Dumb Blonde Podcast: TBT – Fefe Dobson: The Woman I've Become

Host: Bunnie XO
Guest: Fefe Dobson
Date: January 22, 2026

Episode Overview

In this special episode, Bunnie XO welcomes back her very first podcast guest, alt-pop-rock artist Fefe Dobson, for an intimate and candid conversation. Nearly ten years since Fefe's first appearance on Dumb Blonde, the two friends dive deep into Fefe’s evolution as a woman and artist, explore her career’s highs and vulnerabilities, discuss love, trauma, style, and creativity, and share plenty of laughs and raw, real talk. This episode is a heartfelt catch-up—showcasing Fefe’s personal growth, her relationship with Yelawolf, her music, and those life moments that define who she is today.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Friendship & Growth

• Longtime Connection: Bunnie expresses deep gratitude for her nearly-decade-long friendship with Fefe, highlighting Fefe’s consistently sweet nature even during disagreements.

  "Even when we've had disagreements, you're just always so sweet. And I just love, I love you." – Bunnie (04:00)

• Podcast Milestone: They reminisce about Fefe being Bunnie’s very first podcast guest and how much both have grown since then.

  "First guest that I ever had on the podcast is now sitting on my couch in the new studio." – Bunnie (03:07)

Fefe’s Life Updates: Music, Healing, and Mental Health

• Break from the Industry: Fefe shares openly about needing time off for herself, focusing on songwriting for others, and prioritizing mental health.

  "I needed a break. You know, I've been working since I was 17. I'm about to be 40 at the end of the month." – Fefe (04:52)

• Loss and Self-Care: The loss of two beloved pets prompted her to slow down and cherish time with loved ones (06:12–07:36).

  "Losing them…it messed me up. It was hard for Michael too… I had never heard Michael cry so hard." – Fefe (06:41–07:09)

• Finding Joy in Gaming: Fefe relieves stress via video games, loving the ability to “shut her brain off.”

  "When I'm playing, all I have to think about is press X, press A. And I don't have to think about an email or work." – Fefe (08:05)

Revisiting the Past: Fame, Pressure, and Style

• Relationship to Her Younger Self: Fefe reflects on her transformation since the "Take Me Away" days—finding compassion for her younger self.

  "I have a different love for her. You know, like, when you…your younger self, you're like, man, I was too hard on you." – Fefe (09:47–10:30)

• Industry Pressure: She admits to often feeling industry pressure to conform, especially with the rise of social media.

  "I never felt comfortable, you know, if I didn't have my leather jacket…something that was my signature." – Fefe (13:30–13:50)

• Style Icons: Lists Joan Jett and Kate Moss as major inspirations; discusses owning the "disheveled look."

  "You can look disheveled. That's your brand. I'm like, yeah, exactly." – Fefe (15:12–15:23)

• 2000s Rock Scene: Nostalgic sentiments about authenticity and camaraderie among female rockers in the 2000s.

  "For the females, we were just like, fudge it, you know…in Dickies and Converse and no makeup." – Fefe (16:12–16:26)

Personal Revelations: Family & Identity

• Family Backstory: Shares for the first time that her mother was a dancer (Sunday Love was her mom's stage name), which inspired the title of her second album.

  "I named it Sunday Love because it was my mom's...stripper name." – Fefe (17:10–18:10)

• Being a Black Woman in Rock: Opens up on being one of the few black women in the genre, saying she had "blinders on" to some issues thanks to a protective team, but now recognizes the significance.

  "As I got older, I realized what was happening…people would ask…are you sure that this black girl is going to succeed at rock and roll. And…as an adult, I'm like, that makes no sense." – Fefe (23:10–23:40)

Love, Relationships, & Resilience

• Enduring Love Story: Candidly discusses her intense, sometimes tumultuous 15-year relationship with Yelawolf—including growth, competition, privacy, and public perceptions.

  "You have to put your own artist ego at the door, which is a big, big important thing to do." – Fefe (27:30) "I've been very private online…unless you're in it, you just don't know." – Fefe (28:44–29:12)

• Twin Flames & Taking Breaks: They agree that time apart can sometimes strengthen long-term relationships.

  "I think some time apart…keeps the fire alive." – Fefe (33:06) "For many years, he was the runner, and then it happened so many times that I was like, maybe I should run a little bit." – Fefe (33:50–34:05)

Creative Process, New Projects, and Inspirations

• Songwriting: Describes her "melody-first" approach to songwriting, influenced by organic jam sessions and emotional authenticity.

  "Jim Johnson taught me Holy Ghosting…just get on the mic and let whatever's coming through." – Fefe (38:09–38:56)

• Sobriety & Self-awareness: Bunnie shares her own sobriety journey, leading to a nuanced convo about substance use in music and personal limits.

  "Sobriety is a beautiful journey, but you gotta really get real with yourself." – Bunnie (37:02)

• Upcoming Collaborations: Fefe’s enthusiastic about current front-woman-led bands like Amyl and the Sniffers, expressing a desire to collaborate.

