← Stay True with Madison Prewett Troutt
Stay True with Madison Prewett Troutt
From Pain to Purpose with Anne Wilson
00:53:25
Welcome back to another episode of Stay True Podcast! Madi has her first guest in the Stay True studio: Anne Wilson! If you don’t know Anne, you need to! Anne is a musician and songwriter who combines Christian and country music to tell a powerful...
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- [00:00]
Anne Wilson
Me and my family went through a big tragedy in 2017 when he died. You know, those types of events just really wreck you. And you either can go, like, in the direction of pushing God away, or you can move closer to him.
- [00:13]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Life here is so short, and we're not promised tomorrow.
- [00:16]
Anne Wilson
And we weren't made for pain. We weren't made for suffering.
- [00:19]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Grant literally was like, this is, like, the best music I've ever heard. We were, like, blown away.
- [00:24]
Anne Wilson
Writing songs is really healing because it's allowed me to just process what I'm going through. I just want to put a band aid on it, fix it quickly, and move on to the next thing when that's not how life works, and that's not. That's not reality in any way. I'm so done with trying to please people in this industry. Like, I don't have time for this. I'm going to do what I'm going to do.
- [00:51]
Madison Pruitt Trout
What's up, guys? Welcome back to another episode of Stay True podcast. I'm your host, Madison Pruitt Trout, and. And I'm so excited because we have a very special guest on the podcast today, and she's actually the first guest in our new studio, which is at our house. And it is so fun that she's here in the studio, and she actually lives in the area, and so we're going to be besties now. But this is Ann, and she is amazing. I've been actually following her for a while and listening to her music for a while, but she has been nominated for a Grammy, girlfriend has a single called My Jesus that went viral. Actually made a Tik Tok video video, Get Ready with Me to this song.
- [01:32]
Anne Wilson
I saw it. Yes.
- [01:34]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Okay. I made a video to this song, and I was like, this song is so good. And it was right before one of my speaking engagements, and I was, like, getting so fired up. But she was nominated as female artist of the year at the K Love Fan Awards, and so she is such a bright light in this world. And your story, your testimony has impacted so many people, and I'm so excited for Stay True audience to get to hear more about your story. But welcome to Stay True.
- [02:01]
Anne Wilson
I'm so excited to be here. Thanks for having me.
- [02:03]
Madison Pruitt Trout
It's so, so fun. And I. So I had heard the song My Jesus and then whenever we. Our team was talking and we were like, okay, let's get an on the podcast, I was like, okay, I'm gonna, like, just start binging all of her songs. So I started, like, listening to all Your songs. And Grant and I, my husband, were in the car, and we're listening to your music. And I think it was, like, one of our first outings with our little baby girl, Hosanna. And so we had, like. I kept her in the house for, like, four weeks because, you know, sickness. It was so cold out.
- [02:30]
Anne Wilson
Yeah.
- [02:31]
Madison Pruitt Trout
And we finally were like, okay, let's get out and about. And I was like, I'm going to turn on an's music. And we started listening, and, I mean, Grant literally was like, this is, like, the best music I've ever heard. We were, like, blown away.
- [02:42]
Anne Wilson
So sweet. Thank you.
- [02:43]
Madison Pruitt Trout
By one, just your pure talent, but two, just the way you share the gospel truly in your music. And I was just. It was so cool because I was like, this is such a beautiful combination of Christianity and, like, Christian music and country music. And you just. You don't get that. I'm like, I know of a lot of country Christians and a lot of Christian country people, but I haven't, like, met anyone or listened to music that I'm like, oh, it's the perfect blend.
- [03:11]
Anne Wilson
Yeah.
- [03:12]
Madison Pruitt Trout
And so we were just vibing. I was like, this is the best. The perfect blend. And I just want to thank you for staying true. I want to thank you for staying true to the. The talent God's put on your life, for staying true to what you feel called to do, which is tapping into the country world and the Christian world and combining the two and not compromising, because I'm sure that the music world, it could be very easy to, like, change or compromise or try and be someone that you're not. And I just want to start this podcast by saying thank you for staying true and just the testament that you are to so many people.
- [03:46]
Anne Wilson
That's so sweet. Thank you for saying all that. That's awesome.
- [03:49]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Okay, well, I'm so pumped that you're on the podcast, and I know a little bit about your story, but I don't know, and probably a lot of people do, but I don't know if all my listeners do. And so I would love to just start off by hearing how did you get into music? And just a little bit about your testimony.
- [04:05]
Anne Wilson
Okay. Yeah. So I grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, which we talked about earlier. That your husband's families and the horse stuff.
- [04:13]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Yeah.
- [04:14]
Anne Wilson
Yeah. And so I grew up there and grew up in a Christian home, which I'm so thankful for. Just being raised in the church, like, had a huge impact on my life. I grew up with an older sister and an older Brother. I was the youngest of the three, and my parents and just had a really sweet childhood. Like, it was always really sweet. And my parents just encouraged us to do what we wanted and to follow our dreams and to really pursue after what we felt like God was calling us to do, which was always really just sweet to have that support growing up. And then I would say when I was about 10 or 11, I started to become, like, fascinated with space and, like, wanting to be an astronaut and wanting to work for NASA. And that was so cool. My dream.
- [04:59]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Where did that come from?
