The Find Out Podcast

Episode: The Country Artist Taking on MAGA

Date: October 21, 2025
Guest: Brian Andrews, Country Musician & Social Media Superstar
Main Theme:
A boundary-pushing conversation with country artist Brian Andrews, whose viral song “The Older I Get” challenges the MAGA movement from a rural, faith-based, and working-class perspective. The Find Out crew and Andrews dig into the intersection of country music, religion, and politics in Trump’s second term, exploring how progressive messages can reclaim space in traditionally conservative communities.

1. Episode Overview

This episode spotlights Brian Andrews, a rising country musician confronting the rightward shift in country music and “Christian nationalism.” The hosts and Brian candidly discuss his background, the powerful messages in his new song, and the cultural backlash and support he’s received. Together, they analyze why rural Americans often vote against their own interests, the tension between faith and politics, and the power of visibility and solidarity in progressive movements.

2. Key Discussion Points & Insights

Brian Andrews’ Background & Motivations

• Roots: Grew up in a rural town, raised by two teachers (Democrats); grandfather was a union worker and lifelong Democrat. (01:35)
• Faith & Politics: Identifies with some conservative values but is driven by witnessing working Americans struggle while billionaires profit.
  • “I’m sick and tired of watching working class Americans get screwed while billionaires are just raking in cash off the backs of our labor.” – Brian Andrews (02:53)

Country Music’s Political Divide

• Assumption that country musicians skew right; Brian seeks to challenge this stereotype.
• Desire to revive the activist, empathetic roots of country music.
• “It pains me so much to see a genre of music that connects so well with rural America be directly intertwined with an administration and policies that continuously hurt them.” – Brian Andrews (04:46)

The “Older I Get” Song & Viral TikTok

• Song Origins: Initially inspired by hypocrisy in Christian nationalist circles; wanted to write “What Would Jesus Do?”
• Reaction to local double standards: Going from church to bigotry online.
  • “How can you sit there and call yourself a Christian...and then get on Facebook and...say, ‘I like my country like I like my tea’?” – Brian Andrews (06:52)
• Writing in response to political events: DOJ “list”; ICE raids; Gaza crisis.
• Bridge written in anger over U.S. policies against humanitarian aid.
  • “Not letting aid into these people is one of the most anti-Christian things that I have ever seen.” – Brian Andrews (11:19)
• “Crash out” TikTok video: made intentionally raw and angry to reflect the real emotions many feel now; blew up online.
  • “I want it to be as raw as possible because I want people to be able to relate to me in that moment and how I felt because I think we all should be this mad.” (16:49)

Hypocrisy in Religious & Rural Communities

• Disconnect between Christian teachings and Republican political actions.
  • “You can’t live with that level of cognitive dissonance in your head for very long.” – Chris (12:32)
• The historic progressive tradition in country music: Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, etc.
  • “One of the funniest things…people said, ‘We need less Brian Andrews and more Johnny Cash’, and they posted the photo of Johnny Cash flipping off the prison warden at San Quentin. The fucking irony…” – Brian Andrews (14:27)

Social Media Backlash & Support

• Massive response: millions of views; positive and negative feedback.
  • “I was texting my dad and I was like, dude, I’m just getting fucking rolled over there. And he was like, dude, that place is like a fucking cesspool of nothing but fucking Elon Musk sympathizers.” (18:27)
• Host support for speaking out, acknowledging risks in alienating some audiences but necessity of challenging bigotry and complacency.

