Kailey Dickerson

He just had a second number one single and country radio. He makes a grand entrance with the any of the podcast, and it's so funny, but Kaylee and Russell's faith is so strong. They have been believing in this dream of country music for so many years. We walked through their entire journey, and something so cool is Kaylee has been right there by Russell's side the whole time. And she has been the videographer and the producer of all of

Russell's music videos so far. She said two number one music videos on CMT Blue Tacoma was her latest one and yours. They filmed yours and Russell had nothing going on there was no money to make a music video, and they went out and shot it themselves. Kaylee directed it. So their story is so incredible and they just have the most optimistic attitude about life. It's so uplifting to be around them. So get excited. Here's Kayley Dickerson. Okay,

I'm here at Kaylee Dickerson's house. Hello, wife of Russell Dickerson. Hey, he was a very hilarious dynamic country singer. Yes he is. Oh, oh, oh my god, gus here gee. I didn't know he was going to be here. Do you know you had an elevator in your house? I love you any bye? You know? Yeah? Where do you like to ride that elevator down to the laundry? John in the wine cellar library? Yeah okay, yeah that's very necessary, Yeah for sure. Yeah. Um okay, So it sounds like you guys have no

fun in your marriage at all. Zero yeah, zero fun, no laughs, no, no laughs. What is the typical daylight here at the Dickerson house? It is, um, it's an adventure. He is truly like wakes up thinking it's the best day every single day. Where does that mentality come from? I have no idea, Like it is he is unicorns rainbows, Like this morning he goes, like, first thing I woke up to today was it's no oing. Like he's like, buddy the Elf. I'm like, that reminds me of Elf,

Like like he's never seen snow in his life. Like it's so cute. It's so cute, So that has to you have the same infectious personality also though, like you're always glass half fool, optimistic. I'm a happy kid. I mean so seriously, you are like sitting on a rainbow, not skittles. I just pictured the little kid on like DreamWorks, like going fishing from the moon, and I'm like, yeah, it kind of feels like that. So Okay, since you guys have such an optimistic personality, how do you guys

deal with this music industry? Because not every day is an optimistic day, So how do you navigate this wild industry? And you guys have something, You'll have something really special because you are always by russell side, Like y'all are a true partnership and you are on the road with him constantly, which a lot of women would have a hard time doing. Yeah, I love it. Okay, so you're

made for it. I love it. Yeah, I have five older brother so the only girl, and we traveled so hardcore for soccer for them that I lived in a van with a bunch of boys. This is normal for now. I just live in a bigger van with a bunch of boys. Actually love it. I really do love it. Yeah, it's yeah, it's not an industry that's always rainbows and unicorns. But I feel like we've known for so long and

had to fight for everything. We knew he was supposed to do that, even the things that we were like praying for so hard, like we want this, we want that, and even when they didn't happen, it was like, Okay, they're not supposed to happen. So it's just the lands is like everything works together for the good always, you know, so like we we actually laughed about that the other day, like he really wanted to think called on the verge for radio, and we were praying for it for years.

You know, we're like, oh, we'll get that. You know. On the verge is where all the radio stations decide to play your songs. You're like, you're single, So we were like definitely, we're definitely. You have to be like a first artist has to be your first thing and he didn't get it, and we were so bummed, and honestly, looking back, I'm really we're thankful. Like now we're like, oh, I'm actually kind of glad that we built those relationships the hard way and like did it the long way.

And now the second time around, it was it was better and it was I don't know, we just we thought it just wasn't our story. And for some people it like skyrockets them into the stratosphere and it's great. It's everyone's story is so different, but we're grateful for how ours has. You know, is turning up. God is a big part of y'all's journey. You always talk about God. I know that this is this is like the centerpiece of y'all's life, career. Marriage. Where does that come from?

We both grew up in the church, so his dad is a worship pastor in Nashville. At would want Baptist. Where we got married in some preacher's kids turned the other way and getting wild and crazy. We both had our We definitely had our. I don't I know I had a I don't think I believe in God anymore faith. I had that phase in high school and he never did. He is just like the most faith like they say, like faith is a gift. He has the gift of faith, just blind, total faith. I I'm always gonna think of

him like Butt of the Elf now forever. Yeah, oh yeah, he really is. He really is, just not in the jump suit, but he's like world's best coffee congratulations. Um. Yeah. So I grew up Pastor's sister, and so because my brother is basically old enough to be my dad, Okay, because yeah that's what you said. Your oldest brother is twenty years older. So he was my youth pastor. He like was really foundational in my beliefs and my parents are Christians, but he was more hands on, went to seminary.

I was learning all these things with him that I thought were so interesting, and then I had a moment where I was like I don't think this is real. And then I was like, oh no, this is definitely real. Okay, So what was that moment? Why did you not think it was real? And then what made you brought me back?

I went to Belmont. So in my high school in Wisconsin, there were like there were Christians, but it was no one was like I'm gonna make sacrifices for this, and I kind of was I didn't go to all the parties and I didn't do things that I thought like a good Christian should do, you know. And I moved to Nashville and I was like, there are going to be other Christians. I'm not going to be alone. And I got here and that didn't happen, and I was like, oh,

I think this is just something my family does. And I was like, maybe this isn't real. And then I kind of I didn't do anything wild and crazy to figure it out, but all of a sudden I felt different one day, I remember, and I was like, if I feel different, that means there's something to feel, so God's real. That was it. And then that was it. It was just like it felt like the joy in life was gone, okay, And I was like if I if if there's something to feel like that, then God's real.

I don't know, it's just that simple, yeah. And we found each other way after that, like I had come full circle. I was like doing missions photography and he was leading worship at a bunch of churches and and you were not interested in dating musician, like that was not on the agenda. For day. No, definitely not so when I always found them like I would say that, but if I look at my track record, it was all music. They were all musicians. Like what is wrong with me? I was drawn to it. I guess I

don't know. And so I've done some stalking on you, and obviously I know you. But so you had like maybe not the best relationship before Russell, So you got a little burned, and so you weren't necessarily open, especially to the musician, especially to relationship. How did you You talked about trusts a lot, like Russell told you to trust them, but you're like, okay, you're a human. And then finally like you've heard that God told you trust

