Session 99: Megan Moroney

Summary

Podcast Summary
Therapuss with Jake Shane
Session 99: Megan Moroney
October 10, 2025

Overview
In this special birthday episode, host Jake Shane sits down with country music rising star and close friend Megan Moroney for a candid, hilarious, and deeply personal conversation. They discuss Megan’s meteoric rise in the country scene, her songwriting process, the impact of success on her mental health, and the stories behind her most beloved tracks. The episode closes, as always, with audience-submitted problems in the “Tell Me What’s Wrong” segment, where Megan brings her signature wit and honesty to listener dilemmas.

Main Themes

The transition from college to stardom: Megan’s early struggles, her viral hit "Tennessee Orange," and the realities of her rapid success
The role of songwriting as therapy and the deeply personal inspiration behind her music
The experience of touring and performing live, fan reactions, and life on the road
Navigating mental health, criticism, and online discourse as a young artist
The value of close friendships, supportive community, and overcoming bullying
Teasers for new music and evolving her sound

Detailed Breakdown & Key Moments

Megan’s Tour Life & Musical Favorites

The episode opens with Jake wishing Megan a happy birthday and recounting his experience at her recent “Am I Okay?” tour show, noting, “Megan just had the crowd in the palm of her hands…She is such a star and all of her music slaps.”
[01:20]
Megan shares tour updates: “42 shows down, so it’s been amazing. I feel like it’s been the best time in life on tour…insane.” [03:09]
Favorite live performances: Megan loves the dramatic segue of “Break It Right Back” into “Bless Your Heart,” saying, “I end Break It Right Back on the floor—like, the drama! And then I stand up and we sing ‘Bless Your Heart’ together.” [03:42]

Songwriting as Self-Therapy

Megan explains that “Bless Your Heart” was written to be empowering but accessible, especially for those experiencing bullying:
“I wanted…that was like a topic I didn’t touch on [before]—anti-bullying. That’s what that song is written for…what can we say that’s not like ‘f--- you’ but a middle schooler can sing?” [04:06]
Discussing “Girl in the Mirror,” Megan confesses, “The first time I performed it, I cried… because you’re admitting to people that at one point you cared about them and their happiness more than yourself...Now I sing it with confidence, and it’s empowering.” [14:14]
On letting go after songwriting: “Writing for me is so therapeutic…If I didn’t have somewhere to put those feelings, they would just be festering.” [12:50]

On Finding Her Voice, Influences, and Fame

Megan shares how heartbreak fueled her creativity:
“My dad gifted me a guitar after my first breakup because I wouldn’t stop crying… That made me actually learn guitar.” [05:50]
She reveals first learning “Strawberry Wine” by Deana Carter at 17, and credits Kacey Musgraves and Miranda Lambert as major songwriting influences:
“Kacey was the first [artist] that made me want to write my own music…How does she put those feelings into words, and it rhymes, and it’s clever?” [07:55 – 08:08]
Megan describes her journey from college covers to moving to Nashville and struggling to be taken seriously:
“Girls in my sorority were not nice about it… But now they text me and say ‘We always believed in you.’” [16:33 – 17:01]

Viral Hits and the Anatomy of a Modern Country Song

“Tennessee Orange” was inspired by Megan wearing a rival team shirt, thinking, “If my mom saw me in this shirt, she would kill me.” The song’s relatability surprised her:
“I thought it would be very [niche]—only Georgia and Tennessee people… But [fans] cared about the part that was like, ‘He feels like home.’” [22:34 & 46:46]
On songwriting inspiration: Megan sometimes dreams song ideas, as with “Hair Salon,” and collaborates with Nashville writers.
“I had a dream an ex got engaged…Three chairs down they’re talking about it, and I’m just looking out the window trying not to cry.” [20:25]

Dealing With Pressure, Mental Health, and Haters

Megan addresses online discourse and the toll of public scrutiny:
“I think I’ve had so much said about me now that I’m pretty numb to it… I put more weight into the people that love me and my music than the ones commenting hate.” [33:16 – 34:32]
Support from industry friends: Megan recounts Kenny Chesney, her mentor, comforting her:
“He came over and hyped me up…You were letting these people eat your lunch. None of that matters. What matters is my songwriting, my fans, and my path.” [36:25]

Personal Life, Friendships, Growth

The importance of honest, non-competitive, decade-long female friendships, especially with her best friend Natalie:
“In our 10 years of friendship, almost, Natalie and I have never been in a fight…We respect each other so much.” [41:33 – 62:11]
On setting boundaries and learning to “stand on business”:
“Now, at a hint of disrespect, I’m out. In my past relationships, I’d stick around and forgive. Not anymore.” [15:56]
Saturn Return & personal growth:
“In the past year, I’ve gotten so much more confident in myself…I don’t allow people to treat me like shit.” [32:22]

