WHOA That's Good Podcast - We've Seen Our Dreams Come True! | Sadie Robertson Huff | Ginna Claire Mason | Donna Stuart

Episode Date: December 2, 2024

Sadie gets festive in a Santa hat and Christmas pajamas along with her special guests: Broadway & Hallmark movie star, Ginna Claire Mason, and longtime friend, mentor, and artist, Donna Stuart. Ginna Claire and Donna share how Donna's long-held dream of writing a song for a movie came true recently — and the song is featured in Ginna Claire's latest Hallmark movie, "Carol for Two!" Ginna Claire talks about the dream she had of playing Glinda the Good Witch in "Wicked" on Broadway and how that did eventually come true for her too — she played Glinda for a total of 1,300 performances! Sadie and Ginna Claire remember the Duck Dynasty musical and everyone wants to know Ginna Claire's thoughts on the new "Wicked" movie too. It's a warm, merry conversation and we hope it starts December off just right for you!  This Episode of WHOA That's Good is Sponsored by: https://www.drinklmnt.com/whoa — Try LMNT Hot and get your FREE LMNT Sample Pack with any drink mix purchase! https://everylife.com — Get 10% off your first order when you use promo code WHOA at checkout! Exclusive $45-off Carver Mat at https://AuraFrames.com . Use code WHOA at checkout to save! - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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but as you can tell, it's about to get so much better because we are very much in our holiday spirit over here. I have two very special guests on the podcast. One, you know very well, Donna Stewart. One, you've seen her, you know her, you love her. Anna talk about her all the time, even when she's not on this podcast. And we also have a new friend to y'all, Jenna Claire,

who y'all are about to absolutely fall in love with. It's so crazy how we are even connecting right now in this scenario. We'll talk about all that later, but very, very special. You are like queen of Hallmark right now. I say you're a new friend. So many people recognize you, see you, and the stuff that you've done. And we'll get into that later. But they have a movie out right now. And I say they, because Donna actually wrote the song that's in the movie, A Carol for Two, which is so crazy. By the way, Donna, the song,

Who Knew It'd Be You This Christmas, Christian and I sing it all the time. If one of us starts it, we're like, no. Because it'll be stuck in our head all day long. It's mad catchy. Which is the sign of a great song. Absolutely. Mad catchy is right.

Also, it's airing on Hallmark, December 3rd, December 12th, and Christmas Day. So if you want to get a chance to watch it, definitely check that out. Hopefully it'll then go on Hallmark December 3rd, December 12th, and Christmas Day. So if you want to get a chance to watch it, definitely check that out. Hopefully it'll then go on to be on other platforms, but definitely catch it this holiday season for sure. We're gonna talk all about that. But first, I have some Christian questions for y'all.

What's on your mind, Katie? I have some Christian questions for y'all. Oh, and you have a new EP coming out. Come on. You're my heart to wonder. So good. Donnie, you wrote on for y'all. Oh, and you have a new EP coming out. Come on. You're in my heart to wonder. So good. Donna, you wrote on that as well too. So, you guys are just really full sending it

for the holiday season. Blessing the people. Your book's coming out. The Wicked Movies coming out. Yeah, you got a book coming out. It will be out by this time. It is a good time to be alive. It is a good time to be alive.

You're breathing, congratulations. You're in for a heck of a time this holiday season. But yes, I have some fun Christmas questions. First one is an easy one. Your favorite Christmas movie. Oh, that's not an easy one. I know, that is hard. Whoa, she didn't even give us a chance.

I mean, like old school. The best Christmas movie of all time is It's a Wonderful Life. That's, But which one? I thought you were gonna say a Christmas story, so that's so funny. Oh really? Yeah, cause I love that movie.

It's a Wonderful Life is a fantastic movie. But then like, if you want something light, Elf. Of course. Yeah, of course, duh. Although, see this isn't a favorite, but have you seen Claws on Netflix? Yes, it's really good. Yes, my kids actually really like it.

That was a great movie. That was not a favorite, that was a top three. We'll take a top three, to declare. We'll take it. Elf is on Broadway. I think Elf has got to be my favorite. Elf is hard to beat. It's just so darn sweet.

In its own category. It's funny. And they're singing, live singing. So quotable. I think this is the first year it's been back on Broadway since it, I think it's been like 10 years since it's been on Broadway, but it's back this season. And for those listening, if you don't know this, Jenna Claire is a Broadway star.

We're going to get into that later. She did play Linda the Good Witch on Broadway, which is the most epic thing ever. And I prophesied it. Yeah, you did. Not a big deal. No big deal. It's not about me, but really, really cool. Okay, moving forward, what is your favorite Christmas food

that you get excited to eat? Okay, we fry our turkeys. So we fry them on Thanksgiving and then we just can't get enough, so we do it again on Christmas. I love that, run it back. Yes, we do run it back. So fried turkey. That's special.

My mini mama's sausage rolls. My sweet mini mama, itty bitty mini. She has passed. We love her so much, but she lived well into her 90s and she made these famous sausage rolls. And she would make them for all the different families and freeze them. So you'd have to unfreeze them before. And we would cut them up and make them Christmas morning. And now my brother has taken, my little brother has taken on the tradition. He knows the recipe, he knows how to make them, so we can still have Minnie Mama's Christmas morning. Sausage rolls, they're delicious.

Oh, you're gonna have to drop that recipe. Yeah, for sure. That sounds so good. Do you have like, do you do like a different thing for Christmas than you do for Thanksgiving? We actually do, this is so funny. And the reason I even thought to ask that is because I know this is kind of unique

that our family does, but the Robertson family, not like we don't do this, our little family for Christmas, but the Robertson family has always done seafood. Yes. Like a big seafood thing. Because of Louisiana. Yes. Like a crawfish boil?

Well, so like fried shrimp, all that kind of stuff. But then my grandpa, Pebble Phil, he makes like crawfish pie, agraten, like crawfish agraten. Like it's so good. And that is so unique because I don't know how many people do like a seafood. We'd have like an oyster dressing.

You do what? Like an oyster dressing. Like my family did, but not this family. You're from Texas. Yeah, but we were like also kind of Eastern Texas. Love that. Love that. See, it's just fun to hear what different people do on Christmas.

Okay, favorite Christmas tradition that your family has? We open a gift, one gift on Christmas Eve. Oh, that's so fun. I love that. And the kids are very excited because they get to choose it, which one gift they get to open. But what if like they go for like the best gift you got them? That's your one gift. Oh. open. But what if they go for the best gift you got them?

That's your one gift? Actually, you know the whole, what's funny, because the movie airs at what, 4 AM on Christmas Day? Which is probably for their parents who are still awake, putting together the things. Yeah, they turn it on in the background, parents. Sure, let's watch this. But typically, those gifts don't come out

until Christmas Day. That's true, that's true. Okay, smart, smart, smart. We could open a Christmas gift on Christmas Eve, but it was always pajamas. That's a jam. Which we haven't even acknowledged, but we're in our Christmas jams.

We have our jammies on. This was actually my Christmas gift last year, I opened it the day before, because mom got us these, which was the best pajamas ever. They're so cute, they're really cute. They're so nice, I know, love them. Is that your favorite Christmas?

Oh, Christmas tradition. This is something we did as a family growing up, and I would like to do it with my kids. On Christmas Eve after church, I feel like this is going to sound weird. We would turn off all the lights in our house, and we would light candles. And we would go room to room, and we pretended

like it was the journey. So theatrical. Yeah, it's like a passata. Like the journey to Bethlehem. Yeah. And, um. See though, like that's special because it's your family. Like.