- [05:01]
Anne Wilson
I feel like it was like, once I became a Christian and really started pursuing the Lord, like, I had this just passion for more of him and, like, wanting to see his creation. And I gave my life to Christ when I was in seventh grade. I was, like, raised in the church my whole life, but that's really when. When my faith became real for me. And then after that, it was just, like, I started taking extra classes in middle school and high school. I wanted to, you know, get perfect grades, get into a good college. Like, I had this whole path for my life that I was planning on doing. And. And then me and my family went through a. A big tragedy in 2017. I was 15 and my brother Jaco away in a car accident. And when he died, you know, those types of events just really wreck you. And you either can go, like, in the direction of pushing God away, or you can move closer to him. And we thankfully decided that we were gonna, you know, pursue the Lord in that time and just chase after him for the strength that we knew. Like, we just knew we couldn't get through without God. So because we went that direction, I mean, God just began to show our family like he was going to use the tragedy in a really incredible way. And it was almost overnight, it felt like that he started piecing us back together and, like, showing us visions of, like, what he was going to do through it. So that led into. I actually sang for the first time ever in front of my whole family. Like, I never sang, really. I just wanted to be an astronaut. Like, I didn't want to sing. I didn't want to do music. Like, that's just not, I guess, growing up in Kentucky and not being in a musical family, like, we weren't in the music industry. I didn't grow up in Nashville. I wasn't around, like, touring or anything. It's like, I didn't even think that. Like, I knew you could do that, but I just never thought I would do that. And. And didn't think I could sing or anything and, like, just didn't have the passion. So, yeah, I just. God called me to music in a really unique way. And I sang at his funeral for the first time in front of anyone, my brothers, when I was 15. And then I. That was like, the first time I heard the voice of God was on stage at the church at the funeral. And I remember, like, I so, like, clearly remember him saying, like, this is what I'm calling you to do. I'm calling you to praise and worship my name. And while I'm, like, getting ready to start the song at the funeral. So that was just, like, such a moment in my journey of, like, okay, I'm doing this. Like, clearly God's calling me to something through this, which was so looking back, like, so needed because it was like, the one bit of, like, almost, like, determination or something to, like, get me through the, like, the loss, knowing that it wasn't going to be. I wasn't going to sit in that grief forever and, like, God was going to do something with it. So then that led to me eventually putting out a YouTube video that went viral. And then I ended up meeting my previous manager, like, the next month, and then ended up signing a record deal two years later when I was 17. Like, before I graduated. I was a junior in high school when I signed. So just God started the journey and started opening doors. And then eventually we released My Jesus a couple years later and when I was 19. And, yeah, it's just been a crazy journey since then.
- [08:23]
Madison Pruitt Trout
So I have so many questions. But first, I. I just want to say thank you for sharing that. And it's. I've walked one of my really close friends through something very, very similar. And actually, your story specific has been extremely, extremely comforting to her. And she lost her brother in a car accident, and he was 23 years old. Wow. And so we. That's something like, we've been walking through. And it's been. It was pretty recent. But I just want to thank you for the way you're using your story because it's impacting so many people. And you're right. It's like you go through something tragic and traumatic, and it either can make you be like, God, why would you? And be so bitter and be so angry, or it can make you closer to him and say, I need you. Like, I really need you, and I can't get through this without you. And it also just puts such a perspective on eternity that life here is so short and we're not promised tomorrow. And it just. It's cool to see how you're used to using your gifts in light of eternity, you know, and in knowing that eternity is to come. And so, okay, I'm gonna. I'm gonna use what God's given me. And so I'm just. I'm really thankful for that. It reminds me of. I think it's a verse in 2nd Corinthians 1, and it's talking about, like, he comforts us in our trouble so that we may comfort others in theirs. And I see the Lord doing that through you, and how you know your. Your deepest and greatest pain is been led to your greatest purpose and your form of ministry, how you're ministering to so many people. And I'm proud of you for doing. Like, I'm proud of you for stepping into that, because you didn't have to. You didn't have to. You had every reason to. To. To grieve and to just, like, sit back and to grieve and. But you're letting the Lord use that to bless other people.
- [10:13]
Anne Wilson
Yeah. Thank you.
- [10:14]
Madison Pruitt Trout
And I think that's so powerful, and so thanks for sharing that. Yeah. So your parents didn't even know that you could sing before that moment?
- [10:22]
Anne Wilson
No, I never sang in front of them. Like, I played P in the house. My mom forced all of us to take piano lessons. Like, all three of us.
- [10:29]
Madison Pruitt Trout
That is wild.
- [10:30]
Anne Wilson
But, yeah, I never sang. So I just.
- [10:32]
Madison Pruitt Trout
So what gave you. What. What was it that you were like, I'm gonna sing?
- [10:36]
Anne Wilson
So I was singing the song what a Beautiful Name by Hillsong had literally just come out, like, maybe two months before. I remember scrolling through Instagram in April of 2017, and I, like, saw an ad for that song, and it had just come out, and. And then I never listened to that song again. And then the day he died, like, that song was playing in my head, like, what a beautiful name he or it is. And then, you know, goes on. So I was like, okay, I just want to sit and worship. Like, it was, like, maybe two or three days after he passed. It was the first moment we had had where we didn't have friends and family in the house. It was just like, me and my sister, my mom and dad, first kind of moment to breathe. And my dad was outside working in the yard, which. So crazy, looking back, that he even had strength to do things like that. My mom, I thought she was like. I thought she had left the house. And then I know my sister was, like, upstairs in her room, and I was like, okay, I'm just gonna sit by myself and worship. So I sit down and I play that song. What a beautiful name. And then my mom, like, turns out she was listening to me. And so she comes in, crying her eyes out. And then she asks. She was like, I had no idea you could sing. Like, this is so crazy. And then she was like, can you. Would you be willing to, like, sing at the funeral? And at first I was like, absolutely not. Like, there's no way I could do that. But she was like, just pray about it. And so I went upstairs to my room, like, right after that, and I prayed. And I was like, God, if you want me to do this, like, show me you want me to do this and provide, like, people, I need to put this arrangement together and, like, to do it. And he did, and I felt like I was supposed to, so.
- [12:11]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Wow.
- [12:11]
Anne Wilson
And then, like, that.
- [12:13]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Yeah, I was gonna say, like, what. What led to. I mean, everything now.
- [12:17]
Anne Wilson
So the. The funeral ended up, like, being, you know, like, obviously it was so sad and, like. But so much came out of it. So many people gave their lives to Christ during the funeral, and it was crazy, and we wanted it to just all glorify God. And so when we were planning the funeral, it was like, how can we plan this to where God gets all the glory? And we walk away. Like, obviously, we're heartbroken, but we walk away with hope and, like, joy of knowing what's to come. And so we had a ton of friends ask me if we could do, like, a video of the song. And so that's what we. We pulled together. Like, we asked one of our friends to film it. We went to, like, an ice cream shop and filmed this, like, little, like, video of the song we did at the funeral. And so I had. It's on YouTube still.
