Crystal
Appearances
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
So at the time of recording, it's been about almost a month since election day. And I answer the phones for a couple of different places for both work and volunteering. And there's been a lot of fear. And not saying that abortion access has been without fear up until this point, but people are very afraid. And I'm getting a lot of questions about people asking, can I
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
be arrested for giving you my information, sending in my ID, giving you my real name, ordering medication online. Can the United States get my records if I order from this provider overseas, such as Women on Web? And just, yeah, people asking, like, can I be arrested? You know, can I do this? Will I be in trouble?
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
And it is something that is going, we're going to see an increase in criminalization and increase in abortion bans. It is a complicated answer. You know, the straight of it is that yet you can access abortion medication online, even if you're in a banned state.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
Even if you're in a state with a total abortion ban, you can order the medication from reliable resources online and have it mailed to you. And people do this every day. Hundreds, hundreds and hundreds of people do this every day without any issue. But there is also risk.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
And it's kind of like what Kate was saying, where people tend to, it seems like people don't know what the risk has been or what it looks like. Because like Kate was saying, there's been all these years of pregnancy criminalization everywhere. And we know what it looks like.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
And it tends to not be what people are worrying about right now, where people seem to be thinking that the police are going to come and arrest them for putting in this order, along with hundreds of other people in a given day. Or that the police are somehow going to get their period tracker information on their phone.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
And of course, practice digital security in a way that makes you feel comfortable. If you don't want to use a period tracking app, there are safer ones to use, or you don't have to use it. But the fact of the matter is, is that even if you are using pen and paper to record your period, if you have an abusive partner, you're going to be able to take pictures and collaborate with police.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
So the biggest threats are always, you know, as the data shown, like Kate was saying, going to be healthcare workers and the people that you know, such as partners, family members, neighbors, friends, et cetera, who are going to get access to pictures, screenshots, And of course, the police and warrants.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
It's not going to look like the Handmaid's Tale, where somebody's like coming in and going and forcing you to do something and dress a certain way or et cetera. It's not going to be like anything new and fancy. It's going to be the same old police surveillance and criminalization that we've been seeing. But there are ways in which we can protect ourselves when we're doing that.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
When somebody calls and they ask me, can I get in trouble for ordering this medication online? And people can get really in trouble for anything in the United States. You know, if the police want to go after you for something, they're going to find something. So you just have to not leave evidence. Like, so, yeah, you can order the medication online, but you can also use Signal.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
And I know that Kate's probably going to go more into this, but you can make sure you have disappearing messages. You can use encrypted emails and search engines. You have to make sure you're thinking about who can see your data. And, you know, where your data is being recorded.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
And that's really like if you want to protect yourself in terms of avoiding criminalization for abortion and pregnancy outcomes and having a secure and safe abortion in the United States, then you have to look at the basics like this.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
And I'm going to let Kate talk about that a little bit more because I know that you have all the good information that the Digital Defense Fund has looked into about the apps and then how to delete data and what data to delete and how to think about this.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
Another lawsuit, this is a little different because it's not a criminal charge. It was a lawsuit in Texas that I want to bring up just as an example of how our data can betray us in these moments. And this was a really silly lawsuit. It has been dismissed. But there was a Texas man who filed a wrongful death lawsuit accusing three women of helping his ex-wife obtain abortion pills.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
I believe, I think it was dismissed last year or maybe it was earlier this year. It wasn't even under the aid and abetting law in Texas. It was actually, you know, they sought a different avenue.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
There actually hasn't been a successful lawsuit against an abortion seeker under aid and abetting law or any other law in Texas in the last two years, which I think is just something worth bringing up is that, you know, we actually haven't seen that happen yet other than this case. But what happened in this case is This person was planning on terminating their pregnancy.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
They were talking to some friends who were helping them out. And their iPhone was synced up to their iPad. So if anyone's familiar with that, you can have your iMessages appear on both devices. So the iMessages that are coming to your phone are also going to be going to your iPad. And her ex-husband took pictures of the iMessages coming through on her iPad. And that was what was used.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
Even though the lawsuit was dismissed, Because it was a very silly lawsuit, total waste of time. But that is the kind of thing that you really need to be asking yourself is, you know, where are my messages going? Who is seeing my messages? Who is seeing my emails? What is it connected to? Yeah, because it can just look like that too.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
Yeah, so really supporting somebody through an abortion includes digital security. Yes. Same with providers, the people who are answering the phones. Digital security is one of the number one priorities. And yeah, if you're supporting somebody with an abortion, that should be your number one priority as well.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
Yeah. And people are scared for good reason. We do live in a fascist country and a police surveillance state. So their fears are founded, but there are a lot of excellent resources. They're not alone. You and I know this, Kate, but there are so many people who've got the back of everyone who needs an abortion. And you may not know
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
the safe way of going about it, but there are people who are committed to digital security and safety and you avoiding criminalization. So part of the service is also reassuring people of that too, that it is possible to have a safe abortion even still.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
thing that I know that we were talking about, Kate, in terms of like really practical, like what you can do now to protect yourself is having a plan for when you need to go get healthcare and you have to interface with like a medical team, a medical site, such as an ER, a clinic, an OBGYN, a doctor of any kind. Because I think, I believe the number one source
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
of criminalization, like who's reporting who, who is calling the police, who's reporting these and giving over the information, is as often healthcare workers. I believe that is the number one source. So, you know, you do, that is something to keep, you know, I am a healthcare worker, but it's just a fact. that that's something that we all need to be mindful of.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