Where did that all come from? And you're so good at hearing signs from God, like hearing hearing God speak to you, He comes to you and dreams, He comes to you and signs. I want to talk to you about that because I think that's incredible. But so like, how did that come? Where you knew you had to trust? And like the to the leap you're gonna take? I I would always pray that if it wasn't God's best,

whoever I was dating after that, guy. After I got burned. Um, I was like, if this isn't your best for me, God, just take him. And every single time he did, like within like two weeks. That's what I love about Your faith is like you ask and it gets answered. Well he's like that though in my obviously in my experience, but you trust so well, you trust so fully that the answer is coming. Well, it came from hard decisions

like breaking up with that guy. Honestly was like, God, if if he's not going to be faithful, like I always had a fear of that and with him specifically, Um, and if that's going to be the trajectory of my life and I'm gonna have kids and this is going to happen, I need it to happen now. Yes, get out, and no joke. In the two years we had dated, he had never cheated on me. And after I prayed that he cheated six times. Wow, And I was like, okay, So it took a hard thing. I broke up with

a guy I thought I was going to marry. And it's not like rainbows here and God speak, because that sucked a lot. But then when it came to rebuilding my heart and trusting someone again. I was like, all right, well, God save me the last time. He'll do it again. And it's actually a really cool story. I got to call him probably years later because I was in church and I was like, God, what's like between us? Like

is there anything? Like I'm holding on too? Like just talk to me basically, and how do you talk to God? How do you kiss? In my mind? How does he answer you? How do you know when he's giving you an answer? You just know? Like it's almost like someone it's like you think of something you didn't think of, so all of a sudden, I thought will come across

my mind that I know I didn't generate. And there's faith in that too, because sometimes you're like, no, I'm just thinking that, and then you just trust it and see what happens and if it's not him, it'll show itself. But in this case it was. And he was like, you don't believe I won't let you down, and I was like whoa and all knowing response, Yeah, it's like

some people. Everyone's different. Everyone here's got different. The feelings are dreams are In this case, he doesn't always speak like that to me, but when I asked, he usually says something, and so I I was like, immediately thought of my ex and I was like, oh my gosh, I I prayed for this and all this time I thought that you hurt me and let me date someone who would hurt me, when really and he immediately was like, I saved you. And I was like, whoa, you didn't

let me down. You saved me. And so immediately I remembered I had prayed for it, and I thought of how he must still be feeling um because he would come to town for the next year and try and get me back. And you were like, strong on it not happening. You made your mind, you were done. I was done. Ye also, and what you found like he cheated on you six times, And I honestly was willing to forgive him. And then I remembered what I had prayed, and I was like, oh my bad, Like I forgot.

I totally forgot. Yeah, And I was like, I can forgive you. And anyway, it's this is the real, the real deal story. And so I called him years like years later. Russell and I maybe were married at this point, and we were in church and he was actually leading

warship and I walked out and I prestled us. Yeah, And I called my ex and I was like, Hey, I just want you to know that that wasn't you, Like, we weren't supposed to be together and I wasn't going to see it other than that, and I just want to release you from thinking that you you messed everything up.

And I was like, I prayed for this to happen if we weren't supposed to be together, and it happened, and it's not your character and it's not who you are and you're not gonna you know, all of a sudden, he's crying on the phone. I'm crying on you gave him serious like forgiveness and freedom, and I was like, this is not going to be your future. I mean it's shifted into like prophesying over his life. I'm like, this is not who you are, this is not who

you're going to be. You're going to be a great dad and a great husband and and just kind of let him go, and I mean he was crying, I was crying, and what a release though. It was a really special thing actually, and then for him to have that forgiveness for me, you know, and to think that like he doesn't have to be that person and he want he's married as a kid, like he's just a

good dude. I hope, I think you know, so I've gone through like the hard stuff with God, that that good stuff is that much sweeter, and so are you able to see the hard stuff now as part of God's good plan? Totally. That's something I've been learning lately, is because I used to think things were good or bad, like if something like bad happens, you know, especially in this industry, this wild industry, like it's a ruler cristal ride, and I would be like, oh, things don't go according

to plan. And even with my own career, I've had a wild career in the industry. It's like so many things have blown up in my face. And in the beginning it crushed me, Like when it first started happening, I was like, how can this happen? In my life? Is over? How will we ever like move on? And then comes this next wave of lessons of learning, of things getting answered in ways that could have never been answered if if something bad per se hadn't happened, And

it's made me realize that things really aren't bad. You just have to be willing to find the message in them, and it's all for the good. It's all for the good, and we just expect that God is going to do things in a way that feel right to us. But God teaches this lessons in all different ways totally, and a lot of them hurt. It's not like his goal for our lives isn't that it's like sunshine and unicorns. It's not. It's that we are good people and we're

humble people, and that we love others well. And sometimes the hard stuff force you to do those things and see what really matters and what doesn't matter. And you see it. You're in Africa with little kids who are smiling bigger than anyone you've ever seen in your life, and all they have is a deflated soccer ball. Like there are things in this life that we think matter that don't at all. They just don't. They don't. And I think that perspective is what really opens our eyes

to it. I totally agree, and I've like this year my word has been surrender because well it's just like I always have so many plans and I still have so many plans, and I still have so many goals, and like I want my life. I know how I want my life to look because I very visionary in my mind. But also I'm like, some of the greatest things that ever happened to me have been so off course,

you know. So it's just like I'm trying to just let it all roll and if something happens that rocks my world, just get the lesson figure out why it happened. And sometimes being humbled is such a good thing too. I'm thankful to Like, even if I hadn't had that heartbreak, how would I ever relate to other girls who have been heartbroken? You know? And what if you you might not even appreciate Russ. I'm happy he is. You might just think that's how people are, just like that. No

they're not. They're not. But yeah, like I'm just so even so Russ and I even broke up while we were dating, okay, or I'll just just test it out to make sure. When I broke up to we were just we just graduated college. He was about to take off and be this superstar and I was I was still figuring my stuff out too, And so even when that, even when that ended, I still was praying God, if this is not your best, if this isn't your best for me, like take him. And so when that happened,

I was like, okay, maybe it's not Russell. And I just had so much peace because I had already done this, you know, and I'd already in so in turn, I didn't get all clingy on him and be like but but no, no, no, we're supposed to be together. We're supposed to be together. Your faith was strong. I just let him go. I let him go, and and uh, I prayed for him and prayed. I was like I would still be like if it's if it him, bring

him back. If it's not, I don't want him. And sure enough, within about a month he came back and he called me on Thanksgiving. While in that month I was like, I'm thankful for you, and I was like, excuse me, what why are you calling me here? Like I don't know, I just thought about you and I just wanted to tell you a thankful for you. It's like okay. Because he was like we'll be friends. I was like, oh, hell no, I've never been one of

those people to friends of excess. No. I was like, you do not get both, my friends, you do not get both. And and I think that honestly helped a lot because I could just really let him go and I wasn't half there, half not and not lukewarm. Yeah. I was like, you're all in or you're not. And he came back and it was all in. And then how long until you get married? After that? He proposed a year in a month or so after that, and

then we got married three months after that. As soon as we were engaged, was a very very we were like, let's just let's get married. Weren't living together there, you know, we were like, we're so excited to be married. I didn't. I wasn't excited about a wedding, like I really. I was like this sounds so stressful, especially as the only girl. I was like, pressure is on, and I was like, I have kind of a low key wedding. There's six

hundred people, Oh my god, receptions. No, I'm not a very anxious person, which also I think helps with this whole road because of your faith that you don't have anxiety. Probably probably you're so solid in your faith four hours a day. No, there's plenty of times I'm like hello God, Hello ding ding being right here. You know, there's plenty of times. But or when a friend of mine just went through something so hard. And there are plenty of

