THEE PK POD
Thee PK Pod is an intergenerational faith and culture podcast sharing real, unfiltered stories from Pastor’s Kids (PKs), Church Kids (CKs), and friends of the faith community. We explore how growing up in ministry shaped our lives, choices, and callings — proving our platforms aren’t always pulpits!
From breaking PK stereotypes to discussing purpose, creativity, and life beyond the church walls, we highlight inspiring guests and honest conversations about faith in modern life. Whether you’re a PK, CK, or simply curious about life behind the sermons, you’ll find connection, laughter, and truth here.
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THEE PK POD
Navigating Purpose: Ashley Black's Journey from PK to Emmy-Winning Writer
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Emmy award-winning writer, actress, and comedian Ashley Black joins Thee PK Pod for a soul-stirring conversation about growing up as a pastor's kid and forging her own path in Hollywood. With warmth and candor, Ashley reveals how her unique upbringing shaped her creative journey, from believing God would report her childhood misdeeds directly to her pastor father, to navigating the expectations of being in the "first family" of the church.
Ashley's story illuminates the powerful intersection of faith and creativity. While her parents hoped she might pursue something more conventional than entertainment, Ashley's unwavering passion for acting and comedy eventually led her to phenomenal success – including winning an Emmy Award in just her second year working in television. Her frank admission that "God wouldn't have to yell at you if you would listen the first time" resonates deeply as she describes the discomfort of trying to force herself into practical career paths before embracing her true calling.
The conversation takes a profound turn as Ashley discusses her father's passing and the ongoing influence of his legacy. Musicians and church members across the country continue to share how John Black impacted their lives, revealing dimensions of his influence Ashley hadn't fully appreciated. This reflection prompts her to consider what brings true peace and purpose, questioning "what would allow me to go that way?" as she evaluates her own creative path and what she wants to leave behind.
For creators struggling to find their voice, Ashley offers liberating advice: "Get fired as soon as you can. Show them exactly who you are." Rather than chasing trends or playing it safe, she encourages authentic self-expression, even when it risks rejection. This commitment to truth-telling extends to her insights on faith-based entertainment, where she identifies how avoiding necessary conflict and complexity undermines storytelling potential. Her refreshing perspective invites listeners to embrace the fullness of their stories – messiness and all.
Ashley's resume includes some of our favorite series whether your a fan of Ted Lasso, Shrinking, Bad Monkey or recognize her from A Black Lady's Sketch Show, this episode will leave you inspired. Listen now to discover how Ashley Black found her purpose beyond the pulpit and why being true to yourself might be the most powerful ministry of all.
Welcome to the PK Pod
Speaker 2y'all , I have to take a deep breath because I'm so excited to chat with today's guest on the pk pod . You know , the pk pod is a podcast that highlights extraordinary PKs , cks , all of the church , kids , and what we believe in most is that we all have platforms , but they may not be the pulpit . And I'm so excited because today's guest has a platform and a resume that is Emmy award-winning . She literally is a writer , an actress , a comedian and she is literally childhood family .
Speaker 2Yeah , this is a family reunion to me this is a family reunion happening . Live on the PK pod . Y'all make some noise for the beautiful , talented Ashley Black . I'm so excited to be here , so excited , ashley , where is the time gone ? Truly ?
Speaker 2it's so crazy like what ? Like our fathers preaching revival for one another at each other's churches , to planning for you and Lamar to get married some kind of way through an arranged marriage . They really like as kids when y'all are like what . They really tried hard , they were like the blacks and Edwards has to stick together . Tried hard , they were like the Blacks and the Edwards has to stick together , and I'm so glad that we get to live , to tell the story that we have and we love each other . And I get to talk to you now on my podcast and talk about all of the things you're doing and flourishing in . So let's jump into it , okay , because we have lots to talk about . So let's start from the beginning Our pastors , our pastors , our pastor dads getting the call to preach and pastor and we're being voluntold that you know . This is what the family business is . So what was it like growing up as a PK ?
Speaker 1Well , so when my grandfather was also a pastor , right . So when we were littler , our grandfather
Growing Up as a PK
Speaker 1was our pastor and our dad would be on the road traveling , doing revivals , whatever . So that was our normal . Like that to me was just like a normal childhood . And I remember one time a friend of my mom's her husband , was going to start working out of town and she was like will you share you know with my daughter what it's like missing your dad ? And I was like no , this is normal . Like this is just what I thought dads did , you know . And then , when I was a teenager , that was when my grandfather retired and my dad transitioned to pastoring the church and , weirdly , even though it was the same church , everything was the same becoming the first family , even though we were the grandkids of the pastor . It was like such a transition to now your entire life revolves around the church versus going to church on Sunday .