And as a patient, somebody seeking healthcare, it's completely appropriate to be thinking of your own security and your safety when you're, if you need to access healthcare. So one thing is that luckily abortion is very safe and very effective.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
And if you don't feel comfortable going to an ER for very good reasons, there are many good reasons to not want to go to ER, including cost, including your safety and security, the chance of criminalization, there is a free medical resource and a free legal resource that you can call. I'm going to talk about the medical resource first. There is the Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
or mahotline.org. But you can call and get some feedback from a doctor about, hey, do I even need to go to the ER? Is this normal? Is something wrong? You actually can run that by a safe person before just going to the ER. And that's one example of having a plan. OK, I think I might need to go to the ER. Let me check with a trusted resource.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
Let me check with the Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline if I can get some feedback on what's going on with some of my symptoms.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
And, you know, it's like this extra kind of added support that you can access as a pregnant person or, you know, if you're having a miscarriage, if you're having an abortion to assess your risk and to see if you can avoid even going to a medical site, given that, you know, going to an emergency room in a banned state is something that does increase your risk of criminalization.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
Yeah. Tracking your period is important because If you don't know what's going on with your period and you get pregnant, it can delay your care. And, you know, optimally you're getting the safest, quickest, most comfortable care for you, right? So it's really good to track that. I use Yuki.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
What I love about Yuki is that it has a passcode and it stores everything locally and you can set to auto delete your data. And I love all of those things. So, you know, and I don't like using my paper calendar. If you love using your paper calendar, go use your paper calendar, you know, whatever you want to do. But it is very important.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
to know when your last period was, because it can just make your care more timely. And that's really important given the abortion restrictions and the abortion bans. Now, we are only, you know, admittedly, they're going to get worse. This is going to get less safe. There is going to be greater risk of criminalization. So when people call and they ask, like, can I access pills? Yes, you can.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
You know, no matter what Trump does, you're going to be able to get abortion pills. There are countries all over the world that have total abortion bans and they have these abortion pills all the time. You know, it's not new in America, but, you know, you do have to have a digital security plan while you're doing that.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
Like, so, yes, you can order pills online, but yes, also have a digital security plan and keep this stuff in mind. It's really it's part of your part of your health care plan now.
Behind the Bastards
It Could Happen Here Weekly 159
Yeah. One day. But until then, we can do this very securely.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
The Money Mindset Part Two w/ The Wall Street Trapper
Yeah, that's how most men think.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Calling all my sweeties to the forefront, I'm your host, Chris Renee Hazlitt, and this is the Keep It Positive Sweetie Show. Welcome to the Keep It Positive Sweetie Show, the place where we heal, grow, and learn together. This week's guest is the beautiful, multi-hyphenate talent, Tika Sumpter.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yeah. Yeah, it was a validation. Sometimes you need that.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And I want to have it right when I call certain people. Girl, that's right. Yes. And it's perfect. This is the perfect timing. Perfect. Yes.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And like all these people were picked out. And I was like. I have a football stadium.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Somebody saw her on the Jumbotron, find that girl. I'm like. Girl. That is not my story.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yeah, I struggled here in Atlanta. So I can imagine a New York struggle, the cost of living.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Same. Yeah, no, you can't. I think those, the moments that happen in between landing what we would say your first big job are so vital.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Because they literally can, like, make or break you. And if it happens too fast, it can break you. But those little moments really build character. They build tenacity. Yes, and the grit. The grit.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I love that about you, though. And I feel like that is a part of your character. Like having that why not me, you know, that makes you have the confidence to go after the things that you want.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
She is so, she's beautiful. She's an incredible actor. Incredible. Yes. Love her. I love that. So was there ever a role that you auditioned for that you were like, I wanted that so bad. And then you see who got it. We don't have to say who got it, but you see who got it and you're like, I couldn't.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Because there's some shows that I had auditioned for, and I'm like, dang, I really wanted that. And then the show ain't here. Ain't in here. Like, Cancer at the first season. And the guy's like, I'm protecting you. I'm trying to let you know. What I have for you is for you, and it's going to have some longevity to it, so just hold on. Just hold on. Just relax. Yeah.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I heard that. And I'm like, that's not true. I heard that Oprah had to call you. She did call me, and she's like, I don't do this.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
No, drop that. Same thing. I was like, you are stunning. Thank you. And I remember that and how kind you were to me in that moment. And then fast forward like two years later, you booked Candace on Heaven Have Nots. And I walk up to you as I'm a PA at that time. This is like I just started. Yeah, I was a PA at the studio.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
She's an NAACP-nominated producer, director, children's book author, and a podcast creator who's been steadily redefining what it means to move with ambition, grace, and grit in Hollywood.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yes. Let's talk about a full circle moment with you and Tyler. Um, you co-wrote and co-produced, um, sisters in Italy. Is that, is that the name that you guys are sticking with or is it still untitled?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
How did that come about? Even just from the, did you decide, like, I want to write a story about sisters. How did that come about?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
But no, it's totally different. It's totally. Totally different. To ask somebody to do a movie with you. Movie, that's different.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And I remember walking up to you saying, hey, Tika, I don't know if you remember. And before I could even get it, it's like, Crystal, yes! Oh, my God, girl! I was like, because, you know, like, you're an extra. And, like, some people, like, you were a well-established actor at that time. So I was like.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Totally different from New York in the street crying.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
