Dumb Blonde Podcast: Carly Pearce – Health Scares, Heartbreak & Honesty

Host: Bunnie XO
Guest: Carly Pearce
Date: August 25, 2025

Overview

In this emotionally rich and candid episode, Bunnie XO sits down with country music star Carly Pearce for an intimate conversation about resilience, heartbreak, health challenges, mental health, and hard-won happiness. With trademark humor and vulnerability, Carly reflects on her Kentucky roots, the journey to Nashville, the realities of life in country music, public and private setbacks, and rediscovering her confidence and artistry. Listeners are offered an inside look at the woman behind the chart-topping hits—and an inspiring story of self-love and perseverance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Carly’s Public Image and First Impressions ([05:10-05:59])

• Bunnie describes Carly as "polarizing" online but discovered she’s "a down home girl from Kentucky who doesn’t take any shit and stands up for what’s right."
• Carly acknowledges being either adored or polarizing:

  "Some people, you know...they love to hate you or they hate to love you. There’s no in-between." ([05:24])

2. Rapid-Fire: Love, Dating & Early Life ([08:01-13:05])

• Red flags on first dates:

  "If they don’t ask questions about you. If they only talk about themselves." — Carly ([08:13])

• Worst pick-up line:

  "Not that I would care either way." ([09:09-09:16])
  — An ego-flex from a DM slide.

• Celebrity crush: Lance Bass ("Before we knew he was gay!")
• Childhood challenges: Teased for her height (5'7" since 5th grade, called "Shrek") and for being double-jointed.

3. Growing Up Creative in Kentucky ([15:11-18:39])

• Felt out of place being passionate about country music in Kentucky’s pop-centric youth scene.
• Homeschooling at 15 to chase her dream; performed six shows a day at Dollywood.
• Family sacrifices: Mom lived with Carly in Pigeon Forge while Dad cared for ailing grandfather.
• Early determination:

  "I was so determined to prove everyone wrong—and really to prove to myself that I could do it." ([18:51])

4. Dolly Parton’s Influence ([19:20-25:07])

• Dolly’s songwriting genius and relentless reinvention are major inspirations for Carly:

  "She’s so determined to not be stagnant. That is just something I really...admire." ([20:10])

• Memorable moment: Dolly invites Carly to join the Opry, calls her "my little Dollywood girl." ([24:35])

5. Stage Name & Family Legacy ([25:22-28:08])

• Born Carly Slusser; chose ‘Pearce’ to honor her late grandparents (her mother’s maiden name).
• Personal significance:

  "Their name is carrying on into country music history...it’s just a really special thing for me." ([27:22])

6. Mental Health: Anxiety, OCD, and Coping on the Road ([30:20-34:47])

• Lifelong anxiety:

  "I’ve had crippling OCD since I was a child...checking my backpack over and over and over." ([30:35])

• Anxiety exacerbated during her public divorce and COVID. Speaks openly on therapy and coping with intrusive thoughts.

7. Struggles in Nashville: Rejection, Relentlessness, and Breakout Success ([35:12-42:28])

• After losing a development deal with Sony, worked retail and cleaned Airbnbs ("Stains are the worst...").
• Years of industry rejection:

  "Managers...telling me I wasn’t special...A record label person...said, ‘You will never be a star.’” ([41:10])

• Breakthrough with “Every Little Thing”:

  “J.R. heard ‘Every Little Thing...’ within 12 hours my whole life changed.” ([42:12])

8. The Influence of Producer Busbee ([42:28-47:22])

• Busbee helped Carly find her voice—and personal strength:

  “He reinforced to me that I was enough...helped me find my voice as Carly Pearce, but also as a human." ([42:45])

• His advice in his final days:

  “I can buy anything in the world except the one thing I need, and that’s time.” ([44:14])

• Carly honors him by producing her own music and writing the tribute “Show Me Around.”