  "Amyl and the Sniffers…I think that's what their band name is. They're from Australia." – Fefe (39:29)

• Touring with Avril Lavigne: Set to tour with Avril Lavigne again as part of the Greatest Hits tour (45:17).

Womanhood, Future Hopes, & Transformation

• The Woman I’ve Become: Fefe expresses desire to create music authentic to her present self, incorporating her growth into new work.

  "I'll be 40…I think really coming from…the woman that I've become." – Fefe (47:10)

• Dreams of Motherhood: Hopes to become a mother, indicating it would inspire her writing further (47:46–48:23).

Acting and Alternate Talents

• First Movie Role: Fefe’s acting debut is in "Morningside," a “love letter to Scarborough,” premiering soon (50:53–51:33).

  "I'm a nurse in a relationship with a younger guy who ultimately gets put in a tough situation…" – Fefe (51:10)

• Alternate Life: If not a musician, she’d choose acting or “working with dolphins.” (49:43–49:57)

Spirituality and Witchcraft

• Spiritual Practices: Opens up about growing up with spiritual and witchcraft influences, and the importance of positive intention with such practices.

  "My mom could read cards and she was very spiritually in tuned and could see things…" – Fefe (54:31) "There are good people, there are bad people. Think people are going to use things for good or for darkness…for anything." – Fefe (55:23)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Self-Compassion:

  "Stop being so hard on yourself. You know that vibe." – Fefe (10:30)

• On Industry Authenticity:

  "If I didn't have my leather jacket…just something that was kind of like my signature…always felt like I wasn't being myself." – Fefe (13:48–14:04)

• On Making History in Rock:

  "I had a good team around me…as an adult, I'm like, that makes no sense…you made history pretty much." – Bunnie (23:10–23:52)

• On Relationships with Artists:

  "No one ever tells you…being with another artist is a lot. It’s a lot because they’re dealing with their own things." – Fefe (26:05)

• On Mom as an Influence:

  "Sunday Love…was my mom's stripper name…she's a single mom and just made it work." – Fefe (17:10–18:13)

• On Sobriety:

  "Sobriety is a beautiful journey, but you gotta really get real with yourself…all that you've numbed and masked…hits you full force." – Bunnie (37:02)

• On Creative Evolution:

  "I don't want to go back in time, you know, I want to move forward and I respect what I've done in the past." – Fefe (47:26)

• On Witchcraft and Spirituality:

  "Sometimes people think…hear that word and they get scared. And there's a lot of beauty in that…" – Fefe (54:31)

• On Twin Flame Relationships:

  "You guys just have this moth to a flame type draw to each other, and that's undeniable." – Bunnie (29:14)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Friendship: 03:07 – 04:17
• Fefe’s Career Pause & Mental Health: 04:52 – 06:12
• Pets & Grief: 06:26 – 07:36
• Gaming & Escapism: 07:42 – 09:30
• Evolution from “Take Me Away” Era: 09:47 – 10:56
• Industry Pressures & Style: 13:30 – 15:32
• 2000s Nostalgia: 15:33 – 16:48
• Sunday Love & Family Backstory: 17:06 – 18:13
• Diversity in Rock: 22:10 – 23:52
• Relationship with Yelawolf: 25:31 – 34:34
• Songwriting, Process & Rituals: 35:23 – 39:07
• Sobriety & Self-Care: 36:43 – 37:49
• Desires for Collaboration: 39:29 – 41:00
• Misconceptions & Rumors: 41:28 – 42:09
• Future Projects (Music, Tour, Movie): 44:44 – 51:41
• Motherhood & Evolution: 47:46 – 48:23
• Spirituality & Witchcraft: 54:22 – 55:23

Lightning Round & Fun Facts

• Dream Festival Lineup: Amyl and the Sniffers, Mariah Carey (48:52–49:08)
• Superpower: Flying—to feel safe and escape (49:19–49:34)
• Tour Essentials: Leather pants & jacket (50:30–50:39)
• Role in Movie "Morningside": Nurse in a love story with dark twists (51:10)
• Favorite Horror Movie: The Exorcist, Freddy Krueger’s Elm Street (53:31–53:51)
• Alter Ego: “Sunday Love” after her mom (42:17–42:23)

Where to Find Fefe

• Instagram & TikTok: @fefedobson (56:13–56:34)
• Bunnie encourages fans to follow and support Fefe, especially via TikTok and to keep an eye out for viral content with Yelawolf.

Final Words

The conversation is an intimate, real, and often hilarious look at Fefe’s journey as an artist, woman, and partner. The focus is on embracing growth, authenticity, and the real-life mess and beauty that come with living boldly. Fefe’s vulnerability and creative spirit shine through, making this episode a must for fans and newcomers alike.

Closing words:

“You and Yellow should make some Tiktoks. They'll go viral." – Bunnie (56:38)
"I can just see, like, how much, you know, life you've lived since we met." – Bunnie (56:08)

Listen for: Thoughts on womanhood, creative rituals, insider industry stories, wild tour memories, and an unfiltered friendship perspective!