The Squeeze - Carly Pearce: Path to Resilience

Episode Date: October 9, 2024

In this week’s episode, the Lautners sit down with country music singer-songwriter Carly Pearce! Carly opens up about her journey into music, reflecting on what inspired her to become a musician and the challenges of starting a career at such a young age. She candidly discusses how she's navigated the pressures of comparison in the music industry, her experience as a woman in country music, and offers heartfelt advice for women aspiring to enter the music industry. Carly also bravely shares her journey of going through a divorce in the public eye, the resources that have helped her mental health the most, and why her latest album and tour mean so much to her!Follow Carly on Instagram https://instagram.com/carlypearce/Get tickets to Carly’s world tour here: carlypearce.comTo email us your questions or share your story, you can reach out to [e-mail] sure to rate, review, and follow the podcast so you don't miss an episode! Plus, follow us on Instagram:The Squeeze: https://instagram.com/thesqueeze/Tay Lautner: https://instagram.com/taylautner/Taylor Lautner: https://instagram.com/taylorlautner/& TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@thesqueezepodcastTo learn more from The Lemons Foundation, follow https://instagram.com/lemonsbytay/ and visit lemonsbytay.comEpisode Sponsors:ZitSticka is offering listeners 15% off the custom JONBOY UNDERCOVER patches on Amazon or zitsticka.com with code JONBOY2024 while supplies last.For an exclusive offer, go to bioptimizers.com/squeeze and use promo code [SQUEEZE] during checkout to save 10 percent.Trust your gut with Seed's DS-01 Daily Synbiotic. Go to Seed.com/THESQUEEZE and use code 25THESQUEEZE to get 25% off your first month.Produced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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I just had this belief from me. a very young age that I'm going to do this. It's just going to happen. Were there ever moments where you were like, did I make a mistake? Many. I would not take no for an answer. Running a 12 passenger van, having no money, we would share a hotel room. I had so many people throughout those years tell me there's nothing special about you. You're dated. You would have been great in the 90s that it just wasn't going to happen. I hated what was happening to me. Your work ethic, the fact that this was not like an overnight thing for you. I don't know if I've ever been able to say this.

That. When life gives you lemons, what do you do with them? Over here at the squeeze, we talk about it. I can know. Shush. Carly, welcome to the squeeze. Thank you for having me. I just want people to feel safe, babe.

Yeah. I, you know, gut tells me I just got a feeling and I think Carly feels safe. I feel very safe. She's done this once or twice before. She knows how we start these things. She also has maybe the best out. fit we've ever had from a guest. Yes. Thank you.

Just going to say that. Do you know where it's from? Alice and Olivia. Of course. Love a matching set from Allison Olivia. Of course. That's great. I love that.

That's so cute. Thanks. Okay. Oh, go. Oh, what? I thought I was going to cut you off. I think we're both just so excited. So excited.

We're just going to fight each other. Yeah, you can go. I'll let you have it. No, we're both. We're honored to have you, but we're so excited because we're diehard country music fans. I love it. So this is super exciting for us. Well, I'm such a fan.

So I'm so happy to be here. Oh my gosh. Thanks for having me. Thank you. Before this moment, I reached out to a couple friends of mine that are in the country world. And I just simply asked them about you and if anything like sticks out in particular. And everybody said the same thing, which I think is really cool. And that was just your grind and your work ethic.

And the fact that, like, this was not, like, an overnight thing for you. Like, this has been, you know, something you've done for a while and you never give up. And that was just super cool. So I just wanted to share that with you. That's so nice. I mean, you wonder what people think of you. And if it's like, are you making a good impact? That's really nice.

I really, I understand why they feel that way. But that means a lot that that's being seen. Yeah. So did you did start music, like, as a child? I know it sounds super cliche, but I don't remember a day where I didn't want to sing on the Grand Alopry, where I didn't want to be a country singer. I remember being four or five years old and singing and putting on concerts for my parents, like, you know, standing on the fireplace.

It was just in my body. I think it was chosen for me long before I even realized it. Did your family, do you come from a musical family? I come from, my grandparents had a bluegrass band, and my great-grandfather, his dream was to sing on the grandelopry, and he died in the coal mines. I'm from Kentucky. So it was always in my family,

and my parents can both sing, but they're extremely stage fright and would never sing in front of people. But they all love music. So my parents, they loved kind of like Southern Rock music when I was growing up, and my grandparents really love traditional country. So I just grew up around a lot of music. Okay. Was there ever any, like, question about, like, what genre you wanted to go?

Or was it, like, I'm going to be country because I love that, and that's how I was raised. Country. I remember my mom kind of being like, oh, my God, my kid loves country music. I hate this because she loved, like, Led Zeppelin and Fleetwood Mac. And now she's a huge country music fan. But I don't know why I think maybe it was just. my grandparents' influence on me. But my mom said the only music, I was like a chronic cryer as a baby, and she was like the only thing that would shut you up was Vince Gill.