Yes, we like to sing. If y'all are amazing singers, like theater people, I'm sure that was like so wonderful and beautiful and moving. If my family did that, like, it would be hilarious. It would lose the specialness. No, no, that would be amazing too. I would like to see that.

The talent and the getting in there. So between every room, we would sing, Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel. And then when you get to the next room, you would read the next part of the Christmas story. And then you would journey to another room and read the next part of the Christmas story. Always Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel,

which is why I love that song. And then we would end at this beautiful, wooden nativity set at our front door. And baby Jesus was never in the manger yet. You had to wait for Christmas morning. I would, you know, we'd see our gifts and I'd be like, I have to see if Jesus is here. That is awesome.

We'd go over to the manger. But we just got one of those like, I don't know, plastic toy sort of manger sets for my kids. And we actually just set up our Christmas tree yesterday and it was sweet Eric was setting it up with with my son and and saying you know talking about the Christmas story with them. I love that. I think we need to start the journey to Bethlehem. Y'all should. Every room in your house. Y'all should. I love that. That is so special. I only laugh thinking of my family during it because that's really cool. We have-

Do that, record it. My mom reads the Christmas, like the whole, you know, it's not, she doesn't read it from the Bible, she reads it from this book, and it's kind of like funny drawing, and so, you know, our family laughs at everything, so it's just been funny tradition because my mom reads it every year,

and there's a moment where it's like supposed to be like, oh hell, the king, but because mom's so country, she always goes, oh hell, the king, and so we be like, oh, hail the king. But because mom's so country, she always goes, oh, hail the king. And so we always were like, oh, hail. It's time for the Christmas story. I can see your family totally busting out. It's too much, but it's the best. And just fun memories and all the things.

OK, so my next question was, do you decorate? Do the kids do a Christmas pageant? OK, so that is our favorite tradition. It's our big talent show that we do. That is the funniest thing, Christmas Eve talent show. And because it's very special, because a lot of our other families, like cousins, aunts, and uncles, do have a lot of talents.

Our family does not have like talents that you bring out in the talent show. You know, like talent show people are specific to like, I play music, I sing, I can juggle, I can like do this kind of talent for you all and perform. My family just doesn't have that, you know? So it's very funny because we have to get more creative. So we always come up with like a skit

and it's always really funny. And sometimes it's too far and that's funny. And it's so funny. Comedy is a skill set, okay? So our family goes with the comedic route and then we never prepare as much as we should. We never practice. That makes it better.

It does. It's raw. That is like our favorite, that's our favorite tradition. And now that the girl is like, honey is old enough to sing now, I'm like trying to get her prepared for the Christmas Eve so she'll do it or just do her cartwheel or something. But it's so fun. Yeah, we love it.

I feel like you need to answer questions too. I wanna know. Keep asking. Keep asking them, I love it, I love it. I'm used to interviewing people, but hit me back with the question all day long. Okay, so I was about to ask you, do you decorate before Thanksgiving or after,

which everyone listening to this podcast, you're hearing this in December. It makes so much sense for us to be in Christmas pajamas. It is currently November before Thanksgiving that we're recording this. And you just submitted yesterday, y'all decorated. So you're before Thanksgiving. Sure did. I feel like the Hallmark countdown to Christmas starts really early, like middle to end of October. So that has me in the holiday spirit pretty early. I don't think it's acceptable to decorate before Halloween. But I feel like November 10th is very acceptable. Very.

I'm sorry that I did an unacceptable thing this year, because I decorated my house before as Christmas for Halloween. Yes. That was good. That was for a special occasion. It was. I did go with Santa as well. So that made sense. That was for a special occasion. It was. I did go with Santa as well.

That made sense. And we gave out Christmas candy. That's awesome. We love a theme. There was a theme. And it was because of the movie. Because the movie came out the next day. I bet people loved that.

Yeah, they couldn't quite figure out what was going on. But it was sweet. And then there was lots of minty candies. A huge Halloween party. And then the next night hosted a huge movie premiere party. So Stewart House is the party place to be. I know, I was jealous I wasn't there. It looked so fun.

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is their best of the year, so don't miss out. Terms and conditions apply. Last question is, what is your least favorite Christmas song and your most favorite Christmas song? Least favorite. And there's only one appropriate answer for your most favorite. Okay, the song that I never need to hear again,

I'm sorry. There it is. The song I really don't like is the. Last Christmas. We'll be having a wonderful Christmas time. It's like, it's like, I can't. It's like. See, there's always that one Christmas song

that it's like, it's gotta stop. The last Christmas is the one that. Last Christmas, it gave me my heart. I'm not a Santa Baby fan. Well, it's a bit. It's a little bit too much. It's a little bit like, weirdo, okay. You know what we should do after we wrap this pod?

I think we should rewrite Santa Baby with lyrics that are acceptable to you. We should. She likes Santa Baby. You like Santa Baby? It's just a little bit like the other one. What's the other one that's like kind of like got canceled? Maybe it's called outside. I feel like that one could easily be rewritten. But it could be rewritten so that's not too creepy. Okay yeah let's rein it in. Let's rein it in. I like that. We'll rewrite that one too. I have such a sweet memory of like. I feel like she just keeps saying we. I don't even know. We are deciding this. This is our Christmas committee. My dad... Christmas committee? Christmas committee, that's the name of this

podcast. It is like ingrained in my head. So like my dad during Christmas time when we were younger and he still does this but like we're rarely in the car with him you know. When he drives around every time we saw Christmas lights he would go Christmas. Christmas time is here. And like, I just hear that every time I- It sounds like something Bama would do. No, and it's so great though. I'm like, thank you dad for that. Okay, so now that we have our Christmas questions, I always say ask you that because the movie,

because the song, and it's really cool and very special how this even came about. Donna, I remember you called me when I was in the airport and you were like, you will never believe what is happening. I was like, you are right, I would have never guessed that. And so tell me just about the process of writing this song for a Hallmark movie that Jenna Claire got to sing and star in.

Okay. I mean, epic. Epic. Well, it started kind of before the song. I feel like GC called me up and was like, hey, will you read this script? And I'm gonna let you keep talking about that. Do you want me to take it over?

OK. Well, I have to say, when Donna and I first became friends, one of the first dreams she sort of shared with me was, someday I would really love to write a song for a movie. And I was like, what a cool dream. You're a songwriter. That would be really a cool thing to do. Fast forward, we've been friends for years now.

And I got the script for what was going to be my third Hallmark movie. And I often send audition sides and scripts to Donna. She's a friend, but she's also a mentor. And I feel like she has awesome opinions and creative input. And I really trust her eyes on things. And so it was, I think it's a testament to the kind of friend that she is just incredibly faithful and caring

that she read the script right away. I think you finished reading the script before I did. I was like, oh, this is a good movie. And you're like, oh, is it? That's hilarious. And literally I was reading it oh, this is a good movie. And you're like, oh, is it? That's hilarious. Literally, I was reading it because there's a couple of gentlemen suitors in this film, a couple. And I was going, who does she end up with?

Yeah, she's asking me who she ends up with. Anyways, so one of the reasons this song came to be and the timing that it did is because Donna is such a good friend. So fast forward a week or two later, I'm in Winnipeg, which is where we shot this film, although it takes place in New York City. It's colder in Winnipeg.