times I'm like, God, where are you in this? Because this is not good and because life happens and we're not in heaven so it's just not going to be heaven here and I understand that, but um, yeah, there's plenty of times that I'm like, hello, this isn't cool. Yeah, this is really really hard. And there were plenty of times in his career the last five years we've been like where are you? I know, I know. I think though that everyone has that journey, especially it's okay, it's

more human beings. Like if anyone tells you they never question anything anytime, I'd be like concerned unless their rustle and they have the gift of faith. Like I mean, he just really is like a fairy and God is everywhere And what's so cute? What would it be to be like him for a day? I don't know, I don't know. I'm honestly kind of scared. Like his he has serious a d D c oh, it's like ping ping, ping,

ping ping. It's so funny. We were just talking about how he's starting his vlog, which who knows if this will ever even happen. I'm going to be honest because his d D is like I'm super into this right now, and then yeah he's doing the whole thing. Okay, but it's like I've watched his first episode and it truly is like insight into his brain. Okay, because this is his actually because it's he is shooting, he's choosing what to film's so it is like all over the place,

like it is like a trip through his brain. It's so exciting. Yeah, it's exciting. I'm excited. I'm excited, and I'm just glad I'm not doing it. I'm like, it's kind of fun with the camera, babe, I'm going to chill. It's a change of roles because you're the videographer of the family. Hello to CMT Number one Videos. How is

that weird? Like it's so funny. I'm super proud of it because female directors are really rare, like really rare, Like we were nominated for Breakthrough Video last year at CMT S. Just making sure we're filming, I had to rig my situation so it couldn't check. Yeah, we should take I should take a picture of what's happening over here. To put on. That's how I'll posts that we're doing this podcast. Um. So we were nominated for CMT Breakthrough Video with Yours Yes, which was purely just me and

him and our friend been driving. And that was also a leap of faith video because at that point there wasn't a whole lot going on with Russell's career. No, there was nothing. Everyone had said no, everyone had said no, And so you said, okay, let me just go and film this video. Yeah. Well I had so my fourth brother, the one whose apartment we're in, and also you have a getaway in l A which we have to talk about.

He moved to Santa Barbara, but he was rent controlled and I was like, yeah, we're gonna take this over. It's a dream. So he is a director, has done tons of major, major music videos, and so I was a junior in college and he was like, hey, I just gotten a nice camera for Christmas and he had this video job come through that they didn't initially like the first video that was shot, so all the budget was gone and he's like, I have five thousand dollars

to pull off a video, wasn't it. Jones? He's like, can you bring your camera, and I was like sure, and I was like, I've never done this, and he was like, was like coming into her moment. H No, it wasn't like come away with me, but it was like shortly after and within like five years of that, I don't know. And so we flew out. I was like, what are we doing? Where are we going? He's like, I'm taking you to New York. We're doing this. So I'm a junior college. I have never shot a music

video in my life. I just did photography, so I don't know why I said photography so weird. I did photography, like head shots all out in the music school at Elmont. And then he was like, I've seen your eye. A good eye is a good eye like you. I'll teach you how to film. You already have the other part. I was like, okay, thanks bro, thank you. So he flew me and I was like, where are we going. He's like, do you know who Norah Jones is? And I was like, yes, I come away that we had

come out. Okay, so she's already she's already a superstar. Yeah, and he has a five thousand dollar budget for a video. I don't know how does this happen. Well, they didn't like the first video that they that was made that used the budget, so then they're just like they're like, okay, let's redo it, and they get worse. Let's go with that other guy that we didn't pick his treatment and give him the tiniest budget in the world. And so we filmed it all in her apartment and all these

different other places too. But yeah, just around New York. Just shot b Roll and he did some stuff out in l A. So he was like I want He's like, I have enough on my reel. I'm putting you his DP of this music director of photography so like the cinematographer. And I was like that, excuse big job, Like I didn't even know how to do that. Cinematogray ghetography found you. Yeah, is it? Honestly, I wasn't like I'm going to be a cinematographer. So I'd already done it with Nora Jones,

with Door Jones. That's a good start. So then I came back and I did other music videos in Nashville. Like low budget, did that give you a good confidence boost? Yeah, I guess. Let me raise my rates and make a living. But like that's the girl that did the Nora Jones video. I'm like, yeah, guys, I'm a professional for sure. So then when every label said no to him, I was like, we can do this, Like, we can do this ourselves.

And how did you come up with the idea? Because it's literally Russell walking down a road then it starts raining. Random but totally worked out because that wasn't planned, right, No, no, So we were just going to shoot test footage in a storm was like rolling in because I wanted to be sure. I wanted to slow it down and speed up the music because it asked whatever, and I was like, I want to be sure that I know that I

can do this. So we went out there and as we're coming, this storm is just rolling in and I was like, okay, we needed we need to get somewhre quick, quickquick, Like we hadn't even done location scouting. We're outside of the prison in in West Nashville. Yeah, there's fire or tornado sirens going off and we couldn't hear them. But now looking back, I think that's why we didn't get stopped because everyone was under cover. We were only there for like an hour and a half, and he just

walked down this road. Cars would come and we'd have to like redo it, and I'd be like, hurry, hurry, hurry, the rain's coming. So we were driving and I was again I was like, God, it would be nice if I got all of my shots that I need before the rain comes, and then once I'm done, I needed to downpour and I have to get some shots of that. Yeah,

thats what happened. And we went back out there to shoot his EP and meanwhile we're leaving and I'm like, I'd called my cinematographer friend in l A. He's like, I mean did stuff with the Gray's anatomy, like he's insane, and he didn't get back to me because I was like, I just wanted to be sure I was doing the show array everything right. And he calls me after we're done, and I was like, please tell me that this was right. He goes, That's exactly what I would have told you

to do. I was like, thank god, because I was like, I got all this lightning and I was like, I can't recreate this. If this happened like I needed this werk right. It did, And that was kind of your first real videos to direct all by yourself first and it goes to number one on CMT and you get nominated for a CMT Music Video of the Year award. Yet I mean, what is that? Yeah? It was and the first video I edited the whole thing like it

was all in a house. So you also were kind of like, oh, that's what's so cool about y'all are so self made as a team too, because he's obviously the artist with the music, but you are visually creating when he shows me songs and new demos, like I see the video and Blue Tacoma was one of my favorite that made you just feel like that, like the drone looks and everything you're on a piece, Like I just want everyone to feel like they're they're like they

took this road triple with us. I don't want other people in it. I wanted to feel like we're in our own world, and I feel like we didn't. So I brought that brother in to direct with me on this one because I was like, I don't know how to do all the permits and stuff. Kidding me, it's

like a road trip. There was so many places we needed permits and all the legal stuff really sucks to Joy and he had um he had done a Mercedes commercial and so he used those same drone guys on this, so he had all the connections of who he wanted. So it was it was pretty great and that one also made number one. I mean it's crazy. So you guys, okay, okay, this is what I love about you guys too, because like I feel like for eight years or so, y'all

were praying for success, right or how long was it? Gosh, well, really since we got married, which was five and a half years ago. But he's been at this since we graduated. He signed his first publishing deal in two thousand. When did we graduate college? Two eleven? Okay, so he's been at this for eight years. So eight years of waiting, of believing, of preparing, planning seeds. I just talked into my coffee on hey, I like it, uh yeah, And then all of a sudden, all this hard work just

like overflows and pays off. And was it like one year that it all happened? What was the year? Was two? Went number one? Like a week ago? Last year? This last till like a year ago? So year a week ago? Eighteen was y'alls year that everything was like we got our first bus. We're not driving a van anymore. For he's god, um first bus, two number ones, like a CMT nom he was nominated for a c M S Wild and I Heart New Artists. That has that happened yet?