So I guess I was just like a super country fan from day one. So it's never been like a question. Yeah. When did you like first start performing? I did like what I feel like every kid does when they're kind of starting out. You know, I did talent shows and my mom would make my costumes. And I had like little business cards where I would put on shows for nursing homes. And that's kind of how I got my start. And I would have, you know, sometimes a really nice crowd and sometimes literally people in the crowd being like, please make it stop, like saying it out loud. We're just grumpy people. Yeah, they were just like not happy. So it was kind of like I had to build a thick skin. And then I joined some bluegrass

bands when I was in my teenage years. And when I was 16, I was ending my freshman year of high school. I'd always gone to public school. And I saw an audition. I'm from Northern Kentucky. And I saw an audition to sing in the country show at Dollywood, which to me I was like, I've been to Dollywood before. It's Dolly Parton, the greatest place on earth. That sounds fun. And I just had this, I don't know, this belief from a very young age that I'm going to do this. It's just going to happen. And I just went to my parents and I said, I really want to quit high school and audition for Dollywood. And my dad was like, no. Absolutely not. And I was like, oh my gosh, are going to be so supportive.

He's like, absolutely not. But I asked him, I said, give me the summer to find a homeschooling program that could get me into college. Because I really want to try to do this. And he said, okay. And I don't think that they thought I was going to do that. But I did. And I found this schooling that was out of Pennsylvania that you could get your diploma in the mail. And they let me audition.

And I got my license the week before I started at Dollywood. And I finished high school, literally got my diploma. in the mail, they rented me a cap and gown, and I had like a little graduation party, but I worked at Dollywood for two years and did six shows a day, five days a week. Oh, my crap. It was kind of like my little stepping stone to get to Nashville. Okay. So I'm assuming since you've been doing it for so long, there wasn't ever a point where you were like,

oh, I can actually pursue this as a career? Or was it just like, this is what I'm going to do, like forever? I knew. Yeah. In your mind, that was the, you know, that was the, only option. Yeah, and I'm sure that you both can relate in different ways. Like, when you're in school, for me, we had a creative arts program where kids wanted to be actors or they wanted to be dancers or singers and they kind of just, I feel like life tells you you can't accomplish something

if you're from a small town or if you don't have any connections. And so they kind of all just let go of those dreams because, you know, you're supposed to go to college. And I just refused to believe that. And just, it was just never an option for me. Yeah. Dang. I'm literally just like baffled that you literally were like, I'm going to get my diploma. And then at 16 literally just went and was like working her a little butt off. And then I think about my parents and I'm like, what were you thinking?

Were you like by yourself? Well, my mom, she moved with me. But I mean, even my parents, they're still married and they sacrificed their marriage for my dream. And my mom moved with me. She didn't know anybody in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. And yeah, they just, they had this really healthy balance of being super supportive but making me do it, do the work. Yeah. And I think that's what instilled my work ethic from a young age.

They were like, we'll drive you there and we'll buy your outfit, but you got to go in and do it. Sounds like we're from very similar families and just like stories too. Because my parents, I was like, I want to act. And I did it from Michigan for, I'm from Michigan. I did it from Michigan for a few years. And eventually my parents were like, okay, we can't do this anymore. Like, this is exhausting. We were literally flying from Michigan to L.A.

for a single Burger King audition. Yeah. My dad was an airline pilot, and that's the only way we were able to because we basically got to fly for free. But after a few years, they were like, if you want to continue doing this, we have to move to L.A. Wow. And just looking back, I'm like, how crazy is that? Yeah. Like, it's just insane.

But you knew when you were little. Yeah, I knew that I wanted to. But at, you know, eight, nine, ten years old and when you're moving across the country with your whole family, you don't realize like how much pressure that actually is. Yeah. And thank goodness, my parents, I mean, they're obviously insanely supportive, but they also didn't fully understand how competitive this industry is. And thank goodness they didn't. But it's just, it's unbelievable. Yeah. It's stories like this that make me really nervous to be a parent because like, what if my child's like, hey, I want to do this? And I'm like, well, that's terrifying. You're going to feel guilty because Carly's parents did that. And yeah, now you're going to be a bad parent if you don't. I know.

No way. No way. I'm with you. You will be supportive in the best way. My parents now laugh even though because they're like, I don't think we, it's very similar to you. It's like they don't realize kind of the fire that they're stepping into because I think there's like a naive sense for even parents that are like, of course, yeah, we'll help

you chase your dream. Yeah. For sure. That's so special though. Yeah. I love that. I love that for you both. Good parents.

I didn't have dreams to chase. I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding. I will say, though, I'm the first person in my family to go to college. And my parents were very supportive. And I majored as, it was a dance major when I first went to college because I was like, I don't know what I want to do. And I grew up dancing. But they were very supportive of that. Yeah. Thanks mom and dad for supporting my dance streams. I love that. You know what I just realized? What? We didn't do citrus out real.

I know. I was going to look to it at the end. You were? Yeah. You want to do it right now? And then we can't. Yeah, why not? All right. It's just so satisfying. Oh, this is very fitting for it to be right here. This is very funny.

