If You Can Hear Me

Love Me Anyway — Writing the Song I Was Afraid to Play My Mom, with Alana Springsteen

Alana Springsteen grew up in a house where prayer was the answer to everything—including an eating disorder no one talked about out loud. In this conversation, the country artist opens up about her new album *I Hope This Helps* and the years of quiet work behind it: the breakup that broke her trust in herself, the chameleon habits she picked up as a kid, and the phone call from her 85-year-old pastor grandfather questioning why she'd see a psychiatrist instead of just praying about it. We talk about: - Moving to Nashville at 14 with no plan B - Writing "Love Me Anyway" as a letter to herself, her family, and God - The moment her mom asked, "Is that your story or mine?" - Why questions deepened her faith instead of dismantling it - What it looks like to ask for help in a community that calls it a lack of faith - Living in the messy middle of a healing journey with no finish line For anyone who's ever felt like the kid looking through the window at a party they weren't invited to—this one's for you. Listen to *I Hope This Helps* wherever you stream music. TIMESTAMPS 00:08 Meet Alana: from Pungo to Nashville 02:39 Has success changed her definition of why 04:36 Finding her "why" beyond fame 07:25 The relationship that shattered her trust 08:41 Writing "Love Me Anyway" as a confession 11:55 Growing up as the family caretaker 15:44 Playing "Note to Self" for her mom 20:29 Faith built on fear vs. transformed faith 26:14 The eating disorder no one talked about 28:42 Her grandfather's reaction to therapy 33:18 Why the album is titled "I Hope This Helps" 37:26 The loneliness of choosing a different path See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Young Washington: The Origin Story of the Original American, with Diederik Hoogstraten

What happens when a kid from the Netherlands grows up to write the origin story of America's first president? In this episode, screenwriter Diederik Hoogstraten joins Ben to talk about Young Washington — the Wonder Project film releasing July 3rd to mark America's 250th — and why an immigrant might be uniquely positioned to remind us what this country actually is. We get into: - Growing up progressive in 1980s Holland and how Family Ties (yes, really) planted the seeds - Becoming a U.S. citizen in 2019 and what most Americans miss about their own country - The Wonder Project, House of David, and building a studio for the audience Hollywood forgot - Writing George Washington from age 11 to 22 — the failures, the loss, the overbearing mother - Why failure shaped Washington's character (and what that means for the rest of us) - A Native American chief, a battlefield, and the moment Washington's purpose became clear A conversation about country, craft, and the kind of leader formed in the quiet years. Young Washington hits theaters July 3rd. CHAPTERS: 00:48 Welcome & guest intro 02:18 Why an immigrant celebrates America 250 03:51 Family Ties and discovering America 06:28 World Cup as a unifying moment 12:48 What the Wonder Project is 17:15 Faith-based or family-friendly? 22:19 The loneliness of screenwriting 27:10 Why focus on young Washington 30:34 Balancing history with creative license 36:36 How failure shapes leaders 43:05 What viewers should take away 48:09 How the project changed him See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Say Yes Before You're Ready, Listen Before You Speak, with Dana Perino

In this conversation, the former White House Press Secretary, Fox News anchor, and bestselling author Dana Perino joins Ben Higgins to talk about the unglamorous middle of an ambitious life: the quarter-life crisis, the yeses that change everything, and why worry might be the most wasted emotion we have. We cover: - The moment President Bush asked her "What's wrong?" — and changed her career - How she said yes to becoming Press Secretary in a single second - Why mentorship works better as conversation than contract - The "epidemic of interruption" and what listening actually requires - Her new novel Purple State, and why she wrote a political book without politics - Faith, humility, and praying silently for strangers on the subway Dana's perspective is grounded, specific, and refreshingly free of partisan noise. If you're in a season of figuring out what's next — or wondering if you're behind — this one's worth your time. Dana's new book "Purple State" is available wherever books are sold! Subscribe for more conversations like this one. CHAPTERS 00:32 Welcome to If You Can Hear Me 01:11 Why mentorship matters now 05:35 Bush's "what's the worst that could happen" 08:11 The yes that made her press secretary 14:41 Staying excited in a new chapter 19:51 Meeting Peter on a plane 23:16 Humility vs. imposter syndrome 30:06 Inside Purple State's characters 34:39 The epidemic of interruption 40:24 Don't worry your 20s away 44:06 Silent prayers on the subway 49:53 Who Purple State is really for See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Courage to Commit: Building Lasting Love, Family, and Purpose with Andrew & Shawn Johnson East

Power couple Andrew and Shawn Johnson East join Ben Higgins for a candid dive into marriage, creating together, and balancing business, parenthood, and faith. The duo reveal how “The Courage to Commit”—their co-authored book—was born from years of navigating life on and offline. They open up about the realities of sharing vulnerably with millions, boundary-setting, routines, how commitment brings freedom, and when it’s time to prune commitments or even walk away. This episode is full of insights for couples, creators, and anyone wrestling with intentional living. “The Courage to Commit” releases June 9th. TIMESTAMPS 00:01 Meeting the Power Couple 00:37 Doing Life and Work Together 01:13 Becoming YouTube Creators 03:13 Risks and Early Content Strategy 05:02 Navigating Content and Authenticity 09:27 Vulnerability and Boundaries Online 12:18 How They Structure Work and Home 15:00 Routines, Rhythms, and Priorities 17:47 Why Write “The Courage to Commit” 20:05 The Countercultural Value of Commitment 22:05 Getting to Know Your Spouse 24:19 Systems for Deeper Marriage Connection 27:28 Commitment as a Path to Freedom 29:07 Commitment, Faith, and Sacred Moments 36:25 Knowing When to Prune or Quit 42:58 Making Decisions as a Couple 46:19 Why Read “The Courage to Commit” See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

From Rock Bottom to Purpose: How Sobriety Transformed My Faith and Life With Charles Kelley

Go behind the scenes with Ben Higgins as he sits down with Lady A’s Charles Kelley for a candid conversation about faith, sobriety, and the power of second chances. Charles Kelley opens up about his journey through addiction, his evolving relationship with spirituality, and how his bandmates, family, and music have shaped his path toward wholeness. Hear the stories and insights that inspired his solo project, “Songs for a New Moon,” as well as what’s next for Lady A. It’s a raw, reflective, and unfiltered look at transformation, the importance of curiosity, and finding redemption in unexpected places. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Faith, Religion, and Curiosity 02:09 Sobriety and Spiritual Discovery 04:38 Reading Richard Rohr & Faith Journeys 06:09 Family, Bandmates, and Faith Development 08:06 Pressure and Support From Bandmates 10:16 Purpose, Legacy, and Living for More 14:40 God Beyond the Box 16:07 Struggling With Religious Exclusivity 18:35 The Catalyst for Change: Sobriety 22:12 Growth, Family, and God Moments 25:57 Life and Joy After Sobriety 27:22 Social Life Without Drinking 30:13 New Priorities, Legacy, and Respect 32:13 Marriage, Support, and Forgiveness 37:03 "Songs for a New Moon" Inspiration 41:42 Vulnerability, Shame, and Recovery 45:20 Lady A’s Next Chapter and New Music See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.