Not yet? I mean on awesome tours to Lady Antebellento or something else. We're and so spoiled with tours, Like how is that because Charles and Cassie of Lady A Yes, my my people, how is that touring with some of your best sis We've only toured with our best fees, which we didn't know is like rare so Thomas Rhette, Thomas Rhette, Florida Georgia Line and Lady Antebellin. That's truly our best friends in the industry partially, So tr threw us a bone like he was like, this guy is

going to be someone. Just trust me because he asked him on tour. Oh gosh, when was that? It was not this last year, the year before that before, It wasn't even on the radio. We didn't even never just gave him a shot and he had seen the video. We showed it to them and him and Tyler showed Tyler and Hayley Tyler Hubbard. Yes, and Tyler was like, you guys gotta show tr the video, like, you gotta show him, and so we showed him and tr And never heard Russ sing and was like, dude, but well

we're friends with them. He has never heard him seeing yet. You know. This was like this was right when we shot the video as Tyler Hubbard's wedding. That's how long ago this was. So that was I think a year after we got married. So this is like four or five years ago, because he released Yours four years before it went number one, and he released it with the

video that yeah it's been around. Yeah, so that far back and TR saw and then shortly after he saw his like streams were climbing, and then asked him on tour and he told me. First we're playing darts after freaking see MT something at some bar in Green Hills. He's like, can I tell you something? It was like what, and he's like, I'm gonna ask for Uss on tour and I was like like freaking out and he was like you can't tell him though, I was like, well why did you tell me? I was like, this is

the meanest thing you've ever done to me. As I said. I was like, I was supposed to keep this a secret. I was like, no, no, no, absolutely not. Like I don't keep secrets from him one too, I don't keep really great things from him, Like what do you do? I made him tell him by the end of the night, Okay, I was like, tr has something he'd like to tell you. Russell was so great. We were at with Ryan Heard and Kelsey Ballerini and tr Oh my god, it was just like it was so it was like so young.

First of all, everyone was under thirty I'm pretty sure, and just a blast touring life. And then we went out with F G L and then did some more shows with Thomas Rhett and then Lady A. So tell me what you have gathered from being on tour. What is tour life like for you? And what have you learned from being on tour with all of these people who are your besties and friends and then also you know, colleagues.

It's more of a family than you would imagine, and especially now because tr and Lauren have two children and you were a big part. You went to Africa Lauren when she was getting Willow Gray. I documented that whole process for her and just so they would have it. I don't know what they'll do or but she a lot of people wanted to document it, and she was

like it's way too personal. She was like I need I need you there, and she told me on a Thursday or Wednesday, and we were leaving the next Wednesday. She's like, will you come and I was like, uh sure, and I go. I go to get my shots and Vanderbilt wouldn't give them to me. They're like, you need these ten days out. I was like, well, I didn't know I was going to Africa until like now, so I don't know what you want me to do. Yeah. I was like I need a Yellow card and they're like,

we won't do it. So they gave me a whole list of places and I don't say anything. I was like, God, I need you to tell me what I wanna call like. I was like, I don't have time for this, and all of a sudden, this one I just like that one. Just it just was like a feeling and I call and they're like, sorry, we're not doing this today. We're something and she was like, let me take your name

and I'll call you tomorrow. And so like Kaylee Dickerson and she does, wait a second, what's your husband's name? Are you serious? And I was like Russell. She goes, can I call you right back? And I was like sure. So she calls me back and she was like, okay, you can come in today anytime. They super fan. Yeah, I guess. I was like, excuse me? Why did she goes, I took care of it. I'm such a fan, like, I'll get you in. Oh my gosh. And I was like thank you. So I got it. And then that

day we flew to Thomas Rutt's birthday in Vegas. It was a c M S. And Lauren was like, she'd mind you. They were like, this could make you sick. It's the yellow fever shot or something. You can make you feel like you have. She was also super pregnant. Yes. This is also when she was pregnant. Yes, and they thought they couldn't have kids. So that's a miracle in itself. Yeah, oh it's amazing. So they're like, you could make you sick and she leaves the room and I was like,

not in Jesus name, I'm not getting sick. I can't get sick. No that I go to Vegas and I was like, Lauren, I got my shot. Everything's cool, and she was like, how do you feel. I was like fine, She's like, this is the shot Tyler got that made him miss and Award show that Tomas had to sub for him because he actually had the flute from it. And I was like, oh, I'm great. It doesn't make everyone sick like Cassie Kelly just got it. I was like,

how do you feel. She's like great, But because she's in Africa right now, right here on her way, do you all go to the same place. I know Lauren is taking a trip to just kind of bring people into what they're doing with Love One and chow them how they're changing all these kids lives and it's incredible what they're doing. And so I've been there, I've seen it. I tried to go this year. I wanted to go, but it was overlapping the tour and it's his first

headlining tour, which is also amazing. Carle our girl, Carly Pearce, and they both have a Russell to be soon hit every little thing, every little thing, which is saronic that they both have, like Hue. They thought about calling the tour that they went back and forth, maybe do a mash up. I don't know, but it's it's a quick

little tour. It's only four weeks that been as a headlining in because going from all these tours of your friends, colleagues all that, like, oh, he has dreamt of this for so long and in his mind like he designed the lights, like he he had it all up here and just was like, go talk to me about how it's going. What's the response been? It is insane, Like

he'll finish blue too. Cooma. I cried first of all the first night because they were saying every little thing so loud, so loud, and I was like, this isn't even like top forty. I don't think. I was like, what is going on? And I just I mean, I looked around. I was like, I'm not the only one here, because there's plenty of shows. I was one thing like

and I would just stand up there once. I remember specifically in Georgia and my brother was there and the boys had set everything up sound checked, and then no one cared, like no one. It was a pool hall and it was just me and my brother and sister in law, and we just stood up there like dance like crazy people because we're like, we're sorry, no one