It's very cold in Winnipeg. And we're doing a table read, which is what you do before you start to shoot. And we sat down, I have the script in front of me, it's the most recent version. And I quickly skipped to the back to see what the final song of the movie is because dramatically, it is sort of,

I mean, it's a huge climactic moment in the film. And I got there and it said, TBD. And I was like, wait, we start shooting next week. What is the song? And they're like, wait, we start shooting next week. Like, what is the song? And they're like, well, we're still, you know, we have a few options. And it might be this one, but it might be this one. And I said, you know, I'm from Nashville.

I have some songwriter friends. Like, would it be OK if I, you know, pitched this to them to see if they could write something? And of course, I'm thinking about Donna. But I'm not in Nashville. I'm in Washington, DC. She is in DC. I am from Nashville.

But she is from Nashville. And the director, I mean, the way he tells it now, is he was like, yeah, sure. Go get your friends to write a Christmas song. Which, meanwhile, I'm going, you said you have a friend? That's not a good thing. Oh, I've got a friend. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

He was skeptical, but was like, yeah, sure, why not? The more, the merrier. So before we start table read, I text her a friend. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So he was skeptical, but was like, yeah, sure, why not? The more, the merrier. So before we start table read, I text her. We have screenshots. We've got the receipts, OK? We do have screenshots. It's wild. I said, Donna, they haven't written the final song yet.

I think you need to write something. And can I say what I pitched to you for an idea? Yeah. There is a song that she has not recorded yet that I hope she does someday called Magic Words that she recorded with Jimmy Needham, who's an artist I've loved for a very long time. And I said, and I've just seen like videos

and heard voice memos of it, but I was like, write something, it's gotta be catchy, it's gotta be fun, it's gotta be poppy and sweet. Do something like Magic Words, but Christmas. And I kid you not, Sadie, we start the table read, 40 minutes later, she sends me a voice memo and she's like, what do you think about this? And of course we're still like halfway through the script.

I'm like, I really want to go listen to the song. Is it good? Is it going to be like, is it going to work? Right. So the second we finished the table read, I run to the bathroom to like, to listen to it. And it's amazing. I'm like, oh yes, it's great. to listen to it. And it's amazing. I'm like, oh, yes, it's great.

And I love it. I know. I probably texted you back that I loved it, but I ran back into the room. I grabbed the director and the creative producer, pulled them into the room and was like, this song is great. Here are the reasons why.

Objectively, it is the perfect song for this moment in the movie. It was only a verse and a chorus. I truly believed that. And they were like, we have been listening to songs for weeks. This is perfect. Well, and they loved it.

And so they're pitching it to the network. And fast forward to, I think the next day, I was like, Actually, meanwhile, let me butt in. Let me butt in because 40 minutes, Donna, who does that? The Lord, okay. So yeah, I'm in my car, I'm picking Owen up from boxing. I'm sitting in my minivan waiting to get my son

and I have nothing, I have my phone. And so she's like, they don't have a song for this movie. I was like, that feels bad. It's like the whole movie culminates in this song. The Carol for Two. The Carol for Two and there is no Carol. It's The Carol. And I was like, oh gosh.

And then when she had said, please write a song, and I'm like, oh, okay. But here's what's interesting. If you go one week, seven days earlier, I was in a conversation, we were in Dallas. I was in a conversation with Macy McLean, and whom I had just met met and she's darling and I had said you know I've always wanted to write songs for movies it just kind of

came up in our conversation she's like oh that's cool you know like she doesn't know me I don't know her but she was like I hope you get to do that someday right so in that bonkers cool well and it gets crazier too because I didn't know how you and Macy are all tied together too. So anyway, I am sitting waiting for Owen to get out, get this text. And it was one of those moments where the Lord's like, well, what are you gonna do? What are you gonna tell her?

You just said a week ago that you wanna write songs for movies and this is a dream of your heart. Are you gonna do it or not? And so I was like, okay, I'll take a swing at it. I think I wrote that. Okay, I'll take a swing at it. And so then I wrote this kind of- We need these screenshots by the way.

Yeah, we have them. So this is what I wrote down a prayer on March 8th of 24. And the prayer says, this is the thing. So it says, Lord, I write for you in your glory. Thank you for choosing, loving, and setting me apart for your glory. I am yours. Use me how you want.

I thank you for this chance to take a swing at something I've always wanted to do. and setting me apart for your glory. I am yours, use me how you want. I thank you for this chance to take a swing at something I've always wanted to do. I love you, amen. And then literally, this is the only scratch out. I literally like wrote it and then I sang it into the phone and sent it to her. So the voice moment she sent me was just her,

da da da, oh I never succumbed. Just acapella, no music. Yeah, I'm not snapping. Yeah, wow. Like in that thing you do. I think you sent me that voice memo. I think you did. It's a great voice memo.

I think I did send it to you. I sent it to you, yeah. I was like, you're not gonna believe what just happened. We should publish it. Right. It's fantastic. So yeah, so I sent it to her and then I just kinda go, okay, I guess I'll find out more later. And then.

So the next day, what I'm hearing from our creative producer and our director is, hey, we need to finish the song. So I said, Donna, can you finish the song? Cause that was just a verse and a chorus. And again, like within the hour she'd finished another verse, another bridge, a grand finale with some really sweet cinematic moments, I think.

There were some fun moments that got there. And we sent it in, and I don't know if it was that night or probably the next night, the creative producer called me and she was like, Hallmark picked her song. Well. And I was like, what? And then I said, can we call Donna? And so then we three-way called her,

and then we four-way called the director. And it was so, like, I just loved being a fly on the wall to hear them gush over her and her talent and what this song means to the production and what this song means to the story and how it was like the missing puzzle piece. And it was wild. It was wild.

It was some of the craziest, like it was so cool because it was like, you know, when you feel like, like the spirit is doing his thing. He is having a field day right now. And I just felt like, no, I know exactly what the song is gonna say. I read the script. I want to say these things.

I want them to say these things to each other. And so I got to write that. But what was cool was if we would like take a pause and go back to, so the next morning, you know, we had us conference, which is a conference that our church puts on for the door holders, which is what we call our volunteers. And so what was fun was I got to go to this conference

and be like, you know, they're not gonna believe what might happen. And finding all the Hallmark people that come out of the woodwork. I mean, you should do a poll on how many people who follow you also follow Hallmark. Cause it's like, I didn't, I had no idea. There were these.

We should. People love Hallmark movies. People love Hallmark. I'm serious about this. It's because it's like redemptive endings. It's the same reason I love watching like home renovation shows. They're never like, I give up.

That's so true. We can't do it. It always ends good. Yeah. And then some people's criticism is that it's predictable, but that's what people want. They just like, no, I need a happy ending. You need something predictable sometimes.

You need the happy ending. You need the joy at the end. And that's what people come around it, the holiday season, especially. No, people love homework. I will say this movie has some unpredictable. Okay, I didn't mean to take Shay to homework. No, but totally. I was in a homework movie. Yeah, you were too. Especially no people love I will say this movie has some unpredictable Home and romance don't mine was not as good as yours

So we know people love homework. Yeah, so we get so I all these people are super excited This might happen, but there was a moment in the day that I was you know I'm still trying to deal with this like okay like my heart is here because this is super fun and this is a dream. I've always wanted to do this. And I really believe that dreams that if you're chasing after the Lord, like he gives you the desires of your heart, even if it's like super random, like I want to write songs for movies one day because I do want to make wholesome entertainment. But anyway, there was a moment where Ben, my husband, is interviewing Gary Halgen, who is the CEO of IJM. And IJM is International Justice Mission. And he's talking about this burning desire in his heart to help people and to be a part of a rescue work when

it comes to human trafficking. And he had wanted to do IJM, but it was super scary. And he almost didn't do it. But it was the burning, and he kept saying it's the burning passion in my heart. And I'm like, the burning passion in my heart is not rescuing thousands of people from, you know, human trafficking.