Music, Creativity, and Next Steps

Megan teases the upcoming album as her most daring and genre-blending work yet:
“My feet are so planted and I know exactly who I am. I’m willing to take risks now… Before, it was ‘this is who I am, but now—yep, this is me.’” [52:13]
“Some songs could definitely get played on pop radio…It’s straight up country pop.” [52:33]
The upcoming live album was inspired by wanting to capture the energy of the “Am I Okay?” era for fans:
“I call the tour group therapy—so many different kinds of songs, it's an experience. Before this era ends, I have to get the whole thing recorded.” [49:03 – 50:46]

Hilarious Tangents & Pop Culture Moments

A spirited debate on Sun Chips vs. Utz chips and favorite snacks on tour; Megan’s “messy, not dirty” lifestyle. [25:07 – 28:19]
Wild sleep habits, Ubers, oversharing, and the perils of living with roommates. [76:07]
A running joke about Jake not knowing Southern fast food (“You didn’t know what a chicken mini is—It’s the backbone of my happiness.” [05:10]) and confusion between venues, birthdays, and cults. [73:31]

Listener Q&A: “Tell Me What’s Wrong”
Jake and Megan respond to fan submissions with compassion, humor, and authenticity. Key queries include:

Boyfriends forgetting anniversaries: “If you’ve talked to him and he refuses, that’s a problem…That’s not your person because he doesn’t care.” [57:21 – 58:47]
Inappropriate family dynamics, being excluded from a friend group, and classic friendship woes.
Advice for breakups, exploring romantic curiosity, and dealing with post-relationship what-ifs:
“Every single time I get my heart so broken. But you move on…I think I’m an emotional person, though.” [64:14 – 65:04]
On real friends: “Wonder [my song] can be applied to all relationships, not just romantic—real friends wouldn’t make you wonder.” [62:31]
On cults, pyramid schemes, and the wildest listener confession—giving a friend gonorrhea via pee (!):
“Pay for her gonorrhea meds. Apologize. Flowers. Maybe distance…” [75:02 – 76:02]
Overall, Megan’s warmth, straight-talk, and humor shine in these segments.

Notable Quotes

On music as therapy: “Writing for me is so therapeutic… If I didn’t have somewhere to put those feelings, they would just be festering.” (Megan, 12:50)
On not letting hate define her: “Now, this is the first year I’ve actually been able to be like, yeah, fudge the haters.” (Megan, 34:32)
On self-worth: “Now, at a hint of disrespect, I’m out.” (Megan, 15:56)
Friendship wisdom: “In our 10 years of friendship, almost, Natalie and I have never been in a fight…We respect each other so much.” (Megan, 41:33 & 62:11)
On taking risks with new music: “Before, it was like, this is who I am, but now—yep, this is me.” (Megan, 52:13)

Memorable Moments

Jake’s off-key but hilarious “Happy Birthday” serenade for Megan. [00:10]
Megan’s admissions about “messy, not dirty” living and her snack obsessions. [25:07 & 26:56]
“If you’re not standing on business, like, I used to let things slide…but now, a hint of disrespect, I’m out.” [15:56]
“We call him community boyfriend… On Valentine’s Day, he’ll show up with balloons and chocolate just because he knows we don’t have boyfriends.” (On her best friend’s fiancé, Alex) [46:01]
The running gag about Megan’s live shows being like a (friendly) cult: “We look like a cult in the house.” [79:25]

Timestamps for Key Segments

03:09 — Tour stories and highlights
04:06 — Inspiration behind “Bless Your Heart” and anti-bullying
08:08 — Songwriting idols and early influences
14:14 — “Girl in the Mirror” and transformative power of songs
20:25 — “Hair Salon” writing process and the role of dreams
22:34, 46:46 — Story behind “Tennessee Orange”
32:22 — Saturn return, confidence, and setting boundaries
34:32 — Coping with public criticism, advice from Kenny Chesney
41:33, 62:11 — Friendship with Natalie, how true friendship works
49:03 — Upcoming live album, group therapy tour
52:13 — Evolution of Megan’s music for next album
57:21 — Audience Q&A begins: relationship issues, advice
75:02 — The wildest listener confession (bed-peeing, gonorrhea)

Final Notes
This episode of Therapuss stands out as both an intimate portrait of an emerging artist and a rollicking good time between two close friends. Megan’s vulnerability, wit, and honesty make for a masterclass in pop-country storytelling and self-acceptance. Fans of her music—and anyone wrestling with heartbreak, ambition, or friendship—will feel seen and uplifted.