Speaker 2Wow , life revolving around church is a trauma that we need therapy for for the rest of our days , because I don't think a lot of people realize that in itself is so demanding of our time and what we had to trade off Like , okay , if you come to Vacation Bible School , then I will , okay , get you your favorite candy . I don't think they understand the compromises and the negotiation to just want to be regular . How was it for you , though , did you ?
Speaker 1feel like that . Yeah Well , when I was little , just speaking to needing a therapist they need particular PK therapists . I think someone should train in this area of study because when I was a little kid I literally believed that if I like snuck a piece of candy or something , god would literally tell my father . No one told me that Like I just literally believe that . And the craziness of a child's mind where you're just like I better be good all the time everywhere . My dad , who literally is 2,000 miles away is going to find out .
Speaker 1So that was weird as a little kid and then as a teenager it was like those perfect , awkward teenage years then going into being the first family and feeling like everybody's watching me , you have to set the example for the other kids , you have to be the smartest , the perfect , the most well-read or whatever . And I was always kind of a quieter , you know , kind of shy kid , so feeling that thing of like you're on a platform now , like you have to behave and look a certain way . And I just was never that kid . So again , it was that internal thing of like I better not yawn during church or like someone will see that I yawned until I got to the point where I just sat in the back and kiki'd with the ushers .
Speaker 2Because , really , the ushers have all the tea to all the services . Yep , they know everyone's business and it pays to be close to the ushers . Yes , they have all the church candy . Like you're literally set , I absolutely love that . Okay , so literally grew up in church . As you got older , you started going through discovery . As you got older , you started going through discovery when did you know ? Like I'm not really into , like this musical part , I'm not really into this preaching part , but I think I have talents that need to be explored elsewhere . Was it later on , when you became a woman , that you started exploring and tapping into that ?
Speaker 1Very early I always wanted to be an actor my entire life . I never thought about doing anything else . Even when my parents would be like a lawyer gets to talk to people , they would really try to encourage me in other areas . I did do music , but my younger brother was much , much better than me at it so I was like , well , I'm not going to be the best at that . That was out the door immediately . He was an incredible musician from literally kindergarten , so that was all I ever wanted to do . I never considered working in the church , Like it just wasn't a thing for me . A lot of people did see that for me , Like traveling ministers would come and be like this child is going to be a prophet and I'd be like she's not . She surely is not Wrong .
Speaker 2Like , why is it ? Like , can we just pause and talk about that ? Because why is it ? Because we're young , they like to tell us , like the life sentence and we like , like , do we not have a say ? Like , I just really wanted to , just I wanted to test this Like , why do I want it to be like ? It traumatizes you because you'd be , like you're trying to navigate like God . Is that what I'm really here for ? Like , do I have a say in a matter ?
Speaker 1But I think what they're identifying is , even as a little kid , I always had something to say , like if I felt like something wasn't right or the way it should be , or if I just questioned , I always did , and our parents really encouraged that , I think , more than a lot of church parents . So I think what they were recognizing is like oh , this is a kid who will have a platform and who will speak from a platform . It's just in a different way . But I think my parents , more so than most , were very much allowed us to question , to speak up , you know , obviously respectfully of course . So we were just like very outspoken from a young age , I think .
Speaker 2I love that . I knew from literally when I would . Every time we would come Down to you know , visit , I'm like she's super smart and she could say a lot of stuff that I can't say like what's t ? Because I y'all don't let me dialogue . Like what is it ? Is it an la thing ? Like it's because I haven't reached that age yet . Like when I get a little longer , I'll be able to talk a little more . Like nope , but I love that because a lot of pks didn't have , you know , healthy dialogue and it's so important that that's a thing that we highlight , because being able to have healthy dialogue with your parents at a young age can help save a lot of time as you're navigating adulthood , the real world , going out , being able to talk to people , being able to , you know , read people and understand different personality types .
Speaker 2Like without the fear and the timidity , because I felt like I was very timid for a long time . I was always loud , timid for a long time . I was always loud . I was always like you know , ah , but I was timid and bashful because it wasn't encouraged to have healthy dialogues like that . You know what I mean . So shout out to shout out to the parental .