What is your favorite childhood memory and why? Oh. It's meant to be here. Okay. Oh, my goodness. My favorite childhood memory, I had a wonderful childhood. I grew up with just a family that really gave me a great life. I know that sounds so stupid, but I think my fondest memories are.

my grandparents on my mom's side, my legal name is obviously not Pierce. That feels too easy. But it was literally my grandparents dream to see the ones that I was telling you are the country fans to see this happen for me. And so my way of honoring them when I was like 16 or 17, I was like, I'm going to go by Carly Pierce because it's their last name. It's my mom's maiden name. And just to kind of all of the experiences that they gave me as a kid, just really simple. It was a simple life that I just think about any memory that was my favorite had to do with them. And now, you know, they have a sign in my hometown. We have three signs that say home of country artists, Carly Pierce. And like to know that that town that I had all of those memories with them and kind of the roots that they gave to me and the support and the love and the love of country music, they'll be there forever with them.

I just think of them when I think of good childhood memories. That's sweet. that was a good one That's so sweet of you to like honor them like that That's awesome That's so precious I can't

I don't have one off the top of my head to be honest I also don't know how I'm gonna follow that up I know I know I feel like we should just leave it there Okay great

Hmm When we got Our childhood dog Roxy I'll go with that Wait how old were you When you got Rocks I was on the set

of Shark Boy and Lava Girl So I was 12 And me and McKenna had been begging and begging What are you? Wait, how old was she? Roxy? When she died? Like 106?

Literally, because I met her. No way. Yeah, she met her right before Roxy passed. Yeah. Wait, what's that math? I think she was 13. It's not that crazy. Okay.

That felt a lot, I know. It seems like since you were 12, that seems like a really long time. Didn't I meet you when I was 25? Okay, dishe. Okay. T-sha. Yeah. Okay, that math. Probably, probably that. Just, you know, because we'd been asking for a puppy for Christmas every year, you know, every birthday. And finally, when I was 12, we got a dog.

I'm sure I have a dog memory in there, too. I'm sure you do. I'll agree with that one. Did you have dogs growing up? Always. Okay. We come from a very animal-loving family. Dogs and cats. I was always in charge of naming them. I'm trying to get him to let me get a cat. Or chickens. Oh. Cat or chickens. That's what I'm left with.

Wow. Those are very different. Yeah. I would say the cat is more self-sufficient than a chicken. I would have to think. I would have to think the chicken needs more help. Just like two little guys, girls technically. That would be cute.

Yeah. I've just never, I don't dislike them. I've just never really. You don't like birds. It's fine. Oh, I was talking cats. But yeah, I hate birds. He's like absolutely not a chicken.

But if we're going to talk about a cat. Hate birds. They gross me out. They scare me. I'm with you. Yeah. But you can't really, maybe you can. I feel like on TikTok I've seen people cuddle chickens, but you can at least cuddle.

Like the cute ones that have like the little things on them? I know what you're talking about. Yeah. I don't know what they're called. I don't either. Okay. I was hoping you would maybe know. You looked at me.

I was like, I don't know either. We have chickens in Kentucky. Oh, yeah. Tons of chickens. Lots of chickens truly. I love that. One of my absolute favorite most go-to products, I always have to have them with me. in the drawer in my vanity and my travel bag.

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sense. And I'll back it up. I moved to Nashville 15 years ago this year, which feels not even possible and also feels like not long enough because it feels like it's been forever and also a minute. But when I moved to town, you were almost penalized if you were a female. You know, you walked in and you could just feel the air suck out of the room because there was this, obviously like the women ruled the 90s. They were so big. You had so many women, so many different artists, so many different, just great female singers. And then there was this period where there was kind of Carrie and Miranda and that was about it.

Like nobody was really breaking. And I remember I went into so many meetings and nobody wanted to really take a chance on a female. And then you kind of had that time where Kelsey kind of hit and Marin kind of hit. And then finally I hit. And I think even to think about my first single in 2017 went number one.

It was every little thing. to now, I think I've always had this belief that the pendulum would swing back in our favor if we would continue to focus on the artistry and the songwriting and the caliber of music that we were writing versus the lack of females. And so I've kind of always been the one that was like, no, we need to focus on this because it all goes back to the songs. The songs will resonate if you really have a point of view. And right now, it's incredible to see what's happened. But if you look at the women, there's still much, there's a divide for sure of there's not a lot of females and a lot of men. But what I love about what's happened now is when you turn on the radio, there's a lot more females, but none of us sound alike.

We all have that point of view that I hoped for back in the, like, what I feel like the 90s had. There's a lot of male artists that I feel like, I feel like I feel like I feel sorry. sometimes for male artists, especially some of my friends that, while yes, it's quote-unquote easier to get on the radio, it's harder to differentiate yourself as a male. And so I think they have their own set of things that don't really get spoken about, which I think is important to acknowledge. But look at all the girls. I mean, you look at Lainey Wilson, what she's done in just a few years. And she was in Nashville for 12 years living in a... Well, she is well.

She was living in a little, literally a trailer. I don't even think it was a trailer. I think it was like a, I mean, it was like this tiny little thing on somebody's property. Wow. And then you look at what Megan Maroni's done and there's so many great girls coming up behind that I'm just like super excited about. And I think it's a really great time to be a female. And I think about just we've turned to. back towards songwriting and I do feel like in my generation like we kind of helped open that door

Kelsey Marin and I to show you can have a point of view as a female and people want to hear it and I think it's awesome. I think the landscape is really bright for females. Yeah. What advice would you give to, you know, a female artist that is like trying to pursue country music? It's changed a lot since I came onto the scene. TikTok was not a thing. Viral moments were not a thing. Yeah. The viral moment that I had was,

my song was played on Sirius XM in the highway as a highway find. That's kind of how Florida Georgia Line was discovered, how I was discovered, how a few others were discovered. So that was kind of our version of TikTok. That was every little thing? Yeah.