However, it is a burning desire in my heart. And so I had already, and the reason he would have not done it was fear of what people might think and what if it fails. And I was like, that's probably the same reason I wouldn't do it. So I'm going to write the rest of this song today, whether Hallmark wants me to write it or not.

I'm just going to finish the song. Because the reason I have this burning desire in my heart to write songs for movies is because when you scratch the surface of me, if it's not like a blatant Christian song, you're gonna find Jesus. And so I want that. I want people to go, that's a super fun Christmas song. Wow, she loves God. I've been thinking about God lately.

And then off you go. And for all I know, maybe I'll be a part of getting to help save thousands of people too. In a different way. In a different way. So it doesn't make it like not equal. It still is. I really do believe the desires of your heart,

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and use the promo code WO to get 10% off your first order today. That's everylife.com, use the promo code WO at checkout to save 10% off your first order. That's so cool, it actually makes me think of like Joseph being a dreamer. at checkout to save 10% off your first order. That's so cool. It actually makes me think of like Joseph being a dreamer and it's like, who knew being a dreamer would get him where it got him?

Who knew? Who knew? No, but really like, I mean, he was a dreamer and it didn't go well, obviously, but then whenever they call him out of the prison, the pit, another pit, it's because he's a dreamer and they're looking for a dreamer. They're like, who can interpret this dream?

Oh, I know, the dreamer in the prison. And they pull him out. And I always thought that was so crazy. The same reason he got thrown in is the same reason he got taken out, was his dream gifting. And then it's so cool because before he interprets a dream, he's like, the Lord Almighty is like gonna give me,

like he's gonna give us this interpretation. And he gives honor to the Lord. And then he interprets a dream. And it's really cool as you were reading that, I was thinking of Joseph, because you like give honor to the Lord, like God, I love you, I write for you. All that I do is for you.

And then next thing you write is like the lyrics, the perfect lyrics for this song. And like knowing the TV world and just this Capacity that I know it it's so hard to get approvals from networks and directors networks producers Like you're going through like a whole lot of people who have to like approve this one thing who have different opinions You have different reasonings as to why or why not so for something like that to turn around so fast and everyone feel as to why or why not. So for something like that to turn around so fast and everyone feel unanimously good about it,

that really is like the Holy Spirit prompted that song in your heart. It was made for that movie and how cool that you. Just even, I think that also speaks to like, what a good friend to elevate your other friend's gifting to go like, oh, I know somebody who one, it's her dream to do this too. She can do this because she has the capabilities of it,

which is just so insanely special. Well, I feel like dreaming is going to be a thread of this podcast. But I want to back it up a little bit, because how did you guys meet? Because you talked a little bit about that, and I don't even know how you all met. Oh, well, yeah, I'll let you go.

Go with it. OK. You're so good at opening things. I can just kind of come in. Well, I think similarly to you, I started listening to Ben Stewart's messages on breakaway ministries in high school. So when I was a teenager, just a couple of years ago.

No, breakaway. Breakaway, I guess I think I started listening in like 2008, 2009. Wow. And like when I say that Ben Stewart has been so hugely formational for me in my walk with Jesus, the way that he teaches and he's so smart and he breaks things down in such a way that you're like,

yes, and he's just, I think he's wildly entertaining and funny. Same. So he's just, I think he's wildly entertaining and funny. So he knows how to captivate an audience, but not just captivating for the sake of comedy or whatever. It is, I mean, it is captivating and then it's truth. And so, yeah, and then they moved on to Passion City Church and then to Passion City in DC. And so I just kind of followed along their journey.

It wasn't, I guess it was a year or two after I started listening to Breakaway that I met my now husband and- Prince Eric. Prince Eric. Prince Eric. And I introduced him to Breakaway Ministries and he started listening.

So he listened to all of Ben's messages too. So it's really sweet even looking back on our dating relationships. Like there were so many countless conversations like breaking apart and talking about and you know. Well, Ben's two messages. That is how Christian and I started dating 100%. We started, we literally started,

our first text we ever sent to each other was Christian sending me Ben's podcast to listen to. It was like podcast form, but it was his sermon from breakaway on the single dating, engaged, married series. Without that book, without that sermon, I don't know if we'd ever get married and have our little really truly like that one

that was what started our conversation. But beyond that, like that was our guide through dating. We went back to that book like, and would read when we were all the different stages of it. And so it's so crazy how pivotal Ben's message was in our life. And then it's so cool to hear that for else too.

I didn't even know that. And now we just say thank you, Ben Stewart, and thank you Donna Stewart for your ministry. Thank you guys for your ministry, for your marriage, for your life. For our marriages, yes. We love you, babe, if you're watching. Shout out to Ben.

Thanks, Ben. So, like we were just saying, just wanting to give thanks. And I think I always thought, I always told Erica, I was like, well, someday we'll just go to Texas and we'll go to breakaway ministries, just so maybe we could see them and we could just say thank you. And that would be really cool to just say thank you.

And fast forward to, this is part of Sadie's prophecy but I was playing Glinda in Wicked on Broadway because Sadie prophesied it. Okay we should just share the story how that happened because people don't know how we know each other either. We know each other from the most random like niche time of our story our family stories live and I say niche because not a lot of people know this like we had a family musical the Duck Commander family musical which was in Vegas which is so crazy really honestly so cool to think back to all the things that our family got to be a part of

during the Duck Dynasty years and that was so cool for our family to have that musical that was like so powerful and ministered to people in such a specific, amazing way. And I still think of those songs, like you reminded me of. So Jenna Claire got casted to play my mom in the musical, which you do really look like her. Yeah, you guys totally. I'm flattered, thank you.

Yeah, I know, you look a lot like her. So you play my mom, so I got to know you as the actress who played my mom in a musical in Vegas. So it's just mom. So I got to know you as the actress who played my mom in a musical in Vegas. So it's just so crazy. You can call me mom. So bonkers. I'm like, the first time I met you.

Honey. I know. Hello, mom. The first time I met you, that's whenever I was like, do you know what role you should play? And you were like, that is my dream role. And you had, I guess, always wanted to play that part, even since you were a little girl, right?

I saw the original cast on Broadway and told my parents at intermission that I was gonna play Glinda someday. Wow, at 13? Yeah, so that was definitely a dream. And you were working towards that, and here you are playing Corey Robertson in the documentary. Corey Robertson.

A very important step along my path. First things first. That was crazy too, because I was doing the first national tour of Newsies, and our director, Jeff Calhoun, were in rehearsals for Newsies, and he was like, hey, I'm doing a workshop of this other show. And I was like, awesome. He was like, do you want to come be part of it? And I was like, sure, what is it? And he was like, well, have you heard of Duck Dynasty?

We're turning it into a musical. I was like, what? And at the time, you know, for the workshop, I played Missy. Really? Mm-hmm. I did not know that. And then when the audition came up a couple months later, and I was actually out on tour, I was like,

I'd really love to audition for Corey. And I like filmed an audition in the dressing room between shows one day and sent it in and left Newsies to go to Duck Dynasty. And so then I came to Louisiana because A&E was doing a making of the musical episode for Duck Dynasty. And so I think that you had just finished Dancing with the Stars. And yeah, we were in the car.

