Lanie Gardner is back for this bonus episode of Get Real where she answers some pretty deep questions! They include: What's one of the best compliments you've ever received? What's something you're learning to like and just be okay with? Who in your life has had a bigger influence on your than they probably know? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Lanie Gardner doesn’t just write songs—she writes pages of her life and turns them into music. After her viral cover of “Dreams” (63M+ and counting), she’s gone from small-town Carolina to the Grand Ole Opry stage, proving that authenticity still wins in a world full of noise. Her upcoming album Faded Polaroids (Sept 5th) is more than just a follow-up to her debut EP—it’s a songwriter’s diary you’re invited to read. It’s messy, it’s vulnerable, it’s real life caught on tape. Along the way, she’s collaborated with Thomas Rhett (What Could Go Right), Warren Zeiders (Loving in Letting Go), and even had Mick Fleetwood play drums on High Divin’. She’s made her Stagecoach debut, joined tours with Corey Kent and Gavin Adcock, and her songs have landed in Twisters and Queen of the Ring. At just 25, she’s already living out prayers she used to whisper—singing Cry (a song she wrote at 16) on tour with Jelly Roll, making her Opry debut, and becoming one of country music’s most talked-about new voices.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rory and Rory join Caroline for this bonus episode of Get Real! They answer some deep questions, including: What is something you think you'll get better and better at for the rest of your life? What's something that you dislike that most people like? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ryan & Rory are one of country’s most exciting new duos. Ryan Follesé first broke out as the lead singer of Hot Chelle Rae with the global hit “Tonight, Tonight.” Though he found success in pop, the son of two legendary Nashville songwriters always felt pulled back to country. He found his perfect match in Rory, a powerhouse vocalist and multi-instrumentalist who cut his teeth at the Myrtle Beach Opry playing 300 shows a year. Broken Bow signed them on the spot, and the duo released their self-titled EP last summer. They’ve since dropped more singles like Them Boots, Truck Stop, and Together Again with Jamey Johnson—who rarely collaborates, but declared, “If I were a gambler, I’d bet it all on these two.” With millions of streams, a Grand Ole Opry debut, and undeniable chemistry, Ryan & Rory are just getting started. Their new song “Girls are Pretty” drops Friday!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Roman Alexander is back for this bonus episode of Get Real and he's answering some deep questions! Some of the questions include: What's your favorite gift you've ever received? What's a little thing that other people do that always means a lot to you? If you could make a wish come true for someone else, what would it be?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From singing Johnny Cash covers in bars at just eight years old to racking up over 86 million streams, Roman Alexander has built his career on grit, faith, and heart. A grandson of Mexican immigrants and a true Midwesterner, Roman chased his dream to Nashville—enduring long days and dead-end jobs until his breakout duet “Between You & Me” made him one of Spotify’s longest-running independent country artists. With his new EP Midwest Calling, Roman shares the stories of where he’s from, what he’s carried, and why he’ll never stop believing in the music that brought him here. For him, success isn’t about charts—it’s about connection, faith, and the small circle of people who make it all matter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Michelle “Mace” Curran has stared fear in the face—at 1,500 miles an hour. A former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot with nearly 2,000 hours in the F-16, she’s flown combat missions in Afghanistan, mastered the skies around the world, and made history as only the second woman to lead the Thunderbirds’ elite solo act—famous for her jaw-dropping upside-down maneuvers performed for millions. Now, in The Flipside: How to Invert Your Perspective and Turn Fear into Your Superpower, Mace reveals the hard-won tactics she used to turn fear into her greatest asset. Our candid, chapter-by-chapter conversation was more than inspiring—it’s a masterclass in taking control of your mindset and creating the life you’ve always wanted.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Enjoy this best of episode of Get Real from 2019 with Shawn Johnson! Shawn Johnson started pursing her dream of gymnastics at 12 years old. At the age of 16, she took home the gold medal at the Olympics. She explains how mental training and visualization was just as important as physical training for her big win. We talk about how she was lost after winning the highest award in her sport plus how it felt to win Dancing with the Stars and why she decided to walk away from the Olympics for a second time just a week before tryouts. We also talk about our pregnancy’s, fears of motherhood and heartbreak of miscarriage. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When Mandy Gonzalez steps on stage, you feel it—power, passion, presence. She rose to fame as Nina in In the Heights, shattered ceilings as Angelica in Hamilton, and defied gravity as Elphaba in Wicked. Now, she’s back on Broadway, transforming into the legendary Norma Desmond in Sunset Blvd., rewriting the rules of a classic role. Her voice is unmatched. Her story? Even more powerful. A working mom, recording artist (Fearless), and screen actress (Quantico, Across the Universe), Mandy has built a career on strength, soul, and staying true to herself—even while battling breast cancer. Five years cancer-free, Mandy Gonzalez is not just surviving—she’s blazing. And Broadway is better for it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Greylan James is back for this bonus episode of Get Real to answer some pretty deep questions! Some of them include: What conversation or encounter with a stranger will you never forget? What food or song always brings back good memories? What's the biggest feeling you have right now?