And I think, you know, I'm sure right now people are trying to find their viral. moment. Just like back then, I was trying to find the song that would maybe have enough iTunes downloads to do something. But I think the same is true then as it is now. You have to have a point of view. You have to have a perspective. You have to have an artistic direction. Now I feel like more than ever, there are such great female artists, not just singers. You have to really hone in on who you are more than ever and believe that you have to write a lot of bad songs to find good ones. And I do still believe great songs will find their way. If you have the song, it will find its way. Right. I love that. During that journey for you, you know, pre-2017, what, what kept you going? And were there ever moments where you were like, you know, did I make a mistake? And, you know, what should I do here?

many many many many many I kind of became I think the reason that your friends probably talk about my work ethic is because I would not take no for an answer I played so many different shows I remember going and renting a 12 passenger van attaching a U-haul trailer to the back and driving my band through the night, having no money. We would share a hotel room. I would pack up my little SUV, pack it to the brim, and just drive anywhere than anybody would hear it. But I had so many people throughout those years tell me, there's nothing special about you. You're dated because at the time, I know this is crazy, but country music wasn't country. It was kind of bro country, if you will, or more pop-driven to where the kind of music that I made

was just not the cool thing. Yeah. So I was dated, oh, you would have been great in the 90s. You kind of missed your mark. I actually had people tell me you should play one more show because back in the day we used to play showcases for record labels and things. And I had kind of done the rounds two, three, four times

to where it was kind of getting to the point where you're like, everybody's seen me. And said, no, like how many times can I reinvent the same thing? And I had people tell me to move home that it just wasn't going to happen. And I remember kind of like a really unique moment for me. I became Lucy Hale's backup singer. And I remember thinking maybe God's purpose for me is to lend my voice to other artists. Maybe that's what it is.

And that whole experience kind of, again, these moments where I wanted to move home. I wanted to quit. I became her backup singer because I just hated. I hated what was happening to me. I was like, well, at least I can play music. At least I can do something. But it was like every single moment of having that and even that experience, you know, led me.

It was like these little moments, whether it be an email or a text or getting a call to be her backup singer or her listening to my music and saying, I want my fans to know that you're great. Like, why are you singing backup for me? or meeting Kelsey Bellarini in a little girls group and her saying, I want to take you on some of my shows.

You know, just all these different moments where it was like God's purpose for me was to do this. And I remember many times sitting at the kitchen table with my parents and they were like, just send one more email. I mean, they were right there and they were like, you can't give up now. And I actually looked at apartments to move home at one point. And my childhood best friend, she said,

she was crying and she said, I love you and I want you here, but I can't let you. quit. And I thanked her in my first album liner notes for not letting me move home. So there were the amount of stories that I have of like just why did God give me this purpose if he's not going to fulfill it moments. It was insane. Okay. Lucy Hale's backup singer has me dead. First of all, love Lucy Hill. I didn't know she sang. She had a she had a moment. And I'm not kidding. Like, if she wouldn't have had that moment, I don't know where I would have been. because it was right when Instagram was hitting.

She, I moved out here for a summer, that kind of rejuvenated my desire again. It helped me fall back in love with music. And she was like, I'm going to make sure my fans know that you're an artist. And I started to kind of build a following. It was just you never know. And so many people in Nashville told me not to be a backup singer. They were like, don't go do that.

Then you'll just be seen as that. And it's like, oh, yeah, because Cheryl Crowe is seen as a backup singer because she was a backup singer for a moment. Trisha Yearwood is known as a backup singer. I don't think so. But they both got their start that way. Holy crap. That is so crazy.

Wow. I love hearing stories like this. It really makes me feel like I can go conquer the world. It's just like it's so inspiring, honestly, to see like where you were to like where you are now. It's just, it's really cool. Yeah. I would imagine, this is just me imagining, but I know what it's like. in my world. But I would imagine in yours, comparison would be something you just have to deal with.

You know, yourself, your music, the trajectory of your career. Is that the case? Is that something that you've had to go through? And is that, you know, still a battle? Of course. Especially when you open up your, you know, you open your Instagram and... Yeah. So-and-so got this, or my song's right here on the chart, but so-and-so passed me, or you know, I actually haven't really ever, I haven't talked about this, but

this was the first year in a while that I wasn't nominated for an award at the ACMs this year. And that was such a jolt for me of, oh my goodness, do I still matter? Yeah. when in reality there's a place for all of us

but it's almost like when you're in the entertainment industry they peg you against each other in these weird little ways that you don't even realize

and it can really I mean that was a hard moment for me of have I peaked you know the last few years like was that it this person does this

and I think that's just innately in us as human beings to kind of look over and wonder you know why you know

why didn't I get this? Why didn't I do this? But I do think I know this to be true when I really put up my blinders and I just focus on me and I try, and I'm not saying I'm good at it all the time at all. But if I remember who I am as an artist, what kind of music. And if I stand on the music and I go, everything that I'm doing in this moment, today is the best that I could do. that's when I'm happiest. And I feel that anxiety go away. If I just don't, I just can't go there.