else is here, you know. And so I looked out and there was like over two thousand people and I was like, just I mean, just to come from nothing to that, just the feeling that you have to feel. I'm so grateful. Hard work, believe, the persistence, the faith. It makes you grateful. You're not you don't resent it. You're not like, oh, we're going. There are plenty of people who are like, oh, we have to go to this station, and we are like we get to go, like you know how long we prayed to have a

conversation on radio, Like are you kidding me? So I think the grind and the hustle is lends itself to so much more gratitude than anything else can. It's not nothing against anyone it was given to, but like it's just not going to lend itself to being really grateful because it is. It takes a lot out of you. It is it is, and you have to like love this with your entire heart. You can't half love it. You can, so you'll just get you won't make it, and maybe you do, and then you resent it and

then it's just that's not a way to live. I interviewed Jesse All exam her a while ago. She's a huge songwriter and awesome and I love her. I love her so much. And we were talking about just the grind and you know, being in the music industry, and she was like, everybody will get humbled at some point, you know, and so it's just like some people come in and they're huge and it's like instant, but like everybody is going to get humbled because you just it's a part of it's a part of life. It's a

part of the journey. And so like like you're saying, to have had all those years of grinding to know what it feels like to have no one at the shows, to you know, to still have your faith for it, it makes it so sweet and you will always just have this appreciation to be there. Oh my gosh, Yes,

yes and amen. We said that the other day of how Um someone was just talking about like artists comparing themselves to each other and feeling like there's enough room at the table, right, And I was like, we learned that lesson in a very quiet place because Rust actually turned down the deal f GL took and we watched

them blow up in front of our faces. And at first we were like, dang it, did we make a mistake, But that was never our deal and it wouldn't have worked for him because we didn't have crews like they had crews. Like just as simple as that is that

the x M radio deal, No, it was. They're like publishing kind of label dealer at the time, and still they still are with It's big loud and Russ had turned it down and we were like, oh, did we make a mistake because nothing's happening for us, And like we learned that was theirs and there's no comparison, there's

no you cannot be like. We chose to celebrate them and cheer them on, and I feel like that is such a pivotal and I think that's why he has what he has, in my opinion, because he will champion everyone around him. He's not mad when someone gets something he wants that. He's been through that and we we

just did that in a quiet place. We went through it so that now we're not ruining relation and chips because there are some people who like kind of you know, they're just not as welcoming or they think that they have to upstage or whatever, and we're like there's room

at the table. I love what you're saying because like I'm in a different way, like I'm kind of a career wise, and then also like I've been on a big pregnancy journey and like we miscarriage and like we tried for a long time to get pregnant and didn't happen.

And it's just like I chose from the beginning that I was always going to be happy to support my friends who were having success in babies, because exactly like you're saying, it is so easy to want to feel sorry for yourself, to get upset, to be angry at the situation, and saying with like music, career, like something can go so great for you and then fall apart and us and it's like if you're going to let you're you can feel sad and upset for yourself, But

to not be able to celebrate other people, I feel like it's such a you're you're missing out. You really miss out on joys of life because yours will come, you know, totally will come. It might only come if you choose to celebrate other people. Yeah, I only come that way. And just like when you see people who it can be hard sometimes because you can be in a really hard season of life and everyone else can

be totally flourishing around you. But still it's like you have to have that faith that what's for you will be for you and celebrate other people. I love that you said that, because that is something I have just been noticing and thinking about it all the time, because when you are in a hard season, you want to feel sad sometimes, but you're like, no, this is bigger than me and totally someone else getting something doesn't mean

you won't exactly why is that? I don't know even fear that everyone Well, that's part of the problem with thinking like there's not enough. Right that God is He's infinite, literally infinite. So what he has him giving one thing to something, He's not out of it now, Yeah, he's not running his stockhold is depleting like it's He is infinite, like it never ends, like it's all good, you know, And I think you have to realize that and believe

it in order to celebrate other people. I agree the secret to life celebrating other people a then to that, I think it is. I love that, So how do you okay? So when y'all were in a period where it wasn't going Whoever, you turned down an opportunity, how how did you deal with it privately and how did you Was that a decision that you made or was it just like how did you work through that? I think we kind of ran towards it instead of like

backing away from our friendships. We ran straight to the heart of it, and we got nothing but closer with Tyler and Haley, And I mean we would go to their beautiful home and then come back to our little duplex that we were renting, you know, and there were plenty of opportunities to be jealous or you know, I want what your neighbor has, but we're like, no, we're gonna love the crap out of them, and we're just

going to be best friend and change our friend. There's some of our sweetest dearest, there's some of the greatest people on the planet on like, they're just wonderful people. And if we would have let that come between us and resentment or whatever, which I'm sure he doesn't even if he heard this, he'd be like, what that was hard for you guys, But you've never even talked about it, because it truly we we just ran towards it instead of been shying away. Yeah, like we're gonna love them,

We're just gonna love him. I really admire that, I really do, because that is such a incredible trait to have, and it shows how much faith you have and how loving you are as a human, because that that's one of the hardest things. I mean, what is it Like it's it's just one of the seven deadly sins, jobs or whatever, and it's like it happens everyone, especially in

this industry. That's why navigating it in the way that you guys have chosen to navigate it with faith, with love, with you know, just working on yourself and your art and celebrating everyone else like that is really really inspiring. It really is not always been easy, but it's it's worth it. It is so worth it. And then look at your joyful life, you know, just trying to be like unicorns and rainbows over here. He makes it pretty easy. Talk to me about Europe, because y'all entre on a

big europe trip. Yes, we went to Matricks speaking of and you said that you were thinking Paris might let you down, but it didn't. It did not. I thought it was going to be get because you have this like imagination and this like picture, like it's going to be so romantic and it's going to be this and that. Granted, I've come to learn whether determines if I like a city.

So like, we went to Amsterdam on this same trip, but it was rainy and it was cold, and I was getting kind of sick and I need to go back because I didn't love it. Because of that, weren't feeling great. And someone we know when they were in Paris it was like that, so they didn't love it. When we were there, it was like seventy every day and sunny, like high of seventy, so it was like fall, like early fall, and it was incredible. It was incredible.

Food did you eat incredible? What did you have? Pasta every day? Like everything? Mckerelss, I don't even know. But we don't speak French. So the secret, I will say, the secret is trying because you know, everyone's like French people are so rude, they hate us bah ba. So we would walk around and be like do they hate us, do they love us? Do they hate us? And if you try to communicate in French, they will be more welcoming to you. That's what we learned. So what how

would you speak to them? Poju? Probably England. We'd be like do you speak English in French? And then they would be like yes, And then they're more likely to be kind to you because I said, if you walking in being like hey, can I get assuming they speak English? Yeah? I think that's why, because we just assume they know our language. Like what if someone was French walked up to you and just started, You'd be like excuse me, Like do I look French? Like I'm not it? But

the food was crazy. We did per Cassie Kelly's recommendation. She has like everywhere she did. You just text her and you're like, hey, I'm going here. She sends you an entire note of every location, every rushing keep notes everything, yes, every city. She's incredible goals. I call her the first Lady of Countribution. She so fashionable, she like knows how.