- [13:03]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Wow.
- [13:03]
Anne Wilson
I have brain season. I was such a baby. And then that led. That video went viral. And so that's how, like, I met my previous manager, who developed me and then introduced me to, like, record labels in town and started coming to Nashville and writing, like, once or twice a month while I was still in high school. I would come and write songs. And then eventually, when I was 19, we put out My Jesus, which was my first ever song. I was 19, which is looking back, like, so young, you know, and so fresh out of, like, the grief, too, you know? It was a crazy time. Yeah. But, yeah, I released it, and honestly, like, I remember putting it out and thinking it was a good song, but, like, I really didn't think it was that like, crazy of a song. I just didn't think it was gonna go and do what it did. But God was clearly in that song and was, like, using it for a purpose.
- [13:59]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Wow.
- [13:59]
Anne Wilson
And a reason. So I woke up. I went to bed that night, woke up the next morning, and I checked my. My phone, and it was blowing up. And I looked on Facebook, and The video had 9 million views in, like, 13 hours or something. And it was crazy. And. And I remember calling my manager, and he called, like, the label, and he was like, what's happening? And they were like this, like, the songs going viral, and the comments were, like, absolutely insane. Like, so beautiful. People just commenting. Like, I just checked myself into rehab after hearing this song. Or, like, my brother passed, you know, five years ago, and this is the first time I've forgiven God and, like, let go and, like, just comments like that, you know? And then that really started, like, almost a vision for me of, like, okay, God is going to use my music in ways that I would have never fathomed. And so it was basically just like, buckle up, here we go, like, on this wild journey. And now it's been. I just turned 23, so doing this for four years now, which is crazy.
- [14:58]
Madison Pruitt Trout
23. And I mean, what a life you've lived. I mean, I know the impact you've had already at 23, and I just can't even imagine when we sit down and do another podcast in five years. And I know all that God's gonna do in five years, but, I mean, that's 9 million views overnight. That's crazy.
- [15:16]
Anne Wilson
Yeah.
- [15:16]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Praise the Lord. And it's so cool, too, like, people resonating so much with, like, your. Like, what God puts on your heart and something that was so vulnerable for you to, like, create and sing and put together, and so many people being like, yeah, me too. Yeah, that's. That's just. It's so wild and so powerful. How. How God. It's like. It's the church, you know, It's. It's how we. It's how we minister to people, man. So. Okay, so, like, when you. When that happened, then it just, like, you just kept. Did you know you wanted to do country and Christian? Like, did you know you wanted to kind of combine those two?
- [15:52]
Anne Wilson
Yeah. So I grew up in Kentucky, where I was just, like, surrounded by country music and bluegrass music, and I. And then obviously wanted to do, like, Christian music.
- [16:01]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Yeah.
- [16:02]
Anne Wilson
So when I signed my record deal, I started writing songs. A lot of the songs just that I was writing were just like, whatever was on my heart. And they all were just, like, Southern leaning, I guess, is how you describe it. And. And I remember having this one day Covid was, like, such a blessing for me in my season of, like, just needing to have some time to, like, sit and really figure out what I was supposed to do. And for me, I went to. We have a farm in Kentucky, and I went to the farm, and I was sitting at my brother's grave. And that's just really when I felt like it was just, like, clear to me. I was listening to a country album, and I remember just thinking, like, okay, like, I. I can combine the love of country and the love of Christian into what I do and into my music. And then that's really when it started. And so then from that moment on, I honestly just kind of let go of, like, trying to fit into, like, this box, and I just was like, I'm gonna be who I am. And every song after, very country and very Christian all at the same time, and started to just really become, like, okay, this is who I am. And it was the most natural thing. And songs were written so much faster after that point because it was just like. It was just like, being me. And it was so freeing to just write songs that felt like, okay, this is authentically who I am as an artist and also just as a person. So then that led into, like, that was what inspired my Jesus. And then my most recent album, Rebel, was just, like, fully free. Like, very country. Like, we went. We really leaned heavily into that direction.
- [17:30]
Madison Pruitt Trout
I love that, and I love the name Rebel.
- [17:32]
Anne Wilson
Thank you.
- [17:33]
Madison Pruitt Trout
I got a little hat. I got your hat.
- [17:35]
Anne Wilson
Yeah.
- [17:36]
Madison Pruitt Trout
I was like, I can't wait to wear this. My husband Grant saw it again, and he was like, I'm stealing this. It's mine. That's so amazing. Okay. So whenever you stepped into this, like, was this industry, like, what you thought it was going to be? Like, has. Has it surprised you? Has it, like, even going through all that you were going through and with all of that grief and all of that pain, like, has this been healing, like, being in this industry and writing music about it and, like, bringing people into it? Because it is so vulnerable. Has that been healing for you and comforting for you, or has that been a challenge?
- [18:12]
Anne Wilson
I think a little bit of both. I think the weirdest thing about being a Christian artist is, like, being a follower of Christ and, like, having your own relationship with him and then being on stages where people. Where you're worshiping God, but people are, like, screaming, your name is a really weird thing that I've had to, like, learn how to adjust to, because it's just that fine line of, like, okay, ultimately, what, like, what I want to do with my life is serve God and, like, glorify him and all that I do and point others to him. And that happens to be that, like, he's calling me to do that through the music I'm writing, but then can just feel strange at times, you know, getting on a stage and having to do that while knowing, like, these people ultimately, like, I want to point them to Jesus. But, you know, it's like this weird, like, thing that I've had to wrestle with. But then on the other side of it, it's like, it has been really healing for me. It's. Writing songs is really healing because it's allowed me to just process what I'm going through. And specifically with my brother, just, like, getting to write a song about him or our memories together or what he taught me, it's like, that's really sweet. And if I hadn't have done music, I wouldn't have been able to express myself in that way. And really, it almost feels like therapy in a way. Like, when I get to write a song about him and then just seeing the way that people come to me and are, like, crying, tears rolling down their cheeks of, like, I needed this song, or, you know, your story has helped me pursue God after losing my husband 25 years ago or whatever the story is, and just knowing that God is using it in that way has been really cool. So I think it's like, in everything in life, it's like, there's the good and there's the bad, and there's like, I. It's been honestly, like, I didn't expect how. How sweet everyone was going to be and how welcoming the industry was going to be in that way of just, like, me just wanting me to be who I am authentically. And I've really loved that part of it, just being encouraged to be who I am and to share my story for what it is. So.