Yeah. And I bet like staying true to yourself too, because like what you were talking about, how like the artistry and like how like all like all the females are having like their own, they're all different. And like you are like your own like unique self. And I bet like staying true to that and be like, no, I'm going to like be my authentic self. and stay true to who I am, the kind of music I make, the way it sounds, how I write things. I bet that probably helps.

It does. It does because I'm not chasing anything that anybody else is doing, which also allows me to be just a fan of what's going on in music and understanding that if you continue to just point back to making sure that you're who you are and your point of view is exactly how you want it to be and you're presenting yourself in that way and doing the best that you can, And then I know that for me, I can lay down at night and be fulfilled by that. Yeah. Yeah.

I relate to that a lot. Obviously, not a musical way. But I feel like, especially with social media, like, it's so easy to just be like, oh, maybe I should like add a little fill over there or like do something here or do whatever. And I'm like, no. Like I'm just going to like stay true. Like I love, I love who I am. And I like want to stay true to like who that is.

Not saying a little Botox here and there is bad. We love a little Botox. But, you know, like, it's so easy to be like, oh, I should do this or I should wear this. I should like do that. But it's like, no, like, actually, like, what makes me happy and like, who am I? Yeah. And I feel like being like, you know, we say authentic self and it's very overused. But genuinely feel like being like who Taylor is, like makes me happy.

And it's honestly like less stressful. When it's like you're so much more than what you wear. Yeah. What kind of house do you have? What kind of car you drive for me? where your songs out on the chart. What nominations you have. What, what, you know, all these different things.

You're so much more than that. And I think when you're yourself and you're also the product at the same time, it can be really, the lines can get really blurred there. I was just talking with this about that specifically with some of my girlfriends. We were just on a little girl's trip who were all talking about work. And they were like, you, like, your brand is you and you are your work. And I was like, oh, yeah, maybe that's why I'm like a little more, a little more stressed and why I'm so like hyper aware of everything.

But I feel like I relate a lot to the like chart thing. I remember this as you were talking. Like when we first launched the podcast, I was like, always checking the charts and like always looking at these things. And I feel like we are really proud of like this podcast we've built and the people we have on or like people that we like, you know, genuinely feel like are nice and like good people. And I feel like it's really easy for me to sometimes get caught up in that where are we charting? Or, oh, like, this guest is pitched, but like they really don't align with like what we're wanting to do.

And it's very easy. Like, it would be so easy to like have that person on. Sure. You know. And but being true to who we are. Yeah. I feel like you always have to take a step back. in those moments and remind yourself, you know, why you did this and where you came from.

Yeah. Like, you know, for us, why we started, you know, this podcast. Like, we could make it juicier. Like, we could have people on that maybe we shouldn't, you know. We could mislead people. But we started this podcast because we wanted to create a safe space and protect our guests. and, you know, and further the conversation around mental health. Yeah.

For you, like, why would you alter who you are now when you have the journey that you have? Like, you bet on yourself from the beginning and you never took no as an answer. So why would you alter from that at this point? But you constantly, the annoying thing is you got to remind yourself that all the time. All the time. Yeah. Yeah. That's very true. But it means you're doing something right, I guess. True, right? Yeah. Do you know if you're getting enough magnesium because four out of five Americans aren't, which is something that is actually crazy. Magnesium plays such a big role in our sleep. And sometimes I wake up just exhausted and it ruins the productivity of my day. There'll be nights where I'm constantly just tossing and turning. I'll wake up in the middle of the night and feel super anxious. And,

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really just been insane and I want everyone to experience how great life can be with seed and great gut health for less than $2 a day by going to seed.com slash the squeeze and use code 25 the squeeze to get 25% off your first month. That's 25% off your first month of seeds. DS01 daily symbiotic at seed.com slash the squeeze code 25 the squeeze. You all need to go get on this. So obviously being a songwriter can be a very vulnerable thing, especially when you're, like, writing about, you know, true experiences and things that, you know, you've lived that have happened to you, but you've also, um, have been through a very vulnerable experience that I'd kind of love to talk a little bit about is, um, going through a very public divorce. Um, you and your ex are both country music artists and, um, I feel like that just adds another layer. Like, you know, divorce is something that's never fun for the most part. True.

But I can't imagine, like, having to go through that one publicly, but also when it's someone that is, like, fully in. Yeah, with those, like, meshed world. Your line of work. Can you just share a little bit about, like, that time and kind of your experience with that? Sure. Yeah. I thought, you know, I was in my late 20s when I got married,

and I thought I was doing the right thing by waiting until my late 20s. I felt very settled in who I was. And I don't think anybody gets married to get divorced. Yeah. I wouldn't think. And we were very public and very open. And I loved that because I really felt that love. And I felt like I wanted to celebrate that.