He didn't do everything because Tyler is the writer, creator, producer, director, the things, all the things. Bing, bop, boom, bop, boom, bop, bam.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Like, no, that's the power Tyler Perry, man. That man, he can push the needle and move fast. So that was a full circle.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
moment for me beautiful I actually got to come on set this oh my gosh and we do Italy every summer so yes to see Italy darling we do Italy every summer so I got to come on set so I got to come on the set and and he's like go outside it looks like just like Portofino and I was like darling yeah what is this Atlanta Portofino like he literally I was like I felt like I was in Italy
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Like, it was so cool. But then you actually got to go to Chiquiterra. Where else? Did you guys shoot it in Chiquiterra? Yes. So we hike there every summer. Okay. So that is one of my... That is one of the most picturesque little towns I've ever seen in my life.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
To have a black man, the giant that Tyler is, say, it's in your hands. I'm giving you, this is you. I'm not, because most people try to come, a lot, even studios, they'll come in and you'll have this amazing idea. And then by the end of the, you're like- It's not your idea.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I better get an invite to the premiere is all I'm saying.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yes. And maybe a few like screenings. You know how you like send it like before it comes out. Oh, you know you. I need that exclusive.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
So Tyler has been a part of your life. For a long time. For a long time and for a lot of amazing monuments and milestones in your life. Yes. Speaking of, you met your husband. I remember it was the wrap party. I'm sure it already kind of happened. I remember. I said, there's something going on here.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
It was like, we're not together. It was like, we go together real bad.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Like two weeks later. So, I think you may call me the next day like, girl, so. Yeah, what you saw is what you saw. What happened happened. What happened happened. So we know Tyler has this big thing, like, where he doesn't really like for actors to date. I get it. Because sometimes it can cause, like, issues. Messy. How did that happen? Like, what was it? Like, was it the moment you saw him?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
You were like, ooh, officer. What was his name? Officer Justin. Officer Justin.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
He's like, Sister DeGagra, he probably wanted to hear it. Oh, the dog's name is Lola. It's definitely a girl. He missed all that.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I love it. Now you have a beautiful daughter. Beautiful daughter. You had it. Oh, my gosh. Your wedding was absolutely stunning. Thank you so much. Oh, my gosh.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yeah, no, I started at the bottom. Now we here.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
That was a good time. That was so fun. We danced. My feet hurt, like, for two days afterwards. We danced for so long.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yeah, I started there, and I remember, it was just a breath of fresh air. Because you just, you know, sometimes with actors, and just this industry period, not even just actors, you don't know what you're going to get from one day to the next. Like, y'all can be having a great conversation in one setting, and then you'd see them, and they act like they don't even know.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
That's all I'm going to ask you because, you know, a lot of Black women, we try to, like, stick to our brothers. We leave hope for them. Yes. At what moment were you like, I'm going to try this? Was that your first? No. Okay.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
People feel like, oh, you know. Yeah. And I feel like a lot of women, sometimes they get to that point where like, let me just try something different.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
talk about keeping love is even harder yes i want to ask you about that because you're dealing with two different upbringings um two different temperaments how was that adjusting and like even i know nick and i've talked you know like in the very beginning he's like i said like how do i you know i'm saying i'm like bro you gotta this is a sister here you know i'm saying everybody you're saying the family comes with everything
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I don't know him. You'd be like, you don't. Good luck. They're like crazy.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
You're like, we literally had a deep, I was crying. Literally, you don't remember. Oh my God. Yeah, so I've had instances like that, but to see you and then you like just embracing the way you did, Just as a young black woman still trying to figure it out and navigate this industry and find my footing and to see where I fit in.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
But yeah, it's a difference, especially when you have your own family. It's a big difference.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
It's a beautiful life. Thank you. Yeah, it really is. Thank you. I love that. And you have a beautiful daughter, Ella. Thank you. You've created The Adventures of Curiosity Cove. And then you have a new book. I get it from my mama.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And Ella inspired this. Yeah. And I heard you say earlier that one of your first gigs was doing like after school like videos. So I feel like the Curiosity Cove kind of ties back into what you were doing in the very beginning.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yes. It's beautiful. I actually read it this morning and it's such a cute book. And I love how she, like children do, they often imitate everything they see.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And there was a morning you were making them, you're making the pancakes and she spilled the batter trying to get the cinnamon and you like, just leave, please leave. And then she did the same thing to the kid at school. And I loved how the emotional awareness where you're teaching her how to apologize. And then She in turn does the same thing with the kid at school.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And then to have you as a now is this years of friendship.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
We're talking about none other than Tika Sumter, a powerhouse talent who starred in a billion-dollar blockbuster like Sonic the Hedgehog 3, made her Sundance directorial debut with The Night Off, and is co-producing and starring in the new Amazon MGM rom-com in collaboration with Tyler Perry.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yes, you're also a part of the Sonic Hedgehog franchise, and you're one of the few Black women that are a part of a billion-dollar franchise. What does that feel like? Say that again, Chuck. One of the few... Let me give it to you better. One of the few African-American women that are part of a billion-dollar franchise. Okay. You're wrong.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Did you say, hey, I'm in this movie, or did you just let her be like, wait, is that you?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yeah. I'm proud of you, too. So I'm excited to have you on today because I want people to know more about you. Just like your journey and where you are today and all the amazing things you've done. Your resume is outstanding. Thank you. I'm so proud of you.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
You're right. The haves and the have nots. Baby, she is not watching. She'll be like, Mom, I don't like when you act like that Candace character. No, she'll be like, um, sometimes it's you. She's got to see some similarities.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I just started watching that yesterday while I was getting my hair braided. It's so funny.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yes. So take us back to Queens, New York. Oh, my God. Young Tika. Little Tika? Little Tika. I want to know, like, from the beginning...