I think we were on the way to Phil and Kay's house. And you were like, you should be Glenda someday. And I was like, funny story. I hope so. Yeah, you told me that when you were 13. You said that Glinda someday. And I was like, funny story, I hope so. Yeah, you told me that when you were 13, you went and you said that after the show. I remember that now. This was the beginning of 2015,

and it was the end of 2015 that I made my Broadway debut as Glinda. So, Sadie. That's where the prophecy comes into play. Prophecy. I can't really take a lot of credit for that, other than if you have met Jenna Claire, you've even 30 minutes of a podcast,

like she is in Glendale. I mean, in the best ways, obviously. But just like the bubbliness, and that's my favorite musical, I've always loved it. Every time we go to New York, we would see it. And so I was just like, man, you remind me so much of this character. But do I remind you of your mother? Oh, yes, that too, that too.

The musical version of my mother, for sure. And so it's so cool. But I wanted to point that out too, because that was a dream that you had said at a young age and then you worked towards it and got to be a part of it to Donna's point, that it doesn't really matter what the dream is. If it's a desire of your heart,

I think that honors and glorifies the Lord with the talents he's given you. It's amazing to see how he does make a way, but not only makes a way, like yes, he makes a way, but I think sometimes when people think about that, they're like waiting for God to just make a way, like a C split moment, but like you have to walk through it. You know, like there's a huge part

to working towards something. And I love how you acknowledge like the Doug Committer musical was like a part of the process of getting to there. Like you don't just wake up and go, my dream has come to life. I'm writing for movies. Like there's a lot of writing. There's a lot of writing. And the secret place, which you talked about last time you were on the podcast, without people noticing, without people seeing it, a lot of work on your part before you get to that,

that, you know, dream coming true. Tell us a little bit about just your process in the acting world and Broadway, because a lot of people are like, how do you even go about becoming a Broadway star? It's that verse. Yeah, how do you? How does that work?

No, that verse though, Psalm 37, four, when I'm going into college, I wrote that verse on a big canvas and that was like the verse I had next to my bed in college. And I feel like, you know, I think it's easy for that verse to sort of get misinterpreted, which is like delight in the Lord

and he'll give you the desires of your heart. And it's not that like God's a genie and he's gonna grant you three wishes, but that if you're delighting in him, ultimately your desire becomes for him. And then I just think everything else sort of falls into place. But yes, Broadway and theater and Wicked and Glenda was all definitely this lifelong dream and pursuit for me.

And that looked like going to college for musical theater and moving to New York and auditioning a lot and hearing a lot of no's. And I mean, I auditioned for Wicked for years before I was ever in it. And then I started as the standby on Broadway. And then I played the role on tour for a couple of years and then got to take over the role on Broadway.

And there was even auditions between those segments of my life. So yeah, it was definitely a dream come true. And I'm still on the, you know, a lot of people, like my husband's a pilot. He's a pilot. He's gonna be a pilot for the rest of his life, Lord willing.

And with an actor, you're always looking for a job. You're looking for a job. So your full-time job as an actor is to audition and hopefully audition well. Yeah, well it's wild because I feel like in that moment when I'm like, oh, you know what you should do, you should be like this. And you're like, yeah, trust me.

Like, been auditioning. Yeah, great idea. And it's like one of those things where I think so many people get frustrated with that though. You're like, why not? Like, I'm the perfect person for this. I've worked so hard, I've done this. And you feel like, why isn't it happening, Lord?

But it's like so important to stay faithful in those moments. And like, you know, it is hard to keep going whenever you keep hearing no, no, no, or whenever you're not seeing something work. But like, when you really feel something in your heart, you're supposed to stick with it. Donna, I do want to circle back to that,

because last time you were on this podcast, you talked about that, like in the secret place. And now you're sitting here and you're like, this is so cool, because this is one of those dreams in your heart that you're getting to do now. And like, it made me so happy to hear like- You're gonna make me cry.

No, seriously, it like made me so happy to hear about, now I'm gonna cry, we're just talking about this. We're talking about this. Oh no, no. Like how you went to your church and it was y'all's conference and you got to share that with everybody, because you and Ben do ministry together,

y'all served together as a couple and so beautifully, so, so beautifully. But there are a lot of gifts and talents that you have in your life that aren't necessarily always gonna be like in a church setting, you know? And so like you haven't gotten to fully do some of those things because like y'all are very committed to the church and this time of your life.

I've tasted her brisket. No I haven't. She built a smokehouse. And I do want to do that. But like the fact that now, like you've been faithful with where God's had you, but also God hasn't forgotten the things that he like specifically did in your life that now you're getting to step into. Because I just feel like that's so many people's story right now sitting here

listening to this podcast, like, man, when is that breakthrough gonna happen for me? How do you remain faithful in that hidden time? I definitely suffer from symptoms if I do not stay hydrated. Everybody's body has its limits and it is so important to refuel, even if you're not working out. That's where Element comes in. Element is a no sugar electrolyte drink mix that has everything you need and nothing you

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Sadie, I wondered if you would and I prepared a couple of things. No, I just really love the scriptures and just like you do and just like you do. And one of the things that really stuck out to me today, I even prayed, Lord, guide me in your word today, as we were gonna be on this, take me to your plan for today. I love and trust you, amen. Proverbs 13, 12, hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

And I think that's really cool because a tree of life is what starts as a seed. And a seed is planted in the dark. And it takes a lot of, I was telling G.C. on the plane today, like when you have, you know, even like a baby, the beginnings of the growth of a baby, it all is happening in the dark, but it's key things, like essential things, like the heartbeat,

and all of the main parts of a life has to happen in the dark and in those early days, but you can't rush it. You have to let it form as it goes. And I just think that that, that a longing fulfilled as a tree of life is gonna be something that doesn't just, oh, look, it happened.

It actually continues to produce more fruit. And so it's just this, because a tree of life produces fruit, lots of fruit. And so it's just this beautiful expectation that that day will come when it's time. And that I am not the arbiter of time. I am the receiver of love and the waiting with wonder, knowing I'm going receiver of love and the waiting with wonder,

knowing I'm going to be amazed, which is the prepare my heart to wonder, which we'll get there in the future of this podcast. But I just think that as we, as I, and I say this all very easily now, but it was real hard whenever I was like having to wait through it all. Totally. But I believe that God even prepared my ability

to receive the, oh, look what just happened, and look what's happening with other things that were gonna be necessary for me to walk in it. So like, even watching the movie on the plane, Unashamed or I Am Not Ashamed, is that what the movie's called? Because when I was going to, so I got to go to Winnipeg. We haven't got to that part yet. We haven't even gotten to the part where you met me, but we'll get there in a second.

Oh, sure, sure, sure. We'll jump ahead. But just getting to like watching that movie on the plane and going, this is, I'm watching this because I want to be unapologetically Christian as I step into the songwriter on this movie set that is not a Christian movie set. How am I going to be? Am I going to shy away from talking about who I am? So there was a moment. Are you a composer? Like they were really excited to meet me. And I'm like, I'm a worship leader. And actually the bass player, Peter, he goes,

my daddy's a pastor and everybody else was kind of like blink blink, like worship leader does not commute. You know, it was kind of one of those like, whoa, whoa. But, but Peter said, my daddy's a pastor. And I said, Peter, do you love Jesus? And he just kind of looks at me, I mean in front of all of his band. And he just goes, yes, ma'am, I do.

And I was like, how much does God love you to put me on this set with you? Is this your first Hallmark rodeo? He's like, yes.'am I do. And I was like, how much does God love you to put me on this set with you? Is this your first Hallmark rodeo? He's like, yes. I was like, mine too, how crazy is this? That's awesome. You know what I mean? So it's just this amazing moment to get to just be me.