And I think I realized very quickly that this was not the situation that I wanted to be in long term. As, you know, public things are come, like my photos or my wedding photos are coming out. And, you know, you're trying to stuff all this stuff down and, you know, why aren't they together? And all these different things that were kind of starting to bubble to the surface. And I think that the best thing that ever happened to me was the pandemic because I was able to stop my life and process what I knew. I needed to make these decisions for myself. And I was also kind of able to hide,

which I think was really good for me. And especially in the South, and especially as like just a young person, divorce is like a big no-no. And in the Christian world, it's like, no, divorce is wrong. and I wrestled with that for a moment of have I failed. I was embarrassed. I was ashamed.

I felt like I should have known. But I think what I have been able to do through my story. And I mean, I never wanted this to be my story. I never thought that this was the kind of music that would come out of me during that season of my life. But I've had, I think what I've done for younger people who love country music or I've heard from people. beyond, I was able to put a face to something that is quote unquote shameful in our society and humanize it and also say, I'm not ashamed of my divorce because I left a situation that I know was not the one for me. And I'm going to choose me because you should never stay in something

where it's, you know in your gut, it's not right. And I wrote this album kind of in real time, never knowing if I was going to put it out or not, but it was just about my experience. I've never written music in real time of like an emotional traumatic experience. And I remember hearing the music back and being like, nobody's going to relate to this. This is way too personal to my story. And I remember playing it for friends and they were like, you have to release this music. Like, it's universal to people thinking that their life was going to turn out one way and it turning out a different. For sure. And I'm so proud of what I've been through.

I remember for the first few years, I was still just like, oh, I hate this. But now I'm so proud. Like I feel like I've been through things that I now have different perspectives. I feel like I'm able to look girls in the face or write them back on Instagram and say, you deserve so much more. And if you come to the other side, I know it feels scary now, but. whatever you're going through, it's going to be so much better if you just walk through it. And I feel my pain being used for purpose.

And I thought I was just a songwriter and, you know, a country artist. But I feel like now there's so much more weight to the way that I write music. And I've unlocked this whole vulnerable part of me that I never thought. And I'm proud to show people maybe it doesn't work out, but it's supposed to not. Yeah. I love that you said because obviously, you know, like a common feeling after going through a divorce is those thoughts of, you know, feeling ashamed like I'm a failure. Like, how did I not see this sooner? How did you work through those thoughts? Because those are very real things that I know a lot of people deal with. I developed pretty serious anxiety through that situation. I would be at the grocery store and knew that. I knew that. there was an article about me out,

and I would make eyes with somebody in a grocery store, and they would look at me too long, and I'd be like, they could probably just think my hair looked bad or something. And I was like, do they think that it was my fault? Or do they know? Do they know the truth? And I just became kind of in this cyclical place

of just worrying so much about what everybody was thinking of me. Yeah. And I think just being vulnerable with people and also realizing it's not, if people want to make assumptions, I think the assumptions is what I really got focused on that caused me to stay in it for so long because I was like, well, they don't know or I would read comments or my therapist would tell me I was like looking, I was shopping for pain. And I finally had to come to this moment of just, this doesn't define who I am. This is a piece of my life. This is a story.

and things happen. And it's my process to deal with, but I also don't want it to ruin my life. Like, yes, I'm 29, 30, 31, but I still have so much life to live and I don't want this to be that moment that defines who I am. And so I just really tried to make forward motion

in the way that I viewed it. And it's allowed me to almost forgive myself for not knowing that that was going to be the outcome and just realizing I can only control myself and I know that my intentions were pure. Yeah. After going through that journey, looking back on it, what would you say you're most proud of yourself for? I could have easily, well, you think about, I decided to write a song called 29.

I decided to write an album called 29 the year I got married and divorced. I just owned it. I didn't write, you know, music that felt like what I probably should shy away from. You know, oh, well, can't say divorce in a song,

or I could have taken the easy road out of it. Yeah. But I decided, this is my story and I'm not going to be ashamed of it. And I think I'm most proud of that that I, and that I, I have heard so, I had no idea how many people, not just women, are in marriages or relationships or situations that they don't want to be in, that they feel stuck or they

feel like they can't get out or, you know, nobody will understand. And I just, I would not allow that for myself. And I think you realize in moments of stress how strong you really are. Yeah. And I'm just proud that I didn't, like, I'm thankful that I realized in less than a year, nope, this isn't for me, this isn't it. Instead of getting five years down the road or with children and going, God, I wish I would have done that. So I'm just, I'm proud of that I stand up, I get to stand on a stage every night and sing songs like what he didn't do and watch these young girls. And I'm like, this is my responsibility to give them songs and empower them. And maybe I can change one young girl that's in high school

to not lose sight of what she deserves or make somebody in their 40s go, you know what? I don't want to be in this anymore and I can do it on my own. Throughout that time and I mean even still to today is there any, I know you touched on therapy, but what are some like resources,

mental health resources that you, you know, maybe implement in your everyday life or that you just like love? I'm a big believer in your community of friends. I have great friends. I have great band. A band. My four band members are so close to me.