The “Tell Me What’s Wrong” Q&A rounds out the episode with plenty of laughs, wisdom, and, above all, the reminder that you’re never alone—no matter how strange your problems may be.

Essential for fans and new listeners alike, this episode proves why Megan Moroney’s star keeps rising and why Jake Shane’s Therapuss is a safe space for quirks, chaos, and catharsis.

Summary

Podcast Summary
Therapuss with Jake Shane
Session 99: Megan Moroney
October 10, 2025

Main Themes

The transition from college to stardom: Megan’s early struggles, her viral hit "Tennessee Orange," and the realities of her rapid success
The role of songwriting as therapy and the deeply personal inspiration behind her music
The experience of touring and performing live, fan reactions, and life on the road
Navigating mental health, criticism, and online discourse as a young artist
The value of close friendships, supportive community, and overcoming bullying
Teasers for new music and evolving her sound

Detailed Breakdown & Key Moments

Megan’s Tour Life & Musical Favorites

The episode opens with Jake wishing Megan a happy birthday and recounting his experience at her recent “Am I Okay?” tour show, noting, “Megan just had the crowd in the palm of her hands…She is such a star and all of her music slaps.”
[01:20]
Megan shares tour updates: “42 shows down, so it’s been amazing. I feel like it’s been the best time in life on tour…insane.” [03:09]
Favorite live performances: Megan loves the dramatic segue of “Break It Right Back” into “Bless Your Heart,” saying, “I end Break It Right Back on the floor—like, the drama! And then I stand up and we sing ‘Bless Your Heart’ together.” [03:42]

Songwriting as Self-Therapy

Megan explains that “Bless Your Heart” was written to be empowering but accessible, especially for those experiencing bullying:
“I wanted…that was like a topic I didn’t touch on [before]—anti-bullying. That’s what that song is written for…what can we say that’s not like ‘f--- you’ but a middle schooler can sing?” [04:06]
Discussing “Girl in the Mirror,” Megan confesses, “The first time I performed it, I cried… because you’re admitting to people that at one point you cared about them and their happiness more than yourself...Now I sing it with confidence, and it’s empowering.” [14:14]
On letting go after songwriting: “Writing for me is so therapeutic…If I didn’t have somewhere to put those feelings, they would just be festering.” [12:50]

On Finding Her Voice, Influences, and Fame

Megan shares how heartbreak fueled her creativity:
“My dad gifted me a guitar after my first breakup because I wouldn’t stop crying… That made me actually learn guitar.” [05:50]
She reveals first learning “Strawberry Wine” by Deana Carter at 17, and credits Kacey Musgraves and Miranda Lambert as major songwriting influences:
“Kacey was the first [artist] that made me want to write my own music…How does she put those feelings into words, and it rhymes, and it’s clever?” [07:55 – 08:08]
Megan describes her journey from college covers to moving to Nashville and struggling to be taken seriously:
“Girls in my sorority were not nice about it… But now they text me and say ‘We always believed in you.’” [16:33 – 17:01]

Viral Hits and the Anatomy of a Modern Country Song

“Tennessee Orange” was inspired by Megan wearing a rival team shirt, thinking, “If my mom saw me in this shirt, she would kill me.” The song’s relatability surprised her:
“I thought it would be very [niche]—only Georgia and Tennessee people… But [fans] cared about the part that was like, ‘He feels like home.’” [22:34 & 46:46]
On songwriting inspiration: Megan sometimes dreams song ideas, as with “Hair Salon,” and collaborates with Nashville writers.
“I had a dream an ex got engaged…Three chairs down they’re talking about it, and I’m just looking out the window trying not to cry.” [20:25]

Dealing With Pressure, Mental Health, and Haters

Megan addresses online discourse and the toll of public scrutiny:
“I think I’ve had so much said about me now that I’m pretty numb to it… I put more weight into the people that love me and my music than the ones commenting hate.” [33:16 – 34:32]
Support from industry friends: Megan recounts Kenny Chesney, her mentor, comforting her:
“He came over and hyped me up…You were letting these people eat your lunch. None of that matters. What matters is my songwriting, my fans, and my path.” [36:25]

Personal Life, Friendships, Growth

The importance of honest, non-competitive, decade-long female friendships, especially with her best friend Natalie:
“In our 10 years of friendship, almost, Natalie and I have never been in a fight…We respect each other so much.” [41:33 – 62:11]
On setting boundaries and learning to “stand on business”:
“Now, at a hint of disrespect, I’m out. In my past relationships, I’d stick around and forgive. Not anymore.” [15:56]
Saturn Return & personal growth:
“In the past year, I’ve gotten so much more confident in myself…I don’t allow people to treat me like shit.” [32:22]

