Podcast Summary: The Bobby Bones Show
Episode: Tyler Hubbard: How A Family Tragedy Shaped His Faith
Date: November 5, 2025
Host: Premiere Networks (Brooke Taylor & Marc Evans)
Guest: Tyler Hubbard (Country Music Artist, Formerly of Florida Georgia Line)
Episode Overview
This episode features an open and heartfelt conversation with country music star Tyler Hubbard, who shares how his faith has been shaped by personal tragedy and life’s transitions. Rather than spotlighting his career accolades, Tyler digs deep into the spiritual journey that has sustained him, especially through difficult seasons—including the loss of his father, the breakup of Florida Georgia Line, and the challenges of balancing fame, family, and faith. The discussion moves through practical faith habits, authentic struggles, and the ongoing process of living one’s beliefs authentically in the public eye.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. What Faith Means to Tyler Hubbard
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Relational Over Transactional:
Tyler emphasizes that his faith is about "relationship with Jesus" rather than simply belief or tradition."It's just about relationship, you know what I mean? And relationship with Jesus. And for me, that's what's grown my faith." (01:14 – Tyler)
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Strong Foundation:
His parents' example set the stage for his spiritual life, establishing a base "that kind of set the stage for the rest of my life." (01:53)
2. Growth in Faith Over the Past Five Years
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Family as a Turning Point:
The birth of his children catalyzed a deeper understanding of God’s love and pushed his faith journey forward."Having children and getting to experience that kind of love... really gives you a new perspective." (02:25 – Tyler)
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Spiritual Practices:
Tyler discusses his intentionality in reading the entire Bible, even though it initially intimidated him."I'm not much of a reader at all, to be honest, so it's always intimidated me a lot." (03:04 – Tyler)
3. Applying Scripture Personally
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Modern-Day Idolatry:
Tyler is struck by how God’s command to avoid idols is just as relevant now, even if the "idols" look different."Is my phone my idol or... am I worshiping my children more than Jesus?" (04:20 – Tyler)
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Reading for Life Application:
He notes that some Bible passages may seem monotonous (like genealogies), but there are always lessons relevant to daily life."Some of it's really just off the wall stuff that you're like, this is, you know... Some of it's really, really good fuel." (03:22 – Tyler)
4. Navigating Change, Uncertainty, and Career Shifts
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Florida Georgia Line Breakup:
Tyler acknowledges the fear and discomfort when "the world kind of fell apart overnight," referencing both the band's split and the pandemic."BK kind of dropped the bomb on me that he wanted to be a solo artist... It was a super tough season for me." (14:04 – Tyler)
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Seeking Direction:
Prayer for discernment has become vital as he navigates business and creative decisions."I've been praying for God to open the doors that he wants me to run through and close the ones he doesn't want me to." (07:06 – Tyler)
5. Living Out Faith in the Public Eye
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Authenticity vs. Branding:
Tyler explains that being solo allows for more vulnerability and openness about faith, compared to being seen as just "Florida Georgia Line.""If I want to be authentic and genuine... I would be selling everyone short to dismiss that part of who I am." (10:34 – Tyler)
"It's really allowed the audience to step in and get to know me, like on a deeper level." (12:40 – Tyler)
6. Personal Tragedy and Faith: Losing His Father
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The Helicopter Crash:
The key tragedy shaping Tyler’s faith was witnessing his father’s death in a graphic helicopter crash at age 20."It happened in my backyard. It was a helicopter crash and it was super graphic, and I was just shook." (19:33 – Tyler)
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Choosing Trust:
He credits making a conscious, difficult decision to lean into faith, which brought him an "unexplainable peace.""I had this unexplainable peace that the word talks about and I had prayed for... Like, this is Jesus. This is all. I mean, this is incredible." (19:33–21:38 – Tyler)
7. The Role of Gratitude Through Trials
- Power in Gratitude:
Tyler emphasizes that gratitude can’t coexist with negative emotions like anger."There can't be a lot of things can't live within gratitude. Anger and certain emotions can't live within gratitude." (17:51 – Tyler)
8. Faith, Identity, and Legacy
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Legacy Beyond Music:
Tyler hopes to be known as "a guy that loved Jesus, that loved music, that loved life, was passionate about my wife and my children." (12:40) -
Redefining Ambition:
Discussion about "holy ambition," using his gifts in a way that serves others and honors God, even outside church settings.“What would Jesus do if he were me, living right now?... If he were a country music artist... living in this culture.” (23:54 – Tyler)
9. Shedding Shame & Embracing Relationship Over Rules