- [20:10]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Well, I'm thankful for it. I'm thankful for some good country music that I'm not having to sing about beer and, oh, yeah, like, yes, Jesus. I'm like, that's. That's what I'm gonna be listening to when I'm out on the boat this summer, you know, I love it, so I'm very excited about it, and I'm so excited for everyone listening. You guys, you're gonna, like, start jamming out. You're gonna thank me later for how amazing. Seriously, her. Her voices, her music is so. Okay. On the topic of grief, because I know that a lot of people listening have. You know, everyone has their own versions of trauma and tragedy and really, really hard seasons. What would you say to someone who feels like in this in between space of not knowing if they have what it takes to lean into God or run from God, and they don't know how to deal with their pain and grief? What advice would you give them?
- [21:01]
Anne Wilson
I would say the easiest thing that you can do when you go through grief, whether it's like a divorce or someone that you love has passed away or whatever the situation is, it's like, the easiest thing you can do is blame God and push him way. I think that's our natural, like, human response to it. It's like, okay, the one person that could have stopped this from happening is God. So I'm gonna. I'm gonna push him away. But in reality, he's the one that we actually need to survive what we're gonna go through. And I think there's something that's really bittersweet about, like, when you read scripture and you read about, like, the give and the take and the Lord gives and he takes away, and blessed be the name of the Lord. Like, there's something so beautiful about learning that God can give and he can also take away and he is still good no matter what. And that's something I wrestled with a ton when Jacob passed. Of like, okay, I. I remember my. My initial instinct was to trust God, which I'm. Which is interesting because normally it's. I don't think it would be that, but I remember having this moment after he passed where I really just. I remember thinking, like, I have to decide, am I gonna trust him or not? And if I don't trust him and I push him away, like, what's that gonna look like when I know that I need him more than anyone or anything? So I remember trusting him almost, like, gave me that immediate sense of relief of, like, okay, if I place this in your hands, like, ultimately it's all gonna be okay. And then I remember having this moment of, like, really teaching myself and reminding myself that we weren't designed for pain and suffering. Like, in the beginning, when God designed everything with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, it was perfect and it was holy and it was no sin. And we weren't made for pain. We weren't made for suffering. And because they fell short and they sinned, like, now that's what we have to deal with. But that's why we need Jesus to get us through these moments of pain. And so, yeah, for those listening, going through that, it's like, he will not let you down. He will not leave you in your. In your pit of suffering and pain. He will lift you up out of it. He will give you comfort. He will give you what you need. And I also think there's, like, when you choose to surrender to him in the midst of pain, he sees that and he blesses that, because I think he knows how hard it is to say, I'm gonna trust you in the midst of this, when you could have stopped it or you could have kept it from happening. And he blesses you when you do that, when you choose to trust God and really surrender your pain to Him. I think there's so much blessing on the other side of it. But, yeah, I think. I mean, he's the only one. I truly don't know where I would be without God. Like, if I had not trusted him and I had not given him that season in my life, like, I. I don't know where I would be. And it's like a scary thought to even think, you know, where would I be without Him? Because he really was the one that got us through. Wow. Yeah.
- [23:55]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Yeah. I mean, I think about. Because I think so often, it's so easy to be like God. You don't understand, like, why would you let this happen? And, I mean, Jesus himself was known as the man of suffering, you know, and he himself went through suffering that none of us will ever go, go through the most intense and worst kind of suffering. And he, you know, showed us how to really do that well, to go through suffering well, and to go through suffering with an obedient heart, with a submissive heart, like, he submitted himself to the Father. And it says in Hebrews that Jesus himself learned obedience. What he suffered. And I think, how much more do we have the opportunity to learn true obedience in our suffering? And how much more does our suffering bring us to the feet of Jesus and bring us closer to him? And I love what you're saying of, like, you know, God didn't intend for us to experience this in his original plan. And that's why he sent Jesus so that we can experience life one day where there will be no more tears, where there will be no more suffering, where we. We only experience joy and peace and love and happiness and all the good. All the good that we were made to experience, and we will have that one day. And it's so easy. And I'll be the first to say, to get so caught up in this world and in. So caught up in the temporary day to day life that we forget that we are. This is like warm up, you know, this is pregame. This is, this is only getting us. This is only deciding how we spend our forever.
- [25:33]
Anne Wilson
Yeah.
- [25:34]
Madison Pruitt Trout
And. And it's such a reminder, you know, tragedy is such a reminder of like we, we gotta be ready for when Jesus comes back or for the day that he chooses to take me home.
- [25:45]
Anne Wilson
Yeah.
- [25:46]
Madison Pruitt Trout
And how do we want to be found? Like, how do we want to be found? And what is he gonna say when we're face to face with him one day and just keeping our eyes on that? And so it is true that not only does it give us, you know, like, tragedy gives us that perspective, but it also can be turned into such a beautiful purpose of how God can use it when we give it to Him. Yeah. And I'm seeing that through, through your life. What would just be some practical things that you could encourage the listeners with of, of ways to grieve and ways to heal. If you're going through something really, really.