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And do. And do. Yes, you have to. And that's another thing. People think once you reach success that it's easy. No, you have to keep building from that place. It doesn't stop. And you just...
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I'm like, I want to do this. Yeah. You know, so. I love that for you. I remember you called me one day. I think it was right after I got the soccer team. You were like, girl.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
But I love that we can call each other and like, hey, girl, what, how and what and how can I get it? You know, these are conversations that we have in like podcasting. Like, how did you do this? Like knowing that you have a girlfriend that you can call in the same. I can call you like Tika.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
So that's me. Exactly. I love that. I remember you said you just said something about being part of an industry that can just throw you away.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And that was like after we came at Strike and I told you that, too, I said, girl, after that strike, I said, I got to I can't depend on this because it gets it's easy to like have all this money coming in because acting pays the bills, you know, especially when you're on a show that goes for as long as our shows are gone. Nine years is on nine years, nine seasons. Isn't that crazy?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Just nine seasons. Nine seasons. That's a long time. Yeah, and most shows normally stop around five or six. Five or six. If you're lucky. If. Big if. That's not normal.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Girl, keep your job, baby. And keep working, but you have to... Build. To people, you have to keep building because they think like, oh, this is just the one thing I'm going after. You have to build from that.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yes. You know, that is so important. And we were talking before we started filming about Tyler was the one that really kind of showed us what real ownership, real ownership looks like. And for us, what it looked like and how because we didn't we don't see a lot of people in those positions or to know that, hey, no, you should be doing this, too. And this is how you need to set up your deals.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And when you do your contracts, you should be asking for this. And there were so many things like afterwards. They're like, why? Why is this not already taken care of? I'm like, oh, I didn't know. I know. Ask for that. Ask for it.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Real power. Who does she sound like? Ashana? Sean be like, yeah, this ain't it. Where's the real? She said just like you. Okay. Yes. Okay, because.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
How else can we get out like that? Because I'm not a normal girl.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Let's knock that over. Groundbreaking things, yeah.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
You don't have to. You are absolutely amazing. Before we close out, we do what is called our Positive Outcomes Listener Letter. This is where our listeners write in, ask us a question, and we give them advice. You down? I'm down for whatever you need. All right, let's do it. This one comes from Jennifer O'Neal.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And she says, how do you give a man who you're dating, potential husband, oh, we just talked about that, to get his finances, profession, and life in order so we can experience a life together?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yeah. Or how do you give him the time to get his life in order? Like you have someone that you feel could be your husband, but he needs to get his finances, profession and life in order so that you guys can experience the life. Basically, I know what you're saying, girl. Jennifer, you're saying you want him to be able to experience the life that you want.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Because sometimes, you know, you feel like you're in a position and the person that you're dating may not be able to... Yeah, to meet you there.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
You know what I mean? I do know what you mean, yeah.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
You have to do, yes, yes, yes. And I think that's the point of having a partner. That's it. You know, having someone like, we all have different strengths and weaknesses. There we go. And then if you pair together, like, okay, wait, you really are a go-getter. You just need the right tools.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Well, I got this. Let's connect and build this thing together.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I need to see what you got. you can do on your own as well. Yeah. Jennifer, that's so good. That's good.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yeah, that was great. So we're going to play a quick game of this or that. Okay. Well, I think I know this one. Maybe you like both of them. So coffee date or wine night. Oh.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Tea. Yeah, I do tea. Will you go on a date? Absolutely.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yeah, okay. I was, like, confused. No, I love it. It's great for, like, really just no pressure. No pressure. I feel like coffee dates are no pressure. And dinner is long if you're not into it. Then you got the pressure of him like, so what you doing late? I'm going home. I'm leaving. Bye.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Right? It's different. It's different attitudes or experiences you're going to get.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
that's the third fourth date right okay okay we'll stick to the coffee for the video netflix binge or a spontaneous road trip oh spontaneous road trip yes beach vacation or mountain escape oh i love a beach vacation i'm a i'm a water baby i love water it depends if the ocean is calm yeah so kaba water no but you know they had to save somebody listen mediterranean water
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yeah, give me that water. Dressing up in heels or chilling in hoodies?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And I'm about to be riding some sneakers. I was like, this is cute. Yes. It's cute, girl. It don't matter what you put on. Thank you. Staying in face mask or dancing all night?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
face masks like facials um dancing all night yeah that's a good time spicy tacos or sweet cupcakes spicy tacos texting all day or deep late night calls deep late night calls if i'm calling you that's a problem we need to be together I know that's right. Oh, this is good. Rom-com movie or true crime documentary?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
mystery is not fun after the first time around right I've had mystery no thank you no mystery what is it sharing secrets or keeping it mysterious sharing secrets yeah I love it and then matching tattoos or matching outfits tattoos do you have any tattoos yes girl you can't see them now so if you know you know you know Tika, this has been amazing. I knew this was going to be a great episode.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I love you. Thank you. I love you more. Thank you for coming by. I really do love you. I'm proud of everything you have going on.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Seriously, guys, make sure you go get her book. Check out Adventures of Curiosity Cove and all the amazing things. We'll let you guys know when her movie's coming out. We're definitely going to support you in everything you have going on. Make sure you guys follow Tika at Tika Sumter. Is it? That's your Instagram? Yeah, at Tika Sumter is my Instagram. At Tika Sumter.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Follow her because you've been doing better on posting.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I'm proud of you. Yes. Are you proud of me? I'm very proud of you.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
