What Happens When You Stop Doubting Yourself | Cassidy Daniels | Soul Tribe Podcast

What happens when the road gets hard and the only thing you can trust is what's burning inside you? In this episode of the Soul Tribe Podcast, Aunty Charmaine sits down with Nashville-based country artist, songwriter, and rising star Cassidy Daniels for a real, grounded conversation about instinct, resilience, and what it truly means to stay true to the vision within.

Cassidy is not your typical story. A military kid who called North Carolina, Kentucky, and Florida home before planting roots in Tennessee — she carries the kind of grit that only comes from learning to rebuild yourself every time life moves you. She placed in the Top Three on the CBS/Paramount series The Road, with her final performance landing on the stage of the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. She has shared stages with Willie Nelson, Florida Georgia Line, and Billy Currington, and is set to appear in the upcoming Yellowstone spin-off Dutton Ranch — performing original songs on one of television's most anticipated new series.

But what we talk about in this episode goes deeper than the accolades.

We talk about what it looks like to trust yourself when the outcome isn't guaranteed. What it means to keep creating when the world isn't moving at your pace. How to stay rooted in who you are when everything around you is asking you to be someone else. Cassidy brings her whole self to this conversation — the truth-teller, the songwriter, the woman doing the inner work just as hard as the outer work.

This one is for every Soul Tribe member who has a vision they haven't fully surrendered to yet. Listen to the full episode. Then trust it.

In this episode we cover:

• Growing up in a military household and finding home in your own voice
• The road to Nashville and what it really costs to stay committed to your craft
• What The Road taught her about resilience and performing under pressure
• Trusting your instinct when the industry — or life — says otherwise
• Staying true to your inner vision even when the path isn't clear
• What's next — Dutton Ranch, new music, and stepping fully into purpose

Connect with Cassidy Daniels: Website: cassidydaniels.com Follow her on socials: @cassidydanielsmusic

Connect with Aunty Charmaine & Soul Tribe Media: Website: beadsandpotions.com Instagram: @soultribemedia | @beadsandpotions Soul Tribe Podcast — available on all major platforms

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Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:08

Hey, Soul Tribe, it's Auntie here, and I am here with the amazing, fantastic, gifted, and talented Cassidy Daniels. Hi girls! How are you, beloved?

SPEAKER_00 0:23

I'm so glad to see you.

SPEAKER_01 0:24

I'm so excited to have you here.

SPEAKER_00 0:26

I'm glad to be here.

SPEAKER_01 0:27

Yes, indeed. So, everybody, today we're talking about trusting the vision within, a conversation about instinct, resilience, and staying true to the inner vision. Such a good one. Listen, I need you to talk to the people, okay? Because most people don't understand that it takes a lot to stay true to the inner vision. Yes. So your background, you were a military brat. You went all around the world, all around the country. You have allowed yourself to stay true regardless of the comforts that comes with a secure life. What was that like?

SPEAKER_00 1:11

Man, I think really the biggest thing that clicked in my brain, it wasn't until I was about 19, 20 years old now. Like growth takes time and really knowing yourself takes even longer. Um, once I realized that the truthfulness that lies within myself was in the uncertainty and was within me being a chameleon and being able to blend in anywhere I go, that's when it really clicked for me. That that's my true self. I I'm one of those people that can be a chameleon because I had no choice. I moved like 30 times before I was 20. Wow. So it was hard to make friends with. Oh yeah. I was the new kid at school like dozens of times. And while it was hard, I wouldn't have chosen any other life because there could not have been a better way to prepare me for the music industry than that. I mean, it was such a God thing putting me in that environment growing up, and then now it's easy for me to be on the road and be a people person and talk to people.

SPEAKER_01 2:13

You know, here's the thing about the roots of things. When you grow up in an environment where you're moving constantly, life is changing all the time. There's something about the stories that we collect, the things that we've learned, the laws and wisdom that we've gained. What were some of the things that taught you so many valuable lessons?