- [26:20]
Anne Wilson
Painful, I would say, like, give yourself grace. I remember being kind of hard on myself in like the beginning and just, I'm kind of the type of person, I'm realizing, like, as I get older, like, I just want to put a band aid on and fix it quickly and move on to the next thing when that's not how life works. And that's not, that's not reality in any way. And so I think there were moments where I would fill the void with other things to just like, okay, like, let's get through the pain. Like, let's turn off the pain and go to the next moment when I should have totally and completely allowed like the Lord to meet me in my pain in those moments. So I would say just take one day at a time and give yourself grace. When there, There were days that I would wake up and I couldn't get out of bed and. And I remember feeling so bad about that. But looking back, it's like, just let yourself grieve. Because it's a process that I think in the beginning it's really important. Looking back, I don't think I allowed myself to grieve a lot in the beginning. And then eventually it came back really bad, like two or three years after he passed, where I was bedridden for days on end, just could not get out of bed because I was so depressed and so sad. And so I think that I wish I had let myself grieve more in the beginning. And then I would say, go to Jesus with every moment of pain. I've firsthand witness that he truly comforts you in your pain, and he truly comforts your broken heart. And he gives you the little tiny pieces of what you need to get through your day. It's not for tomorrow, it's not for the next. It's for the moment and for the day. And I remember just like constantly. I mean, there were some days I felt like I. I didn't stop praying to him of just like, God, I need you, please, I need you. Or comfort me or give me, like, hope for what's to come. And he would always meet me in that and give me what I needed. And so just continue to seek the Lord in every single moment of your pain and suffering. He's going to meet you where you are. He's going to give you what you need. And he's going to also, I think he gave me glimpses throughout of, like, what he can do with. With pain. And like, growing up in the church, if you grew up in a Christian home, you've heard, like, you know, it talked about how God uses tragedy for good. But truly witnessing it in my life was more than I could have ever dreamed of. How he can, if you, you know, surrender everything to Him. He can. He can use it for your good.
- [28:41]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Yeah, man, so good. So good and so true. And I love that you spoke to that too, because I do think that's such a. It is so easy to just jump to the conclusion of, like, God will use it for good. God will use it for good. And I love that you said, and give yourself grace, because there's going to be really, really, really, really hard days and take those moments to Jesus, like, give those things, like, cast your care. It says, cast your cares on the Lord because He cares for you. God draws near to the brokenhearted. And so he. He wants to sit with us in our heart and in our pain and in our suffering. And for those listening, if you just read through the Psalms like you read about David having these moments, I feel like I'm dying right now. Like, I don't know if I can make it another day. Like, I don't know if I can do this. I'm, you know, and he's having these moments of, like, being in the pit and being in this. This dark, dark place, but he's bringing God into it. And I think so often we think God just Wants us perfect. You know, God just wants me clean and like, where I'm just like, I'm bright and cheery and joyful and everything's good. And God, I trust you. It's like, no, he, he wants the real you, like, not the, the pretend you. Like, he doesn't want you to pretend like everything's perfect. He wants you to take everything you feeling and cast it at like, his feet.
- [29:55]
Anne Wilson
Yeah.
- [29:56]
Madison Pruitt Trout
And I, I do believe that's such an encouraging word for someone listening because it is true. And, and I, I can so relate with that. I think I'm the same way of, like, just put it under the rug. I'm good, like, and I'm, I'm a fixer and I'm a, I'm a go getter and I'm like, if I just, you know, do and go and distract and like, I, I don't have to really deal with it and, and then it ends up catching up with you and it ends up coming out in different ways that you're like, wow, this is affecting so much more than if I had just given it to Jesus and like, really let myself sit in it and deal with it. And so, yeah, I, I, I hope and I know that this, that was encouraging to, to someone listening of. Give yourself grace. Let, let yourself feel what you feel, but then know what you know. Like, know what's true and know, know who's got you and know that even though your situation might not feel good or look good or is good, like, God is still good and he's still on the throne and he's still, for, he still cares about you. And when you do give it to him, he will use it for something so much greater than you could have ever imagined.
- [30:59]
Anne Wilson
Yeah.
- [31:01]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Is your family, you said they're all still like, following Jesus and like, walking out their purpose. Like, what are they, what do they do?
- [31:10]
Anne Wilson
So my sister owns a clothing company.
- [31:12]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Okay.
- [31:12]
Anne Wilson
She's a, like, designer. My dad works for my sister, which is so funny. And also for me, which is just amazing.
- [31:20]
Madison Pruitt Trout
An amazing dad. I know now I want to be.
- [31:22]
Anne Wilson
He's so sweet. And then my mom runs a Christian school, so she's in that. But I think we're all just very, like, entrepreneurial. We all just do our own thing and kind of help each other in it, which is really sweet. Like, I used to model for my sister's clothing company and like, my sister styles me for, you know, my work and all that. So, yeah, it's really fun and it was really cool. Just too Just seeing how like God even just like blessed my parents marriage after my brother passed and them growing closer to each other and our family unit growing closer after he passed. Because I know that when you lose someone, like the statistics are crazy of divorce or families splitting up or just kind of going your own way. And for our family, we grew really close and, and have stuck together since then, which has been really sweet, praise God.
- [32:10]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Yeah, that's so cool that they're all, they're all walking out their, their dreams and they're so fun following in their purpose. And I love that you were when everything like, happened for you because I, I do think that sometimes we can believe the lie of like, I have to be like, I have to be a certain age or I have to be or whatever in order to chase my dreams and in order to be like all that God's called me to be. And I think about that verse in it's either first or second Timothy where it's talking about like, you know, do not let anyone look down on you because you're young, but instead set an example for believers in your speech and your conduct and your love and your faith and your purity. And you're doing that. And I would love for you to just like speak into those listening who are like, man, I have, I have dreams, I have things that I want to do, but it feels impossible. I don't know how to, to chase after it or I feel not qualified or I feel too young. Like, what advice would you give to someone who has these big dreams but they don't know how to, how to chase after them?
- [33:04]
Anne Wilson
Yeah, well, I love what you said about the age thing because I do think like from really early on I was always very independent and always wanting to do my own thing. I started a kids camp when I was 12 years old.
- [33:15]
Madison Pruitt Trout
What?
- [33:16]
Anne Wilson
And took over a church's like vacation Bible School at 14 and was running like a full like kids camp in the summer for kids. And how old were the kids? They were like, you know, maybe three to ten.
- [33:28]
Madison Pruitt Trout
I was like, were they your age? You were leading them. I know, like 10 and I was 11.