What is it? Do they do this in the club? No, it's on Instagram. It's something that the kids are doing. Michael Rainey, like, all his videos on TikTok, that's all he's doing. He's dancing, like, on tables. It's like a, he does this, and then he does this little dance. Savannah and her daughter just did, Zuri just did it. And then they, like, slide down walls. It's, like, so cute.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
So we're all going to do it together. He's like, no, we're not.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
thank you no thank you i love you i love you this is great so good guys that was a great conversation i hope you guys all received the message of your time is your time and whatever god has for you he has for you tikka's story and everything that she talked about was absolutely amazing i love her journey it was inspiring for me and i love to know that i have a sister that we both can encourage and inspire each other
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Thank you guys so much for tuning in to another episode of the Keep It Positive Sweetie Show. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use a little positivity. You guys can follow me on Instagram and all platforms at Love Crystal Renee. In the meantime, in between times, stay blessed, stay encouraged, and remember to keep it positive, sweetie.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Oh, and did we mention that she's also releasing her first children's book, I Got It From My Mama, and creating an animated podcast for kids. In today's episode, we're talking about storytelling, motherhood, ambition, and the creative fire that drives one of Hollywood's most inspiring voices. Get ready for this conversation, guys, because you do not want to miss it.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Isn't that crazy? I just went back to my hometown in November. And I was taking them. We were going to the house we lived in. And I was like, it felt so much bigger when I was a kid. Girl. You couldn't tell me there wasn't a mansion. Girl.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
It's New York, okay? That is funny. Being in New York, I feel like it's a melting pot and it's a place where you have access to so many things. So whatever it is that you want to do, there's something in that city that you can tap into to help build that character.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
What drew you to the arts and was that something at a young age or was it later on in life where you're like, this is what I want to do?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I worked at a movie theater. You did? Yes, in the summer. I was just a concession girl. Not just, we sold, girl.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Because it definitely makes me feel old when I see those. I'm like, I just missed it by a few years.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
That's my dream. Is that you? That was my dream, yes. No, I went to college. I was a mass comm major with an emphasis in PR. And you wanted to... I wanted to be a publicist for athletes. Yeah, I wanted to like... Wait a second.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
But no I had to waitress so like every after yes, I just started waitressing and I was like my actual real my plan a
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
You're like, when am I getting that call? Girl! You and Tyler both. I think I was getting a side eye from both of y'all for a while.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
so yeah i shot a commercial and then i started shooting more commercials and and then i got into voiceovers okay and so yeah that's how it all started that is amazing yeah i love that yeah what was that like how many from the quitting or getting kicked out of school basically like you got to go you got to go to bussing tables to that first commercial like what was that because a lot of people think like oh she just no overnight
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Oh. And I still haven't been. You're like, why am I not on it?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Tika, I be trying to tell these children today. Yeah.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
Coming up on Keep It Positive, Sweetie. Speaking of performances, you just did the Usher tribute at the BET Awards this year. Phenomenal. The way you crawled up on that stage, I said, only a tall girl could do that. Because I'd have been like... And you did it so gracefully.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
I love how they do that now, where adults can enjoy it too, but the kids have no idea what they're laughing at.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
Yes, yeah. I'm like, this is kind of deep, because I'm crying in the club. No, seriously, it is.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
Beyonce had even quoted that movie in a recent interview, and I was like, wow. Wow, you're so like me. I'm sitting. Yeah, literally.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
What's your favorite movie? I'm curious. The Devil Wears Prada.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
I can watch that movie any day. If I'm sad, I can watch it and quote it word for word. I love that movie. Oh my gosh. And they're coming out with a part two. Hello. You want to be in that? I do want to be in that.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
With top-charting hits like I See You and Here We Go, along with the wildly popular role of Hilary Banks on Bel-Air, Coco seems to only be scratching the surface. I am so excited she's here to chat about her personal life, professional evolution, and work-life balance, and her love life. Well, at least I hope so. Coco, thank you so much for being here. I am a huge fan of all your work.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
That's iconic. I love Meryl Streep. Oh my gosh, she's good. Anne Hathaway. It's just a beautiful movie. Wow. That's fire. I love that. Yes. Now, you love cartoons. Is there any cartoon that you would love to play? It's given Disney Princess already.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
It's going to happen. I can already see that. It's written already. I can see that. I love it. So you're grown, you're running your businesses. I love talking about financial literacy and you said your mom taught you a lot of things. What are some things that you can give young women who are also like growing up and we have so many entrepreneurs now.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
at a very young age, what are some tips that you could give them to say, hey, these things you need to watch out for financially? Watch out for.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
Are you parched? Drink some more water, honey, because you're dehydrated.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
Love yourself in this area. Yes, that is hysterical. So I'm an artist as well. I love music. Mm-hmm. So I would love to talk to you about your creative process. Because you said you speak from your real life experiences and we feel it. We can feel it.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
I love you on Bel Air. I love your music. And then you were like a childhood actor as well. How has that evolution been going from being a childhood actor to now like being a grown woman doing your thing?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
