Andy Beshear Podcast

Episode: RaeShanda Lias, JD Shelburne, and the Honest Truth About Internet Stardom

Date: April 9, 2026
Host: Andy Beshear (Producer Breland opens)
Guests: RaeShanda Lias, JD Shelburne

Episode Overview

This special Kentucky-centric episode dives into two riveting and very different stories of success: RaeShanda Lias’s journey from hardship to viral internet stardom and entrepreneurship, and JD Shelburne’s late-blooming path to becoming a country music recording artist, Grand Ole Opry performer, and bourbon brand ambassador. Through open conversation, the episode explores authenticity, adversity, the power and pitfalls of social media, music, Kentucky roots, and the necessity of hope (and a sense of humor) even amid divisive times.

Segment 1: RaeShanda Lias – Viral Truth-Teller, Entrepreneur, and Advocate

[01:40] – [35:12]

Starting Over: RaeShanda’s Story

• Background & Early Struggles ([02:33])
  • RaeShanda shares her journey: veteran, Kentucky State University grad, single mom by age 13, moving to Kentucky after Hurricane Katrina, working in financial aid, then starting over after a significant theft derailed her dream of opening a nonprofit.
  • Quote [03:36]:
    “Within five months, I had about $30,000 stolen from me… I found out Christmas Eve 2012, and I drove in the middle of the night… got a pay by the week motel, and I had to start my life over.” — RaeShanda

Finding Her Voice and Audience

• Pivot to Entrepreneurship ([04:50])

  • Began making fashion and style suggestion videos—not initially selling, just connecting.
  • Grew an online following to half a million organically before viral culture was mainstream.
  • A follower, Shelly (Atlanta boutique owner), mentored her, enabling her to launch her online boutique (“All’s Fair in Love and Fashion”), earning over six figures in 10 months.

• Giving Back & Full Circle Moments ([06:40])

  • Awarded scholarships to teen moms in Louisville, echoing support she wanted to create back home in Mississippi.
  • Finds poetic resonance in ending up in Louisville’s Jefferson County, same as her hometown.

• Authenticity as Superpower ([07:37])

  • “[When] you Tell your story, it gives others permission to do the same.” — RaeShanda [07:41]

Survival & Innovation in Crisis ([08:45])

• Pandemic Pivot:

  • During COVID closures, pivoted boutique to supply PPE (masks), which saved her business and enabled her to support frontline workers and hospitals.
  • Quote [09:13]:
    “April 1st, I announced I had PPE, and that was the largest month in my business. I think I made maybe over 50k.” — RaeShanda

• Hope & Resilience:

  • Uses her platform to inform, uplift, and provide community, especially during times of crisis.

Approach to Social Media and Content

• How Content Is Made ([10:42]):

  • Spontaneous, unscripted, rooted in curiosity and voracious reading (“I am a huge nerd”).

  • Strives to make heavy topics “digestible, fun” but never shies from the serious—politics, rights, race, fashion.

  • Host’s Interjection [11:56]:
    “If you did [call the governor for a pothole], I’d get it fixed, right?” — Andy

• Political Engagement ([13:06]):

  • Motivation for political content comes from civic urgency and personal experience running for office via Emerge Kentucky.
  • Emphasizes facts over feelings, and gracefully challenges followers: “Your feelings are valid but they are not facts.” — RaeShanda [14:35]

• Regrets & Boundaries ([15:00]):

  • Regret over chasing down a racist troll online: “The military doesn’t untrain you, they just release you… But they don’t deserve that energy.” — RaeShanda [15:09]

On Service, Community, and Family

• Military Perspective ([17:19]):

  • Service in Germany and Texas changed her worldview, deepening appreciation for human connection over division.
  • “We are on a spinning rock floating through space… The things that we fight about and fuss about, in the grand scheme of things, it just doesn’t matter.” — RaeShanda [18:06]

• Audience Diversity & Connection ([20:02]):

  • Surprised by her diverse following, from cat moms to lawyers of all backgrounds.
  • “You just don’t know who is watching, right?” — RaeShanda

• Personal Updates ([21:12]):

  • Recently got married (Valentine’s Day), jokes about gift expectations and listeners’ marriage dates.