Speaker 1It's so funny , like the grass is always greener , because to my eyes , I was like , oh , they're the perfect church kids . Like I can never quite like get the outfit together , the look together , whatever , but they have it Like you're the perfect church daughter . So it's very funny that we're , you know , looking at it from the other side . But my mom always said , like I'm not raising children , I'm raising adults . So even from a young age , I was like , when you're an adult , you're going to need to be able to speak up for yourself , you're going to need to be able to advocate for yourself , whatever it is . So they started allowing us to do that from a very young age . But again , like I said , my dad wasn't the pastor , right ? My grandfather was . So that's how we were raised . And then , all of a sudden , you're in this new role and it's like , well , now , late for that , like she has a voice .
Speaker 2I absolutely love that and that's so funny that we're literally like looking at each other like grass is greener . Because , child I was like I literally only had this one black church skirt that I'm gonna wear for every church visitation because I feel like it makes me look like a grown-up , and this is the only skirt that had a slit on the side , because I always want to look a little older than what I am , because the musician boys are cute and I have been crushing on Jay Black , like I'm like I get to see my people . You know I'm like literally a regular degular . You know that's amazing . Okay , so you knew from early on you wanted to act . As you navigated young womanhood , you turn 18 . You decide , all right , cool , I'm going after this . Like obviously you had supportive parents , like they literally were like never not supportive
Discovering Her Acting Passion
Speaker 2. I know that for a fact .
Speaker 1Well , yes and no . Yes , yes , I mean they're always supportive , as being like , emotionally supportive , you know parents . But they really wanted me to do something more practical . And again out of practicality , not out of not being supported , but like at that time , if you look at television , there wasn't anyone who looked like me that you could point at and be like , oh , that's a clear path for you . So they really were like can't you find anything that would provide some stability ? Especially with my dad coming out of the music industry and having all the experiences he had , he knew how hard it was and like how it beats you down . So they really wanted me to do something more practical and , like I tried to .
Speaker 1I went to grad school , hated every moment of it . Really was like searching for that stability that they had like taught to me , and then , like come to find out that like nothing is stable . So it was like it doesn't matter the industry , like the economy being you can lose your job . Like you could be the perfect , you could do everything exactly right and it can fall apart at any moment anyway . So it's like I might as well enjoy what I'm doing in the meantime , and so I stopped chasing after that and went full time into what I wanted to do , which was comedy , and I have been very , very blessed to find a level of stability there . But I kind of got there a little late because my parents really were hoping that I would go in a different direction hoping that I would go in a different direction .
Speaker 2Honestly , I feel like you got there right on time because the timing was so perfect for all of the projects that you have worked on . What was your first project where you were like , where you had your aha moment of like I'm really doing what I love to do , because sometimes we could be doing it but it doesn't feel fulfilling at the moment because we haven't found our footing or we don't feel like comfortable in the industry or in the field yet . So was there a particular project where you felt like I can breathe , like I'm here ?
Speaker 1Well , to you saying the timing is so right because I was , you know , late by whatever industry standards .
Speaker 1But then when I really started focusing on trying to get a job in TV , the first I got was Full Frontal with Sambi , which hadn't been on the air before and there hadn't been a female late night host on the air in decades .
Speaker 1So when I got that packet , which is basically you write like a sample episode of the show and you submit it blind without your name on it , so they can really pick people based off of the show , and you submit it blind without your name on it , so they can really pick people based off of you know the best jokes . But there was no show to watch , to like know what to write . So when they wrote their description of what the show would be , I was like this is me , like nobody can execute this better than me , and it was . I had been knocking on the door , like wanting to get in there for a while , but that was like the first time that I was like this is mine , and so it was the perfect timing , because the platform that was right for me literally didn't exist until I was ready to step onto it . So it was really like , really fortuitous .
Speaker 2I love that . Oh my God , I absolutely love that . And now , emmy award winning Like can we just talk about it ? Because we have to have this moment ? Like that's huge , that's major . Like because , if you really think about it , like you having to go to grad school , take classes , right , because we want to appease our parents , because we want to make them happy , we want to do practical fields , because we want to be obedient , but we're also feeling the internal nudging of this isn't purpose and I want to do something else . Like all of the discomforts of the journey , I'm sure the Emmy moment made it worth it . Like , how was that for you ?
Speaker 1I think just getting the job made it worth it , because because I had to grad school , I had extra knowledges that most comedians don't have when you're writing about politics and trying to write persuasive pieces and all of this . So it's like all of the pieces fit together really well in that first job . And then we were really lucky that we won , either the second year of that show , so my second year working in television ever I won an Emmy . Most people will . You can have an amazing , incredible billion dollar career and never win an Emmy . So it was incredible .
