: “At the end of it, I said, hashtag keepitpositive, sweetie. And it just ran… They were like, no, that's the name of the show.” – Crystal (02:12)

• Finding Power in Positivity

  • Will commends Crystal for transforming negativity into a movement for healing and connection.
  • “I love how you took something that could have been negative… and turned it into this platform.” – Will (02:45)

2. Navigating Public Life and Mental Health

• Both discuss the weight of public scrutiny and fan expectations.
• Crystal shares how pressure built up to the point she needed to disconnect from social media for her mental health. (04:28)
• Quote: “August was a really heavy month for me, and I just had to delete my Instagram. I had to just completely detach myself from the world…” – Crystal (04:28)

3. Full-Circle Career Moments

• From Background Extra to Co-Star

  • Crystal tells the story of her first real “industry moment” as an extra in Stomp the Yard 2 when Will chose her for a featured part, making her feel seen for the first time. (05:01–06:49)
  • Quote: “That was the first time I actually felt seen in the industry.” – Crystal (06:36)

• Returning to Work with Will

  • Years later, Crystal lands a featured role in a Will Packer film, underlining faith, growth, and persistence.
  • “I started off as an extra, and then years later... I got my own role in a movie with Will Packer.” – Crystal (13:31–14:04)

4. Relationships in the Spotlight & Marriage Advice

• Keeping Love Strong:

  • Will and Crystal discuss building resilient relationships under public scrutiny.
  • Will highlights the importance of privacy, genuine companionship, and mutual support.
  • Notable Practice: Will and his wife travel together frequently and keep their bond off social media.
  • Quote: “If you really like the person that you’re with… of course I want to be around her, because she actually strengthens me, makes me feel better… You want somebody who is filling you up, not draining you.” – Will (20:21)

• “Enemy to the North”:

  • The couple frames external pressures as the “enemy to the north” (Game of Thrones reference), focusing on unity and not letting outside forces harm the relationship. (24:17)
  • Quote: “The enemy is to the north. You ain’t the enemy. I ain’t the enemy. The enemy is to the north… Don’t let that impact your relationship.” – Will (24:17–24:43)

5. Industry Wisdom & Career Building

• Stepping Stones Over Shortcuts

  • Will stresses the value of doing the hard work and embracing "the steps" toward success, noting his own journey through indie films before major hits. (34:44–35:00)
  • “I didn’t go straight from, ‘oh I want to be a filmmaker’ to Stomp the Yard… It was steps to get there.” – Will (34:46)

• On Persistence and Growth:

  • Turning rejection into redirection, and the importance of learning every aspect of the business (“I have literally done every job on a film set…”). (09:53–10:43)

6. Pride & Legacy in Black Excellence

• FAMU Roots & Giving Back

  • Will’s journey began at Florida A&M University (FAMU), where he majored in engineering due to scholarship constraints, but started producing films (“Chocolate City”) alongside friends; his career focus solidified there. (25:42–28:55)

• Paying It Forward:

  • FAMU later named its performing arts amphitheater after Will, acknowledging both his professional achievement and continued advocacy for HBCUs. (36:47–39:16)

7. The Oscars & Managing Crisis

• First Black-Led Oscars Production

  • Will recalls stepping into unprecedented territory producing the 2022 Oscars, a post-COVID live comeback (43:21–44:43).

• The Chris Rock–Will Smith Incident:

  • Provides an insider take: describes the unique stage setup, initial confusion about the slap (“I thought it was a joke…”), the impact of live TV, and viral escalation. (47:09–55:13)
  • Quote: “We thought it was a joke… and then it wasn’t… and then I just had this sickening feeling, like, not tonight.” – Will (55:30–55:42)

• Giving Grace:

  • Will closes the discussion by emphasizing giving people grace for their worst moments, not letting one incident override a lifetime of character. (58:00)
  • “Let’s judge people on who they’ve shown us to be… not just on their absolute worst moment.” – Will (58:13)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | 02:12 | “At the end of it, I said, hashtag keepitpositive, sweetie. And it just ran…” | Crystal | | 13:31–14:04 | “I started off as an extra, and then years later... I got my own role in a movie with Will Packer.” | Crystal | | 20:21 | “If you really like the person at you with...she actually strengthens me. Makes me feel better now.” | Will | | 24:17–24:43 | “The enemy is to the north. You ain’t the enemy... Don’t let that impact your relationship.” | Will | | 34:46 | “I didn’t go straight from, ‘oh I want to be a filmmaker’ to Stomp the Yard… It was steps to get there.” | Will | | 55:30–55:42 | “We thought it was a joke...and then it wasn’t...and then I just had this sickening feeling, like, not tonight.” | Will | | 58:13 | “Let’s judge people on who they’ve shown us to be… not just on their absolute worst moment.” | Will |

Advice Segment Highlights (59:00–66:30)

• Listener Letter: A woman seeks advice on supporting her husband, who’s struggling financially with his business.
  • Crystal: Encourage and be a safe space, but he needs to “swallow his pride and figure it out”—sometimes you have to do jobs you don’t want for the family’s sake. (60:09–60:51)
  • Will: Emphasizes the importance of support and belief. He cautions that offering job leads may unintentionally make a man feel even more like a failure; instead, stand by him, affirm your faith in him, and let him lead the recovery. (61:00–65:26)
  • Quote: “He is being harder on himself than you could ever be on him… Just be there, support your man, and say, listen, this is what we need…” – Will (61:00–65:26)

“What I’m Going Through / Growing Through”

(66:30–69:16)

• Crystal: Feeling stretched in faith, daring new things, releasing the need for control.
• Will: Adjusting to an “empty nest,” evolving his marriage and relationship with adult children, and diversifying his career amid industry shifts.

Closing – Keeping It Faithful & Consistent (72:00–73:02)

• Crystal: “Keep it faithful, sweetie”—Lean into faith during uncertain times.
• Will: “Keep it consistent, sweetie”—Consistency is key in all areas, not just positivity or faith.
• Warm, family-centric banter throughout, ending with uplifting calls for community.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–03:08: Origins of “Keep It Positive, Sweetie” & positivity as a movement
• 04:28–05:03: Weight of social media, boundaries, and self-care
• 05:01–06:49: Crystal’s career breakthrough as an extra in Will’s film
• 13:31–14:24: Full-circle moment—Crystal starring in Will’s project
• 17:26–24:43: Will’s marriage advice, “enemy to the north,” and relationship resilience
• 25:35–29:22: Will’s career beginnings, Chocolate City, and defining purpose
• 34:44–35:47: The necessity of taking steps and learning through failures
• 43:21–46:46: Behind the scenes producing the Oscars
• 47:09–55:13: The “slap” incident—a producer’s perspective
• 58:00–58:24: Importance of giving grace and forgiveness
• 59:00–66:30: Listener advice segment—on supporting struggling partners

Final Thoughts

This episode is a masterclass in turning adversity into inspiration, with honest, sometimes vulnerable sharing, plenty of humor and wisdom, insight into Hollywood and Black excellence, and deep relationship truths. It’s a must-listen for anyone seeking motivation, perspective on growth, or tools for a more positive life—sweetie!