SPEAKER_00 2:41

Um, oh my gosh, there's so many. When you were talking about the experiences that you collect, I thought about the people I collect too. My dad is a firm believer of you are who you surround yourself with.

SPEAKER_02 2:52

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 2:53

And my mom is a firm believer of inclusivity and making sure everyone's included. So it was a it was an interesting line to ride between both parents because I was that person in school where everybody could come and have dinner, Thanksgiving dinner at my house. You know, if you didn't have your family, come use my family. We can share my family, you know, come to dinner. But then you collect a lot of really eccentric people. You collect some criminals, then you end up dating them. No, not dating the criminals, but it gave me a soft heart. Um, and my dad really taught me how to be selective, but also you can love people and not have to be right there with them too. Oh, yes. So really the people that I've collected over the years has been the biggest driver of my personality because I've learned so much. Sometimes, you know, you learn how you want to be, sometimes you learn how not to be. Come on now, and all those experiences just kind of snowball into another. And it's all through the people that's brought me there.

SPEAKER_01 3:51

What are some of the spiritual wisdoms that you've gained? So, perfect example. My life started with being an ambassador to UN women. I've also been a writer for the Huffington Post. Before I did any of that, I was champion for the underdog at school. Oh, baby, we're scrapping. But you ain't fighting it out. I was always that person who loved to write. I always loved history. I felt connected to words. What was it in you as a kid when you said to yourself, no, no, no, no. Music, sound, how it makes you feel, how it breaks you down, how it builds you up and brings you around.

SPEAKER_00 4:30

What was that? Man, I remember you was talking about writing. Um, my mom used to come into school, you know, for a parent-teacher conference or whatever. And I mean, as a kid, you could imagine I was bouncing off the walls regardless. Like I just had so much energy. And I had really great teachers growing up in Department of Defense schools, they're the best ever. Wow. Um, but you would go down the hallways, my mom would for like parent-teacher conference, and they'd have, you know, how they put essays on the wall of like all the kids had their essays. Well, mine would be down to the floor, and they'd have to roll it up and stick a pen. Cause I had so much to say. So my first love was really writing. I loved writing. And uh, once I turned that into songwriting, that's when everything changed for me. And then really my music journey, I've always known that I wanted to, you know, grow up and be someone that was in the spotlight and do music and connect with people on a stage. But writing was where it all started, and that just really anchored it in my soul.

SPEAKER_01 5:30

You know, one of the genres that I love the most, there's two. But one for sure is gospel. Gospel music is something about the sound, it's something about if you ever heard Mahalia Jackson sing, oh yeah. Oh, baby, she could bring it to your knees.

SPEAKER_00 5:46

LaShawn Pacer biggest influences.

SPEAKER_01 5:49

I love her. And then it was jazz. Now, listen, we can listen to Miles Davis, baby. And I used to play the trumpet and I wasn't any good. The trumpets. I listen listen, I thought I was Louie Armstrong, baby. You could tell me I was in Miles Davis. Even though I couldn't play a tune. The point of the matter is it was the connection to the music. Besides the words, what is it that's in the feeling of music that keeps you doing this?

SPEAKER_00 6:17

It's so therapeutic. Like, I mean, I started writing songs when I was a kid because my dad was post-9-11 active duty military. Wow. So he was special forces and 82nd Airborne, which means I like to joke, he was in high demand. So I mean, he was overseas deployed for a good part of my childhood. And when you're little, you know, my dad is my superhero. And he still is to this day. So that was really hard for me with my daddy being gone. And then my brother was also in the army, too. So really what it started with is finding solace and dealing with that, all those emotions. And writing and playing piano was my first instrument. That just took my mind off of is my dad gonna come home?

SPEAKER_01 7:00

Oh, wow.

