Podcast Summary: The Bobby Bones Show – Dylan Marlowe: Keeping The Glory Tank Full

Date: January 23, 2026
Host: [A]
Guest: Dylan Marlowe [B]
Main Theme: Maintaining faith, authenticity, and purpose in the music industry, as well as navigating marriage and impending fatherhood, all while keeping one’s “glory tank” full.

Episode Overview

This heartfelt episode of The Bobby Bones Show features rising country artist Dylan Marlowe, who opens up about his journey through faith, career pressures, community, and his excitement to become a father to twins. Dylan shares candid insights into balancing industry expectations with personal convictions, keeping grounded on the road, and the ways marriage and faith shape his identity. The discussion is honest, engaging, and full of actionable wisdom for artists, believers, and parents-to-be.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Role of Faith In Life and Career

[01:14–03:25]

• Dylan’s Definition of Faith:
  “Faith, to me, is just believing what you can’t physically see with your eyes, but just knowing in your heart…” ([01:20])
• Dylan recounts how his faith became real once he left home, sharing a moving story of being guided to make the personal decision to “get saved” by his friend’s mom, Ms. Kim, who literally pulled him back into church when he hesitated ([02:26–03:25]).
• Emphasis on surrounding oneself with a supportive, faith-driven community: “...so many people are scared to ask those questions...especially surrounding yourself with community...” ([03:27])

2. Spiritual Influences and Role Models

[03:41–04:24]

• Dylan’s grandfather (“Papa”) served as his model of Christ-like patience and compassion, despite living some distance away ([03:50–04:15]).
• On being a positive influence: “I hope I am. I feel like he was very patient and...just kind of the role model for that.” ([04:15])

3. Faith and the Music Industry – Staying Grounded

[04:26–06:58]

• Dylan discusses purpose as a musician:
  “...being a light maybe in such a dark industry...I want people to know, like, okay, this is what Dylan’s about.” ([05:33])
• Proverbs 16:3 in his bio: “Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established.” ([04:43])
• Wrestling with industry temptations: virality vs. intentionality; “...I don’t know if I want to be known for that...” ([07:44])
• Fulfillment comes more from leading worship in small, meaningful moments than from fame:
  “I’ve had more fulfillment for leading worship to, like, 30 people in a rehab center than I have any show I’ve ever played.” ([08:28])

4. Hot Takes & Industry Anecdotes

[07:11–08:48]

• Shares story of viral video after being kicked out of a festival, and the subsequent soul-searching it prompted about motives and reputation ([07:11–08:48]).
• “Most people will watch this back…it’s not that big of a deal, dude. But to me, I would rather be known for a song…than a dude who got controversy…” ([07:44–08:28])

5. Letting God Lead – Patience, Calling, and Conviction

[08:49–10:31]

• Dylan reiterates his goal: headline arenas, but “the way God wants me to do it and not the way I want to do it” ([08:49]).
• On patience and the Holy Spirit’s guidance:
  “I don’t care if it takes me longer than everybody else.” ([09:14])
• Navigating industry pressures vs. spiritual convictions; not trying to “get what you want,” but trusting God’s timing ([09:25–09:51]).

6. Ministry in Unlikely Places

[10:31–12:16]

• On playing worship songs in bars:
  “I think one part of the calling is, like, going into those places...but you have to be so strongly, like, disciplined…” ([11:00])
• Recognizes spiritual warfare and the challenge of being a light in dark environments ([11:50]).

7. Embracing Criticism and Identity

[12:16–13:07]

• Encouraged by the scripture (paraphrased): “If the world hates you, it hated me first.”
• “People might get weird by things you do as a Christian…but, like, they hated Jesus first…” ([12:29])

8. “Glory Tank” Analogy and Seeking Affirmation

[13:07–15:02]

• Dylan shares a counseling session metaphor:
  If your “glory tank” isn’t full from God before performing, “people are going to fill whatever’s left in that gap…” ([13:07–14:39])
  • When the “glory tank” is full, outside affirmation and criticism don’t sway you.
  • “Keep your glory tank full—keep all the fake fuel out.” ([15:02])

9. Staying Anchored On the Road

[15:02–17:58]

