Get Real -w- Caroline Hobby

This interview was emotional, inspiring, gut wrenching, raw and full of faith. No parent should ever have to bury their own child. The pain is too much to bare. Last week marked 1 year since River Kelly tragically died in Amber and Granger Smith’s pool. They had a fence and lock and all the precautions. It just happened so fast and silently. Amber tells me how adventurous River was, how sweet and kind he was; always picking her wild flowers and drying her eyes if she would pretend to be sad. Amber walks through the day the accident happened. She talks about her faith, and how she and Granger and their other 2 kids are still finding joy in life, even though Amber said “she may never be truly happy again.” The amount of strength and courage Amber has to talk about River’s death, to still find beauty in life, to be able to go on and want to help spread awareness to other parents about water safety with children, so no other parent has to experience this heartbreak, is just plain amazing. Amber is a shining light

I am so lucky to be best friends with Amara. She is wise, calm, beautiful, thoughtful, talented, grounded in faith and purpose, open and giving, just like her mother. She teaches me so much on a daily basis. But especially during this time where the world is crying out “Black Lives Matter,” it has meant the world to me that she would come on my podcast, now for the 3rd time, and this time join me with her mother Norma, participating in these uncomfortable, heavy conversations about racism. I am NO EXPERT and am very naive in my ways on what the black culture has lived through and what they are currently going through. But I am learning and I can’t just sit on the sidelines. We talked about the movies “Just Mercy,” and “Thirteenth” and their powerful and painful messages. I encourage all my followers to watch those movies. I hope this episode moves you to do better, be better and learn. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati

Mickey and I grew up in the same hometown of Waco Texas. We actually played basketball against each other in grade school. It’s very nerve racking for me to have real conversations about race as a white woman with two of my black friends. To be honest, I have avoided topics of race my whole life bc I’m scared I will say something wrong. But the point is to start talking and to be a part of the change. Amara and Mickey talk about being black females in the country music industry, how much love they have for this community, and their dreams for genre. Mickey explains the story behind her powerful new single “Black Like Me.” Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I want my platform and podcast to be a place to get inspired, to learn, to better ourselves so we do better in the world. It has always been important to me that every story I share on my podcast is one of hope, overcoming, inspiration and leaves a messages that encourages us all to love more, hope more, believe that better days are ahead, and that we all have the ability to live a life of accomplishing our dreams. Right now in America, the conversation can no longer be ignored that black men and women are not given the same treatment as white men and women. I have always been non-racist, but that is not enough anymore. We have to lock hands and walk arm and arm in this conversation with our black brothers and sisters. We have to not stand for anything less than absolute equality. Black artists and voices need to be heard and seen more than ever right now. I hope this Thursday series I’m doing w one of my best friends Amara Hall (spoken word artist and poet) who is a black woman, will shed some light on how w

Caitlyn is a musical, mystical being. Talking to her feels like a river; she flows; she moves with the current and waves of her life with ease and grace. She’s written for artists from Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers (“You Can’t Make Old Friends”) and Garth Brooks to Meghan Trainor & John Legend (“Like I’m Gonna Lose You”) and James Bay. She just released her sophomore album “Supernova.” The title track was inspired by life moving by so quickly and watching her two young sons grow up before her eyes, and it’s a reminder to all of us to fully live in each moment. She talks to me a lot about how she uses visualization to create a creative life she loves. Caitlyn is a such special soul.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kathy grew up the baby of 6 kids to an abusive father who controlled her mother’s very move. It shaped her into knowing she would never let herself rely on a man and would always be able to stand on “her own two feet.” That led her to climbing the ladder in the corporate world where she became very successful. But when her father passed she realized she wanted more for her life than just career and financial success. She wanted love and a family and a career that fueled her passion. So she quit corporate and started her photography business. She met Rob soon after and they had precious Stella. When they moved to Nashville for Rob’s job, Kathy quickly realized there was no co-workspace for women. She leveraged everything they had and opened Collective 615. Kathy shares with me how she walks through fear, choosing to stay and love your marriage, the important lessons she’s learned from parenthood, and why she has been blessed by quarantine. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.