SPEAKER_00 7:01

I mean, and it's such a wild thing to say out loud now because you don't really think about how much loss you're around when you're get when you're young. Um, but in a military family, you know, you you there's a lot of loss, especially back then. This would have been early 2000s up to like 2009. Oh wow. And I mean, that was prime time for you know the army where we were in. Uh, not so prime, very sad, very hard times. But music was one of the things that kept me from spiraling, you know. Right, right. So you come from a very musical family. No, I don't surprisingly. So my mom used to play piano in church. She was like the sub piano player, and I think she learned just to help the church, which I love about my mom. My mom is just like that. Go ahead, mama. Come on now. So my mom could play piano. Um, my my dad told me that my grandmother's on his side, so his mom, she died before I was born, but apparently she played piano. Okay. Really, I owe all of my musical anything to my aunt is married to a black man, so we used to go to black church. Come on now, come on now. Vanessa just taught me how to truly, truly sing. Yes. Like how to sang. Not just how to sing, how to sing. Yes. And that changed everything for me. And I mentioned LaShon Pace earlier. Like I've seen, I know I've been changed, and I was like, oh, that's what I want to do. Yes, yes.

SPEAKER_01 8:23

So I've never been afraid to be loud. Well, you know, here's the thing I think people don't realize. There is something about connecting to your authenticity. It doesn't come easily. It comes in waves. Now you're very young. The first wave that came to me, I was in my 30s, almost 30. As a matter of fact, I was in my late 20s, going into my Saturn return. The next wave hit me on my way out of my 30s, going into my 40s. Understand that these things where you are today, it's just the literal beginning.

SPEAKER_00 9:05

I'm so excited to see what's what life is gonna bring. I'm approaching my Saturn's return. Are you really? Is that is it not tomorrow? I'm 2027. 27. Okay, never mind, never mind.

SPEAKER_01 9:15

So, yeah, don't rush the time child. 29:30, that's your Saturn return. Wow. So once you get towards there, that's when life will evolve into a next phase. What is it that changed over time that made your music Cassid Daniels brand? So when I hear you sing, you remind me of Winona Judd.

SPEAKER_02 9:38

I love that. You do, you do.

SPEAKER_01 9:40

You remind me of her. She has a soulfulness in her voice when she sings. Oh, yeah, she got that. What was it that made your voice authentic?

SPEAKER_00 9:52

My voice has always been my voice. What I've learned over really the past couple years was how to write songs to my voice. Like, I would really get stuck in a cycle of trying to write what was popping off in Nashville. You know, like you have beautiful, beautiful singers. Like I would, I would say, like a Casey Musgraves or a Miranda Lambert, who have like that really beautiful, just sweet voice. Well, girl, I sound like a pack of Marmoras sometimes. I really learned, you know, that's not a disadvantage as much as it is just a new texture that people don't have access to naturally. So I really learned how to hone that in and write music to my voice with collaborators that I love, you know, people that really, really know me or who write songs with me. And that's been the greatest gift.

SPEAKER_01 10:42

I love that. You know, here's the thing about greatest gifts. The greatest gifts come when there is adversity. A lot of times we see life from a place where it's too rose-colored. Life can be too rose-colored. And girl, you a water sign. Y'all live in the rose. You understand? What was some of the adversity that you saw hindsight being 2020? What were some of these turning points that you said, you know, had I not gone through that, Lord, I wouldn't be here.

SPEAKER_00 11:17

Yeah. Well, one of them, I mean, truly, was growing up military. Like you could not have birthed and bred a better touring musician than that being my childhood. Like, I mean, I could pack it up and go anywhere at any time. I could live out of a suitcase. I can live anywhere and be happy. But that really just prepared me to be a touring musician. And at the time I really hated it. You know, I was like, why do I have to leave all my friends? I just got here. I just made these friends and we'd up and move. But now I see that that was God preparing me for what was to come ahead. Other things, you know, as I got older, I feel like I've gone through a lot, a lot of heartbreak for somebody very young. And there are some things, you know, I feel like everyone goes through an older male manipulator phase at some point.