Politics, Fashion, and Observations

• Political Fashion Awards ([21:45]):

  • Good-natured jabs at Andy’s reliable blue suits and the “fun” of politicians expressing themselves beyond standard attire.

  • “[When] I see you in the blue, I’m like, this is a serious moment.” — RaeShanda [22:27]

  • On Trump: “His foundation could be blended more also. Yes. But it’s on par for who he is.” [25:18]

Women’s Rights, Outrage, and Humor

• Viral Posts with Social Impact ([25:40]):

  • Most proud of her women’s rights video:
    “It is absolutely crazy… that there are people that get to decide what we do with our vaginas… as if it’s guns on the street. Like, we gotta get those vaginas off the street because they are taking lives.” — RaeShanda [25:40]

• Public Health and Policy ([27:19]):

  • Nuanced discussion on vaccines, public spaces, and responsibilities.

Keeping Hope Alive, Avoiding Overwhelm

• News Overload and Coping ([30:07]):

  • “I want us to date around presidents… then commit. I don’t want to go into another relationship for four years… after we are in an abusive relationship. This country is in an abusive relationship. And I just think we need a moment.” — RaeShanda [29:43]

• Avoiding Nihilism; Advocating for Hope ([31:12]):

  • “This is heavy… I don’t want… whether you meet me in person or go to my page, that it is just doom and gloom. It can’t be, because we can’t make it like that. We need hope and we need joy.” — RaeShanda

Bigotry, Leadership, and Respect

• Against Division ([32:09]):
  • RaeShanda and Andy decry antagonistic rhetoric and racism from national leaders and its real-world consequences.
  • “I have to have grace and I have to look at people every day… I didn’t come into this world deciding on my skin color. Right. So I am not going to be out here having to… I don’t even tolerate disrespect.” — RaeShanda [32:15]

Connect with RaeShanda ([33:48])

• Social Media:
  • Instagram/TikTok: @raeshanda_lias
  • Facebook: RaeShanda Lias

Segment 2: JD Shelburne – Kentucky’s Spotlight Artist & Homegrown Success

[35:12] – [54:45]

Humble Beginnings to Big Stages

• From Rural Roots to Nashville ([35:44]):

  • Grew up in Taylorsville, Kentucky. First picked up a guitar in college—found in the attic of his late grandmother’s house.

• Learning Guitar and First Gig ([36:42]):

  • Taught himself via online tabs (Yahoo days), first gig at UK’s Kitty O’Shea’s bar. Early, awkward performances (learning to plug guitar into PA).
  • The family gifted him a new guitar for church, marking an early boost.

• Making the Leap – Motivation ([40:16]):

  • Driven by audience connection and stories about his music’s impact.

Pinnacle Achievements

• Grand Ole Opry Debut ([41:30]):

  • “That was maybe the biggest moment of my musical career… step up foot in that circle. The greatest stage of country music… 17 years towards it.” — JD [41:34]

  • Emotional reaction: “It was pandemonium at home. I was hugging my wife… crying tears in the kitchen.” [41:52]

• Straight from Kentucky – Songs & Sound ([43:51]):

  • 7 released albums; “Straight from Kentucky” and “Back Road Kind of Love” highlighted as most popular current tracks (“Back Road Kind of Love” plays in Texas Roadhouse locations).
  • Sound described as modern country, “storytelling.”

Live Shows, Homecoming, and Fan Moments ([45:03])

• Biggest Crowd Moments:
  • References playing Hometown Rising festival (2019, Danny Wimmer Presents), and free hometown shows in Taylorsville with crowds of thousands.
  • Cherishes performing for home state and seeing growth and support.

Crossover Interests and Authentic Branding

• If Not Country:

  • Would do big band (Sinatra) or ’90s rock (Goo Goo Dolls, Matchbox 20, Hootie).

• Social Media & Staying Present ([47:55]):

  • Shares daily (often hourly) updates for fans behind the scenes.
    “People love to see the journey behind the scenes… just keeping things updated. Never letting a day go by where I didn’t update my socials.” — JD [47:58]

Family, Grounding, and Routine

• Balancing Fame and Family ([48:26]):
  • Strong support from wife and son; wife listens to his albums (bonus points for playing his new record in her car).