• The importance of prayer in his marriage, especially praying out loud:
  “I pray 99% of the time out loud for us every night. Because we also read the stat that couples that pray out loud for each other have like a 1% divorce rate.” ([15:38])
• Surrounding himself with a good road crew, intentional Bible study, accountability, and like-minded community ([16:00–17:58]).
  • Practical advice: “Take your guys to coffee…you can tell, you know, if there’s Jesus in somebody from coffee.” ([18:22])

10. Infertility Journey & The Gift of Twins

[24:06–30:01]

• Dylan and Nat struggled with infertility for almost a year; found help through a holistic doctor, prayer, and persistently seeking God’s will ([24:06–26:05]).
• On prayer specificity and God’s response:
  “I was just praying for fertility…and God said, there you go, two of them.” ([25:47])
• Moving story of discovering Nat was pregnant—and then finding out with excitement (and a bit of panic) that they were expecting twins ([29:19–30:01]).
• “So we were just like, please, dear God, just be a heartbeat. Just be a healthy heartbeat. That’s all we care about…” ([29:23])

11. Approaching Marriage and Parenthood

[21:35–24:06, 31:05–33:49]

• Becoming the “spiritual leader” of the household:
  • “That’s been a journey and a process of just…okay, I don’t have to know more Bible verses than Nat, but I need to do this to lead her…” ([21:47])
• Advice: Serve your spouse, even in conflict.
  “Serving your spouse is probably like an immediate…Advil for a headache. It just takes it away.” ([22:58])
• Discusses their philosophy on parenting—modeling vulnerability, forgiveness, and openness for their kids ([31:57–32:47]).

12. Developing Spiritual Habits

[33:45–37:19]

• Dylan’s “word for the year” is obedience:
  “Whenever you obey, like what the Lord’s saying…you can really…it’s probably the closest thing to immediate…” ([33:56])
• The impact of reading the Word and journaling intentionally.
  “Starting my day with the Word…trajectory of my days. Once I start in the Word and then when I don’t…” ([35:16])
• On memorizing scripture and growing in biblical knowledge, using the analogy of learning “Wagon Wheel” on guitar ([36:21–37:34]).

13. Preparing for a New Season

[37:39–40:34]

• Dylan asks for prayers as he enters a new, slower season before the twins arrive:
  • “Probably just for…in this season of slowness, that I take advantage of that and really spend time with the Lord and really try to, like, deepen my faith…” ([37:48])
• Host encourages Dylan to treasure this quiet before “organized chaos” of twins and assures him that parenthood, while challenging, is “the most amazing journey” ([38:58]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On faith in the industry:
  “I want to headline arenas and stadiums…But I want to do it the way God wants me to do it and not the way I want to do it.” – Dylan Marlowe ([08:49])
• On viral fame vs. purpose:
  “I would rather be known for a song…than a dude who got controversy if you’re getting kicked out of a festival.” ([07:44])
• On “glory tank” analogy:
  “If your glory tank isn’t 100% full from God, then people are going to fill whatever’s left in that gap…” ([13:07])
• On marriage and leadership:
  “I realized, like, I wanted to be the spiritual leader of our household…so I think there was a little bit of catch up for us…” ([21:35])
• On spiritual obedience:
  “My word for the year has been obedience…you really—it’s probably the closest thing to immediate.” ([33:56])

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Topic/Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------------------|------------------| | Defining faith and personal journey | 01:14–03:25 | | Industry pressures & choosing integrity | 05:33–08:48 | | “Glory tank” analogy & motivations | 13:07–15:02 | | Praying out loud in marriage, community on the road | 15:26–17:58 | | Infertility journey and news of twins | 24:06–30:01 | | Parenting values and leading by example | 31:05–32:47 | | Importance of obedience, journaling, and Scripture | 33:45–37:34 | | Preparing for the season of fatherhood | 37:39–40:34 |

Final Thoughts

This episode delivers a transparent and encouraging exploration of what it means to walk faithfully in a challenging industry, embracing community, vulnerability, and obedience to one’s purpose. Whether you’re a musician, new parent, or person of faith, Dylan Marlowe’s experiences and insights provide inspiration for staying anchored amidst external pressures and transitions—and for keeping your own “glory tank” full.