SPEAKER_01 12:06

Yes. Yes.

SPEAKER_00 12:08

So that was like my first, first real, real heartache. And at the time it was always, you know, why did this happen? And now I'm like, oh, I know why that happens. Because now I write songs like someone who's lived a little bit.

SPEAKER_01 12:20

Ah.

SPEAKER_00 12:21

You ain't got nothing to write about, you ain't living right.

SPEAKER_01 12:23

Baby, come on now. We need to put that on a t-shirt. I know we should. No, it's just true. Because that's where I found my greatest gifts came and became stronger. You already know I had my store. Oh, the mystical apothecary. Beads and potions, the mystical apothecary. It is because now it's online. And it's so good. Oh, girl, segue. Love it. Let me show you. I love it. Everybody, for Beads and Potions, the Mystical Apothecary. It's our wonderful little family metaphysical store. Now it's online for everyone. But we have given you this blessing. Now it's funny because it says go smudge yourself. Yes, but it has all of the amazing things, including the anointing oil that we mix. Now, this right here, it's called the Priestess. This anointing oil is heavy protection. Come on now. Three drops in the hand on top of your forehead to bless yourself. Almost certainly. It has been curated specific. This here is why I wanted to bless you with this year. This is a rosary that a lovely artisan who was at my store made this here. It has citrine that brings in your blessings. It has a magnetic clap. So it just clicks together. And it has lava stone that's going to keep you grounded. I'm obsessed. Now this key will open whatever it is you ask for. But just be wise in how we move. You understand? That's a beautiful thing. You're welcome, sugar. Absolutely. Thank you. And just know it's all other kinds of lovely goodies in there. Once you get to the bottom, and there's a fabulous cup in there that I know you can appreciate with your hippie dippy self. Yes, and cute. And my little tea thing. I see. Oh, yeah. Because you know you know it. You know it. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_00 14:17

I miss, I got to restock on herbs from you too at some point.

SPEAKER_01 14:20

Yes. Well, you know the Debianna.

SPEAKER_00 14:22

We you know how that's oh yeah, it's been amazing for my songwriting.

SPEAKER_01 14:26

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 14:27

It's such a creative uh uplifter. It is.

SPEAKER_01 14:30

And the thing about herbs that I realized in using them and using them properly, when you use what comes from the earth, you bless it, you anoint it, you pray over it, you ingest it, you will be surprised how your gifts naturally blossom into something far greater than you had ever anticipated. Yeah. What was the thing that you did not anticipate that all of a sudden came out the blue?

SPEAKER_00 14:59

Oh my gosh. Okay, so this is a wild story for you. Okay. So everyone knows I did the road on the road. Yes, yes, baby. This was so fun. It was um, but it wasn't originally what I'd set out to do. I was originally doing American Idol. And wow, I they called my management and they were like, hey, we really want Cassidy to audition. We'll send her through, just bring her the everything is planned. If you're ever feeling like you're not ahead in the music industry, just know everything is planned. And they've already picked who's gonna be ahead like five years prior. That's my conspiracy that I believe to be. Um, anyways, they asked me to do American Idol. And when I say I got there, and my whole soul was like, get out. They put me in some hotel um in downtown Nashville. I waited for like six hours, and I got up and I sang for Carrie and Lionel and um Luke, Brian, and I sang my little heart out, and uh I just felt like they made me feel literally awful. Loki, I was like, and it wasn't really any of the three, it was just the whole thing. I just did not feel myself, and I was like so afraid. My parents that like we had these producers like trying to get my parents to be all giddy and like whatever. I got my golden ticket to Hollywood, so they were about to send me to Hollywood, and I just was like something in my gut saying no. And I we all know what the summer was. Come on now. Literally that same week. Um, my friend Avon reached out to me and she was like, Hey, Taylor Sheridan's doing this show. I think it's no pun intended, Taylor made for you. Oh you should do it. And I was like, say less, that's all I needed. So I went and did the auditions for the road, and that was the end of that. I told American Idol, I was like, sorry, y'all, y'all. They're fine, they're doing great. But I mean, that was one of those things where I it really came out of left field, but it was so perfect for my journey. Like that show, American Idol is more like you know, glittery floors and big ball gowns, and you're singing Disney songs. That's not me. No, I'm singing to a real audience with a real band and my own songs, which was that was unheard of. There, there's never been a show on TV where you can sing your own songs. Oh, wow. And the road was really straight up tailor-made for me.