Speaker 1But it was also like I think this is a PK thing too . I'm the type of person that if I'm going to do something , I want to hit a certain height with it . Like my mom would always say I don't make average children and like if you're going to do it , you better do it . And so it felt really lucky that I , that we won so early in my career , because then it's like , okay , I can relax a little bit and have the space to have fun and experiment and play and fight because I've I can . It'll always say you know , emmy award-winning next to my name always um from very early in my career .
Speaker 1So , yes , very , very lucky .
Speaker 2And then allowed me to maybe let a little bit of that perfectionism go in my career going forward that is absolutely the hand of God , like no ifs , ands or buts , like when you are literally in purpose , like God will literally put his super on our natural and redeem the time to where your second year in television Emmy award winning like that is . Not a lot of people can say that and that is amazing .
Speaker 1And , by the way , when you're not , when you're not in purpose , he will make your life so uncomfortable . And we actually put this joke in bad monkey , another show I worked on , where characters mom tells her you know , god wouldn't have to yell at you if you would listen the first time because I was so uncomfortable and I stayed in grad school knowing I wasn't supposed to be there , and just let it get so uncomfortable , so uncomfortable , so uncomfortable . And the second I stepped out immediate reward , you know .
Speaker 2Let's just keep it a book . He'll make your life a living hell . It'll be hell Like yeah , and I think a lot of times , the reason people stay in the uncomfortable era is because the fear of the unknown , like like the fear of taking the leap , the fear of pivoting to do it , like cause they want to know all of the steps , like me included . Like , okay , god , you telling me to do this podcast and I'm just trying to figure
Emmy Award Journey
Speaker 2out what chat , chat , gbt telling me to do , like , how's this going to make sense ? Like the math thing . I don't know nothing , nothing about this . I just know it's a calling and you're tugging me towards this , but I don't know the end , so I'm just going to say yes and see what happens , right , and we get caught up in the not knowing how it's going to pan out , and so we rather stay in the uncomfortability of something that's literally killing us , draining us , instead of taking the leap and seeing like , oh wait , there's more , and I think that's something that we all , like , have in common .
Speaker 2Okay , so you are now Emmy award winning , you're still writing for television . Okay , so what ? Or which role ? Because you're not just acting , you're writing , you're producing . Which role , though , would you say , is like I don't want to use the word favorite , but one that you're more passionate about . Is there one that you're more passionate about than the other ? Or , as long as it's in TV , it doesn't really matter the hat as long as you're passionate about it , doesn't ?
Speaker 1really matter the hat as long as you're passionate about it . Really , my favorite is doing all of them , is being able to see something truly from beginning to end , from an idea to editing after it's been shot , like being able to make sure every single moment of it is right and is telling the story , and so I really like to be able to do it all . I always say like acting is like huge peaks and valleys , like you'll have some of the best moments of your life on set , connected with your scene partner , like killing it , really making people laugh . That's the best feeling you'll ever have . But then every day is the worst feeling you ever have is you're trying to get auditions , not getting the call back , not getting the part . When you do book a job , the first thing someone asks you is to send your measurements to them , like how many jobs you get a job at the bank in the first day , and so how big is your ?
Speaker 1waste . Acting is crazy . It's crazy making , whereas writing is like much more even like the highs are not as high high . The lows are not as low . It's when there's a problem . It's like I know the answer will come . It's just a question of like when . So I like being able to go back and forth and do both , because they're like such different experiences . But the thing that I'm passionate about is like making people laugh , and I will do that in whatever capacity . Like to the point where I'm sending text messages and I'm like girl , why are you editing this text message to make it the funniest version ?
Speaker 2like just say what time you're going to be at the restaurant , like it's just , you're passionate about it , so you can't turn it off I love that , yeah , and obviously that hit the screen in a black lady sketch show , sketch comedy , because honestly that was crazy sketch comedy . I said , wow , the writing , the acting . Actually I was like , oh y'all , did y'all big one with this one , like literally tea , you know what I mean . What do you feel like is , um , the issue and maybe I'm making it an issue but when it comes to writing more faith-based shows or faith-based movies , I feel like if it's not tyler perry writing something talking about , about some Christina is gone , like , or something that leads to like some kind of alter call , like that cannot be the standard , right . But why do you feel like there's not a lot of uplifting or just comedic shows that are from a faith based perspective ?
Speaker 1Yeah , I think there's like two different issues . One on like the mainstream industry side people are afraid of it , they're afraid to offend people and really interesting thing I learned when I started working in this business is that , like when you say Christian , people automatically picture conservative , white Christian , like all those words go together for them , and so those are the people who you don't want to piss off .
