Bubba On the Lake: Episode #33

Guest: Brilyn Hollyhand (Turning Point USA)
Host: Bill Bubba Bussey
Release Date: October 9, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features a candid, emotional conversation with Brilyn Hollyhand, a 19-year-old freshman activist and emerging leader at Turning Point USA. Brilyn shares his personal journey into politics, the aftermath of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and the mission of his current "One Conversation at a Time" campus tour. Bubba and Brilyn discuss the importance of civil discourse, the realities of campus activism, and remaining grounded in faith and purpose. The episode concludes with a segment featuring Bubba’s son, Hunter Bussey, who talks about joining the podcast team and their expanding media projects.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Impact of Charlie Kirk's Assassination

Timestamps: 10:34 – 24:16

• Brilyn recalls Kirk as a friend and mentor:
  • “There have been several times… where stuff would come up and we would have opportunities… and I was like, oh my goodness, there’s no Charlie to respond anymore." (11:19 – Brilyn)
• The loss signifies a dangerous turn in political discourse:
  • “How do you explain to his two young babies that your dad went to a college campus, the one place you’re supposed to have free expression of ideas, and he never came home?... That’s an insane concept...” (11:45 – Brilyn)
• Brilyn on the need to continue the fight for civil discourse:
  • “One of the very last things that we ever talked about… Charlie understood conversation doesn’t stop in the off election season… the day that civil discourse dies, America goes to civil war.” (12:14 – Brilyn)

2. The "One Conversation at a Time" Tour & Campus Life

Timestamps: 10:00 – 13:27; 24:16 – 42:11

• Tour details and the growth of youth activism:
  • “We’re calling it the One Conversation at a Time tour. We’re going to 10 college campuses across the country… It’s been amazing to see these students go off the sidelines.” (10:00 – Brilyn)
  • Rapid expansion: from “one student” to “packing a ballroom of 500 last night at Ole Miss.” (42:11 – Brilyn)
• Security realities for campus speakers:
  • “It’s a bizarre concept to have to have metal detectors… to have to walk into rooms with men in suits and guns… that I can’t just go to a campus and talk to people.” (12:54 – Brilyn)
  • “Now… they had drones up in the air, they had snipers on the roof… these are private security because Turning Point has to cover all this.” (22:36 – Brilyn)

3. The State of Civil Discourse in America

Timestamps: 13:27 – 19:43

• Brilyn’s disappointment at the polarized reaction to Kirk’s death:
  • “The most painful part is when you get on social media and your own friends are posting it… with the applauding emoji. Like, they are giddy… an American hero was assassinated for his political beliefs.” (16:06 – Brilyn)
• The parallel with 9/11 Unity:
  • “I’m thinking maybe this is going to be that September 12th moment… where the whole country came together… we haven’t really seen that unity yet.” (15:04 – Brilyn)
• Bubba’s reflection:
  • “I don’t want to see them harmed, but I don’t want to see them in charge either… but I’m not going to take up arms.” (17:06 – Bubba)

4. Faith, Political Style, and Historical Perspective

Timestamps: 17:06 – 21:25

• Bubba on “abrasive style” and biblical figures:
  • “He came into Jerusalem, they were hailing him as the Messiah…the speeches that he made… they were so mad at him by Thursday, they wanted to crucify him.” (18:07 – Bubba)
  • “If you’re going to tell the truth, there’s some people that are very smooth… some people that are a little more abrasive." (19:36 – Bubba)
• Brilyn on Kirk’s choices and sacrifice:
  • “He could have spent the rest of his long life… doing a podcast from the comfort of his home. He didn’t have to go on campuses… but he chose to go into these dark places... the darkest places on the planet, college campuses.” (19:43 – Brilyn)
  • “I think that brings to a broader narrative of left wing violence as a whole. We don’t have to live like this.” (20:43 – Brilyn)

5. Brilyn's Backstory & Political Awakening

Timestamps: 26:42 – 34:28

• Early influencer roots:
  • “I got interested in politics… in the fourth grade. I was 11 years old. I’m born and raised in beautiful Tuscaloosa… being raised in a Christian conservative household.” (26:59 – Brilyn)
  • Inspired by the 2016 Trump vs. Clinton debate: “Who is this guy? He talks not like a politician…” (27:35 – Brilyn)
• Media and outreach:
  • Started a weekly newsletter as a kid—grew to “an audience of well over a million.” (28:29 – Brilyn)
  • On Fox & Friends in high school; called out the GOP’s lack of Gen Z focus: “The GOP is an endangered species at risk of extinction if we don’t wake up and reach out to the next generation…” (29:24 – Brilyn)
  • Connection with Trump and RNC leadership via a phone call in high school: “I go and take the Commander in Chief and his team’s phone call from my high school bathroom…” (30:17 – Brilyn)