She like accidentally flips houses like she goes in and makes them so fabulous that people come over and they're like, I'm buying your house and then she has to do it all over again. And her style is just impeccable, perfect every time. She's just who she is. It just uses out of her and she just loves fabulous. But she she calls everything fabulous, which is my favorite. Like it never used that word until I was around Cassie, and she would be like, it's fabulous because that's what

she does. She's just the best. But she has entire list of every city. I started putting them in Yelp. So I'm like trying to find a way. I don't know, there's probably a better way to do this, so comment if you know one, but I want to start having like the Glitz or whatever lists in Yelp to share

I love. I don't know if that's a thing, but I started putting hers in there and like the ones we liked, and started writing reviews and trying to have different cities that I could be like, hey go because then when you're going to Paris. I don't know if you can do this, but you could go to my profile right your Yelp profile and then see what I've saved, yeah, and then be like, oh, that one's kind of close to us because with her list, I have to yelp everyone to know where it is and find it. And

so I've started like putting them into take her list verbatim. Uh, we went to at least three of the places she recommended, and they're all just saulous. She would say, yeah, one of them. We spent the most money we've ever spent on a meal. Truly. It was right after Blue Tacoma went number one. I gotta celebrate. Oh yeah, so we hadn't done like a big celebration dinner. So we did this eight course stop something. What did you eat? Everything

was soft. That's a funny thing about the French. I'm like, do they not have teeth? Like everything stop? It's like moose full girl like everything. Okay. Yeah. I was like, if I'm gonna do these things, you're gonna do them here. So that I good. I like them or don't. That's good because an American version, who knows, they could be totally messing. I shouldn't have said that. I should be

more open minded. Well, everything like they had s cargo and every little, every teeny tiny portion it was like a little quail wing. It was like this big and it was like the meat was like that and you just it was yeah, and then all these desserts and wine pairings. It was crazy. It was crazy. Some of it. Some of it. I was like, I could use a little crunch. But that's are like all these teeny tiny moose is soups, and that's why everyone so teeny tiny

and France, you think are they don't know? I don't know that they aren't. Just I don't think. I noticed everything was fatty. Everything was fatty. Okay, it's like real food. I don't feel like it's so much trucessed. And we had an Italian meal there that they wheeled out a whole thing of parmesan and they like scraped it and lit it on fire and like tossed my pasta in it.

Did you die? Oh? It was one of the best, and you like, I feel like I was like, just behind Russell's head, We're in this little alley, what is life right now? Honestly, I would go back anytime. It was the last place I wanted to go before we start talking about having kids, because I was like, I want to go to Paris. So we're talking about having kids. We're talking about it. Okay, we're talking about Hey, I like the kid combo. Oh yeah, we're working on it. Well,

we're always working on it. But we've been married five years, and that was my like, I want five years of just us. I love that because I wanted to know just if if anything comes whatever, Like I know what us is so strong intrinsically Is that the right word. I don't know, just such a foundation that I know who we are, that you can feel if it changes. I totally get that when I want I've been together now ten years. Yes, we to year break in between, but like two years, two years, I don't think I

knew that. I knew that it had a nice little break in between. That's not even a break that's like a breakup. That is a breakup. We were on a break. We broke up. I moved cities in states and like I didn't know if we're gonna get back together. Weren't even Texas or something. Moved to Austin and uh, but I feel like that same way we have been through so much. Like I've been with him to was years old. I was twenty four and older and we were the

flip Okay, so I was twenty one, Russ was. I think when we started dating, I personally for me and

every story is different. I'm so glad to have gone through all of this license developing together, even though it has been like the broke, a lot of but also most exciting phases you could ever be in, because I'm like, Okay, we have survived so much, so much, like we have lived through all these things that I know now when we bring a child into this world, like you are saying, I know who we are through and through, Like there's there's nothing you could tell me about Michael, nothing, nothing

that could shock me saying you know, we're so I know him better probably than I even know myself, honestly, because I'm around him and better than I know myself. Yeah, oh yeah, yeah, Like we know how to fight with each other now, like learning all that fighting nice. You gotta fight nice, You gotta fight nice, because in the beginning we weren't perfect at fighting. Me I wasn't. Fighting is a learned skill. Okay, so how did you guys learn how to fight? How do you all fighting? Um?

We it is a learned skill, Yeah, it really is and involves respect, but not I think he was so afraid of commitment, which shocks a lot of people, because thank god, I'm yours right, But he was so afraid of commitment that I had to learn how to fight with him really gracefully and really more so just disagreeing. And we couldn't have big fights because I would freak

him out. So I kind of learned, probably a bad trait, to like stuff it and find a way to I would sleep on it and I would find a way to say it kindly in the morning or like but really stuffing it for a long time. No, no, no, I couldn't stuff it for too long, but take ownership, like really zoom out of this situation because I wasn't as emotional the next day. It's actually very wise. Yeah,

well I had to aise that they wouldn't work. Um yeah, and be like, all right, this is what I've done wrong and I know that, and this is what you didn't that really hurt my feelings. Anything we disagree or whatever. It's usually he hurt my feelings. We don't. I don't ever really get mad at him. I got mad at him one time, specifically recently, so probably more times that I've just forgotten, but this one time kind of recently. Yes,

I came home. I had asked him to do the laundry, put away the laundry because he wanted to go work out and I love working out. I'm choosing my my speaking life over this. Actually hate it, but I'm choosing to start saying I love working out because I'm hoping I get there. So you love I love working out. It's my favorite. You could hear this right now. He'd be dying because he's like always convincing me. He's like,

I'll make you coffee if we go work out. So in this scenario, he wanted to work out and I was like, sure, but I need you to do this because I don't have enough time in the day to do this and get ready for bus call and have a birthday party tonight. So while I'm at the birthday party, I am I need you to do this laundry. And it was just putting things on hangars and I primed now more hangers because we were running low, gave him all of the tools. Is already alright, stage was set.

I come home, The hangars are in the prime, now bags by the door. All the clothes are still out here, and he was playing video games in the basement. I'm telling you, I think that's I think that's guys. I lost my ever loving like, did you kind of blow up? Is this a new thing. No, okay, well yeah, yeah, I guess I was just so so angry because I was like, I do everything for us, So like I asked you for help once, which is if you do any Angiograham, what are you, I'm a three three two

three achiever helper? Yes, So like this was my two wing freaking out because because now you're two wings in a right, So like I always help him, always have helped him. But that's what you love to do, right, I love it. But I asked for help and when he is a seven, that's what Michael is. As the day is long, michaels straight seven best day of his life every day, has enough energy to do everything. Like sevens are the happiest people. They are, They're really happy.