Speaker 1They're very vocal , so it's almost like it's not worth making stuff if they're going to look at it more and then you know , boycott you or protest you or whatever . So like that fear definitely exists . Put that to the side . The other thing is like I think there's this . So because then it's not being made by the mainstream places , it gets siloed off into these specialty things where there's a desire to like , not have conflict , and the idea of a story is conflict . Right , a character wakes up in the middle of a living reality , a conflict happens , they deal with it for the majority of the piece and then either they resolve it or they don't . But conflict has to be part of it . People have to make the wrong choice before they make the right choice . People have to be antagonists or villains in each other's story . That's how real life works , that's what people expect to see , and I think as soon as you go to like a faith thing , then people don't want to have those parts of it . But that's what a story is .
Speaker 2So I think it's all throughout the Bible , yeah , but yeah , it's like yeah .
Speaker 1Like , when you are living life , you have hard days , you have easy days , you make mistakes , you do stuff that you knew was going to be a mistake before you did it . All of these things are a part of life . But then we try to take them out of the story and there just is no story and then it feels kind of like light and people aren't as interested in it , people aren't as compelled by it , and it's like why isn't it as successful as this action movie where they're beating each other up and all this stuff ? And it's like well , because that is exciting and conflict and all this stuff . And it's like well , because that is exciting and conflict , and there's no reason why you couldn't have that and have a message of like be a better person or you know whatever at the end , but for some reason , as soon as you start saying faith , you take all of the like fun out of it . Basically , wow .
Speaker 2That's very I didn't even think about it until you started saying it . Like , actually that makes a lot of sense . Like for whatever reason , when we hear the word faith , like we assume no conflict . Like when that's literally our daily bread . Like it's conflict on every side . Like I've had some good days . I've had some hills to climb . When is climbing a hill conflict free ?
Speaker 1Like somebody tell me so climbing a hill is act two . Act two of every story is having a hill to climb .
Speaker 2It has to happen . I'm literally like what ? But that makes a lot of sense . So what advice ? Okay , so I'm piddling because I know there's a lot more writers now and people who want to get into the industry . What advice would you give writers who's looking to do more ? You know positive content but to not lose heart . What advice would you give them ?
Speaker 1I think that a lot of times people look at an end product and go I want to make that , or this is what they want to buy right now , like recently . There were so many Marvel movies , so I could see someone being like , well , I'm going to write a movie like that . The problem is , things move so fast and writing is so slow . It takes a long time to write something good that by the time your script is finished , that trend will have moved on . So there's no point in trying to chase a trend or do something you've seen before . I think if you are being 100% true to yourself , telling your story , your story that makes your friends laugh at dinner every time you tell it , whatever that thing is , it will feel real and true and even if it doesn't get made , it'll be a calling card for you that will make people want to know you . So I think trying to put it so much into a category can sometimes run you into trouble , because then by the time you get to market with it , it's like , oh , we're not doing sci-fi right now , we're not doing fake face right now , like whatever it is . And so if it's more so , this is an expression of me as a person . This is what I want to put out into the world . This is what I think is funny . This is a message that I think is untold . I think that that has more of a chance of success , even if it's not that individual script being successful , but of you being successful .
Speaker 1I worked with this director one time who gave us the advice that now I tell people all the time get fired as soon as you can . And what he was saying was the Second City Theater , and usually there they'll hire people to do a show and people will do two , maybe three shows , but no one does like 10 . It's a short moment in your career and it's meant to be so . He was like if you are trying to give them what they want and trying to play so quiet and so safe or whatever , so that you don't get fired , so they don't find out what a weird freak you are and fire you , you're not doing a good job anyway because you're playing it safe and that's not funny . So you should try to get fired as soon as you can .
Speaker 1Show them exactly who you are and if they don't want it , find that out day one and leave and go find someone who does . And so that's what I think of when thinking about like oh , which project do I pursue ? Is it the one that seems safe , or seems like it would sell , or whatever ? Or is it the one that someone's going to read and go ? Absolutely not , this chick is crazy , but someone's going to read and go . Yes , I've never seen that before . That is very interesting to me .
Speaker 2That's good . That's really really , really good advice . Thank you for sharing that . Someone's going to be encouraged and motivated just by hearing that advice , because sometimes it's just overwhelming . You don't know where to start . You could feel overwhelmed just by the type of content that you want to release , like you said , so you just kind of don't do . You know what I mean . And we're living in a time where so many people are creative and AI is taking over and so many people are in a hurry to do things so fast that they're not trusting the process . I think that is incredible advice .