I feel like we're all kind of in this little bubble traveling down the road. And they're like family to me. I have great parents. I'm really, really a strong believer in my faith. And I feel like I continue to lean on. that and therapy's been really good for me. I think just being able to go speak about things to a third party sometimes or just a safe place. I think having that safe place to be able to just kind of process things is really important. Obviously, I journal because I'm a songwriter and just

being able to get things out instead of internalizing it has been really good for me. Because like I said, I've, I never knew that I was anxious until kind of 2020. And then it's been something that I've had to really deal with and still deal with quite a bit. Yeah. Was therapy always a part of your life, or was that in the last four, five years? The first, I went to this place in Nashville. It's called OnSight. Oh, yeah. I, my divorce, I'll paint a picture. I'd never been to therapy in my life. Yeah. And I went there for a few days. I knew my divorce was going live on online at 2 p.m. And I went, and I spent four days with this woman at OnSight, and I remember walking in this room

and in the corners of the room, it said, happy, sad, mad, scared. And then she was sitting in a circle with a doll and a gorilla stuffed animal. And my name was on the whiteboard in the room, welcome Carly. And she was like, hi, Carly. And I was like, I have absolutely entered a Looney Ben.

Like, I'm insane. I've blown my life up. This is, like, I'm in an insane asylum. Like, this is what is happening to me right now. Now I'm just terrified. Yeah, now I'm like, oh, my God, like, I've lost my mind. Okay, cool. Here we are.

But that experience, like, changed my whole perspective of, I always thought I was like a feeler, but I internalized my feelings and I wrote about them, but I wasn't really dealing with them. And I realized even in that moment, I wasn't really dealing with my feelings. It was, I mean, in the year after I wrote this album, you know, I was on stage every night being like, you can get through this.

This is not your plan. Winning a Grammy, winning female vocals of the year, winning all these different awards. And then after that going, oh my God, I haven't. Carly Pierce knows how to talk to people, but Carly has not healed from this. And I think that was like a moment where I realized like, I need to go even deeper into this and kind of make sure that this isn't something that holds me back.

But that first therapy session was, that was an experience. Wow, I can't believe on-site was, we haven't done it. I really want to do it. Yeah, can you imagine that's the first one that I did? I had like a crash course into it. Yeah, but I loved it.

Yeah, because it's like a deep dive, right? It's intense, yeah. And they use a lot of like kind of interactive therapy, which I really, really, I'm very visual, so it really helped me to kind of play out scenarios. Yeah. All right, jumping to some exciting news. You wrote an album. Yes, a new one. And you are going on tour. Yes. Tell us why this album and tour is so special to you. Well, kind of talking about therapy. Yeah. I really, I took a long time in between 29 and Hummingbird with records. And it wasn't in

intentional. I just needed time. I needed time to process really what happened to me. And I also needed to kind of figure out what was coming next. And this album, for me, I didn't even realize how much I had grown and how much I'd healed until I kind of heard these songs back. And I think something that like Loretta Lynn has done, or always did so well, as she attached humor to hard things in life, especially from the perspective of a woman. And in these songs, I named this album Hummingbird because a lot of people say that a hummingbird is a sign that the healing process can begin and that good luck is on the way. And I have felt like in so many ways, country music, my healing process, my friends, my family, they've helped in that good luck and in that healing process for me as I've written this record and taken a long time to make it. I've attached, I've now been able to look at these songs and go, wow, I've come so far. And no, I'm not saying, like, I have found the love of my life and we're married and life is great, you know, because that's not authentic.

But what is authentic is I've gone in there and I've done the work and I'm able to now laugh at things that once crippled me because I was so broken from them. And I'm, I think I'm so proud of this album and so excited to get to share it live because so much growth has happened and so much just really true understanding of who I am. I think I believe, like, you know, when people say like, your 20s are e-e, but your 30s are so much more fulfilling. And I feel that. And I feel like I'm just really confident in the place that I am musically and professionally and excited to show people, I'm still standing. My whole world crumbled.

But if you don't give up too, you just have to stay in the fight and stay believing that there's more for you. Yeah. I feel like if there's one thing that we've learned about you this episode is, like, like your resilience level is like unmatched. She's a fighter, folks. That's so, it's so cool to like see that in a human and in,

you know, so many different aspects of your life. Like you have, you know, you have fought. You have been resilient when, you know, things didn't look as bright.

So it's just, it's really cool. Yeah. Should we head into our little, our little lemon seven? Absolutely. This is our last little segment that we'll do. You can rapid fire if you feel called to explain in great detail.

You can do that. You can do whatever your heart desires as you hear these questions. I love it. All right. I feel like you've been laughing at me, explain things, and I'm over you. You can go. I don't know. You can explain them.

I was looking at you. You're like freaking smirking at me, a little booty hole. Little booty hole. All right. That was my PG-13 person. All right, number one, what movie or song title best describes your mental health today? Hmm. Hmm.

You know, I have to be honest, I looked at this question. This is the only question I looked at before, and my assistant said Savage. And I think she's right. I'm like, you know, I just released a new single truck on fire. I'm just feeling a little sassy and savagy. Yeah. I love that for you. Yes.

Good. I love that. Yeah. Normally, I really like that answer. Normally, they're like these really, like, deep. You know, I'm feeling this. Right. I'm feeling just a little like, like, I appreciate that. Having it. Yeah, it's good time. It's good. I like that. Okay, number two is how open are you with people in your life when struggling? Probably at times too open. I feel like I'm, I'm very fiercely. Even with my writing circle, I keep it extremely small. I'm very private within, like, the entertainment industry. I don't have a lot of, of friends in the entertainment industry, but if you're in my circle, you know everything about me.