- [33:33]
Anne Wilson
I was literally only like a few years older than them at the time, which is crazy. But I just like, I remember like my mom always telling me like when I was young, like, you can do anything you set your mind to, no matter what age you're at. My brother started his own like lawn care company when he was like 12 or 13. And my family's just my, I think my parents just, they're really hard workers and came from those families, so it's like they're always pushing us to do that too. And, and so I would say, like, you are not too young to go do whatever it is that you are dreaming to do. If I had not been willing to go after what God was calling me to at 15 and 16, if my parents had not been willing to let me go do this, like, I would not be here today and none of this would be happening today. And so it's like, as young as I was looking back, like, God need, like he was calling me to something at 15 years old, was calling me to do this. And so you're never too young to go pursue whatever it is that you're wanting to do with your life. And then I would say, it takes a lot of hard work. And I, I don't think I was realizing that, like, when I first got into this, like, okay, this is going to be a lot at a very young age. And I'm going to have to take on a lot and, and work really hard and learn how to just, yeah, get my hands dirty and go to work. And so that's been really interesting for me to learn now being just turning 23, like, looking back, like, how many hours have gone into this? And days and months and years of hard work. So don't be afraid to work hard because you'll, like, one day get to the point where you'll look back and you'll be like, this paid off. And look what God has done through whatever it is that he's calling you to do. So. But I would also say just, just there's gonna be moments of discouragement. For me. There were a lot of moments of, like, I don't know if I can do this or I don't know if I can get through this next, you know, show or tour. And those were always the moments I remember the Lord would give me. I would. I would always ask God give me, like, a glimpse of something to encourage me to keep going. And he would always, whether it was a fan coming up and telling me something that really spoke to me or an encouraging text from a friend or a mentor or whatever it was. Like, those were the moments that, that I could have easily given up. But because I asked God, he would always meet me in those moments and give me what I need. So don't get discouraged. And if you do, which it's you're going to at some point in time, ask the Lord for guidance, like, where. Where do I need to go? Next. And what does this look like?
- [35:56]
Madison Pruitt Trout
I call those God winks. Yeah, God, give me a God wing today. Like, I just. I need to see you specifically today. Today is a hard day. Or today I'm struggling, or today I don't feel. I don't feel like I. Yeah. Can do this. And. And, yeah. And it's so cool how he'll give you those little God wings. Like, sometimes it's just like, ah, it's so sunny and beautiful today. And sometimes it's like a person coming up encouraging you or seeing something that reminds you of something, or, you know, reading a specific verse. But asking the Lord to show up is one of my favorite, like, prayers to pray of. Like, I wanna. I wanna see you in a special way today, Lord. So will you speak to me? Yeah. Have you ever. And I'm asking this because I have. But have you had. In this industry and being in doing all that you're doing, like, have you had those moments of, like, imp. Imposter syndrome of just like. I don't, like, just struggling with, like, comparison or, like, trying to change yourself to, to fit in or to be like. Because I know for me, like, even getting into, like, the speaking world and starting to speak or, you know, starting to write or do social media or whatever it may be, it's like, it's so easy to start comparing yourself or being like, okay, I need to speak like this person, or I need to. You know, I don't feel like I'm good enough in this area, so I need to, like, try to. And so I'm just curious, like, have you. Has that been a struggle for you at all, that imposter syndrome? And if so, like, how have you been able to work through that?
- [37:16]
Anne Wilson
Yeah, it definitely has been. I mean, I think just for girls in general, like, with social media today, it's so hard to not compare yourself to other people and to feel like you're not good enough. I struggled a lot with that when I was in middle school and high school. And so I think now, like, as I've grown into this career, it's like, like, it's. Honestly, it's sometimes just gotten worse in ways of, like, exactly what you said, like, seeing other artists and being like, okay, why should I wear what they're wearing? Or should I. Should I tweak this so that I can fit this better or whatever. And I think that that is a total lie from the enemy, because I remember I had. I was having this really hard day of comparing myself, and I was at the grand Od Opry. And I was doing this, like, event backstage with Lainey Wilson. And I remember, like, I had not talked to her. She had no idea what I was going through. And she says to me, like, on stage in front of, like, all these people that were, like, all these fans listening. I remember, like, it was. It was totally what I needed to hear. And it was like God using Lainey Wilson out of everyone to do this. And he was. And I remember she. She said to me, she was like, and you can only be you. Like, there's only one of you. And you have to stay authentic to who you are, because you can only fulfill this mission that God has placed in front of you. Like, no one else can do that. Only you can. And I just remember, like, on stage, like, in front of people, and I was just, like, holding back tears because it was exactly what I needed that day and exactly what I needed to hear. And I think ever since then, anytime I have those moments of comparing myself, I think about the fact that God has uniquely designed me for a purpose and a reason, and I am the only one that can fulfill what he has called me to do. All these other artists are incredible. They have their own platforms, but they're called to what they can do. And I can't. And I'm not in the middle of that, or I can't go and do what they're doing. And so I think when you just learn to embrace who God has made you to be, it's. It takes a lot of the pressure off, too. Of, like, I'm not going to compare my, you know, streams or my stats to anyone else because I'm doing what God has called me to do, and he's going to bless certain things, and he's not. Or he's going to guide me in certain directions or open certain doors, or he's going to shut them completely. So I think just walking in that confidence has helped me a lot and just reminding myself that ultimately my worth is in Christ. But then, like, just to. To embrace who he's made me to be.
- [39:39]
Madison Pruitt Trout
That's so good. It reminds me of the story in the Bible when David's about to go and fight Goliath, which there's this, like, new show out called House of David. Have you seen it?
- [39:47]
Anne Wilson
Yeah, I have a song on it.