But I know Michael's a seven too, and I'm just like, thank god, because I like you could be. No, I'm a four. I'm an emotional I bet you have a strong three ring wing though, yes, you're an achiever. That is achieving. I am a four four four four? How does live in my emotions? And thank god I'm married A seven, fir ls, I would just be at the bottom of three seven, I'm sure four seven it's like it's like the perfect tip. Oh. I like that, like in achieving, because I have the achiever and he has

the dreamer, and so I'm like, let's do this. We're unstoppable, let's go. And he has the energy that keeps me going, like the whole thing. So anyway, my two wing. So when when they're in stress, they go to eight. So I like, I blew up. Id't actually blow up, but I just started cleaning and being allowed, and he's like I got it. I was like, clearly you don't like I was. I was so mad. And he never plays video games through like all the days, like he never.

He's not that guy. Because I when he wanted to get an Xbox, I was like gross, like I think guys who like are obsessed with video games. It's so unattractive to him. And I was like, do you really want to be unattractive to me? Like that's how I pitched him. And he was like, but for him, I'm actually glad he has it because he never plays it, and if he does, it's because he's actually so exhausted that he needs something to out his mind off, will

keep dreaming and keep brainstorming. And he never he never sits and stops, and so it makes him sit and stop. So he really never does that ever, and so like I was like all the days, I was so so had at that one end, we went to bed angry. Which did he defend his video games? Oh no, No, he knew, he knew he was definitely wrong. And well at one point he didn't like jump up and start

hanging things up. Oh yeah, he rose to the occasion, and I was like, no, forget it, I've got Yeah, so I go to sleep mad, which I said this recently on another podcast that I I think that's one of the things in the Bible that I'm like, I disagree with you because it says like, don't let the sun go down on your anger. But mind you, this one was already down first of all, and I just have a clear head in the morning. Well, it's better

not to fight when you're enrage. You know. I have learned that about myself because like I get activated kind easily. I've worked on it a lot, a lot of therapy, a lot of like self realization that like anger is never a good things. So if I feel angry and hot, that is not the time to talk about something it is definitely not the time. And what is it. It's like there's a acurative. It's like not when you're hungry, tired, halt halt, very lonely tired, angry, lonely tired. Yeah, And

I was tired. I was exhausted. It was like the week of every Christmas party, every everything. We had just come off the road. We'd hosted two huge things at our house and I was like, I am done. I have nothing left. And that's when I was like, I asked for help? What which I asked for help all the time. I was just so dramatic. Soon as you like, you're not allowed to not help me, I help you always like speaking totally crazy and it happens. So oh yeah, you know it does sometimes you like in the I

did that a bunch in this podcast. Hey, I hacked all the time. I'm just but I think that is one of the great things about marriage is learning each other, learning your breaking points, learning how to navigate those situations and not getting lost in them, not thinking at the end of the world, it's just a moment. It was a moment and the next morning, the next morning, it

was so cute. He gave me a card and everything, okay, because I've never actually, I don't think i've ever actually been mad at him, and that was the first time. And this is like five years in Wow, so this was this was a moment. This was a moment, and the cards say it was just like, thank you so much for everything you do for our family. Well, love you so much. I'm so sorry, you know. I'm like, I was like, this is maybe the cute. I should get mad at you more often, like this is so cute.

I really don't get mad at him. It's mostly my feelings are hurt or I feel because I'm pretty I feel like I'm pretty good at recognizing I feel lonely. So instead of like doing something to pull him in, like and getting upset about something so he comes close, I just I just tell him, I'm like, I need more of you. I haven't seen you enough. I feel like I'm in the background. What's your love language? Quality time?

And so, which is also why I have I kind of have to be on the road because otherwise I don't know, I'm not words of aff I don't need. In that scenario, I guess I would have been acts of service. But yeah, I just like being around him, and most of the time I can just be in the same orbit and we don't have to be alone. But sometimes I do need just like I need just you and me. Let's go for a walk. You're saying going for a walk is like a key to a happy marriage. Tell me some of your keys to happy

marriage walks, um, sex. I agree with that too, Like some people aren't about that, but like, I mean, I totally agree with that on a very regular basis. Yeah, Oh, we founded over this. We have we're a team like dry for every day. I mean, well, I maybe it's that seven who's just happy, good looking and enjoys all the things in life. Michael is like down every day and if it's yeah, and so I'm just like, okay,

why would I fight this? A Because it's fun and B it's cheaper than therapy, cheaper than therapy, and it keeps you so connected. Yes, it really does. If that drifts apart, ever, which ours never has, because I just decided one day, I was like, I'm gonna make this a priority, and we're like I heard it somewhere. Girls are like crock pots and men are like microwaves. Have you ever heard that that like our like our sexual everything is more of a slow study all day kind

of a thing. Yes, yes, so like if they flirt with us all day and they but you just like kiss a guy for two seconds and they're like we're done, Like we're ready. You know, we are more where it's all mixed together. We can't like separate, Like if you were jerk early in the morning, we still feel that at night. Like it's guys are not as much like that.

Absolutely in my experience, and so yeah, if I in my if I set my crock pot too low in the morning Mike mentally, then when it comes time whenever we do, I'm like, yeah, I've been thinking about it. I've been processing, and it makes me be open and I can't stuff things because if that's going to happen, we're going to have had a conversation. If I'm upset about something, Absolutely it makes me communicate, makes him really sentimental and sweet all the time. Yeah, I mean not

all the time, but honestly a lot. I think it's time. No, I think having a healthy sexual relationship keeps your relationship healthy. I feel like it's like insurance for your marriage. Okay, wait, that's great. Tell me what tell me what that means, because I don't know. I just feel like it helps make you invincible, like you're becoming you're intentionally you are one as a married couple, but you're choosing to be one and just reiterating over and over, we are one,

we are one. And I think it's great. I love that. I agree. Hey, sex high five, great marriage, sex, great marriage. Walks, going for a walk. I love a good walk. You get your communication, you get I like to say the shoulder to shoulder men communicate better older to shoulder than face to face. Okay, And I get that in my experience, and I've read it somewhere I can't remember. Super interesting,

like girls are like, let's get coffee. It's like say, yeah, like where we're doing this, Like guys, if they were doing this podcast, they'd be like this because they're more open totally so much. So we go for a walk and he just dreams and I enjoy it too. Well. We'll pray while we walk, because you're not just like sitting for laying a bed, and you're like, in Jesus name an, it's that you're more conversational. It's like God, we pray for this friend who has cancer, Like we

say no Jesus name. Yeah, you know, like we're praying, we'll pray for this person's marriage or I don't know. It's more conversational. It doesn't end. I love that. It's great wine wine. Yeah, also leads to the great sex part. Honest um, not too much though. Yes, yes, he is a little wino. I call him whino. Is that like a negative term? Well, I just like it's a thing now. It's even on his apps. He just puts his wineglasses

in was like, yeah, it's terrifying. He doesn't do the thin ones just to reasure everyone who gets terrified it's going to break into his mouth if they're like really fine ones. He doesn't. Okay, it doesn't as a certain consistency. Yeah, it has to be like semi indestructible. Yeah, because but it's never too tired whatever. Okay, yeah he um. He like the Psalm documentaries if we were watched those s O M M yeah, for becoming a Master Smali a

