Joe Bryson on Faith, Beating Cancer, and Country Music | GodDog Ep.26

Joe Bryson on Faith, Beating Cancer, and Country Music | GodDog Ep.26

Country artist Joe Bryson joins the GodDog Podcast to talk about surviving cancer at 18, nearly losing his voice, finding purpose through faith, and how Christianity changed the direction of his life and music. From Louisiana culture and songwriting to Catholicism, suffering, identity, and the pressure of the modern music industry, this conversation goes far deeper than country music. Joe opens up about: * Being diagnosed with thyroid cancer * The fear of never singing again * Returning to God during hardship * Why being Christian is actually hard * Faith in country music * Catholicism and denominational conversations * Authentic songwriting and purpose * Building a career without losing yourself If you’ve ever struggled with faith, purpose, suffering, or identity, this episode is for you.

“Bones and Blood”: Matt Gorman on Hearing God & Finding His Purpose | GodDog Ep.25

Matt Gorman joins the GodDog Podcast to share the story of how three shoulder surgeries, a closed scholarship door, and one unexpected opportunity at Lipscomb brought him to Nashville.From baseball being his identity to discovering who he really is as an artist and follower of Christ, Matt opens up about the lonely writing seasons, chasing the wrong version of success, and the moment in church when God clearly spoke two words: “bones and blood.”This episode is about obedience, identity, generosity, and learning to seek God in everyday moments.Chapters0:00 – GodDog Intro0:47 – Prayer & Welcoming Matt Gorman4:20 – South Philly Roots & Baseball Identity8:58 – Two Shoulder Surgeries & Losing Division I Offers11:05 – The Third Surgery Decision15:43 – The Lipscomb Scholarship “Only Spot Left” Moment20:53 – Nashville Opens Up24:53 – COVID Cancels Baseball26:00 – Trying to Be an Artist (But Not Being One)30:03 – Writing 400 Songs to Find His Sound31:50 – Ernest’s Advice That Changed Everything39:57 – Not Writing for Nashville Anymore41:19 – If You’re Enough for God, You’re Enough46:10 – We Are God’s Workmanship (Ephesians 2)58:50 – “Bones and Blood” — Hearing God in Church1:01:28 – The Tumor Revelation1:08:56 – Paying for a Stranger’s Groceries1:12:39 – Generosity & Purpose1:25:33 – Final Thoughts & Encouragement1:27:01 – What He’d Tell His Younger Self

Jesus Is Enough I Luke Collins I GodDog Podcast Ep.24

Luke Collins joins the GodDog Podcast to talk about walking away from the music industry, early marriage, and what it really means to say “Jesus is enough.”Luke shares:- Following Jesus in high school… then falling back into partying- Life on the road and working in Nashville publishing- The airport moment that led to sobriety- Leaving the industry and starting over- Why Jesus is the cornerstone — and a stumbling block- Marriage as the most sanctifying season of his life- Hunting becoming an idol- Learning to take God at His wordIf you’ve ever known who Jesus is — but struggled to live like it — this conversation is for you.Chapters0:00 – GodDog Intro1:19 – Welcoming Luke Collins5:46 – Growing Up in Franklin & Leaving College7:48 – Following Jesus… Then Falling Back Into Partying9:17 – Living a Double Life on the Road10:58 – The Airport Moment That Changed Everything11:49 – Two Years Sober13:37 – Why the Road Lifestyle Wasn’t Sustainable16:42 – “Cornerstone” Tattoo & What It Means20:58 – Jesus as the Stumbling Block26:39 – The Gift Is Jesus28:23 – “I Lack Nothing” (Psalm 23)33:13 – Job vs. Solomon: Why Nothing Else Satisfies39:20 – Marriage as Sanctification43:38 – Grace in Marriage49:58 – “Us vs. The Issue”51:20 – When Hunting Becomes an Idol1:06:50 – Working at Gunner1:15:25 – Advice to His Younger Self1:16:06 – “Jesus Is Worth It”

“I Was Ready to Die”: Steven Nix on Faith, Fear, and a Heart Transplant I GodDog Ep.23