SPEAKER_01 17:20

Wow. And see, that's the thing that people don't realize. You know, we come from a culture where we teach, go get it, go get it, go get it. Sometimes you gotta learn to get God.

SPEAKER_00 17:31

Uh, and just let it fall into your lap. The things that have fallen into my lap over the years are the things that's catapulted me more than anything that I forced.

SPEAKER_01 17:39

Exactly. And whether it's a ban, a job, a business, it doesn't matter. Anything that you have to force. I remember I was telling this to my children when they were much younger. Anything that you have to chase is running from you. Think about what that does. Anything you got to chase. If I gotta chase a job, if I gotta chase a man, if I gotta chase money, if I gotta chase, it doesn't want me. Yeah. And I never want what does not want me. Period. Why wouldn't you? Exactly. But we do it all the way to the city.

SPEAKER_00 18:12

But we forget too. Yeah, it's hard to see in the moment. Sometimes you can't tell if something's running from you or if it's just hard to grasp.

SPEAKER_01 18:20

You know, but here's the thing about the grasping. If it is for you, you will get it. It doesn't require all of the extra. Yep. Anything that required me, Charmaine, to put extra sauce. Listen, you're talking left field. One day I had applied to start working for the UN women. All of a sudden, I didn't think people were listening to anything I had to say until I got a letter from Ariana Huffington herself asking me to write. Now, here it is up this little girl from Brooklyn who had to move to Tennessee. You know what I'm saying? That was a culture shock in itself. I'm sure. But for sure, when I got that email, it was something in my soul that said, okay, this is where I'm supposed to be going.

SPEAKER_00 19:09

Gosh, I love that lore about you, by the way. That's like my favorite thing. It's so badass.

SPEAKER_01 19:14

So I casually work for the UN. Well, I'm gonna tell you why. Because when I was working for UN women, I was teaching women in Africa to own their own businesses, right? But when I was writing for the Huffington Post, I was putting a voice behind what I was fighting for.

SPEAKER_00 19:32

And spreading the word too. People can't fight for what they can't see and what they can't understand or know about.

SPEAKER_01 19:37

Exactly. And I think it's more so just like with your music. How can you create an audience who you cannot relate to? Yeah. When your music brings you to your knees, that song with Mahalia, how did I make it over? Baby, when you turn around and you really go through some real things, what was the things that allowed you to see that I made it over?

SPEAKER_00 20:02

Girl, I think when things get easier for me, that's how I know I'm better. Like just in terms of growth, too. Like, there used to be times when I first started my career where I'm a naturally competitive person. And you know, in music, they say we're not competing, but we are. It just is the way it is. Everyone, there's only so many slots for so many things that you can get. I used to be in a really, really bad mindset of being too competitive and being competitive with other people. But what I've learned over the years is the competition isn't within other people, it's within me. I'm trying to beat the best that I can do. Oh, yes. You know, and I really learning that has showed me that I've grown. Oh, yes. Because back about two years ago, I'd be like, oh, I'm gonna do better than this person. I'm gonna try and do my best and be the best in the room. No, I'm trying to be the best me that I can be, whether it's musically or spiritually, or just in terms of being a villager, also like learning that you know, your village of who you surround yourself with, watching that get better over the years, oh yeah, is such a rewarding thing. Oh, yeah. Because you're like, okay, my not only am I upgrading, but my friends are upgrading with me. And it's such an awesome feeling.