uh And it's a documentary. There's three of them now, of these people trying to be masters, and it is wild, like they have to blind taste three whites, three reds say what year they are, where they're from, and there's hundreds right, or thousands of wines yeah, oh yeah, and regions and there's only I think there's less than a hundred masters in the world. So the first commentary is really cool watching that process because it's like you have to be a savant, like this is not a normal

person's skill set. Yeah. The funny part about it is we watched the first one when it came out on on our TV and our old apartment living next to Miss Cathy and her cat and our little duplex drinking box wine watching this documentary, but it tastes cherry, hardboard, cardboard, tennis balls, like, it's like so funny. We want like watched and drink the cheapest wine possible because that's all we could afford. And so then the second one came out and we got even more. We watched the second

one like eight times. I'm gonna watch this. They're so fun The second one is my favorite. It tells you why all of the things are as important as they are, like even how wine was affected by war, and it's really cool. So anyway, it got him super into wine. So I call him Russell dick or some when he does swirling, which is disgusting. I like hate when people do that, but he does it every now and then if it's a very nice wine. Um, he loves it.

It's really it's really cute. I love that he's very into it and I get to reap the benefits of it. I'm like, this one is delicious. Thanks, mab hey, thanks for scoping. Yeah exactly, So what are ya watching on Netflix? He says, Um, it's not Netflix, but marvelous ms masl love. We have two more episodes, and I like refused to watch them because I don't I don't want it to be over. I'm just like that. I'm like, it can't be over. We're catching up on This is Us because

I love it. Every time I'm in it. I'm like, Okay, I love watching this, but I have to gear up for each episode, yes, because I know it's going to just hug all my heart shrinks, Yes, which I love. I love feeling all the things. But he's less likely to be like, yeah, let's watch it as a seven because sevens avoid pain and that show has a minute, so it really hits. Like Mael, like, let's watch the

funny one. You know, he's really sweet. He watches what I want to watch because a lot of I think it is kind of like a spiritual thing for me. I if it's really heavy and dark, I really really feel it. Yes, And I like, why am I praying against all of these heavy and dark things and then submitting myself to them and watching them. I'm like, this makes no sense. So one day I was like, if it's not if it doesn't make me feel great, I'm not watching it. We have enough real stress in our lives.

I don't need fake stress. I love that. So we're a happy show people. That's how we are to being married. Friends, Like, religiously, y'all should watch um Last Man on Earth? Have you seen that? I have? We need to kind of back up. It kind of took a little. It kind of is getting a little more intense, but like Michael's the same way. The first episode. That first episode is the best pilot I've ever seen of Last Man on Earth. And he's like bowling with cars and things are blowing up. Yeah,

that's one of my favorite pilots of all time. We watched it the whole first season, and then I think we get lost interests in the second. Yeah, it's kind of cheesy, but it's cute. Yeah, Michael's the same. We're gonna remind me of January Jones. Okay, great, thanks, Yeah, she's a babe. Okay, So obviously I want to talk to you forever, but I know you have to go to Best Call and there's laundry and all sorts of honey honey. Um. But I like to leave all my

episodes and leave your light. So just obviously you're super inspiring. This all is inspiring. But what do you want people to know? Like, what's the message you want to speak into people? Oh that just love people, love them hard

and well and intentionally. And I personally think being known is even better than being loved because in our culture everything is just like oh I love you, I love you, I love you, But like nothing communicates love like actually investing in people and knowing them and knowing them well and in turn you're loving them well. I love that investing in people, invest in people. Do you invest in a lot of people or do you are you rein

it in? Yeah, I used to do a lot. LA has helped you in then, and yes, that's part of the reason you're about the apartment, just to just to have a loane time and not say yes to everything you said. A quote like if you say yes everything, it's because you're not learning how to prioritize your nose or something. Yeah, yeah, just because you're I forget exactly what it was. But if you're saying yes everything, it's only showing that you don't know how to say no,

something to that effect. Like I had to really learn that because one day I woke up and I realized I was like, I've gone a coffee eight times this week in every single time I was helping someone, and it was not reciprocated. And I was like, okay, that's the two wing, Like I enjoy it, but you can't potentially. But then I realized I hadn't seen my very best friends, the ones who don't need me in the best way because their reciprocal friendships. And I was like, dang, like

I really need to reprioritize my life. And so I my circle got smaller and smaller, and unless it's reciprocal, like it really doesn't get much of my time because there's not much of it left. I think that's so important. I feel like I've been that same way I was. I've always loved to be social. No everyone, love everyone.

I had a breaking point in the past couple of years, and I'm like, I am tired, Like I love knowing so many people and being in community, but same, it's like you just want to pour yourself into the relationships that really that are lifelong, aren't like, and then if someone comes around and it totally in, it's great, but it's like, I'm not seeking that out like I used to. I we had so many people live with us, stay with us, who needed us, like those were beautiful times.

But all of a sudden one year, I was like, that season is done. And that was the beginning of this last year and ever and thank god, because if I had we had nothing left. Honestly, we were so exhausted that if we were banking on anything in return from these people, we would have been screwed. I was like, not the people who stayed with us, but the ones who always needed our time, And yeah, we really had to rain it in. I love that. Yeah, I love you.

You're so wise, girl, I'm serious. I love you so much. Sunshine over here got well, I have a rain cloud too. I have to my number four, Like my four is like I'm a romantic. It's a secret rain cloud back there. Well if I haven't seen it, well, I've worked on it a lot because like I'm just I'm a romantic. That's what before is. So like I get so lost in feelings. I've had to learn how to separate them all and realize and like not get like go down

the landslide with them. And that's how in my thirties, I will say I've got a lot better, Like therapy and Michael of the I just realized that I don't have to feel everything to the bottom, but when I feel something and it affects me, I have to go to the bottom so hard, just feel it and feel it. And that's why I can recover quickly from things. Like some people, something will hit them and it will take

them years to process there like months. For me, I'm like in it all the way down immediately like there, and then I just figure out how to get out of it. So it's really intense, but it's fast. That's goods, but it's also I'm glad you know how to do that. It's also psycho because like bipolar, sometimes no you are not Yeah, well, freaking love. Thank you for joining, thanks for coming over. Yes, I love it. I fou on the road. Thank you so much for joining me on

this episode with Kayleie Dickerson. She is such a bright light. Love her so much. Next week, I have one of my dearest and oldest friends that I've had in Nashville. We've been friends for almost ten years, maybe more. Kelly Lynn Jansen. She's married to Chris Jansen. She is a hoot, a wild woman. She's awesome. She's Chris's wife manager. They have two kids together, plus her two older kids, who Chris calls his bonus children. Their story and their life

is amazing and inspiring. So get excited for Kelly Lynn Jansen. We'll see you next week. M