- [39:48]
Madison Pruitt Trout
No. So fun. Okay, well, amazing. I love that for us. Now I'm gonna go listen. Yeah, well, I just started watching the show, and it's. It's so good. But it reminds me of this moment where David's about to go fight Gol Goliath. And he's like, you know, they tell him to put on Saul's armor, and they're like, here, put on Saul's armor. Because, like, of course he's the king. Like, why wouldn't you want to put on Saul's armor? Like, don't you want to be like Saul, Like, King Saul? And David just has this moment of, like, he puts it on and he's like, no, like, I don't. I don't. I'm not meant to wear Saul's armor. And he takes off the armor and he just, like, walking down in his shepherd boy clothes with this little rock and slingshot. And I'm just like, isn't that such a beautiful picture of. Of. You're not meant to wear her jacket. You're not meant to look like her or be like her or live like her. You don't have her calling for a reason. And you are meant to, you know, kill your Goliaths and slay your Goliaths the way that God has called you to. And you're meant to walk out your purpose. And I think we. We waste a lot of time and energy, like, trying to be like other people and wishing that our life looked like other people's when God has given us such unique. And God given and handpicked gifts and talents and beauty and story and testimony. And so. So, yeah, for those listening, like, I love the, the word of encouragement that you gave of just like man comparison really is. It can steal your joy and it can steal from your purpose. Like, God has put you on this planet. It says in Ephesians 2:10. Like, he. He had something prepared for you before you were even born. Like, you had a plan and purpose before you even took your first breath. And he designed you to do that. No one else can do it. Like, no one else can do it for you. And so it's such a good reminder of, like, go, go walk out your purpose. Go share your story. Because you have no idea lead to other people's. Yes to Jesus. Like, I think about what you're doing, and we prayed right before this, this episode. And I just thank the Lord for Anne's. Yes, I thank the Lord for, for Anne's obedience because it's led to other people's. Yes, it's led to other people following Jesus and knowing Jesus and falling more in love with Jesus. And that's what could happen with your yes. If you say yes to the Lord and not just, like, following him, but Going all in, like, being fully committed. When we give God our everything, when we make him our whole life, that's when truly began to use us for a much greater purpose than we could have ever imagined.
- [42:06]
Anne Wilson
That's so good.
- [42:07]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Okay, so tell me about this Rebel album and just, like, writing it. What's it about? Yeah, just get me. Get me into that. Yeah.
- [42:15]
Anne Wilson
I remember a couple years ago, maybe three now, I was on tour with Casting Crowns.
- [42:22]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Yes.
- [42:22]
Anne Wilson
Oh, my.
- [42:23]
Madison Pruitt Trout
I went to Casting Crown concerts growing up. I love casting. They're the best.
- [42:28]
Anne Wilson
And I. I grew up listening to their music. And anyway, I was on tour with them and Kane. Um, and basically, I remember having this. Well, I had the title Rebel in my phone for, like, five years or something. I. So as a songwriter, I'll start with, like, a title, and then I'll write the song from the overarching theme. So I remember having that title. And then this was right around the time where I had a song that we sent to Christian radio and nobody was playing it or. Well, there were, like, quite a bit of stations playing it, but the peop. Like, the main people that we needed to play it weren't playing it. It. Because it was too country sounding. But the message was literally all about your identity in Christ. And it's called hey Girl, and it's about.
- [43:07]
Madison Pruitt Trout
I love that song.
- [43:08]
Anne Wilson
Thank you. And. And just, you know, being a daughter of Jesus. And the message was so Christian and so, like, faith forward. But this production was really country and they wouldn't play it. And I remember getting so discouraged and frustrated of, like, have we really gotten so far away from the message of the gospel that we're so concerned about, like, genre that we're just gonna, like, not play a song because it's too country? Like, like, that's literally. That defeats the whole purpose of what we're doing because we're called to. I mean, we're writing. Christian artists are writing songs about God to put out to, like, encourage other people. And so it's gonna sound. There's gonna be songs that are pop, there's gonna be songs that are country sounding. But it's the overarching message of the gospel. And it just. It honestly became, like, frustrating for me. And it kind of lit a fire in me to go and want to do, like, the opposite of whatever everyone else was doing, which in some ways is not good.
- [43:59]
Madison Pruitt Trout
I'm, like, really good. I don't know if it's healthy or not healthy for us, but I'm like, that sounds like me.
- [44:05]
Anne Wilson
It's so me. And I remember just being like, I'm so done with trying to please people in this industry. Like, I don't have time for this. I'm gonna do what I'm gonna do. And so I remember my. A couple of my really good friends came out to write, and we were on the bus, and I was sharing that with them. And then we were like, let's write a song called Rebel, which. And I just finished really diving into the word and starting to pick up on the fact, like, you know when you're reading the Bible and God reveals things to you, and you're like, whoa, I've never thought about it that way, or whatever. And for me, it was like, Jesus was such a rebel in that time and in that culture. He went against everything that the religious leaders would have wanted him to do. He couldn't stand the Pharisees and the Sadducees and the religious leaders. Like, he could not stand them. He was so disgusted by their religion and the way that they were walking out their life. And it was like they were going against everything that Jesus was truly there for and truly about and what the Father was calling him to do. And I remember, like, reading scripture and then going into rights and like, kind of constantly going back to that idea of rebel. And so we. We sat down, we finally wrote it. So there's, like, scripture references in the song. And then. And then so it was like a double meaning. It was like the whole album was basically like, okay, okay, I'm a rebel because I'm following Jesus in today's culture, which truly makes you a rebel, because the world right now is so far from him.
- [45:26]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Totally.
- [45:26]
Anne Wilson
And then the other side of it was like, I'm gonna be authentically who I am. I'm not gonna sacrifice my love of the gospel to fit country music, and I'm not gonna, like, sacrifice the sound of country to fit Christian. And so that's how it all came about. And then every song was written from that perspective. There's songs on there that are really, really country and fun, and then there's songs that are really deep and meaningful and kind of capture this overarching theme of being a Christian in this world and standing for Jesus and not caring about what people say or think, but just saying, I'm going to be bold for Christ.
- [46:00]
Madison Pruitt Trout
I love that because that's literally why I started this podcast. Like, that's literally why I started this podcast. And also, while you were talking, it just was like, reminding me, too, of a little bit of my Story. Like, when I came off the Bachelor, it was. It was an interesting dichotomy of. It was just a weird situation to be in because, like, I stood for Jesus on reality tv. And so then a lot of people were, like, inspired, and some churches wanted to have me out, but then to speak and share, you know, my story, my testimony. But then other Christians, like, very much judged me, and a lot of churches were like, what? You were on the Bachelor. No, you're not welcome. And that was a really weird, hard place to be where I was like, okay, part of me doesn't feel like I fit in in the world or the Christian circle. So, you know what? Like, in a way, yeah, I'm just going to be. I'm just going to do what God's called me to do, and I'm going to be who God's called me to be. And I'm not going to try and fit in a box and, you know, fit this narrative in either or category. I'm just going to. I'm just going to be a light, and I'm just going to love Jesus and I'm going to stand firm in my faith, and I'm going to stay true to who God's made me to be. And so that. That really inspired me to go and share that message with other people and why I started this podcast. And so I. This is so perfect. And I love that you shared all of that, because it is true. In the world we're living in today, there's such. There's such easy opportunity to compromise and. And to cave and to give in and to change ourselves to fit the narrative or to follow the crowd. And I think about Romans 12:2, that's just a reminder of, like, do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. And that's how we end up discovering what will is. So many people want to know what's God's will for my life.
