Podcast Title: Khloé in Wonder Land
Episode: A Conversation with Global Icon, Dolly Parton
Host: Khloé Kardashian
Release Date: July 10, 2025

Introduction

In this captivating episode of Khloé in Wonder Land, Khloé Kardashian engages in a heartfelt and inspiring dialogue with the legendary Dolly Parton. The conversation delves deep into Dolly's illustrious career, her unwavering faith, business acumen, and the profound legacy she's building both through her artistry and philanthropy.

Enduring Career and Ever-Growing Dreams

Dolly Parton opens the conversation by reflecting on her relentless pursuit of new dreams. She shares, “I wake up with new dreams every day. And a lot of my people that work with me, they say, yeah, and your dreams are killing us” (00:26), highlighting her perpetual drive and the dynamic environment she fosters within her team.

Khloé admires Dolly’s unstoppable momentum in the industry, noting, “someone who has been in this industry for as long as you have, I feel like you've never slowed down” (00:20).

Celebrating Dollywood's 40th Anniversary

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to celebrating Dollywood’s 40th anniversary. Dolly reminisces about the park’s humble beginnings and its remarkable growth: “We really employ a lot of people up there in the...in the whole county, and at least 40 of them, probably relatives of mine that are working in the park” (04:35). She expresses immense pride in Dollywood’s status as a premier family destination, akin to Disneyland, offering “something for everybody” (05:25).

Khloé shares her personal connection by mentioning her “Dollywood dream” for her 40th birthday celebration, emphasizing the park's significance in her life (03:26).

Humor, Faith, and Resilience

The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as Dolly and Khloé explore the interplay between humor, faith, and overcoming life's challenges. Dolly emphasizes the importance of humor, stating, “a sense of humor can get you through things even good medicine can't” (03:02). Khloé echoes this sentiment, sharing how humor helps her navigate both the highs and lows of life (02:35).

Dolly elaborates on her spiritual beliefs, recounting how her faith has been a cornerstone of her resilience: “I just think, yes, thank you” (00:58), and later, “And whether you call it science, whether you call it nature, whether you call it this or that, it doesn't matter. You know, there's a force there, there's an energy, there's greatness” (30:02).

Songwriting and Creative Process

Dolly delves into her passion for songwriting, highlighting it as her most cherished gift. She explains, “I feel the closest to my spiritual self when I write” (13:08), underscoring the divine inspiration that fuels her creativity. Discussing iconic songs like “I Will Always Love You” and “Jolene,” Dolly reminisces about their creation and the emotional circumstances surrounding them.

A poignant moment arises when Dolly recounts the heart-wrenching decision to protect her songwriting royalties from Elvis Presley, showcasing her integrity and business savvy: “it was heartbreaking... but I couldn't give it up because it was already... a big hit with me” (21:14). This decision ultimately paved the way for Whitney Houston’s famous rendition, which significantly boosted her financial success.

Business Ventures and Philanthropy

Dolly’s entrepreneurial spirit shines as she discusses her various business ventures, including her collaboration with Good American on denim and her iconic T-shirts. She attributes her business success to owning her brand and maintaining creative control: “if you can own as much as yourself as you can” (48:41).

A highlight of the conversation is Dolly’s Imagination Library, a philanthropic initiative that has distributed over 200 million books to children worldwide. She shares the heartfelt origins of the program, inspired by her father’s illiteracy: “I wanted to start that a little program in our home county where we could give books to children from the time they were born until they start school” (50:42). The program’s growth and its enduring impact on generations of children bring immense pride to Dolly, who often dedicates her appearances to her father’s memory.

Faith and Personal Life

Dolly opens up about her spiritual journey and the profound role faith plays in her life. She narrates a transformative experience in an abandoned church where she felt a divine presence: “it was then that I just had this peace fall over me” (28:06). This moment solidified her unwavering belief in God and guided her life’s purpose.

Discussing her marriage, Dolly attributes its longevity to privacy and mutual respect: “We were together 61 years. We were just so different, but we’re so similar. Like, we were perfect” (42:33). She highlights the importance of having personal space and being comfortable with oneself, reinforcing the value of self-love and inner peace.

Legacy and Future Aspirations

As the conversation draws to a close, Dolly reflects on the legacy she wishes to leave behind. She emphasizes the importance of helping others achieve their dreams: “I just want everybody to find themselves. I want everybody to be able to do the best at what it is they dream of doing” (53:12). Dolly’s aspirations are deeply rooted in her desire to inspire and uplift others, ensuring that her impact extends far beyond her music and businesses.

Khloé and Dolly share a mutual respect and admiration, acknowledging each other’s roles in empowering others: “Like you said, there's a lot more that goes on than just these hats and rhinestones” (56:55). Dolly concludes with a reaffirmation of her commitment to her dreams and faith: “I try to leave myself wide open. I try to keep myself very private in my world so I can hear what I'm supposed to know and that I can act on it” (55:23).

Conclusion

This episode of Khloé in Wonder Land offers a profound glimpse into Dolly Parton’s multifaceted life, highlighting her enduring passion, spiritual depth, and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact. Through shared stories and heartfelt exchanges, Khloé and Dolly exemplify the essence of real talk that inspires and stays with listeners long after the conversation ends.

Notable Quotes:

• “I wake up with new dreams every day. And a lot of my people that work with me, they say, yeah, and your dreams are killing us.” — Dolly Parton (00:26)

• “A sense of humor can get you through things even good medicine can't.” — Dolly Parton (03:02)

• “I feel the closest to my spiritual self when I write.” — Dolly Parton (13:08)

• “I try to leave myself wide open. I try to keep myself very private in my world so I can hear what I'm supposed to know and that I can act on it.” — Dolly Parton (55:23)

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of Dolly Parton's conversation with Khloé Kardashian, weaving together themes of dreams, resilience, faith, and legacy, enriched with poignant quotes that highlight the depth of their dialogue.