Music, Creativity, and Next Steps

Megan teases the upcoming album as her most daring and genre-blending work yet:
“My feet are so planted and I know exactly who I am. I’m willing to take risks now… Before, it was ‘this is who I am, but now—yep, this is me.’” [52:13]
“Some songs could definitely get played on pop radio…It’s straight up country pop.” [52:33]
The upcoming live album was inspired by wanting to capture the energy of the “Am I Okay?” era for fans:
“I call the tour group therapy—so many different kinds of songs, it's an experience. Before this era ends, I have to get the whole thing recorded.” [49:03 – 50:46]

Hilarious Tangents & Pop Culture Moments

A spirited debate on Sun Chips vs. Utz chips and favorite snacks on tour; Megan’s “messy, not dirty” lifestyle. [25:07 – 28:19]
Wild sleep habits, Ubers, oversharing, and the perils of living with roommates. [76:07]
A running joke about Jake not knowing Southern fast food (“You didn’t know what a chicken mini is—It’s the backbone of my happiness.” [05:10]) and confusion between venues, birthdays, and cults. [73:31]

Listener Q&A: “Tell Me What’s Wrong”
Jake and Megan respond to fan submissions with compassion, humor, and authenticity. Key queries include:

Boyfriends forgetting anniversaries: “If you’ve talked to him and he refuses, that’s a problem…That’s not your person because he doesn’t care.” [57:21 – 58:47]
Inappropriate family dynamics, being excluded from a friend group, and classic friendship woes.
Advice for breakups, exploring romantic curiosity, and dealing with post-relationship what-ifs:
“Every single time I get my heart so broken. But you move on…I think I’m an emotional person, though.” [64:14 – 65:04]
On real friends: “Wonder [my song] can be applied to all relationships, not just romantic—real friends wouldn’t make you wonder.” [62:31]
On cults, pyramid schemes, and the wildest listener confession—giving a friend gonorrhea via pee (!):
“Pay for her gonorrhea meds. Apologize. Flowers. Maybe distance…” [75:02 – 76:02]
Overall, Megan’s warmth, straight-talk, and humor shine in these segments.

Notable Quotes

On music as therapy: “Writing for me is so therapeutic… If I didn’t have somewhere to put those feelings, they would just be festering.” (Megan, 12:50)
On not letting hate define her: “Now, this is the first year I’ve actually been able to be like, yeah, fudge the haters.” (Megan, 34:32)
On self-worth: “Now, at a hint of disrespect, I’m out.” (Megan, 15:56)
Friendship wisdom: “In our 10 years of friendship, almost, Natalie and I have never been in a fight…We respect each other so much.” (Megan, 41:33 & 62:11)
On taking risks with new music: “Before, it was like, this is who I am, but now—yep, this is me.” (Megan, 52:13)

Memorable Moments

Jake’s off-key but hilarious “Happy Birthday” serenade for Megan. [00:10]
Megan’s admissions about “messy, not dirty” living and her snack obsessions. [25:07 & 26:56]
“If you’re not standing on business, like, I used to let things slide…but now, a hint of disrespect, I’m out.” [15:56]
“We call him community boyfriend… On Valentine’s Day, he’ll show up with balloons and chocolate just because he knows we don’t have boyfriends.” (On her best friend’s fiancé, Alex) [46:01]
The running gag about Megan’s live shows being like a (friendly) cult: “We look like a cult in the house.” [79:25]

Timestamps for Key Segments

03:09 — Tour stories and highlights
04:06 — Inspiration behind “Bless Your Heart” and anti-bullying
08:08 — Songwriting idols and early influences
14:14 — “Girl in the Mirror” and transformative power of songs
20:25 — “Hair Salon” writing process and the role of dreams
22:34, 46:46 — Story behind “Tennessee Orange”
32:22 — Saturn return, confidence, and setting boundaries
34:32 — Coping with public criticism, advice from Kenny Chesney
41:33, 62:11 — Friendship with Natalie, how true friendship works
49:03 — Upcoming live album, group therapy tour
52:13 — Evolution of Megan’s music for next album
57:21 — Audience Q&A begins: relationship issues, advice
75:02 — The wildest listener confession (bed-peeing, gonorrhea)

The “Tell Me What’s Wrong” Q&A rounds out the episode with plenty of laughs, wisdom, and, above all, the reminder that you’re never alone—no matter how strange your problems may be.

Essential for fans and new listeners alike, this episode proves why Megan Moroney’s star keeps rising and why Jake Shane’s Therapuss is a safe space for quirks, chaos, and catharsis.

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Summary

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