Speaker 2Okay , so I have to talk about my uncle John Black , and I have to talk about all the things that he was
Remembering Uncle John Black
Speaker 2and him passing away and how that has literally been crazy . If I miss him , I already know you miss him , right , and I don't want to make this a selfish moment , but let me have my selfish moment . Okay , christmas wasn't the same as Nisipu , because , when I tell you , uncle John would call us every holiday . Every holiday he was on the phone with us , wishing us Merry Christmas , asking us who was I dating ? Who was he gonna have to beat up like ?
Speaker 2Trying to make sure Lamar ain't having no more kids , because he's literally trying to make sure you and Lamar get married some kind of way , where y'all are both literally like what ew ? He was the uncle that literally checked on us routinely and it is literally not the same without him . And I just want to ask you , number one , how are you doing ? And number two , how has your craft changed since his passing ? Has that fueled you ? Do you feel closer to him ? I'm just curious as to like , how has life as an actress and a writer shifted with his absence ?
Speaker 1um , I'll say to both of those I'm still figuring that out . Um , and I sat down . Today I'm getting through this podcast without crying , so .
Speaker 2I'm sorry , I'm sorry .
Speaker 1I'm sorry . It's so funny because you saying that , so many people have said that to me that we didn't even know , like people in Kansas like oh , that's my uncle John . We've never met this person . He had people who he did that to all over the country and so it's like incredible to see that legacy and that impact in the musicians who go oh , I'm , I can only do this because you know , your dad taught me how to do that and it's like really a portrait of like a life well-lived that people feel that way , but then also the like oh yeah , I wasn't aware of so much of this person's life , which I think is true for a parent , Cause you're a child and you know they're an adult .
Speaker 1So why would I know His friend who preached his service ? That was our first time meeting him . I knew that they were very good friends because they would always be on the phone , but I had never actually met him and his voice , his cadence , sounds so much like my dad that I was like , oh , you guys were best friends , you guys had merged into one preaching style .
Speaker 2One preaching style is crazy , but it happens . It definitely happens .
Speaker 1But I knew that at the end of his life my dad was very peaceful . He knew where he was going , he knew that he had done what he wanted to do . And so I think now I'm evaluating my life , trying to be like what would allow me to go that way , If that makes sense , what would bring you peace , what would give you that center ?
Speaker 2And that's such a hard question because we're still young and we're still navigating , like what life is and what makes us happy and all the things .
Speaker 1So to think about what will make me peaceful is a heavy question , but to know it's very easy to get on the train of like , well , this is the next thing after this , this is the next thing after that , and doing it because it's time to do it , or it's the next thing , or someone has asked you to , and not thinking where do I want to end up at the end of this ? And of course , you don't think like that every day , but like you can put one foot in front of the like . I started working in television 10 years ago . This is year 10 . When I realized that , I was like , oh my gosh , it's year 10 . Like , where did the time go ? Cause you're kind of just going from one thing to the other and I'm very happy with how I've spent the last 10 years .
Speaker 1But it's like , oh , I think when you're younger , you're like striving , and you're so ambitious and you are striving for any opportunity you can find . And then , when you're a little older , it's like , okay , what do I want to do , not , what do I want someone to allow me to do , or what I'm begging for entry . It's like what do I actually want ? And I think I'm figuring that out . Um , one detail of a thing of my career was that I would always talk to my dad before I went to set and he would be like knock him dead , kill him , just get in there and just kill him , like he'd give me a really violent pep talk , um . And so the first time I went to set , um , after he passed , I was like gosh , I really don't know how I'm going to get through this day . And I walked into the hair and makeup trailer and they were playing the Gap Band .
Speaker 2Oh , that's perfect . I love that .
Speaker 1Oh , wow , so I was like oh , I don't have to do it with him .
Speaker 2That's perfect . Oh , that makes me Okay . Oh , I love that . I absolutely love that . I absolutely love that because he's so legendary man , like I don't know a kinder soul , who loved god more and loved his family . You know what I mean for everybody to have that same sentiment . It's just like , oh , well done , john Black , well done , I love that .
Speaker 1And when you've created that we do have music we can listen to , and someone even sent us a song he was playing on that we hadn't previously known about . So we're still discovering things , and all his old sermons are all written down . It's like oh , when you create , you do leave people with something . So again , it's like , as a creative , what do you want that body of work to be ?