SPEAKER_01 21:14

Oh, let me tell you, when you talked about being the best version of yourself, the person I got in it, never met this person a day in my life, but I heard him speak nippy nipse hustle. Yes, he said the the most clear to the point best advice I think I've ever heard. He says, stay in your lane. Yeah, there's no traffic in your lane. That's true. None. Unless you're on I-40 West Nashville, or better yet, 65.

SPEAKER_00 21:40

Oh god, okay. But stay in your lane so real, and there's enough lanes for everybody too. Everybody's got their own. Except we're on a 16,000 lane highway, you know.

SPEAKER_01 21:50

And this is true. This is very true. What are some of the things that you are looking forward to?

SPEAKER_00 21:58

I, in terms of career. I've got some amazing stuff on the horizons, which is fun. But what I'm looking forward to, like within my soul and my spirit, is just not being, I don't know if triggered's the right word, but just really coming over the hill on things that I've worked really hard on within myself. And that's starting to happen a lot this year, you know, in music. As a female in country music, you're gonna have body issues because that's just the way it is. You'll have some old white dude in a suit telling you lose 20 pounds when you're like 19. You'll just have that, you know. Right. Or some old has been that's saying cut your hair, change a name, this, that, and the third. Nickelback wasn't lying when they said that. But um that that was a lot of issues, you know, that brings about, especially as a female, a young female. And what I'm looking forward to is not having that anymore. Oh, there people really heal themselves from things like that. And I'm really deep diving and doing the shadow work and everything to help it. But girl, it has been a journey, and I'm looking forward to the light at the end of the tunnel because once I get there, I know it's gonna be the best feeling in the world.

SPEAKER_01 23:01

Oh, yeah, absolutely. Now I'm gonna say some words to you that's gonna bring it to you what I'm talking about. Okay. Amen and hell yeah. I'm gonna need you to tell me about Amen and hell yeah.

SPEAKER_00 23:13

Amen and hell yeah. Well, it started as just a thing that I don't know, we would say a prayer at dinner. You know, my family would say a prayer at dinner, and my dad would always go, Amen, and pass the biscuits. You know, it's just whatever. And there come a time where I was out and about and I somebody said something, and I said, Well, amen and hell yeah. And I I just remembered that title. I was like, wait, I need to write that. And there was times a lot where I was like, man, I don't know if people are gonna resonate with that, you know, to the naked ear of someone in the South, amen and hell yeah, it sounds borderline sacrilegious. Exactly. So it was one of those things that I really, really had to be careful with writing. So um, I got with my good friends Nick Autry and Elizabeth Elkins, and I wanted to write the story of my struggle with my spirituality. Everyone has a struggle, especially in spirituality. And Amen in Hill, yeah, was you know, me dabbling within Christianity and then also just in the natural side of things and the spiritual side of things that aren't Christianity, but that scares a lot of people away. Thank God I've had people like you in my life that show me the light and the light side of that and what's beautiful about it. But there is darkness too in every corner, and that's just the give and take of spirituality.

SPEAKER_02 24:30

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 24:30

There's a line in the song where I say, I keep a crystal on my doorframe right next to my old wooden cross. Oh, wow. And that's truly how I feel like my life has turned out. You know, I I've got God watching over me always. Come on now, and I got everything else watching over me too because it's just been something that's felt right to me. I I ain't worried about what nobody else thinks about how I deal with things in my life or my spirituality. I know what works for me, and to that I say amen and hell yeah.

SPEAKER_01 25:00

That's you know, that's perfect because I think that's the thing that we're all learning and seeing now. Yeah. So when we talked about the light and the dark, okay, I came out the Pentecostal church, okay?

SPEAKER_00 25:11

I know you know, girl.