- [47:43]
Anne Wilson
Yeah.
- [47:43]
Madison Pruitt Trout
You know, and it's not until we renew our minds and we rebel against. We. We live countercultural and we don't follow the crowd and give in to what everybody else is doing, but we stay true to the truth and we follow the Lord. So I'm so glad. I'm glad you're a rebel. I'm a rebel with you. And I also love you. I have your book right here, and I. It was. Is cute. Cute little decor for my. For my studio. So she also has a book called My Jesus From Heartache to Hope. And this is really, really helpful for you guys. If. If there's any of you who are in a place where you are in deep heartache, deep pain, suffering, how God can bring hope out of it, how God can bring purpose out of it, and how he wants to use your story to impact other people. And so I would encourage you guys to go and check that out. But I am so glad you came on this podcast. This was so fun. I'm so thankful I've been encouraged by you and just feel like we have such similar hearts for the Lord and for the world. Yeah. Is there anything else you'd like to share with. With the Stay True audience about you, about grief, about your music, how they can follow you?
- [48:51]
Anne Wilson
Yeah. Well, thank you so much for having me. I've been watching your podcast. I watched you on the Bachelor. Like, I followed along with you for so long and was so excited to be a part of this. I think you're impacting so many people more than you could ever fathom. I've had so many, like, just friends and stuff, like, reach out over the last couple of years and been like, you should totally be on our podcast and, like, have shared stories with me of, like, how you have impacted their lives. And two, I think just watching you be so bold for Christ has been really encouraging. I look up to you, and I think there's something so sweet about, like, having a community of. Of godly women to look up to and. And just to be able to be like, okay, I want to follow in. In the way that she's pursuing Christ. And so the way you've done that has been really, really just amazing. And truly has impacted so many people. Yeah. So thank you for having me. It's been so fun, I would say. I know, like, you shared the book, and I think the book has been really encouraging just to see how the Lord has used it to impact people. The book is actually like, truly. I remember someone came up to me and they were like, did all these things really happen? And I'm like, literally everything in it is so accurate to the T of. Of the miracles that God performed. So if you are going through grief or loss, I would really encourage you to sit with Jesus and allow him to meet you in the midst of your pain. Wherever you're at, allow him to come and heal the parts of you that you don't even realize need healing, and to meet you where you are in your pain, because he will. And I would also just say, like, don't give up on him. Don't give up on pursuing after him. And even in the moments where it feels like he's not around or he's not there, he's not present, he is with you through every. Every single second of your pain.
- [50:39]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Yeah, I love that. I would love to just honestly close in prayer. Do you mind just praying over. It can be so sweet and short or long. However you. We can stay. I'm Pentecostal, so I'm like, we can pray. No, but I. I would love to just pray for those listening who are going through really hard time and are in the midst of grief and not knowing how they're going to make it another day or, you know, where to turn or what to do. And so I would love for you to just pray for them.
- [51:06]
Anne Wilson
Yeah, absolutely. God, I thank you so much for this time that we've had today. Thank you for just this opportunity to get to talk about you and what you're doing and you're so good and you're so faithful, and we just thank you for who you are. Thank you, Lord. For everyone listening right now to this podcast, I pray that you would meet them in the midst of their pain, in. In the midst of their suffering. I've seen firsthand your goodness and your faithfulness and the ways in which you came into my life and truly wrote a. A beautiful story out of the tragedy of losing my brother. And it's been so special to see how you have met me in the midst of that. And I pray that you would do that for every single person listening. Pray that you would show them just the ways in which you can comfort them and give them peace. I pray that you would give them them glimpses of joy for their future, knowing that this pain will not last forever, this grief will not last forever, but that there is good things that are going to be coming out of it. And I thank you that with when we experience pain, we can greater experience joy as well. And knowing that there's both sides to all of it in this world that we're living in today, that we as Christians, we're going to go through suffering, we're going to go through pain, but in the midst of that, that's when we can learn and grow the most in our relationship with you. And that's when we experience the most joy through. Through it. And so I just thank you for this time today. I pray that you would bless every single person listening and watching. And we love you so much. It's your name we pray. Amen.
- [52:30]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Amen. Amen. Thank you. Yeah. Love you guys. So thankful for this episode. So thankful for you and and just the way that this is I know going to impact so many people. So you guys let me know, let me know what you took away from this episode. Go and follow an on Instagram what we're all tik tok everything everything.
- [52:49]
Anne Wilson
And Wilson music.
- [52:50]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Yes and Wilson music. Go and check her out out. Be sure to check out her new Rebel album and give her book a read. If you find yourself in a place of heartache or pain or suffering, it will be really really helpful for you. So we love you guys and as always, be sure to stay you stay true. We love you. Marketing is hard, but I'll tell you a little secret. It doesn't have to be.
- [53:29]
Anne Wilson
Let me point something out.
- [53:31]
Madison Pruitt Trout
You're listening to a podcast right now and it's great.
- [53:33]
Anne Wilson
You love the host. You seek it out and download it. You listen to it while driving, working out, cooking, even going to the bathroom.
- [53:39]
Madison Pruitt Trout
Podcasts are a pretty close companion. And this is a podcast ad.
- [53:43]
Anne Wilson
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Madison Pruitt Trout
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- [53:54]
Anne Wilson
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- [53:56]
Madison Pruitt Trout
To reach your target audience in their.
- [53:57]
Anne Wilson
Favorite podcasts with Libsyn ads, go to.
- [54:00]
Madison Pruitt Trout
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