Podcast Title: Dear Chelsea
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
Episode: Supercharged Growth with Maren Morris
Release Date: June 5, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Dear Chelsea, Chelsea Handler is joined by co-host Catherine Law and special guest singer-songwriter Maren Morris. The conversation delves deep into Maren's recent tour experiences, her evolving relationship with the country music industry, personal growth, motherhood, and navigating a challenging divorce. The episode is a blend of heartfelt discussions, personal anecdotes, and actionable advice for listeners facing similar life transitions.

Maren Morris’s European Tour Experience

The episode opens with Chelsea sharing anecdotes from her recently concluded European tour:

• Tour Highlights: Chelsea recounts the final show in Lisbon, expressing gratitude for the supportive European audiences. "We had the best time and the best audiences in Europe. I'm so appreciative of everybody who came out. It was such a fucking blast." (02:52)

• Family on Tour: Maren joins from Portugal, and both hosts discuss the unexpected challenges of traveling with a toddler. Chelsea humorously describes the chaos: "I just drove 2 1/2 hours with my cousin, her lover and their daughter who had diarrhea on the side of the road by a tree." (00:00 - 03:09)

Changing Relationship with Country Music Industry

The conversation shifts to Maren’s decision to distance herself from the traditional country music scene:

• Outspoken Stance: Chelsea praises Maren for her bold move, stating, "I love how when she said fuck you to country music... directed at their sexism, misogyny, and, you know, homophobia." (04:58)

• Industry Challenges: Maren elaborates on the increasing challenges within the country music industry, citing issues like "sexism, misogyny, and... MAGA infiltration since 2016" that have made the environment less inclusive and supportive. (05:17 - 07:25)

• Personal Integrity: She emphasizes maintaining her artistic integrity by embracing her blurred genre boundaries and focusing on honest storytelling. "I can't, like, I don't want to get rid of that part of myself... that's country music to me, which is like fighting for the oppressed and writing about those stories." (07:25 - 09:37)

Personal Growth and Overcoming Challenges

Maren shares her journey of personal growth, particularly focusing on her recent divorce and motherhood:

• Life Changes: Maren discusses the rapid changes in her life over five years, highlighting her divorce and becoming a mother. "I think just literally everything that could change in your life happened in like five years for me." (13:39)

• Mental Health and Therapy: Emphasizing the importance of self-reliance, Maren talks about overcoming identity crises and the role of therapy in her healing process. "I just realized I was expanding and growing at a really fast pace... I will sacrifice my comfort and, like, loneliness or feeling not lonely to move at the pace that I have worked really hard to move at." (07:38 - 16:56)

• Motherhood: Maren reflects on how motherhood has reshaped her sense of womanhood and her identity. "I'm 35 now. I have a five-year-old. I've been divorced now. Yeah, I feel like a woman." (25:08 - 27:26)

Listener Call-In: Navigating Friendship and Wedding Drama

Chelsea and Maren address a listener named Jess's dilemma regarding a friend, Molly, who is unreliable in RSVPing to Jess's wedding:

• Jess’s Story: Jess describes her frustration over Molly’s inconsistent support surrounding her wedding and engagement. She seeks advice on whether to confront Molly about the uncertainty of her attendance. (33:20 - 39:28)

• Advice Given:

  • Direct Communication: Chelsea advises Jess to approach Molly directly, expressing her feelings calmly but assertively. "I would go at it directly head on and just send her an email going, it's clear that you're... disappointed to you." (35:03 - 38:38)
  • Setting Boundaries: Catherine suggests framing the conversation around needing a firm RSVP for planning purposes. (38:37 - 39:28)
  • Maren’s Input: Maren reinforces the importance of direct communication to resolve misunderstandings and emphasizes the value of respect in friendships. (37:03 - 39:28)

Listener Call-In: Handling an Acrimonious Divorce

A trans man named Mike shares his struggles with a difficult divorce and seeks guidance on maintaining focus and positivity:

• Mike’s Story: Mike describes his long-term marriage ending without infidelity but filled with unresolved emotional issues, compounded by his son’s needs. "We've been together since we were young... our son is the most precious thing in the world." (35:03 - 42:29)

• Advice Given:

  • Therapeutic Solutions: Chelsea recommends co-parenting counseling and enhancing personal mental health practices like journaling and meditation. "Double down on your therapy, double down on your journaling, start meditating for about 10 minutes a day." (46:38 - 48:00)
  • Maren’s Support: Maren emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the child's well-being and maintaining respect and love despite the separation. "It's so clear that you both care about your son so deeply... give yourself the time to like, be, you know, a little bit of a mess." (51:55 - 54:50)
  • Action Steps: Encouraging Mike to attend co-parenting sessions with his ex-wife and engage with supportive communities. (48:00 - 55:53)

Listener Call-In: Cultivating Patience in Music Career

A 22-year-old aspiring musician named Allie seeks advice on practicing patience while building her music career:

• Allie’s Story: Allie discusses her eagerness to share her music, her struggles with impatience, and her desire to develop her craft before seeking public validation. "Any advice? What else should I study to help better myself? How can I practice the art of patience?" (34:56 - 57:13)

• Advice Given:

  • Embracing the Process: Maren shares her own experiences of facing rejection and the importance of patience and consistent growth. "I don’t think you would have handled it well... It happens when it happens." (58:09 - 60:54)
  • Delayed Gratification: Chelsea encourages Allie to resist the impulse to immediately share her work and to allow herself time to develop her songs. "Wait a minute and digest it and then listen to it. Again then the next day and think, is this really something I wanna put out there?" (59:27 - 61:52)
  • Building a Supportive Community: Catherine suggests finding a community of musicians for collaboration and feedback. (63:03 - 63:50)

Closing Remarks and Maren’s Album Promotion

As the show wraps up, Maren Morris promotes her new album, Dreamsicle, emphasizing themes of personal growth and resilience:

• Album Overview: Maren shares an excerpt from her album’s description, highlighting its focus on overcoming grief and embracing joy. "Dreamsicle takes place in the aftermath of loosening my grip on my personal and professional life, sweeping through the pits of grief... acceptance, release, and the reclaiming of how strong I've always been." (66:13 - 67:17)

• Final Encouragement: Chelsea expresses pride in Maren’s achievements and encourages listeners to attend her upcoming tours. "You should feel proud of it. I'm proud of you... get your tickets@marenmoris.com and I'm going to come find you, Maren, and come to one of your shows." (67:13 - 68:43)

Notable Quotes

• Chelsea Handler on Personal Growth:
  "I always want to err on the side of love and believe that there are more good than there are bad people. So I'm just gonna choose to continue to think that way for the time being." (09:37)

• Maren Morris on Self-Reliance:
  "It's not like a fun decision. It's not a fun aftermath or fallout of a decision like that. But I think now that I'm a little bit more on the other side of it..." (16:56)

• Maren Morris on Inclusivity in Music:
  "I want to be like inclusive. And that only makes for better music also when you invite inclusivity and diversity into it." (09:37)

• Chelsea Handler on Listener’s Divorce:
  "You have to take it one step at a time... Take a step in that direction and then the second one will follow." (18:28)

• Maren Morris’s Album Description:
  "Dreamsicle takes place in the aftermath of loosening my grip on my personal and professional life... acceptance, release, and the reclaiming of how strong I've always been." (66:13)

Conclusion

This episode of Dear Chelsea offers an intimate look into Maren Morris's journey through professional challenges and personal transformations. Her candid discussions provide valuable insights into maintaining authenticity in the face of industry pressures, the complexities of personal relationships, and the importance of self-care and patience in personal growth. The heartfelt advice given to listeners grappling with friendships, divorce, and career anxieties underscores the episode’s theme of resilience and empowerment.

Listeners benefit from Maren’s honest reflections and Chelsea’s relatable hosting, making this episode both inspiring and deeply engaging.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] - [00:38] Introduction & Ads
• [00:38] - [01:44] Advertisement
• [01:44] - [27:26] Main Conversation
• [27:26] - [33:08] Continued Discussion
• [33:08] - [56:10] Listener Calls and Advice
• [56:10] - [69:38] Additional Content and Ads
• [69:38] - [70:12] Final Ads

Note: Timestamps correspond to the transcript sections for reference.