SPEAKER_01 25:12

Listen, Washington Church of God and Christ, okay. That's the biggest church at that time in Brooklyn, New York. That being said, in that church, I learned the anointing oils. I learned certain spiritual practices that I have kept with me. Yeah. I've also learned from my father's side of the family those spiritual practices that only can come from West Africa. That being said, the duality of everything is what brought the whole of everything.

SPEAKER_00 25:42

Duality is so right too. Like for me, if I'm gonna struggle, you know, I'd rather have everything on my side than nothing on it. Come on now, you know, and I I guess really honoring my ancestors with I'm a Baptist. I'm a we don't drink, it could leave a dancing. But um, I I do love the ritual aspect of what we do. Oh, yeah. You know, I love baptism being washed in muddy water and coming out clean.

SPEAKER_01 26:08

Oh yeah.

SPEAKER_00 26:09

And I think that God is a loving God and someone that always welcomes me back and puts things into ways that I can understand too. Oh, yeah. And if he helps me understand the ways of life through a selenite on over my door, that's right. All that comes from him, anyways. Exactly. Everything comes from him anyways, everything.

SPEAKER_01 26:27

And you know what's so funny? You talked about the rituals. So I do not go to church, period. My church is the forest. On Sundays, baby, don't bother me. I'm not talking to nobody. I'm going to this, I'm not telling my favorite place because I don't want y'all people. Okay, keep it good. Okay, girl, I'm not telling nobody. But I go to my special little place and I sit with myself and I do my prayers and I listen to my gospel music. Yep. And I let God soak it up. What are some of the rituals you do that you stay connected to the infinite one?

SPEAKER_00 27:00

I love that. Well, girl, you know I'm a water sign. Oh, yes. Any water I'm in. Like this past week I was on an island, so I got I brought all my crystals. I charged them all in the ocean because that's what draws to me. Yes. Um, I love being in the ocean. I love being in the creek. There's a creek nearby my house I'm up in all the time. I know the park rangers is like, who is this woman? Um, and also, too, if I don't have access to water, just being barefooted is the most grounding thing ever. I'm always barefoot on stage. Wonderful. That's my well, unless I'm in downtown Nashville, I'm shooting. You can't do that.

SPEAKER_01 27:33

You got to.

SPEAKER_00 27:33

I wear shoes on that. But I'm barefoot on stage because music is where I'm the most connected to myself. And I love feeling that come up through the bottom of my feet and out my mouth when I'm singing. And that's such a spiritual thing in general. Just you can feel the energy of the audience, you can feel the band behind you. And it's the closest thing to heaven on earth, I think. Oh in my brain, probably until something more precious comes along to that. But right now, that's what's precious to me, and it's it grounds me every single time.

SPEAKER_01 28:02

Wow.

SPEAKER_00 28:03

It'll humble you, but it'll ground you too. You know, that's how you know it's real.

SPEAKER_01 28:06

Yeah. Because anything that makes you feel good all the time, baby, I think that's called crack. Okay. No, because you should not feel good all the time. Some things that really are truly good for you, sometimes it can come and bring you the sadness you need to change. And sometimes it can bring you the encouragement you need to get over the sadness you experience.

SPEAKER_00 28:30

Exactly. Well, I mean, and we were talking about earlier, you know, you can't have love and light without hellfire and brimstone.

SPEAKER_01 28:35

It's true.

SPEAKER_00 28:36

That's just it, it was never life, is never gonna be a bed of roses. No, you're always gonna have thorns. Oh, come, you know, in your sides. And you have to, yeah. I mean, just up in there.

SPEAKER_01 28:47

Listen, it's so true. So here's what we have as a final question. Yes. What was that thing, that experience that you had, that you can now talk to others and say to them, had I not experienced this, this is what I've gone through, and I want you to know it because it's going to give you the encouragement that you need.