Speaker 2That's good , that's really good , and I guess I didn't really think about it from a preacher's perspective because , you're right , sermons are written down , it's not all by memory , so that is a form of still legacy . You know what I mean . Legacy for pastors and PKs doesn't have to look like me taking over your life's work and becoming a pastor and a preacher . Legacy can be me being able to revert back to something and being like man . I can hear you saying this , or I remember hearing you say this , or I needed this , and this still lives on by the message and the music I can play .
Speaker 1Oh , and we would joke around in the house and like he had a few like signature sermons that he did a lot , so we would do them Like we have them memorized , so we would be doing them in the kitchen .
Speaker 2Don't we all like ? I feel like that's another thing , like that's another PK-ism . There are the signature sermons that we know by heart because we heard it at every visitation on the road , that nobody knows that you've preached it before . That's the point . Nobody's supposed to know that . We've heard it all over the road , but we know and we have to sit there and say amen again at all the parts , like we're hearing it for the first time . That's crazy , but I absolutely love that and I'm glad that it is still well . You know what I mean . You don't have the answers because you have to take it day by day . You know what I mean , but ultimately , we know that he's in a better place and we just love that man . We absolutely love that man .
Speaker 2Okay , I have to pivot again because I want to play a
Church Life: This or That Game
Speaker 2game with you . Now , this , this is going to rich down into your church roots . Okay , I had to throw it back to the early 2000s with this one . This is like this or that . Ok , you tell me if it's this or if it's that , like what do you have on it ? And we'll go from there . Now , are you ready ? Now , don't overthink it . Ok , just the first thing that comes to your mind , all right , so I'm like laughing already thinking about it . Okay , church pews or individual chairs Pews ? Ooh , I wasn't expecting that . Okay , walk around for offering or pass the plate .
Speaker 1Ooh , I think , walk around . I think that's just what I'm used to it's a fashion show .
Speaker 2I feel like we show off our outfits , yeah .
Speaker 1First names or titles . We were a first name family and that did rub some people the wrong way , but I think , because my mom is the youngest of five , so our first cousins were adults when we were children . But your cousin , you call your cousin by your first name . So I think we just called everybody by their first name . But certainly some people were not pleased with us little bougie kids .
Speaker 2Hello John , deacon John , to you , School dances or church visitations .
Speaker 1School dances . Okay , vacation , bible school or summer camp oh , maybe vacation bible school , because I feel like summer camp was hit or miss . I went to some good ones , I went to some bad ones , but vacation bible school , literally , you're always with your friends , true ?
Speaker 2okay , trick-or-treating or a hallelujah night okay .
Speaker 1So when we talk about that transition to my dad becoming a pastor , we celebrated Halloween our whole childhood and then , when he became a pastor , it was y'all can't do Halloween no more . And we were like who ? I did not know that , yes , they like tried to make it cute and like , oh , watch movies at the house , or whatever . And I was like this is crazy . You're like , oh , watch movies at the house , or whatever . And I was like this is crazy .
Speaker 2You're like this is not the same .
Speaker 1Yeah , whoa , oh yeah I would have been traumatized you can't read harry potter anymore , because that was that era and my mom put her foot down on that one . She was like . Any child that wants to read a book can read the book , I don't care what book it is .
Speaker 2As long as they're reading , it doesn't matter . I am screaming . Okay , that is funny . Church picnics or like family reunions .
Speaker 1Family reunions . We were not big fans of church food . Y'all didn't like cake and punch . Everyone in our church actually could cook , but there's just a comfort to having been in someone's kitchen when you eat their food we were not a fan of church .
Speaker 2Food is the greatest thing I've heard all day because I will say I was not .
Speaker 1I won't speak for .
Speaker 2No , but it's true , because why was church food cake and punch like at pretty much every visitation , and why is it a sheet cake and super concentrated fruit punch ? And or it smells like fish or a cookout , because the smell is coming up from the fellowship hall . So you know you're about to just have fried chicken like oh Lord , okay , um , you've take over service . Or children's church .
Speaker 1Um , we never had children's church . I've never . We never had children's church growing up . Um , because I think my dad and my grandpa believe that kids should get the same message . I think they may have had it when I was too old for it , briefly , but we never had it .
Speaker 2I love that . Okay , church plays or Broadway shows .
Speaker 1Well , I think one is a stepping stone to the other .
Speaker 1It is it literally is , I really do think , like having to memorize those poems or whatever , which I hated as a kid . But then when I did start acting , it does just give you that head , that like head start of like I know how to memorize , I know how to project , I know how to speak in front of a group of people . Um , even though I did not enjoy it at the time at all , Okay , and lastly , sleep over with friends or shut in at church .
Speaker 1Sleep over with friends . We also never did the shut in . I knew that other churches did it , but we never did . Okay , I'm jealous .