9. Women, Boundaries, and the Country Music Industry ([47:40-55:12])

• Discussing women’s roles and expectations:

  "I think powerful women are forced to shrink themselves down. If we have boundaries, we’re called not nice; if not, we’re spineless.” — Bunnie ([49:19])

• Carly on being shy and misinterpreted:

  "It’s not that I’m not very nice, I’m like painfully shy...the only time I feel alive is when I’m on stage." ([47:48])

• Advocates for authenticity: “Authenticity is the name of the game.” ([66:33])

10. Heartbreak & Divorce: Michael Ray Era ([56:07-64:44])

• Quick marriage followed by quick divorce:

  "I knew the night I got married I shouldn’t have." ([58:06])

• On infidelity rumors:

  “Let’s just say I’m not a fan of her...just leave me instead.” ([61:14])

• On owning her side:

  "I'm just a girl...I'm sorry, but I get pissed off and, like, I get hurt and I lash out and like, yeah, and that's okay." ([63:27])

11. Transformation and Triumph: Career Highs ([65:15-68:32])

• Channeling pain into “29” album; catalyzing her biggest year:

  "Released 29, got divorced, invited by my idol to the Opry, two-time Female Vocalist of the Year, Grammy winner..." ([66:33])

12. Health Scares: Pericarditis ([71:29-76:44])

• Carly opens up about her rare heart condition, recurrent pericarditis:

  “Doctors dismissed me for years...you have to advocate for yourself, because even when I had that last flare...who’s going to advocate for you?” ([74:59])

• Connects with others via Life Disrupted campaign, urges listeners to listen to their bodies.

13. Reinvention, New Music, and Love ([76:47-81:18])

• Hummingbird (2024):

  "That album allowed me to really put a flagship on...traditional country music...a healing journey for me." ([76:56])

• Newfound happiness in a new relationship:

  “I'm happier than ever. I met him on a dating app—he’s not in entertainment, best thing ever.” ([79:04])

• Upcoming album: “It's the most me I've ever felt in an album.” ([81:25])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "I was so determined to prove everyone wrong—and really to prove to myself that I could do it." — Carly ([18:51])
• "She wrote Jolene and I Will Always Love You in the same day." — Carly on Dolly Parton ([19:37])
• "I hope that they learned...you can't do that to people." — Carly on past industry naysayers ([41:29])
• “You just never know when that moment is gonna shift...my life has never been the same since then.” — Carly on “Every Little Thing” success ([42:14])
• “I can buy anything in the world except the one thing I need, and that's time.” — Busbee ([44:14])
• "If we have boundaries, we're called not nice..." — Bunnie ([49:19])
• "Authenticity is the name of the game." — Carly ([66:33])
• "You have to advocate for yourself, because...who’s going to advocate for you?" — Carly ([74:59])
• "Hummingbirds are a sign that the healing process can begin and that good luck is on the way." — Carly ([78:01])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 05:12 — Carly’s first impressions/discussion of public image
• 08:01 — Rapid-fire dating and childhood anecdotes
• 15:11 — Growing up creative in Kentucky, early bullying
• 18:51 — Early career drive & determination
• 19:20 — Dolly Parton as inspiration and mentor
• 25:22 — Choosing ‘Pearce’ as a stage name
• 30:20 — Anxiety & OCD as a lifelong struggle
• 35:12 — Nashville setbacks, cleaning Airbnbs
• 41:10 — Industry rejection and “Every Little Thing” breakthrough
• 42:28 — Busbee’s mentorship and legacy
• 47:40 — Producing own music, being misunderstood
• 49:19 — Women’s boundaries and industry double standard
• 56:07 — Michael Ray relationship & divorce
• 61:14 — The Jolene rumors and emotional fallout
• 66:33 — “29” album, Grammy win, multi-year journey
• 71:29 — Pericarditis health scare, self-advocacy
• 76:56 — “Hummingbird” album, personal healing
• 79:04 — New relationships and happiness
• 81:25 — Teasing new music and future plans

Tone & Final Impressions

This episode of Dumb Blonde is as hilarious as it is moving—infused with Bunnie’s bawdy openness and Carly’s Southern honesty and resilience. The conversation is sprinkled with laughter, hard truths, and practical wisdom for those navigating heartbreak, ambition, or mental health challenges. Whether you’re a country music fan or a seeker of empowerment, Carly’s journey from Shrek-nicknamed kid to Grammy winner is as inspiring as it gets.

Find Carly:
@carlypearce on all platforms ([82:26])

End of Summary