Sara is the total package. Stunning, Unbelievably talented, Incredible mother and devoted wife, God fearing woman. Sara knows who she is and what matters to her. She doesn’t try to hide what’s important, where she stands, and she knows her priorities and is unapologetic about them. When we started talking, she was so down to earth and relatable that it felt like I was just talking to an old friend, not a top selling female country artist. We talked about how her game-changing debut album “Born to Fly” is celebrating 20 years. Her latest album “Copy That” is out now and it features her favorite classic songs, remade Sara Evans style. I think my favorite part of the interview was her talking about life on the road w babies and kids. She never asked permission to include her family in everything she has done. She just brought them along and made it work. I love that. So many times, especially as women, we feel like we can’t do it all at the same time, but Sara is a perfect example that you can have a happy marri

Jackie is one of my besties. We met at a Hot Yoga class and hit it off immediately a few years ago. We are both Texas girls, so there’s also that

Dennis Quaid does it all. First off he’s a Hollywood superstar. He’s a badass singer and musician. Also on his resume: he’s a jet pilot, has golfed with Presidents, and is a doting father. Dennis has so much wisdom from all of the incredible life that he has lived. He just launched a new podcast “The Dennissance” where he interviews all of his famous friends and has honest, real conversations talking about everything outside of what they are known for professionally. Dennis and I chatted about what he’s learned from being in “Hollywood jail,” who’s on his bucket list to interview, and why he thinks the world is in the middle of a spiritual awakening. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I have one of my best childhood/lifelong friends joining me on this episode. Wynne was the reason I started my podcast 4 years ago! I was having a breakdown about what to do in life, and Wynne was the most famous blogger that I knew (wynneelder.com), so I called her and asked her for advice. She told me to start a podcast before podcasts were all the rage! So thank you Wynne! We talk about her journey to motherhood, infertility, miscarriage, how God put a burning fire in her heart to adopt.  We talk about how she and her hubs adopted 2 kids, Asher and Camp, at the same time from Africa when they were 8 months old. We then talk about in vitro and her finally getting pregnant and having her daughter Rivers. She is now pregnant w their last embryo and due in October. Rivers and this new baby girl were conceived together at the same time, frozen together for years, and now will be living together 3 years apart in age this fall. What an incredible journey she has been on! She is completely led by God and it is ama

Sarah is a wild spirit. She feels like an Indian Paintbrush blowing in the wind. Beautiful. Colorful. Wild. Passionate. She moves from the soul. She can’t be tamed yet she’s super grounded. She’s one of the best vocalists and artists the town of Nashville has ever seen. She’s also written hits like “Stupid Boy” for Keith Urban and “Dayum Baby” for Florida Georgia Line. Sarah and I get so intimate on this episode. We talk about the bidding war that multiple labels had over her to sign her a decade ago, and how frustrating it was to never have one of her artist singles take off at radio when she knew that music was her destiny. But we also talk about the peace she feels in her life right now. She understands the magic and mystery of life and completely embraces it. She’s on the ride of life at full speed and she is in it to win it while enjoying the view. Tune in now to have your soul rocked. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info

I have always been in awe of Betsy. First off she’s a knockout. Then you learn she runs a nationwide glass company, United Glass Services. Then you learn she’s the mother of 5 kids. Then you find out she has lived with type 1 diabetes since she was 17. Then you realize that she is 1 of 13 kids and was raised to grow and hunt her own food and be totally self sufficient, living off their land and animals for a large part of their food as a child. Then she tells you she was a single mom of 2 boys under 3 when she was in her early 20’s. Finally you show up at her house, where she lives with her husband Landon (my hubby’s brother) and it’s paradise. 5 acres, a pool, 4 wheelers, bikes, a pond, chickens, rabbits, dogs, and so much life and love happening around you that can’t help but feel so good and alive and just “in it.” She’s built an incredible life. Betsy is not a victim ever. She takes every experience and turns it into a launching pad. I love this conversation so much and I am so inspired by my sis-in law.