I feel like, I think me and Big Wes were talking about this, about how people can write songs for you and then the artist gets in the booth and they have a hard time singing it because they can't really relate to it. But we feel it.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
So what is your creative process when you're starting to create music or is there like a thought and you just call someone like, hey, we got to get in the booth so we can do this?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
Listen, I love the live performances. It's that studio process that is draining.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
A lot of actors are like that. They can't watch their work. But for me, it's like watching film.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
I'm like, oh, I should have taken longer to be there. I should have did something different there.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
I love you. I love your, you are so funny. It's a crumb. I love that. Speaking of performances, you just did the Usher tribute at the BET Awards this year. Phenomenal. The way you crawled up on that stage, I said, only a tall girl could do that. Because I would have been like... And you did it so gracefully.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
Because I was like, I would have looked crazy trying to get up on that stage.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
do that yeah like they'll never know they'll never know oh but it was amazing yeah that's the performer in you like we definitely the show must go on the show must go on as i climb down mount everest towards usher That is hilarious. That was so dope. I love Usher. He's also from Tennessee. Is he?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
No, he was born in Chattanooga. What? Yeah, Chattanooga, yeah. Wow, I did not know that.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
When is your birthday? January 4th. Okay, because he's a Libra, too. So if you were a Libra, I'd be able to say it all my life.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
Yes, yes. That's awesome. I thought that was so dope, especially with all the women doing it.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
I thought it was amazing, too. Yeah. You talked about therapy. Mm-hmm. And I know in this industry, it can have such a strain on our mental.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
At what point can you pinpoint some things that you were like, you know, I need to talk to somebody? Because you've been doing this for a very long time. And it's also a lot of pressure from a childhood actor being famous all these years. And we've seen it happen. You've maintained and done so well for yourself. Thank you. Yeah, no, seriously, I'm proud of you for that.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
When was the point where you were like, I need to talk to somebody?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
That's good. So when you were a kid, who was handling everything? Was it your parents handling everything? It was my mom, yeah.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
Are you more hands-on now as an adult? Oh, absolutely.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
Yeah, and you believe them. Yes. Yeah, that is so true. Our mind is so powerful. Yes. There's things that we can literally forget that happen until you start talking to someone.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
You're like, wait, what? I lived through that?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
That happened? And I've been holding on to this? Girl.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
True. That is so true. That's good. You talk about we've all been in situationships. How is it dating as Coco Jones? Like, you are this big figure now. Like, I know for me, like, I find it hard to, like, I always want to keep everything private and low-key and, like, protect that. And, like, we're not hiding, but if you see us, you see us, but I'm not going to put it out there.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
How is that for you in this time? I agree with that. Yeah.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
Baby, I want to take these lashes off, wipe this makeup off, put my scarf on and my bonnet and be all right.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
They used to make fun of me because I would not leave the house. And they're like, Crystal, who's going to be your door dash?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
I was like, well, I don't even go to the door for him, so no. I'm serious.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
It is. Yeah, I like that. That's good because, yeah, I wasn't leaving the house. My friend's like, you need to put yourself in positions and in places to meet the type of man you want to be. Exactly. Because then you have to look at like, well, I keep meeting all these type of guys, but where are you going? Girl, you at the club. Exactly. Nothing good comes of the club. Well, one thing. What?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
I met somebody in the club. Yeah. Are y'all still together? Yeah. Okay, something good comes to the club every once in a while.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
But it's so funny because that was the, his, both of our initial thoughts were like, Who gonna really take this seriously when we're in the club?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
Like they don't know how to take, yeah. And his mom was like, he said his mom used to tell him like, whatever you meet in the club, leave it there. Oh my gosh. And I was like, the next morning I woke up and I was like, I hope he doesn't think because of where he met me that that's how I am. And he like, he said, he said, I thought the same thing.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
He said, but then I talked to you one time and I was like, no, she's different. And then got to know me and he was like, okay, yeah, she's, she's real. I was, I mean, it was during the Olympics. I was out having fun.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
I love that. You literally stole your mom's face. Like, y'all look, I was like, oh my goodness.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
I actually had another friend who met her husband in the club. Girl, you're going to have everybody going to the club now. Going to the club. Looking for love. Love in the club. That's what she said.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
But no, you do have to put yourself in spaces where you want to be for sure. Absolutely. Absolutely. I love it. Coco, is there anything you have coming up that we need to know on the horizon? Well, my debut album will be out at the top of the year.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
Okay. I'm coming to see you on tour. I cannot wait. I love to put on a good show. I love it. You do put on a good show. I can't wait.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
I'm excited for you. Thank you so much. Yes. You are such a, oh my gosh, just a joy and a light.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
I really enjoyed talking to you. Yes. Coco Jones, everybody. My conversation with Coco was so much fun. And one of the things that she shared that really stuck with me was being authentically her. She said that when she was doing music, a lot of times her voice did not match what she was singing, but she was really going through those things.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
When those two came together and she was authentically Coco, that's when it all came together. So that was my main takeaway. Thank you all so much for spending time with me today. Coco Jones came through with all the love, laughs, positivity, and it was so needed. You guys can follow me on all platforms at Love Krista Renee, and you can also follow our show at Keep It Positive, Sweetie.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