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Greylan James rolled into Nashville broke, living in a rundown East Nashville house surviving on tomato soup and a dream. Before the hits, he was writing nonstop, and once house-sat for a hit songwriter — then threw a 200-person party without asking. The songwriter’s response? “Hope you have a great time — just let everyone know it’s my house.” Legend. Greylan went on to co-write “Happy Does,” Kenny Chesney’s #1 hit, then penned the Song of the Year, “Next Thing You Know,” for Jordan Davis. Now he’s stepping into the spotlight with “Water at a Wedding,” a nail bitter that has fans on the edge of their seat asking: Is he the baby daddy? No answers yet — but we’re all desperately waiting to know the truth. From broke to blazing, Greylan’s just getting started.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, Caroline throws it back to her first podcast ever...Almost 10 years ago! And her first guest was Darius Rucker! Front man of Hootie & the Blowfish, and Country Superstar, Darius explains his musical journey. He conquered both Pop/Rock and Country radio, selling over 30 million albums. Darius couldn’t be more down-to-earth and hilarious as we talk, career, love, marriage, life, The Grand ole Opry, and everything in between.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dusty Slay joins Caroline for this bonus episode of Get Real! Dusty answers questions like: What's a side of you that you only show to people that you're close with? What's a habit or routine you'd like to get into? They also talk about sunscreen, route canals, dogs and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dusty Slay took the side door into stand-up — skipping LA, skipping NYC, and building a career straight out of Nashville. Now a headliner with his face on the wall at Zanies and over 40 Grand Ole Opry shows under his belt, Dusty’s the definition of doing it your own way. Dusty breaks down the real steps of the comedy grind — from open mic purgatory to Netflix glory with his 2024 hour special Workin’ Man and his upcoming Netflix July special Wet Heat. He also gives the deets of what it’s like to be a part of the Nateland Podcast w Nate Bargatze. He shares what it takes to bomb, to rise, and to know when a bit’s ready. Dusty Slay is havin’ a good time, and you’re coming with.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this bonus episode of Get Real, Rebecca Lynn Howard joins Caroline to answer some deep questions. Some of the questions include: How would you describe what you believe your life's purpose is? When was a recent moment in which you felt deeply happy? What are you pretty sure you could never get tired of? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rebecca Lynn Howard stormed into country music with “Forgive,” a powerhouse ballad that turned heads and proved her voice was the real deal. Not long after, Trisha Yearwood heard her play a song and asked to cut it on the spot—years later, they’d co-write Trisha’s latest single, “Girls Night In.” Rebecca went on to form The Loving Mary Band, which became Steven Tyler’s personal band—showing she could crush it in any genre, on any stage. But behind the music was a deeper journey: grieving her father, reclaiming her health, and coming back stronger than ever. Her new album, “I’m Not Who You Think I Am,” is raw, real, and full of hard-won truth. This is Rebecca—bold, honest, and completely unforgettable.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Brandon and Tripp of Lanco are back to answer some pretty tough questions! Some of them include: If you could be famous for something, what would you want it to be? What's something you worked really hard at recently? What's something you think people assume about you when they first meet you? Who in your life has had a bigger impact on you than they probably know? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After bursting onto the scene in 2017 with their breakout debut album Hallelujah Nights, and 5X Platinum hit Greatest Love Story, Lanco rocketed to country music stardom. Fueled by chart-topping hits and infectious energy, they found themselves living at the top of the game—touring nationwide, appearing on late-night shows, and rubbing shoulders with celebrity friends. It was a whirlwind of success, and for a while, it seemed like nothing could slow them down. But life has a way of shifting the spotlight. In the years since their debut, the band faced the quiet that follows the noise. The fame faded into reflection, and instead of chasing the next big thing, they regrouped. The members of Lanco—now all fathers—took a step back and started asking deeper questions: What does success really mean? What kind of legacy do we want to leave? Their long-awaited second album, We’re Gonna Make It, is the raw and redemptive product of that soul-searching journey. It’s a record rich with perspective—an honest reflection on family, faith, failure, and the fight to stay grounded in a world that constantly pulls you off your feet. We’re Gonna Make It is the sound of a band that’s grown up, gotten real, and finally found what matters most.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Iam Tongi joined Caroline for this bonus episode of Get Real to answer some deep questions! Some of them include: If you don't worry about consequences or what other people thought, what's something you would love to do? When was a recent moment when you felt deeply happy? What's a message you wish you could deliver to someone? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Iam Tongi is the Hawaiian kid who broke everyone on American Idol Season 23. He showed up heartbroken—his dad had just passed 3 months before. Music was always their thing. He almost quit completely. But his mom secretly signed him up for Idol anyway. Then he sang “Monsters”… and the world felt it. That was the moment. He won Season 23, but losing his dad forced him to find his own voice, live, on television. When his guitar broke during Hollywood Week, he knew—this was his dad telling him he could do it on his own. Now? He just dropped “Unbreak My Heart,” plus “Sunshine” that he wrote for his mom, performed at the Opry, CMA Fest, even has a track in Lilo & Stitch, plus an album in the works… All while losing 110 pounds, still grieving, still growing—and singing from a place only he can. Iam Tongi is a true inspiration, lifting hearts around the world with his voice and story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.