You're going to get it all. I'm going to tell you everything because I'm somebody. I do not like a yes person. Like I don't want yes people around me. And so I feel like I'm constantly in every way, just being like, what do you think about this? What about this? About personal things and all kinds of things. Yeah. That's great. Do you know what Enneagram number you are? I'm a three. Okay. Yes. I was going to guess that. In the best way, in the best way, everyone calm down. Yes. No, everybody's like, you're a three. I'm like, I know. I think I'm a three wing two, though. Yeah. All right. What are we at? Number three. Okay. If you could only follow three social media accounts, what would they be? Wow. They could be on like any platform.

It could be across platforms, but just three accounts. Dolly's Instagram, because she puts out great content. Social media accounts. Are you on the talk? I love any, I'm like trying to think of, I love like all dog videos on TikTok. So like some dog account. Yeah. And like ninja creamy recipes because I love my ninja creaming.

And we don't have one of those. You don't have one? Wait, what's a ninja creamy? I'll let her explain. Did you grow up loving blizzards? Yeah. Okay. I have like a deep obsession with like an old.

Oreo Blizzard. A Ninja Creamy is this thing that you can put, you know, you think it feels healthy. It's like protein powder and little like vanilla pudding and this certain kind of milk. I think you should use Fair Life if you get one. Okay. Noted. So what the TikTok tells us to do. Okay. Cut it. And then you can put in any toppings you want and it's literally like a blizzard. It's ice cream that doesn't make you feel as bad. It is the great. I don't have, you just have to get it to understand. And now it's like I look forward to the ninja creamy at night. It's a little psycho. Yeah.

But it's like a thing on TikTok. Just go look at them after. Okay. You were aware of this. Yeah, not, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I'm showing my age.

No, you're not. Number four is what is your favorite form of self-care? Ooh. Exercise, I think. For me, I'm a big runner. I feel like it's partly because nobody can find me in those however many minutes I'm running. Again, I'm an anxious person. So just being able to kind of like sweat and get it all out. Yeah, I feel like when I'm

able to work out most days, I feel the best and the most mentally clear. Yeah, on days where you like, you know, miss your workout or do you feel like you notice yourself? You're like, I can tell. It throws me off. I just need movement. Even when I'm anxious, I have found, if I just move, I've learned that in therapy. Like, just moving really settles me. A lot of times if I'm seated, like if I'm on an airplane and I get anxious, watch out. It just helps me. Like movement is really calming for me.

Yeah. It's amazing how that works. Number five, what would you say is the most misunderstood thing about you? Ooh. That, I don't know if I've ever been able to say this, that I don't know how to be in a relationship and I only write music about my messed up relationships. That is so not true. Yeah. I desire. I think love is so beautiful. And I know that I want that and desire that. And just because I've, a lot of us write about the same stuff. It just seems to be. kind of a stigma that has hung over me because somebody was able to attach a name to my songs. And I'm so much more than that. Yeah, that's great.

Number six? Yeah. Oh, I thought you're going to say something. Sorry. Who has had the most positive impact on your mental health? Oh, probably my mom. I feel like she's who I go to in every moment from the time I was little to now I'm 30. for and she's who I call

if I'm having a hypochondriac moment and thinking I'm dying or if I'm crying or if something really great happens she's just a calm and she's kind of been the one person in my life that has had

unwavering love and support for me that true unconditional love yeah that's special shout out Carly's mom Jackie and I mean Johnny and June my shih Tzu's they're pretty great too They've had a pretty large impact on me as well. Absolutely.

That's what I would say. You have said. I have said? Yeah. He skipped over me and just went to the dog. It's true. Yeah. I get it.

Yeah. I get it. All right. Last but not least. Number seven, if you could go back to one moment in your life, what moment would that be and what would you say to yourself? I'm like, do I want to be serious? Right.

But also kind of laugh. I mean, I might go back to the day I was getting married and say don't do it. Yeah. I mean, honestly, there's some truth to that. You saw me look over like, can I say that? There's some truth to that for sure. But also, I think I would, like, my grandparents come to mind of, you know, going back

to the last time I got to be with both of them and say, like, I will honor you. You know, I was so young when they both passed, but just I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it. I think that would probably be where I would go back. Yeah. Somewhere with them. Yeah. That's beautiful. Those are both good answers. Yeah. Both are true. Both are good. Both are good. I love that. Well, thank you so much for coming on. I'm so excited for this episode. We'll leave a link down below for people to go. Buy tickets. Oh, yeah. Because I'm going. You need to come see me. And I mean, you didn't tell them that this is the first time I've ever, I was such a fan of your podcast that I totally DM. you and was like, hi, if you ever, like, want to have a country singer on here, it would be awesome. I was very excited.

I literally freaked. And it's funny because I never really look at my DMs and I need to get better because, you know, you never know. You'll have some hidden gyms. You've got Carly Pierce in your DMs. And I, like, clicked on it. And I was like, oh. And Taylor was like, what?

I was like, Carly Pierce just DM me. He was like, wait, what? Yeah. So we were very excited. So I'm just right. This is a fun full circle moment. It's awesome. Thank you for having me.

Thank you. Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.