Empathy, Poverty, & Policy

• Personal stories from Brian and hosts about how direct experience with hardship (addiction, unplanned pregnancy, low-wage work) shaped their views on social issues.
  • “These problems and things that we see in the world can truly happen to any of us. And it’s so heartbreaking that it takes it happening to either yourself or someone you love for you to give a shit.” – Brian Andrews (34:14)
• The “pro-life” stance vs. cutting social safety nets for poor children.
  • “Did you ever stop to think for a second that maybe so many people wouldn’t get abortions if you weren’t supporting politicians who handed them a financial death sentence when they had a child?” – Brian Andrews (31:21)

Rural America’s Awakening

• Farmers and rural workers waking up to political betrayals (soybean/crisis, beef imports).
• Frustration with the MAGA base voting against their economic interests.
  • “Now they want to attack the left like we’re a death sentence to the U.S. right? No, dog….I might be from a small town, but I’m not stupid. And I don’t believe that these people are either. I just think that they’re having a bad moment.” – Brian Andrews (21:09)

The Role of Representation & Conversion

• Importance of messengers who “look and talk like” rural conservatives.
• The necessity of uncomfortable discourse, even if it only causes a few to question their beliefs.
  • “If I would just fucking get it to the right fucking ears, then maybe if it came from someone who looked and talked like them, they might think about it for longer than half a second.” – Brian Andrews (22:53)
• Hope that the political pendulum is beginning to swing, with the importance of press and solidarity highlighted.

The Future of MAGA & American Politics

• MAGA’s endurance post-Trump; likely continuation with figures like J.D. Vance.
• The need for Democrats with cultural credibility in small towns.
  • “I think the ideal candidate would be someone who is from a red state, that’s a Democrat and that…looks like a farmer or…blue collar guy…” – Brian Andrews (38:41)
• Frustration at media misinformation, bigotry, and political violence narratives.

3. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “I'll never forgive Trump for what he’s done to people that I love and that I know.” – Brian Andrews (08:11)
• “It makes me so mad…I kept having this line, raise your right hand, plead the fifth, trying to cover up names on a list…” – Brian Andrews (09:31)
• “[Country music] used to stand up against injustice, not advocate for it.” – Brian Andrews (20:16)
• “If you don’t like it here, get out, you dog. This is a great genre of music, and...it’ll be a cold day in hell before I let you through.” – Brian Andrews (12:56)
• “You did. Dude. Yes. Wanting better for you radicalized me, man.” – Brian Andrews (52:41)
• “You’re not fooling me, dog. I might be from a small town, but I’m not stupid.” – Brian Andrews (21:09)

4. Important Timestamps

• [01:35] – Brian Andrews introduces his upbringing and political roots.
• [04:46] – On country music’s dangerous complacency with right-wing politics.
• [06:32] – Inspiration for “Older I Get” and criticism of Christian hypocrisy.
• [15:37] – Story behind the viral “crash out” TikTok video.
• [20:16] – Brian on taking a stand: country music “used to stand up against injustice.”
• [22:53] – The importance of reaching rural listeners with progressive messages.
• [29:55] – On empathy and learning through life experience.
• [31:21] – The policy realities underlying “pro-life” rhetoric.
• [36:59] – Personal stories of rural farmers waking up to MAGA betrayals.
• [38:41] – Discussion on what kind of Democratic candidate could break through in rural communities.
• [44:59] – MAGA after Trump: the risk of authoritarianism outliving its figurehead.
• [52:41] – “Wanting better for you radicalized me, man.”
• [54:03] – Closing thoughts on inequality, manipulation, and power.
• [55:00 – 57:22] – Lighthearted debate on Nickelback, Creed, and the cultural legacy of “divorced dad rock.”

5. Tone, Style, and Conclusion

The episode is raw, fiercely honest, and often funny, alternating between fiery rants against hypocrisy and heartfelt moments about growing up rural and learning empathy. Brian Andrews stands as a symbol of how the “radical left” can look and sound a lot like the folks MAGA claims to represent. The conversation encourages listeners to question cultural stereotypes, challenge injustice, and not give up the fight—even when it’s uncomfortable.

For More

• Stream Brian Andrews’ music, especially “The Older I Get.”
• Follow the Find Out Podcast for future episodes on America under Trump’s second term.
• Merch available at findoutpodcast.com.

“We weren’t born to just pay bills and die.” – Brian Andrews (52:20)