And I'll be honest, like for a long time, it was just hard thinking that I'm not supposed to be me. I'm supposed to be some other cookie cutter of what is acceptable. And that's just so exhausting. You have cookies on your pants. I'm supposed to be some other cookie cutter of what is acceptable. And that's just so exhausting. You have cookies on your pants. I have cookies. I have football cookies on my pants. But I just think I needed to get past. I needed to, what we talked about on the last podcast together, I needed to receive

love and receive that I've been created a certain way. Yeah. And this is okay. Yeah. And that God has made me to do things. Here's what's so cool about Ephesians 2 10 says, for we are God's masterpiece or we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which he prepared beforehand that we would walk in them. We've got good works coming. And we're going to walk in them. But he's prepping us. But he wrote them back here. But he's readying us to be able to handle it

when we get there to walk through that work. Just like you said with Joseph. Isn't that good? You should go back to the part where you're meeting me. We skipped that part. Yeah, we can definitely go back. Just to piggyback on a little bit of what you're saying. You know, I said that I got to audition

for a number of years for the show that was my dream show. But something that was interesting about the dream fulfilled was that I started as the Glinda standby, which means I only went on if Glinda, the main Glinda, wasn't there to do the show. And I did that for 16 months, and I only went on 25 times. And there's eight shows a week, which means for 500 something shows, I was just sitting backstage.

And it was like, what is this time gonna look like? And it was, it was challenging to be like, my dream has been fulfilled, but it's all happening on the other side of this wall and I'm here on the couch. And you just dress up like her? No. Okay, you just, but you were there?

Just there, just hanging out. And that meant, and something that's really special to me is it meant I got to make so many awesome friends at the Gershwin Theater. So then I went on tour and when I came back as the role, when you're actually playing the role, because of where the dressing rooms are and because of the demands of the role where you're on stage the whole time, you don't get the chance to meet or hang out with people in the same way.

So it was really sweet getting to come back after having been there for almost a year and a half and feeling like I was coming home because I knew all these people already. Wait, I have to say one more thing about the Duck Dynasty musical before we move on, which is some of my favorite music I have ever sung in my whole life was music from the Duck Dynasty musical before we move on, which is some of my favorite music I have ever sung in my whole life.

I was gonna say. Was music from the Duck Dynasty musical. You need to sing a little something from it because no one knows the music. What was your favorite one? I always thought we should make an original cast recording. It didn't happen, but it's not too late, Sadie.

You and I, we can do it. It's not too late, let's revive it. I mean, I liked my song, Camouflage. Come on, give us a little. Do you remember that? Let them see you in your camouflage. I mean, I liked my song, Camouflage. Come on, give us a little. Let them see you in your camouflage. It was, and because I'm from Nashville, it was like country, but it was like country pop and it was country rock and it was like country soul. It was, it was a fantastic score.

And what was really cool for me too, playing someone who's very much alive and thriving, was getting this like up close view of the incredible woman that your mom is, but getting to know your family in that very unique way during the rehearsal process and teching and so cool. It's so cool. And Bella loved you, adored you, you were her biggest inspiration. I got my Bella bracelet on. Bella actually went by Bella Anne during that time of her life because she thought Jenna Claire was so cool having a double name. So I remember like her voicemail when you got her, it's like, it's Bella Anne. I was like, what?

Yeah, you're definitely, I mean, we were super grateful to know you at that time, for sure, because Bella and I, I was like in high school, Bella was in middle school and we thought you were like, we still think you are the coolest person ever, but we did back then too, which is really sweet. Y'all just made me feel part of the family. And it's so, you know, it's one thing to watch the show on TV and see everybody sitting around the table

and sharing meals together, but then to be invited to the table and share food with your family and be like, as wonderful as the world thinks you are from this show, you're even better than that. So sweet. And to have that up close view was really, really special and unique.

Thank you. It really is. The Duck Commander musical. Right back to you. I got to go to your apartment in New York one time, and I was like, this is the coolest thing ever. But it's so cool. Whenever you look at opportunities,

not just for the opportunity they are, but the people you get to meet, you know what I mean? The, that is like so much of what these things are even about in the first place, the people you meet. Actually, that reminded me of a story that I haven't thought about. You know how like so many people know the story of the homeless person that I tried to give a Bible to

and he didn't take the Bible? And this is, I tell this story because it's my first message I ever preached at Passion Church. And then that it's my first message I ever preached at Passion Church. And then that was actually my first message ever. And that's the one that like went viral. And it was all about the story of the homeless man who didn't take the Bible.

And I always say, I went on and I actually got to give it to someone at one point, but I've never told the story. And I gave it to someone on the hallmark set of the movie that I did. Really? Yes, that was, it was my makeup artist. And so I was just- And your makeup artist is your person.

I know, it's your person. Because you're in their chair every morning first thing. Yes, and she asked me about my life, and I was telling her about the homeless man story, and I had that Bible. And I had written in the Bible the story. And I was like, to the person who takes this Bible, this is like, I just believe that it's so powerful

that you were even willing to take it, that you're willing to get to know the Lord. And so we had these conversations about God and I was like, hey, I wanna actually give you this because I brought it with me. We were filming in Mexico and I was able to give that to her. And so again, what a dream,

but also those desires in your heart, like you said, God uses for a bigger purpose in just you getting to star as the role or you getting to write the song. It's like, there's something He's put in you that is showing other people a glimpse of Him. And you get to love people through like such a powerful way, you know, in those cool moments.

So I love that. And I was thinking too, Donna, just about like how Jenna Claire and I both got to know you and we haven't heard yet how she got to know you. We're about to get there. But because we listened to Ben's sermons and like that was Ben's gifting. He's using preaching on a stage.

We're like loving it, learning from it, bought the book, told everybody about the book, all the things before we met you. Absolutely, I'll keep doing it because I love that book. But anywho, it's like, but then now we're two people who know each other from a very kind of random time of our life a long time ago, who are both mentored by you, you know?

I mean, like, that's your thing. Like, that is a bit, no, but like, that's your thing. Like, you are so intentional with people. You joke that like Donna said something like direct to you whenever you first met, and that's how y'all became friends. It's like, me too, you know? And like, but that's your gift. Like, you meet people, you joke that like Donna said something like direct to you whenever you first met and that's how y'all became friends. It's like, me too, you know? And like, but that's your gift. Like you meet people, you go deep, you go deep fast. It's like, and then if I, I guess it's reciprocating, I don't know if you do this with everybody, but it's like, you keep doing that for us. Like we keep going to you with our things. It's like,

Hey, what do you think about this idea? What do you think about this thing? We're about to step into, you're sending books that I'm reading. That's why I said I've mentioned your name a lot on this podcast. We get early morning text messages. Early morning text messages, but you truly are my mentor. I know I say that a lot about you need mentors, but you are that person for me. Totally, and so it's just really cool to see

how God has used you, how God's used all of us, but specifically in those things. So anyways, just have to say it, because again, it's like the hidden thing, but it's like, you're not, you know, it's so cool. Well, and it's sweet. We love you. Oh, I love you guys. Maybe that time you asked me if I'm more hormonal,

I was probably amazing. I'm the one crying. You guys are just the art of the tree. You find yourself closer to the brink of emotions. Cheers. Oh, cheers. I don't know, I just, I think I just am sort of, I mean, I just am so proud of you

both because you've used your, you've used your platform to be shining bright lights for Jesus. And it's just like, heck yeah, I'm gonna keep bolstering that in you both because the world is changing through you. And it's just so good. And everybody on this, I'm so sorry, I'm so crying about this, but this is a big deal. Like, if we're not living for Jesus, what are we doing? And if we're not using the gifts that God's given us to shine light back on Him and tell the world about Him, what are we doing?