Like, that is me. That is funny. No, when I saw you all during Grammy week this year, I was like, wow. I was like, spitting image, literally.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
That is so funny. As you're growing up and evolving in this industry, you've become a role model, but you're still so young. What does that feel like? Do you feel like I'm not there yet or do you feel like, okay, I can take on this role as a role model? I mean, humbly, I feel like I don't really know nothing.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
Yeah. Speaking of sisterhood, I'm a sister. I'm Tyler Perry's sister. But also a big sister in real life. And you as well. You portray a big sister on TV. How has that been? I love you and Ashley's relationship. I love... And I also love how they... At a young age, she's going through trying to figure out her sexuality. She likes men or women or boys or girls.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
And I love how you're so supportive of her. How has it been playing big sister and then being on such an iconic show as Bel Air? Because we both grew up watching Fresh Prince, and now you're on the spinoff. How does it feel and playing that role as a big sister?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
So it just feels like an honor to be able to do that. I love that saying. Now, being in the industry and having sister circles, have you been able to find your own sister circle within the industry? Because we get flack for not being, you know what I'm saying, girls' girls.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
Can get a little shady. Very shady. How's your experience been? Because there are some good girls in the industry.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
But I also have some girls that like I really, really feel get me. Yeah, that's beautiful. You did start this industry at a very young age. What were some of the pressures? I know you said you were the one always looking up to the older girls because you were the youngest. What are some of the pressures that you dealt with?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
And then even some of those things that kind of broke your trust where you had to be more guarded?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
What were some of the experiences that happened that made you guard yourself?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
Yeah, for sure. You talk about being put in a box. At what point were you like, I'm breaking out of this box. I'm going to be fully me and I'm going to do this thing.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
We have a new age gap. But the things that you talk about, I'm like, girl, me too.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
Oh, honey. Well, if nobody, I know the numbers prove that everybody feels it, but I feel it. Yes. Thank you.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
I appreciate that. I listen, like I love, here we go. I see you just won a Grammy for that. How was that? I don't even know. It was like, I don't even know.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
Hello. Yeah. You have been working towards this for a very long time.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
Still crazy. It's at my mama's house.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
I'm like, girl, I can't look at that.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
That's awesome. In the middle of all this, there's so much happening. Do you ever find yourself having a hard time balancing your work life and your personal life?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
That's real. Tasha Cobbs said something that was so profound to me. She said that rest is trust. Okay. She ate. No, ate. I was like, okay.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
Go to sleep. Yes, because there's so much power in no. And I'm 42, so I'm going to do it. Oh, period. I'm 42. You look great. Thank you. I love that for you. Thank you. But I was such a people pleaser. Yes. And a yes, yes. Like you, okay, this is the one event. If I don't go to this, I'm going to miss something. And it's so funny.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
This is like a joke, but, um, bad boys for the latest bad boys came out and, um, Jacob, the guy who played Will's son, fine. But, um, Alicia Keys, I got invited to this event during BET award weekend and I ended up getting like this migraine. I was like, I just, I'm so tired. I can't go. Woke up the next morning and Jacob was there. I said, I should've got up. But I was so tired.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
I'm Chris Renee Hazlitt, and this is Keep It Positive, Sweetie, a safe space to heal, laugh, grow, and love. Today's show is brought to you by BET, and I'm discussing sisterhood and much more with Grammy Award-winning and one of the stars of Bel-Air, Coco Jones. At only 26 years old, Coco Jones has mastered so much in the entertainment industry.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
I was literally fighting for my life. But there's moments like that where I was like, I had to listen to my body. But then you wake up and you're like,
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
I love that. For self-care, when you do have time, what are the things that Coco Jones likes to do to take care of herself? Yes.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
I look crazy. I'll put it in the chat.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Breaking Out Of The Box w/Coco Jones
Cause that's like that 90 minutes or however long you get it. That's where I literally put my phone down. Don't answer anything.
Sword and Scale
Episode 279
Okay, and this is an alleyway, right? Yeah, there was like a fence covering every other girl except her.
Sword and Scale
Episode 279
When I think back to it, it's all silent. I just thought they were firecrackers. We didn't really think anything of it at first.
Sword and Scale
Episode 279
In the aftermath, the kids were at a loss for what to do. Most called their parents, but Crystal risked herself to keep her friends safe. She had to run past her fallen classmate. I just really didn't want to look at her because I was scared. Once her mother entered the door, what did you do? I hugged her and I cried a little bit and then I told her Hope was in the backyard.
The Dr. John Delony Show
I’m Having An Affair With My Friend’s Wife
I'm doing fantastic. So definitely can't complain. Um, okay, John. So here's my question for you. I'm a 27 year old female and my partner is 30 and I am obviously having conversations with him moving forward in marriage, having children, um, But the biggest thing I have going on for myself right now is how do I make my partner feel respected and fulfilled in our relationship?
The Dr. John Delony Show
I’m Having An Affair With My Friend’s Wife
Yes. So we are in a time where everything in our day-to-day will be good and we have... a conversation that will come up or some sort of disagreement slash argument. And it really just like, like really escalates to, you know, zero to a hundred and, And it just leaves me kind of feeling in turmoil.
The Dr. John Delony Show
I’m Having An Affair With My Friend’s Wife
And in those conversations, you know, my partner, I just feel like he keeps referencing that he doesn't feel heard. He doesn't feel respected in the way that I communicate. And so I think just because I keep hearing those words of not being heard, not feeling respected, I don't really know where to turn. And, you know, what
The Dr. John Delony Show
I’m Having An Affair With My Friend’s Wife
to work on, you know, because those conversations are always coming up in a time of a flare up, quote unquote to say.
The Dr. John Delony Show
I’m Having An Affair With My Friend’s Wife
I do. And everything he does from work to how he treats people. I mean, I feel that I rave about him.