6. Personal Path, Aspirations, and Mission

Timestamps: 36:44 – 41:09

• College balance and future plans:
  • “I’ve actually not missed a college class yet. Knock on wood… I fly out every afternoon to go give a campus speech, and I fly back that night…” (36:44 – Brilyn)
  • Turning down lucrative offers so he can finish his degree at Auburn: “I want to graduate from this university...” (37:37 – Brilyn)
• Rejecting traditional political office:
  • “I have zero political aspirations in the slightest… I have no interest in ever stepping foot in political office because it’s so incredibly dirty… I actually feel like I have more power and more of a platform… outside of political office… than you can in your position as a U.S. congressman.” (39:07 – Brilyn)
  • “My plan is to do this… until the good Lord takes me home, wherever that may be...” (40:07 – Brilyn)

7. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Charlie Kirk’s philosophy on discourse:
  • “The day that civil discourse dies, America goes to civil war. And Bubba, we can’t let that happen.” (12:41 – Brilyn citing Kirk’s words)
• Viral elevator encounter:
  • “We ride the elevator up together… and we start talking… Bubba, you turned to me and said, ‘Well, this guy’s the next Steve Jobs.’ And it went viral on Twitter…”
    (34:41 – Brilyn)
• Tour growth testament:
  • “The first time I ever spoke at a Turning Point chapter, two years ago, one singular person showed up. … We just packed a ballroom of 500 last night at Ole Miss.”
    (42:11 – Brilyn)

[42:00 – End] Bubba & Hunter Bussey: Podcasting Updates & Reflections

8. Hunter's Next Chapter

Timestamps: 45:43 – End

• Hunter's new role:
  • Hunter shares he’s left Southern Immediate Care to join Bubba in podcast production and creative projects.
    • “I have switched from my role from Southern Immediate Care… and jumped into the podcasting world with dad and help produce this podcast you’re listening to now.” (45:52 – Hunter)
• Father/Son Dynamics:
  • Bubba appreciates working with his son and reflects on family collaboration.
• Behind the Scenes:
  • Insights into technical learning curves, transitioning to video, and production quirks.
    • “The best option we have right now is our kitchen table… if we were to record something in the kitchen…” (48:13 – Hunter)
• Tailgate Tailgate Show plug:
  • Hunter describes co-hosting the sports podcast, sharing about guest highlights and the lighthearted, learning approach:
    • “You just pop on and you’re ready to go… at least pretend to know what we’re talking about…” (49:51 – Hunter)

Episode Structure & Timestamps

• 0:00 – 9:36: Bubba’s intro, thoughts on legacy, podcasting, and the state of America
• 9:36 – 24:16: Main interview with Brilyn — Turning Point tour, grief over Charlie Kirk, the climate of campus activism
• 24:16 – 42:11: Brilyn’s personal testimony, early political journey, reflections on college life, future plans
• 42:11 – 43:48: Closing out with Brilyn, growth of the tour, remarks on student involvement
• 45:43 – 54:40: Segment with Hunter Bussey — behind the scenes, new jobs, creative direction, the future of the show(s)
• 54:40 – End: Gratitude, calls to action, community engagement

Tone, Style & Takeaways

• Down-to-earth, earnest, faith-driven: Loads of humor and humility, especially from Bubba, with a strong undertone of generational concern and Christian values.
• Emotional transparency: Both Bubba and Brilyn share visceral reactions—grief, hope, determination—to the recent loss in their community.
• Emphasis on conversation and activism: The episode is a rallying cry for civil discourse, intergenerational understanding, and principled activism over partisan combat.
• Memorable personal anecdotes: From high-stakes Fox News appearances in middle school bathrooms to skipping classes to meet the President and going viral for being dubbed “the next Steve Jobs,” Brilyn’s journey is one of relentless initiative and a calling to serve.
• Hope and positivity: Despite troubling headlines, the episode closes with high spirits, laughter, and confident calls to keep pushing forward—“One conversation at a time.”

This detailed summary covers the main topics, highlights memorable quotes and moments, and delivers the episode’s emotional and intellectual spirit for those who haven’t tuned in.