Speaker 2I at this point , my spidey senses were right . You guys got to dialogue , you had a say , you didn't have to do the church shut-ins , you got to do Halloween . I am just really over here , lacking in my childhood experience . I was over here dressed as an angel , with a sheet thrown over me with a halo wrapped around my head , and I can only go to the heaven and hell party at church . And you better not want to go to the hell side , because you're going to get in trouble when you get home . Because why do you want to go to hell ? I'm like I just want the doritos on the hell side , because that's my favorite snack .
Speaker 1Oh , I'm still traumatized that's how he gets you . That's how he gets you , um , but you know , my dad was in the gap band , so my dad couldn't pretend that he had been holier than thou his whole life . He had lived a life . So there was sort of no point in trying to convince us that like the real world didn't exist . So my parents just didn't do those things . Like you know , my mom's thing of like I'm raising adults like you are going to listen to this message and get from it what you can . You can go to school dances or do whatever , and you know what the rules are in this house and get from it what you can . You can go to school dances or do whatever , and you know what the rules are in this house and how we expect you to behave . And if you don't , you will experience the consequences .
Speaker 2They were very much teaching us to be very independent shout out to mama angie we love her and she has the best hair still in the game to this day . I mean natural hair . She is the poster child . Okay , okay , we love her .
Speaker 1The first to go natural . They talked about my mama like she was crazy .
Speaker 2Now everybody wants it . Literally Her natural hair , the poster child , literally iconic . Okay , we have to wrap this up because you are literally on set right now writing and at work . What do you have upcoming ? What can we expect from you ? What upcoming shows ? What is in the works ? Let us know .
Speaker 1Well , we are finishing right now season three of Shrinking , so that'll be
Upcoming Projects & Dating Life
Speaker 1out soon , probably early next year , and watch this space as we talk about projects dealing with faith and legacy and all of that Working on something so watch this space .
Speaker 2I'm excited about that . I'm like , ooh , tea time . I'm super excited about that , and just for kicks and giggles , because I want to have more tea time . Are we dating ?
Speaker 1I'm trying to girl . Los Angeles is the pit . I see you every time I look at your Instagram . You're somewhere else . I'm like that's what I need to start doing .
Speaker 2I need to get out of here Because it's like LA , they don't want to be aggressive here , they want us to do all the work . It's too much work . It's like let me go somewhere else and get some attention . But I need LA to do better , because I love LA , I love it here , I love home , I love being here and I want the person to be here . So I need them to get with the program .
Speaker 1And when they are aggressive , it's . Can you read my script ? It's like that's not what .
Speaker 2I'm here for Holy moly . I cannot stand a transactional man and LA is .
Speaker 1I just meant men and women .
Speaker 2La is full of that yeah , very transactional , and it's the land of dreams . So that's how people lead here very transactional , okay , so we're on the same page , got it . I was just hoping that somebody else would have a little bit more joy going on , but we're in the same dating pool .
Speaker 1Start spending summers in Atlanta or something I don't know .
Speaker 2We're going to have to go elsewhere . Ashley , it was a pleasure having you on the PK pod . Tell the people where they can follow you to stay connected .
Speaker 1I'm on Instagram at Ash NB1 . I was a late adopter . I got a weird screen name , so find me there .
Speaker 2It's fine . It's fine You're . You're right , on time . We're still going to follow you . We're still going to support you . We are literally rooting for you . We are cheering for you . We are so happy for you literally following purpose and allowing that to lead you to over a decade in the television industry Like that is phenomenal . We can't wait to see what's to come , because we know it's only going to get bigger and better , and we are cheering you on from all parts of the world .
Speaker 1We love you and thank you so much for having me . I love telling my story because I'm always like , if I can get somebody to quit grad school a day sooner , then my story will not have been in vain .
Speaker 2So , thank you so much for having me on and save them some money , right , because these schools be schooling .
Speaker 1Oh yeah .
Speaker 2So , yes , we appreciate you sharing your story with us and I'm positive that our listeners are encouraged . Somebody is quitting right now . I don't know how that's working out with their parents , but it'll all work out in the end . As long as they're following purpose , it's fine . Thank you so much and until next time , y'all be sure to like , follow , share and subscribe . Until next time . Talk to you soon . If you enjoyed today's episode , we would love for you to stay connected with us on Instagram and TikTok by following us at the PK pod . We share clips and behind the scenes from episodes like today , where you can continue in the conversation . We would love for you guys to be a part of our community by following us at the PK pod . Until next time , family , have an amazing day .