The Dr. John Delony Show
I’m Having An Affair With My Friend’s Wife
To be... upfront and to just speak very black and white. And if I want something to just blatantly say it. And that's just how his brain works. And I feel that, you know, I maybe try to protect myself to protect him. And so I try to say it and, you know, advancing neutral party type of way. And we just, you know, dance around in conversation all the time.
The Dr. John Delony Show
I’m Having An Affair With My Friend’s Wife
I'm a little nervous that he'll be upset with me, even though my brain knows that he won't be. There's just something that it's just, I have such a hard time just letting it out.
The Dr. John Delony Show
I’m Having An Affair With My Friend’s Wife
No. I mean, it's this internal... And I've noticed that ever since he's pointed that out, that I do that in a lot of areas in my life.
The Dr. John Delony Show
I’m Having An Affair With My Friend’s Wife
What do you mean by hide from him?
The Dr. John Delony Show
I’m Having An Affair With My Friend’s Wife
I would just say there's just some anxiety there. I know, that's what I'm asking.
The Dr. John Delony Show
I’m Having An Affair With My Friend’s Wife
Yeah, I think you definitely hit the nail on the head for sure.
The Dr. John Delony Show
I’m Having An Affair With My Friend’s Wife
I think over time, maybe that when we've been pushed into those conversations and moments of zero to 100, that it's either like, do I need to leave and do we need to take a break? So I feel that over time, because those conversations have alluded to that.
The Dr. John Delony Show
I’m Having An Affair With My Friend’s Wife
From both. I would say majority myself. And I feel that I've put myself in this place.
The Dr. John Delony Show
I’m Having An Affair With My Friend’s Wife
Fortress and hide. I shut down in conversations.
The Dr. John Delony Show
I’m Having An Affair With My Friend’s Wife
I definitely wouldn't say to that degree. Like even in those conversations, we both try to have respect for one another and to never raise your voice and things like that.
The Dr. John Delony Show
I’m Having An Affair With My Friend’s Wife
I always grew, I grew up that way. And it was a very, unless you're spoken to, you know, you don't really say what you need to say. Yeah. So, yeah, I think I've just, I've always grown up with, especially, you know, from my father, that was his big, you know, unless you're spoken to, your opinion doesn't really matter.
The Dr. John Delony Show
I’m Having An Affair With My Friend’s Wife
Yeah, that's definitely where I'm at right now.
The Dr. John Delony Show
I’m Having An Affair With My Friend’s Wife
Yeah. That's, it's funny you say that too, because that's something that I hear, you know, from him of like, you know, I feel that you've built up this brick wall and you know, how are you supposed to let me in? And like you said, even in the bedroom, so many different areas, um, that he's, This person is showing up and this person is every day like, let me be there for you.
The Dr. John Delony Show
I’m Having An Affair With My Friend’s Wife
Let me be there for you. And I just cannot. Let me rephrase that because I can. I need to let those walls down because you are right. And it is impacting my life in so many other ways.
The Dr. John Delony Show
I’m Having An Affair With My Friend’s Wife
Yeah. It's very true. And I work with... you know, I'm my boss's right-hand gal. Um, and that is a topic that we have talked about of, you know, I feel like we work together 24 seven, but I don't really let you know. He has no idea who you are. Victoria is.
The Dr. John Delony Show
I’m Having An Affair With My Friend’s Wife
Yeah, I could not agree more. And I think, you know, again, that we are in this period of our relationship of... And, you know, he wants to so badly propose and he's talked about it and he just needs the utmost confidence in myself. And I feel that I do as well. And because, you know, we've both gone through families of... divorce and all of these things.
The Dr. John Delony Show
I’m Having An Affair With My Friend’s Wife
And so if we can have those hard conversations and put in the work now to give our future children a childhood and, you know, all of those healthy kind of relationships, like 100%, this has just been so helpful. And if this can get me there, like, I don't know, the best phone call ever.
The Ramsey Show
It’s Never Too Late to Clean Up a Financial Mess
Hey there. Hi. So my question for you is I'm a single mom of three. Um, I do have a mortgage and then I have $25,000 cash in the bank. I have $6,000 of 0% interest debt, and I have a car loan that I owe $25,000 on. Um, my annual income is $90,000. And so I'm just, trying to figure out, you know, I feel safer having that cash sitting in the bank, right? Because I'm a single mom of three kids.
The Ramsey Show
It’s Never Too Late to Clean Up a Financial Mess
And if I were to lose my job or, you know, something happened, that's kind of my safety net. So I'm just trying to figure out, should I put some or all of those funds towards paying off the debt that I have or leave it sit in the bank?
The Ramsey Show
Smart Money Decisions Often Mean Sacrificing Today for Tomorrow
Hi, Dave and Jade. Thanks for having me. Sure.
The Ramsey Show
Smart Money Decisions Often Mean Sacrificing Today for Tomorrow
My husband and I will be retiring at the end of the year. Congratulations. We follow the baby steps. Thanks. We followed the baby steps for multiple years, and we're debt-free, including the house, and have a fully funded emergency fund. But it's always been our understanding that the emergency fund is to tie us over if we ever had a loss of income.
The Ramsey Show
Smart Money Decisions Often Mean Sacrificing Today for Tomorrow
So once we retire and are no longer dependent on the employment paycheck, do we continue to keep the same level of cash on hand, or would we be better off investing that money?