Lauren is one of the most fun, energetic, beautiful people I know. She never holds onto grudges. She always finds the light and the good time, no matter how dark a situation can be. If there’s a gathering of friends (pre-corona), Lauren will be the one to crank up the jams and start a dance party. I consider that one of her most spectacular gifts. Some people hold onto what’s wrong with the world and their lives, others hold onto what’s right with the world and their lives. Lauren holds onto what’s right. We talk about her amazing relationship with her stepson Jake and Jeremy’s ex-wife Michelle; they all love each other and respect each other so much, they share every holiday together. We talk about how she coped with losing her father, what she’s learned from growing her thriving business with MONET (amazing natural hair products), how Jeremy pulled off a surprise wedding for her and what road life is like with him, plus why fear doesn’t run her show. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartp

The hubs and I get downnnnn and intimate on this podcast. We talk about the difference between sex and making love, each other’s hall passes, why you have to persevere and not take things personal, the importance of not burning bridges, what we both are learning from quarantine, why he knows crying is important to me and supports it, and how it is absolutely 100% necessary to be honest and communicate with your partner and not expect them to read your mind. This absolutely may be one of my favorite, most personal convos we have ever had. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At 27 years old, Cassie has already established herself as a top entertainment host in the industry. It is no fluke that she is working for ET Online and interviewing all the A List stars from Garth Brooks to Billie Eilish. She went to college and studied journalism and immediately hit the pavement hustling and honing her craft as an entertainment reporter at several news outlets until landing her dream job at Entertainment Tonight Online recently. But it has not been an easy road. Cassie got choked up when she talked about the sacrifices she has made pursuing this dream, including rarely seeing her family and putting her love life on hold. But she has no complaints and is super grateful for all she has accomplished and the life she lives. She loves her mama more than anything, lets God guide her life, and wants to use her platform to change the world for the better. She’s not just completely stunning on the outside, but truly her heart is pure gold. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpod

This week I zoom interview w my bestie Bri Lundeen. We are very close friends and have shared tons of memories together from her dressing as Dolly Parton on Halloween and getting kicked out of ACME downtown (it’s not what you think but it’s epic!) and now raising baby girls together. Bri and I both struggle w anxiety so we talk about tricks to help ease that. We talk about our experience as first time moms, why we need our friends, everything you must know but they don’t tell you about labor.... it’s so good. I love how Bri takes the time to figure out what she wants and connects with, then she commits full heartedly! Very inspiring! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At seventeen years old, Ruthie was hit by an ambulance outside of a gas station in rural Louisiana. She broke her neck, punctured her lungs, and ruptured her spleen. Doctors performed a spinal cord fusion using wire and miraculously, she walked out of the hospital within a month. I sat down and talked with Ruthie (before #quarantine) all about how her life unfolded after the accident. We talk about marriage and divorce, the passing of her father and living with unbearable chronic pain that left her depressed, addicted to painkillers, and bedridden. Ruthie just released her memoir “There I Am, from Hopeless to Healing,” empowering others to find purpose in their pain, to look for beauty in the midst of their brokenness. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week’s episode is pretty cool. I sit down and chat it up w my 9 year old niece. We have been in quarantine together for the past month and it has been really special to live with her and see how her mind works. She is so thoughtful, kind, smart, talented, curious and a lover and adventure, her family and being a lil mama to baby Sunny. She talks about what love, being brave and success mean to her. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laura Lea makes cooking easy, healthy and family friendly. She has already published one cookbook “Laura Lea Balanced,” and has a brand new one out now called “Simply Laura Lea.” Laura shares with me her journey and how she found her love for cooking. After she graduated college she moved to NYC and found herself in a corporate job that was crushing her soul and leaving her feeling anxious. After listening to her heart, she took a leap of faith and got certified to become a holistic chef. In this interview Laura breaks down how her guy has always guided her and why it is so important to take a leap of faith and make a move towards happiness when you feel stuck. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week I curl up on the bed with my beautiful, smart, wise and steadfast sister. We have been quarantining in Texas together on our family farm, and it has truly been an amazing opportunity to share life together w our husbands and daughters these past couple weeks. Seeing Sunny look up to and love her older cousin Genevieve has been Precious. And G is a lil mama. Cat has always been my safe place. She is the person who always knows what is the right next thing to do. She is morally so good and pure. She wants her people to be happy. She wants to be happy. She is incredible at problem solving and making stuff happen, like super fast. She has done a lot of work on herself to become her best self so she can live her best life and bless all those around her. One of my favorite mottos that she lives by is “if it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no.” Cat is super intentional about putting family first and making life fun. She always is deeply rooted in her faith and that is her guiding light. She talks about why tellin