Steven Nix joins the GodDog Podcast to share the full story of his heart transplant, the faith that carried him through it, and what it’s like to face death head-on.Steven opens up about:Growing up in Mississippi and chasing music in NashvilleWalking away from the industry and finding peace outside of itBeing diagnosed with heart failure and deteriorating fastWriting goodbye letters, buying grave plots, and preparing to dieGiving his life to Jesus in the hospital before receiving a new heartWhat surrender actually looks like when life is on the lineThis is a conversation about mortality, obedience, fear, and the peace that shows up when control is gone.Chapters0:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjenErgoFk] – 1:19 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjenErgoFk&t=79s] | GodDog Intro1:19 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjenErgoFk&t=79s] – Meeting Steven Nix & Setting the Stage3:29 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjenErgoFk&t=209s] – Growing Up in Mississippi & Moving to Tennessee6:37 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjenErgoFk&t=397s] – First Publishing Deal & Early Nashville Success9:02 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjenErgoFk&t=542s] – Why Songwriting Degrees Don’t Work12:36 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjenErgoFk&t=756s] – Leaving Music & Selling Jets14:24 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjenErgoFk&t=864s] – Hating the Life He Built in Nashville17:12 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjenErgoFk&t=1032s] – Writing “Dying Man” & Stepping Away from the Dream27:37 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjenErgoFk&t=1657s] – “I Was Actually Dying”: Heart Failure Diagnosis30:49 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjenErgoFk&t=1849s] – When Doctors Ran Out of Options34:21 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjenErgoFk&t=2061s] – Preparing for Death (Letters, Grave Plots, Family)39:19 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjenErgoFk&t=2359s] – Starting the Conversation With God42:39 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjenErgoFk&t=2559s] – Turning the Story Toward Jesus45:03 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjenErgoFk&t=2703s] – Getting the Call: “We Have a Heart”46:42 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjenErgoFk&t=2802s] – The Transplant Surgery (3.5 Hours)47:16 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjenErgoFk&t=2836s] – Near-Death Complications After Surgery51:04 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjenErgoFk&t=3064s] – Meeting Jesus in the Hospital52:36 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjenErgoFk&t=3156s] – Being Baptized Before the Transplant53:50 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjenErgoFk&t=3230s] – Three Birthdays, One New Life55:44 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjenErgoFk&t=3344s] – Praying for God’s Will, Not Survival58:50 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjenErgoFk&t=3530s] – Trusting God More Than Himself

Adam Sanders on Faith, Hit Songs, Losing It All, and Winning The Road | GodDog Ep.22

Adam Sanders joins the GodDog Podcast for a deep, unfiltered conversation about faith, calling, and the long road through Nashville.Adam breaks down:Writing No. 1 songs for Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell, and Dustin LynchNearly signing a major label deal (and losing it to Kane Brown)Walking away from control, surrendering his career to God, and what changed afterBuilding a life around faith, family, and the outdoorsHow that surrender led to The Road and ultimately winning The RoadThis episode is about obedience over outcomes, identity over success, and why letting go was the turning point.Chapters0:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgQelZ2VoMg] – Intro: Surrendering the Career to GodAdam shares the moment he finally let go of control.2:37 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgQelZ2VoMg&t=157s] – Prayer & Setting the Tone4:31 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgQelZ2VoMg&t=271s] – Meeting Adam SandersHit songwriter, artist, and The Road winner.7:39 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgQelZ2VoMg&t=459s] – Growing Up in North Florida & Finding Music Early9:51 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgQelZ2VoMg&t=591s] – Moving to Nashville, Construction Jobs & First Publishing Deal10:34 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgQelZ2VoMg&t=634s] – First Big Break: Luke Bryan’s Crash My Party12:05 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgQelZ2VoMg&t=725s] – Hearing His First Song Recorded (Ocean Way Moment)17:23 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgQelZ2VoMg&t=1043s] – The Outdoors as Therapy (Hunting, Stillness, God)23:25 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgQelZ2VoMg&t=1405s] – Learning to Slow Down Mentally & Spiritually30:43 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgQelZ2VoMg&t=1843s] – Lightning-in-a-Bottle Songwriting Years32:02 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgQelZ2VoMg&t=1922s] – Two No.1 Singles on the Same Day32:32 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgQelZ2VoMg&t=1952s] – “Real Men Love Jesus” & Industry Pushback37:14 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgQelZ2VoMg&t=2234s] – Streaming, Radio, and the Broken Music Economy47:03 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgQelZ2VoMg&t=2823s] – Almost Signing a Major Label Deal48:05 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgQelZ2VoMg&t=2885s] – Losing the Deal to Kane Brown49:44 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgQelZ2VoMg&t=2984s] – Realizing the Problem: No Brand, No Identity50:16 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgQelZ2VoMg&t=3016s] – Burning It All Down & Going Independent52:17 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgQelZ2VoMg&t=3137s] – The Prayer That Changed Everything53:10 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgQelZ2VoMg&t=3190s] – The Road, Obedience, and Letting God Lead55:12 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgQelZ2VoMg&t=3312s] – Why It Was Never About Fame