You know what I mean? And you're just, you're doing it so fun. Like the way that you do it is so fun. And it's just, I told her on the plane, I was like, if I could come up, if I could tell you your adjective, it's effervescent. You have this effervescence that, it's like a shooting star. You know, when you see a shooting star,

when the sky is super dark, but then the stars are really bright. And when the star goes across the sky, and clearly you see the star, but then there's this like tail behind it, like this sparkle. That's you, that's what you do. And you do too, it's this wild,

yours is more of like a freaking laser because you are just zapping here and there. And I love it because what you- I got the zap, you got the twinkle. Yeah, she's got the twinkle, you got the zap. But it's just this like, it's clear what you got the zap, you got the twinkle. Yeah, she's got the twinkle, you got the zap. But it's just this like, it's clear that you loved the Lord and it's clear that you want him to be your navigator.

And it's clear that you care about the wake behind you. And I just, I'm going to keep saying, go, go get him. Thank you, Fred. That's beautiful. We're so blessed. We really are. I'm like smiling because we're getting so deep with Santa hats on. I know we're crying with Santa hats on. And I'm sweating through the socks I gave Cory.

Cory these are your socks. I got these. Donna gave me these Christmas jammies today. I love them. They're so cute. We have flamingos on them. I love them. Gary are you ever going to tell us how you met Donna?

Don't leave me on the edge of yours again. Grab this, my guy. So how did you meet Donna? Right, back to Ben took Hannah, my oldest, to see The Lion King. And this one. It's a great musical. It's a great musical.

We went to go see The Lion King. We did together. We saw The Lion King on Broadway, Sadie. I think it was when you were there for Sherry Hill. Don't doubt it. I love that. I remember whenever I was a young kid working so hard because I wanted to be on the varsity team in middle school. So I would shoot a hundred shots a day and have to make them before I can go inside.

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Can I buy you tickets to come see Wicked on Broadway? Just as a very small thank you for like the impact that you've had on my life and my family's life. And you responded and you're like, that sounds fun. Fast forward. Two years later, so there was a pandemic. There was a pandemic. And I don't know if you remember.

Broadway shut down for 18 months. Which I had seen you just before on Broadway. I'm so grateful I got to see that. Your Bachelorette party. For a Bachelorette party. Which I had seen you just before on Broadway. I'm so grateful I got to see that for a Bachelorette party. Very fun. Thank you. Thanks for coming. I'm glad I got to see it.

But that is crazy. That was the timing of that. Wow. Yes. So by the time we reopened, I think I had like five months left in my contract. And I was probably just listening to it. And I watched Passion City DC a lot during the pandemic.

And so I think when we reopened, I was like, well, I'm only here for a few more months. I guess I'll try again. So I just circled back around. I was like, hey, I know you said that you might want to come. And there's been a pandemic, but we're open again. And I'm not going to be here for much longer. Would you like to come still?

Because I'd still like to buy you tickets. And this was, it was crazy. It was January, which come to find out was my last month of shows. But you were also filming. And I was filming my first Hallmark movie, the holiday spectacular with the Rockettes. Which is on Netflix now?

Which is on, it's on Hallmark, Heidelberg holiday. The second one's on Netflix. What's the one on Netflix? A Heidelberg holiday though. The second one's on Netflix. What's the one on Netflix? A Heidelberg holiday. Okay, everyone go check that out. Netflix, just released on Netflix. Anyways, so Donna took me up on my offer and she came to New York with her girls

and some friends, a couple friends from DC. And it was a wild time. It was crazy still. Yes, it was still crazy because New York was- Pretty shut crazy still. Yes, it was still crazy because New York was... Pretty shut down still. Pretty shut down. So instead of going to a restaurant, I was like, you guys could order a takeout and a

cake and we could meet at the lobby of this hotel. Were you staying at that hotel? Yes. Okay, that's good. I was like, there's a hotel lobby right across the street from the Gershwin. Let's meet there. You can take over. Yeah, so it was Sparrow's birthday.

And since Hannah got to go to Lion King with dad, I said, well, let's do Wicked with Sparrow. And so, and Hannah of course got to come because, why not? Girls time. And then yeah, my friends, MK and Bethany, who are big Wicked fans and Broadway fans came and they helped and it was a lot of fun.

And so we got a Magnolia bakery cake made for Sparrow only. And then we had- To a steakhouse. We got Ruth's Chris, you know, like delivered to our- They went and go pick, it was very cool. And I took the girls to go to Build-A-Bear and all the things. Anyway, so then we get to the deal and she's like,

yeah, I'll be there. But it was like 30 minutes before, this is what was so crazy to me. You had like 30 minutes before you had to go get dressed. But the show started maybe an hour from that moment. Yeah, so the show, it was Friday night. So it would have been 8 o'clock show. And I remember I had physical therapy.

And I like ran down after PT. And I think I had like 15 or 20 minutes before I had to be back for half hour, which is 30 minutes before the show is when you have to be there. So she shows up at this lobby. I've never met her before. I've only texted with her via Instagram. And she's like, here's your tickets. I know.

Enjoy the show. And we have fun. And then she's like putting glitter on me, which when someone touches your face, you're like, whoa, this is new. OK. And it's just so funny, because like, I put glitter on you for sure.

And we're like loving it. But I can just see her putting glitter on you and that being hilarious. Yeah, I'm like, oh, OK, and we're like loving it, but I can just see her putting glitter on you and that being hilarious. Yeah, I'm like, oh, okay, here we are. No. So I'm just like. Everybody loves a little Glenda glitter. Oh, it's good, but what's crazy is like,

I'm coming around your personality and your personality is so glad to be here and you're my friend now. It is Glenda. And we're gonna be this way forever. It is Glenda, that's why I said this, you know? And it's just not exactly my personality, but what's been beautiful about her personality is it's pulled a lot of that out of me, which is there. It just has to be

pulled out. And I've pulled some things out of you. For sure. That are there. For sure. Do you know her nickname that I gave her? No, but I need to. Her daughters have now said it's going to be her grandmother name someday, so I feel like I picked her really well, but I call her Sunny. Aw, that's really cute. Sunny Stewart. Wait, I love that. She's sunshine.

She's sunshine. Aw, I love that. I did put the little, there's a little Sunny Easter egg on the cover of the record that she and Timmy are on. It's the diner, because I was cooking up the song. So put it in the diner. That's so good. It's a Sunny's diner.

I love that. Anyway, so then we go up the song, so. Yeah. Put it in the diner. That's so good. It's a Sunny's diner. I love that. Anyway, so then we go see the show, and you're right, she's magical. I mean, wow. If Ben has one regret, it's that he didn't get to see you as Glinda, and we're hoping that that can happen one day, somehow, so he can see you as Glinda,

because you're so good. And it was, you know, that even, like she knew where we were sitting because she got us the tickets. And so she like winked at my girls and like waved. And they were like, you know, crying and excited. And we're all like crying because this is like unreal.

It's such a good show. And you're just magical. So it was just this beautiful moment. And then we get home and you call me and you're like, oh, Donna, um. Oh gosh. We can go there. Go ahead.

This is where the story gets a little. This is why we become friends. This is why we become friends. This is why we become friends. This is why we become friends. This is why we become friends. This is why we become friends. This is why we become friends.