SPEAKER_00 29:17

I love that question so much. Um, I'd say, if I can do it, you can do it. I'm a little old girl from I was born in Marion, North Carolina. I'm a military brat. I mean, I had a great family and I had great schooling and everything. I had all the privilege and opportunity in the world bestowed upon me. But at the end of the day, when it comes to what I do in my career, none of that matters. But if I can do it, you can do it. Like this is I'm as regular schmeggler as it gets, you know? And to be given all these opportunities, I couldn't have done none of it without just God really anointing my journey.

SPEAKER_01 29:52

Anointing.

SPEAKER_00 29:53

Come on, I'm not. And there's no other way to explain it. Like, there are some things that have happened in my career that just don't happen. Like, listen, it's insane, but truly, if it's meant for you, it will happen for you. And everything that's been put into my path has just fallen into my lap and just been a snowball effect, gotten bigger and bigger, collected more and more people and uh experiences. And if I hadn't gone through some of the hard stuff, I wouldn't have been able to handle the easy life that they talk about.

SPEAKER_01 30:24

Oh, wow.

SPEAKER_00 30:24

Because now, you know, I know where I came from. So when I'm in these big rooms and these fancy islands and these fancy private planes and stuff, I I know that that's not sustainable forever. Because there could something could happen any given day where I'm right back to living in a little tiny house in Tennessee, like I do, you know. Right. But I think that has just really settled in my soul, just being grateful for what I have. And if I can do it, you can do it.

SPEAKER_01 30:54

You know, thank you for blessing the soul tribe. Auntie's gonna give you some advice. Yes, I want you to always remember that it was some ancestors that saw your future before you came. I want you to understand that no matter the roots, stay connected to the roots. Yes, and for sure. Continue to remember what made you special from the beginning. The music industry did not make you, nor can it break you. There is something far greater than that that is orchestrating your life.

SPEAKER_00 31:34

I love that. Yes, you know, my papa prayed over my mama's belly when she was pregnant with me and said, Lord, give me a singer. My goodness. And he, I can feel him every time. His favorite song that I ever sang was me and Bobby McGee. And I can feel him every time I sing that song.

SPEAKER_01 31:49

Wow, wow.

SPEAKER_00 31:50

But that's like that's exactly what you're saying. Like, nothing can make or break me if that's in my path.

SPEAKER_01 31:55

Oh, yes. Oh, yes, that's your roots.

SPEAKER_00 31:57

I love that. I love you for that invitation.

SPEAKER_01 31:59

Thank you for coming, Sugar. I'm so glad you joined the Soul Tribe. And everybody, thank you for joining us here at Soul Tribe Podcast. It's Auntie. Join us at SoulTribe.media where we got so much going on. And then remember, we are only growing, and that is because of you and you are here with me. Peace and love, y'all. Hey, Soul Tribe. Welcome to Soul Tribe Media, where ancestral wisdom meets modern storytelling, and every piece of content was created with you in mind. Join us monthly for a day in a life with Auntie, where she opens up the doors and brings you along for the highs and the lows and real moments of her spiritual journey. Every week, the OK Universe I Hear You blog meets you right where you are. Real talk, honest, real, and rooted. Read it and reflect on it. Subscribe to the Soul Tribe Podcast, dropping every week. Real conversations about spirituality, healing, purpose, and unfiltered work of becoming your highest self. Sign up for BMP Chronicles, our monthly newsletter that goes deeper than the feed ever could. This is where the real wisdom lives. Don't miss it. Pull up every week on TikTok for tea time with Auntie. Grab your cup, get comfortable, and get ready. Because we are getting into it. Every Sunday, Meet Auntie on YouTube for Soul Tribe Sunday, fresh off the trail, straight from the heart. No script, no filter, just the word your soul needs for the week. Tune in, you don't want to miss it. Soul Tribe Media exists because your spiritual growth deserves more than a post. It deserves a community, a consistent voice, and a content that actually shows up for you every single week. Everything you need to grow, heal, and show up fully is already waiting for you, beloved. You found your people. Now come home. SoulTribe.media.