Bourbon, Business, and Kentucky Cred

• Bourbon Brand Ambassador ([49:15]):
  • Partnership with Inclusion Brand; developed his own label (now with his face on the bottle), distributed in 60 stores.
  • “You know you’ve made it as a Kentuckian when your face is either on the chicken bucket or the bourbon bottle.” — Andy [50:46]

Secret Superpower and Kentucky Work Ethic ([51:13])

• Superpower:
  • “I can go to one place one time… I can tell you exactly how to get there… I’ll never have to look at GPS again.” — JD

Kentucky Roots & the Hard Work of Tobacco Farming ([52:05])

• Cutting Tobacco:
  • Worked cutting tobacco as a kid—calls it harder than music or most jobs.

Tourism Guide & Career Milestones ([53:15])

• Kentucky Tourism Guide Cover ([53:25]):
  • Featuring on the 2020 guide gave a significant boost, reputation, and pride.

Required Listening and Outro ([54:11])

• Music Recommendations:

  • Beyond “Straight from Kentucky,” recommends “Church Pew Barstool”—explains it was his second Opry song and hit No.1 on CMT.

• Performance Outro ([54:55]):

  • JD introduces and sings “Church Pew Barstool” live.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• RaeShanda on Women’s Rights:
  “It is absolutely crazy…that there are people that get to decide what we do with our vaginas…as if it’s guns on the street. Like, we gotta get those vaginas off the street because they are taking lives.” [25:40]

• On Social Media and Facts:
  “Your feelings are valid, but they are not facts.” — RaeShanda [14:35]

• On Pandemic Pivot:
  “April 1st, I announced I had PPE, and that was the largest month in my business. I think I made maybe over 50k.” — RaeShanda [09:13]

• JD Shelburne on Playing the Opry:
  “That was maybe the biggest moment of my musical career… step up foot in that circle. The greatest stage of country music…17 years towards it.” [41:34]

• Andy on Kentucky Celebrity:
  “You know you’ve made it as a Kentuckian when your face is either on the chicken bucket or the bourbon bottle.” [50:46]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:33]: RaeShanda recounts post-Katrina move and entrepreneurial beginnings.
• [07:41]: On the power of sharing your story.
• [09:13]: Pandemic pivot—PPE success story.
• [13:06]: Political engagement, running for office, facts vs. feelings.
• [18:06]: Military service and perspective on unity.
• [20:02]: Realizing the diversity and reach of her audience.
• [25:40]: Women’s rights: viral board moment.
• [29:43]: “America’s in an abusive relationship”—on the need for a national ‘pause’ and hope.
• [35:44]: JD Shelburne’s beginnings: finding his grandmother’s guitar.
• [41:34]: Performing at the Grand Ole Opry.
• [47:55]: Social media use as an artist.
• [48:26]: Staying grounded with family.
• [51:13]: JD’s “superpower”—direction memory.
• [54:55]: JD’s live performance: “Church Pew Barstool”.

How to Connect

• RaeShanda Lias:

  • Instagram/TikTok: @raeshanda_lias
  • Facebook: RaeShanda Lias

• JD Shelburne:

  • Website: jdshelburne.com
  • Spotify, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @jdshelburne

Takeaways

• Resilience and self-reinvention can lead to viral success and meaningful impact.
• Authenticity—in storytelling, activism, or music—builds real connection across divides.
• Kentucky pride, family roots, and a grounded work ethic endure beneath the glitz of modern success.
• Even in heavy times, hope, joy, humor, and community are vital.
• Social media, used wisely, bridges traditional gaps—between race, class, geography, or genre.
• Both guests exemplify grace under adversity and a commitment to giving back.

Episode rating: Kentucky strong spirit, heartfelt laughter, and the truth that connects people far more deeply than headlines or hashtags.

(Summary skips ads, promos, and merchandise chatter as requested, focusing solely on the substantive dialogues and in-episode content.)