This is why we become friends. This is why we become friends. This is why we become friends. This is why we become friends. This is why we become friends. This is why we become friends. This is why we become friends. This is why we become friends. This is why we become friends. This is why we become friends. This is why we're waiting for. What I know about the Stewart's is that they had mentored and had an impact on a lot of kids. So when I invited them to come, I was never like, I didn't anticipate necessarily that we were gonna become

best friends. I was just like, thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you've done for me and given me, I love you. Use some glitter. I got to see them, I saw them after the show. This is a Friday night. The next day I went to Wicked and I felt so sick. Oh, you were in Coney. And that was the last day I ever did Wicked. Oh, that was the last day I went to Wicked and I felt so sick. Oh, you did?

That was the last day I ever did Wicked. That was the last you ever did Wicked? So she saw my second to last day of shows. What? I didn't know it was going to, I was supposed to have two more weeks of shows, but then the Hallmark schedule changed, so then I could only do one more week of shows. And then I got COVID. So because of the rules with the sickness, I like, I couldn't come back and do my last show.

So the next day I called her because I was sad, but also because I was like, do you guys feel sick? Because I was so scared. Yeah, that's nice. I put my hands all over their faces. With the glitter. She put glitter all over me. Oh my gosh.

And we'd eaten cake together, and I was like, are you guys sick? Did y'all get it? I'm a novid. Did you know that? What? I am. I've had COVID like six times. Literally every new pass of COVID, I've gotten it.

You can ask me what the first one was like, second one was like, third one was like. I've had all the rounds. No, Ben and I are both novids. It's a great book. Wow, I could. Maybe your next book. Maybe just a pamphlet. What's up, guys? I want to tell you about my new crazy. Wow, I could. All of the types. Maybe your next book. Maybe just a pamphlet.

What's up guys? I want to tell you about my new book, Every Type of COVID. Every Type of COVID. And how God was with me in every single one of them. Amen. Oh my gosh. So that was a really difficult season for me.

That's what bond did you. Because she couldn't do her final show. I can imagine. But she's been Glenda for years and years. I've been doing the show for six years. What was it? 1200 shows? Did you do 1200? I did, yeah, 12, 13, something like that.

Whoa. She was Glenda 1,300 times. I did it a lot of times. So it was this huge transition moment in my life. And instead of her being like, oh, I'm so sorry, that's really hard for you, she just like swooped in and was the friend of all friends. And just saw me through this really difficult time.

And I was filming the Hallmark movie when I got well and really sad about how Wicked had sort of ended and I had just stopped breastfeeding, if I can say that. So I just felt like my emotions were all over the place and it was this huge moment, transition moment, sort of leaving behind this lifelong dream and being like, what now? But yeah, I have this letter that I was just looking at

that she wrote me, I think it was just a week after we'd met, sort of calling out who I was and how, you know, Glenda is magical as I was, it's not my identity, and challenging me and loving me and encouraging me in such a way that I think really bonded us. That's so good. And then you were stuck with me for life. Then it was, I was stuck with it for life.

It was beautiful. Then I don't think I've been a day without a text, which is really actually beautiful because I had actually been praying for deep, close, lasting friendships. And God was like, oh, you have no idea. Wow, so good. I love that, I love that.

That's so good. You know, we were texting and we're like, what's on your heart to talk about? And I'm like, I know we're just gonna start talking and there's gonna be so many things. But when I think about your friendship, even though I've never seen your friendship up close, I'm like, I know you and I know you separately.

And I know I can only imagine how awesome it is together. But it's just so cool because I was talking about dreams, I was talking about friendship, cheering on a friend. And I think these podcasts are some of the most special to me because it's not like you listen and you go, man, when they said that, when they said that, but you learn from people's stories. You learn from people, even just watching you guys,

how you wrote a letter in a hard time of life, how you kept up with each other, how you reached out on Instagram. So many things speak for themselves. And I think so much of what you guys teach is like, be prayerful about the things you care about. Ask what you guys teach is like, be prayerful about the things you care about, you know? Ask the Lord, seek the Lord, be prayerful about those things, and then like act on it. Go out and actually take steps towards the thing that God's actually

putting your heart to do. And you'll be amazed by what happens, but the people along the way are what make it so special and so beautiful. I hate that we're out of time because we could talk forever. Seriously, we will after this turns off. Well, y'all are staying the night with my mom, so I'll be over hanging out. I'm gonna party. Just keep your pajamas on. There it is.

But I have to know because Wicked is out now, and everyone, this is like so timely that you're on. What are your thoughts on the movie? It's so good. Since you played the part. It's so good. I loved it. We did a screening with all the girls

who'd played Glinda on Broadway in the original Broadway cast and the current Broadway cast with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Rivo and John Chu and some of the producers. And it was just this really cool sort of pre-screen in Manhattan. And it was just special. They said, this is our love letter to Broadway. And we're continuing this legacy

that you've started. And they just went above and beyond in making us feel sort of honored and part of it, even though it was very much their own beautiful iteration of this beloved story. And the way they transfer this from stage to screen is just stunning and so special. And yeah.

It's so cool. I'm so excited for more people to learn the story too and go see it, so that's awesome. Hopefully, I'm sure it'll boost the Broadway show too as well. I know you have friends still acting on it and everything, so that's awesome, so cool. Thank you, she's there.

That is awesome. And you have a record. And a record, and EP. Well, you have to listen to Who Knew? It'd Be You This Christmas, which we recorded with our friend, Jimmy Needham. We did. It's so crazy, because you were like, hey, I want it to sound like magic words.

So in my brain immediately, I had Jimmy's voice and I had Jenny Claire's voice. I was like, oh, I can write this. And then so what's so cool is that Jimmy, when I asked him, was like, hey, would you like to sing on this song? And she had actually been... Oh yeah. I grew up listening to Jimmy Needham every day on the way to school. I would sing along to his music and so much of his music is scripturally based. But when she told us that that she wanted to do, so we have

the movie and the version in the movie which is awesome, but she wanted to do this other master of it with Jimmy, I was like I feel like I've been practicing harmonizing with Jimmy since I was a teenager. And Jimmy's a theatrical guy, so for him to be able to like. Yeah, she brought Jimmy up, the years before she brought Jimmy up to New York and we all went to go see a show with our spouses, like. Yeah, it was amazing. He loves theater.

So he's pumped and so the song's been fun, so who knew it would be you this Christmas is, it's a bop, I feel like there's gonna be some dances out there. I know, we need to do it. We still need to do it. Everybody did their own dance to it. She came and filmed, she came to the set for a week and she got to be there when we recorded her song. It's awesome.

And for the movie which was amazing. And then while she was there in Canada visiting she wrote another song and I just recorded this little three, four song Christmas EP and the name of the EP and the first song on the EP is called Prepare My Heart to Wonder and that's that's another song that she wrote that was really good of our time. Very powerful. I was listening to it last night with Haven. She was falling asleep and then it turned off when it was done and she was like more you know. So really really powerful for me but also so sweet for her to listen to too. And really cool too, it just like, Christmas music to be so worshipful was beautiful. So definitely look up that EP.

You guys, I'm sending you off with a lot of fun things to get to go listen to, go get to watch. Gotta go watch her movie, Carrefour 2, of course, go see Wicked. I know you guys are gonna love it if you ever get the chance. On Broadway, I know that it's such a special experience that I have so many core memories from.

And so go check that out. And of course, Repair My Heart to Wonder, you guys are gonna love it. If you are going through any kind of Advent study, I know we have one in the LO Sister app that's available. I hope you guys love, but alongside of studying the Word, getting to worship through the Word and getting to just worship God for who He is, through Christmas music is so powerful and they have provided that. So go check it out.

Love you guys and hope you have a great week!