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Breaking Out of Legalism:
Tyler reflects on leaving behind a "fear and shame" based faith for a more relational journey with God."I grew up in a church culture that was all based on fear and shame... I got to learn that for myself" (27:14 – Tyler)
“I had to understand what’s right and what’s wrong for me instead of... my parents or my church.” (28:50 – Tyler)
10. Practicing Faith in Daily Life & Parenting
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Parental Analogies:
Tyler likens his parenting experiences—letting his sons stumble and recover—to God’s way of guiding and loving us."I just kind of sat there, let him stumble. And then he got up and came... That embrace afterwards was that much sweeter." (34:20 – Tyler)
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Teaching Spiritual Fruit:
His family sings about the "Fruits of the Spirit," especially highlighting self-control—both in parenting and personal discipline."Self control is one of those... that we all... My little ones—I'm like, control yourself." (37:16 – Tyler)
11. The Importance of Community and Accountability
- Doing Life Together:
Tyler and the hosts celebrate the value of having accountability and community, especially for Christians in demanding, public fields."Accountability partner, man, is like, so real and practical and part of the model..." (41:39 – Marc)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Idolatry in Modern Life:
“Is my phone my idol or... am I worshiping my children more than Jesus?” (04:20 – Tyler)
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On Loss and Peace:
“I had this unexplainable peace that the word talks about and I had prayed for, and I had it, and I was just like, whoa. Like, this is Jesus.” (21:33 – Tyler)
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On Living Authentically:
“If I want to be authentic and genuine... I would be selling everyone short to dismiss that part of who I am.” (10:34 – Tyler)
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On Parenting and God’s Love:
“That embrace afterwards was that much sweeter... There’s so many, like, analogies between the way God loves us and even that little silly story from this weekend.” (34:20 – Tyler)
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On Breaking Legalistic Faith:
“God actually works outside of the Baptist box that I grew up in. And this is pretty awesome.” (27:14 – Tyler)
Timestamps for Major Segments
- [01:14] – Tyler on the meaning of faith
- [02:25] – Turning point: the impact of fatherhood on faith
- [03:21] – Starting a year-long Bible reading routine
- [04:20] – Wrestling with idols in the modern world
- [07:06] – Praying for discernment through career transitions
- [10:34] – Living out faith publicly and celebrity challenges
- [12:40] – Shifting from band to personal legacy
- [14:04] – Personal crisis in 2020, band breakup
- [19:33] – Witnessing his father’s death and choosing faith
- [23:54] – “What would Jesus do if he were me, living right now?”
- [27:14] – Breaking away from shame-based religion
- [34:20] – Parenting as an analogy for God’s mercy
- [37:16] – Fruits of the Spirit, parenting, and self-control
- [41:39] – Importance of accountability and Christian community
- [42:27] – Tyler requests prayer for discernment and balance
Tone & Closing Reflections
The episode is candid, reflective, and filled with practical wisdom, mixing humor and humility. Tyler’s willingness to discuss his spiritual highs and lows, from deep loss to daily discipline, provides a powerful testimony for listeners grappling with faith in real life. His journey moves beyond cliché, inviting the audience to embrace relationship with God, personal authenticity, gratitude, and the courage to let go of shame and comparison.
Summary Table
| Segment Topic | Key Quote / Moment | Timestamp | |----------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|------------| | Meaning of Faith | “It’s just about relationship...with Jesus.” | 01:14 | | Idolatry in Daily Life | “Is my phone my idol...?” | 04:20 | | Tragedy & Faith | “I was just shook...had this unexplainable peace” | 19:33–21:38| | Breaking Free from Shame | “God actually works outside the Baptist box...” | 27:14 | | Parenting/God’s Love Analogy | “I just kind of sat there, let him stumble...” | 34:20 | | Legacy & Authenticity | “I want to be a guy that loved Jesus...” | 12:40 | | Community/Accountability | “Accountability partner, man, is...so real...” | 41:39 |
For Listeners
Tyler’s perspective—marked by humility, self-reflection, and a deepening relationship with Christ—offers encouragement for anyone navigating change, loss, or the challenge of holding faith in the spotlight. He models what it means to pursue authenticity, gratitude, and spiritual growth in life’s messiest moments.
Useful Takeaways
- Faith is a continual relationship, not a one-time decision or a list of rules.
- Life’s hardest moments can press us into deeper dependence on God.
- Modern idols—such as technology and comparison—can be subtle but powerful.
- Authenticity is worth more than fitting into a cultural or industry mold.
- Community and accountability are vital for living out one’s faith.
- Gratitude is a practical antidote to anxiety, anger, and despair.
- Parents can demonstrate grace and truth—the way God treats us—through their own parenting.
For more stories and faith-fueled conversations, listen to the full replay on The Bobby Bones Show.
